Certain
~**~
Scarlet
The first day of school was intimidating. Basically, my professors were geniuses and gods to their own classroom. I was just a single person in the expanse of the ocean, easily getting lost in the noise. It was hard to be noticed in a class of over one-hundred students, especially when the TA was the one who graded my papers and exams. My professors pretty much did nothing. That was discouraging. I searched for the guy that caught my eye but didn’t see him. Perhaps I would see him again, and when I wasn’t dressed so casually. Today I wore skinny jeans, a nice blouse, and dress boots. My hair was curled but I still didn’t wear makeup. I just didn’t like it. That was something I wouldn’t change for anyone.
Theresa didn’t come back to the dorm last night. I assumed she hooked up with that guy. If that was the case, then I was shocked how easy she was. I had a few friends in high school who were on the slutty side, but this was still surprising to me. Now I wished I had been arranged with a better roommate. She would probably be screwing guys at the apartment all the time.
When I had a break from class, I took my novel and sat outside under the tree. My favorite thing about college was the feel of independence. In high school, if you were ever alone you were dubbed a loser. In college, you were pinned as an introvert, intelligent, strong, quiet. It was a relief. I preferred the company of books over people most of the time, except when I was watching sports. Sports were never fun to watch alone.
I didn’t see Theresa much during the week. She didn’t come back to the dorm very often, and when she did, she wasn’t there for very long. Eventually I did run into her at the room.
“So, you hit it off with that guy at the cafeteria?” I asked as she touched up her makeup in the mirror.
“No, I got bored with him really quick. I found someone better.”
“Better how?”
“He’s cute, great in bed, and comes from money. I’m here to get my Mrs. degree, not actual learn anything.”
I was starting to dislike Theresa real quick. I guess you could call me a feminist, but I believed all women should be independent and strong, not rely on a man for anything. “So you’re just interested in him for the money?”
“Why is anyone interested in anyone?”
“Because you actually like them?”
“Whatever. He agreed to be my boyfriend so that’s that.”
“How romantic,” I said sarcastically.
“A girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta go.”
“If you got into Harvard, you must be smart.”
“I had someone take the SAT’s for me.”
My mouth dropped. “That’s horrible.”
“Yeah,” she said with a shrug. “Like I said, I’m only here to get a husband.”
“Poor guy.”
“Excuse me?”
I looked her straight in the eye. “I said ‘poor guy’.”
She rolled her eyes and continued to apply her makeup. She left the dorm room again and disappeared. I didn’t see her much after that, which I was grateful for. She was definitely someone I couldn’t stand. I decided not to rat her out to the admissions board because I didn’t have any proof that she actually cheated, so I just let it go.
On Tuesday night, I was trying to study in my room when my neighbor turned on their stereo, blaring it really loud. I thought they would turn it off within an hour but they never did. Frustrated and too nice tell them off, I fled to the library.
“Theresa?” I asked in surprise when I saw her sitting at a table, books scattered around her.
“Yeah?” she asked with a smile.
“What are you doing?” I asked suspiciously.
“Studying.”
I looked at the textbooks, not recognizing any of them. “Did you change your major?”
“Business,” she answered.
“That was random.”
“Sean’s a business major. Now I spend more time with him.”
“Sean?”
“My boyfriend.”
“Oh. How’s that going?” I was hoping the guy was a jerk so he got what he deserved, or he was smart enough to see through this girl’s lies and get out of the twisted relationship. Perhaps he was just blind by her beauty. I couldn’t think of a better explanation.
“Good. The sex is good.”
That was too much information but I didn’t comment on it.
“There he is,” she said with a smile, looking past me.
I turned around and saw him approach the table. His eyes widened when he looked at me, but I wasn’t sure why. It was like he recognized me. It was the guy I was staring at across the room weeks ago, the man that I thought was ridiculously handsome. Maybe he saw me staring at him? I was pretty sure I was discreet about it.
He stopped when he reached me.
“This is my boyfriend,” she said as she hooked her arm through his. “He’s pretty, huh?”
I was speechless, suddenly feeling embarrassed.
“Sean, this is my best friend, Scarlet.”
“Your best friend?” he said quickly.
“Yep.”
I thought that was more than a stretch, but I let it go. “Uh, it’s nice to meet you.” I extended my hand.
He looked disoriented as he shook mine, his hand gripping mine longer than necessary. He had a pained look on his face, like I was hurting him. I quickly pulled away.
Theresa pulled him into the chair next to her. “Join us, Scarlet.”
“It’s okay. I don’t want to intrude.”
“Sit,” she commanded. “Friends can study together, right?”
“Yeah,” I said as I lowered myself into the chair.
Sean pulled out his belongings, eyeing me every few seconds. I wasn’t sure how I felt about the look.
Theresa blatantly had no interest in studying. Her hand was practically on his crotch, jerking him off, while she kissed his neck every few seconds. Sean moved like he was uncomfortable but didn’t verbally tell her to stop.
I was uncomfortable but I didn’t say anything. The first guy that I was actually attracted to turned out to be a sex-crazy idiot that was more interested in outer beauty than the true beauty underneath. I was hoping he was a good guy, deep and mysterious, but he was obviously nothing like that. He was either with her just for the sex, or he was a total idiot. In either case, he wasn’t right for me.
“Scarlet, what’s your major?”
The sound of Sean saying my name made my skin prickle. I wasn’t sure why. “English,” I answered.
“Cool. What do you want to do with that?”
“What everyone wants to do.”
“What’s that?”
“I have no idea.”
