5. Dahlia
DAHLIA
I take my giant bowl of popcorn and soda to the living room, ready for a night in by myself, but when I see my roommates spread out on the furniture in comfy clothes I pause. “You do not need to stay home just because I am.”
“Oh, please, we’re not leaving you alone tonight.
” Violet looks offended that I’d think otherwise.
She scoots over to make room for me on the couch between her and Daisy.
It’s early still, but they should be upstairs, trying on outfits and fixing their hair and makeup.
I know the routine. Two to three hours before going out is prime get-ready time.
“I’m fine,” I say for what feels like the millionth time today.
“If that’s true, then you are way tougher than me,” Daisy says. “I would die. A viral video and then getting trapped in an elevator?”
“Same.” Vi wraps her arms around my shoulders and squeezes lightly.
“What? No way.” Jane is sitting in the chair all curled up with her feet tucked underneath her legs. “Own it. Felix is HOT. Everyone on campus knows it. Half the female population has already slept with him and the other half wishes they had. You have nothing to be embarrassed about.”
“It’s true,” Vi says. “Most of the comments on the video were agreeing with you.”
“And the others were calling me a slut.” My stomach sours at the memory. I knew better than to read the comments, but I was in the mood for a little self-harm after my run-in with Felix.
I cannot believe I told him I’ve never had a boyfriend.
He must think I’m totally pathetic. And then he invited me to come hang out with him tonight, like everyone wouldn’t be staring at me.
No way. If I’m lucky, someone will make a fool of themselves tonight at the party next door and I will become a distant memory.
“I know it will suck, but you should go to the party and show everyone you don’t care. That’s the fastest way to shut them up.” Violet gives me a reassuring smile.
Is that true? If I were sure that would be the end of it, then I might consider it. But I’m doubtful. “I just want to lay low for tonight.”
The four of us watch a movie, eat several bags of popcorn, paint our nails, and generally avoid mentioning the loud music and noise next door.
The party is picking up by the sound of it.
I love that they are willing to drop everything to be there for me, but I don’t want my friends to miss out because I’m too chicken to show my face.
“Jordan is on his way over from The White House,” Daisy says, and shoots me a nervous look. “He’s just stopping by for a bit.”
“You guys should go back to the party with him,” I say, trying to assure her that I don’t care that her boyfriend is coming over.
They don’t need to tiptoe around me. “I’m just going to crawl into bed anyway.
Seriously. I appreciate that you want to make sure I’m okay, but we’ve been looking forward to this party all week.
” It’s the easiest drunk walk home compared to the other frats and off-campus jock houses.
“You should come too,” Daisy says pointedly. “We said it was going to be the best year ever, remember?”
“A much more optimistic version of me said that.”
“Are you sure?” Violet asks. “Gavin will kick out anyone that’s shitty to you.”
Violet’s boyfriend, Gavin, lives next door at The White House, with three other basketball players. Their party tonight will be one of the biggest of the year. They absolutely can’t miss it. But the thought of walking around while people stare at me and talk behind my back…I just can’t do it.
“I’m positive. Eddie texted me earlier today and I still haven’t figured out how to respond, but I need to before I go to bed.”
“Ooooh.” Vi smiles big. “That’s so exciting. Pretty soon, Dahlia Brady is going to be a household name with pop stars and musicians. I think you’ve found your niche.”
“He didn’t say he was hiring me, just that he wanted to talk about designs.” I read his texts to them word for word. “What do I say back?”
They toss out some ideas, none of which I send.
I know I’m overthinking it, but this could be a huge deal.
Violet’s right. I’ve found a niche and I don’t want to screw it up with my awkwardness.
He’s handsome and charming and I have no idea how I’ll ever be able to work with him and not fumble all over myself.
I finally decide on a short reply that hopefully sounds excited but not too eager.
Me
Hey! Good to hear from you. I’d love to chat about designs. What did you have in mind?
“Ahh, this is so exciting.” Daisy bumps my shoulder with hers. “Eddie Dillon is texting you! He might be even hotter than Felix.”
The front door opens as Daisy is speaking and her boyfriend steps inside. Followed by Felix. His brows rise at his name. Yep, he definitely heard that. The universe really hates me.
“Not you too,” Jordan says, taking the few steps to the couch and dropping a kiss on his girlfriend’s lips.
We all squeeze together to make room for him, but it isn’t really necessary since he pulls her onto his lap.
“Everyone at the party is all, ‘Felix this and Felix that.’ He’s batting chicks away with a stick. ”
“No one is as hot as you,” she tells him, and I feel a little pang of jealousy at how easy it is between them.
