“Whored around?” she supplies, arching a fluffy dark brow.
I snap my fingers. “Exactly. Though,” I put a hand to my chest, “I’ve been on my best behavior this year. Mostly because of Father Dearest, but—”
“Has anyone ever told you that you’re an over sharer?”
“Once or twice?” I grin and her blue eyes light up with amusement.
She shakes her head, pushing her plate to the side. “What’s your major then?”
“Business. The plan was always to take over my family business, but…” I trail off, shaking my head. “I’d rather go out on my own. A lone wolf you might say.” Then, because I’m me and can’t help myself, I let out a howl.
“Teddy,” she hisses, trying to climb her way across the table to slap a hand over my mouth.
I stop howling, instead laughing. “You should see your face, Van.”
Red-faced, she looks around at the truckers staring at us. “I hate you.”
“No, you don’t.”
She covers her face with her hands. “You love embarrassing me, don’t you?”
“I do that with everyone.” I give a shrug, stealing a fry from her plate since I ate all of mine.
“How are you still hungry?” she scoffs.
“I’m a growing boy.”
She shakes her head, flabbergasted. “You’re something else.”
“Anyway, tomorrow I think we should make our relationship campus official.”
“Campus official?” She raises a brow. “What does that mean?”
Her voice has gone high and squeaky. I don’t think she’s even noticed the octave change. I knew when I proposed this whole idea to her that she wasn’t the kind of girl who coveted popularity. I don’t know how exactly I knew; I just did. Maybe it’s because while she checked me out in the office, and obviously recognized me, she didn’t give me flirty eyes or try to get me to notice her or even slip me her number like so many girls do.
I was instantly intrigued, especially since I needed to find someone to fit my girlfriend role.
“We’ll go to Harvey’s tomorrow night with my friends. I’ll introduce you. We’ll hang out.” I shrug, and then add the part I know she won’t like. “Obviously we’ll have to hold hands and kiss.”
“What?” She blanches. “No. No way.” She swings her hands back and forth. “I’m not doing that.”
I arch a brow. “Ah, but you’ve already agreed to it. I mean, being my fake-girlfriend implies that there will be hand holding and kissing, maybe the occasional boob grab or ass smack.”
Her lips part and she knows I’m not wrong.
“Right.” She nods along. “But no boob or butt touching.” Biting her lip, she says hesitantly, “I’ve never been to Harvey’s. What should I wear?”
She’s joking, right? She’s been at Aldridge since freshman year and never been to Harvey’s? Blasphemy!
“How have you never been to Harvey’s? I-It’s like a rite of passage!”
She tugs on her hair. “Because I’ve been busy studying, working, and frankly just getting by. I know that someone like you probably can’t relate to that, but—”
“Listen, I understand having to work and I study too, mind you, it’s not like grades are handed to me. I am smart.” My tone is a bit brash, but it’s a sore subject for me. I know I’m a jokester and I don’t take life too seriously, but I hate when people assume that automatically means I’m dumb.
“Oh.” She pales. “I didn’t mean it like that. I’m sorry if it came across that way.”
I wiggle my fingers, erasing her concern. “Sorry, it’s a sore subject. Anyway, my point is surely you’ve still had time to go out.”
She winces. “I’m just not that person, Teddy. I’d rather stay in than go out.”
I feel like there’s more to it, something she’s not telling me, but I don’t push it.
Plowing on, I say, “I’ll pick you up tomorrow at eight. Harvey’s is casual. If you have cowboy boots, even better, but it’s not required.” I wink, trying to lighten the mood. “And remember,” my voice drops to a serious tone, “you have to pretend to like me.”
4
Vanessa
I haven’t gone on a date since my junior year of high school and that was an epic disaster. My date got food poisoning and threw up all over me and the interior of his car. I still shudder at the memories.
While I’ve lacked in the dating department, I have had some hookups in the past few years. After all, I’m not a nun and a lady has needs.
But right now, standing in front of my closet filled mostly with jeans, casual shirts, sweaters, and an overabundance of hoodies, I’m wishing I would’ve prepared better with at least one date ready outfit in my arsenal.
I’m sure my roommate Danika has a plethora of date clothes, not that any of her stuff would come close to fitting me, and frankly I wouldn’t want to wear it if it did. Our styles are a world apart.
Speaking of the devil, or in this case, thinking it, the main door to our suite opens. Danika breezes in, bringing with her the cloying scent of her vanilla perfume. Her bright red dyed hair practically glows as she passes by my open door.
She looks like she’s on a mission, so I’m startled when she backpedals and eyes me curiously where I stand in a robe, curlers in my hair, juggling three different shirts. Well, not literally juggling, but—
“What are you doing?” Her tone is skeptical.
“I … have a…” deep breath. “Date. I have a date. With my boyfriend. A man. Who is my boyfriend. My manfriend if you will.”
She presses her lips together, trying not to laugh. “I didn’t know you had a boyfriend.” She doesn’t sound accusing, curious more than anything.
“I-It’s new. Started just before winter break.”
“Huh.” She rolls her tongue around her mouth. “Can’t decide what to wear?” Leaning against the doorway she takes in the mess of my room, where I’ve drug out practically every item of clothing I own.
“Yeah.” There’s no point in lying since the truth is obvious.
“Mind if I help?” She hesitates on the threshold.
Danika and I have never really been friends. We became dormmates last year, thrown together when my previous roommate graduated, and she requested a new one. But we’re not enemies either. We’re just two very different people and that’s okay.
“Go for it.” I drop the shirts in my hands to the bed with the others. “Obviously I’m not having any luck.”
She kicks her shoes off outside the door, and walks in. “You should definitely wear those jeans that make your ass look like a million bucks.”
I rear back in surprise at her compliment. The sad truth is it’s rare as a bigger girl to get compliments from a skinny girl. Thank God I’ve never valued my confidence on others’ perceived notion of me. It might sound dumb to some people, but I start every morning by reminding myself that I’m smart, worthy, and beautiful inside and out. It was something necessary when growing up with a narcissist for a sister who loved tearing me down in petty ways. The biggest FU I gave her was when I stopped caring about what she said. It took away any and all power she had over me.