Waiting for Something (18 page)

             
“There’s a better way of saying it than how you did. Your parents forget to teach you manners?” I put my hand on my hip.

             
“You’re good. I’m sorry. Move in day…kinda crazy. I’m Jackie,” she held out her thin, pale hand.

             
“Ali,” I laughed and shook her hand.

             
“Where ya from, Ali?” she walked with me to registration as we got in line.

             
“Originally Colorado, but I graduated from San Diego. What about you?” I looked at her long, black hair sitting in curls.

             
“New York, greatest place around,” she grinned.

             
“This is only my third time here and I’m scared as hell.” My honesty must have taken her by surprise or something.

             
“Girl, don’t be afraid. This city will treat you nicely. Trust me, you have the look,” she smiled slightly.

             
“I hope so,” I looked up at her.

             
“Sorry, change of subject. Check out that hot piece of man meat with the suitcases. Dibs,” she pointed at the guy and I turned around to check him out. It was Jake.

             
“Jake?” I laughed.

             
“A little help?” he struggled with a bag.

             
“Yeah, sure. I told you I was going to come back,” I grabbed one of the duffle bags and he let himself straighten out.

             
“I got impatient,” he laughed.

             
“So this must be your boyfriend?” Jackie reddened.

             
“Oh no. Not my boyfriend. He’s a friend of mine from high school just helping me move in,” I tucked my bangs behind my ear. I knew he wasn’t mine but I didn’t want him to be Jackie’s either.

             
“I’m Jackie,” she smiled and introduced herself.

             
“Jake. You a freshman?” he made himself comfortable while I stayed in line.

             
“Actually this is my second year here. Do you go here?” I didn’t know Jackie at all but I could tell she was hitting on him.

             
“Hell no. I’m in the Marines actually.” She liked the sound of that.

             
“I thought you were too muscular to be a dancer,” she giggled. Okay, Ali, turn off creeper mode and just ignore them.

             
Once I got through registration, Jackie was basically glued to Jake’s arm and I felt way too bitter about it.

             
“Jake, you still gonna help me move in?” I walked behind the two of them.

             
“Of course, Ali Cat, let’s go. I’ll text you, Jackie,” he winked and I could practically see her panties soak. Disgusting.

             
“You must really like her,” my attitude was seeping through.

             
“Why does it bother you?” he smirked.

             
“Shut up,” I rolled my eyes.

             
“If it does, you can just tell me and I’ll back off.” I knew he wanted this win.

             
“Nope, it’s completely fine with me,” I stuck my nose in the air.

             
“Ali, you are such a stubborn girl,” he chuckled and we went to my dorm room where apparently I wouldn’t have a roommate. Great.

             
“A stubborn, lonely girl. I don’t even have a roommate,” I dropped my bags and plopped on the bed.

             
“You always have a place to stay, if you want,” he sat beside me.

             
“I know. I guess I’m just really nervous and homesick,” I laid my head on his shoulder.

             
“You’ll be fine, I promise. I’ll be here to make sure of that,” he kissed the top of my head. Usually I would say something, but it was comforting and I needed it.

             
“You’re the best,” I hugged him.

             
“Only for you,” he squeezed me tight before letting go.

             
“Now get up. Time to turn this room into something fabulous,” he pranced around like a girl.

             
“Very funny,” I got up and started for one of my bags.

             
“Ali, the bathrooms are coed,” he picked up a sheet of paper and read it.

             
“Yeah, I know that. So?” I put some pants in a drawer.

             
“Well that means you share the same shower as a guy,” he looked concerned.

             
“Jake, calm down. I know this. It’s not a big deal.” One bag down, four more to go.

             
“I don’t like the sound of this at all.” Yep, he was getting jealous.

             
“You’re getting jelly, aren’t you?” I laughed as I put on my bed spread and pillow cases.

             
“No, I’m not.” Defensive. Totally jelly.

             
“Yes you are. It’s very cute really,” I smirked at him.

             
“Shut up. It’s no big deal. You got a handle on things here? I gotta run to my car quick.” He was pissed about the coed thing and my comfortability with it.

             
“Yeah, I’m fine. Go ahead.” I couldn’t help but laugh as he stormed out of the room.

             
“Why did Jake just leave?” I saw Jackie’s head pop in my room.

             
“No idea. Why?” I continued to unpack as she made herself comfortable.

             
“I want to get to know him. If you know what I mean.” She was so stunning I’m sure Jake wouldn’t ever be able to resist.

             
“Then go for it,” I tried to act like I didn’t care but inside it was killing me slowly.

             
“You sure you won’t be mad? I mean you, had him first.” Was our past that easy to read?

             
“No it’s fine, honestly. Go for it,” I laughed a little, hiding the hurt.

             
“You’re the best. Oh, party tonight. I’m coming over and picking you up. Wear something slutty,” she grinned and left with a shake in the hips.

