Written in the Stars (24 page)

I didn’t just jump into my classes and tennis to keep my mind occupied. I dove in head first, and before I knew it, the smell of winter filled the air, and Halloween decked out the campus.

“I bet the Halloween parties are epic.” Erin kept trying on different masks.

“I have a feeling all college parties are epic.”

“So far, they are, and you would know that if you actually went to one.”

“I don’t have time to enjoy college. I’m too busy trying to make grades,” I told her.

“That’s no excuse. I’m making grades and I attend all the parties I’m invited to unless they’re on the same night, then I only go to the cool one.”

“Yeah, well I’m not you and anyways, I’ve had my fair share of partying back in Italy,” I said.

“No, you had your share of drunkenness. Getting drunk at a college party is just asking for trouble, that’s why I don’t drink when I’m at one.”

“I don’t like parties.”

“You never have; however, I’m not letting you say no to the Halloween party. You’re going, if I have to drag you kicking and screaming,” she said.

“You’re going to have to drag me.”

“Oh, I will.” She smirked.

“Okay, you keep planning whatever evil you’re up too, and I’m going for a run to clear my head.”  I fell in shock when I opened the door and saw Mario with his hand in knocking position. “Mario!” I threw my arms around him. “What are you doing here?”

“I told you I’d be here for the holidays,” he said.

“I didn’t know you meant Halloween.”

“Did you really think I’d go to any holiday parties dateless?” Erin joined us.

“
Ciao bella, me si mancato.”
He hugged Erin.

“You have no idea how it makes me feel when you talk to me in Italian.” She melted in his arms.

“And neither do I and I don’t need to know,” I interrupted them.

“Sorry, I forgot you were here.” Erin smiled at me.

“You should keep practicing that,” I teased her.

“Funny.” She glared and led Mario to her side of the room. “This is where I sleep, and that’s about it. I’m barely here, unlike Sophie, who is always here when she’s not in class, running, or at tennis practice.”

“So basically, this is where I sleep.” I sat on my bed. “Is Nonna here?”

“Your dad is picking her up the week of Thanksgiving,” he said.

“You mean she’s flying the airline my dad works for?”

“No, I mean he’s using the private plane that he now pilots to pick her up,” he explained.

“When did my dad start piloting private planes, and why don’t I know about this?” I asked.

“Because we’re not allowed to talk about Geoff around you,” Erin replied.

“He pilots Geoff’s plane?” My heart sank.

“He has been since you left Italy,” Mario explained.

It was at this moment that I realized there was no escaping having Geoff a part of my life in one way or another since he was apparently still very good friends with everyone in it.

“My run may be a little longer than normal.” I stood up and walked to the door.

“You’re going on a run right now?” Mario perked up.

“Yes, why?”

“Because, dear cousin, we did not have our final race of the summer and I can’t think of a better time than now.” He stood up.

“You want to race?” I looked at him.

“More than anything.” He grinned. “Except for wanting to be with you.” He kissed Erin’s cheek.

“I knew what you meant.” She smiled.

“I need something to make me feel better about myself right now, and beating you would almost do it,” I said.

“Great, I’ll just change.” He grabbed his bag. “Where’s your changing room?”

“At the end of the hall.” I pointed to the left of me.

“What?” He looked baffled. “You mean you share a changing room?” He looked at Erin.

“Yes, we share a shower room with our whole building,” I replied before Erin could. “Including boys.”

“No, we don’t!” she snapped. “We share it with only girls, but it’s not bad. We have doors on the shower stalls so not everyone can see our goodies.”

“Good, that makes me feel a little better.” He hugged her and then turned to walk out. “Oh, and, my dear cousin, this is a race you will not win.”

“We’ll see about that.” I playfully scowled at him.

“That was not cool.” Erin punched my arm. “What if he actually believed you?”

“Erin, he’s hasn’t believed anything I’ve said since we were kids, so why would he start now?” I rubbed my arm. “And that actually hurt.”

“I meant it too.”

* * * * * *

I was outside stretching for at least twenty minutes before Mario decided to finally join me.

“What took you so long?” I asked him.

“I was changing.”

“It took you twenty minutes to change?” I eyed him.

“Yes, and I also had to convince Erin to let me go.”

“That’s what I thought.”

“Are you ready to eat my dust?” He smiled.

“I’m more ready to create the dust that we both know you’ll be eating, not me.”

“Do you what to make a bet?” he said with a devilish grin.

“Absolutely.” I smiled. “When I win, you have to parade up and down campus with ‘loser’ written on your forehead.”

