Tethered (J + P series) Read Online Free Page B

me up before dinner.  How about you?”
     
    “I have to catch a ride with Chuck, you know, the one who grew up near my folks and has all those crazy parties you hear about.  I think he said we would leave Wednesday around lunch time.”  I said.
     
    I really enjoyed college life and being on my own, but I could use a change of scenery.  I wanted to go home and drive a car again.  I hated being cooped up on campus with no car.  I wished I had a car here, though I probably wouldn't use it much.  Everything I needed was within walking distance.  I would have to plan a few errands back home that would require the car.
     
    Driving meant freedom.  At home, I was so used to being watched and critiqued by my parents that I felt smothered.  I couldn't get a glass of milk without being asked what I was doing and why.  I think I was about ten years old when I realized that I would have freedom when I could drive a car.  From that moment, 90% of my dreams were of me driving somewhere, escaping. 
     
    “I'm gonna' drop off my book and then we can go eat.” Jen said.
     
    I nodded and opened my room.  My roommate was there, awake and giggling with her new boyfriend.  “Hey Perry, long time no see!”  Gabby joked.
     
    “Yeah, did you come back because you ran out of clean clothes?” I joked back.  We both giggled.  “We are gonna' grab dinner soon, do you guys want to join us?”
     
    “Nah, we are gonna' eat at his dorm.  I actually did just come back for some clean clothes.” Gabby admitted.
     
    Now I was really laughing “ H a! I knew it.  Well, you guys have fun.  See you next week.” I teased (but also kind of meant it).
     
    Jen had already grabbed Mags; Lauren was at a sorority meeting and would not be joining us.  We headed to the dining hall and the smell of garlic bread and spaghetti made us smile.  We grabbed our food and found a table in the middle of the room.  “God, I am so glad they do this meal right.” Jen said.
     
    “Is this spot taken?”  It was Tim; he was asking to sit next to Mags. “No, go right ahead” she said.  It looked like Tim was beginning to make the moves on Mags, proximity is everything.
     
    Ian sat across from Jen and they began teasing and bantering.  You could tell there were no sparks between them, but they enjoyed each other's personalities.  I listened to them and felt like I was watching a comedy routine.  At one point Jen had ribbed him so well that Ian laughed so hard he spit his milk out.  I passed my napkins his way so he could clean up and when I turned around I noticed someone sitting next to me and across from me.  It was Jared and Greg.  I felt every hair on my body stand up.  I suddenly felt so nervous, but I couldn't understand why.  He was not my boyfriend, he was just an acquaintance. 
     
    Jared wasn't handsome like a model, but he was attractive , had self confidence, and didn't get all wrapped up in everyone's business.  He did his own thing and it wasn't to please anyone.  He didn't care if he was popular or not.  That personality trait was pretty attractive.  But I needed to quit thinking about him like that.  I should just focus on being his friend.  Anytime I have put effort into a guy, I would usually win them over, but in the end I would lose interest.  I didn't want to destroy any relationship that Jared and I would have, even if that meant we just stayed friends.  I needed to cool off and switch gears.
     
    “Hey guys, how did I miss you sneaking up to our table?” I asked.
     
    “We heard you giggling over here and decided to join you and see what had you cracking up.” said Jared with a smirk.
     
    “Ian and Jen were teasing each other …” I began but didn't even get a chance to finish before they began throwing food across the table at each other.  “Well, you can see for yourself.”
     
    And we all enjoyed our meals.  From that day on we chose to sit with one another if we saw each other in the