Sit Next to Valentine

“So, Mars tells me that you play soccer too?” Valentine asks, giving you a friendly punch as you sit down next to her.

You nod. “I’m hoping to make the team this year. It’s going to be tough as a freshman, but I think I’ve got what it takes to pull it off.”

“God, not another football player,” Dani groans, burying her head in her hands. “Please tell me you’re going to talk about something else today.”

The waiter swings by just then, and you all order, before the conversation resumes.

“Sorry, but I’ve got to get this message out to Alex first,” Valentine says. “The men’s coach - he’s a hard-ass who won’t bend the rules for anything. There was a guy who came to the second tryout but not the first, and the coach wouldn’t even talk to him for the entire thing. There’s a third tryout tomorrow, but you’re better off trying your luck next year, lest you make a bad impression.”

“You’re kidding me. Am I going to have to play club or something like that?” you ask.

“Hey, there is another option,” Mars says, looking at Valentine, who almost imperceptibly nods. “The co-ed team has their second round of tryouts tomorrow, and the coach will definitely consider anybody who’s talented enough. Valentine and I both went to the first tryout, and the team was ranked third in the region last season. You interested?”

“Sure I am,” you say truthfully, though most of the interest is in the girls rather than the sport. “It sounds like it might actually be somewhat of a challenge. Don’t expect me to carry you two to victory though - you’re going to have to pull your weight too.”

“Oh shut up, it’ll be your ass that we haul,” Valentine says. “But I’ll change the topic, because Dani’s going to **** me in my sleep tonight if I don’t.”

“Thank you,” the blonde mutters. “So, you taking any grad school classes right now Alex?”

“What?” you ask, thinking you’ve misheard.

“That’s another no, then,” Dani sighs. “Why can’t I meet someone else who does? Would it really be so hard?”

“It’s because nobody as insane as you are,” Mars laughs. “Seriously, I’m still betting you drop out of that PhD course on ergodic theory or whatever the fuck before the semester’s up. Alex, if you can get her to quit it, there’s a hundred bucks waiting for you.”

“You do realise that everyone in that class is a massive nerd, right Dani?” you ask, stepping up to the challenge. “As in, by joining that class, you’re going to massively hurt your chances with the guys?”

“Well, that doesn’t matter if I’ve already got a guy,” Dani says.

“Bullshit! You haven’t met anyone,” Valentine says. “I would know in an instant.”

“What’s the big deal? It’s not like you’ve met anyone either,” Dani says.

“But what if I have…” Valentine says mysteriously, just as the plates of pasta arrive.

“Oh, you’ve got to tell me who it is,” Mars says excitedly, digging into the food.

“Later, later, all in good time,” Valentine says.

“You can tell me. Unlike them, I can guarantee that I can keep a secret,” you say. Valentine only smiles at you and shakes her head in response.

“Oh, it’s Keegan, isn’t it. Yeah, definitely Keegan,” Mars says. “He was the goalie on the co-ed team last year. Probably this year too,” she adds for your benefit.

“Nah, he’s not my type,” Valentine says. “You’re never going to guess who it is.”

You all spend the next ten minutes doing exactly that, and the rest of the hour passes quickly in lighthearted conversation. Before you know it, you’ve said goodbye to Valentine and Dani, and head back to your dorm with Mars.

Mars +10
Dani +10
Valentine +15