Chapter 13
Chapter Thirteen
STELLA
Bzzzzzzzz.
I awaken to a loud buzzing beside my head.
“What the hell?” I grumble. Whatever it is, it’s making my head vibrate. Oh, wait, I fell asleep holding my phone. As it buzzes again, I run my hands over the top of my sheets and under my pillow. “Ah-ha! Found it!”
I look at the screen and read: Donnie wants to FaceChat. I push the green button and wait for his face to appear. “Uh, hello? Is everything okay?”
“Hey, beautiful. I thought I’d call and wake you up so you can get back home faster.”
“Oh, well, gee thanks,” I reply sarcastically. “What time is it?”
“Six,” he says, like it isn’t the ass-crack of dawn. “Actually, there was another reason I called.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah, is there any way I can talk to your dad?”
“My dad?”
“Yeah? You think he’s up yet?”
“I’m sure he’s up. He gets up at like four in the morning. He’s a dork.”
“Can you take your phone to him?”
“I guess. What’s this about?”
“Just take me to him.”
“Okay.” I pull myself out of my bed. “I’m sure I look like a crazy person with my hair standing on end, but that’s what you get when you wake a girl up this early,” I grumble. Oh hell, I look like a crazy bag lady.
“You look beautiful, babe. I love seeing you first thing in the morning. I’d like to make a habit of it, actually.”
“You’re the sweetest. I’m just glad this isn’t smell-a-vision. My breath is terrible.”
Alex chuckles. When I reach the kitchen, I hear my parents chatting away. I hear the word “barbeque” as I push through the swinging kitchen door. I feel a little awkward after last night, but I’m not letting that get in the way of whatever Alex has planned. “Uh, Dad?”
He turns to look at me, surprise written all over his face. No doubt due to the time. “Yes, sweetheart?”
“Um, I’ve got a phone call for you.”
“For me? Why did they call your cell?”
Too many questions this early, so I just hand him the phone. “Here, he’s on FaceChat. Just look into the screen so he can see your face,” I say that loud enough for Alex to hear.
My dad takes my phone in hand and says, “Hello?”
“Yes, hello, sir. This is Alex Emerson. I play football for the Northwestern Wildcats, and I’m your daughter’s boyfriend. I thought I’d take the opportunity to introduce myself to you and invite you up to one of our games.”
My dad’s eyes have gotten huge. He’s blinking at the phone, then at my mom, then at me.
I merely smile.
“Well, son, that would be wonderful. I’m a huge Wildcat fan, and I’ve been following your career for several years. It would be an honor to be your guest.”
“Well, technically, you’ll be Stella’s guest. I’ve signed over two of my season tickets to her, so she can watch me play each week. She can bring any guest she chooses.”
Huh? That’s news to me.
“Well, that’s very generous of you, son.”
“Not generous. I want my girlfriend in the stands to watch me play. It makes me want to impress her.”
I look at my mom. She’s actually scowling. When he says the part about impressing his girlfriend, I swear she scoffs. It’s like a grown-ass version of Brooke living right in my own house. Why have I never noticed that before?
“Alex, it was nice talking to you. I look forward to meeting you next weekend,” Dad says.
“Me too, sir. Can I speak to Stella again?”
“Of course.” Dad holds the phone out to me.
“Stella?” He has the biggest, cheesiest smile I’ve ever seen on his face.
I wonder what makes him happier, that he gets to go to a game or that I’m dating Alex Emerson?
Maybe both. I take the phone from Dad and walk out of the kitchen away from the stares.
“Alex?” I say.
“I’m here. Was that okay?”
“That was....” I pause to catch my breath.
“Hang on, Alex.” I rush up the steps to my bedroom because I need to get as far away from the kitchen as I can.
I don’t want my parents to listen to our conversation.
“That was fantastic. Now they have no doubt. It’s probably going to take my dad a week to come down from the high of talking to the amazing Alex Emerson,” I say, giggling.
“What about your mom?”
“I have no idea what to expect from her. It’s not going to be good. She’s just realized that she was wrong––that she misjudged the situation last night. She isn’t going to take kindly to being made a fool of.”
“I’m sorry, Pixie.”
“No need to be sorry. I’m looking forward to seeing you tonight. That means I need to get packed up.”
