After a childhood filled with the aspiration to find a love like her grandparents. College junior Annie believes she'll end up with a ring by spring. But there's one problem unlike her soon to be engaged friends, Annie's favor in the love department...
Emerald spoke, enthusiasm drenching each syllable that escaped her raisin berry painted lips that curved upward into a knowing smile.
We were sitting at Dame's Express, one of the best restaurants on Duke's campus, munching on subs. Emerald is sitting next to her boyfriend Grayson - not the basketball player- and I was sitting across from the two of them at our shared square table.
"I wasn't planning on it."
The truth is exams are next week, and I want to be on my A game, no pun intended.
Emerald frowns, playing with the sparkly band wrapped around her finger. Emerald and Grayson are both seniors, and they're both convinced that they have to be at every big party going on over the weekend. And somehow their shared conviction involves me. Too bad nothing they'll say will convince me.
"Oh no, you don't, Annie. You are going to this party with us." Emerald tugs a strand of her auburn hair behind her ear as she arches an eyebrow at me.
I roll my eyes at her, switching my gaze onto Grayson instead. He shrugs his shoulders at me indicating that there's nothing that he can do about the determination of his fiance. He grabs hold of one of her small hands and interlocks one of his strong hands with her own. She turns to look at him as he pulls their interlocked hands to his lips and he kisses her fingers, never breaking her eye contact. A helpless sigh instantly leaves her mouth.
"See I'm already third-wheeling now it'll be worse if I go to the party with you guys."
Emerald's eyes narrow at me as she shakes her head, disentangling her fingers from Grayson.
"Stop, Annie, just stop. You are not going to be third-wheeling us because I've set you up with a date." Emerald points a freshly manicured finger at me that makes me rethink removing my chipped nail polish later tonight so I can spread on a new coat.
No, Annie, do not give in. You can use your time wisely and study for the exams that a good majority of the student body will cram for a day before.
The walls of my restraint come tumbling down when I ask, "Em, who is he?"
Emerald's satisfied with my response when I hear her chuckle. "He'll be at the party; you'll just have to find out when you arrive."
I take a sip of my freshly-refilled soda when my resolve starts slowly building back up. "Okay, what time's the party?"
Emerald and Grayson share a look before Emerald divulges me in the secrets of an actual sorority party. From Emerald's description, It's not at all as inappropriate as they portray sorority parties to be in the movies, but they're still entertaining to attend.
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I stood in front of the large black door of the Tri Delta house where the party was going on donning a gray speckled zipper sweater and skinny navy jeans. At this point, I was contemplating turning around when I felt a tap on my shoulder. It was Hudson O'Riley. Hudson's lips quirked up when I spun around to meet his gaze. His smile unveiled dimples. The one thing I couldn't stand was a dimple and he had two of those.
Hudson reminded me of Mr. Wickham from Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, very handsome, but an incessant liar who didn't care whose feelings he hurt.
"Annie, you're my hot date for to-?"
The guy needed to back up; I did not like how close he was standing to me.
"Uhm, It is kind of hot out here. I'm going to go in." Cutting him off, I quickly open the door and slam it in his face.
Pressing my back into the dark wood of the door, I take a deep breath as I fiddle with my gold bar necklace. I close my eyes, wishing myself back to my dorm near the safety of my books.
Emerald, why would you try to set me up with Hudson?
An unfamiliar voice opines in front of me. "That's a new place to sleep; I'll have to try it."
Opening my eyes, I spot the person who pulled me out of my comfortable spot at the door.
I timidly walk away from the door and closer to him. A safe distance separates us, him sitting down in a blue velvet chair and me standing in front of him. Everything about him seemed familiar, but I couldn't pinpoint where I remembered him from. Maybe he was in a fraternity that was close with the Tri Delta girls. I don't know, but it irked me that I couldn't recognize where I saw him before. His light eyes stared into my dark one's curiosity dancing in them as the second's pass. I break eye contact first, clearing my throat as I prepare myself to say something.
"I've never been stood up before in my life." He blurts, pinching the bridge of his nose.
"There's always a first for everything, right?" I stretch out a lonesome curl dangling in my eye and pop it back into place.
"First meeting?"
"I guess so; I'm Annie." I simper.
"Graham." He runs a hand through his seemingly silky hair, studying me.
"I feel like I've seen you before; have I?" I quavered, his gaze seemed too intense; almost cold.
"I have one of those faces that are unforgettable."
I observed him for a moment before I spoke. "Conceited much, but maybe you do, or maybe you don't it depends solely on the person who's viewing you."
He diverts his intense gaze, flicking his eyes downward to his phone as I see a ghost of a smile trail its way onto his lips. "Tell me, stranger, do you think I'm unforgettable?"
"You haven't done anything in particular that warrants attention, except for scowl at me for the past three minutes."
Graham's laughter mingles with my own.
"Has anyone ever explained to you that if you mean mug too much your face will permanently stay like that?" He looked dumbfounded.
"I've only known you for a few minutes, and I've come up with the conclusion that you're a complete weirdo." He offers his words with a tight-lipped smile.
I decide the night has played on long enough. I never met who I was supposed to meet, but at the end of the evening, I'm kind of relieved that it ends with me saying these two words. "Goodnight, Graham."
