Star Crossed Read Online Free PDF Page B

to some relaxation. Who knows, you might even relax yourself into putting a coherent sentence on paper.”
                Chris sat and studied his dimly lit apartment for a moment. The usually inviting glow of his multiple lamps that were meant to soften the light in the room suddenly seemed dull and almost depressing. In that moment he realized that his friend might actually be right about something concerning his mental well-being for once.
                “Maybe I could use a short break. I did stand you up after all,” Chris replied with a sarcastic wink, “But I cannot allow you to get used to this special treatment, I have a reputation as a workaholic to uphold you know.”
                “That’s my boy!” Steve teased as he patted Chris on the back.
                “So what do you have planned for my brief research hiatus?” Chris asked as he began gathering the few things he wanted to take with him in the event of a sudden thesis breakthrough.
                “I didn’t have anything planned actually. I didn’t think I would be able to convince you open the door, let alone leave the apartment.”
                “Well, I’ve got to take a shower, because if it’s Tuesday then I haven’t taken a shower in…” Chris tilted his head and paused, counting to himself, “…yeah I need a shower… Just think about what you want to do and I’ll be out in a few minutes.” Chris ended by shutting the door to the bathroom and after a few moments Steve could hear the sound of the shower running.
                Steve realized that his friend was more solitary than most guys his age and quickly ruled out the club scene, the mall, gyms, or basically anything else that involved groups of people. Then, the thought of camping settled into his mind and he couldn’t quite shake it. He knew that Chris could use some fresh air and light not produced by the glare of a computer monitor. He felt pretty dejected, however, when he realized that Chris would never willingly consider an activity that took more than a few hours away from his studies.
                “Which is why he won’t be able to consider it!” Steve thought, as a brilliant plan to basically trap his friend into going on a camping trip evolved in his mind.
                “I’m going to the store while you finish up in there,” Steve shouted towards the bathroom, “You want anything?”
                “No,” Chris’ muffled reply came from beyond the door, “See you when you get back, lock the door behind you.”
                With that, Steve darted out the door, into his waiting Chevy Silverado, and over a few streets to a nearby sporting goods store; where he purchased and packed everything the two of them would need for a few days of roughing it outdoors. He then concealed it under a tarp in the back of his truck so that Chris might not notice it as soon as they approached his truck. With all the gear and plans in place, Steve started back to Chris’ apartment.
                Steve drove as fast as he dared on the way back to the apartment complex in the hopes that Chris would not notice quite how long he had been gone. To that effect, he sprinted up the apartment stairs to Chris’ door, turned the knob, and in his excitement bashed his head into the locked door of his friend’s apartment. With a grumbled mutter he pulled the spare key out from beneath the rug and unlocked the door.
                “Everything okay out there?”
                Steve relaxed when he heard his friend's voice still coming from the bathroom. “Fine, just fine. Do you have a first aid kit in there?”
                “First aid? The heck are you doing out there?”
                “Missing crucial steps to basic functions,” he called back as he raided Chris's closet for enough changes of clothes to get through