East Down South

by Eliza Freer

  “Well…yeah. What’s a movie day and ice cream without asking the big questions. Things like…are stars REALLY just like us? Have chokers ever REALLY been a good fashion choice, which, I might add, is a relevant question since they’re coming back with a velvety vengeance. But for real, get over here.”

  She laughs into the phone. “Okay, okay, on my way. I’ve got the movie times written out so we can plan our day. See you innnnnnnn 10? 15? Ya know what, don’t hold me to a specific time, just know I’m on my way, and I’ll text you if I get sidetracked. Love you.”

  “Um hum. Love you too.” Even if Tassie had given me a time she’d be here, I wouldn’t trust it. She runs on her own time. Which is annoying for the rest of the world that runs on world clock time like normal people, but she’s adorable and matches my sass and sardonic humor with just enough cynicism to keep us grounded, but not so much that I’m looking into getting my sternum pierced, and changing my name to Melancholy. She might be a little boy crazy, well, a lot boy crazy, but since I’m about a three on the boy crazy meter, we balance each other out well, and she does point out some great eye candy.

  Tassie and I don’t have a great “how we became friends” story. It’s not like I walked into our high school, was immediately sized up as competition, bullied by the mean girls lead by an incarnation of Regina George, and needed a friend to wipe my tears away in the bathroom. I don’t think friendships actually happen like that in real life.

  Anyway, Tassie was in the front office when I came to pick-up my schedule on my first day. She asked where I was from, and said she’d walk me to my first class, since we both had “The History of Texas”. Which is a ludicrous sophomore level course that I think only states that try to secede from the country have in their curriculum. Back in Ohio, you learn state facts when you’re eleven, then don’t really touch specific state history again unless it somehow mattered to the country as a whole. Which it likely doesn’t. I guess they figure Midwestern history isn’t as rich and complicated as the history of the South. They’d probably be right. But Tassie sat next to me, passed me a note that said They should just call this class “Don’t Mess With Texas”. That’s the nutshell version. It won’t get any better. Find me at lunch Yankee. After that, we fell in friend love slowly and tenderly, as it should be.

  I hear my front door slam and Tassie yell “Yankee! Why aren’t you in the kitchen where I left you, woman! Where’s my dinner?”

  I run down the stairs and put on my best Southern Accent. “Well bless your heart, honey. I know you’ve been hankering for some movie theatre popcorn, red vines, milk duds and a Coke as big as your head, so I went ahead and called that into the theatre for us. It’ll be waitin’ once we get there. I know how to take care of you, don’t I, baby.”

  Tassie looks at me for a minute with a strange expression. “So, I know you’re kidding, but how amazing would it be to call in concessions beforehand? I don’t know how those lines are always the worst when there are usually like four registers open, but it makes me rethink my stance on not hitting strangers’ children.”

  “Just strangers’ children? You’re palms up with the children you do know?”

  “Well, I tend to stay away from them altogether, so I guess the only children I come into contact with are the children of strangers. So it’s a catch-all at this point.” Tassie leans over the movie schedule to map out our theatre hopping.

  “Speaking of registers,” I take a small detour of the conversation, “there was this jerk, a beautiful jerk mind you, that tried to out wit me at the shop today. Clearly, I came out the winner, but it was a relatively even battle. He could be an idiot, I can’t really say, but he wasn’t your normal run of the mill jerk who opens his mouth and reveals his beetle filled brain.” Tassie looks up and raises an eyebrow at me. “I think I’ve seen the Mummy too many times.”

  “I don’t think those are beetles that come out of that mummy’s mouth. Aren’t they gnats or something? Or Ants? Wait, no, I don’t think ants fly.” She taps her pen against her mouth for a minute. “Anyway, back to the hottie. Did you give him your number? Or did you do your thing you do where you get all sassy and sarcastic, and make them think you’re more high maintenance than you are just so they’ll leave you alone.”

