Chapter Six
Dallas
I tap my fingers on the cafeteria table as I await a response to my latest text message.
“You alright over there, man?” my teammate, Trevor, asks. He’s sitting across the table from me in the bustling dining hall on campus.
“I’m fine,” I say, shoving my fingers onto my lap instead.
My phone vibrates against my navy shorts, and I hurry to read the message.
BBUGirl: Yes.
A blush creeps up on my face unprovoked.
“Are you sure, man? You’re kind of red. Did you have the lobster meat? My mom had red lobster once, and she turned bright red. I hear that’s what happens when you eat red food.”
I blink.
“Are you sure she wasn’t allergic?” I ask, confusion lacing my tone.
“I’m sure. Haven’t you heard the phrase, ‘you are what you eat’?”
“Wait,” I pause, “is that why you always eat bland food?”
“This rice isn’t bland, man. It tastes pretty good,” he says, as he scoops up said rice with his fork and takes a mouthful.
I graze my fingers against the stubble of my chin and blink again. I have no response to this revelation.
My phone vibrates again, alerting me to the message that I’ve yet to open and respond to.
“I’ve gotta go.” I stand up, grab my trash, and pat Trevor on the back with my free hand.
“Hey! Where are you going?” he yells after me, but I don’t respond.
I turn the opposite direction, but before I do, I run into something.
“Uggck.” Not something, someone, who responds with a grumpy, yet warm voice. Does that even make sense?
I focus my eyes and discover a petite woman with blonde hair pulled up into a messy bun.
“I’m sorry!” Her voice is an octave too high.
“Not your fault. I should have watched where I was going.”
“Me too,” her voice now softer.
My phone is burning in my hand, and my heart is racing fast. I step to the side and excuse myself. I’m anxious to find a corner and chat with BBUGirl in silence.
To be honest, I need a minute.
Five minutes later, I’m lying on top of my extra-long twin bed.
SoloSurfer: I can’t wait to hear your laugh in person
BBUGirl: What if I sound like a hyena?
SoloSurfer: I don’t think it’s possible
BBUGirl: Oh yeah?
BBUGirl: I may need to practice my hyena laugh
SoloSurfer: I bet it would still be cute
BBUGirl: Cute??
SoloSurfer: I said what I said.
BBUGirl: So this party on the 31st
BBUGirl: How am I going to find you?
BBUGirl: I heard that the hockey house gets crazy
That last text piques my attention.
SoloSurfer: Have you been to the hockey house before?
BBUGirl: No
Dang. I was wondering if I’ve met BBUGirl before on campus, but I’m basically only at class, the ice rink, and the hockey house. There goes that last option.
BBUGirl: I do know where it is, though
SoloSurfer: Ok, that’s good
SoloSurfer: Let’s meet on the balcony at ten
BBUGirl: Balcony? You plan on pushing me off?
SoloSurfer: Not likely
SoloSurfer: Thought it would be romantic. No?
BBUGirl: Maybe a little
BBUGirl: Is the balcony pretty easy to find?
BBUGirl: Or do I have to climb a million stairs
SoloSurfer: It’s more deck-ish than balcony
SoloSurfer: But it’s off the living room.
SoloSurfer: Just open the slider
BBUGirl: Got it. *thumbs up emoji*
BBUGirl: Two more days
BBUGirl: Eek
A smile brightens my face. Only two more days.