“As long as he doesn’t distract you,” she said.
“He won’t. I told him I wouldn’t have time for him until after the meet was over.”
“Good. You know we can’t do anything to jeopardize our scholarships.”
I nodded because that was the God’s honest truth. There was no way I could afford college if I didn’t have my scholarship, and as much as I liked guys, I wasn’t going to let them interfere with my future.
****
I’d just finished my final dive of the competition and I knew I killed it. All my focus had been on diving to my full potential. Greenfield College was good, but we were better. I knew Coach Everett was going to be pleased with the team.
Just as I thought, Bay State took the most points in the meet. I think that put us in the top three of our division. Coach told us to go have fun tonight and she’d see us bright and early Monday morning.
“You were great today, Karma,” Gabbi said, on our way to the locker room.
“Thanks. You weren’t so bad yourself. Your last dive was perfect,” I told her.
She laughed. “That kind of came out of nowhere. I’d never done it that well before.”
“Hey, you two,” Kayleigh said. “Great meet. I got to see your last dives. They were amazing.”
“Thank you,” Gabbi and I said in unison.
Kayleigh smiled at us. “So, do you have plans with Anthony tonight?” she asked me.
“I think so. I have to find him after I shower and get dressed,” I told her.
We both quickly showered and put on our yoga pants and hoodies. Kayleigh and I were talking about our plans for the night as we left the locker room. As usual, Major was waiting for her.
“You were wonderful,” Major told her, pulling her in for a hug.
“Thanks,” she beamed.
“And Karma, that last dive you did was incredible,” he told me.
“Thanks Major,” I said.
“Hey, a few of us are going out to eat later. Do you want to join us?” Major asked me.
“She has plans,” a voice said from behind me.
“Oh, hi, Anthony,” I said, a little startled. “I didn’t see you there.” We all stood there for a minute before I remembered my manners. “Anthony, this is my best friend Kayleigh and her boyfriend Major. Kayleigh, Major, this is Anthony.”
“Nice to meet you,” Major said, reaching out to shake Anthony’s hand.
“Hi,” Kayleigh said and waved. “I’ll see you back at the dorm, Karma.”
Major and Kayleigh left, and I turned to give Anthony my full attention.
“Hi. I’m really glad you were able to make it. Did you see the whole competition?”
“No, there was something I had to take care of earlier, but I did see the last hour. I had no idea you were that good.”
For some reason, that last statement irritated me. “If I wasn’t good, I wouldn’t have gotten a scholarship to come here,” I said.
He smiled. “I guess, I didn’t say that right. I meant good like the divers I see on TV during the Olympics. It was amazing to see.”
“Oh,” I said and smiled. “That’s a better way to compliment a girl. So, you mentioned I have plans later. What did you have in mind?”
“My mother is throwing a party for her clients, sort of like a customer appreciation thing. I was hoping you’d want to go with me.”
“I’m always up for a good party,” I told him. “Is this like a fancy, ball gown wearing thing? Because if that’s the case I have nothing to wear. And I don’t mean that as in, I have a million things to choose from and I don’t like any of them. I mean, I don’t own a gown.”
He let out a loud laugh. “You’re a refreshing change from most of the people I know, Karma. It’s a cocktail party. But the majority of the people there will be older, so does that help with what to wear? I just have to put on a suit, so I don’t usually worry about dresses.”
I smiled at the look on his face. “I’m sure I can come up with something appropriate. Will dinner be involved?”
“Of course,” he said. “Dinner then the party. And we don’t have to stay there all night. My mother likes it when I put in an appearance, but I find most of those things really boring.”
“Okay, deal,” I said.
“Great, I’ll pick you up at seven,” he told me.
“Looking forward to it.”
He walked me to the dorm. I went upstairs to start getting ready. If I was going to a cocktail party for rich people, I was going to have to look my best.
****
Bodie
Me: Want to grab a bite to eat tonight?
I sent the text to Tiffany and set my phone down. She was working, so I was surprised when she texted me back right away.
Tiffany: Sure
Me: I’ll pick you up at 6:00
Tiffany: Tell me where and I’ll meet you
Me: You don’t have a car, so I’ll pick you up
Tiffany: This isn’t a date
Me: I know. Friends are allowed to pick each other up.
Tiffany: Fine. I’ll need to get out of the apartment anyway. Where are we going?
Me: Alberto’s. I hope you like Italian.
Tiffany: Love it. See you later.
Over the last week, Tiffany and I had texted back and forth a lot. She was funny and down to earth. The best part was that I had no sexual feelings towards her at all. It was relaxing talking to her.
“You’re smiling,” Major said, when he walked into the dorm we shared. “Got a hot date later?”
“Nah, but I did invite Tiffany to join us for dinner,” I told him.
He raised his eyebrows.
“It’s not like that,” I said. “We’re just friends. Really. She’s hung up on her best friend’s guy. I’m just someone she can talk to.”
“Fine,” he said, raising his hands in surrender. “When was the last time you got laid?”
“What does that have to do with anything?” I asked.
“Just answer me.”
I thought about it for a minute. “Friday.”
“Like yesterday?”
“No, last Friday.”
“What the fuck, dude? You had more pussy than that in high school. What’s going on?”
“Nothing,” I said.
“Bullshit. It’s because of Karma isn’t it?”
“What? No.”
“Then what is it? The Bodie I know has women practically following him around everywhere, like the Pied Piper or something.”
That actually made me smile. “I’m fine, really, man. I mean it. I’m not depressed or some shit like that. It’s only been a week since I had sex, it’s not like it’s been a month or something. When I see someone I want to fuck, I’ll do it.”
Major just shook his head at me. “Whatever,” he said, but not like he really believed me.
A couple of hours later, I left to go pick up Tiffany. She was waiting outside her apartment when I got there.
“Everything okay?” I asked, as she got in the car.
“Yeah, it’s hard to see them together sometimes. I’m seriously considering finding a new place to live,” she told me.