#Nerd

This was why I preferred animals. Since I ended tutoring early, I still had some time. Seeing Murphy was exactly what I needed right now. His unconditional love could heal anything, including a stupid insult from Romeo.

When I got to the end of the row I peeked out toward the table to see if he was still there. He wasn’t, and I let out a breath. A loud roar of thunder shook the building, and I grimaced. Of course it would be raining right now. I’d left my umbrella and my scooter at the dorm and walked here.

I debated just running back to my room and staying there, but the urge to see Murphy was pulling at me. I decided to just go grab my umbrella and a raincoat, then walk the few blocks to the shelter. Riding on a scooter was kind of pointless in the rain.

Through the glass doors I could see the rain spattering against the sidewalk, and I prepared myself for the cold drops as I stepped outside. Romeo was parked at the curb, in a no-parking zone, leaning up against a lime-green car.

He had a baseball hat pulled low over his face and his arms were crossed over his chest.

Why in the world was he standing out here in the rain?

“Come on,” he called to me and motioned at his car.

I glanced behind me to see if he was talking to someone else.

His chuckle floated through the rain. “Yes. You. Come on.”

He wanted to give me a ride? “No thanks!” I called out.

He moved fast. Of course that wasn’t a surprise. But the way he sank low and wrapped his arms around me was. I shrieked as he lifted me off the ground and carried me over to his car. When I was on my feet again, he opened up the passenger side and looked at me from beneath the rim of his hat. “You aren’t walking home in the rain.”

His glare was steady, and since I was getting wetter by the minute, I gave up and slid into the warm leather seat. I settled my bag between my feet as he dashed around the front of the car and got in. The seats were bucket style, so I could barely see over the dashboard, but he fit behind the wheel just fine.

He tossed the hat into the backseat and ran a hand through his hair. “What dorm you in?”

“Why are you doing this?” I asked.

He glanced at me. “Because I was an ass.”

I fidgeted with the hem of my too-long lesbian-like sweater. “You totally are an ass.”

“Look. I’m sorry. I’ve had a long day and I’m tired.”

“I wasn’t going back to my dorm,” I replied, not sure what to make of his apology. I felt myself softening again.

“Where to?” he said and started the engine.

“The animal shelter on Barnes Street?” I asked.

He nodded and pulled away from the curb. I stared out the window as we passed through the campus. The heavy rain was bringing down some of the gold and burnished leaves from the trees that lined the streets. They littered the ground like sprinkles on an ice cream sundae.

A bit of fog was rolling in and the day was turning dark. I shivered a little as my wet shirt pressed against me. A warm blast of air brushed over me, and I glanced down to see Romeo adjusting the vents so I would have most of the heat.

I didn’t say anything because it wouldn’t make up for his butthead ways earlier.

“So why are you going to the shelter?” he asked.

“I volunteer there several days a week.”

“You go every night after tutoring?” he questioned.

“No, but since we quit early, I have time tonight.”

There was a beat of silence as we turned out onto the main road away from campus. “You like animals, huh?”

I leaned my temple against the glass of the window. It was cold. “I love them.”

“You said you had a scholarship. Is this what it’s for?”

Wasn’t he full of questions? “Yes, I’m studying to be a vet.”

A few moments later, the car slid up to the curb in front of the shelter. I could see the lights were still on, and I smiled. “Thanks for the ride.”

My hand paused over the handle when he shut off the engine. “What are you doing?” I asked warily.

“I’ll walk you in.”

“That’s really not necessary,” I rushed out. I didn’t want him here. This was my place. My sanctuary.

He popped open his door, and I hurried to say, “But you’ll get wet.”

His arm disappeared into the backseat and came back with his hat. “I’m already wet.” His smile was rueful.

I had no choice but to get out and hurry toward the door. Romeo was already there, and he held it open as I rushed past him inside.

Michelle was at the front desk and she looked up in surprise. “Rimmel! I didn’t expect you tonight.” Then her gaze went to Romeo as he came in behind me. Her eyes widened and she glanced at me with a question in her eyes.

“I had a little extra time tonight and thought I’d stop in to see if there was anything I could help with.” I prayed she told me to clean up poop or something that would scare Romeo away.

“Everything’s been done. We’re closing up in an hour.”

“Oh,” I said, feeling dejected. “Well, I’ll just go say hi to Murphy.”

Michelle smiled. “I’ll be back in the office, filing paperwork.” Then she glanced at Romeo again.

He stepped around me and held out his hand. “I’m Roman. I go to school with Rimmel.”

Michelle shook his hand and smiled. “So nice to finally meet a friend of Rimmel’s!”

I wanted to groan out loud. Instead, I walked back toward the room where the cats were kept. Everything was tidy like Michelle said and there really wasn’t anything that needed done. I spoke hello to a few of the cats who looked up at me as I wandered toward the corner where Murphy was.

When I sank down on the floor in front of his cage, he looked up and saw it was me. It made me feel warm inside when he got up and walked to the door. When the door swung open, he stepped out into my lap.

I laughed. “Hey there, Murphy.” I stroked his velvety fur and he began to purr. “I missed you today,” I told him as he pushed his nose against my hand.

I felt rather than saw someone hovering behind me, and Murphy looked up over my shoulder. I leaned back and glanced up. Romeo was hovering in the doorway, watching me with unreadable eyes.

I sighed. “Wanna meet Murphy?”

He came into the room and Murphy darted back into his shelter. Romeo’s footsteps faltered, and I waved him forward. “It’s okay. You’re just new.”

Many of the other cats got up and went to the doors, looking at him with interest, but not Murphy. Murphy was too used to being ignored and sometimes sneered at. It made me feel sad for him, but part of me also identified.