168 Hours of Miles Fonte

Chapter 6: Monday

Practice ran long. At least that's what Kali said. While we waited for the team to change, it had gotten cold and dark. Heather let me borrow her sweatshirt.
"Oh babe, you can't forget to bring a hoodie or something. And snacks!" Heather had made that evident as throughout practice she offered me peanut butter M&M's four times.
"So you guys do this a lot?" I asked.
"Oh yeah we always watch their practices." Kali said.
"We do our homework, eat, sleep, practically live on these bleachers." Heather added.
"It's nice that you sacrifice so much time to show them support." I said.
"Yeah." They said in unison.
"It doesn't feel like a burden though, they're fun to watch." Kali shrugged.
"They definitely are." Heather giggled.
"Don't be looking at my man with those googly eyes." Kali remarked.
"Ah, too late." Heather laughed at her own joke.
Kali smacked Heather's thigh.
I wished I could add to what they were saying, instead of sitting there awkwardly.

The boys all came out together. Brandon was immediately attached to Kali. Tyler mocked them from behind by grabbing Andre. I laughed when Andre tried to shake him off. Once they all grouped together they started planning to meet at Liam's house later for a party. Them discussing this felt like it was my que to get lost; I started backing away.
"You coming?" Andre asked me.
"Oh, I-"
"Of course, we'll be there." Miles said as he came up from behind me and slapped Andres back.

Andre and Miles started side-hugging. Then another teammate tackled Andre. So Miles jumped on him. Behind them Tyler jumped on Heather. She gave off a squeal. Brandon and Kali were not shaken by this though, they barely looked away from each other. There was so much chaos going on, I couldn't help but laugh.
"You guys are all insane!" I said.
That wasn't smart. My comment just seemed to encourage them.
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"What is comfortable to you?" I said abrasively.
Miles shrugged and walked over to my still packed bag. He started rummaging through.
"Hey, hey!" I shoved him. It didn't do any good, he's a freaking boulder.
"Nothing I haven't seen before, polka dots." He smiled. Defeated, I blew my hair out of my face and fell on his bed.

We went back to the dorm instead of heading straight to the party. Miles claimed he had to go to the dorm to shower and  change into something nicer, but he ended up changing down, if that was even possible. He changed into sweatpants and another t-shirt covered by a tan hoodie. He insisted I change as well, into something more "comfortable".

He threw my blue sweater at me and it hit me in the face. Then he tossed me my oldest pair of jeans. Is he trying to make me look bad? I thought, but I changed into the outfit anyway.
"Wow, I'm really dressing to impress." I did a spin in the bathroom mirror.
He rolled his eyes. "Trust me, you don't want the attention from the guys at these parties. They're either too drunk or too old." He was looking through the fridge.
"Too old?" I made a face.
"Liam's parties bring...a certain crowd." He said flatly.
I took out my mascara and applied some onto the crusty layer from the morning.
"Put your crocs on and we're good to go." He said as he grabbed his wallet.
"My crocs?" I asked.
"Easy to walk in. Also easy to clean beer and/or vomit off of." He winked.
"Can't wait." I said sarcastically, slipping my crocs on.
I shut the door behind me.
"Don't bother locking it." He hollered as he was halfway down the stairs.
I should've felt disturbed at his lack of security, but for some reason, I believed he knew what he was doing. I let myself release the door handle, along with my usual inclinations, and went on my way down the stairs leaving our dorm susceptible.

"I'm surprised you've never been robbed." I said as I had caught up to him.
"Who says I haven't." He smiled; he held the door open for me.
I laughed, but my anxiety skyrocketed.
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We showed up when the party was already crazy. Since lots of people were talking, it felt humid as you entered the house. The lights were low and the amount of red cups scattered around was nerve racking. I was not a drinker and did not intend on becoming one.

Miles spotted Heather first. He waved her over and she came up and hugged us both. If I hadn't met her already I would've assumed she was drunk. Her hyper persona and fast talking could easily catch someone off guard.

She grabbed my hand and told Miles we'd be together. He acknowledged us as we were leaving but I watched as his attention slipped away from me and quickly towards a short-haired blonde in a mesh top, walking toward him. I looked away before she put her hooks into him.

Heather introduced me to many, many guys. After the 6th, or was it 7th? guy I asked her if I looked desperate or something. Did I really look like I needed this much assistance?

"Oh, of course not!" She yelled over the music. "I just thought you'd want some help; new school, new pond of fish."

She was wearing a short pink dress that complimented her skin tone, and her long hair was curled, hitting the backs of strangers as she turned to glance at me. She could be a model. I almost hated standing next to her.

"How did you get ready so fast and still look so good!" I yelled over the music.

"Oh you're so sweet! I didn't take too long...but you and Miles took forever! What were you guys doing?"

What were we doing? How long were Miles and I at his dorm "getting ready"? We were really just bickering over my lack of "comfortable" clothes. Then, sick of bickering, we drove to the party in silence. During the quiet I had time to think. My mind was consumed by his comment about marriage and the memories it made me bring up; ones I chose to subside. The more I thought about it the more annoyed I got.

I focused back on Heather's hair bouncing through the crowd of strangers. One stranger in particular, a tall, long haired guy hit her arm, and she spilled the mysterious substance in her cup all over her dress. She gasped and stomped her foot, and the guy apologized several times.
"Whatever!" She said, irritated.
"Lemme help you, I'll get you a refill and pay you back for your dress." He said.
She made a pouty face and said "it's the least you can do I guess."
The guy laughed it off and they started towards the kitchen. Leaving me alone in a pond full of unknown fish.
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