As the days went by, we fielded the persistent rumors about a relationship. Travis’ reputation helped to quiet the gossip. He had never been known to stay with one girl longer than a night, so the more times we were seen together, the more people understood our platonic relationship for what it was. Even with the constant questions of our involvement, the stream of attention Travis received from his co-eds didn’t recede.
He continued to sit next to me in History, and eat with me at lunch. It didn’t take long to realize I had been wrong about him, even finding myself defensive towards those that didn’t know Travis the way that I did.
In the cafeteria, Travis set a can of orange juice in front of me.
“You didn’t have to do that. I was going to grab one,” I said, peeling off my jacket.
“Well, now you don’t have to,” he said, flashing the dimple on his left cheek.
Brazil snorted. “Did she turn you into a cabana boy, Travis? What’s next, fanning her with a palm tree leaf, wearing a Speedo?”
Travis shot him a murderous glare, and I jumped to his defense. “You couldn’t fill a Speedo, Brazil. Shut the hell up.”
“Easy, Abby! I was kidding!” Brazil said, holding up his hands.
“Just…don’t talk about him like that,” I said, frowning.
Travis’ expression was a mixture of surprise and gratitude. “Now I’ve seen it all. I was just defended by a girl,” he said, standing up. Before he left with his tray, he offered one more warning glare to Brazil, and then walked outside to stand with a small group of fellow smokers outside the building.
I tried not to watch him while he laughed and talked. Every girl in the group subtly competed for the space next to him, and America shoved her elbow in my ribs when she noticed my attention was elsewhere.
“Whatcha lookin’ at, Abby?”
“Nothing. I’m not looking at anything.”
She rested her chin on her hand and shook her head. “They’re so obvious. Look at the red head. She’s ran her fingers through her hair as many times as she’s blinked. I wonder if Travis gets tired of that.”
Shepley nodded. “He does. Everyone thinks he’s this asshole, but if they only knew how much patience he has dealing with every girl that thinks she can tame him…he can’t go anywhere without them bugging him. Trust me; he’s much more polite than I would be.”
“Oh, like you wouldn’t love it,” America said, kissing his cheek.
Travis was finishing his cigarette outside the cafeteria when I passed. “Wait up, Pidge. I’ll walk you.”
“You don’t have to walk me to every class, Travis. I know how to get there on my own.”
Travis was easily sidetracked by a girl with long, black hair and a short skirt walking by that smiled at him. He followed her with his eyes and nodded in the girl’s direction, throwing down his cigarette.
“I’ll catch up with you later, Pidge.”
“Yeah,” I said, rolling my eyes as he jogged to the girl’s side.
Travis’ seat remained empty during class, and I found myself a bit aggravated with him for missing over a girl he didn’t know. Professor Chaney dismissed early, and I hurried across the lawn, aware that I was to meet Finch at three to give him Sherri Cassidy’s Music Appreciation notes. I looked at my watch and quickened my pace.
“Abby?”
Parker jogged across the grass to walk beside me. “I don’t think we’ve officially met,” he said, holding out his hand. “Parker Hayes.”
I took his hand and smiled. “Abby Abernathy.”
“I was behind you when you got your bio test grade. Congratulations,” he smiled, shoving his hands in his pockets.
“Thanks. Travis helped, or I would’ve been at the bottom of that list, trust me.”
“Oh, are you guys….”
“Friends.”
Parker nodded and smiled. “Did he tell you there’s a party at the House this weekend?”
“We mostly just talk about Biology and food.”