Page 9 of The Very First Night

Last night is weird to think about. While objectively I know I was at their wedding, the more time that goes by, the less real it feels. I distinctly remember walking back to our dorm last night despite having memories of an entirely different evening. I remember throwing my shoes under my desk and cuddling up next to the trash can, but I also remember Elijah walking me back to my hotel room.

It’s the most bizarre feeling.

I also remember Jenna ditching me at the party, but I’m not going to turn that into a thing. In the grand scheme of things, it truly doesn’t matter.

The scent of Marcus’s cologne wafts subtly through the air as he shifts slightly on his feet, seemingly at ease despite his late-night escapades. Where Jenna and I both look like the walking dead, our sickly pale skin from the night of drinking is only polarized by the tanned tone of Marcus’s, his pearly white smile present to provide even more contrast.

The three of us chat for a while, discussing the courses we intend to take this semester as well as our plans for tonight. The Saturday before classes start always has some of the best parties. The house parties tend to go a little harder than they should, while the bars tend to be a little livelier.

“What did you guys get?” Marcus asks as he peeks down at the empty paper box in my hand that previously housed a bagel.

“Oh, we got Einstein’s. Needed the bread to soak up all that liquor from last night,” Jenna laughs, and Marcus welcomes her amusement with a chuckle of his own.

Despite the conversation including all of us, I don’t miss the way Marcus’s eyes don’t leave Jenna the entire time. It’s adorable.

If only they knew.

My attention drifts away from them as they continue their borderline gag-inducing flirting, and that is when I notice him.

Elijah.

Gorgeous waves of dark brown hair move toward us. My stomach is jumbled in knots as he approaches, but I don’t miss the way he doesn’t look at me.

Actually, I’m not even sure he’s walking toward Marcus at all.

I watch as Elijah’s tall frame shifts toward the Chinese food place next to Einstein’s Bagels. He settles into the long line.

While I try not to let the disappointment of him not coming over here show too obviously, I completely miss Tanner as he approaches Marcus. In a swift and unexpected move, Tanner punches Marcus in the stomach, causing him to double over in pain.

Hunched over, gasping for air, Marcus growls through clenched teeth, “What the hell, man?” His fists ball at his sides, knuckles turning white.

“That was a dick move this morning,” Tanner laughs, the mask of his outrage slipping.

It becomes evident what previously looked like a fight about to break out in the student center is just a weird game between friends. I let out a nervous chuckle and relax my shoulders.

“I didn’t do shit.” Marcus bites back a laugh as he continues to force air into his lungs.

“Bullshit,” Tanner responds. “Now she won’t stop blowing up my phone. All because you wouldn’t shut up about how in love I was with her. You and I both know I don’t have shit for feelings for Rebecca. She knows that—well, she did…until you decided it would be funny to get her hopes up and make me look like the bad guy.”

“Who’s Rebecca?” I ask.

Tanner glances at me and his expression changes instantly. He grins before extending his hand and saying, “Absolutely no one important. I’m Tanner Adler.”

“Kat.” I grin up at him as I take his hand.

“Katarina, actually,” Marcus chimes in, finally finding enough air to string together a sentence.

“Katarina.” Tanner chuckles, his tone warm and teasing. His grip on my hand tightens and I can feel his eyes studying my face.

“Just…Kat.” I laugh nervously, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear. My family always calls me Katarina, but with friends and in social settings, I go by Kat. I can’t control what my family calls me, but I’ve never liked my name.

“Kat it is.” He squeezes my hand one last time before letting it go. I don’t miss the way the warmth leaving feels…bad. His eyes linger on me for longer than I anticipate—I can’t remember how this happened before.

I’ll be honest, I don’t remember meeting Tanner at all. So much of my memory about today revolved around meeting Elijah later at the party. But as I stand here with this boy who I know will grow to be a lifelong friend, I realize there are gaps in my memory from today that I can’t explain.

I met two of my closest friends today, yet all I remember in five years is Elijah.

“Are you guys going tonight?” Marcus asks, pulling Tanner’s attention away from me.

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