I woke up as Chani got out of the bed. “Sorry.” She apologized. “I was trying not to wake you up.”
117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXfsqtz67Bs
“You’re fine.” I reached for my phone to check the time. “I should be getting up for class anyways, so I can take a shower.”
117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXO3qCSmbGx
“Thanks for last night, Mali. I…really appreciate you.”
117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWhYCr6weoG
“Big ol’ tough Chani has feelings?” I looked at her in awe.
117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBdRseHDX6K
“Tell anyone,” she pointed at me, “and I’ll kick your ass.” She spoke with a smile, but I could tell she was at leasta littlebit serious. Maybe not on the kicking my ass part, but she probably didn’t need everyone knowing she was more sensitive than she let on.
117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvBd0Z9tM3
I laughed quietly, putting my hands up in surrender. “I won’t tell a soul.”
117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn5IXXyxlLz
Chani continued to get ready while I went off to take a shower, making a pit stop at my things. I made my way into the bathroom and into a shower. I began cleaning myself up when I heard a couple of girls coming in chatting.
117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsDMA6oHjMO
“Did you see they stayed in the same room?” One of their comments piqued my interest. Were they talking and Chani and me?
117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5qJUvb1z5u
“One of the girls told me they heard them having sex.” Were we that loud last night?
117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxkNH7QHosv
They continued talking for a while, leading me more and more to believe they were talking about Chani and me. I felt sick to my stomach hearing them talk. It felt like high school all over again, with the girls gossiping about me.
117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQygb7UtpB
I tried to finish my shower as quickly as I could to get out of there. Thankfully they were already in the shower and didn’t see me. I made my way back to my dorm room and changed, trying to get ready for class. I slipped back into Chani’s room before heading to class. She was now fully changed and working on her makeup.
117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6lNC8KzuEo
“What’s up, girly?” She glanced at me in the mirror as she was applying her eyeliner.
117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN1QGJ8BCUH
“I…heard some girls talking about us in the bathroom. While I was showering.”
117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQdcucXQuyK
“About you and me, huh?” She raised an eyebrow. “Don’t let it get under your skin too much, Mali.”
117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzkoil6paLm
“I know, it’s just…” I trailed off, sighing. “It’s mean.”
117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfkYIBuKGCQ
“Mali.” Chani turned around. “You alright?”
117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQG90lpU8v7
I nodded weakly. “Just feels shitty having people talk about you. Especially when you hear it. They didn’t even think to check or anything.”
117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQETuYK89T
“I know.” She looked at me sadly. “It’s shitty, but don’t let it bother you too much. It’s not worth it.”
117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1rNObzndR
“Okay. I’m alright.” I took a deep breath. “I just thought you should know it’s happening.”
117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcOnUeDlp1G
“Thanks, Mali. Take care of yourself.” She stood up and walked over to me, wrapping her arms around me. I hugged her back tightly, feeling like the hug didn’t go on for long enough as she moved back. “Good luck with your classes.”
117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx85hUU1Nsb
“Thanks, Chani.”
117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLIudQbg0FL
Chani and I met up after class and headed to a nearby animal shelter. Both of us knew we didn’t have the space for it in our dorm rooms but wanted to fantasize nonetheless.
117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYLbgeVVb8
“Aww. Look at this guy.” Chani knelt down next to one of the cages and stuck her fingers in there for the dog to lick.
117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1DZJqvmj5E
“He’s so cute.” I knelt down next to her, sticking my fingers in to pet him the best that I could. “What’s your dream dog breed? I guess mostly looks-wise.”
117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi36AJiwJOP
“Rottweiler, one hundred percent.” She looked over at me with a smile.
117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7s94XnjZzh
“Ooh. They’re so pretty. I would want another Cane Corso. We had one that passed away a few years ago.”
117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeuixJQOwWy
“Do you have pictures?” Chani stood back up, helping me to my feet as well.
117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0SnKRSWXPZ
“I do.” I pulled my phone out and found my album, before handing it to her.
117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyPz16flb0l
“What a proud dog!”
117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJPQsvrd5Lu
“She was so pretty. And her head was so soft.” I smiled at the thought of my old dog.
117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHnkJSZEDzz
“What other pets do you have?”
117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmEY1GKSokI
“My family has a bunch of farm animals and horses. We have this one horse who’s too old to be ridden, but we’ve had him all my life. I miss him a lot.”
117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGDY1ObBm5N
“I’ve always wanted a horse.” Chani pouted slightly.
117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIHJCgEX6Ee
“We have other horses that can be. Maybe you can come out sometime and ride with me.”
117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKLXJMjAe4L
“I’d love to. I did this thing called Westernaires for years. You ride horses and practice for the show and then sell tickets to the show and then ride in the show.” She explained. “I haven’t ridden since I stopped doing that, but would love to do it again.”
117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsvMdOidDVM
“I’d love to have you come.” I smiled at her. “My parents want me to come out this summer, so you have to for a little, at least.”
117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcs4Ui7KkSq
“I’ll be sure to.” She smiled back at me. “So, do you only have farm animals?”
117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuT3rOJXs6u
“No. I used to have rats, but they passed away, and I didn’t want to get more before college and have to leave them. That’s why I got the tattoo.” I motioned towards my ankle.
117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1jjRwcRpjb
“I had a bunch of spiders, but they were all native, so I let them go before I left. I’d love to catch some more when I have the space.”
117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKmwn2wrRir
“I used to catch spiders all the time back at home.” I laughed. “If we ever move in together, Chani, we’ll have a damn zoo.”
117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV3PKx3UHpE
“I think I’d love that.” She smiled, wrapping an arm around my waist.
117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG0jZ4OsurM
117Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv90trbJEzH
