“I feel infinitely better, seeing as you’re so intimidating,” she jokes.
“That’s why it works,” I tell her. “I have the element of surprise on my side.”
We make it to the clinic and I find a space two blocks away. The visit takes about an hour and the Lily who exits the building with me is not the same one who entered it.
“You feel better?” I ask.
“So much better. No one said anything about the evils of sexual pleasure. I have no STIs, and I’ve got an implant,” she says triumphantly, patting her arm and then wincing. “But it’s still a little tender.”
“I’m so glad.” I hug her other side. “Celebratory coffee is in order. There’s a place down from where we parked, or we can head back to campus and hit up the Green Bean. Up to you.”
“Here’s good.”
We make our way to a quaint little coffee shop called Perk, and Lily places our orders, refusing my offer of cash.
“Are you kidding? Your money’s no good here. I was a mess last week and I could never go into a drug store and buy a you-know-what and the thought of even coming here today made me want to throw up. But you got me here and this is my way of thanking you.”
“It’s what friends do,” I say.
We sit outside since it’s still warm during the day, and we just make small talk, catching each other up on classes and what-not.
“I hope Emma makes the dance team. She’s worked so hard, and she was crushed when she got cut last year.” Lily says.
“I know. She deserves to make it. Plus, if she does, she can practice at the studio and I can get some actual sleep.” I laugh.
“She’s practicing with some other girls tonight. At least, that’s what she told me, so you’ll have the room all to yourself.”
I must get a goofy look on my face because she says, “unless you have other plans?”
“Nothing big. I’m working with Spencer on my speech class. We have to critique each other before we present on Thursday, so I’m heading to the hockey house tonight.
“Spencer? Hottie Goalie Spencer?”
“That’s the one.” I sip my latte.
“Wait. The guy you almost hooked up with at their party a couple of weeks ago?”
“Yep,” I confirm.
“Please don’t tell me I’m the reason you left early and didn’t get any sexy times with the ginger.”
“No, it was a whole thing. I was ready to go anyway.”
“So…”
“So?”
“So is it awkward as hell studying with him or is studying with him a euphemism for putting his dick in your mouth?”
“Oh my God, Lily. The saints are literally weeping right now.”
“It’s fine. I’ve given them quite a lot to weep over these last few weeks. A few swear words and sexual references are a drop in the bucket. Now spill.”
“There’s nothing to spill...yet. We’ve kissed, and last night, yeah… but we haven’t crossed any major lines.”
“Well, here’s to crossing lines and uncrossing legs,” she says, lifting her mocha for a toast.
10
