The Perfect Distraction (Volume 1)

by Melissa Rolka

  “She is.” She rolls her eyes. “I’ll introduce you to everyone once we sit down. How is your roommate?”

  I laugh and say, “Ah, seems like we’ll have to compare notes.” We begin to head to a large table in the middle of the busy restaurant. There are five of us girls and four boys. I sit next to Maggie at the end of the table. Maggie takes charge and begins introductions.

  Now it is obvious why Maggie has rolled her eyes about her roommate. Lynn Stark is a know it all and is constantly interrupting everyone. She is hungry for attention anyway she can get it too. Some of the things she says are a little extreme and I wonder just how true some of the mess coming out of her mouth is. Although, she is attractive with her bob cut blond hair and slim petite figure.

  Halfway through pizza, I know that I have formed a bond not only with Maggie, but with two of the other girls. Kelly Masterson is tall like me, with dark blond hair cut shoulder length with layers. She was the star volleyball player at her high school, but decided to focus on her studies this semester. It is obvious she comes from money, not only because she turned down a scholarship to another college for volleyball, but also by the way she is dressed. Not that I am poor, but I don’t think my parents would have let me turn down a scholarship. I am hoping that maybe she can be my running mate and maybe even talk her into some tennis for fun. Then there is Jenna Perez who is average height, with flawless dark skin and flowing dark black hair. She’s a sassy little thing, but in a good way. She is here on a scholarship for her academics and is working towards a math major. Kelly and Jenna are roommates in Maggie’s dormitory and I find myself a little envious.

  Maggie decides we should play a game to get to know each other better and loosen up. She gets some pen and paper from the waitress and hands some out to each of us. We are to write three statements down and two are to be lies and one is true. Then we each take a turn reading them aloud and everyone else will try to guess which statement is true. Of course, everyone can ask questions afterwards. Sounds easy enough I think, but then as I start to think of what I’m going to write I become insecure. I can’t think of something that is exciting without revealing too much about me. I tend to be more reserved, but I stop and beg myself to step out of my comfort zone.

  One of the guys, Derek Peruski, has us all cracking up when we discover his true statement is that he took two girls to his senior year prom. He explains that his best friend ended up with the flu and didn’t want his girlfriend to miss out. I notice that he has not mentioned whether or not he has a girlfriend and keeps shifting his eyes my way. Lynn claims her true statement is that she has been to forty-one of the fifty states, including Alaska and Hawaii. She adds in that no one really needs to see Nebraska and Iowa anyway. Of course she has been to Europe several times too. Ok, I guess this could be true; it’s just that her compulsion to not shut up and ramble on about what she knows is exhausting. Poor Maggie, Quinn is looking even better.

  Then it is my turn. I try to keep my head up and remain relaxed. This is just like me to let something as meaningless as this give me anxiety, but throw me on the tennis court or ask me to write an essay on World War II and I’m cool as a cucumber. This is not to say I’m a star tennis player or that I always ace my essay exams. Here goes nothing …

  Maggie brings everyone’s attention to me, “Kate your up. Let’s hear something juicy!”

  1) I can eat spaghetti with my feet from a fork.

  2) I’ve been drunk once before.

  3) I’ve been skinny dipping before.

  Maggie instantly glares me down and says, “Ooooh girlfriend you better kiss and tell me!” I laugh and try to hide the redness I feel sneaking up my neck.

  The table is seriously considering that I can eat spaghetti with my feet. Finally, I reveal that, “My true statement is that I’ve been skinny dipping before.” Now I can really feel the redness moving from my neck straight to my rounded cheeks, but yes it is true. Kyle had a pool and one night while his parents were out for the night he talked me into it; however this was pre-sex. I notice Derek’s eyes shift to mine and his smirk immediately. I decide he is kind of cute in a young playful way.

  I then have to explain that to the contrary of them thinking that I have been drunk several times that I actually have never been drunk. In fact I’ve only recently had some wine with my Aunt and it wasn’t even a full glass.

  Kelly chimes in, “Well, that makes two of us.”

  “Oh, please tell me you have, Jenna!” Jenna doesn’t have to respond other than her mischievous look and laugh. “Well, we have our work cut out for us, don’t we”, Maggie cries.

  Before the night is over we all agree to meet up tomorrow night and go to Maggie’s older brother’s best friend’s house party to break in me and Kelly.

