Losing Charley

Chapter 5 Part 2

As we walk across the front lawn, Joe adjusts his backpack on his shoulder and gets quiet all of a sudden. Is he nervous or something?

"Charley, I'm going to grab a bite to eat before my next class. You want to go with me?"

"I guess I can. I'm planning on meeting the Kluft girls there now, anyway."

"Whoa, did you just say Kluft girls?" he asks with a smirk and brief chuckle.

"Uh, yeah. That's who we are. Second floor Kluft. We're the best girls on campus hands down."

"Well, there's no argument there," he answers, as he looks me from head to toe.

"What? It's just easier than going down the list of my hallmates. I mean, I can do that each time if you like. Let's see. Caroline, Georgia, Tori..."

Joe interrupts me, "Nah, I get your point."

When we walk into the café, Joe decides to eat with his teammates, and I go toward the Kluft girls. I try my best to keep my mind off him and this project. We finish lunch, walk back to the dorm, and decide that since the sky is that perfect Carolina blue, we will hang out on the lawn and grab a little Vitamin D.

"Hey, y'all. I'm going to go make some Kool-Aid," Anna says with a wink.

"Oh, I want some of that!" Caroline states in that enthusiastic cheerleading voice.

I know that isn't just Kool-Aid by the way they are talking, but I also notice that no one else jumps at the chance. Must be because of the red tape meeting in an hour.

We enjoy our fun in the sun until the last minute and hurry across our oh-so-huge campus to the gym. When we get there, it looks as if everyone on campus is inside. When we walk through the double doors to the basketball gym, the number of athletes at this school is overwhelming. As I'm taking it all in, I notice him. Joe. He smiles as his eyes meet mine and my heart starts racing. Lord help me if I see him again today because my poor heart might just explode.

We take our seats and listen to the Athletic Director, Jones Monroe, go over all the details. How you can play a sport, when you can't, grades, etc. Then we are dismissed into teams.

"Hey, Coach, this is Charley. Ya know, the one we Googled?" Tori says with a smile.

"Nice to meet ya, Charley. I really hope that you will think about joining our team. We have a great group of girls here. We are like a family. I've also done my research on you as well, and if you decide to join us, there is no doubt Southern States isn't going to know what hit them! Not to mention, you'd be joining a solid team. We have a good record and are predicted as a favorite at Southern States. Charley, you would only increase that prediction. Now girls, load up, we're going to get some ice cream!"

"Are you for real?" I ask.

"Real as the come. Now load up and let's roll out this piece!" she says as she places her hands on her hips then proceeds to roll her hips in a circular motion.

There is no fucking way that would happen back home. I really think I love Coach already. I can tell beyond the shadow of a doubt that she loves this team, has expectations, but knows when it's time to have a little fun. Now I have to figure out how to get my stuff. Yes, I could buy new swim gear, but that's not how this chick works. I've used the same pair of goggles forever, and I don't plan to get any new ones. I guess I'm a little superstitious.

After ice cream, Tori, Georgia, and I take our time walking across campus. In fact, we don't make it to our rooms. There are a ton of people out on the stoop between Kluft and Dyer. It is a gorgeous day, there's music blaring from a guy's room in the bottom of Kluft, and there are Solo cups everywhere. We decide to enjoy the free entertainment, and all about lose a kidney from laughing when some idiot starts the "Harlem Shake." We all join in, and then we notice campus police in the distance.