He laughed loudly, a smile spreading across his face. “At least you’re honest about it.”
“I’ll figure it out eventually.”
“I’m sure you will. So you’re a fan of the classics?”
“Each and every one.”
“What’s your favorite?”
“That’s a personal question.”
He smiled. “It is?”
“That’s like asking me when I lost my virginity.”
He laughed again. “Okay. I’ll go first. My favorite work of literature is Henry V.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Really?”
“That’s surprising?”
“I guess.” I wasn’t expecting a business major to have any respect for the written world. I thought they just understood numbers and percentages.
“So what’s yours?”
I was quiet for a long time. “That’s impossible to narrow down. There’s no such thing as a favorite book.”
“So I gave the wrong answer?”
“You didn’t give an answer an English major would, so yes, it was the wrong answer.”
He laughed again. “So what’s the right answer?”
“All of them.”
“Even Animal Farm?”
“You didn’t like that?” I
asked, shocked.
“Who did? It’s creepy.”
“How is it creepy?”
“When the pigs started walking on their hind legs, I shut the book. I couldn’t handle the rest.”
“But that’s the best part!”
“To a horror fan, maybe.”
“Well, I do like Stephen King.”
“And what’s your favorite novel by him? Or is that a trick question too?” he said with a smile.
“Carrie, obviously.”
“I liked Cujo better.”
“You read all of his books?”
“Why is that surprising?”
I shrugged. “You’re a business major.”
“Are business majors best known for their inability to read?” he said sarcastically.
“I just thought they preferred counting their money.”
“Not all business majors care about money.”
Theresa had been bored until this point. “Sean’s rich.”
“So I heard,” I said as I looked down.
Sean’s eyes lost their light. “My family is rich—I’m not.”
“So you’re taking over the business?”
“No. I want to start my own living.”
“What?” Theresa asked, alarmed. “You’re joking, right?”
Sean ignored her. “Scarlet, I’m not a money-hungry entrepreneur.”
“I never said you were.”
“You implied it.”
“Then I misspoke.” I turned the page of my book then followed the words with a highlighter.
“Let’s go back to your room,” Theresa said.
Sean ignored her. “What else do you like to do?”
I wasn’t sure why he was being so attentive to me. Perhaps he was trying to butter me up since he thought I was Theresa’s best friend. “I follow basketball, baseball, and football. I have too many jerseys to count.”
“What’s your favorite baseball team?”
“The Mariners.”
“Cool. I’m a fan too.”
“Are you from Washington?”
“New York.”
“You aren’t a Yankee fan?”
“I am, but I like other teams too. It’s makes bets more fun.”
“The mariners are playing the Yankees tomorrow. Wanna make it interesting?”
He smiled. “I would.”
“How about twenty bucks?”
“How about dinner and a movie?”
“What?” I asked.
“He means a double date,” Theresa said quickly.
He glanced at her then looked back at me. “Or a friendly get-together.”
“I don’t have a boyfriend, so I don’t have anyone to bring along.”
“Sean could set you up with a friend.”
Sean looked uncomfortable.
“I can get my own dates, but thanks,” I said quickly, slightly offended.
“Yeah okay,” Theresa said as she flipped her hair. “You spend all your time alone, and I haven’t seen you talk to a single guy.”
“My romantic life is really none of your business,” I snapped. “I don’t need boyfriend to make me feel better.”
Theresa looked at Sean. “Don’t set her up with your friends. You can tell she hasn’t given up her V-card. She’s practically a nun.”
“And what’s bad about that?” Sean said.
I looked at him, surprised by the unexpected defense.
“Well, college is going to be pretty boring, then,” Theresa said. “And finding a husband will be impossible.”
“I don’t need a husband,” I said quickly. I grabbed my things and stuffed them into my bag. “I’m going somewhere quiet.” I stormed off and moved to a table in the corner. I kept my back to them so I wouldn’t be distracted. After I opened my books, I started to concentrate.
“Hey, I’m sorry if I offended you,” Sean said as he sat across from me.
“I’m fine. I don’t mean to be rude but please go away. I actually have to pay for my tuition.”
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing,” I said as I looked at my textbook.
“I just wanted to say I was sorry.”
I looked at him. “Sorry for what? What did you do?”
He seemed speechless for a second. “I don’t think you need help getting dates, and I didn’t mean to overstep my boundary. I want to be your friend.”
I shook my head. “You don’t need to butter me up, Sean. You can date Theresa. She doesn’t need my approval for the guys she sleeps with.”
He leaned back. “I just don’t want to offend her best friend.”
I wasn’t her best friend—nowhere near it, but I wasn’t going to argue about it. That would just make him talk more. “Go be with your girlfriend.”
“Have you dated one of her ex-boyfriends?”
“What?”
“Like, have you dated someone she’s been involved with? Is that normal for you two?”
I had no idea what the hell he was talking about. “No, I’ve never dated someone she’s been involved with, and neither has she dated one of my ex’s.”
He nodded, but his face had a saddened expression. “So you don’t double dip?”
“What are you asking me, Sean?”
He ran his fingers through his hair then sighed. “Are we still on for tomorrow?”
“I can’t follow your thoughts.”
“The Mariner game? Let’s get some pizza and wings and the loser pays for dinner.”
That sounded like a pretty good trade. There was no doubt in my mind that the Mariners would win. “I’ll take that bet.”
He smiled. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“See ya.”
He stared at me for a moment before he rose from his seat then left my table. I looked down at my book and picked up where I left off, trying to get some work done.