Emerge (11 page)

Dane’s giving me an out, I should definitely take the out…I turn to look at Bennett. She’s sitting on the couch with Tate, Sawyer leaning over them. They’re writing and laughing and eating…I look back to Dane.

“Can I be honest with you?” I ask sheepishly, but for some reason, I get the distinct feeling I can.

“No, lie straight to my face. I love it when people do that,” he simpers. “Yes, tell me.”

“I don’t feel unsafe or anything, but this is weird. Two girls invite three guys they just met into their dorm room? Well, one girl, at least; not sure I invited anyone.” I smile to alleviate any harshness. “I just don’t know about all this. No sense in going all out the first social event, right?” I chew my bottom lip a little.

“I get it, and I’m not surprised you get it, frankly.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, not many girls
don’t
want us in their rooms. Take your roommate, for example, she’s not thinking about getting us to leave. In fact, she’s in cahoots with Sawyer, whether she’s realized it yet or not.”

“Uh, huh?”
Still lost.

“Laney, they’re over there getting 21 questions ready to play. They both want to play some BS game; Sawyer so he can get to know you and Bennett so she can get to know Tate. They’ll base it on shots so that everyone gets loose-lipped and tells their real story. This is college, Laney; guys and girls feeling their way through the masses until they find their someone. Using games and booze masks the fact they’re too scared and insecure to just ask questions openly. It’s just everyone playing the same game, Laney. But if you don’t like this, or feel too uncomfortable, I’ll fix it.”

He’s right. Well, about Bennett, anyway; who knows about Sawyer. Bennett’s just a girl who likes this new boy and really just wants to get to know him. The game and shots give her an outlet to do that. Man, Dane’s got it all figured out and he puts it right out there. I like and respect that. If he’s running a game to fool me, he deserves an Oscar; I’m picking up no deceit.

“Ok, Mister Meaning of Life, I have a few stipulations.”

“Shoot.”

“No boys sleep here. At some point, you drag them out. If Bennett gets too drunk, you take my hint to end things.” I tick off my rules on my fingers. “No one gets naked, no one has sex. No one invites anyone else over. No one tags this on Facebook, no one tweets…oh, and no one steals my pizza. Sound good?” I quirk an eyebrow and cross my arms over my chest.

He smiles and laughs. “Yeah, Laney, that sounds good. Now relax and quit worrying. Can you do that?”

It seemed like a rhetorical question so I don’t answer him.

 “No harm will come to you whenever I’m around, I swear it. Welcome to college, Laney; welcome to life.”

“Game on!” Sawyer yells from the living area.

So apparently the game
is
21 questions, and not as trite as Truth or Dare.
Sure
. Bennett has claimed the spot right beside Tate on the couch, and I do mean
right
beside him. Sawyer grabs the chair and Dane and I sit on the floor on opposite sides of the coffee table. We all had to put four questions in the cup, which is only 20 questions, but no one seemed to care. If you refuse to, or can’t answer a question, you do a shot. I’ve never done a shot, but I’m pretty smart, so I’m not too worried.

“Ok, ladies first, one of you draw and we’ll go clockwise.”

Bennett’s hand is in the cup before Sawyer finishes his directions. “How old were you when you lost your virginity?” She blushes when she finishes reading.

I choke a bit on my sip of Dew. C
learly
I didn’t know the kind of questions to expect! Looks like my GPA won’t be saving me from shots tonight.
Shit.

“Um.” She looks to the ceiling and taps her chin.
Well, shit, she’s going to answer, and she appears to have to think about it!
“Fifteen.”

I subtly tap my chest so I don’t choke on my bite of pizza and stare at the ground.

“Sixteen.” Not Sawyer’s question, but he shares with the class.

“Fourteen! Mitzi Shawn, beat ya both!” Tate adds while giving Sawyer a fist bump.

Neither Dane nor I say a word. It wasn’t my question, so I’m pretty sure it doesn’t apply, but I will drink the whole damn bottle before I answer with “not applicable.”

