Page 3 of Player
If starting college is a shock for me, it's even more so for Pia. I feel a surge of compassion for her. It can't be easy leaving your family for the first time.
"You didn't tell me where you're from," I point out.
Getting her to talk is a good strategy to reduce her stress, though I'm not sure which of us I'm trying to comfort "I'm from a small town not far from Raleigh."
I glance sideways at Pia:
"Raleigh, North Carolina?"
"Exactly!"
"Why choose a college so far from home, when you could have gone to Duke?"
Pia purses her lips, and I'm almost certain there's a good reason why she decided to move hundreds of miles away from her family.
"I got a scholarship here," she finally answers. She doesn't elaborate. I don't press the issue—we just met, it's not like we're longtime friends, and I don't want to seem intrusive.
2
PLAYER
If I weren't sopissed off, I might admit that my room isn't half bad. Edison Dorm uses a mixed-layout system, and I luckily have a room to myself, which isn't something everyone on campus gets, but even though I'm aware of my advantage, I'm still not in a good mood.
Going to college royally pisses me off. If I'd had any say in the matter, I'd be on the other side of the country right now...
"Oh! Player my man, you're here!"
And of course someone just has to appear in my doorway. Not just any guy either. With a wide smile, relaxed attitude of someone who already knows the place, and a build like a brick wall, Emery Specter seems right at home.
"What do you want?" I snap in an unfriendly tone.
Emery, who's actually been my friend since kindergarten, isn't bothered by my surly attitude. He enters the room, looking around. "Aren't you unpacking, Player?" he asks, eyeing my bags near the entrance. Yes, that’s how everyone calls me, and yes, Emery’s always loved using it, as if he’s in on some private joke.
"Did you come to play housekeeper?" I snap back.
"Okay, I see you're still fuming..."
That's putting it mildly! I have zero desire to come play the fool in dumbass lecture halls! It was never part of my plans, and that's not about to change.
My friend's attention returns to me, and this time, he has a serious look I've rarely seen on him. "You know a lot of students would sell their souls to be in your place?"
He speaks from experience. Emery doesn't have the connections my family does. He worked his ass off to get into OMU. Which wasn't my case. My thoughts turn to my father, but I immediately push him out of my head. No way am I letting him poison my life more than he already has.
At the same time, considering I'm in this hornet's nest because of him, for four years minimum, I don't see what else he could do to screw me over.
"You know this university is full of beautiful girls?" my friend continues.
I frown. If there's one thing I care even less about than thinking about my father, it's considering relationships with female students on campus. A bunch of narcissistic airheads searching for Prince Charming? No thanks!
"By the way, I spotted some pretty hot pieces in the hall during the welcome meeting," my friend adds.
Yet another stupid formality I didn't bother with. What next? I've been in this hole for barely a few hours and I already want to put a bullet in my head.
To think there are thousands of idiots across the country jumping through hoops to get into places like this. A bitter smirk twists my lips. If they had any idea what this kind of program actually prepares them for in the real world...
A punch to my shoulder brings me back to the present, and I shoot an angry look at Emery who bursts out laughing. "Oh man! You should see your face! You look like you're waiting for your turn on death row."
"Are you trying to make a bad joke? Because if so, you're on the right track."