“And if I win…” He looked as if he was contemplating what he should say. “I will let you know when I win.”

“As long as it has nothing to do with me parading naked, I’m in,” I said.

“I would never let you do something like that.”

“Sure you would.” I smiled. “Are we going to talk all day, or are we going to race?”

“Race!” he shouted and then took off down the sidewalk.

I waited until he was far enough away to give me a decent head start before I y
elled, “It’s this way!” I yelled before turning and running the opposite way.

I was a little shocked when he quickly caught up to me, and for the better half of the beginning, we ran side by side. There was only one time that he fell back to catch his breath. I, however, had been running this route every morning for the past few months, so I knew when to keep my pace steady and when to speed up.

Mario followed my lead, and as we rounded the corner that led to the beach, I sped up. It didn’t take him long to catch on and match my speed. Just as I was full of cocky confidence that I was going to win, he came out from behind and kept just enough of a distance between us for the win.

“I can’t believe you won,” I heaved as I was hunched over, trying to catch my breath.

“Would this be a bad time to tell you that I started running marathons about five years ago?” He smiled as he patted my back.

“Are you kidding me!” I shouted. “I would have paced myself differently had I known that.”

“That’s why I didn’t tell you.”

“You’re a horrible, evil, and just horrible cousin.” I grabbed my side, hoping to help the pain ease away.

“Maybe, but I won.” He did a happy dance.

“Won what?”

“The race, of course.” He looked confused.

“I know that.” I rolled my eyes. “What did you win in our stupid little bet?”

“You wouldn’t call it stupid if you won.” He winked at me. “Anyways, I do not know what I want yet. I will let you know.”

“I won’t let you have that much control over me. It’s either now or never.” I tried getting the upper hand.

“Let’s remember who is older here, cousin. What I say goes, and I said when the time is right, I will tell you.”

“You’re the epitome of evil.” I glared at him.

“I like that.” He smiled. “Shall we walk back?”

“Why? Are you afraid of losing?”

“I still have a few miles left in me, so we can run if you want to,” he said.

We were eyeing each other as if we were two cowboys staring each other down before a duel and, being humiliated and exhausted, I ended up being the one shot.

“I don’t want to overwork my muscles, since I have tennis tomorrow,” I lied and started walking ahead.

“Good thinking.” He smiled and caught up to me.

It felt like we were kids all over again as we talked about everything and a lot of nothing on our walk back. At least I didn’t have to worry about him bringing up Geoff every five minutes the way my dad and Erin usually liked to, but he did have his way of bringing him into our conversation. By the time we reached the dorms, I knew exactly how much he loved Erin and all the details about how he’d just partnered up with a very rich but silent partner investing into opening a nightclub in New York. Silent partner named Geoff.

I was hoping that having Mario around would take the spotlight off of me, and Erin would give up trying to make me go to a party I had no interest in attending, but I was wrong. Granted, she was around even less with him in town, but the no-chance-in-hell Aphrodite G
reek Goddess costume she got for me to wear, hung in her closet, was her way to remind me to be ready, but all it reminded me of was that I needed to come up with a good lie to get out of it.

Even though finals were still a couple months away, I decided to get a jump start on studying for them. One thing I’d learned was that one could never over prepare in college.

“Sophie!” Erin shook me awake.

“I’m awake.” I jumped up, and realized I had fallen asleep at my desk, using my book as a pillow.

“Now that’s what I call proving my point.” Erin laughed and handed me a mirror. There had to be at least a paragraph imprinted on my face.

“Do you think this would be considered cheating if I didn’t wash it off?” I laughed. “I’m going to take a shower. Hopefully, it’s still early enough for me to beat the crowd.” I gathered up all my bathroom needs.

“Wait, there’s something I have to tell you, no matter what you say.” Erin blocked the door.

“Geoff’s in town,” I said, and her face fell.

“How did you know that?”

“A little fairy named Josie told me,” I teased her.

“Seriously, Sophie, who told you?” She started getting irritated.

“It was in the paper.”

“They announced him in the paper.” She started flipping through the pages.

“I’m going now.”

“No, that’s not all,” she said.

“I don’t care.” I quickly shut the door.

“Fine, but don’t come crying to me!” she shouted at me.

“I never have.”

We weren’t allowed to have any electronic devices in the shower rooms for safety, but no one ever followed that rule except for me. I really didn’t see the need to ruin my IPod, since there were speakers throughout the room that aired the campus radio station.

