Page 19 of Deck of Scarlets

“Well, let’s get to talking,” Heather said, bumping her shoulder into mine.

I crushed the empty solo cup with my bare hand. “Fantastic.”

Observing the rest of the room, I was getting more bored by the second. I promised Heather I’d mingle and try my best to be here, but my social meter was running low. Too many people, and the idea of trying to smile and converse with others felt mentally draining. I just wanted to go to bed.

That was until Josh came into view.

When we first arrived, there was no chance of me coming across him again, and by the grace of God himself, he somehow ended up on my path a second time just at the right moment.

Fingers crossed he knew the deal around campus. Columbia was a big school, and I might not get a chance like this again.

Leaning against a marble pillar, he held a red solo cup, drinking casually and talking to a few of his peers. In a black T-shirt and jeans, his tousled brown curls never failed to send my pulse racing a bit.

“I’ll be right back,” I promised Heather.

She raised her cup in response before I made my way over to him. He immediately noticed my presence, and we met in the middle.

“Hey, freshy,” he said, reaching for a fist pump.

Our fists hit, and I smiled. “Hey.” He had a different demeanor than earlier.

“How’s your head?”

“A little sore but better.” A couple of Tylenol later and I was good to go, thank God.

“I’m sorry about that,” he apologized for the second time.

“Could’ve been worse. You could’ve killed me,” I joked.

“Nickie would never speak to me again.”

That made two of us.

“Enjoying your freshman mixer?” he asked in a teasing tone.

“Yeah… it’s… interesting.” It was a complete drag. I would have more fun in the cemetery with the dead than here with the living. I never went to these types of events at my old high school; everything was a significant cringe-fest. Nickie, Jeremy, and I ran our show and refused to follow any of the social norms.

“I hated mine. I’m only here because I got nominated to be a team leader. The downfall of being a junior,” he explained in horror.

I tried to stifle a laugh, but just by the look on his face of whatever horrifying flashback he went to, I couldn’t help myself. “Oh, yeah, I bet it was horrific.” Good, a casual conversation. That way, I could ease into asking him.

Josh chuckled along with me and finished the rest of his drink before tossing the cup in a nearby trash can, which seemed to be piling up by the second. “The redhead over there? Is she your roommate?”

I turned around to find her standing awkwardly near a fountain of fruit punch, trying to converse with three model-like blondes, and by the looks of them standing away from her, her attempt was unsuccessful. I better finish up here fast to save her from embarrassment. Because although Heather herself was way too perky for my liking, I had some weird motherly instinct toward her.

“Yes, that’s Heather Price. But I had a reason to come over here and talk to you. I have a question.”

Josh gave me a puzzled look, trying to figure out where I was going with this.

Where the heck did I even begin? Did I just come right out and say it? Would he have any idea what I was talking about? He’d probably think I’d lost my goddamn mind.

“Is the university…” How the heck do I even ask? “…are they known for their… clubs?”

Josh cocked his head to the side. “I assume so? You know, the website can direct you to all the clubs available on campus.”

Here goes. “Even the secret ones?”

“Josh!” some girl yelled from across the room, interrupting me and my train of thought.

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