“I only just started,” I replied. “I’m working as an intern at the moment.”
“You didn’t tell me that,” Brent said.
“You didn’t ask.”
“So, they’re not paying you?” he asked bluntly.
“Luckily, Bradshaw’s offers paid internships,” I said. “It’s not much, but I think I can grow there.”
“Fuck that then,” Brent said, without even listening to me. “Quit and find someplace with decent pay.”
“Give her a break, Brent,” Phil said, stepping in. “She’s looking at this job as a long-term opportunity.”
“Well, you might not be able to do much better,” Brent said, with a shrug. “Everyone wants a college degree these days.”
Phil frowned. “Uh…don’t you have a degree?”
I tensed instantly and tried to make eye contact with Brent to tell him to shut up, but he didn’t even glance at me before he spoke.
“Nah, Meg dropped out.”
I felt a black cloud of shame fall over me, and I wanted the ground to open up and swallow me whole. I was embarrassed enough about my decision, no matter how justified it might have been, and to be outed in front of this handsome stranger...it was too much. It made me feel small and stupid, and suddenly, I didn’t want to be here anymore.
“Excuse me,” I said, without looking at either Brent or Phil.
I grabbed my backpack on the table and retreated to Brent’s bedroom, shutting the door on the party. Sighing, I fell back onto his bed and shut my eyes. I was reading through one of my old textbooks when the door opened slightly. I realized with a start that it was Phil.
“Hi,” I said, surprised to see him.
“Hi,” he replied. “Can I come in?”
I was so surprised that I answered right away. “Sure.” I nodded.
He walked inside and shut the door behind him. “I don’t want to disturb you, but… I guess I just needed to get away. Apparently, you had the same idea.”
I smiled. Then I patted the space beside me on the bed. “I don’t mind a little company.”
Phil sat down next to me and leaned against the back wall. “I like your brother,” he said. “But he knows some weird people… I don’t know what that says about me.”
I laughed. “I have to admit, I’m kind of surprised that Brent has a friend like you. You seem too…grown up and stable to be hanging around with my brother.”
Phil laughed. “Let’s just say I knew him back when I wasn’t quite as stable.”
“Ah.”
“Listen, about earlier… I’m sorry if you got upset about the whole dropping out business.”
I felt my cheeks color instantly, but I forced myself to remain composed. “It wasn’t my finest decision,” I said. “And, I suppose I’m a little ashamed of it.”
“Don’t be,” Phil replied. “College isn’t for everyone. I never went.”
“By choice?”
“Well, no.” Phil smiled. “I suppose I never had the opportunity.”
“I did,” I said with disappointment.
“And if you feel strongly about it, you can always go back in the future,” he pointed out.