Page 111 of Jocks

“I could go in sweats and not care.” Even though Autumn had agreed to this three days ago, she had since changed her mind as she thought about the noise and the crowd. “I’m only going because I made a deal with Kolson.”

“But … boys.” Berkley’s eyes grew wide as she spoke. “College boys. Cute college boys.” With each word her tone went up a notch.

Berkley had been Autumn’s best friend since she could remember. By the time they were 14, Berkley began to go berserk over boys. As if they were the greatest creatures on the planet and not slobs who smelled like pickles when they sweat or left the toilet seat up to fall into.

Autumn never understood why all those girls worshiped her brother. He burped and farted and scratched his ass, along with the rancid smell. How was that worth swooning over? Still, Berkley had an insane crush on Preston. She’d stutter and her pupils would dilate whenever he was around.

“You have to at least look like you tried.” Berkely pulled another top from Autumn’s closet. It was also cropped, but it was a sweatshirt, the material much softer. “This is cute.”

“My belly button will get cold.” Autumn pulled her hair into a ponytail.

“First of all.” Berkley tugged the hair tie out of Autumn’s hair. “You’re not wearing a ponytail to a party. And second, if you wear high waisted jeans, your belly button is safe from drafts.” She placed the shirt in Autumn’s hand. “Besides, if you find the right guy tonight, you won’t be cold.”

“The only guy I’m going to find is Kolson.” Just to prove she was there.

Berkley’s face beamed. “Is he cute?”

“He thinks he is.” Autumn said, “He has a very symmetrical face. It is scientifically proven that symmetrical faces are the most attractive. Yes, I think he’s attractive, but it’s only a natural response to his face.”

Berkley giggled and bounced. “Oh my gosh, Autumn, you like him.”

“I …”

Berkley’s giggles grew louder. “You should tell him about his attractive symmetrical face.”

“No.” Autumn shrieked. “He doesn’t need any more confidence than he already has.” Before she had her sentence out, Berkley was tugging at her hair.

“Ouch,” Autumn winced.

“Hold still.” Berkley wrapped Autumn’s hair around the curling wand. The one she never used. “You get to be an actual college kid tonight. How fun is that?”

“I am an actual college student.”

Berkley let go of the hair and a ringlet fell beside Autumn’s face.

The house loud when they walked into the party. Autumn thought her ears were going to start ringing. Berkley smiled and bobbed her head to the beat of the music. No one seemed to care that the place was already too crowded when two more people entered. Drinks sloshed in hands. People shouted over music and one another as if it was a contest to be heard.

Berkely turned toward Autumn, who was trying to process all the stimulants. She needed to go somewhere quieter. Autumn knew that Berkely was saying something, only because her mouth was moving, but she had no clue what the words were. Autumn motioned to her ear, then looked for the nearest escape. Certainly, there was a room that was less crowded. Even though everything was blurry because Berkley talked her into not wearing glasses tonight. Autumn wasn’t completely blind without them, she could see up close, and things far away were just out of focus. She didn’t even have to wear them all the time, she felt naked without them. But then again here she was in a cropped top too. Pretty much everything about tonight was out of her comfort zone.

Berkley leaned toward her and shouted in Autumn’s ear. “I’m going to find a drink.” She mimed tipping back a cup.

Autumn nodded and watched Berkley walk away. Then she went to push her glasses up out of habit. In addition to that, her lip gloss was sticky and the makeup felt heavy on her skin. Mom and Dad had been too busy staring at screens to notice when she left. Mom would have gushed over Autumn if she had. She was always trying to get her to do her hair and makeup and asking her about boys.

Autumn slowly made her way to the edge of the crowd. Inching toward what looked like a hallway. At least if she stood outside of all these bodies, her mind and heart would quit racing. It felt like forever before she was there. She leaned against the arch and looked out toward the crowd. A few people had waved hello, but she wasn’t sure if they knew her or were being polite. It seemed like the music had been turned down, but still not enough for her ears to quit ringing.

She pulled her phone out of her pocket and looked at it for something to do. She only hesitated for a few seconds because she didn’t have her glasses on to protect her from the blue light. A few minutes shouldn’t hurt anything. Autumn opened social media. To see if she could find Kolson, when she heard a voice beside her.

“Hey.” Loud in her ear.

Autumn tilted her head to the side when she turned toward the voice. It was that guy from that dining hall that new Kolson.

“Do I know you?” He leaned on the wall.

“I’m not a chick?” She could remember their conversation, but couldn’t quite remember his name. Was it Matthew? Marcus? She was normally better with names, but it wasn’t like she cared to even know this guy.

He cracked a smile under a light dusting of black fuzz on his upper lip. “You’re the tutor.” He reeked of liquor when he leaned closer. “I thought you were washing your hair.”

She leaned back when he invaded her personal space.

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