GO AWAY LITTLE GIRL #2
Angelica barely suppresses her groan. How can you have reached the age of nineteen without knowing anything about men?
Try being home-schooled in a foreign country where you seldom meet anyone your age you can communicate with.
Angelica pulls lip oil out of her tiny shoulder bag and applies it liberally. She straightens her spine, flips her hair back into its full midnight glory, and then puts one hand on her hip. I watch in puzzlement. Of course she looks pretty because she is pretty, but there’s no extra oomph.
Ladies. Does anyone need a drink here? Two fraternity brothers materialize in front of us with red Solo cups and wide grins. Their eyes are glued to Angelica.
Wow. That’s amazing, I murmur. Her shiny lips curl up in a pleased smile.
Live and learn, she replies, then allows one of the guys to fetch her vodka cocktail. In the can, unopened, she calls after him.
You know about drink safety, right? she asks me.
It’s okay, I don’t drink alcohol, I reply. Before I left for college, my father lectured me on drinking and the dangers of kompromat, compromising material, both for myself and his career. I may be the only woman on campus who believes that drinking alcohol can lead to the fall of the free world.
Of course you don’t. You’re so much fun, she replies, then turns away so she can concentrate on Frat Boy #1.
They introduce themselves and Dave and Dougie.
The double Ds, they declare while staring at Angelica’s chest. If this is what passes for charm on campus, it’s no wonder that the arrogant Viktor is so much in demand.
At least he can make coherent conversation.
I haven’t seen Viktor yet, but I notice guys from the hockey team. They were pointed out to me last night, like royalty among the peasants.
And finally their king is here. The crowd seems to part as six of them arrive at once. Viktor is in the centre and glows with energy and confidence. I watch as he surveys the room. His eyes come to rest on me, and for a moment, I wonder if he’ll react in some way. But he jerks his gaze away.
He’s interested, Angelica hisses in my ear. She’s standing with her back to me, so it seems like we’re not here together.
It doesn’t seem like it to me. Now that I’ve seen him again, the full humiliation of last night washes over me. Little girl.
We already know that you’re no expert on men. You have to go over and talk to him.
I face her in full panic. Why? You said that he likes to make the first move.
Turn back around, she hisses. He can’t see us talking. Just go over and say hello. But be sexy.
Is there anything more impossible than a command to be something I’m not? Fine. I’ll go over and risk complete rejection for the second night in a row.
As if reading my hesitation, Angelica commands, Meet me around the corner.
She disappears down a hallway, and I try to follow discreetly. Once we’re out of Viktor’s sight, she yanks me so close that I can feel her hot breath as she speaks.
I’ve never believed in this ridiculous plan from the beginning. And I can tell that you don’t either. When you fail again tonight, I’m telling Des that you’ve just been going through the motions and you don’t deserve to get into Alpha Z.
The injustice hits me. All this work and humiliation for nothing?
I’ve done every single thing you guys asked. Look at me. I motion to my sleek hair, my excessive make-up, and my way-too-short skirt. I’ve practiced and studied. But you know I can’t force Viktor to fall in love with me. Love isn’t a matter of doing everything right. It’s chemistry and chance.
For a moment, I wonder if I’ve finally managed to connect with someone who has disliked me from the moment we met. Her forehead creases as if she realizes the truth of what I’ve said, but then her angry scowl returns.
It’s not working because you don’t have faith. You think you’re too good for make-up and sexy clothes. If you truly, fully believed that you could attract Vik, there’s no way he could resist.
And then she shoves me away, so hard that I almost stumble.
Go talk to him. I’ll be watching.
Once more I wish that supportive and sweet Mia was here instead this insane harpy who probably believes that positive thought can cure cancer.
I pull down my skirt—yet again—and march towards the large group of hockey players. At least the anger coursing through my body is motivating me to move confidently. Maybe Angelica is right that I don’t belong in Alpha Z. One way or the other, this whole ridiculous mission ends tonight.
I make my way to Viktor assertively.
Incoming, says one large hockey player as I brush by. I plunk myself right in front of the target, straighten my shoulders, and toss my hair back. I believe in my ability to attract this…enormous and attractive hockey player.
Viktor, I begin, and then my mind blanks.
