Page 5 of Septembers

“Well, well, well, what a fateful coincidence.” The guy from the night before strolled up and gave him a filthy grin. Theo had never wished to remember someone’s name more than he did in that moment. Sandy-red hair, broad shoulders, and thin stern lips. They’d only flirted, as far as Theo remembered, so why was this guy smirking like they’d had dirty sex on this very folding table? He was flanked by his team, which Theo was surprised to see included Dae, whose sporting outfit was about three sizes too big. Theo tried to catch his attention, but Future Love Affair stepped in the way.

“You haven’t texted.”

Theo gestured around the lawn. “I’ve been a bit busy.”

“Yes, busy climbing the tourney ranks to third place, making us fourth, and I can’t have that.”

Theo shot a double thumbs-up to his team. They’d been winning a lot, but he hadn’t realized they were in the top three.

“Prize for third place is gift cards to a bunch of chain restaurants around the city, and I need them to take out this guy I met last night. So…” Future Love Affair winked. “We’re going to have to destroy you.”

Theo put on his best cocky smirk. “With stakes that high, I hope you’re ready for a challenge.”

They lost. Turned out Dae was amazing with his hands, probably from all that writing in his journal, and was able to flick the wooden pieces with annoying accuracy. Or maybe he was secretly a finger-curling champion.

Theo added that to his list of mysteries.

Dae didn’t say anything when he won them the game, just stood back and let his team shake his shoulders in victory before Future Love Affair dragged him away, shooting Theo an over-the-shoulder glance while mouthing, I’ll text you.

“Well, that was dramatic.” Theo turned to find Jordan wearing a Resident Advisor shirt, short-shorts, and U of T painted on her cheek in blue. Her smile was the kind usually reserved for inside jokes. “T’was a crushing defeat. You okay, New Best Friend?”

She remembered! “I may get over it once dementia sets in. You’re an RA?”

“It is my honour to guide the hapless masses.” She smiled at a group giggling by. “Plus, discounted housing.”

“Yo, Jordan!” A short-ish guy with questionable facial hair jogged up, ignoring Theo’s presence and talking louder than was necessary around hungover people. “I need to change your soundcheck to six-thirty. That cool? Mike didn’t account for absorption and now all the levels need to be adj⁠—”

“It’s no problem, Terry. Thank you.”

He nodded and hurried away, apparently used to being cut off.

“That can’t be his name,” Theo said. “No one is named Terry. The name Terry is a myth.”

She put her hand on his shoulder with solemn sincerity. “You’re going to experience a lot of strange and wonderful things in university, including the name Terry. Now, give me your phone.”

She entered her contact with two kiss emojis on either side of her name and handed it back with a wink. Now that the games were over, people had begun to congeal into groups, chatting, lingering around the prize table, or linking arms to go find entertainment that didn’t involve daylight. Theo was content to stay planted where he was, any urgency to find allies for the next four years nullified by the cool presence of Jordan.

“So, what’s he sound checking? The bingo mic?” That wasn’t a joke. Bingo really was scheduled.

She slid the elastic out of her hair and re-did her messy auburn bun, squinting against the sun. “No, there’s a concert tonight in the gardens. A bunch of upper-years are performing.”

“And you’re one of them?” Theo had never been able to control his facial expressions, and judging by her eye-roll, this was no exception.

“I’m only playing because someone dropped out and Becks begged me. I’m not even good.”

“People who aren’t good don’t get begged to do shows.”

She shrugged, trying really hard not to take the compliment. “Don’t come, okay?”

“I’m obviously coming.”

Someone across the field waved at her, and Jordan nodded. “I have to go, but I better not see you there tonight.”

“You mean at your gig?”

She rolled her eyes again. “Goodbye, New Best Friend.”

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