Daisy and I used to be so much alike when it came to guys, quiet and shy, always sitting on the sidelines, wishing they’d come to us or that we were brave enough to approach them.
And now she’s in this crazy romantic relationship with a guy that none of us ever would have seen her with.
Jordan is so into her and it gives me hope, on top of that jealousy, that maybe I’ll find a guy who adores me that much someday.
Felix stands awkwardly just inside the door. “Hey. Sorry for dropping in unexpectedly. Jordan mentioned he was coming over and I wanted to see if you’d changed your mind about going to the party.”
Everyone turns to stare at me and my face flushes. It was a nice gesture by him, but completely wrecks my never-see-Felix-again plan.
“I’m gonna go get ready.” Vi stands quickly.
“Me too.” Jane follows.
Jordan and Daisy aren’t quite as smooth, but a second later, they’re excusing themselves to check on something in Daisy’s room upstairs, and I’m alone with Felix.
“Eddie Dillon, huh?”
I don’t hate the surprise on Felix’s face.
“It’s not like that. He maybe wants me to design something for him.”
“That’s cool.” He takes a step farther into the room but doesn’t make a move to sit. The genuine smile on his face reminds me how excited he was for me when he found out I was designing for Penelope Hart.
“It might not happen. I’ve never done…” I trail off as my phone vibrates in my hand. The name flashing across the screen makes me gasp. “Oh my gosh, it’s him.”
I can’t sit still, so I stand. Felix moves closer. “Are you going to answer it?”
“Definitely not. It has to be a butt dial.” I didn’t expect him to reply tonight. I definitely didn’t expect him to video call me! “What kind of rock star is sitting by his phone on a Thursday night? He should be hooking up with girls or still sleeping off last night’s hangover.”
Eddie doesn’t really strike me as that cliché, but he’s hot and famous so who knows.
“You should answer it. It isn’t a butt dial.”
“I’m wearing a T-shirt and my hair is still sweaty from practice.” Saying it out loud makes me realize just how much I can’t answer, but if I don’t, then am I going to lose this opportunity to work with him?
“Help,” I plead to Felix. “What do I do?”
“Hit ignore.”
I do it without questioning him, then sit back down. Felix takes a seat next to me.
“I just ignored a call from Eddie Dillon.” I whisper the words.
Felix’s short, gruff laugh is so close. Hottie QB is sitting on my couch and a hot rock star is calling me. What in the world is happening?
“Now what?” I set my phone down on my lap and shake out my hands. “I’m so nervous, my fingers are trembling.”
“May I?” He reaches for my phone.
I nod and he picks it up, then taps something out. Before he sends it, he hands it to me for approval.
Me
I’m at a party and it’s too loud to answer. Can I call you tomorrow?
“Not bad.” Some of my nerves relax as I hit send. “Thank you.”
When Eddie replies a second later, Felix leans in to read the text and my nerves ramp right back up.
Eddie
Sounds great. I’m in rehearsals all day, but I’ll give you a call as soon as I’m done. Can’t wait to work with you.
“Success,” he says, jaw tight and voice a little deeper than it was a minute ago.
“I just lied to a rock star.”
“It doesn’t have to be a lie. You could still come to the party.”
“I can’t.”
“Sure, you can. Put on some shoes, maybe some deodorant, and we’ll walk next door.”
“I don’t stink,” I say, but it was grossly hot out at practice so that might be a lie. “Okay, I might, but I can’t go either way.”
“Wild and spontaneous, remember?” He lets his body lean against mine for a second. “You can’t hide forever. Or maybe you can, but you shouldn’t.”
“Not forever. Just a week or two.”
“No.” He shakes his head. “No, I’m sorry, but I can’t let you do that.”
“Why not?” I arch a brow at him.
“Because I’ll be worrying about you and won’t be able to properly enjoy myself, and the parties this weekend promise to be next level.”
“So, it’s about you?”
His playful, cocky smile returns. “Always.”
Butterflies flap around in my stomach, and I’m almost tempted. Almost. “I can’t.”
He considers me for a minute, and I think he’s going to continue to protest, but then my roommates are coming back downstairs, and Felix stands to join them by the door.
They all say their goodbyes and file out.
Disappointment almost has me changing my mind, but the second I think about all the looks and whispers I got on campus today, I stay firmly seated on the couch.
Felix is the last out the door. “If you change your mind, you know where to find me.”
“Thanks, Felix.”
“You’re not going to change your mind. Are you?”
I slowly shake my head. I squeeze my hand around my phone and lift it. “Thanks for your help.”
He bites down on his bottom lip and nods. “You’re welcome. I’ll see you around, Dahlia.”