Buzz buzz.
Danny's head snapped up, glancing around the library for the source of the noise. He shook his head, muttering about "lack of respect" and "quiet study environment".
Buzz buzz.
"People should have to turn in their phones at the door," he said to himself, rubbing his temples and trying to refocus on his reading. He admitted, the buzzing wasn't the only thing preventing him from comprehending the words on the page. Another loud character kept popping into his mind, distracting him.
Buzz buzz.
"Okay, come on!" Danny raised his voice, looking around for any incriminating evidence. "Have a little respect for the sanctity of the library!" The two girls across the table stared at him, wide-eyed. Danny scratched his head, then bent over the table, listening closely.
Buzz buzz.
Danny's heart dropped. He groaned, reaching into his backpack and grabbing his phone. The screen was lit up, banner exclaiming that he had five new messages. Danny glanced up at the two girls who were now shaking their heads disapprovingly. He quickly silenced the phone, then smiled guiltily, typing in his passcode.
U know what? Screw U! The text message screamed. Danny froze. What the hell? Taken aback, he quickly scrolled to the top, wondering who could possibly be mad at him. Then he saw the name.
Mindy, he sighed. He hadn't heard from her since the day he'd seen her flirting with that exchange student Jeremy. He'd had such high hopes, walking up to the tree. Then he'd seen her lying in the grass with him, and making plans for dinner with him. Danny had been such a fool, to think that she'd liked him. He shook his head free from the memory.
They hadn't talked since that day, so why was she texting him now? It was a Thursday night. They didn't have any homework due or anything…He flipped back through the other messages, reading them in reverse to see the order she'd sent them in.
Nmbr one: How dare you?
I can't belive yu thot I was goin out wit tht creep Brndn!
Ur such a jerk
But ur so hot
Danny smiled for a second, forgetting the last text. Why was she mad at him? If anything, he had a right to be mad at her! She led him on, kissing him with her glossy lips and making him think she liked him!
Buzz buzz.
Danny covered his face, wondering how she was gonna attack him next.
Tht kiss didn't meen n e thing 2 me
Danny's breath caught in his throat. He could already feel the blood rushing to his ears.
Didn't mean anything, huh? So he was just a plaything, someone for her to call up when she got bored.
Well he was done playing.
Throwing his books into his backpack, he stormed out of the library. He searched through his contacts quickly, jamming the call button angrily.
"Hey Prentiss?" He asked, huffing as he stomped back towards his dorm. "Where can a guy get to know someone tonight?"
"You picked the best night to come out!" Peter shouted over the music, handing Danny another beer. "This is Babecon 2k14! We're having a mixer with tri chi. Loads of chicks ready to bump and grind. The men of frat row have your back!" He pointed at one of his friends across the room, causing them to howl in unison.
Danny scanned the room. Peter was right. There were plenty of buff, pastel-laden guys, but there were also plenty of girls. Girls who would be excited to dance with him and make out with him. Girls who wouldn't jerk him around. They both knew what they wanted. They didn't have to have this big ordeal about "defining the relationship". Danny grinned, excited, already halfway done with his drink.
"What's her name?" Danny shouted into Peter's ear, nodding towards a blonde girl sitting on the couch. She was laughing at something one of her friends said, playing with her necklace.
"Why don't you go find out?" Peter suggested, shoving Danny in her direction. He almost tripped, regaining his balance just as he reached the girl. He stood in front of her, all of a sudden feeling much less confident than before. He took another swig of beer.
"Hi. I'm Danny Castellano. Pre-med." He stuck out his hand.
"Christina Gerscher. Studio art," she laughed, taking his hand awkwardly. "Here, have a seat." She patted the couch next to her. Danny squeezed into the tiny space, stretching his arms across the back.
"Wow, you're so big we might not have room for you," Christina said, looking at Danny's body appreciatively. Danny smirked. He could get used to this.
"So, uh, you're in a sorority?" He asked. He wasn't sure how to go about this. It wasn't his style, just approaching women head-on.
"No, my friend Tracey is," she pointed towards a girl who was currently making out with Peter. Peter waved, not breaking for one second. "She just brought me along," Christina explained.
"Oh. Uh, that's cool. So do you –" Danny was cut off by Christina's lips. She doesn't waste any time, he thought appreciatively, awkwardly trying not to bump her with his beer.
She didn't seem to mind, grabbing Danny's neck like he was the last lifeboat in Titanic. He assumed it was supposed to turn him on, but it really just made him aware of how much he was sweating. She started to run her hands through his hair, causing Danny to think back to another party where he ended up kissing another strange girl…
Christina's fingers were nothing like Mindy's. Mindy used hers to massage his scalp, ruffling up his hair. Christina, however, felt more like she was checking for lice. He sighed, disappointed, which unfortunately only caused Christina to kiss him harder.
Dammit! I will not let her ruin this for me! Danny cursed Mindy, trying to free her from his mind. But the harder he tried, the more she flooded his thoughts. He couldn't help remembering Mindy's thick hair in his hands, or the way she smelled of citrus. He smiled to himself as he remembered her victorious grin.
Oh no, he decided. She doesn't get to win this round. He released his hold on Christina.
"Somethin' wrong?" She asked, smiling sexily.
Danny groaned, even angrier now. He couldn't believe a little liar like Mindy Lahiri – no, Chloe Silverado – could ruin his night.
"I'm sorry. I gotta go do something important," Danny replied, standing up quickly.
That was a mistake. He wobbled for a second, regaining his balance.
"It was nice…chatting with you," he winced at his awkwardness, exiting before he could make a bigger fool of himself. He waved to Peter, but he was too busy making out with Tracey to notice.
Danny ambled towards the front door, determined to finish this.
Seriously, you guys are too sweet! Thank you thank you thank you for all of the kind reviews! I reread them all the time. I snapshot them on my phone like a dork. They make me smile so hard! I hope you are enjoying the story, and there's much more to come!
xoxo
