Chapter 3
Invitations
I wait patiently for my roommate to make an appearance.
Toby said his goodbye hours ago. I was sad to see him leave, but the sadness quickly dissipated when my anxiety went into overdrive about finally meeting my roommate.
I hear a knock on the door making me jump off my bed.
That's got to be her! What do I do?? "Come in! "
The door opens slowly and I’m met by a beautiful girl with pecan-tanned skin. She has hair as dark as a raven, and it falls in gentle waves down her back. Damn it, she’s gorgeous. My heart sinks hoping she isn’t a Mean Girl like the gorgeous girls are back home.
I’m greeted with a nervous smile. "Hi, I'm Sasha Hernandez. Are you Danielle?"
I wave back, then remember I should probably use words, so she doesn't think I'm mute. "Yep. That's me. You can call me Dani if you want. Can I help you bring in any of your stuff?"
She beams. "Yes, that'll be great! My parents are coming. They dropped me off at the front entrance so that they could park. Are you going to think I'm crazy if I tell you that I stalked every social media profile that you've probably ever created?"
I laugh so loud, sheer relief plunging through the depths of my soul. She’s nice! "Not at all. At least you had enough guts. I refused to look you up. I was too nervous. I mean, this is a big deal, and to be honest, I don't make friends easily."
"I see right now that we're going to get along just fine.
I'm great at making friends, so I'll do all the work.
I couldn't tell by your profile who you really were.
You seem super private or maybe just shy.
I'll have you out of that by the end of the year.
You're too pretty to be that way. We’ll rule this school.
Just you wait." She shrugs lightly, oozing with confidence.
My eyes grow big. She thinks I'm pretty which is super sweet of her to say.
I like her instantly. "I don't know about that because I'm fairly shy.
I only have like two friends, not counting family back home.
I'm nice to people, but I don't encourage them to talk to me either.
There is only so much I can say about the weather.
" I laugh. “However, I hope this is the birth of a beautiful friendship. "
She smiles and nods her head. We’re interrupted from having more conversation by her parent's arrival.
I help them bring her stuff in, and before they leave, her Mama asks me if I've ever tasted authentic homemade tamales, and I tell her I've never eaten authentic anything as far as Mexican food is concerned. She shakes her head and puts her arm around my shoulders, "Dani, you must come to our house one Sunday! We always have most of the family there. I’ll cook you the best food you’ve ever eaten. "
My mouth waters. "Yes, ma'am! I'll definitely come." If our friendship doesn't work out, I'll become best friends with her Mama. Her food sounds incredible.
Sasha's parents seem so lovely. They kiss and bid us farewell.
Mrs. Hernandez got my number, and I have hers.
I help Sasha put away her things and hang up her pictures.
She's got a lot of friends and an adorable older brother named Diego.
I tell her some of my backstories, and she fills me in about some of hers.
She's easy to talk to, and she doesn't give me that look of pity that I hate when I tell her about the sperm donor not being in my life.
She looks at me and with all sincerity she says, "It's his loss. "
I've never really thought of it that way before. I've long stopped believing it was in any way my fault. I know the fault lies within himself. But he did miss out on me, and he also missed out on the best woman a man could ever have, and that's my Mama. It’s 100% his loss.
"I read reviews online about this new restaurant about a mile from here.
You want to try it out with me?" She walks super-fast into her room to grab her wallet, not even saying a word.
I laugh and go grab mine, too—my kind of girl.
I couldn't eat much today because I was so nervous about this meeting so I’m starving.
I open the door so we can make our escape and accidentally drop my wallet.
When I get back up after reaching for it, I can't believe the two guys that are standing there. Jaxon’s knuckles are raised because he was about to knock.
I looked up the Fearless Five as soon as I got back to my dorm room the night of our eventful meeting at the diner.
They are reported to be the best in recent history.
I read article after article about them, most think they are truly unstoppable, and that by the end of the year the team will be undefeated.
Dallas is staring at Sasha and so is Jaxon. Used to being the duff, I laugh to myself. She clears her throat. "Y'all going to say anything or just stand there? Because we're late for dinner."
I smile at her because she’s not easily intimidated. That's good because it means I can hide behind her small frame, and she will take care of business. I'm not ashamed to be a coward. It is what it is, we all have roles to play in this thing called life.
Amused, they finally turn their attention back to me. "What's up, Georgia?"
I shrug, trying to reign my creeping blush in. "Just headed to dinner."
Sasha looks at me. "Your friends?"
I shake my head. "Not really, just met them the other night."
Jaxon scoffs. "Georgia, that breaks my heart."
Dallas puts both his hands on his hips. “Yea, I thought we were like, besties already.”