             
Later that night Jackie came over, as promised, in something way sluttier than what I owned— and I thought I had some pretty slutty stuff. I never wore it but I had it for some reason and I suppose this was the reason.

             
“You look hot,” she watched me put on the rest of my makeup.

             
“Oh my gosh, not even. You’re like ten times prettier than me. So what happened with you and Jake?” When he came back from wherever, he seemed normal so I hadn’t had a chance to even think about it.

             
“I waited ‘till he came back, stopped him, got his number. We’re hanging out this weekend,” she grinned wickedly.

             
“Well I need to stay away from men for a while. I promised myself I would.” I put on my bright red lipstick.

             
“Sounds awful,” she moaned.

             
“You have no idea how bad my luck is with men,” I sighed.

             
“Well then let’s change that. Ready to go?” she hopped off of my bed and stood by me.

             
“Yep. So what do you think of this whole co-ed bathroom thing?” We walked down the hall as people passed by us in party clothes.

             
“I love it. I can basically get away with whatever I want in there.” Yeah, I had the feeling she was a girl that got around.

             
“Where is this party?” More people started passing us.

             
“It’s about a block away at this club. One of the kids that goes here, their dad owns a club and he closes it off twice a year for us to have this major blowout party. It’s a blast. I’ve been to a couple.”

             
“I thought you said you were a freshman?” I felt confused as we followed the crowd down the block.

             
“Nope pretty sure you misheard, I’m a sophomore.” she grinned.

             
“Jackie, who’s the friend?” I heard a guy approach us from behind.

             
“Who’s asking?” She was the shit and I could tell.

             
“Jesse,” he put his lips right up to the back of her ear and I could tell he was smooth.

             
“Jesse! Hey, sexy!Haven’t seen you in forever.” We stopped walking and she hugged him.

             
“Been busy. I’ve been working my ass off so I could afford my new place,” he shrugged. He looked familiar like I knew him from somewhere but I wasn’t sure where.

             
“Oh my gosh! Jesse, this is Ali. Sexy, right?” Quite the introduction.

             
“You could say that. You squat?” his blue eyes pierced into me.

             
“Yeah, I work out a lot,” I felt a little shy.

             
“Hun, isn’t dancing enough?” Jackie laughed.

             
“Apparently not for her,” he bit his bottom lip and nearly made my panties drop.

             
“Well I’ll let you two chat a little. I found some new freshman a little farther up. Catch up to you later, sweetie.” She kissed my cheek and walked off without me.

             
“Is she always like that?” I continued walking with Jesse by my side.

             
“Not always. She’s got a different side to her but she’s guarded. I’m surprised she even befriended you. She has no friends that are girls,” he laughed a little. I recognized that laugh.

             
“This might sound weird, but you seem really familiar,” I brushed my bangs behind my ears.

             
“You know I was thinking the same thing about you.” His smile made the night a little brighter.

             
“Well, let the great mystery begin,” I grinned.

             
“Jackie was right. You’re gorgeous,” he stuck his hands in his pockets.

             
“She actually called me “sexy” but close enough,” I looked up at him from under my lashes.

             
“That she did. Keep up, Ali.” He wrapped his arm around me and we entered the club. The music was blasting and everybody’s bodies were pressed against each other on the dance floor. The bar was practically a free for all. I had no idea how we were getting away with this but I didn’t care.

             
“You want something to drink?” Jesse spoke over the music.

“A Manhattan, please,” I let myself relax and spoke directly into his ear.

“Hey, good looking,” I heard a guy come up from behind and he swung his arm around me.

“Um, hi?”
He was obviously a few drinks down.

“The name’s Eric,” he held out his free hand.

“Ali. Should I know you?” Jesse sat there waiting for our drinks.

“No, but would you like to?” he got a little closer than what I wanted.

“Eric, back off. She’s new.” Jesse turned around with my drink and I took it gladly as I felt Eric’s arm leave my body.

“My apologies, Ali,” he grabbed Jesse’s beer.

“Fucker,” Jesse turned to order another.

“You two know each other?” I took a sip of my drink.

“We’ve been roommates since freshmen year.” Eric took a few drinks.

“Wait. How old are you?” If they were seniors, I might have to split. That’s two years older than Jake even.

“Oh, sweetheart. In New York and in college, age is only a number,” Jesse’s smile grew.

“Seniors.
Too old?” Eric said into my ear.

“Who said I was even interested?” I played off my nerves well and they laughed.

“I like this one,” Eric nudged Jesse.

“
Wanna dance?” Jesse said as I heard the intense pop and rap turn to Luke Bryan.

“Yes, I love this song.” The floor started to clear more and I knew I was one of the few that knew how to line dance. I started off and Jesse followed and a lot of others watched. I heard a few people ask “Who is she?” and “Dang, she’s good.” I felt proud, like I was blossoming and maybe I’d just keep growing and growing.

“You’re good,” Jesse continued watching my steps as I danced to “That’s my Kinda Night.”