Evie. He looks down at me with a supercilious smile that I’d like to smack off his face. Arrogance, thy name is Viktor Zelenko. Yet being so close to him is exciting since he radiates energy and presence. And he’s distractingly handsome.
My mind runs through all the conversational openings I’ve rehearsed, but there’s no way that I can say anything seductive with all his teammates listening.
What’s wrong, little girl? Cat got your tongue? He stares at my mouth. Or have you forgotten what scam you’re running tonight?
Finally my temper flares. Can we not have a conversation like normal people?
Oh, I think we’re way past that, given your familiarity with my intimate parts, he jeers.
It was an accident. Not some attempt to see your— I glance down at his jeans which have a prominent bulge in them, and I completely lose my train of thought.
Then he reaches out and hooks a finger around one of my chains.
When he brushes the bare skin below my collarbone, I’m shocked that there’s no sizzle because my flesh feels branded.
He pulls the chain, and me, closer. So close that I get a whiff of his heady cologne and it stirs me in a whole new way.
He whispers low and hot in my ear. Evie, Evie, Evie. I warn you away, and you keep coming back. You should be careful, because one night I might not be such a nice guy. I might take you up on all the lovely things you’re offering. He tilts his head back, and his eyes rake over my body.
How long can I live without taking a breath?
His lips curl into a smile. Not a genuine smile, but something disdainful. Then he releases the chain, and I rock back on my heels.
But tonight is not that night. Off you go. It’s way past your bedtime, little girl.
His words infuriate me. One moment he acts seductive, and the next he rejects me again. Not to mention the constant belittlement. I’m angry enough to tell him exactly what I think of him.
Here’s the good news, old man. I’m never going to speak to you again.
But for the sake of the next benighted woman who approaches you, could you at least try a modicum of politeness?
‘Thanks, but I’m not interested’ instead of vulgar come-ons and childish insults.
It’s what any decent human being would do.
Whoa, I hear one of his teammates say as I turn on my heel and walk away. My emotions are churning. Of course I’m upset that things didn’t work out yet again, but I’m also proud of myself for telling Viktor off.
I circle the room looking for Angelica. One more chance for her to chide me for my lack of mental fortitude, then I can grab my phone and leave.
But she’s nowhere to be found. I finally spot one of the two fraternity brothers who approached us earlier.
Hey. I put my hand on his arm since I can’t remember his name. Have you seen Angelica? Is she with your friend?
He looks me over in an appraising manner that makes me regret this short skirt for the hundredth time tonight.
Yeah. She and Dave took off. They should be back in a minute. He smiles broadly. Meantime, let’s chat.
Where are they? I just need to talk to her for a second, I insist.
Seriously, they’ll be right back. He puts a sweaty hand on my back. Let’s get you a drink.
Reluctantly, I let myself be led to a nearby table where they have a cooler full of ice and drinks.
He waves an orange and pink can in front of me. Do you like vodka too?
No, thanks. I reach into the melting ice and grab a can of Sprite.
Never let it be said that I’m not a good host. He takes the can from me, pops it open and pours it into a red Solo cup.
Cheers, he says and clinks his beer against my cup.
Um, thanks. I drink and then look around. Still no Angelica. Sorry, I forgot your name.
Dougie, he says. And you’re Evie, right?
I nod and sip my drink. Where did you say Angelica went?
Hey, they just needed some privacy. He smirks, and I start to feel uncomfortable. Would Angelica really pick up some guy when she’s supposed to be observing me?
So, how about a dance? he asks.
I shake my head. I’m going to keep looking for her.
Actually, I think they might have gone to the poolroom, he says.
Why did it take him so long to remember? He grabs my hand and leads me down the hallway to a dim room where a bunch of people are gathered around a large green billiards table. But Angelica is not here either.
Well, now that we’re here, do you want to play a game? Dougie offers.
He’s really starting to irritate me. Does he actually have any idea where she is?
I’m just going to…. But when I go to leave, the room starts to spin a bit. I put my hand on the wall to steady myself. What could be wrong? It’s not like I had any alcohol.
You okay? Dougie comes closer and slides his arm around my waist.
No. I don’t feel good. I want to go home, I say. But my tongue feels thick and my words are jumbled.
Relax. I’ll take you up to my room and you can sleep it off. He guides me away. All I can think is that I really want to be back home.