“OK, my turn.” Tate draws his slip. “When’s the last time you got laid and by who?”
WTF!
PLEASE let me draw one of my own questions. “Well, it was about three weeks ago, but I don’t kiss and tell, except about Mitzi,” he laughs, “so I’ll do the shot.” And he does.

 \Dane’s turn is next, and I already feel sorry for him; Lord knows what it will say.

“What are your three favorite Disney movies?” He looks at me and a genuine smile lights up his face, it takes up the whole room. “Hmmm, I wonder whose question this is? Could it be, could it be…the little cutie in the princess pajamas?” He winks at me. “Let’s see…I’m gonna go with
Toy Story
…”

Classic boy pick
.

“
Monsters, Inc
…”

Great choice
.

“and…oh, of course,
The
Fox and the Hound
.”

“Oh my God, dude, you’re a fag.” Sawyer throws a wadded up napkin at him.

Dane just shrugs his shoulders and sneaks a peek at me. I’m just staring at him. I really liked his answer.

My turn. I could possibly throw up right now… “What would be your ideal date?”

“Oh yay, I was hoping you’d draw that!” Bennett squeals and claps.

I think of Evan, all the times we went to eat, to prom, fishing…were those ideal? I have no idea, but they were to me because Evan was there. Would I enjoy those things without him? Probably not, but he’s gone and I haven’t enjoyed much lately. I don’t even really like softball anymore. I feel tears welling up…strangers, people examining me, it’s all too much.

“I’ll take the shot,” I say and do just that. It burns, just like the backs of my eyes. I look up and Dane has me locked in his gaze, but he doesn’t say a word.

Sawyer also draws one of mine. “What makes you happiest? Laney, did you ask one dirty question?” He gives me a teasing scowl.

“That could be a dirty question, depending on your answer!” I stick my tongue out at him, earning a laugh from everyone.

“Pussy, beer, and sports make me happiest, probably in that order.” Sawyer is a pig, but in a “he’ll grow on ya” kind of way.

After a few more rounds, I know way too much about everyone. I downed two shots and revealed nothing important or embarrassing, as Dane and Bennett went easy on the questions, too.

Finally Dane stands. “Guys, it’s getting late. Let’s go so these ladies can get to bed.”

“You don’t have to leave yet, right, Laney?” Bennett pleads at me with her eyes.

I say nothing because I’m tired.

“Tate, come on, man. Sawyer, get your ass up and say goodnight.”

Tate leans over to whisper in Bennett’s ear when she sees him to the door and Sawyer shuffles out, mumbling, after giving me an awkward hug.

Dane stops and turns to me. “Night, Disney, hope tonight was okay for you.”

A nickname? Already? Not sure he’s earned that privilege yet, but it’s such a good one that I let it slide.

“Yeah, no worries. It was fun.” I shrug.

“You’re lying to me. Half of the questions horrified you,” he laughs.

“Nah, some of them were funny. It was…different, good different.”

“Well then, I’m glad. Sweet dreams.”

I go to bed without calling Evan, not even a text, because I feel guilty, although I’m not sure why. He does the same, apparently, and that makes it hard to fall asleep.

Chapter 15

A Picture’s Worth a Thousand Words

~Laney~

I
t’s raining when I wake up, a
perfect
Saturday. There’s coffee made and Bennett’s gone, a note says she’ll be home later tonight; she’s off working on her play. I move slowly, picking up the room and bagging up my laundry, and then take a shower. I try to call Evan. It goes to voicemail, so I call home.

It’s so good to talk to Dad. I tell him all about my classes and Bennett. He, of course, asks about the team and the coach. I keep my tone enthusiastic before finally telling him I love him and will see him soon.

Completely out of things to do now, I decide to go get in some swings in the indoor practice arena. I’m not really motivated about ball, but I literally have nothing else to do and at least it’s something I “know.”

I was always content at home, but now it feels like I’m disconnected from myself. Nothing seems really right
or
really wrong, but I know I’m just going through the motions. I miss home. I miss Evan and all that was constant, safe, and familiar.

