Clay exited the building having finished his final. He had
forgotten how sunny it was outside and used his hand to shield his eyes from the
sunlight. With the light out of his eyes he quickly spotted Faith waiting for
him. They exchanged awkward glances. Clay walked up to her, she opened her
mouth but he interrupted her. “I’m sorry” he spat.
It threw faith off and she was silent a moment longer. Finally
finding her voice again. “Why, are you apologizing?” She asked.
“Because I lied to you.” Clay started. “I love being a thug
studies major. I love stealing and drinking and breaking the law. This whole
semester I’ve been trying to “grow up”
because I thought that’s what adults did. And when you left I turned back into
the worst version of myself.” Clay explained.
Faith shook her head. “That’s nothing to be sorry about. I’m
the one who should be apologizing. I fed you all that crap about how I didn’t
care about all the social rules in my sorority and when it came time to put my
heart where was mouth was, I chickened out and betrayed us both.”
Clay couldn’t help but smile at her. “So we are both
immature terrible people who can’t be trusted to do the right thing.” He
concluded.
She laughed. “Way to make us sound awesome.” She held out
her hand.
He held her hand. “I call it like I see it.”
They headed toward the quad together. “If it helps at all,
you make me want to be a better person.” She offered.
Clay kissed her hand. “You are a better person dear.” He
assured her.
She looked slightly surprised. “what about all that stuff
you just said?” She asked.
Clay shrugged his shoulders. “I’m a hardened criminal, you
can’t take anything I say at face value.” He admitted.
Faith nodded at this. “So, you forgive me?” She asked genuinely
concerned.
Clay nodded. “I kinda have to. I’ma screw up eventually and
I want to set a good example for you.” He gave her a kiss.
She separated from him. “Just give me flowers and chocolate
and I think we’ll be all right.” She said.
He nodded. “Can I steal them or does that ruin the
sentiment?” He asked.
She laughed. “You are who you are.” She replied. They sat
under the big tree in the center of the quad where Thompson had been reading
his book at the beginning of the year. “How was your final?” She asked him as
they got situated against the tree.
Clay shrugged. “Other than the pervasive desire to vomit
everywhere I think it went well.”
