Playing For Keeps (Harry Styles)

Chapter 6

Gemma and I stroll out of the 7/11, arms laden with shopping bags full of junk food. It is now almost eight o'clock and I am starting to feel worn out; I know it shows when Gemma gives me a sympathetic look with her "Hang in there, I know the first move in day can be tough," while she turns the keys in the ignition. I lean back in the passenger seat and closed my eyes, breathing in the minty smell of the car interior. It was quite comforting, almost lulling...

I'm almost asleep when my stomach growled ferociously. My eyes fly open and turn to meet Gemma'sm and we both pause before erupting in laughter. As I wipe away a tear, she looks back out the windshield and says, "Sounds like somebody's hungry!" She laughs. "Don't worry, I know where we can get some nice warm croissants with some hot chocolate; I know a guy," she sends a wink my way. I yum and lick my lips in exaggeration, my stomach grumbling again at the mention of the delicious sounding food.

We pull back onto campus, but instead of turning towards our dorm, we end up parked in front of the campus cafe. "I'll be right back," Gemma says before she gets out of the car.

I lean my head against the window and watch as she jogs up to the very dimly lit shop. It looks closed, and I wonder what it's doing open when school doesn't start for three more weeks for the rest of the student body. Gemma knocks quickly on the door and waves inside, smiling broadly when a shadowy figure approaches it to let her in. The low lighting made it impossible for me to really see his face or any other features, it only allowed me to see he was quite tall with a familiar-looking mess of hair. Gemma quickly hugs him and walks past him back into the shadows of the bakery where he follows her. I could see their silhouettes animatedly talking. I watch until I feel my eyelids drooping again, and before I know what's  happened, I've fallen asleep.

...

"Hey," I wake up to Gemma gently shaking my shoulders. "Ugh, I'm awake, I'm awake," I reply without opening my eyes. I hear her laugh and shuffle around, and when I rub my eyes open, I see she's balanced half of my groceries and a carton with two hot chocolates and croissants awkwardly between her body and the steering wheel. "We're back at the dorm. Would you mind grabbing the rest of the food and running 'round to open my door, love?" she asked. "Yeah, of course! My god!" I laugh and rush to grab the rest of the bags and run to open the driver's door. "You're crazy, Gemma," I tell her as I pull her out and help her stabilize the precarious pile in her arms. "Thank you, madame,' she mimicks me.

"Now, to get this to the fifth floor!" She breathed. I gulp loudly and smile at her. "Let's get this going! I can't wait to tear that croissant apart!"

...

Four flights of stairs and an unfortunately dented tub of ice cream later, Gemma and I are sitting on my bed with our backs against the wall. My new food is neatly put away into my half of the little fridge that came with the room. "All right," I clap my hands and rub them together. "We can't let that hot chocolate get cold, now can we?" Gemma laughs and adds,"That in itself should be a crime.

We hoist ourselves off of the lofted bed; I move towards my desk to clear off any left over packing clutter while Gemma pulls over my roommate's desk chair. We sit down and quietly laid out our "dinner." I eagerly take a bit out of the pastry and feel my eyes roll back a bit from the pleasure. I cover my mouth to hide my chewing as I say, "Now this is a way to spend a Friday night." Gemma giggles as she takes a pull on her hot chocolate, and she jumps a bit as she burns her tongue. We both laugh and continue eating as we settle into comfortable conversation.

"What do you think of the campus so far, Isabella? It must seem weird, all empty, since classes start in three weeks," Gemma opens. "I think it's beautiful," I reply, wiping my hands on a napkin. "And I like how its kinda quiet right now, just some of the fall sports players. It's nice, I can't wait to meet the rest of the hockey girls."

Gemma nods. "They'll be your second family, trust me. Have you met anyone else yet besides your wonderful new big sis?" She cocks her head to the side and bats her eyelashes jokingly.

I laugh before answering,"Actually, there was a guy who I blindly ran into and landed on my ass like an idiot in front of." I count on one finger. "Who, might I add, broke my favorite sunglasses."

Gemma's eyes widen the slightest bit before she bites her lip to stifle her giggles. I barely take notice as I continue.

"And there was this total douchey guy named Eric or Ethan or something who says he lives in my floor. Lacrosse player. Staring at my ass like a total creep," I roll my eyes. Taking my cup between my hands, I add," I think he might've been coming onto me, but that's probably cause I'm the only girl on the floor so far. I'm not too into that anyway." I sip at my drink and pull my knees up to my drink. Gemma nods knowingly. "You're smart to stay away from that. Let me tell you something, dear. He sounds like the epitomy of the college playa. Heartbreak is all you'd get." We share a second knowing nod with a chuckle. 

Sighing, she puts her cup back on the desk before stretching and looking at the clock on my wall. "Woah, it's almost 10. Hate to sound like a party pooper, but I have to get up early tomorrow to help some more girls move in tomorrow. Mind if I say goodnight?" I shake my head with a "not at all." We both stand, clearing away our meal as we make our way to the door. I open the door for her and lean against it. "Hey Gemma?" I say as she turns to leave. 

"Yeah?" she replies, eyebrow raised. 

"Thanks, for everything," I smile. "You made today alot easier." Her face breaks into a smile mirroring mine and gives me a quick hug. "No problem. I had a little fun today too! Have a goodnight!" And with a small wave, she was off on her way down the hall. 

I quickly shut and bolted the door. Turning off the light, I feel my way back to my bed. Through the dark I find my way up the ladder and flop down into my homey-smelling bedding, pretty tired myself. Not having bothered to change into pajamas, the minty smell of the car I'd spent the evening in still clung to my clothes. Oddly enough, the combination of the two scents helps lull me to sleep much faster than I expected to on my first night away from home, and I welcome dreams of a tall, nameless stranger.