Sweetheart Single

19 | Be Mine, Maybe

It's Thursday and there's no use even trying to do schoolwork today. In fact, two of my professors have already cancelled afternoon class altogether. Everyone is ready for the pre-dance party tonight. The pre-game if you want to call it that. Brittany's impromptu Be Mine, Maybe Valentine's Day fundraiser is the talk of the campus.

I leave my last class of the day and walk across the quad to meet Lucy and Darren for lunch. We sit at our usual corner table, eating our favorite stir fry special. The afternoon drags along, and it does not help that I keep looking at my phone.

Harry may have said he's going. Shawn may have asked to see me there. Jake may have told Nikki to make sure she drags me along. I may be panicking. Still, I secretly want one of them to text me right now!

MTR plays on the loudspeakers in the café. I hear Brittany's shrill voice announcing ticket sales and the starting time for the fundraiser tonight. As if anyone doesn't know by now.

"Still cannot believe Brittany got in at Fig," Lucy says between forkfuls.

I'm still getting used to her key lime hair, perfectly paired with her white shirt that has clip-art limes all over it. One of my favorite lucy shirts.

"Please, it's Brittany," Darren says. "All that girl has to do is look at what she wants, and she gets it. Poof like magic. Like some voodoo magic witch shit." Darren snaps his hands.

"But it's Fig. Witch or not, they never host college parties," Lucy counters. "Tell him I'm right, Elle."

"Luce is right," I say, nodding. Lucy is right.

Fig is an upscale restaurant and bar about halfway between campus and Boston. It is very high profile and extremely expensive, and Lucy is right. Fig never allows college kids at the bar after hours. Them hosting an event like this is almost unheard of! All the more reason Brittany is extra popular today.

Can't wait to see what glittery disaster is in store for us at Fig tonight!

We part ways after lunch, and I go back to my dorm for some light studying. It's no use. My suite neighbor is blasting some type of EDM (Electronic Dance Music), and it sounds like a mini stampede is in the hallway. I write about 100 words for my Lit essay before giving up and powering my laptop down.

I fall asleep on my bed, my head at an add angle so it is all stiff and sore when I finally roll over and wake up. I wipe the drool from my cheek and check my phone.

4:49 PM

Nikki's text tells me she'll be over to collect me at 5:30 sharp, which does not leave me much time to get ready. Still, I do my best, and nearly 35 minutes later I check myself in the mirror.

I chose black jeans with a mauve, off-the-shoulder sweater, and black boots. I combed out my wavy hair and tied it in a half-up pony. I even applied my favorite lip color. It seems the V-Day fever is claiming me as one of its victims!

Lucy, Nev, Chloe, and I all pile into Nikki's RAV4. We spend the 10-minute ride over talking about Fig.

Nikki slows to a stop at the valet, pulling up close behind another car. Boys pile out and I'm shocked to see I recognize them instantly. It's Andre and Joe, which means...

Shawn steps out of the passenger seat, his letterman like a beacon in the crowd, and my stomach does somersaults. I step out of the car, suddenly aware of just how tight my sweater is.

"Hi, Elle." Shawn has spotted me, already walking across the slushy snow-covered parking lot.

"Hey," I smile shyly.

"You actually came?" I can feel his surprise.

"I actually did," I nod. "Classes are cancelled tomorrow, so–"