I blushed. “I think we’re going to my room, actually.”

Her eyes widened. “Even better. Get ready, because I’m going to ask you details about how he ‘hangs out,’ if you get my drift.” She winked. “I’m just giving you a pardon for a few days because I know you’ll clam up.”

“Daniela!” I yelled, my face even hotter than before.

“What? If my best friend is dating a guy as gorgeous as he is, I’m getting the details!”

The righteousness of her expression made me laugh. I’d have to deal with her inquiries about Hunter’s sexual prowess when the time came, but at least she was giving me a momentary reprieve. Her interest in the “details” made me think of them myself. The truth was, I couldn’t wait to get him back in bed.

We parted ways at Starbucks. I opted against getting a coffee, realizing I had time for a nap before my drawing class. When I got back to my dorm room, I went straight for my bed. It felt kind of strange to be back in my room after sleeping somewhere else the previous few nights. As I dozed off, I thought about seeing Hunter that evening. It was the only thing on my mind.

My phone alarm chimed and I dragged myself out of bed just in time for class, which went smoothly. Drawing was just about the only class that was going well, schoolwise. I’d intended to get work done at Hunter’s but we ended up studying Sex Ed more than for classes we were actually taking. I decided to spend some time studying at the library before dinner so I could begin to dig myself out of the rut I’d gotten into with my classwork. After grabbing my first coffee of the day, I walked into Wheatley Library ready to get to it.

The best place to study when you really needed to get stuff done was the cubbies located in the stacks, so that’s where I went. The strong stench of old book smell greeted me; I knew a lot of people liked the aroma of book paper, but I wasn’t one of them. I found a cubby, put my bag on the desk, and checked my phone. It was five-fifteen—I had almost two hours before meeting Hunter at the Barnyard. After putting on my headphones and starting my Taylor Swift mix, I got to work.

I’d been at it for almost an hour when my mix ended. I put my headphones on the table, wanting a break before moving on to another playlist. It was then that I heard my name from somewhere in the stacks. Putting my pen down on my page of notes, I remained motionless, listening quietly.

“They have to be dating now, right? I mean she’s always over there. I heard she was even there on Valentine’s day,” a girl with a high-pitched voice said.

“Yeah,” said another girl with a lower voice. “I don’t get it though. I mean I guess she’s cute, but she’s not exactly super hot or anything, and she is such a debbie downer. Sure, I get it, your parents are dead, it’s really sad. I’m not blaming her, but come on! He deserves better than that.”

My jaw tightened as I listened to these two faceless girls gossip about me. Apparently it hadn’t gotten out that Hunter and I were dating. If it had, these two girls would certainly know.

“I’ll bet she just gives really good head,” the high-pitched girl mused.

“I don’t know, I’m sure Hunter can get a blowjob anytime he wants.”

“Yeah, but maybe Lorrie can do special tricks with her tongue or something.” She paused. “Or maybe she’s just willing to do absolutely anything?”

“Like what?”

“I don’t know, just think about it. Like really dirty  p**n  star stuff.”

The lower-pitched girl giggled. “I haven’t really seen much  p**n .”

“Use your imagination then.”

There was silence. I felt my heart pounding in my ears and my stomach wringing itself out. Listening to these two girls talk about me was excruciating.

“I guess,” the second girl said finally. “Doesn’t really matter. I bet he’ll lose interest soon.”

“I agree.”

That was it. I had to get out of here or these girls were going to drive me crazy. The way these girls were talking about me like I wasn’t worth Hunter’s attention was pissing me off. I packed my stuff up hastily and walked out.

As I walked toward the exit I saw the two gossiping girls. One was blonde, the other brunette, and they were both sitting down in front of a book shelf. The blonde locked eyes with me and did a double-take. “Hi,” she said. I scowled and kept walking, trying to ignore what those girls said about me.

I got to the elevator and hit the button to go down to ground level, thinking I’d just spend the rest of my studying time in a study room at the Student Union. In the back of my mind, I guess I’d known that Hunter was well-known on campus so going out with him would have people talking, but coming face-to-face with it had made me feel sick. People could be so awful to each other.

I got another coffee at Starbucks and tried to study for the next hour, but it was very unproductive. I couldn’t concentrate. All I could think about was the tone those girls had taken talking about me. It didn’t even sound like they were trying to be nasty; they just sounded confused. They were wrong about why Hunter was dating me, but it shook my confidence all the same. Seven o’clock couldn’t come soon enough.

Eventually, evening came. I left the Student Union and walked over to the Barnyard to meet Hunter for dinner. As I stood in line for a tray, my appetite disappeared, replaced by nervous energy. Should I talk to Hunter about what those girls had said? How would he respond if I did? We had an argument before about me listening to gossip, and I tried myself not to listen to it, but dammit did gossip always seem to follow me and then linger on my mind afterward. My pulse starting to quicken, I ground my teeth and took a deep breath.

I grabbed a tray and put a modest serving of potatoes and turkey on my plate along with a dinner roll. It was probably more than I’d be able to eat, but I could give it a try. After grabbing a soda to drink, I looked around to see if Hunter had beaten me here. When I saw him, I was lucky to hold onto my plate.

Hunter was sitting with the same girl who had been cozy with him the last time I’d seen him in the Barnyard. Ada. This time, however, she was sitting across from him. Did Hunter invite her to our dinner? Or did she invite herself? I wanted to turn and run, but instead put my shoulders back and walked as confidently as I could toward the open seat next to Hunter. I had nothing to be ashamed of. I approached and she locked eyes with me.

Hunter followed Ada’s stare. His face lit up when he saw me, causing a warm bubbly feeling to emerge in my midsection. I felt myself relaxing immediately. Being around Hunter was so comfortable and felt so right. I took a deep breath and sat down next to him.

He smiled at me. “Lorrie!”

“Hey Hunter,” I said cheerily, returning his smile.

Hunter gestured to Ada and me, in turn. “Ada, this is my girlfriend Lorrie. Lorrie, Ada.”

The fact he’d immediately called me his girlfriend boosted my confidence. He knew how to make me feel good. Ada plastered a big fake smile on and tilted her head. “So nice to meet you, Lorrie.”

“Hi,” I said politely.

“Sorry it was last minute,” Hunter said. “But I saw Ada at another table and invited her over so you guys can meet. Clear up some confusion.”