Page 42 of Scoring the Player
I never plan for it, but sometimes it happens. Driving to campus is a pain. Parking near the design lab is a nightmare, and usually one of the girls is with me, so we have the whole safety in pairs thing going on.
“I would have walked fast and avoided any scary-looking people.”
“Oh yeah? That’s your safety plan?” His voice still has a concerned edge, but one side of his mouth lifts.
“And don’t forget about my sick dance moves. I’d hit ’em with a pirouette or maybe a couple brush kicks.”
“I don’t know what those are, but I’m doubting their effectiveness.”
Me too. Plus, I seriously question whether either of those skills have stuck with me, but I like the response it gets from Felix. It was fun hanging out with him in the design lab. Aside from home and maybe the golf course, it’s the place I feel most comfortable. It made me more relaxed around him and now I’m looking forward to going to the party.
“I’ll be quick,” I say as I hurry up to the front door. “I just need to toss everything in my room and change.”
“You don’t need to rush,” he says as I open the door.
Daisy is sitting in the living room on the couch, Jordan too. Seltzer and beer cans litter the coffee table and they’re both holding cards.
“Hey,” they say in unison.
When Felix steps in behind me, Jordan stands to greet him.
I walk through the living room to the kitchen. Jane and Violet are doing homework at the table. They both look up as I enter.
Jane smiles, and Vi says, “You worked late. Did you finish your design for Eddie?”
“No, but I got a good start.”
Felix steps closer to the kitchen, sort of lingering between the two rooms. “Who’s up for after hours at Sigma?”
“Can’t tonight,” Jordan says. “Daisy has a test in the morning and needs help studying.” He gives his girlfriend a wink.
“I’m going to crash early,” Violet says. “Classes kicked my butt this week. I’m heading to Gavin’s now.”
She starts to collect her things and I look to Jane. “Want to come with us?”
“No.” A crease forms at the bridge of her nose as she scrunches it. “I’m not up for being the third wheel.”
“You know it isn’t like that,” I fire back.
“Pass.” She shakes her head.
“Okay, then.” I look to Felix. “I’m gonna change.”
“Want a beer?” Jordan asks him from his reclaimed spot on the couch.
While Felix goes to take the offered drink, I head upstairs. In my closet, I quickly strip out of my shorts and T-shirt, and then flip through my dresses and skirts. After hours’ parties are usually pretty casual, but I don’t like the idea of walking in with Felix and not looking amazing. I might have an invisibility superpower, but his god-status shatters it. People will be staring at him, and by extension, at me. Plus, I also want to look good for him. I know this whole thing is fake, but I like him. I can’t help it. He’s Felix Walters.
I narrow it down to two options. I’m holding each one in front of me, while standing in front of the floor-length mirror in my room, as Jane knocks and then cracks open the door.
“Need help?” she asks with a small smile.
“Yes, please.” I pull her inside.
I try on each while she stares into my closet.
“The black one,” she says. “You look effortlessly gorgeous in it.”
“Okay.” With that settled, I quickly run my fingers through my hair and then dab on some lip gloss and add a layer of mascara.
