The Freshman

nine: sorority ball (part 1)

The morning after the sorority sleepover, I headed to Professor Vasquez's office to update him on my progress.

"Good morning, Professor Vasquez." I said politely.

He briefly looked up, seemingly frustrated. "Hmm? Oh, yes, good morning."

I noticed the empty waste paper basket in the corner of the room and wondered whether the professor's letter to his daughter went out with the trash.

"Everything okay?" I asked. "You're looking a little down."

"What? This is how I always look." He answered with a huff.

"Guess I can't argue with that..."

"Now, do you have an update on the task I set you, or did you just come here to irritate me?"

I ignored the harsh tone in his voice. "Well, I'm on the final challenge... I just have to find an upperclassman to take me to the sorority ball this evening."

"And what do you want from me? Boy advice?"

"No, I... well, it's a bit awkward. Becca and Madison said that I have to bring James. They were... very adamant about it."

Vasquez's expression turned from bitter to surprised. "Really? I have to say, I didn't see this twist coming. Maybe I should hire Becca and Madison as story consultants for my novel."

"Professor!" I said, offended.

"Sorry, sorry. Regarding James... well, how do you feel about him? Is there... something there?"

I could feel a tiny blush creeping from my neck to my ears. "Um... sure. I'd say there was something between us. Yep."

"Interesting..." He answered.

Just then, the door opened, and as if on cue, James walked in. He stopped short when he saw Vasquez and I staring at him.

"Uh... everything okay in here?" He asked.

"Good morning, James." Okay, unfair, why does James get a nice smile and I get the moody teenager? "Do you have a nice suit in your closet?"

"Yes?" He answered, raising an eyebrow at me in suspicion. I looked to my hands and fidgeted with my bracelet.

"Good." Vasquez said. "You're taking Mia to the sorority ball at Kappa Phi Sigma house tonight."

"What?!" James exclaimed.

Okay, jeez. "That's your reaction?" I said. Pfft.

"Sorry, I didn't mean..." James stumbled, before catching and explaining himself. "I was just caught off-guard, that's all. I'd be happy to accompany you to this... sorority ball."

"You would?" I asked, surprised. "Uh, I mean... thank you. I look forward to it. You can pick me up from my dorm at six."

"Great. I will see you then."

...

Back at the suite, I found Zack and Tyler in their usual spot in front of the TV, gaming controllers clutched in their hands.

"Careful, Mia." Zack warned me. "Kaitlyn's in full-on prep mode."

"Uh-oh." I said. "Is it bad?"

Tyler nodded. "She's asked our opinion on, like, thirty different dresses!"

"And yes, they were all totally gorgeous, but I'm thing to focus on kicking Tyler's ass."

"Oh, you're kicking my ass?" Tyler smirked. "The score suggests otherwise, my friend."