  “For your information, he asked for my name, and I gave him one. Not mine, but he seems like the persistent type and if it’s really something he’s so interested in having, he’ll come back. And if he doesn’t, then he’s just another rich kid with Daddy’s black card whose head is filled with gnats, and deserved the verbal thrashing.” Tassie sighs and goes back to her planning. “Not every hot guy is deserving of my time, Tass. I don’t get my hopes up that it’s me he’s intrigued by and not the chase, which I’m sure he’s never had to chase anything before in his life. I’d rather be cold than sad and disappointed in the end.”

  Tassie looks up at me as she finishes our movie plan and grabs her bag. “Come on Pollyanna, we’ve got movies to get to.” I grab my bag and head for the door. “And for the record Yankee, I know, and I get where you’re coming from, honest, and you know I’m your best friend for ever and always until Zorg comes and takes us all away, but one day, you’ll take a chance. Just, if it’s while I’m at school, please call me first so we can face time the momentous occasion.” She squeezes my shoulder as I join her on the porch and lock the door. “Not every guy will end up letting you down.”

  I sigh at her, but give her a smile. As she turns I wrap my arms around her middle from behind and squeeze. “I love you. And I’m sure you’re right. And don’t think you won’t be a part of every important moment in my life, because you will be.” I fake a sob and release her to stand next to her. “I can’t quit you.”

  She pushes me on the shoulder but laughs out loud. She rounds her car to the driver side and I open the passenger door, yelling, “So what’s on our agenda? Don’t let me down, Texas!” And with that…we’re gone.

  Chapter 2

  The next morning I’m up at seven so I can get to the quad by eight thirty. Today is my first day of orientation activities where they force bonding exercises and getting to know you games in the hopes that by the time your freshman year starts, you’ll be good and socialized. I wonder if they do this to hopefully cut down on the number of drop outs due to loneliness and homesickness. Like “hey guys, come make a temporary friend that you likely have nothing in common with other than you’re in the same place at the same time!” It’s kind of like the higher education version of The Breakfast Club. Shove a bunch of folks into a contained setting, and watch them bond only to fracture when the real world filters back in. Then you realize the people in the library you were giving makeovers to, running down the halls with and delivering emotional monologues to, aren’t really your friends. But hey, when all your other friends are busy doing something else, it beats staying at home watching game tape with your dad.

  “Dad, I’m heading out soon!” I run down to the kitchen and grab a banana and some coffee. I lean against the kitchen island waiting for my dad to surface so I can at least see him for a few minutes today.

  “Hey kiddo. Excited for your orientation today?” He looks at my raised eyebrow and shakes his head. “You never know, you MIGHT make a friend. Or at the very least between your poker face and snark, people are likely to avoid you if you’re not feeling the social interaction.”

  I take a look at my dad, a little hurt actually, even though his summation is accurate. He sees me flinch and adds, “You know I love those things about you. Who do you think you got that from? It’s not genetics baby, that’s 100% Sam Collins learned behavior.” He walks over and wraps his arms around me. I reciprocate. “I didn’t mean to sound harsh. I just want you to open yourself up to the possibility of new people. No judgments.” He kisses the top of my head and goes to grab some coffee.

  “Well on that Hallmark-ish note, I gotta jet. I’ll see you later though? Will you be around for lunch?”


  “Should be. I’m thinking of having a few of the guys over to watch some film and talk season strategy if that’s okay with you. Maybe order some pizzas or something?” Dad looks at me expectantly. It’s not like he needs my permission to have his players over, but I’ve always appreciated that he checks in.

  “Sure. Who are these guys of which you speak?”

  “Usual suspects. Riley, Blake, Simon and Paul. Maybe Mark if he decides a leadership role is something he’s looking for this season.” Riley and Blake are going to be seniors this year and are currently the team’s co-captains. Riley is the quarterback. Blake is one of the running backs. While I might not fully know everything those positions do, it’s not hard to know the names. Simon, the back-up quarterback, and Paul, a wide receiver, are going to be juniors, and are essentially co-captains in training. They’ve been the two who have shown the most leadership amongst their teammates, so Dad wants them to kinda be apprentices- learning from the elders to teach the youngins’ how to step up and be what their team needs when they are the true captains themselves. I think it’s good system. It’d be hard to step into a position like that having no idea what’s being placed on your shoulders. Especially in Texas where football is everything.

