Page 11 of Ink & Ambition

“He’s actually a pretty nice guy. I’ve had a couple of classes with him,” Sydney says.

“You have? Why didn’t you mention that before?”

She shrugs. “You didn’t ask.”

“Yeah, I’ve seen him at parties, too. He really doesn’t seem all that bad. You’ll see at the party on Friday,” Dani says, finally stacking the last of the clean dishes away.

I groan. “Do we have to go to another party this weekend? Can’t we just…I don’t know…chill at home?”

“We have a lifetime to chill at home, Mar. We’re only in college for a few short years.”

“Well,weare.” Sydney comments. “You’ve got at least another four after this, Dr. Freeman.”

“Exactly!” Danika exclaims. “And after you guys graduate, I’ll be glued to the books every second. We need to live it up while we can. And Margot,” she turns to me with a terrifying gleam in her eyes. “This is your time to shine.”

Passing a quick glance over to Sydney, I let out a deep sigh which is usually the sign that I’ve agreed to whatever crazy scheme Danika has come up with. I hold up my pointer finger. “Yes to the party.” Then I hold up my second finger. “No to asking Alex.”

“I’ll take it!” Dani cheers and pulls me in for a hug, she’s always been the affectionate type. Me, not so much, but I give in to her when I feel like she needs it. “Besides, you’ll change your mind.”

“Don’t hold your breath,” I mutter as I pull away from her to plop down on the couch, my Investigating Journalism textbook in hand. Sydney sits down next to me with her Music in Media book, ready to tackle next week’s work.

Danika, still in the kitchen, just hums loudly in response.

The rest of the week flies by as uneventfully as I had hoped it would. Other than our awkward class departure on Monday, I haven’t seen Alex on campus at all. I have, however, not been able to get that podcast idea out of my head. It would be perfect. He’s so popular on campus. Girls would line up just to get the chance to talk to him, even virtually. It could be an advice podcast. People would write in with their problems and Alex and I could help them solve it.

But having to spend multiple hours a week alone with him? I’m not sure my fragile sensibilities could handle it. Especially since it’s already been discovered that he doesn’t exactly bring out the best in me.

I don’t have a lot of time to dwell on it as Danika pulls me toward her closet Friday night to pick out the perfect party outfit.

“Can’t be too obvious that you’re trying to get his attention,” she says, pulling out a black bodysuit and then immediately putting it back with a headshake.

“I’mnottrying to get his attention,” I mutter from behind her.

“Exactly,” Dani hums, as if she’s actually listening to me but I know she’s not. In the doorway, Sydney leans against the frame, already dressed and ready as always. While she may not like the parties as much as Danika does, she loves an excuse to dress up.

“What about the red zip-up?” Sydney shouts her two cents at Danika, who promptly replies, “Red? With her undertones? Absolutely not.”

Throwing my hands up in the air, my palms slap my sides aggressively. “Um, hello? Standing right here.”

Sydney steps around me and into the room, taking up residence next to Dani at the door of the closet. Holding up a few pieces here and there, shoving them back in the closet or letting them fall to the floor, the girls finally lock eyes and both grab for the same hanger.

“This is it,” Danika grins and Sydney nods her head approvingly as they toss the hanger and clothing item at me. “Go change. Living room in ten,” she announces, promptly kicking me out of her space so she can get ready, too. Sydney takes the instruction in stride and heads to the kitchen to make a round of margaritas for the walk to the frat house, which is thankfully only five minutes away.

“Aye, aye, captain,” I salute her before leaving the room and heading toward mine. When I emerge eleven minutes later–just to spite Dani–both pairs of eyes dart to my body immediately, taking in the mid-length maroon bodycon dress they demanded I wear.

“Acceptable?” I ask, giving the girls a little spin.

“Gorgeous, babe,” Dani smiles and Sydney gives me a wink and a margarita in a red solo cup.

Taking a whiff of the beverage, I sense it’s stronger than she usually makes and I’m grateful for it. If I’m going to get through this party, and possibly have to interact with “frat boy royalty”, I’m going to need all the liquid courage I can get.

“Cheers, ladies,” I say, raising my cup and meeting theirs in the air. The girls chorus with me and we all take a big sip.Oh yeah, definitely stronger than usual.

Chapter Six

Alex

Theblondeonmylap moves her ass back and forth trying to get my attention but it’s not doing anything. In fact, it’s more annoying than anything else.Just sit still, geez.

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