I laugh nervously, then point at Sasha. "Sorry boys, I already have a bestie."
They laugh, and Jaxon winks at me.
"Ladies, we're here to invite you to the first party of the social season tomorrow night. It's hosted by Fraternity Row. One of our freshmen underlings will personally pick you both up at eight. And ladies, don't you dare fret, they will deliver you safely to our sides."
Sasha, remembering that I'm socially awkward, looks at me trying to gauge my reaction to the invitation. I lightly shrug. "No need. We have a prior commitment boys."
She herds them out of the way and laces her arm through mine. For such a small package she can be quite forceful. I love it! I look at them and smile back sheepishly. They look dumbfounded. It's almost comical. They were NOT expecting that. "Maybe next time boys!" I wave as we walk away.
When I’m convinced we’re out of earshot she demands to know the whole story.
She knows who they are, because she's a native Texan.
She listens intently to the story and agrees with Toby, it's not the last I've seen of them.
"They're hot, but probably man whores. Not interested, but let's go to the party anyways.
Just us. We won't find potential dates or other friends if we're hanging around them all night, and I don't want a one-night stand. Do you?"
I shake my head fiercely. "Not at all! I'm not sure I want to go to a party. It's my idea of an actual nightmare."
She laughs. "Please! Please come with me! I'll leave as soon as you say let's go, and we won't leave a minute after. Promise."
I give in. What can it hurt? I do want new experiences. "You won't leave my side?"
"Like I said, I promise, Dani!" She looks serious and I believe her.
"Okay, let's do it!" I smile, glad we're not going to be hanging out with the guys.
The party will probably be so big they won't even see us.
The lump in my throat disappears and I wonder where "The Jake Ryan" is tonight?
Probably shoving his tongue down some poor girl's throat.
Poor girl or blessed girl? I laugh to myself. The jury is still out.
The restaurant is busy but not overpacked. I order fried pickles as an appetizer for us to share, and a steak with steamed zucchini for my entree. It's good, but I can't eat it all. I'm nervous about this party tomorrow.
"What are you going to wear?" I panic a little because I have nothing suitable in my closet.
"Not 100% sure. Maybe my low-cut red dress that ties on my shoulders. It’s loose and flowy at the bottom. How about you?" She clearly hasn't realized yet that I don't have any fashion sense.
"I haven't got a clue."
"I'll help you pick it out when we get back to our dorm." She starts laughing.
I laugh with her. It's infectious. "What's so funny?"
"I can't stop thinking about the looks on their faces when we refused their invitation."
That makes me giggle again. "It was a picture-perfect moment."
After settling our bill, we head back to our dorm.
I swear I saw Jake as we walked past the athletic department, but maybe not.
Sasha goes through my wardrobe, and I can tell she hates almost everything.
She's nice about it though. "Let's go shopping tomorrow.
You game? It's time you start dressing like a girl with a nose ring.
Your clothes are a million sizes too big. "
"Sounds great! I'm on a budget, but I do have some cash set aside for shopping. I'm no fashionista so you'll have to make me beautiful."
She's excited, and I kinda am, too! "It's not that your clothes are terrible it's just that they're not meant for you. You have a figure. Show it off. You ever hear less is more?"
I laugh. "I'm not going to the party naked, Sasha!"
"Not that much less, crazy! Although, you'd most definitely get some numbers. It’s also a good conversation starter that isn’t centered on the weather."
She has me laughing so hard my sides hurt. "I'm game for anything."
"No talking back?" She raises an eyebrow at me.
"Nope, cross my heart."
"Good. Now let me show you what I'm going to wear."
As I wait for her I realize I haven't checked my phone in a couple of hours because I left it in the dorm room. A number not in my phone texted me about 10 minutes ago. No introduction, no pleasantries. Direct, and to the point. Which is kinda hot.
Georgia, an underling will pick you both up for the party tomorrow night. 8 PM!
Who is this?
Jake.
First of all, how did he get my number? Second of all, The Jake Ryan just texted me!!! Thrilling as that is, he's so arrogant and cocky. I can't resist sending this next text.
Jake who?
Come to the party and find out.
Stranger Danger!
Lol! I'll be waiting.
I leave him on read, because I have no idea what to say. I show Sasha my phone and she squeals. I'm shook! What kind of game is he playing? And do I want to even find out? I drop my phone and give Sasha my undivided attention. She looks breathtaking. "You look so good! Please, make me over."
"Thank you. This will be so much fun! All you lack is confidence, and we'll just have to find out what you feel confident in and go with that!"
"Yes!! Should I text him back?"
"Girl, I say leave him on read! Give his ego a bitch slap!"
I laugh! "On read it is!"
I can’t wait for tomorrow morning because the new me is coming soon.