Page 3 of Crazy Pucking Love
Surrounded by a sea of people, and I still felt lonely. Story of my life, and the fact that it hadn’t magically changed made my happy vibes about my newfound freedom and my first college party fade.
You knew it wasn’t going to be easy. It’s going to take time to meet people and find friends you click with.
I’d forgotten that I wasn’t especially good at meeting people, though—it’d been years since I’d attempted it. Back in junior high I flew my nerd flag high and proud, but in the name of survival, I’d conformed in high school to fit in with the crowd. While all I’d wanted was a chance to start over as my actual self, taking on a party solo was another thing entirely.
I pulled out my phone and scrolled through my contacts. I could call Beckett’s girlfriend and ask her to come help—she’d be a good wingwoman. And bonus, Lyla actually got me, weird jokes, random factual outbursts, and all. In fact, she was one of the reasons I’d decided to dig down deep, find the person I used to be before I cared what everyone else thought, and let that girl free.
But since she and Beckett had been apart over Christmas break, they were probably enjoying their reunion, and they’d no doubt be at that for quite some time. Plus, then he’d come along and throw shade at every guy I talked to. Not the best way to start any relationship, possible flirting interest or friend.
I can do this. But maybe I should start with number three before I attempt flirting and guys in general.
3. Make good, not-fake friends, who’ll have my back instead of stab it
I approached a brunette girl who looked about as lost as I did. “You here alone?”
Crap. Did that sound creepy? Or like I was hitting on her?Neither was what I was aiming for. “My roommate’s here, but with her boyfriend. I’m Megan.”
A hint of hesitance lingered in her posture, but apparently mynot psycho, I promisesmile convinced her to take a chance. “Jenna.”
Okay, now play it cool…
The dartboard in the corner caught my eye. I’d passed a room with a beer pong tournament going on, but I wasn’t quite bold enough to jump in and call next game there. I’d probably grab a drink eventually, but for now I wanted to meet a couple of people sober, when I could semi-control what popped out of my mouth. “Want to play a game of darts?”
Jenna slowly unwrapped her arms from around her waist. “Sure.”
As we played, I found out that she was a freshman majoring in art.
“I like your earrings,” she said, right as I was about to toss a dart. “Are they heavy?”
“Thanks.” I reached up and ran my fingers over the large silver triangles. The last time I’d worn them, one of my supposed friends asked why I was wearing doorknockers on my ears, but I loved kitschy jewelry, and the bigger the better. “Kind of, but as long as I’m not wearing them for, like, eight hours straight, I’m good.”
Without fully turning, I tossed my dart. The second it left my fingers I realized someone was walking through the line of fire, but it was too late. “Watch—”
The dart smacked into the side of the guy’s head but thankfully bounced off instead of sticking into the skin. Still, I rushed to him, my tongue tripping over the apology as my face heated. “Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry! I didn’t see you there until it was too late, and I’m sorry. I’m so, so sorry.”
Rubbing the side of his head, he bent down, picked up the dart, and turned to fully face me. “I didn’t realize anyone actually played on that board. Next time I’ll know better than to walk in front of it without looking out for a girl with a mean throwing arm.”
I froze, a deer in holy-hot-guy headlights. He had deep brown eyes and a ridiculously sexy scruffy face. A blue, backward baseball cap covered most of his dark hair, which looked to be on the longer side judging from the strands sticking out the back and brushing his collar.
He lifted the dart higher, and his eyebrows arched. “Did you want it back? Or was I the unknowing bull’s-eye, and you just won?”
“I think I just won,” I said, unfortunately out loud, andwaytoo wistful sounding. “I mean…” I glanced back toward Jenna, but apparently she’d abandoned me to deal with the embarrassing situation myself, because she was long gone. Guess we weren’t destined to be BFFs after all. “Did I say I was sorry yet?”
“You did.” He ran his gaze down me, just a quick up and down, but it made my breath lodge in my throat. One corner of his mouth lifted. “Several times, in fact. But I’m fine—I’ve had worse hurled at my head before.”
“Oh. Okay.” I took the dart from him, my heart skipping a beat when our fingers brushed.
After a few seconds of silence, he jerked his chin at the other side of the room. “I guess I better go see if I can find my friends. See you around.”
As he walked away, a sense of panic I didn’t totally understand rose up.Why couldn’t I have said something flirty? Or at least asked his name. Something. Anything…
Maybe Aunt Tessa was right when she said I wasn’t ready for college.
I tossed the dart at the board, and while it hit the center, there was no one around to celebrate with.
I circled the room, and when I didn’t see Jenna, or Vanessa and Justin, I eyed the door, thinking maybe I should call it a night.
But then I’d have to go sit in my room alone, and I’d only get more overwhelmed over the next few weeks.I can’t give up yet. Maybe I just need a little liquid courage before I attempt round two.
