Chapter Seven Part Two: The Next Chapter
Avery texted me about a half hour after Lydia got here saying that she wanted to get everything unpacked and her room put together before we went to the meet-and-greet. That gave Lydia and I enough time to do the same to our room.
When I finally get the text from Avery saying she's done, two hours later, our room is looking pretty great if you ask me.
"Hey, my friend Avery and I are heading to the meet-and-greet. Wanna join us?"
Lydia closes her laptop and jumps out of her chair. "Oh my goodness yes! I did not want to go to that thing alone."
I walk into the hall and Lydia follows. "Avery's room is just downstairs. I wanna see it real quick before we head out."
"No problem." Lydia smiles as we walk down the stairs.
I knock on Avery's door and hear her squeak, "come in" before I push the door open. I step inside and look around the room. "Wow Ave, it looks great!"
"Yeah, I think so too. Thanks. Still no sign of the roomie though." Avery notices Lydia and adds, "Oh hi! I'm Avery, you must be Addie's roommate."
"Hey. I'm Lydia." My roommate and my best friend exchange warm smiles and I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding. I guess I was anxious about whether the two would get along. So far so good.
"Alright, we should get to the meet-and-greet. We're already late." I shoot Avery a teasing look and head for the door.
"I know I know! Unpacking took longer than I thought but at least we have the rest of the night to just hang out!" Avery and Lydia follow behind me as we go down the stairs and make our way outside. "So, um... do either of you know where Union Hall is?"
"Oh yeah, I do." Lydia skips in front of us and then turns around and starts walking backwards. "So what are your guys' majors?" She smiles and continues to walk backwards like an expert tour guide.
"Communications." Avery and I say at the same time.
"Haha fun. Do you both plan to do the same thing after you graduate?" It seems like we had begun the 20 question game that goes along with every new friendship.
"No we both plan on doing different things, the communications major here just houses both of our fields we're looking to pursue." Avery smiled at me and then Lydia. "I actually am not sure what exactly I wanna do but something with politics I think."
I chuckle to myself thinking back several years to when Avery told me about her sister pursuing a communications degree and how that wasn't what she wanted to do. But it seemed that over the years her fascination with being a vet slowly wore off.
"Yeah, and I'd like to get into journalism. I absolutely love writing."
"Sweet! I suck at writing. I'm not bad at the guitar and I really like to draw and paint but that's pretty much the only think I've got going for me." Lydia winks and smiles at Avery and I. I found it hard to believe that those were the only two things she was good at.
"So you're a fine arts major then?" Avery questions.
Lydia rolls her eyes and scoffs, "I wish. My dumb parents are paying for my school and they insisted I major in business to learn more about the workings of a company so I can one day run the stupid family business. We own a freaking floral shop! I don't need a business degree to do that! Hell, making floral arrangements takes more creativity than businessy skills." She lets out a puff of breath making her bangs fly up. "Sorry. Touchy subject." And with that she is smiling again.
We round the corner of a large building and can hear the distinct hum of a large group of people talking.
"This is it." Lydia gestures to the building. "Union hall. Come on! I heard they have tons of freebies!" She grabs mine and Avery's hands and pulls us inside.
"Alright, we should get to the meet-and-greet. We're already late." I shoot Avery a teasing look and head for the door.
"I know I know! Unpacking took longer than I thought but at least we have the rest of the night to just hang out!" Avery and Lydia follow behind me as we go down the stairs and make our way outside. "So, um... do either of you know where Union Hall is?"
"Oh yeah, I do." Lydia skips in front of us and then turns around and starts walking backwards. "So what are your guys' majors?" She smiles and continues to walk backwards like an expert tour guide.
"Communications." Avery and I say at the same time.
"Haha fun. Do you both plan to do the same thing after you graduate?" It seems like we had begun the 20 question game that goes along with every new friendship.
"No we both plan on doing different things, the communications major here just houses both of our fields we're looking to pursue." Avery smiled at me and then Lydia. "I actually am not sure what exactly I wanna do but something with politics I think."
I chuckle to myself thinking back several years to when Avery told me about her sister pursuing a communications degree and how that wasn't what she wanted to do. But it seemed that over the years her fascination with being a vet slowly wore off.
"Yeah, and I'd like to get into journalism. I absolutely love writing."
"Sweet! I suck at writing. I'm not bad at the guitar and I really like to draw and paint but that's pretty much the only think I've got going for me." Lydia winks and smiles at Avery and I. I found it hard to believe that those were the only two things she was good at.
"So you're a fine arts major then?" Avery questions.
Lydia rolls her eyes and scoffs, "I wish. My dumb parents are paying for my school and they insisted I major in business to learn more about the workings of a company so I can one day run the stupid family business. We own a freaking floral shop! I don't need a business degree to do that! Hell, making floral arrangements takes more creativity than businessy skills." She lets out a puff of breath making her bangs fly up. "Sorry. Touchy subject." And with that she is smiling again.
