Girl in the White Dress: Sam's Story (2 page)

             
“Sounds like a plan.” We headed down to the cafeteria where they were serving a move in day buffet. I saw a sign that said “Free Lattes, today only”. “Oh my God!” I squealed.

             
Trinity whipped around. “What? What? Did something happen?”

             
“Free lattes today!” I exclaimed.

             
“What? Where?”

             
“Are you a coffee fanatic, too?” I asked.

             
“Oh yeah,” she grabbed my arm. “We’re definitely going to get along. We’ll be the highly caffeinated room,” she joked. “Let’s go get some coffee!”

             
The rest of the day was fun. Trinity and I got along well and I could tell at least roommate wise it was going to be a good year. Her boyfriend came over and helped us put away the rest of our stuff. He brought his friend Matt, who I thought was adorable. I was hoping he would be at the party Friday. We watched Fight Club and ordered some pizza when we were done. The guys left about midnight and Trinity and I decided to go to bed. I was exhausted. There was a lot to do the following day.

              The rest of the week was a bit of a blur. Monday we had freshman orientation and I met a couple of cool new people. Miranda and Kiley were both Occupational Therapy majors from Smithfield, RI. They both also lived on my floor. Trinity was in a different group than I was and she met some people, too. On Wednesday, classes started and that was a blast. Sarcasm intended. Apparently, my body forgot what it was like to wake up at 5:30 AM to be at school for 7:15 AM because I did not want to wake up for my 8:30 AM class. My love of English was not so prevalent when I was half-asleep. I made a mental note to try, and I stress try, to wake up earlier so that I could get coffee first. The rest of my classes were ok. I had to find an elementary school to observe for my teaching class. Fortunately, there was one literally across the street from campus. I would just have to get on the ball to be sure to get a classroom because I am sure at least half my class was thinking the same thing.

             
Friday crept up quickly. Trinity and I were trying to figure out what to wear to Derek’s party. She handed me a skirt to try on. “Trin, I cannot possibly wear this. It is the size of a belt.” The denim skirt barely covered my butt.

             
Trinity turned around to look. “Yeah, that does look pretty skanky. You apparently have more junk in the trunk than I do.”

             
“HEY!” I threw my pillow at her.

             
“I’m kidding!” She threw up her hands in defense. “I haven’t worn that in a while and I guess I forgot how short it was. Actually, the last time I think I wore it was with stiletto boots and I don’t remember Derek complaining. Of course, I also don’t recall actually going out in public.”

             
“Ok, TMI!” I exclaimed.

             
“Heh, sorry.” She was rifling through her pile of clothes. “Here, try this one.”

              I tried on the black skirt she threw my way. “Ok, this is much more respectable, yet still hot. It works for me.”

             
“How do I look?” she asked.

             
“Awesome.” Trinity was wearing a dark wash jean with a red halter-top and her signature stilettos. “I think I need a better shirt.” Clearly, my plain grey shirt was not going to work next to her.

             
“Here try this,” she tossed me a sparkly teal tank top.

             
“Much better.”

             
After another hour of preparations, we were finally ready to go. This was why women start to get ready hours before they need to be somewhere and are still late. Way too much to do. We walked down the hall to pick up Miranda and Kiley and headed to the boys townhouse. Only freshman are stuck with the dorms. Everyone else gets a townhouse. Derek happened to live in the largest one with his thirteen roommates, all of whom happen to be his teammates. (Did I mention Derek was the Quarterback for the football team? Yup, and Matt was a tight end. What I would not give to look at his tight end. Ok, focus.)

             
We arrived at the house and heard the music blasting. Trinity opened the door and all we could see was a mass of people. Obviously, Derek was quite popular. “Hello ladies.” A very large guy, evidently another football player, possibly a roommate, greeted us. “Here are your cups, free of charge, of course. The keg is over to the right.” We each took a red cup.

             
“Are you ladies going to be ok if I go find Derek?” Trinity asked. I was guessing she saw the panicked look on all our faces. I definitely was not a partygoer in high school and by the looks of it, neither were Miranda or Kiley.

             
“Sure,” I lied. “We’re fine.”

             
“Ok, I’ll come find you hotties in a bit. Have fun!”

             
I looked at the girls. “Sooooo…” I continued to stare at my empty cup.

             
“Hey, gorgeous!” I heard someone say. I continued my conversation certain that was not directed at me.

             
“Sam? Hello?” I heard the voice again. I turned around and saw Matt.

             
“Hey, sorry, I didn’t hear you.”

             
“No problem. Are you girls having fun?” he asked.

             
“We just got here,” I said.

             
“I see. Well, let’s go fill up your cups and get this party started.” He walked us over to the keg and filled us up.

             
“Thanks,” I sad. I took a sip. Some foam went up my nose and I tried not to sneeze.

             
“You want to dance, Sam?” Matt asked.

             
My heart started to race. “Sure.”

             
Matt dragged me out onto the makeshift dance floor. Genie in a Bottle came on just as we started to dance. After a while of getting pushed around Matt and I went outside to get some air.

             
“Finally, I can breathe,” I said. It was nice out that night. Clear enough that you could easily see the moon and the stars.

