Read In the Lyrics for Free Online Page B

apartment complex. Dusty is never quiet; something has to be wrong. “Are you okay?” I probe, looking for a reason for his lowness.
    “Are you okay?”
    The funny part is I don’t even have to tell him I’m not. He knows, and he always knows where to find me. “I’m fine,” I lie.
    “You’re lying is what you’re doing. Now ‘fess up, what’s got you walking out of the room in such a hurry?”
    Feeling stupid, the truth is I did feel a hint of jealousy. Brittani is beautiful. I’m not gonna lie. And although she is a raging bitch most of the time, she has everything I don’t. Money, blonde hair, and a pack of friends following her around like her shit don’t stink, including Logan. Don’t get me wrong, I adore Dusty, but he’s all I have, other than Logan. They make up my inner circle, and to have to share Logan’s friendship with Queen B sucks. I know it’s my fault for pushing everyone away, but at least I know I have those two on my side, regardless if Logan is Mr. Popularity too.
    For once I wish I could just be like Brittani and not have to worry about how the hell I am going to get out of this town. She could leave and never look back; her family has the resources, and mine doesn’t. The only way I’m going to make it out of here is by having no connections to keep me tied here. Sometimes the realization of my dreams of fleeing and my dreams of being a normal college student weigh heavily on my shoulders.
    “You like him?”
    “I don’t know him, Dusty. Come on now. How dumb does that sound?” My tone sounds bitchier than it should. Dusty hasn’t done anything wrong, but…I don’t know, maybe I am being a bit harsh.
    “It doesn’t have to make sense, ya know. Everything doesn’t come with a rhyme or reason. You know that, Hensley You just don’t want to believe it. I don’t know why you can’t see how amazing you are.” He raises his hand and tucks a piece of hair behind my ear. “Just because you’re attracted to someone doesn’t mean the end of the world is coming. It means you’re normal, human. Wait, you are human, right?” His hands grip around my belly, pulling me closer to his body, and then he starts tickling me. Laughter erupts from my mouth. “Okay, you’re ticklish, you’re human. But really, Hensley, you have got to let someone in, other than me. Maybe Colby is the one to break through the hellishly tall wall you’ve built around your heart.”
    Maybe he’s right. After all Colby is attractive and nice; I guess I can cut him some slack. I mean, we did just meet today, and I’ve been acting like Cruella Deville.
    Standing up, Dusty wipes the palms of his hands on his jeans and then holds one out to me. “Come on, sweets. We don’t want to leave our new roommate waiting. Let’s go set some ground rules.”
    Taking his hand, I pull myself up.
    “Listen, you think he’s hot, so what? Just be yourself and a little bit nicer to him than you’ve been today,” he pleads. I didn’t know my behavior was that obvious.
    “Okay, okay, but this Brittani shit is crazy. She will never be allowed over here. I swear, D. I don’t care if he’s paying rent, and they start dating or something. You know how much I hate her.”
    “That broad doesn’t have anything on you, baby girl. Come on.”
    The next hour passes without notice. It’s nearly midnight so I assume Colby is in his room unpacking and organizing his things, and then I hear the strumming of a guitar. I could spot that sound from anywhere. Trying to be discreet, I tiptoe into the hallway and make my way to his door, where the music is coming from. Putting my head against it, the sound abruptly stops . The door swings open and startles me, causing me to stagger backwards. I’m desperate to get back to Dusty’s room, but get caught looking like a deer in the headlights.
    “Hensley, are you okay? You look like you just saw a ghost.” He looks concerned and a tad bit bemused.
    “Yeah, I’m totally fine.