Page 6 of Becoming Selfish

“Damn. That’s closer than when we were in Spain. That’s awesome!” I’m beginning to think that they put all of the first-year MBA students on the C floor.

“Do you need help unpacking anything?” He looks around my completely unpacked room. “Never mind, you’re good.” He laughs. “You don’t have plans tonight, do you?”

“Marc, I don’t know a single soul in this entire state. Do you think I have plans tonight?”

“Yeah, my bad. Okay, well, you do now. We’re going to EJ’s house for their kickoff party.”

He says EJ’s house, but I’m pretty sure that’s where Marc used to live too. From the stories he’s told me, it’s where all the hockey players live and it’s a total party house.

I hesitate. I’m not really into parties, and this seems like an extreme way to start off the school year. “I don’t know, Marc. I don’t know if I’m in the mood to go to a party. I’ve been driving for days.”

He shakes his head as if he’s trying to unhear what I just said. “No, Logan. You’re going. I told you that things would be different from what you’re used to when you got here, and that starts tonight. It’s the first Friday of the school year, and you don’t have classes until Monday. You still have a few hours to get a nap in beforehand. You’re going to this party.”

I can tell there’s no point in fighting it, he’s adamant about me going and having fun.

“Party? Did I hear someone say ‘party’?” A voice from the hallway asks.

I lean my head around Marc to find Ali standing in the doorway with her shoulder effortlessly leaning against the frame.

I chuckle to myself because I’ve already experienced the confidence that is Ali, and I can tell that all three of us are going to this party, whether or not I want to.

“Yes, you did. And if I’m going, so are you,” I say to the girl I just met a few hours ago. “Marc this is Ali, Ali, this is my best friend, Marcus.”

“Nice to meet you.” He reaches out his hand to shake hers.

Her eyes wander his frame, and her gaze lingers slightly longer than is usual for a casual once-over. Is she checking him out? I find it a little odd, only because I’ve never thought of Marc in that way, but she clearly has no intention of being discreet about it.

She returns his handshake with a sly smile on her face that’s borderline mischievous. “Yeah, you too,” she says, biting her bottom lip in a somewhat seductive way. Oh yeah, she’s definitely checking him out.

I look at Marc, who, if the color of his skin allowed him to, I believe, would be blushing right now.

“Alright then,” he says awkwardly, while looking down at the hand Ali is still holding onto.

Oh, he’s so uncomfortable right now, and I find it hilarious. I’ve only known Marc to be completely confident and comfortable in who he is. It’s something I admire about him, but this is the most flustered I’ve ever seen him, and I’m loving it. He’s watched me be the awkward one during our friendship, but now the tables have turned.

“Well, I’ll let you two get ready. We can head out around nine if that’s cool?” Marc asks while rubbing the palms of his hands on his pants. Is he sweating?

I silently nod in agreement and give him a grateful smile.

“Can’t wait,” Ali states as she leans her head against the doorsill, keeping her eyes locked on Marc.

She’s got to know that she’s making him nervous.

“Cool. See you guys then.” Marc nods his head, looking at the floor, and keeps his head down the entire time as he exits the room.

Ali rushes into my room, closing the door behind her. She turns around to face me with her mouth wide open in shock. “Um excuse me. Who is the hottie?”

“Marc?” I question with a laugh. “That’s my best friend. We met in Spain during a study abroad semester last year. He’s the reason I moved out here. He did his undergrad here as well.”

She sits on my bed without asking. “Okay, but like more than friends? Or potentially more than friends?”

I suspect my face has a look of shock and confusion plastered on it. “You mean us? Oh no-no-no. Definitely not. He’s my strictly platonic friend. To be honest, I don’t even think about the fact that he’s a guy. It’s not like that.”

She crosses her legs, making herself even more comfortable on my bed. “So, would you mind if I was interested?” Ali asks with a somewhat nervous and questioning smile on her face.

I make my way to my desk chair and take a seat. I don’t know how to answer that question. I don’t have any interest in Marc in that way, but I do feel protective of him. He just got cheated on by his long-term girlfriend, and the last thing I want for him is to have his heart broken by a girl from New York who was just looking to add him to her list of new experiences. But maybe he would be okay with that? I don’t know where his head is at when it comes to relationships at the moment, so I’m not going to be the one to stand in the way.

“You do you. Just so you know I think he’s more of a relationship type of guy, but maybe he would be down for something more casual. I’m not sure.”

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