  “Okay, sounds good. I should be home around twelve forty-five unless I’m kidnapped by someone disappointed in my lack of enthusiasm for freshman activities. Or, I’m in jail having murdered the over-eager.”

  “Alright. I’ll be on my cell. Call me if you need bailed out. And honey, you wouldn’t stay kidnapped for long. Love you.”

  “Love you too, Pops.”

  I run out the door and towards campus to get my first day of forced orientation out of the way. It might seem dumb, but it’s important to Dad that I feel a part of the campus. It’s easy to feel a little isolated when spending so much of my time around football players, and football itself, but not really being a part of it. The coffee shop is great and I love my friends there, but Izzy and Cam are juniors and I think Dad just wants to be sure I end up having more than two friends and a team of bodyguards.

  As I finally hit the quad, I can see about fourteen or so kids standing around waiting for instructions. There’s a guy with a clipboard standing in front of the group, seemingly waiting on the stragglers. Weaving my way through the crowd, I make my way up front to clipboard guy to check-in. When I see his face I stop short.

  “Oh. Hey. If it isn’t Mr. I’m going to be a regular here himself.” I put my hands on my hips as I stand in front of Kyle, the guy I met at the coffee shop yesterday.

  “Well hello pretty lady. That seems like quite a mouthful, so I think Kyle will do. But, hey, you do you.” Kyle flashes me a smile as he waits for my name. Which I purposefully didn’t give to him or his friend yesterday.

  “Fine, fine. Just so you know, if you do become a regular, I rarely use people’s actual names. So you will end up with something that isn’t Kyle. Hopefully, yes, it will be shorter than what I just said, but no promises.” I smirk back. He’s kind of fun to volley with, very low stakes, unlike his friend. “So, I check in with you then? My name is-“

  “Well isn’t this kismet? Of all the freshman orientation activities in all the quads in all the campuses you strolled into mine.” I spin around and find myself face to face with Wilder, crooked smile and all. While I want to seem impassive at his smugness, when our eyes connect and I notice how his blue Henley shirt makes his eyes blaze bluer, I waver in my efforts to full on ice queen this guy.

  “Huh. That’s interesting. While, props for molding a Casablanca line to fit the current situation, I find it HIGHLY unlikely that you just happened to stroll into MY orientation. There was no me strolling to you, this was straight up you strolling into me Mr.” He smiles down at me, which will likely give him a sore neck since he’s nearly a foot taller than me, and I shift under his gaze.

  Wilder grins. “Kyle, since I’m sure you need to get this show on the road, why don’t you let our charming friend here finish checking in with you. Go ahead kitten, give Kyle your name to check off.”

  That sonuvabitch. “How? How did you know I’d be at this session? I know you saw my packet yesterday, you mentioned it when you were stalking me out of the coffee shop, but there are more sessions than just this. How did you know that I’d be in the one that your buddy is handling?”

  He crosses his arms over his chest, “Well, Grace, which is what I will call you until I learn your ACTUAL name, you might have been too busy flirting with the campus quarterback to notice there’s a sticker on the top of your folder that gives you a group letter and number. And, hey, whaddya know, my buddy here as you say, just happened to be in charge of your group. It would’ve been remiss of me to not offer my assistance as I know sometimes these can get a bit crazy and lopsided numbers wise, and he needed someone to volunteer as tribute to come and even out the group.”

  I open my mouth and then shut it again, waiting for exactly what to say, noting his comment about me and Riley leaving the shop yesterday. “Well, my condolences for whoever you partner up with, because it sure as hell isn’t going to be me. But, well played.” I turn towards Kyle who is laughing at our battle of wits. “My name is Easton Collins. You can go ahead and check me off your list.” I spin on my heels and walk back towards the group.

  Kyle clears his throat to get the group’s attention. “Okay, guys. I’m Kyle. I’m a junior here at Hamilton and this is my friend Wilder, who will be helping me out for the duration of your orientation activities.” He glances my way and winks at me. “Let’s partner up quickly please.”

