IR Day 17 - Which girls?

“Ummm…” Kayla says, making that face and tilting her head like she always does when she is effortlessly being more popular than you, which has always been the case. “They were both brunettes. One of them was like you,” she says, gesturing. “But not in a weird way. I mean, she was the same shape as you, but that’s not like, uh… she was like British. Looked like she had some scars. Very, um…”

“Very what?” you ask, so filled with dread that you are about to puke.

Kayla sits there for a moment, making faces.

“Smooth,” she says finally, trying not to laugh. “I don’t know. I don’t know! She wasn’t acting like a guy or anything, but there was this energy…” She bites her lower lip. “I don’t know. It was kind of hot. But not because she’s like you or anything. Don’t be weird.”

“I’m not the one being weird!” you burst out. You don’t even understand what she’s saying, beyond the fact that she’s obviously describing Lara and appears to have no idea what a jerk Lara is.

“And the other one is like kind of tall. Great tan,” she adds, counting on her fingers. “Kind of jacked, but not like bulky. Her voice is like kind of… deep. And like…”

“What?”

“Like, Riley, all she did was look at me and ask what my name was, but like… the vibe was just…”

“OK, I get it. You can stop.” You drag your hands across your face.

Kayla gives you a chipper look. “This place is fun. Little uncomfortable, but it’s fun!” She jostles you with her elbow. “What if I hook up with a girl? Wouldn’t that be crazy? Do you tell mom when you do stuff like that? Like flex on her?”

“What?” you say, baffled.

“I don’t know. Wouldn’t it be funny? Imagine how uncomfortable she’d get. Or maybe she wouldn’t. She does hang out with those biker chicks and stuff.”

You have no idea what Kayla’s talking about. There’s a ringing in your ears.

“Lodge is kind of sweet,” she goes on, lowering her voice. “I’m actually on this workgroup. I’m filling in for my roommate. I work maintenance at the main campus. I had to hide from you a couple times. You want some special treatment? Want me to steal you a cake or something? Bring some chocolates to your room? Super romantic?”

“What? No. No,” you say, shaking your head. “I wish you’d told me,” you say belatedly.

“Sorry. I thought it’d be weird.”

“This isn’t weird?” you reply.

“Not really. That time I walked into your room and you naked in bed, napping with your… stuff all over your tummy,” Kayla says, gesturing at her stomach. “That was a little weird.”

A blood vessel throbs in your head somewhere and Kayla bursts out laughing.

“OK! OK! Sorry. I have to get back anyway.” She leans over and kisses your cheek. “Introduce me to your girlfriend, though.” She hops up and trots inside.