Page 12 of Learning to Love

My phone vibrates. It's Sasha.

Got any action yet?

I quickly text back. I blush profusely.

Nooooo! BUT he thinks I'm awesome, though.

He's glaring at me. "Who's that?"

I smile, teasing him now. "Jealous?"

He laughs and then shakes his head. "Not a chance, Georgia. Just wondering if I have any competition?"

Omg. I'm blushing again. "It was just Sasha checking in, but I was hoping it was Benji."

He picks an ice cube out of his sweet tea and playfully flings it at me. "He won't ever make you feel like I can, baby!"

I laugh and try to dodge out of the way of the flying ice cube. "Friends don't try to make other friends feel things. Especially in the way you're meaning."

He starts to say something, but our food arrives, and we both dig in. Who wants to flirt when you have these mouthwatering pancakes right in front of you.

He finishes first. With five of them, I'm not sure how. However, I try to eat like a lady most of the time. "I'm so stuffed. That was amazing."

He's looking at my mouth. "Yeah, it was. I guess we better be heading back."

We get in his Silverado and head back to Fraternity Row, listening to the same station as before and bellow loudly to a couple of songs. Jake could never like me as anything other than a friend. It just wouldn't work out. I'm not slim and beautiful. I'm chubby and cute. I just ate pancakes instead of a salad in front of him. But I've realized that I'd love to be his friend.

We arrive, and Jaxon comes over to open my door. "Thank you, kind, sir."

He bows, clearly intoxicated. "Anything for you, my dear lady!"

He makes me laugh. "Where's Sasha?"

I feel her arms around me before he can answer. "Hey, new bestie!"

"What's up?"

"The sky!" She sings.

I laugh. "I'm behind on the drink quota. I'm going to go inside and get one."

As soon as I walk in the door, I see Jake with some blonde bimbo on his lap. He smiles sheepishly at me, and I give him a slight smirk and wave as I walk quickly past him to get to the kitchen. The high I was on from being awesome has spiraled significantly downward. He's not interested in me. Saying it in your mind is different from actually finding out two seconds after he flirted with me that I'm just the fat girl he can stuff his face with. Well, screw him. He is not going to ruin my night. I was a fool to get my hopes up. I tried talking myself down in the car, but I still hoped he could see me as more. I grab a shot out of Dallas' hand and down it in seconds. I start coughing, but I don't let that deter me. Sasha makes me another of those sour drinks, and I down that in about a minute.

I plan on getting drunk tonight, then never coming to one of these parties again. As cool as the guys seem to be, I'm going to stay clear of Jake Ryan, which means not seeing them either. It's best that way. I let my guard down once and I won't do it again.

Thirty minutes later, and I'm like, Jake Ryan, who? I feel so happy. Then I see him coming around the corner and into the kitchen with a different girl on his arm. This one is a brunette, and she's beautiful and lean. I instantly dislike her. I laugh out loud. Who's being Petty Crocker now?!?!

"Me! Me! I am!" I shout that part out loud. My behavior should mortify me, but it doesn't at the moment. Everyone is laughing and having a good time. I feel carefree. I leave the kitchen and head toward the dance floor. I see my dear friend Benji. Maybe he wants to dance with me! Who cares if his smile doesn't reach his eyes. He was fun earlier, and he's not a jackass like Jake. I grab the collar of his shirt and drag him out to the dance floor. He's smiling and more than happy to accommodate my demand to dance. We move effortlessly with the beat. He tries talking to me, but I put my finger over his lips. I want to dance, that's all. I don't want to think or have a conversation. Just dance.

Jake comes over and pulls me out of his arms and pushes Benji in the process. Jaxon and Dallas come over and break up the fight before it can begin. Why don't these guys like each other? I pull my arm out of Jake's grasp. I flip him off with both hands, like the "gangster" that I am and turn around on my heel and immediately head for the door. He's so confusing. Why doesn't he want me to dance with Benji? Why does he even care?

I walk out the door and start the mile-long walk back to our dorm. I don't wait for Sasha. I want her to stay and have fun with all the perfect beautiful people. She fits in with them, I don't. I know they'll help her get home, too. So, I don't have to feel guilty about leaving the party too early without her. Sasha yells for me to slow down. "Stop walking so fast."

I turn around quickly. "Sasha, I don't want you to leave! Stay and have fun. I'll be okay, and I know they'll help you get back safely."

She makes it to my side. "Shut up. We came together, and we'll always leave together. Understood?" "Understood?!!"

"Yes, ma'am." I stand at attention and give her a salute. We both burst out laughing. Sasha salutes me back. My phone goes off in my pocket and my good mood is short-lived. It's from Jake.