Both boys burst out laughing, probably relieved that I wasn’t crying in the corner somewhere, but I was stronger than that. Her insults hurt and damaged my fragile ego, but I’d been abused far worse than that for a long time.

“She’s a bitch, and I’m sorry for bringing my shit to your work.”

I nodded to let them both know that I was okay, but deep down I knew she was right. O’Connell might be my friend, but I couldn’t hold his interest forever. Eventually, he’d go back. Maybe not to her, but to someone like her. That was just the way the world worked.

I WAS WALKING ACROSS CAMPUS, with an armful of textbooks, when I heard a crazy voice scream, “Emmmm... wait up!”

Running toward me, like a penguin on speed, was Nikki.

“Jesus. You can certainly tank it when you want to. I’ve been chasing you forever.”

“Sorry, I was in a world of my own.” That was a scary thought in itself. Spatial awareness was usually my speciality.

“Here.” She thrust a coffee at me. “It’s a peace offering for dumping you the other night.”

“You didn’t need to do that. I didn’t need a babysitter you know,” I replied.

“I know, but I talked you into going. I should have been your wingman.”

“You’re right.” I grinned. “You’re fired as my chaperone, but lucky for you, there’s a job open as my personal stylist.”

“I’ll take it,” she said, shoulder bumping me.

“So, now we’ve established that I’m forgiven, it’s time to spill the beans on Hottie McTottie.”

I laughed at her nickname for O’Connell.

“I don’t know what you mean,” I teased.

“Girl, you know exactly who I’m talking about. If that boy was any hotter, you could fry eggs on his six pack,” she retorted.

“It’s more like an eight pack really,” I sighed, and this did make her stare.

“And you’ve seen him without his top off how?”

“It’s not what you’re thinking. He’s a boxer at the gym I work at.”

“I thought you were a waitress?” she asked, clearly confused.

“I am. The gym is my second job,” I replied.

“Well, I’d say you were working too hard, but I can see where you get the motivation.”

I grinned and shook my head as we carried on walking, not keen to pursue the subject, but not denying what she said either.

“So, what’s his name, and how have you not jumped him yet?” she persisted.

“His name is Cormac O’Connell, and even if I wasn’t looking to avoid any kind of relationship right now, he’s out of my league,” I answered reluctantly.

“Em, just because his packaging is pretty doesn’t mean that his chocolate tastes any sweeter than yours.”

I burst out laughing at her analogy. O’Connell was totally like chocolate. One bite and you were totally addicted, but any more than a little occasionally was bad for you.

“So, what happened after he walked you home,” she enquired.

“Nothing,” I protested.

“He just made sure I got home safely, that’s all. He really isn’t interested in me like that.”

“Oh, my dear Em,” she sighed dramatically. “You really are clueless, aren’t you? No boy leaves a party where he has hot girls on tap and an unlimited supply of free beer, to walk a co-worker home based on a sense of duty and platonic friendship. I’m telling you, that boy wants a slice of your pie.”

I was glad that I’d swallowed my sip of coffee, or I’d have spat it all over Nikki by now.

“Thanks, Nikki, but I’m pretty sure you’re wrong. He almost had sex with another girl at the party.”

“Almost?”

“Well.... he said that he couldn’t go through with it and blew her off.”

“I see, and where were you when all this was happening?”

“I was talking to Albie and some of his friends.”

“Did he see you with Albie?” she enquired.

“Yes, but what does that have to do with anything?”

“Then I’m betting that he was trying to make you jealous but couldn’t go through with it.”

“That’s pretty much what he said,” I revealed reluctantly.

“And you still don’t think that he’s into you?”

“Even if by some miracle he was, you should have seen the girl he was with. There’s no competition.”

She wrapped her arm around my shoulders and smiled.

“Come, my young padawan friend. You have a lot to learn, but in time I will show you the ways of the force.”

“Nikki?”

“Yeah?”

“You’re a little bit geeky, aren’t you?”

“That I am, my friend. A little bit geeky, but mostly a kickarse, hardcore bitch.”

I had to smile at that. What I wouldn’t give to be the same.

IF I WAS TRULY HONEST, I didn’t really believe that O’Connell would change, but I liked the fact that he wanted to try. Although, the incident at Daisy’s had changed the dynamic of our relationship. I started to think that maybe he and Kieran really were beginning to consider me a friend. It was with that thought in mind that I walked into the gym on Thursday, my step a little bit quicker, and my heart a little bit lighter. I was proud to be making my own way, but more, that I was carving out a real life for myself. My empty heart was filling up with friends, people who cared that they knew me, who could say that they’d been a part of my life. That was something that Frank couldn’t take away from me. If he found me tomorrow, at least I could say that. My life now was more than I’d ever hoped I’d have. I had no doubt that if I’d stayed, I’d be dead by now, or so brutalised that I might as well be. Of course, that was exactly what would happen if he found me again, but I wouldn’t go down without a fight. I’d never had a life worth fighting for before, but I had it now.

“Hello, baby. It’s been a long, cold, lonely week without you. What say you give me your number, and I’ll keep all your nights next week warm for you.”

I’d barely even made it through the door before Tommy was throwing his sweaty arm around me and trying his luck. I couldn’t help but laugh, but my laughter didn’t seem to put a dent in his ego. It was like I’d given him the reaction he was looking for.