But then there’s this other little voice in the background that hates that everyone around me seems comfortable, making the most of college, friends, parties, whatever…I’m stuck in the middle, of out of my zone but afraid to explore the other side.

I swing until I’m drenched in sweat and my arms are rubbery and then head back to the dorm. Two hours and another shower later, Bennett still isn’t home. I still have no homework and my call to Evan goes to voicemail again. Okay, now it’s bugging me. Evan’s never missed two of my calls in a row, but I simply cannot bring myself to send a text, too.
Don’t be that girl, Laney.
I should be happy that he obviously has more to keep him busy than I do; above all, I do want him happy.

Not sure how or why, but I find myself knocking on the door of room 114.

Tate answers and smiles warmly. “Hey, Laney, what’s up? Come on in.” He moves aside for me to enter, but I remain in the hall. Baby steps and all.

“No, I’m good, um, just seeing what was going on?” I can’t force my gaze up off the floor and am already regretting my bold decision to come down here.

“Nobody’s here but me, but the boys should be back any minute. You wanna wait?”

“No, that’s okay. Just tell them all I came by to say hi, okay?”

“You sure you don’t wanna wait?”

I turn to start back towards my room, and low and behold, Dane’s striding towards me carrying a guitar.
Of course
he’s carrying a guitar, that’s quintessential for the evil boy tempter, right?

“Well hello there, Disney, looking for anyone in particular?” One eyebrow cocks, accompanied by that all-consuming grin. His hair is messy and his jeans hang low; he’s a tempter alright.

Why are you here, Laney? You’re mad Evan hasn’t answered? Is this his payback? Go do all the things you prophesized he would do when you were apart? Nice, Laney.

“I just came by to see what was up. I’m bored out of my mind. Bennett’s out and you guys are the only people I know.” Not sure why I’m rambling. Not sure why I’m standing here.

“As flattering as that is, I’ll take it.” He’s smiling, so he’s not insulted. It sounded better in my head. “Come on in.”

Without Bennett back-up, I’m not going in their room…so why
had
I come? “I’m good, I just…well, anything fun going on tonight? Bennett will be home soon, I’m sure she’d love to do something.”

“No set plans here, you got anything?” He looks to Tate, who is texting away.

“Bennett’s home in about an hour, says she’s down for whatever.” Guess we know who he was texting.

“Perfect.” Dane glances at me. “So Disney, you’re brave enough to saunter down here; you brave enough to set the agenda?”

Am I? Yes, I am. Too bad I have no clue what would be fun. Not only have I not spotted a pond nearby, but these boys don’t strike me as fishermen. Something tells me a movie marathon won’t fly either, and I could use a change. “Social coordinator isn’t my forte, so feel free to override me.” I glance at his guitar. “How about Chinese takeout and music trivia?”

“For shots?” Tate asks hopefully.

“Of course,” I spout definitively.
There’s no way I’m losing at music trivia.

“Okay, hostess with the mostest, your room, hour and a half?” Dane’s face lights up.

“Sounds good, bring your guitar.” We’re gonna see what he’s got.

F
eeling guilty, at a loss as to why exactly, I text Evan when I’m back in my room.

Laney: Tried calling you x2, got voicemail. Evrythng ok? Bout to hang in room w/ frnds, miss you.

Bennett bursts in shortly after, practically foaming at the mouth. In spurts, while getting ready like a banshee, she declares her undying love for me setting this up tonight. I can’t help but smile to myself. I’m actually looking forward to it, too.

The 114 lads arrive right on time, minus Sawyer, and I let them in…while holding a crab rangoon. I couldn’t wait. They both offer to pay me back for the food, which I dismiss, and we all settle in comfortably.

“Thanks for the invite, Laney,” Tate says and throws a casual arm across my shoulder. “I was kinda surprised, you seem kinda shy.”

“You’re welcome; it’s nice to have something to do.” I don’t address the shy comment; I don’t know what to say. “Sawyer knows he was invited, too, right?”