We round the corner of a large building and can hear the distinct hum of a large group of people talking.
"This is it." Lydia gestures to the building. "Union hall. Come on! I heard they have tons of freebies!" She grabs mine and Avery's hands and pulls us inside.
------
After Lydia grabbed about every freebie should could, and convinced us to grab a ton for her as well, we spent the rest of the afternoon upstairs in the lounge playing pool, foosball, and eating junk food from the vending machines.
We are sitting at a table talking about heading back to the dorms when Lydia gets a text.
"Oh my gosh guys! Do you wanna head over to the coffee shop? My really good friend Jack is finally here and wants to meet up for a bit."
I look at Avery and she nods her head so I smile and say, "Sure lead the way!"
"Sweet! It's not that far away, just across the quad." She leaps up out of her chair and heads toward the stairs. Avery and I basically have to run to keep up.
The coffee shop was really close, just across the street pretty much. The fall air is fresh and crisp and I think about how I wish I could spend some time outside writing but Lydia's voice pulls me from my thoughts.
"He's over at the far table!" She squeals and runs over to greet a tall, unnaturally good looking, guy.
Seriously, I think, how can someone be that perfect?! It's like he was photo-shopped or something. Avery nudges my side and winks. I suppress a laugh and pull her towards the table with me.
"Hey guys! Take a seat. This is Jack." She motions towards him and then smiles back at us. "And Jack, this is Addie, she's my roommate, and her awesome friend Avery. Aren't they adorable?" Avery blushes and shrinks into herself.
"Nice one Lyd. Always know how to make a situation awkward." He turns his smile on Avery and I, "Seriously, just tell her to shut up when she starts getting obnoxious."
Lydia playfully scoffs and punches Jack's arm. "Hey kid, you're not much better!"
Jack rolls his eyes and I'm suddenly caught staring at them. They're dark brown with a hint of deep blue. My stomach flip-flops and I feel the heat rising on my cheeks as I notice Jack returning my gaze. He smiles and then continues talking. "So, you guys are in Malan Hall right?" He's still looking at me so I nod and smile. "Yeah, I'm in Henry Hall. I was bummed that I wouldn't be by Lyd but it turns out I'm the dorm right behind you guys!" He smiles at Lydia and I wonder if maybe they're more than friends.
The thought makes me a bit disappointed, which is utterly ridiculous because I don't even know the guy, but good lord he's handsome. Avery kicks me under the table and I wonder if it's that obvious to see what I'm thinking but then she says, "Addie, Jack asked you a question."
"Oh, uh, sorry. It's been a long day." God, I'm so lame.
"No problem." Jack laughs and the butterflies in my stomach return in full force. "I was just asking about your major."
"Oh, I'm a communications major."
"Ah, like Avery."
I nod and add, "Yeah, I'm hoping to get into journalism though. I'm thinking about minoring in writing studies, but for now I'm just sticking with communications."
"Awesome. I can appreciate a good writer. I suck at writing myself, but love reading."
I find myself blushing again and wish I could kick myself. I'm seriously making a bad first impression. Lydia comes to my unknowing rescue though. "Alright Jack, we should probably start heading back. Classes start bright and early tomorrow morning." There's a collective groan from the four of us as we stand up to leave.
"It was nice meeting you guys." Jack smiles at Avery and I and turns to hug Lydia. "Text or call whenever you wanna hang. Don't be a stranger ok?"
"Of course." Lydia smiles and backs away from the embrace. "Alright ladies, shall we?" She turns to us and we head out of the coffee shop and walk back to the dorms. We don't talk much on the way back. I think the events from the day are finally catching up to us and making us tired.
Lydia and I say goodnight to Avery on the second floor and then go to our dorm room. I pack my backpack with the books and notebooks I'll need for the day tomorrow and then change into my pajamas. I go to the bathroom to brush my teeth and find Lydia doing the same.
"Hey." I smile.
She smiles back, foamy toothpaste all over her mouth. I laugh at the sight and she joins in. "So, the showers are actually really nice." She says after she wipes a towel across her mouth. And with that she leaves the bathroom.
I finish brushing my teeth and go back to our room. Lydia is laying in bed reading. "Jack seems really nice." I say as I lay down on top of my covers.
Lydia laughs, "Yeah, he's pretty great. We've known each other since we were kids."
I know I should keep my mouth shut but I can't keep these next words in, "So, are you two... you know... dating?"
"God no!" Lydia snorts. "Jack is like my brother. Always has been, always will be."
I relax my shoulders and the tension that I didn't know was in my body releases at the sound of her words. "Oh, alright. That explains why you two seemed so close." I pull back my covers and turn out my light. "Night Lydia. See you bright and early tomorrow."
"Yeah, good night Addie." Lydia smiles before turning out her light.
I fall asleep thinking about Jack's gorgeous eyes and crazy beautiful smile.
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