             
“I know. I’m sure we completed exceeded the fire code for the building. I didn’t know we could fit that many people in there,” he said. “Do you want to go sit in the quad?”

             
“Sure.” The quad was between the townhouses and the dorm where people hung out.

             
“Actually,” he stopped walking. “I will be right back. I am just going to run in and grab something. I’ll meet you over there.”

             
“Ok.” I started walking towards the quad and he headed back up the stairs. I was lost in space when I noticed I was not alone. I picked up my pace a bit to get to a better-lit area. I felt a pull on my arm.

             
“Hey!” I shouted.

             
“Hey, Sam. It’s Lance, from the party,” the stranger said.

             
“Hi,” I said warily. He was the guy who gave us the cups.

             
“What are you doing out here by yourself? It’s not safe for a woman as hot as you to be alone around here.”

             
“I’m waiting for someone,” I stated. I hoped he got the hint. He creeped me out.

             
“I know. I have been waiting for someone, too. Luckily, I found her.” It was not until that moment that I realized he was still holding my arm. I tried to pull away but he was too strong. “Where do you think you’re going?”

             
“Away from you,” I said.

             
“I don’t think so.” Lance pulled me closer and I tried to struggle free. He tried to kiss me. I turned my head and he got a mouthful of hair.

             
“Stop!” I shouted.

             
“Come on, you know you want me.” He tried to kiss me again.

             
“No, stop!” I yelled again.

             
“You heard her, dude. Let her go.”

             
“Matt, stay out of this,” Lance said still not releasing his hold on me.

             
“Let her go. She’s with me.”

             
“What are you going to do about…” Lance did not even get to finish his question because Matt’s fist hit his face first and he landed on the ground.

             
“Touch her again and see what happens.” Matt turned to me. “Come on, Sam. I’ll walk you back to your dorm.” I took Matt’s out-stretched hand and we walked back to my room. I was in a bit of shock since nothing like that had ever happened to me before. I was not sure what that was about. When we got back to my room, Matt asked if I was ok.

             
I hesitated. “Yeah, I’m fine. I guess,” I finally managed to get out. “Can you explain to me what Lance’s issue is?” I asked.

             
“He likes to, um, initiate, for lack of a better word, the freshmen. He overheard Derek telling someone else that Trinity was bringing her friends and for some reason he picked you as his target apparently.” His face softened and he brushed his hand softly against my cheek. “Are you sure you’re ok though?” he asked.

             
I could feel my heart start to race. Stupid butterflies in my stomach. “Yeah, I’m ok,” I breathed.

             
Matt did not move his hand from my cheek. It felt like the air had stopped moving. I do not remember the last time I felt this nervous. “Sam,” he said softly.

             
“Yes?” Oh my god, if he was going to kiss me, he had better do it already. I thought my knees are going to give out on me.

             
He leaned forward. I tried to breathe. As soon as his lips touched mine, I felt the heat from his breath and I shuddered. The intensity I felt behind the kiss was nothing that I had experienced before. I took a step back certain that I could no longer breathe. “Wow,” escaped through my lips.

             
“I’ll say,” he said. “Although, I’m not sure if we got that right.” He leaned in for another kiss that was just as electric as the first. I melted into his arms.

             
“Ok,” I pulled away again. “I’m getting a little dizzy here.”

             
He smiled. “Good to know I have that effect on you.”

             
“You have no idea,” I said. Then I remembered he went back to get something. “What was it you had to go get before you became my hero?”

             
Matt started to blush a little. Very cute. “I have a present for you.”

             
“Oh, really?”

             
“Yeah,” he pulled out a piece of paper. “I saw the poster on your wall the other day and I wanted to draw this for you.” On the paper was a beautiful drawing of a lily. Obviously, he noticed my huge poster of lilies, orchards, and roses on the wall.

             
“Wow, Matt, this is awesome.” I could not believe he drew me a picture.

             
“Thanks,” he said. “It’s actually a secret passion of mine. Wasn’t really sure how the football team would feel about my artistic abilities.”

             
“You shouldn’t hide this. It’s gorgeous. I’m totally going to hang it on my wall.”

             
“Thank you.” He was so cute. “So, I was wondering if you had any plans tomorrow night.”

             
“Um, not that I’m aware of. Probably just hanging out. I still don’t really know the area so well.”

             
“Well, would you like to have plans? I was hoping you would like to go on a date with me.” He actually looked nervous. Like I was going to say no. I tried to play it off all casual.

             
“Sure, sounds like fun,” I said. Breathe, Sam. I thought.

             
“Cool,” he said. He touched my face again. “Now how about we get back to what we were doing.”

             
“I guess so,” I smiled as he was leaning in. The rest of the night was kind of a blur. He was a complete gentleman, although at some points I was not sure I would have objected. He ended up leaving about four in the morning and I crashed. Trinity was apparently staying at Derek’s tonight. I had a feeling she was going to stay there a lot. Although, maybe that was not such a bad thing. If she was there then that meant Matt could be here. Stop, Sam, I thought to myself. Let’s not rush things. Although, if tonight was any indication, tomorrow would be fantastic.