  I turn to find someone, anyone, to partner with when Wilder steps in front of me. “Wilder, no. Isn’t this supposed to be about me meeting someone I don’t know? I know you. We’ve interacted, we’re acquainted. That’s against the rules.”

  “Oh, well then. What rules might those be?” he challenges. Now, technically Kyle didn’t say we couldn’t partner with someone we knew already, but I FEEL like that should be a rule. This is about making new friends right? I don’t see that in mine and Wilder’s future.

  “I think there might’ve been a line or two in the Geneva Convention. Now, you might not be all brushed up on your history, but it’s in there. Which, makes sense since you and me are in a battle of sorts, so…” I trail off. I don’t really have anywhere to go from there.

  “Who knew you were such a rule follower, Easton? Come on, it’ll be fun. Don’t pretend like you don’t enjoy our banter. We’re pretty evenly matched, you and me.” Wilder flashes me one of those sexy boyish grins, and it’s just enough for me to give in. But he’s right, this banter thing can be kinda fun. I don’t mind having the upper hand on some smug Richie Rich.

  “Fine. Everyone else is taken now anyway while you were busy begging me to spend time with you.” I give him a small smile. “I have to say, your desperation is a bit of a turn off. Might want to rein that in.”

  Wilder laughs out loud and looks to Kyle. “Let’s get this going, dude. What’s the first game?”

  “Okay, two truths and a lie. Pretty self-explanatory. If you need me to explain it, well, then maybe Hamilton isn’t the place for you. Now go!” Kyle gets a smattering of laughs from the group, and he edges closer to Wilder and me.

  “I’d say ladies first, but you’re no lady, so I’ll jump in. Obviously, I’m Wilder Sullivan, and it’s so nice to officially meet you Easton Collins.” He winks at me. I try very hard not to smile, cause man he’s charming. “Okay, here we go, I have my pilot’s license. I have a dog named Mr. Ducksworth back home in California. And I think you are the single most beautiful, fascinating girl I’ve met in a long time.”

  Kyle leans up against a nearby tree and whistles at Wilder’s last statement. “Oooooh, Easton. He’s pulling out the big guns. Really going all in, eh, Wy?”

  I dart my glance over to Kyle, not really looking at anyone but the ground, suddenly feeling the need to count the leaves that have collected nearby to
hide my blush at his last statement. Once I’ve schooled my features I lock eyes with Wilder again. “I do believe you have a pilot’s license. It feels like something someone rich and entitled would have, so that’s quite believable. While I am shocked that you’ve seen The Mighty Ducks enough to remember Gordon’s boss’ name, I give you props for a very original name for a dog. I’m kinda impressed actually, and that I did not expect. I think your lie is that you find me some beautiful and fascinating girl. It’s more likely you find me frustrating, and different than your average bottle bimbo that you’re used to, because I’m not falling for your over the top handsomeness and irritating charm. And, yes, I realize I complimented you a few times just now, but sometimes that happens when I’m in the middle of making a point!” I take a deep breath, realizing I hadn’t taken one while I was in the middle of my diatribe.

  Wilder takes a step closer to me. “Now, while you might enjoy the rules, I tend to play by my own set. All three of those things I told you are true. I’m quite pleased to find that you find me over the top handsome and exceedingly charming, since that’ll help me as I try and convince you maybe I’m not the guy you think I am. But no mistake, you are beautiful and you are fascinating. Frustrating, sure, but that’s what makes you different. The same is boring. I hate the same. You, I like. And I think we should go out sometime.” He takes a step back, which works for me since apparently I breath erratically when he’s so close to me and says, “Now your turn.”

  I clear my throat, “I have forty surrogate brothers you likely don’t want to mess with, I’m not from Texas originally, and I do not want to go out with you.” I take a step forward with my last statement to really drive home the fire behind my words. That ends up being a mistake since I end up close enough to him to smell his woodsy scent. And I don’t even like the woods, but for some reason, it suits him and I like it.

  Wilder takes a step closer to me so we’re almost touching. “Lie. You do want to go out with me. You’re just too stubborn to say yes. Don’t worry, I’ll wear you down yet.” He brushes his hand over my shoulder and Kyle clears his throat.