DNA Part 9

I hadn’t slept in a couple days. My anxiety ramped up every thought in my head causing insomnia. I had avoided seeing Adrian for two days at that point. Monday’s class had been cancelled so I dodged the first time seeing him. When he asked to come by or to eat lunch together, I made up some story about this or that. I knew my excuses were wearing thin and skipping Wednesday’s class was not an option.

Maybe if a meteor hit the school….or if I got hit by a bus…..or pushed down 17 flights of steps I could miss class….

I had run out of ways to avoid Adrian and out of respect for us it was time I owned up to my mistake. I needed to talk to someone far removed from the situation, so I called my mom (AKA The Dragonslayer).

Me: Hi...did I wake you?

Dragonslayer: No, I’ll always have time for my baby boy.

Me: College boy, mom.

Dragonslayer: College baby boy!

Me: Fair enough.

……

……

Dragonslayer: Are you still there?

Me: I’m here…...just kind of …...I don’t know.

Dragonslayer: Well knowing you it’s hard to convey your current emotional state…

Me: Wow, I see Oprah has taught you well.

Dragonslayer: Moms kind of have a sixth sense about their child’s well-being. Also this is the first time you called me and I didn’t have to call or leave a message first. Something must be wrong.

Me: Nothing’s wrong mom. I just wanted to talk to you.

Dragonslayer: Okay, okay. How are classes going?

Me: Fine.

Dragonslayer: Do you like your dorm room? Need any food? Money? How is Theo? Did you get the box of goodies I sent you?

Me: It’s okay. No. When don’t I need money, but I’m fine. He’s fine. Yes, and what am I going to do with a juicer mom?

Dragonslayer: You can juice some veggies and fruits before working out. I have a real good kale smoothie recipe……..

I started to sob a bit. Maybe it was all that had happened this weekend or maybe I was actually homesick, but I just began to unload my problems on my mom.

Me: Mom, I messed up. I had met this wonderful person and it was all going well. Then I met this other person and did something that the first person probably won’t forgive. I thought I was a good person, but I’m such a horrible person. I can’t even face them. I have been hiding out since Sunday. What should I do?

Like any mom who has raised her kids and seen them smile and cry, she responded to my flurry of emotions with wisdom, tact, and a whole lot of mama knows best.

Dragonslayer: It may sound very cliche to lead with this, but I was once your age facing the same dilemma. It is okay. Anyone in your situation would find this a bit stressful. You are young and can’t be expected to know what you want at the start of things. If you really like person one then they will understand. However, this could be a sign that maybe person two is more your style and it will work out either way if you’re honest. Shall I quote a few scriptures to seal the deal.

Me: No, I think you gave me all I needed.

Dragonslayer: Of course mother knows best.

Me: I love you and don’t you let anyone tell you different!

Dragonslayer: I love you too and please at least try to use the juicer. It will help you lose that baby fat.

Me: Mom! Okay, Goodnight. I love you….

Dragonslayer: Goodnight. And I hope to meet person one or two at Thanksgiving!

As the call ended, I remembered why this woman was one of my own personal hero. I couldn’t imagine anyone else raising a child like me and not becoming pretty super along the way. I’ve never actually seen her cry and  she always has constant smile with a sunny disposition. When my siblings and I were growing up she always seemed like she could fight lions, trip up giants, pour water on nasty witches, and of course slay any dragon that dared challenge her all while working a job, cleaning house and making dinner each night for her family.

Everyone should call their dragon slayers and brave knights to say thanks and goodnight!

After hearing such good advice, naturally I did the complete opposite as young people tend to do. Well, I started out of my dorm room to go and tell Adrian what the truth, but chickened out halfway down the steps. Instead of walking across the parking lot to Adrian’s room I decided to take a stroll around the neighborhood. Bad idea. It was almost like I was being pulled in one direction. I looked up from my lovely stroll only to find myself standing in front of the Beta house. I took it as a sign. I slipped past a group pledges disguised as very large lawn gnomes in the front yard and took the back steps to Rory’s room. It was after midnight and I was standing outside the room of the guy that played the biggest part in potentially ruining what I had with Adrian, yet I knocked anyway. I was just about to leave when a half awake Rory cracked open the door to peek out. When he realized who it was the door opened wide. He invited me in, closing and locking the door behind us. I really didn’t know what to say except hello. He gave me a big hug then dropped to his knees. I was shocked and really not in the mood for a sexual encounter. My first reaction was to cover and protect my family jewels.

Rory wasn’t reaching for my goods, instead he was unlacing my shoes. I watched as he took and placed them next to his bed. Then he ordered me to remove my shirt and pants. He folded my clothes neatly and sat them on top of his desk. This guy was turning out to be something very different than Adrian. He went to the closet and grabbed another pillow for the bed. At that point, I had to say something because I was very confused.

Me: What is going on?

Rory: Do you like to sleep on the left or right side of the bed?

Me: Left. But that is beside the point right now.

Rory: Left it is then. I’m partial to the right myself.

Me:  Rory! Aren’t you going to ask why I just showed up at your door!

Rory: Ummm, no. I like you so that is all I need to know.

Me: Well…..well….well……

I didn’t know what else to say. I stood stunned for a few seconds looking into his eyes. The whole situation was confusing me all over again.

Rory: Are you going to get into bed or stand there all night?

I climbed in regretting my choice to take that nightly stroll in the first place. Rory grabbed my arms and forced them around himself. With his chest placed up against mine I could feel his heart beating very fast.

Me: I can feel your heartbeat.

Rory: Oh wow. Sorry. I’m just a bit nervous.

Me: Why?

Rory: Well I’ve never slept in a bed with a guy. Except for maybe spring break, but that doesn’t count….does it.

I laughed at him. I could feel that the more relaxed I became the softer his heartbeat felt. He was just as nervous about things as I was at the time. I wanted to tell him why I’d popped up like a lost puppy on his doorstep, but it wasn’t the right moment. I could see my phone glowing across the room with alerts. I knew they were all from Adrian, so instead of worrying about the upcoming class/confrontation I followed Rory’s lead and tried to get some sleep. I was going to have to make a big decision soon. Do I pick the one that feels like the one or the one that feels like something completely different?

I was screwed the moment I started to care about them both.

To be continued…….

Alex and Sierra - Little Do You Know

*Each post in this series will be accompanied by a song that sums up this part of the story. So go listen to it!