I washed my face with some makeup remover as I waited for the water to heat up. The hotter the better since my neck felt more kinked than normal. I let the hot water rush over me as I tried to clear my head enough to hit the books again. I knew college was going to be stressful, but I never dreamed that it would make me want to quit after the first semester. I was more than ready for a break, and Thanksgiving couldn’t come soon enough.

At least school kept my mind occupied enough to only think about Geoff every other hour of the day instead of minute. There had only been a few times that I’d dreamed about the way the corner of his mouth curled up to form the perfect smile, how time seemed to stop when I got lost in his eyes, or how it felt to be in his arms. That was until moments like this, and I reminded myself how well I was not thinking about him, which only made me think about him even more.

“Stop thinking about him,” I mumbled as I put my face directly under the water.

“Good morning, my little brownies.” DJ Zam helped break through my thoughts. “I don’t even know where to start.” He sounded overly excited. “I’m just going to blurt it out!” It sounded like he was trying not to shout. 

“Please say you’re going to start playing good music?” I muttered.

“Ladies, I have a very special guest in my house today, and I mean stop-the-world special.” He caught my attention.

“Don’t be Geoff.” My heart dropped with the thought. 

“Geoff Mann is in the house!” he shouted.

I couldn’t help feeling excited, knowing I was going to see him again, until the anxiety that was quickly spreading through me took over. I had to remind myself that he was currently at the radio station, which had to be at least a few miles away, and I was in the girls’ shower room, alone. There was no way I would be bumping into him, unless he was in my room waiting when I got back, which would be something Erin and he would do.

I quickly turned off the water and wrapped a towel around me before rushing to gather up my things.

“Good morning.” Geoff’s raspy voice paralyzed me.

“Man, I don’t think I’ve ever had this many girls surrounding me.” DJ Zam chuckled. “I’m not sure how you plan on getting out of here alive.”

“I have my ways,” Geoff replied.

“Meaning the big guy standing outside my door?” Zam asked.

“He would be one of them.” I could hear the smile in Geoff’s voice.

“Wow, Geoff Mann is really in my studio.” Zam got excited again. “What brings you to our little college town?”

“I’m actually in town, visiting some friends,” Geoff replied.

“Really?” Zam asked. “This has nothing to do with your new CD set to be released around Christmas, which I’ve heard by the way. Great stuff, Mann.”

“Thanks,” Geoff said. “But, no, I’m not here to promote anything; just stopped in to say hi.”

“Can I at least ask a few questions about your new CD?” Zam asked.

“You want to know who Sophie is, don’t you?” Geoff said.

“I think the whole world wants to know who Sophie is,” Zam said.

“Let’s just say she’s my muse.” I couldn’t help smiling at Geoff’s answer.

“A love muse or a platonic kind of muse?” Zam asked.

“Next question please.” Geoff laughed.

“Okay, I see where this is going,” Zam said. “Rumor has it that your muse attends our wonderful university.”

I held my breath, hoping Geoff would brush this question off as well.

“Rumors are assumptions, and we know what they say about people who make assumptions,” Geoff said.

“Yeah, but those asses can sometimes
be right.” Geoff laughed at Zam’s answer.

“True, but in this case, they’re wrong,” Geoff lied.

“Well, if by the off chance that you’re lying to protect Just Sophie, I want to let you know that I have a few spies on campus that can help find her for you.” My heart stopped with his offer.

“I appreciate it, but she’s not lost,” Geoff said.

“I’m going to back off of this muse for now, but only if you promise to stop in anytime you’re in town to just say hi, and not promote your CD that’s called
Me and Just Sophie,
which is due out December just in time for the holidays,” Zam said.

“I can do that.” Geoff chuckled.

“I love your new sound,” Zam complimented.

“Thanks. I thought it was about time to show the world the real me,” Geoff said.

“What took you so long?” Zam asked.

“I guess I needed a little inspiration.”

“Sophie?” Zam said.

“What happened to our deal?” Geoff asked.

“Sorry, you understand I still have to try.”

“Completely,”

“Well, I know you are a very busy man because your manager is outside, pointing at his watch, telling me that you are, but let me just ask one more question before you go.”

“Shoot.” Geoff sounded almost skeptical.

“Rumor has it that I get to play your first single to be released before anyone else.” Zam sounded excited.

“That rumor just happens to be true. It’s a song I wrote while I was in Italy this summer. It’s called ‘My World,’” Geoff said.

“Did someone inspire this song?” Zam kept trying.

