Today’s task: make a new friend.
It sounded simple, and yet, it was something I’d struggled with. Even in my classes full of likeminded students, I’d failed to really connect with anyone. But I’d noticed Elodie and she was always alone, always sitting at the back of lectures. So I’d decided that maybe she was like me; maybe she also found it hard to connect.
“I’m Felicity,” I said. “Felicity Giles.”
“Oh. My. God,” she breathed. “I thought it was you.” Her whole face transformed. Gone was the shy, quiet student I’d seen around classes, replaced with a starry-eyed girl who stared at me like I was the second coming.
“I mean, I’ve heard your name around... but I didn’t know... wow. You’re like dating Jason Ford. That is... wow. I’m a huge fan.”
My lips pressed into a thin line. I couldn’t escape. No matter where I turned, who I talked to, I would always be Jason Ford’s girlfriend.
“That’s me.” I gave her a weak smile. I didn’t have the heart to ruin her morning since she seemed so excited to be talking to me.
“I’m a huge fan... huge. Followed the Quakers my whole life. My dad played for them... he’s kind of Quaker royalty. That’s why I keep myself to myself.” She glanced around conspiratorially. “And oh my god, I’m doing it, aren’t I? I’m totally being that weird obsessed fan that I try so hard to avoid.”
“Yeah, you kind of are.” Strangled laughter bubbled in my chest.
“I’m sorry, it’s just... damn, girl.” She clutched the edge of her desk and leaned closer. “You’re dating Jason Ford, one of the best quarterbacks the NCAA has seen in at least a decade. That’s got to be something.”
Oh, it was something all right.
“Hey, would you like to get a coffee after class? In a totally non-creeper kind of way. I’m Elodie by the way. Elodie Faltham.”
“I...”
This so wasn’t how I'd seen the conversation going. I’d wanted to make a friend, to strike up conversation with someone who wouldn’t automatically pigeonhole me as Jason Ford’s girlfriend. But maybe she got it, maybe she understood more than most.
“I promise I’m not usually this weird,” she added as if she could hear my inner turmoil. “I’m just passionate about the things I love, and it just so happens I really love football, almost as much as I love animals.” Her smile grew.
That sealed the deal.
A girl who could love football and animals...
Despite her shaky introduction, Elodie Faltham sounded like my kind of girl.
Felicity
“Holy freaking crap, this is amazing,” Elodie shrieked beside me as the team jogged out onto the field.
Jordan had needed to go home for the weekend, something to do with a family emergency. She kindly offered to donate her ticket to my new friend. I wasn’t sure Elodie warranted friend status yet, but we had hung out a couple of times, and we always sat together in class now. After her initial excitement that I was dating Jason, she reined herself in, and kept our conversation to safer topics like my volunteer work at the shelter and her dream of one day working with big cats in African reservations.
“I mean, I’ve been to all their games, but I’ve never even come close to scoring seats this good. Thank you so much.” She gave me a big grin and I couldn’t help but be infected by her enthusiasm. She reminded me of... well, me back in high school, eager to soak up senior year and all that came with it.
“Oh my god, there he is.” She pointed to Jason and I let out a small chuckle.
“Yep, that’s him.”
“Oh God, I’m doing it again, aren’t I?” Her brows knitted. “I’m sorry, it’s just—”
“It’s okay. Enjoy it.”
The atmosphere in Franklin Field was electric, everyone high on the team’s perfect season so far. If they won tonight, it would leave them with two games to play and the league title in sight.
I knew how much it meant to the team, the fans, and the coaches. But most of all, I knew how much it meant to the guy wearing the red and blue number one jersey.
“If they win this game, the season could be theirs. Only Dartmouth has a shot at taking it from...” She launched into an analysis of the Ivy League, but her words barely registered as I watched Jason command his teammates. They respected him, followed his orders, and paid attention when he talked. It was something to behold.
We were in a better place since the weekend. There were still some things we needed to work through, but something had shifted.
“Felicity?” Elodie nudged me.
“Huh, sorry?”
“I said are you sure about me coming to the party later? I’ve never been to a football party before.”
“It’s just like any other college party really, except with more cheerleaders.”
“Actually,” her cheeks pinked, “I’ve never really been to a college party before.”
“I’ve probably been to less than you can imagine,” I admitted.
“What, no way? Your boyfriend is—”
“I think we’ve established who my boyfriend is.” I gave her an amused smile. “But I haven’t exactly spread my wings since coming to Penn.”
“Well, we can be out of our comfort zone together.” Elodie shot me a conspiratorial wink.
“Aren’t you worried about people finding out about your dad?”
She shrugged. “Honestly, I think I’ve been using him as a reason not to push myself into new social situations.”
“So tonight, we party?” A trickle of excitement zipped through me. I’d always gone to parties with Jason, stood and watched from the sidelines as he and his friends let loose and enjoyed themselves. Jordan had been around this semester, but last year it had mostly been me. So I couldn’t deny it felt nice to finally have someone in my corner.
Even if she was infatuated with my boyfriend.
Jason
“Congratulations.” Felicity rushed over to me as I found her in the lingering crowd.
I pulled her into my arms and kissed her. Adrenaline still pumped through my veins, a firestorm showing no signs of letting up. I either needed a strong drink or to be buried deep inside my girl. But there was a party... a party I’d promised the guys I would make an appearance at.
Fuck.
“I’m so proud of you.”
We’d beat Yale 28-17. We were unstoppable, a relentless storm determined to blow right through every team we came up against. And next on the list was Cornell.
My eyes went over Felicity’s shoulder when I realized we had company. “You must be Elodie,” I said, pulling Felicity into my side. “I’m Jason.”
The girl’s eyes went wide, her mouth hanging open.
“El, we talked about this,” Felicity said as if they were old friends. I’d heard all about Elodie Faltham, daughter of Quaker legend Marcus Faltham, star running back in the late eighties. She was Felicity’s new friend. Although I was beginning to think there was something wrong with her with the way she was gawking.
“H- hi, it’s an honor.” She held out her hand, and I stared at it, frowning. “Oh, right, sorry.” She jammed it into her pocket. “I’m not usually this nervous. It’s just I’m a huge fan.”