Our little pit stop at Protein House had to be the best kick off to my new journey here at the University of Iowa. Nonstop laughing and talking about my life with them, made me realize how toxic Miami was.
At Miami, I was surrounded with a group friends that didn't want me to succeed. They always complained about how busy I was with soccer and how I couldn't go out with them every weekend. They ended up leaving me out, and when I broke up with my boyfriend Ian after he cheated on me (with a freshman), all my friends left me, since he was able to get us hooked up for exclusive parties and bars. Anytime I posted or announced a big win, they didn't seem to care one bit, proving who really belonged in my life and go figure; it was Caroline. Always by my side, my biggest cheerleader.
Gathering up my bag and hoodie that I took off because I was laughing so much, we begin making our way out. We were there for about 45 minutes, probably annoying the hell out of the workers with our obnoxious laughs and jokes. Once we make it back to the building where we worked out at, everyone started going their separate ways - me stuck, waiting for my Uber.
"Mace, you leaving?" Kate calls out to me by her grey BMW. "Oh yeah, I'm just waiting on my Uber. He'll be here in like, 5 minutes." I explained, not minding having to wait out in the late July heat. "Orrrrr..." She begins while walking up to me, "I could just take you home?" with a big smile on her face. I nod as she leads me to her car. I throw my items in the back seat as we make our way out of the parking lot.
The ride wasn't awkward, a fear I had. The subtle background noise from the radio was enough to let us chat without any awkwardness, as I've just met her that morning. She helped explain the game of basketball as my high schools team wasn't the greatest, so I never payed attention to them. "Yeah so basically a free throw is just one point, and then anything within the 2 point line, which is the arch on the court, is two points," She explains, and I nod along with her words, "anything further than that is eligible for three points. Does that make sense?" She asks. I sigh, "No not at all," I giggle a little bit, unable to keep a poker face, she glares at me, "Just kidding..." I say with a grin as she lightly shoves me in the door.
We make it to my apartment, I begin getting together my stuff out of her backseat. "Thanks, Kate." I say to her through the window as my hand lingers on the door. She nods and does a little wave. I start making my way towards my building when she finally speeds off. Me blushing at the thought of seeing my new group of girls for the next couple of mornings, praying this wasn't just a 'rookie' joke to them.
"Caroline, how is Iowa so good and it's only noon." I begin to say as soon as she picks up, "No way, are you serious?" She asks in disbelief as I turn the shower on, "Yeah, these girls on the basketball team are actually the sweetest. Jada, Caitlin, and Kate." I begin to describe each of them to my beloved best friend and all I can help to think about is how excited I am for this season. I have to remind myself that they don't play soccer, and they aren't my teammates. "They sound awesome, Mace. So glad you're enjoying it so far," she says, with what sounds like pure joy, "just don't forget about me in your new town." she begins, "It's already hard enough without my girl here." I roll my eyes and groan. "Girl please, I couldn't help but tell them all about you." We continue to talk about workouts and family drama before I let her off the hook to finally shower off all the sweat and odor.
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I get out of the shower and change my playlist from SZA to Kehlani, noticing I have a group of notifications, all from similar names.
[mmacey_stark] katemartin started following you.
[mmacey_stark] jadagyamfi started following you.
[mmacey_stark] caitlinclark22 started following you.
[mmacey_stark] jada gyamfi sent you a message.
I open the message, unsure of what it could be.
> hey girl, me and some friends are going to din din tn, wanna join? i know ur new to campus so i thought of you. lmk!!🤗
I hearted the message, and replied with a smile across my face.
> yes of course, thank you for thinking of me, means a lot!!!
She reciprocated the action by hearting my message and sending me the details such as time and address. I see the time is almost 1:00 and dinner isn't until 6, so I decide to take a quick snooze; resting off the ache my body was already feeling from this morning.
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I finally start getting ready at 4:30, giving me about an hour to get ready. I've always loved getting ready, whether it was by myself or with other individuals. The sense of joy I got from putting on some make up and jewelry, was enough to make my day fun to live. Listening to some calm r&b and occasionally throwing rap into the mix, I pick out my outfit 15 minutes before I have to leave. Throwing on some baggy boyfriend jeans and a cropped tank top, was a simple summer night outfit, enough to feel confident but comfortable. My classic slick back kept the heat off of my neck, showing off the several piercings lining my ear.
My phone starts blowing up with messages, all from Instagram. Three messages from Jada, four from Caitlin, and six from Kate. I open the inbox from Jada with messages saying 'here' and while I'm looking at it in confusing, a bubble pops up with 'hello? i'm out front'. It hits me. She's waiting outside in her car. I check the other messages from the two other girls, all saying 'here'. Kate's messages consisted of 'out front' and 'i gave your address to jada sorry😉!'. I giggle, knowing this is something she would do, since they knew I didn't have a reliable transportation. I grab my purse off the hanging rack by my door, the one I showed Caroline on FaceTime, and make my way down my building.
Walking out the doors to a white car with their windows down and Jada obnoxiously waving out the driver window. I wave back shyly, trying to hide my excitement. I hop in the seat I was in Caitlin's car, but this time behind Caitlin. "Hi guys, thanks for thinking of me." I say, still hiding the excitement I had from my new friends. "Oh, it was nothing, we're so glad you can come!" Caitlin exclaims. I look over and start talking to Kate, our faces light up as it's obvious I feel most comfortable with her.
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We make our way to the casual restaurant where subtle jazz music is playing from the speakers outside, and a groups of people are waiting outside sitting on benches and standing; assuming, waiting for their table. The scent of salt and pepper is refreshing in a way, knowing I'm about to eat good. The girls are giggling amongst themselves while we approach another group of girls. Four to be exact. One of them I learned is Jada's best friend, other than Caitlin and Kate. Gabbie was on the basketball team with them, and the other two were just some girls they've known that play other sports. "Hi, I'm Macey Stark. Nice to meet you!" I say to each of the girls, reaching my hand out to shake. Gabbie and I practically start talking immediately, "So, how do you think of Iowa? It's a big change isn't it." She says. I shrug. "Eh, it's not that big of a change since my life has all been about change." She tilts her head in confusion, "Long story. But yeah, I like it. So happy I met these girls, I was really scared." She smiles in agreement. Before grabbing my hand and squeezing it with love, "Yeah, those girls are amazing. Your in such great hands. So happy you get to call them your friends like me." She smiles, and I pull her in for a side hug.
The waiter guides us to our table in a secluded corner booth, we all sit down and talk about what we're going to get. "I'll have a Coke and a water please," I tell the waiter and he jots it down on his note pad. He goes around the table as Kate, Gabbie, and Caitlin all order an alcoholic drink. "Brave of you considering we have workouts in the morning." Jada announces to the group, causing all of us to agree and laugh. The waiter comes back to the table just shortly after with our drinks, and we think the girls shoved off Jada's comment before Kate takes a sip of her drink and says, "Life's about risks..." and winks at me from across the table. I notice I have a grin on my face, shocked a girl like her was about that life. I nod then suddenly Jada speaks up and agrees. Next thing you know we're all holding our drinks up; ranging from water to a margarita, and we're cheering to what Kate exclaimed.
YOU ARE READING
G O O D L U C K - kate martin
Hayran KurguA new transfer leaves Kate stuck in her tracks as her new love interest, also her best friend, is falling for a University of Iowa frat boy. She tries not to make it obvious, but her friends know her too well. Is it worth it to ruin a friendship...
