DNA Part 1
That Saturday seemed to pass so slowly. I spent most of the day lounging and finishing homework. At some point my roommate Theo blew in and started getting dressed for a party at the Beta House. I figured it was too soon for me to party my way out of college, so I declined his offer to join and fell asleep sometime later. At 3AM, I was awoken by the sex noises of Theo in the dark with some fresh meat.
Fresh Meat: Young college women with loose morals and even looser front doors. I’ll let you figure out the symbolism.
Before I knew it I had drifted back off to sleep. My eyes creaked open again around 6:30, but my body didn’t want to move an inch. I told myself it would be in my best interest to beat the Sunday breakfast rush. I rolled out of bed took a swig of mouthwash, pulled on a hoodie and shorts, spit and out the door I went. The campus was practically deserted as I made my way to the cafeteria. I turned the corner just in time for the unlocking of the cafeteria front doors. I wanted to feed my soul, so I had chocolate chip pancakes, a meat trio omelet, hash browns, and a bowl of Lucky Charms.
Freshman Fifteen I welcome you!
I took my haul to a booth in the back. You wouldn’t have known I was there unless you ventured far into the huge seating area. I was happy that being one of the first people to arrive for breakfast helped me avoid any awkward conversations with new people. I just wanted to sit and relax alone this morning; a rarity in college. I was just about to bite into my third pancake when a tray casually landed on my table. The tray was held by that guy from class. He sat down with that stupid grin on his face.
I was really starting to despise that grin.
Adrian: Mind if I join you?
Me: Actually, I do mind. I was trying to have a quiet breakfast. No idiots allowed.
Adrian: Whoa! You really are this mean outside of class. And I thought it was just an act.
He continued to eat and look at me like I hadn’t protested his intrusion. I figured I’d have to be a bit more stern with this one. Weird. I’d never had to tell anyone to get lost. Maybe it is a college thing, maybe everyone is just super big on invading other people’s personal space. So, I literally told him to “Beat It.” He started to laugh uncontrollably and for some reason I started to laugh too. I had no idea why his laughter made me laugh, but I had to pull it together quick.
Adrian: If you want to be alone, you shouldn’t sit facing that window.
He pointed to the floor to ceiling window that flanked the booth section. He informed me that he saw me sitting here as he approached the University Center. Apparently, he just knew it was fate that we had a “brofast” (Bro + Breakfast) together. What a stupid saying to go along with his stupid face. I was defeated. I told him he could stay, but only if he promised to shut up, which he didn’t do. We started talking about any and everything. He grew up in Miami and moved to Tennessee when he was 13. He was a double major studying Biology and Chemistry. I told him my dream of running the largest ad agency in the world. I added in my desire to be action movie star to balance it all out. He seemed to hang on my every word. Somewhere between talking about Homecoming and assignments due, we diverged into music. He was also a big fan of Ne-Yo and I suggested he give James Blunt’s You’re Beautiful a listen too. I think we could have talked for another hour straight. I looked at my watch and realized it was almost noon. We had lost track of time. When I turned my phone toward him he jumped up like he had seen a ghost. He was late for a group meeting.
Surprise, Surprise, the slacker in him lives on.
He grabbed our massacred trays of food and went to empty the remnants into the trash. I took this as my opportunity to disappear as he did the other day. I started to walk out the side doors when he caught up to me again.
Adrian: Where are you sneaking off to?
Me: Well, I thought you were heading to your group meeting.
Adrian: I am. But first I wanted to say goodbye to you.
Me: Bye.
Okay that was even meaner than usual. He laughed and grinned at me. So freaking weird.
Adrian: Okay. We should hangout sometime. I have a huge music library and I bet you’ll be surprised.
I was a bit puzzled. I actually didn’t know what to say.
Adrian: We could even go to the soccer game. My girlfriend plays for the team.
Me: Cool.
Before I knew it, he had my phone typing in his number. He said he would see me in class tomorrow and sprinted off toward the library. I stood there for a second holding my phone. I wondered if any onlookers could see the utter WTF that plagued my face at that moment. The rest of Sunday seemed pretty uneventful.
The weekend was officially over as I walked out my dorm to head to English 101. I was unnaturally chipper that day. I couldn’t understand at the time why I was so charged to say the least. I walked into class and to my surprise there was Adrian.
Early!
I stopped in my tracks. He looked up and saw me standing there and began to silently laugh hysterically. I shook my fist at him like in a 1920’s black and white movie to reinforce my disdain. I sat in my seat and let out a little laugh. As I reached for my book, my phone buzzed in my pocket. I took it out and read the message.
From Adrian: No need to scoff today, right?
Reply: How did you get my number? I haven’t even texted you about Wednesday yet.
……….
……….
From Adrian: I sent myself a message before I gave your phone back yesterday.
Reply: Is that so. Well, don’t come to class on TIME on my account
………
From Adrian: :-)
I didn’t reply back because…..well a smiley doesn’t need a reply. The professor walked in and class began. 50 minutes goes by so slow when you have to analyze the works of Poe. The beating heart represented a freaking beating heart! At least that is what I wanted to scream out, but then the clock turned to 1:50PM and I was free. Adrian ran by me, no doubt late for something again, and motioned for me to check my phone. I pulled my phone out and read the message.
From Adrian: See you Wednesday at around 5 right? My girl’s game starts at 8. I can show you my music collection before we go. Bring a jump drive.
I waited until the next day before I replied. I have no idea why I did that at the time. I suppose I was just trying to be rude. I hate when people don’t text me back in a timely manner.
I should have just said:
Sorry, I’m busy
or
No can do. Choir Practice, pastor needs me there. Yeah like I’d be in the choir.
Why was I making excuses? It was no big deal.
24 hours later I replied with a simple "Sure."
.........
From Adrian: Cool. E20 Lester Hall
Now, I was standing outside his door with a jump drive and a pizza. I could hear music playing with the faint sounds of gunshots in the background. Someone inside was playing my favorite FPS, I’d know that signature sound anywhere. I paced back and forth for a few minutes. Some people walked by and I pretended to tie my shoe. Then talk on my phone. Then tied my shoe again. Okay, I had to man up. I reached out my hand and gave the door a firm knock. Seconds later, the door started to open….
To be continued…..
*Each post in this series will be accompanied by a song that sums up this part of the story. So go listen to it.
