(✓) 𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐢𝐝𝐞 • [𝒅𝒂𝒏𝒊𝒆𝒍 𝒔𝒆𝒂𝒗𝒆𝒚]

three.

"Yeah, guys. Everything's going great. The whole campus is so beautiful, and everyone is so friendly."

I'm on the phone with my parents telling them about my fantastic weekend so far. Obviously, I leave out the part about the cute college guy. And the part about almost dying.

"What else are you and Harlow up to this weekend?" my mom asks.

"Her cousin Jack goes here, and he's having a birthday thing tonight with a few friends," I tell her in the most vague terms possible. I know that if she even hears the word party she'll flip.

"Okay, have fun tonight. Just remember: don't drink, don't do drugs—"

"And don't get pregnant," I cut her off, finishing the motherly warning that I've been hearing since my first high school dance. "Got it. Thanks, Mom!"

"Have fun, sweetie! Stay away from boys," my Dad teases. He doesn't really care about boys. He's always been the more relaxed of my parents.

"Sure thing, Dad." We say our goodbyes, then I hang up the phone.

Just then, Harlow strides back into the room. She's wrapped in a towel, her hair still wet from the shower she's just taken.

"You ready for your first Saturday night at college?" Harlow asks. She walks over to her closet and pulls out a bunch of different tops and dresses, dumping them all on her bed.

"I'm kinda nervous. I don't want people to think I'm some lame seventeen-year-old," I confess.

"College isn't like high school. People don't care who you are. If you're cool, you're cool. So stop whining and get cool," she tells me.

"I guess, there's just... one person I don't want to look lame in front of," I admit quietly.

"Oooh. Let me guess. Daniel, your knight in shining armor?" Harlow laughs.

"Are you sure you don't know anything about him?" I beg her desperately. "You've got to know something. You know everyone!"

"I'm sure I do, but I've met at least seven Daniels since I've been here. It could've been any one of them. Hackett, Eckhart, Jones, Armstrong. I mean, they're all great guys. I'm sure they'll pass my test with flying colors."

"Your test?"

"Yep, any guy you're interested has to be grilled by me first. It's my specialty," Harlow says with a cheeky wink.

"Fine, but you've gotta help me pick out the perfect outfit," I give in.

"Me first," Harlow demands softly.

We turn on a Today's Hits playlist and dance as we mix and match outfits. After throwing around crop tops and tight tanks, short skirts and skinny jeans, and a bunch of dresses we settle on the perfect outfits.

Harlow wears a tight burgundy dress and some black strappy heels. I decide to keep it simple and "cool," wearing a satin navy camisole and some white jeans with my FILA Disruptors.

A flat iron and two hours of makeup later, we're ready to go. Harlow and I take a bunch of selfies in her mirror and head out the door. Ready or not, it's time for me to become a college girl. For a night, anyway.

•••

A short drive later, we arrive at Jack's apartment. The building itself looks more like a huge house. The walls are almost entirely glass, and there are three stories.

"This place is amazing," I exclaim as we get out of the car.

"I know, right. I'm definitely moving here next year. Jack says it's super cheap, too, apparently," Harlow tells me.