Page 4 of Changing Lanes

“Naw, I got it. Looks like you’re just about set up.” I nod to his side of the room.

“Yeah, gonna go hit the courtyard for hotties.” He smiles as he exaggerates his nod.

“Good deal. I’ll see ya in a bit,” I say as I walk out the door.

“Sounds good,” John says. Roommate’s cool, that’s good. I have a feeling I’ll never see him. I laugh as I see him run up behind a gorgeous redhead.

I turn my focus back to the task at hand. Closets at the back of the room next to the bathroom, I love that the bathroom adjoins our dorm room. Plenty of wall space to hang posters. I don’t have a lot of options still; I need to move this shit around.

The beds sit against two large, open windows overlooking the courtyard. I immediately rearrange my things, setting my desk at the window. Turning the bed against the far wall of the room, it gives me a space for a small refrigerator.

What feels like a hundred trips later, my truck is unloaded; I unpack everything I can before hauling ass to the student center for orientation. The hall is at capacity, and the doors keep opening. Soon after entering, university officials announce this is the largest freshman class in history. Yeah, I think we can tell.

We’re ushered into the courtyard where they’re set up to handle the festivities of orientation. Tables set around the perimeter with information for various clubs on campus, as well as Greek Row for fraternities and sororities. Upperclassmen give direction as they show groups of freshmen around campus. I really wish I could skip this part, I’ve walked this path twenty times already between my visit and registration.

About the time I decide to duck out of this tour, a blonde introduces herself as our guide. She has sun-kissed highlights with deep water blue eyes. She’s built well with some curves on her small frame. Her smile rivals the sun in brightness, so does her laugh. Maybe one more trip around campus won’t hurt.

She sounds like a Yankee as she begins talking, pointing out areas freshmen students need to know their locations. Her accent heavier on words such as ‘park’ and ‘walk’, kinda like mine when I say, ‘sweet tea’ and ‘y’all’. “Hello, I’m Torrie. I’ll be your tour guide; if you’ll just walk this way.” She makes eye contact with me, giving me a drop dead grin. “To your right, we have the student center park.”

I watch less of her pointing and more of her walking, as her full, round ass bounces in front of me. Throughout the tour, I receive a few smiles and side glances until it’s my turn to sit in for the college president’s speech.

Buzz. Buzz. Buzz.

Rolling over, I slap my alarm clock several times before I finally get it shut off. I lay there, trying to get my bearings as the hustle and bustle on the other side of my door resonate in my room. Time to shake a leg and get my ass up.

I shower and dress in record time. I don’t think I was out the door this quick at home. First day of classes and although I’ve been over this campus thirty times this weekend, I’m nervous about being late. Dear Lord, I’m such a dork.

Walking campus this early is a plus, though, not many out. Maybe that’s why they have freshmen take eight a.m. classes. To keep us on our high school schedules and away from the busy height of the day for most students, noon.

Entering the building, I make a straight line for the lecture hall. This is a larger class, including upperclassmen also. Of course, I would be the first here. At least it gives me prime seating. The advanced classes I took in high school helped me get into second-year classes. That and the fact I crushed my ACT and SAT’s.

I knew early in life I wanted to be an engineer. My parents’ bought more Lego’s than anyone I know of. I’ve always had a knack for building, so I worked hard to get into one of the best engineering schools on the east coast.

Virginia Tech is close to home, and the scholarships made it a perfect fit. Even with all of that, I still worry about the farm. We’ve worked hard to keep it afloat these last few years, and I’d hate for my family to lose it because I want to attend college.

The lecture hall slowly begins to fill, laughter in the hallway draws my attention. I know that laugh. Sure enough, in walks the blonde from my class tour. Prettier now than she was yesterday. How is that even possible this early in the morning?

She’s flanked by several people; I’m sure a couple are football players. I don’t even realize I’m gawking until she smiles widely at me. There I sit, pen in the corner of my mouth while it hangs agape. Smooth.

I pride myself in my everyday southern charm, so I wink as if it’s of no consequence she’s caught me staring. Her brow rises as she smirks at me. I’m not sure that’s good. I have a gut check moment when it hits me, she’s gonna call me on my bullshit. Fuck.

I straighten my spine, sitting taller in my seat as she walks toward me. No way is she coming over here, by me. She breaks into a small smile. What the fuck have I done? I’m not sure I care, but I’m about to find out.

She motions to the seat next to me. “This seat taken?” Only one seat, her friends will need to find others. Hell yeah, it’s open.

“Naw, no one’s sittin’ there,” I say with confidence as I make room for her to scoot in beside me. Not too much room, though, her ass grazes my knees as she squeezes through. It’s a fine ass, round and just the right handful.

She giggles as she settles next to me. I quickly play my words back in my head, trying to figure out what I might have said that made her laugh. Nothing. I got nothing. She puts me outta my misery by explaining her mood.

“I love your accent. You’re just a good ol’ southern country boy, aren’t you?” Not what I was hoping for, but I’ll take it.

“Sure am, ma’am. Ain’t nothing wrong with that, is there?” I nod, giving her another wink. Hoping to reassure myself more than her.

“Not a damn thing.” Her lids fall heavily over her eyes as she gives me a once over. “You play ball?” Her eyes snap back to mine.

Shrugging with a grimace. “High school.” She must want a ball player.

“Hmmm, I would’ve thought football. So, country boy, why VTech?” Leaning on her desk, she turns her face toward me.