The Album of Us

La Cha Ta

"Oh my God! You have to come," Amy stressed, propping a tiny hand on her bony hip as she scowled down at her roommate. It was their second year rooming together at the University. 

She'd at first loved Amber's quiet, steady presence when they were Freshmen and just getting their college footing. She hadn't realized how much it would annoy her when she finally started getting to know people (guys specifically) and wanted to bring them back to their dorm room, only to find Amber there, studying away or playing some video game like the gamer hermit that she was.

The frustration was really getting to Amy, and the 'C-'in Art History was the final straw.

"Ugh! I won't know anybody there but you," Amber protested, pushing her glasses up her nose. "And I know you won't want to hang out with me all night."

Amy rolled her eyes. "How will you get to know anyone if you stay in here all the time? And when you finally do go outside, you wear those ugly basketball shorts like you give zero fucks about what anyone else thinks."

Amber shrugged, looking down at her favorite pair of basketball shorts. "I don't."

The annoying thing to Amy was she was serious. "Well, they think you look like a person who doesn't care about herself, so why should they take the time to try to care about you."

Amber flinched, hurt by her words, and Amy felt kind of bad, but it was only true. Her roommate was extremely kind and so sweet she almost gave Amy a toothache, but people had told Amy they didn't like approaching Amber because she always looked like she'd just gotten out of bed or was heading back to it. She knew some campuses were a little more relaxed and pajama-to-class and all that, but this campus was not that. 

Most people at their university came from wealthy families and were heading directly to steady careers the minute they earned their diploma. Image was really important. 

"Look," Amy said more softly, placing a hand on her friend's shoulder. "I love you and think you're awesome, but you have got to get a life. I sooo did not expect to keep living like a nun once I got into college."

"You could just text me beforehand and I would just step out for the-"

Amy shook her head. That was an immediate 'dnw'. "Ew, like I want to have to think about you before I let someone into my pants. No thank you."

Amber looked offended, but Amy continued with new resolve. "No. I will not have sex until you have a college friend other than me," Amy vowed with a fierce expression and a girl scout salute.

Amber laughed at her. "I hope you like being celibate for the rest of the year."

Amy's eyes shot fire at her and Amber figured she should consider taking her sex-starved roommate seriously before her mom had to buy a new black dress to wear to her funeral. Her mom would enjoy the shopping trip though.

"What kind of party is it?" Amber finally asked reluctantly.

She could tell Amy nearly gave up all hope in her when her eyes rolled toward the ceiling and she spread her arms in a silent plea to any deity who may be listening.

"It's a party like any other party - music, dancing, drinking, sex in dark corners."

"Ew."

Amy chuckled. "Just don't stand in any dark corners and you should be fine. And don't sit on couches with suspicious stains. Now put on something sexy and let's get going."

Amber's nose crinkled and Amy realized she probably had no clue when it came to dressing up for a little human fishing.

"Ugh!" She nearly ripped her vocal cords with that one. "Good thing we're about the same size. You're going to wear what I give you and I don't want to hear any complaints."