This is the second part in a series, so if you have not already done so, you might want to read Part I before continuing.
There’s just one problem: Bianca.
Bianca is Owen’s girlfriend, which means I need her out of the way if I’m going to claim my new knight in shining armor.
First, I need to gather intel.
I start by inviting myself to dinner with Owen and Bianca. Of course I can’t actually invite myself. If this is going to work, I need Owen to invite me, so I wait until I see him and Bianca enter the dining hall, then I follow.
I take my time getting my food, so by the time I get through the line, Owen and Bianca are already seated and working their way through their meal. I wander around in Owen’s line of sight, looking pitiful and like I don’t know where to go until he calls me over.
I look up, making my eyes and mouth go wide in surprise. “Oh, hey, I didn’t see you there.”
“Join us,” says Owen.
“Are you sure? I don’t want to intrude.” The question is directed at Owen, but I shoot a glance at Bianca as though silently asking her permission.
“You’re not intruding,” Owen says, and Bianca smiles and nods without saying anything.
So, Owen likes his girls quiet and acquiescing. Good to know.
I mimic Bianca’s smile as I take my seat next to Owen.
“How’s life?” he says.
“It’s OK.” Playing someone who’s depressed and trying not to sound depressed is a lot like walking a tightrope. Go too far in either direction and no one will believe what you’re trying to sell. I’ve found the best way is usually to make your words sound cheerful, but your voice sound like you’re contemplating suicide.
“Just OK?” Owen tilts his head downward so he looks up at me with those big, brown eyes of his. He makes his mouth into an exaggerated pout, and I can’t help but laugh.
“Just OK. But, it’ll get better.”
“Of course it will. You’re better off without him.”
I have to try really, really hard not to roll my eyes at this really, really tired, meaningless line. Of course I’m not better off without him. He was a trust fund baby whose daddy owned a yacht. Where am I going to find another one of those?
I change the subject. “What about you? How are you doing?”
“Can’t complain,” he says, not even giving Bianca a chance to answer. “We just got done with a study session, so we think we’re going to take it easy tonight. Probably just curl up and watch a movie.”
“Oh, that sounds nice.” I try to sound as pathetic as I can, but they just look at each other and don’t say anything. I’m not getting an invite to movie night.
I try another angle. “What are you two going to be up to this weekend?”
“Someone voluntold me to help with the wrestling tournament this weekend,” says Owen.
“More studying,” says Bianca. “I have a biology midterm that has the potential to tank my GPA if I don’t memorize my entire textbook.”
Owen puts an arm around her and rubs his shoulder, saying, “You’ll be fine.”
“Do you have Ms. Angevin?”
“Yeah. Have you had her?”
“Yeah. I can study with you and give you some pointers if you want.”
“Really? That would be great!”
“Of course. Just let me know what time is good for you and we can meet up at the library.”
“How’s noon on Saturday?”
I smile. “Noon would be perfect.”
“Great, I’ll see you there.”
To be continued…