For friends? Too desperate. For connections? Too business professional.
“To get involved on campus.” I wrung my hands together when I saw a few girls still looking down at their phones. “I used to only go places where I knew people at my old school. So, I hoped this would help me get out of an old habit.”
“Thanks for sharing, Emmy,” Yara said with a wide smile.
We moved on to the next person until the circle was complete. A few girls seemed to get more interested in the others when the introductions went on. Some even bonded over majors and reasons to join the org.
At thirty minutes into the meeting, I already felt like I was on the outskirts. Which, wasn’t horrible but not exactly what I’d been expecting coming in a room of this many women. The only person I had a connection with was Yara, but she moved around so much that it was hard to pin her down for a conversation.
Our meeting was interrupted early when someone opened the door with bags of takeout for us. The girls all murmured their excitement at the smells of macaroni and burgers.
I caught an annoyed glint in Yara eyes that only lasted for a split second. When I realized the guy who was delivering the food was David, I understood why her smile wavered when she told us we were free to eat.
“Thanks. Yara dared you to be a delivery boy?” I joked when David handed me a box of food. His eyes narrowed on me, not impressed by my joke in the slightest.
“I know you?”
I frowned. We’d met a handful of times now. Not only had I spoken to his friends on many occasions, but I also played water girl during football practices. A water girl who knew he liked to keep his water bottle separate from the rest. He said it was so he could have easier access to it, but I knew a germaphobe when I saw one.
“No, I beamed down today, actually,” I said, flatly. “I figured I’d pop in for the free food before heading to my next planet.”
“Smart.” He sounded a little genuine.
“I’m lying through my teeth. Yes, David, you know me.”
He raised a brow when I said his name. “You sure?”
“Don’t be rude to my guest of honor.” Yara glared at David when she came to my side. “Did you forget the sheet cake? I paid a lot upfront for that.”
“It’s in my car. I only have two hands,” he said, voice oozing with annoyance. “And I’d appreciate a little gratitude. I’m not your on-call butler.”
“You offered to get the food,” she grumbled, crossing her arms over her chest. “Everyone knows if you have a cake, you bring it in first. The icing will melt in the car, David. Good Lord.”
She snatched his keys up from the table and started out of the door. I put a steak fry in my mouth, needing something to eat while watching the show. David mumbled something under his breath. He shoved the last few boxes in the hands of a girl with the best lace front wig I’ve ever seen. He started out after Yara, with as much fire under his feet, shouting, “Do not use the key fob, Yara, it screws with my door’s automatic locking system.”
“They’re always this entertaining,” the girl with long locs told me as she came to the table for her box of food. She looked inside and wrinkled her nose before placing it back down on the table. “It’s almost fun to watch if it wasn’t so chaotic.”
“Hi,” I said with a little too much excitement in my tone. I cleared my throat when I added, “You’re Ari, right?”
She nodded as she glanced over the other food options. Nothing seemed to tempt her enough to eat.
“How come you introduced yourself with just your name earlier?” I brushed the salt from my hands.
“I’m not a student here, so no major or interesting university tidbits to share.” Ari refocused her gaze on me again. “I’m a friend of Yara’s and came for moral support. Plus, to be another body because…” She looked around the room with a disappointed look. “There’s not many.”
“I thought there’d be more,” I agreed in a lower tone, a little bummed over the matter. More people meant more possibility to find a new group. I loved my brother and Silas but hanging with them sucked sometimes. Especially when working around their schedule.
I wouldn’t admit it out loud but lately, the emptiness of the house was getting to me. I could fill my days with classes and homework all I wanted. At the end of the day, when the guys were still out and the quiet set in, so did my panic.
“Apparently, you college kids prefer parties to networking,” Ari said. “I don’t blame you.”
“I’m trying to stay away from parties,” I lamented with sagging shoulders.
“How are you doing there?”
“Trying to stay strong.” I let out a breathy laugh in an attempt to keep the conversation light.
She smiled. “I feel you. What have you been doing to fill the time? I used to go out a lot too, but now I’m too busy with work. The change of pace is hard.”
