karen, coffee, and sweaters

You arrived at the mall wearing your sweater finding Karen standing outside the coffee shop. She excitedly greeted you giving you a hug "you took off your makeup!" she pretended to be hurt.

"Oh yeah, my house is...complicated."

"Girl tell me about it." After ordering your coffees and finding a seat you both made small talk for a while about classes, it turns out she actually went to the same college as you did. The real you, or was that who you were pretending to be? She told you that if you didn't like your picture up on the website that the owner would take it down. Turns out the woman who stopped you to take your picture was, in fact, the owner and not just some random woman. "She's a bit impulsive but she means well and doesn't screw anyone over."

"That's kind of what I needed to talk to you about." You felt a cold sliver run up your spine "I'm not..." the entire coffee shop seemed to stop whatever they were doing and wait on you to finish your sentence. The only sound you could hear was the thunderous beating of your heart. "I'm not a girl." The world resumed its normal function of coffee and small talk and light jazz underscoring coffee and small talk.

"What do you mean?" was she doing it on purpose?

"I'm a boy." you whispered finally looking back up at her. "I...I think." You spill everything that had happened since the auction with you and with Brian. She sat silently listening to your story and when it was done you felt better, for a few seconds before you realized she still hadn't said anything.

Finally, she spoke "That is a lot to happen in a week. No wonder you're so stressed. I'm certainly not qualified to say what you are or aren't but I'll be here for you no matter what." She took your hand in hers, it felt nice and comforting but it didn't compare to Brian. You were glad to have someone you could talk to honestly about everything. The two of you talked for the next hour, it turns out she was part of a sorority. "It's so weird we didn't meet at any parties or mixers."

"I'm actually not one for parties. I feel out of place."

She took a sip of her coffee "Have you ever gone to a party as a girl?"

"No never!" though the thought wasn't horrible to you as it would have been a few weeks ago. She quickly snatches your phone from the table, you had a bad habit of losing phones because they fell out of your pocket. You cursed yourself for not bringing your purse. She quickly typed something in on your phone and handed it back to you.

"Sigma tau is having a party this Friday, you come by my house and we'll get all sexy for the party then see how you feel. Call it a science experiment," she said smiling at you before standing up.

"I have to go actually. But I'm glad we could talk, we should definitely do it again."

You headed back to the frat remembering to put your sweater back inside your bag before you sneak back inside. A few of the brothers had passed out in the kitchen, the apparent losers of whatever drinking game they were playing. You made it to your room and just as you finished closing the door you hear a knock. You smile as you open the door seeing Brian's handsome face. "Hey, you." you cooed.

"Hey, where did you run off too?"

"I met a friend."

"Oh? The guy from the bookstore?" Why would he be jealous he's the one who had a date with another girl.

"No, a friend. I met her after you kicked me out." you were still a little sore about that and decided to rub it in his face.

"Oh. I'm still sorry about that. You waved him off and smiled once more

"But hey she invited me to a party Friday and I thought we could go together. You know, like a date?" you could feel yourself sweating but tried to keep your face happy.

"A party Friday?" Oh no, "That's what I wanted to talk to you about. My date is Friday night. She wants me to take her to a party."

"At sigma tau?" He nodded silently and your poker face folded in on itself.

"I mean yeah. Who wouldn't want to go to a party with you? It's fine." You lied.

"I had something better planned for us anyway." At least that stupid date would be over with tomorrow and you two could get on with your lives. You put on a brave face and focus on your date with Brian.

"Oh yeah? Like what?"

"I want it to be a surprise, but I wanted to ask, you still dance right?" A tiny squeak escapes your lips before you catch yourself. You tell people you hate dancing and it was something your mother **** you to learn but that's only half true. She got you started in it but you loved it really.

"Of course!" Unable to contain yourself you throw your arms around his neck, for a moment you think you went too far but you feel his big strong arm lift you off the ground. Was he that strong or were you just that light. In your excitement, you kissed him. You loved his lips on yours. Your eyes snap open and you remember where you are.

"P-put me down." Luckily you didn't see anyone else in the hall as he put you down.

"I was hoping we could go Saturday. Can I be honest with you?" You tried to speak but your throat was suddenly filled with your heart and you just couldn't. "I'm tired of waiting to be with you." Not a good few days for your poor heart as it exploded in your throat.

"Me too." you finally stammer out.

He took your hand and kissed it. "Until Saturday." You watched him leave, lingering on his butt yet again.

You closed the door again and dove into your bed taking your pillow and squealing into it. Saturday! You couldn't wait. You just had to survive Friday and then he was all yours.