Murphy and Me: Sophomore Fall

October: The Girls' Club, More Meet and Greets, and Pillow Talk

Armed with my red striped polo and favorite jeans, I was outside the fishbowl. Murph came out a minute or two later.

Without Dev.

"Dev's not comin'?"

Murph shoved his hands in his pockets. "Dev's spending his night being a good student and doing his Soc paper due Monday." He shuffled his feet, a flush creeping up his neck.

I held out my Vera. "Might wanna put some pj's upstairs, since I probably don't have anything that'll fit you."

He disappeared into his room, and took my keys on his way out again. He was a good roommate - if we got back late he wouldn't wake Devan if we stayed in my room tonight. And as I reminded Murph, I don't have much - if anything - that would fit him to sleep in.

And I am not prepared to sleep next to a boy in his boxers. Just...no.

Murph thumped back down the stairs and to the lounge, handing off my keys. He took my hand in his.

"So, where we goin'?"

He didn't answer me until we got to the parking lot. It was a little chilly. Murph, my moving furnace, snaked an arm around my waist. Toasty warm in seconds.

"There's a party at Kappa."

"Kappa Alpha or Kappa Sigma?" Not that it mattered. It was still a frat.

"Kappa Alpha." His fingers lingered on my opposite hip. "A lot of the football boys are brothers."

More football boys' names. Can I get a cheat sheet? Please?

I nodded.

"And a lot of the guys hang out there, too."

Now, for some reason, I was starting to get nervous. Not what Murph had intended, probably, but I'm female. That's where my brain goes.

"You okay?"

"Yeah. Fine."

We walked along South Main; the moon reflected off the lake, a sight that would never get old. The music at KA was audible when we were about three houses down and nearly deafening as we stood in line at the door. Murph moved his arm and I was floating for a moment until he anchored me, our fingers twisted together. There was much back-slapping and rowdy hellos consisting mostly of "Yo! Elf!", and then we were inside.

The amount of bodies was ridiculous. Almost claustrophobic.

There were people everywhere, including the downstairs where the bar was. There was more dancing down there, too. And that's where we were - on the dance floor.

And when incredibly self-conscious on a regular day, on a dance floor with a boy in front of other boys and girls in scanty clothes, this was now firmly classified under 'nightmare.'

Murph took my hand and started to move, the geekiest expression on his face. Couldn't help it - I cracked up and creakily rocked, trying to match his movements. He was breakin' out moves most don't do unless - and until - they're drunk as a skunk. And he was doing it to loosen me up.

And it was workin' like a charm.

I looped my arms around his neck; his hands settled on my waist. He leaned in, close to my ear. "You good?"

"I'm a little nervous." Had to yell to be heard.

"Why?"

It was dim in the basement, the strobe light more annoying than helpful. Those hazel eyes, though, they were clear.

"I dunno. I just am." Really. I'm illogical like that.

He smiled, then leaned in to kiss me soft and sweet in front of a frightening amount of people. Then was back to leaning by my ear. "Don't think about it. Just go with it."