“I plead the fifth.” Geoff stood his ground.

“Got it.” Zam laughed. “Make sure the world knows you heard it here first. The first single released by Geoff Mann in almost seven years ‘My World.’ Welcome back, Mann,” Zam said.

“Thanks,” Geoff said right before his song started playing.

As if the knife in my heart needed to be pushed in even further, “My World” just happened to be the song he sang to me on his yacht.

“This can’t be good.” I sighed and jumped when the bathroom door flew open.

“Please tell me you heard that?” Erin asked giddily.

“Yes, I heard it.” I headed for the door.

“I told you, I had something to tell you.” She followed me.

“Yes, you did.”

“So.” She grabbed my arm.

“So, what?”

“So, are you going to throw some clothes on, rush over to the radio station before he leaves, and tell him that you were completely wrong about your lives not fitting together, and that you’re head over heels in love with him?”

“No.”

“Are you going to call him?” She stopped. “Sophie, please tell me, you’re going to at least call him.”

“No.” I turned to look back at her. “I’m going to put on my running clothes and go for a very long run.”

“You can’t keep running away from him!” she shouted.

“I wouldn’t have to if everyone would stay out of my life!” I hollered, and then slammed the door.

“This isn’t about Geoff anymore, is it?” She rushed into the room. “I mean that man has done everything to show you how much he loves you, and you act as if he doesn’t exist. Do you even have a heart anymore?”

“Yes, Erin, I have a heart!” I yelled. “A heart that has been shattered twice in my life so far, but you wouldn’t know what that feels like because you’re the one who does the breaking when it comes to hearts!”

“That’s a horrible thing to say!” And our yelling match got louder.

“And asking me if I have a heart wasn’t? You’re supposed to be my best friend and not some psycho who keeps throwing a guy I want nothing to do with at me.”

“Fine, I’m done.” She grabbed a bag. “I can’t believe I’ve been trying so hard to make you happy. If having the most gorgeous man in the universe completely in love with you doesn’t make you happy, then you’re nothing but a lost cause.” She flung open the door after her bag was packed. “I’ve never broke a promise until now, and it’s your fault.” She stopped to look at me from within the doorway. “And just so you know, I’m the best friend you’ll ever have. You’re just too blind to see it. You don’t deserve to be happy Sophie Watters, and you definitely don’t deserve Geoff!” Her eyes filled with tears before she slammed the door shut.

“Good, leave!” I opened the door and shouted at her. “Maybe now, I can live my own life!”

Erin and I have had our share of disagreements, but nothing this big before and nothing, not even running, could make me stop thinking about the horrible things I said to her, and as much as I didn’t want to agree with her, she was right. I was back where I started, fearing love, even though I wanted nothing more than to have Geoff’s back.

* * * * * *

Our fight happened on Monday, and Erin didn’t return until Friday night, hours before the Halloween party. I, of course, was trying to study when she walked in, but considering I had read the same paragraph at least a hundred times, I wasn’t getting very far.

“I’m just here to pick up something for my costume,” she said when she walked in. She was dressed as Athena, the goddess of war, which explained why she wanted me to dress like Aphrodite.

“You look great,” I said with a halfhearted smile.

“Thank you.” She showed no emotion.

“Erin, I’m really sorry for what I said. I should have never said anything like that. I didn’t mean it.”

“I’m sorry too.” She threw her arms around me. “I didn’t mean any of it either.”

“Yes, you did,” I said. “And you were right. Sooner or later, I have to stop running.”

“You should start tonight and go to the Halloween party with us.”

“Except for that. I’m not remotely ready for a party.”

“I will help you.” She grabbed my dress.

“You’re going.” Mario walked into the room.

“I’m sorry, but isn’t that my choice?” I looked at him.

“I do believe you owe me for a bet you lost, so you’re going and you’re going to have fun,” he said.

As much as I wanted to argue with him, there really was no use and I wasn’t sure how I was going to say no to Erin after our big fall out. I would just look at it as a peace offering.

“Fine, I’ll go,” I gave in. 

“Yea!” Erin handed me my dress.

“But only if you promise me that Geoff isn’t going to pop up.”

“I thought you said you were ready to face your fears.” She looked disappointed.

“I am, just at my own speed. Tonight, I just want to have fun with my best friend and cousin without any complications,” I said. 

“I can understand that,” Erin said. “He won’t be there.”

“Good, then goddess me up.” I smiled.

A few short hours later, I was dolled up like a Greek goddess and on my way to hopefully actually enjoy my first college party.