“Okay, I’ll hang up so you can get here sooner. I’ve got a team meeting this afternoon, so I won’t be around. I’ll just see you at six thirty sharp. Okay?”
“Yep. Six-thirty sharp.”
“Drive safe.”
“I will. Bye.”
“Bye, Pixie.”
As I pack up my things, I hear a knock on my door. It’s Dad.
“Hey, pumpkin. What’s going on? Are you leaving?”
“Yeah, I’m heading back early. Lots to do and all that.”
“What about the barbecue?”
“I don’t have it in me today. Yesterday was really the tipping point for me with Mom, and with you, to be honest. You didn’t believe that I could be with someone like Alex Emerson. You thought I made him up.”
“I know, honey, and I’m very sorry for not believing you.
It’s just that he’s a, well, he’s a celebrity, and you don’t expect anyone you know to date someone famous.
It’s not that I think you’re not good enough or pretty enough.
I do. You’re my beautiful Stella. As for your mom, I don’t know what I can say about that.
She’s got some soul-searching to do. I can understand why you don’t want to be around today. I don’t blame you, actually.”
“You don’t?”
“No, I don’t. I’ll let your mother know. I don’t think you need another confrontation with her today. Do you need any help with your bags?”
“No, I only have the one.” I go up to him and wrap my arms around him for a hug. Stepping back, I smile up at him. I can’t say I’m completely okay with my dad’s reasoning about me and Alex, but I want this to be over. “Thanks, Dad. I’ll see you next weekend?”
“Yeah!” he says excitedly. “That’s going to be great!”
The trip back to school goes quickly. Driving my own little car back is so liberating.
Finding a parking spot is another story, though.
It’s almost impossible to find a place for long-term parking without an N.U.
Parking permit. I find a parking garage a couple of blocks from campus that allows monthly parking.
That will have to do until I get an assigned spot.
I grab my bag and start the trek to my dorm.
I’ve been thinking about the events from yesterday and the call from Alex this morning.
Why was that so satisfying? I suppose it’s just the fact that I was vindicated.
Alex did that for me. Then, my mind turns to my roommate and the fact I can’t wait to move in with Lily.
I’m going to miss going to the cafeteria with Alex and Hank, but the rest of it can’t end soon enough.
I hope, after I move, I never see Brooke Clark again.
As soon as I step into my dorm, I breathe a sigh of relief because it’s silent, which means Brooke’s gone. I set my things in my room and plop down onto my bed and send a text to Alex.
Me: I’m back. Going to unpack and do some homework. C u tonight! I can’t wait!
Donnie: Same! Glad you’re back safe and sound. ;)
After finishing my homework, I begin the fruitless search for something to wear on my date.
Besides my graphic tees, there’s not a lot to choose from.
When I spy something dark blue, I grasp the hanger and pull it out.
It’s the dress from the July 4th party. The one where Bradly…
. Never mind him. Lily told me I looked hot in this dress, like a 1950s pinup girl, so it’s the perfect dress for my very first date.
At five thirty, I begin the process of getting ready.
I hop in the shower and shave everywhere—and I mean everywhere.
I’ve never shaved my lady parts before. It’s not easy to do when you have a tummy—there was a lot of contorting going on, but I think I’ve managed to get it all taken care of.
It’s not like I expect Alex to try anything tonight.
But he might. I want to be prepared for anything.
I pull out my fancy, blue, lace boy shorts and slip them on my smooth legs.
What is it about a pretty pair of undies to make a girl feel good about herself?
I decide to go braless because the dress is snug enough in the bodice that a bra is unnecessary.
Besides, Alex will never know. I step into the dress and pull it up over my hips and slide my arms into the sleeves.
Luckily, the long row of buttons that run down the front of the dress help open the dress far enough to allow me to put it on this way.
I start the tedious process of buttoning it up.
There are twenty-four in all, and it takes a bit of time.
Once it’s all cinched up, I turn and peer into the mirror above my dresser.
Uh-oh, my chest is practically bursting from the top.
“I don’t remember my boobs being this obvious when I wore it last summer.
” I hold the dress with one hand and press my chest down into the top with the other.
It’s better, but they’re still really obvious.
It’s going to have to do unless I want to wear my tee that says, Every night’s date night.