Silent Torture: Beyond Face to Face Contact

"Kate!"

It was a bright sunny day at the Photography Institute and Kate was walking across the quad after class to grab a coffee at the student center. She adjusted her backpack and looked behind her when she heard her name being called. Kate's long, straight brown hair was pulled back in a ponytail and she was walking quickly as she always does since she was 5'9. Being tall was an advantage when she needed coffee stat!

A big smile came across Kate's lips as she saw her boyfriend of 4 years, Josh, and her best friend of 15 years, Allison, running across the quad towards her. The quad was crowded with students lounging on the grass or hurrying to class. Allison almost tripped over a guy lounging on the grass. Kate started laughing as the guy scowled at Allison. "Sorry!" Allison said, adjusting her mint green backpack as she flipped her long, wavy black hair. Allison was about 5'3 and had some curves to her. She was always attracting the attention of guys, but she always ignored them as they weren't her type.

"Girl, watch where you're going! You about made me spill my coffee!" The guy yelled. Allison scowled right back at him and said, "dude, Did you not hear me apologize? I understand coffee is an essential part of every day life but you don't need to yell at me!" She huffed and started walking away, mumbling, asshole!

"I heard that girl!" The guy stood up and glared at Allison who rolled her eyes at him. Kate walked toward Allison and Josh. Josh gave her a peck on the cheek. "How was class?" He asked as put his arm around Kate. Josh was taller than Kate, about 6’1, with a large build and his head was shaved, making him look tough. Kate watched Allison arguing with the guy and answered, "good. I need to photograph my dog for an assignment and I want to adopt a Siamese kitty." Josh loved cats and was thrilled with the idea. He knew he wanted to spend his life with Kate, and adopting a pet would be great. Josh looked at the guy who was staring at Allison as she was sorting through her bag. "Hey Andrew, what's going on?" The big guy ran his hand through his short wavy brown hair and said, "hey bro, was just relaxing with my coffee until this hurricane came tearing through the quad." Andrew was 5'11 and a well built guy. Somebody you don't want to mess with, but Allison could care less.

"Hurricane?? Really. Well I take that as a compliment!" Allison smirked at Andrew and walked over to Kate, addressing her by her nickname. "Kat, lets go get something to eat. We need to discuss our collaboration for a video." Josh leaned down and kissed Kate while Andrew was glaring at Allison. "What's your name, girl?" He asked, trying to not notice her beauty. Allison looked at him. "It's not girl!" She snapped. Josh was watching his best friend staring at Allison and he knew right away that Andrew was already falling for her. He didn't date because he wanted the woman meant for him. Josh and Andrew have been best friends since 8th grade and were now college seniors. Josh pulled Kate into his arms and said, "I'll see you at home, sweetheart." Josh turns to Andrew and says, “let's go have a beer.”

Andrew nodded and once again asked for Allison's name. Josh tried to hold in his laughter as Allison answered "Lily Llama" and Kate was red faced as she knew Allison gave the name of her stuffed llama in her room. She knew Allison was a spit fire and does not tolerate rudeness as she perceived Andrew to be. Kate knew Andrew from Josh and knew Andrew was quiet and conservative but also sarcastic. Allie met her match it seems.

Andrew stared at this girl knowing she lied about her name. He turned to Josh, “let's go.” He sighed. The boys left, and Kate burst out laughing. "Allie you are something else!" Allison smirked then scowled when she saw Carol Ann walking towards them. "Hey Carol Ann!" Kate smiled and waved. Kate made friends easily and was very trusting of other people. Allison was the opposite. She knew something about Carol Ann was not right, and she intended to find out what it was. Carol Ann was overweight and had a large chest. Her brown hair was messy and she looked like she was out of breath. Allison noticed the jumpsuit Carol Ann wore was too small for her and her cleavage was on prominent display.

"Where's Joshie?" Carol Ann asked Kate. Kate smiled, not seeing that Carol Ann was after her boyfriend and replied that he's out with his friend. Allison however was not fooled. "Joshie?? Who are you to call him that?" Carol Ann smirked and said, "he’s my lover..."