Tears were dropping from her chin and she remained seated on the floor in a trance-like state. His eyes settled on the Joey's silent glowing screen, the smiley face staring at him with its stupid knowing grin. His jaw quaked as he fought back his hurt, his longing to run to her and have her hold him, to apologize and tell her about everything that had happened. He was torn.
No, not her.
Regardless of what had happened last night, he needed Kate. Not this girl, who, he reminded himself, like everyone else, was using him.
"Get out!" he shouted.
"But I love you!"
"No!" He turned and raised his hands to his head to subdue the pounding that was growing angrier the longer he stayed in this polluted room. "You used me. You even stole my clothes."
"I'm in love with you. Peter, please. I almost died when I heard you were coming to speak at the commencement. I had to sneak into the reception, just so I could see you. And then when I met you and you invited me here, I knew it was because you felt it too, the way we connected when we saw each other." She came from behind him and attempted to take him in her arms.
"Don't touch me," he said, shaking her off. He crossed the room and positioned himself on the other side, a chaise lounge between them.
She stayed where she was, hands at her sides and face all red and puffy. "Peter, I need you. I've changed my life because of you."
He looked in her direction, but his eyes were unseeing. "If you don't get out of here right now with everything that's yours, I'll carry you outside myself and throw you down the hill." His face was unmoving and placid, almost like the smiley face.