Chapter 6
I stared at the screen for what seemed like an eternity, then began to pace.
I reread the text a few times, committing the seven words to memory, trying to read them in different ways to tell what Bash had been feeling when he’d sent it. It seemed pretty casual, I thought, he hadn’t even included “Will you” in his question. Then again, he’d sent a text less than a minute after getting my phone number. I bit back a squeal of excitement and just let myself vibrate silently.
I agonized over what to write back. He’d seemed pretty flippant and cool, so I should probably do the same, but I wasn’t sure and without my best friends here to help me through this crisis, I began to panic.
I forced myself to take a few deep breaths and gave myself a stern talking to. I was a writer, why was I freaking out about a simple text? He’d asked me out, he was flirting with me. I just had to calm the fuck down and flirt back.
Hmmm, I dunno. I typed slowly, making sure there were no typos. Where will this party be?
I pressed send then had a small panic attack. What if he didn’t get that I was joking? What if he gave up and uninvited me? My fingers itched to write a new text, but I knew I’d only make it worse if I did. When my phone dinged a moment later, I grabbed it and read quickly.
In the woods. Not afraid of the dark, are you?
I choked on a laugh and my fingers flew. Depends. Will we be alone?
I’ll make sure of it.
My mouth filled with saliva at the thought of finally being alone with him. The attraction between us was growing with each encounter. If I could just get him alone…
Sound like fun. What time? I was done with playing coy.
I’ll meet you on the quad at 11:30 p.m.
I frowned, remembering the announcements that had been annoyingly made every hour on the hour all day informing the student body of the 10:00 p.m. curfew that was being enforced. It had sounded pretty serious. I knew we were in university and all, but I’d assumed we’d be taking campus security seriously, especially after someone had died.
I hesitated, not wanting to come off as naïve but also not wanting to be expelled. What about curfew? I typed, then waited for a response.
That’s nothing. This party happens every year. It’s mandatory for new students. Don’t worry, I’ll keep you safe. He ended it with a winky face emoticon.
Mandatory, huh, I mused. I’d snuck out plenty of times back home, so it wasn’t as if I were a prude. I just kept picturing mom’s face if I were sent home for breaking rules and losing my scholarship. Girls like me couldn’t afford to be flippant about things like this. I wasn’t rich and my dad didn’t roll with the big wolves.
Still, I needed to live my life, I decided. I’d mostly kept to my small group of friends for most of my life and, finally, I was being forced to step outside my comfort zone. Wasn’t it time for me to try new things? Didn’t I owe it to myself to broaden my horizons? I smiled crookedly and typed my answer. See you then.
I jumped up and grabbed my stuff. If I was going to a party tonight, I’d have to figure out what to wear. It was still warm enough to wear shorts but the only ones I had were the cut off jean variety. I did have that one cute summer dress that Sara had bought me in Montreal. I chewed thoughtfully on the last bite of my sandwich while agonizing over party dress code and berating myself for being so self-conscious.
By the time I got back to my dorm room, I’d decided on the dress. It was short, which would show off my legs, and a deep green, which would compliment Bash’s eyes. I jumped in the shower with thoughts of naked flesh and soft end of summer breezes on my mind. It wasn’t until I was out and drying my hair that I remembered I was supposed to hang out with Rory tonight.
I glanced at my phone. It was 8:52 p.m. now and we’d planned on binging Netflix around 9:30 p.m. I couldn’t stand up my only friend at AWA but I really wanted to go to the party. I knew it was ridiculous and hard-core first world problems, but stress made my stomach acid flair. I plopped down on my bed and decided to just be honest.
Hey, I typed to Rory, so Bash told me about this party that happens every year in the woods. Kind of a welcome party for new students.
I sighed and started to type out that he’d asked me to go with him and I knew it was a shitty thing to do but could we watch Shadowhunters tomorrow night instead when her reply popped up with a cheerful ding.
That sounds awesome! What are you wearing? What time do we need to go?
Fuck.
I collapsed back on the bed and stared at the ceiling for a moment. I was winning at life today. First, I’d made a friend. Then, I’d gotten a date. Then, I’d invited my friend on my date. Ugh.
Well, what was done was done. I wasn’t going to embarrass Rory by telling her what I’d actually meant, so I was going to make the best out of the situation. I told her what I was wearing then pulled up Bash’s text.
Hey, so I told my friend Rory about the party and she thought I was inviting her. You don’t have a friend who appreciates smart girls who look like fairies, do you?
I held my breath, hoping he’d understand, and let it whoosh out when his response came quick. I have just the friend for the job. See you both soon.
I chewed my lip for a moment, then wrote him back. Oh, and can you ask your friend to not make it super obvious he’s there for her? I don’t want her to feel awkward.
No problem.
I let the phone drop to the bed and closed my eyes. Drama, drama, drama and I only had one friend so far. Well, one friend and one hot guy. I shook my head and grinned then rolled over and pushed off the bed. I had to get ready for a party.
The night air was soft and balmy on my bare legs as Rory and I moved through the shadows towards the quad to meet Bash and his friend. Rory walked beside me, not saying much. After a few minutes of relative silence, I gave into the feeling of awkwardness and decided to just ask.
“You’re pretty quiet.” I said softly, half certain we’d be caught at any moment. “What’s up?”
Rory scuffed her Converse clad toe on the gravel and didn’t say anything for a minute then she sighed. “I got caught up when you told me about the party but then I realized you probably meant you were going with Bash.” She let out a self-deprecating chuckle. “I was going to cancel but then you texted that he was bringing a friend and I got embarrassed.” Even in the shadows I could see her cheeks were a bright rosy color.
I stopped and turned to snag her arm, hating the fact that I’d made her feel uncomfortable. This was all my fault. “Okay,” I began as my mind swirled with anxious thoughts. “I’m not really good at this friend thing.” I swallowed and figured honesty would be the best policy here. It had always been integral in my relationship with Sara and Bethany. “I have two best friends back home but we’ve known each other since we were in diapers and I’ve never really made any friends outside of them.” I half grinned and dipped my head to catch her gaze. “I mean, you might not know it yet, because I’ve been the epitome of elegance here, but I’m actually kind of a spaz.”
Rory’s lips quirked for a moment then she let out a snort that made her already big eyes go huge with embarrassment. I assumed an expression of mock disgust and lightly smacked her arm then burst into giggles that I had to cover my mouth to hide. She grinned and began to laugh. I started walking again and let myself bump into her, feeling like we’d just passed some kind of new friend test.