I try to keep my smile from growing, but it’s impossible. No one makes me smile like Blake.
“Blake likes you,” she says in a good-natured teasing tone.
“As a friend,” I say.
Anna shakes her head. “I’m Blake’s friend, and he doesn’t look for me in the stands, then gives me the flirtiest smile ever.”
Poppy, her best friend and Nick’s girlfriend, gently smacks her arm. “Quit giving her such a hard time.”
“It’s okay,” I say with a laugh. “I don’t mind.”
I really don’t. I love hanging out with Anna and Poppy. Blake introduced me to them after I transferred to Hollis. We’ve hung out a few times, and they’ve been so kind and welcoming. Even though we’re new friends, it’s so easy to talk to them. And I like that Anna teases me about Blake. It makes me feel like I’m part of the friend group.
“So, how are you liking Hollis?” Poppy asks. “Did the first couple weeks of classes this semester go well for you”?
“Yeah, it’s been great. I really like my Spanish and French courses.”
“I think it’s so cool how you can speak both Spanish and French fluently,” Anna says. “That’s such an impressive skill to have.”
I shrug. “It’s the one thing I’m good at.”
“Don’t downplay it,” Poppy says. “Learning languages is really difficult. You’re really smart for having that ability.” Anna nods along.
I smile, heartened at how they build me up, even though we haven’t been friends for long.
I think about how, at my old college, my friends never seemed all that interested in the fact that I could speak different languages. They didn’t really ask me about my life or my interests either.
A sinking feeling lands in the pit of my stomach. I should have known that was a sign of things to come…of how little I meant to them. They only hung out with me because I was ina relationship with Logan. And when everything fell apart with him, they didn’t support me…they took his side.
I try not to think about that and focus on how much better things are now that I’m at Hollis.
I turn to Poppy. “Oh hey, I watched your video about statistics the other day,” I say to Poppy. “I needed a refresher for the class I’m taking this semester, and it was excellent. Easy to understand, and you broke down all the concepts I was having trouble with.”
She beams. “Really?”
I nod. “You’re so smart, Poppy. And talented. Statistics is a difficult subject, but you made it simple and accessible.”
Her full cheeks flush, and she gives my arm a squeeze. “Thanks. That means a lot.”
Poppy has a mega-successful YouTube channel called Poppy The Tutor where she talks about academic concepts. Tons of high school and college students watch her videos for guidance on the subjects she’s studying.
Anna wraps her arm around Poppy and gives her a squeeze. “My best friend is so smart,” Anna says.
“So are you, Miss ‘I got a 521 on the MCAT,’” Poppy says. Anna chuckles.
“How is applying to med school going?” I ask her.
“It’s a lot to prepare for. The interviews are really tough,” Anna says. “But I’m excited too. I can’t wait to graduate and study to become a doctor.”
“You’re getting into Stanford,” Poppy says. “I can feel it.”
Anna shakes her head and smiles. “We’ll see.”
The referee blows the whistle. Someone on Wisconsin’s team gets called out for high sticking, so play stops.
“How is your job at the library going?” Anna asks me.
“Really good. I’ve only worked a handful of shifts, but I like it. When it’s quiet, I can do homework when I’m not busy helping students.”