  Chapter 3

  The next night me, Maggie, Kelly, Jenna, Lynn and Quinn, head over to the house party at Marco Denali’s. Maggie begins to fill us in on Marco. He’s on the soccer team along with some of his roommates. She throws out some of the names of his roommates, but I can tell that by the end of the night I won’t know who is who. If the front of the house is any indication as to how big the party is then I’ll be lucky if I remember any one person I’m introduced to.

  We head to the back of the two leveled white house where the majority of the party seems to be. There are three kegs scattered throughout the backyard and one up on the large wooden deck. As I look to see who is doing a keg stand, to the side of the deck I see Derek. He didn’t waste any time getting started. As we are standing around, an attractive, average height, dark blond haired and athletic built guy approaches Maggie from behind and spins her around. She is laughing and it’s obvious she knows it is Marco. Through her laughter she says, “Marco that better be you!”

  “You know it’s me, little girl! No way would I stand by and let some other tool grab Dave’s little sister!”

  Marco drops her down and she spins to give him a glare that says oh no you don’t. She reminds him, “I’m not so little anymore and you better not get in my way. Now would you like to meet my friends you cave man!” She hits his muscular arm playfully.

  “Mags, you know I love you like a sister.” She is still giving him the stare of death with her hands on her hips. “Okay, okay, I’ll back off. Cups are on me for you and your friends. And hey, I always charge freshman … Truce.” She smiles at him and begins to introduce us.

  After he meets me and learns my major is accounting he tells me that he can give me recommendations on some of his favorite teachers since he is a senior accounting major. We talk about how I decided on accounting and I explain that I knew early on that this would be my path because my dad is an accountant and owns several accounting offices throughout the Chicagoland area. It doesn’t take long for Lynn to interrupt us and take over the conversation. Then before I know it Quinn has his full attention. She is in full affect tonight and is flirting with Marco heavily. As she is following him over to one of the kegs I can’t help but notice him glancing back at me. I’m not sure if it’s a silent plea for help or if there is more to it.

  Kelly and I latch our arms together and clink our cups as a cheer to our first time drinking. As the night progresses we are full of giggles. Both of us have let our guards down. I notice the looseness and ease in my chest. I look around trying to spot all the girls and see Maggie and Jenna are up on the deck of the house talking to a couple of boys. Maggie smiles at us and says she’ll be down in a minute. I even notice Lynn getting cozy with one of the guys from last night at pizza. I wonder what an earful the poor guy is getting. I’m not sure where Quinn is at this point, but it would not surprise me if she was inside behind a closed door. Kelly and I spot Derek and the other guys from pizza nearby. Kelly and I make our way over to the guys and join in the conversation. It’s clear that everyone has a steady flow of alcohol swimming through them. Even my guard is down and the alcohol is definitely making Derek more appealing to me.

  At some point Derek and I are some
what separated from the rest of the group discussing baseball. My dad is a huge baseball fanatic. He is a diehard White Sox fan and naturally I am as well. Derek gives me a hard time because most North Shore Chicago area kids root for the Cubs. This is a wonder to him and he says, “I don’t think I’ve actually met a real White Sox fan before.”

  “Seriously, it’s not like I’m some rare species out there. Trust me there are plenty of White Sox fans out there,” I laugh.

  “Maybe I can make you a Brewers fan,” he jokes. I assure him that I root for the Brewers anytime they play the Cubs.

  We are leaning against a fence facing each other when I notice Quinn nearby with a group of guys. She definitely looks to be pretty drunk. I explain to Derek that she’s my roommate and that I’ll be back in a few.

  “You better come back…” He urges.

  In my most flirtatious voice, I say, “Well, of course I will.” I realize that if I was sober I might not be so outgoing this early on, but I made a promise to myself (I even wrote it in my journal) that I would try to be a new less reserved me.

  I make my way over to the group Quinn is with and I can’t help notice the most beautiful blue eyes I think I have ever seen. The way they are traveling up over me gives me a chill. He’s tall and has dark brown hair that is longer on the top and at times covers some of his eyes. He’s dressed casually in an old Beatles vintage style t-shirt and cargo khaki shorts. The sleeves of his shirt are pulled tightly around his biceps. I pull my eyes away and notice that Quinn is in between two guys who are both taking turns with their arms around her. Quinn seems awfully tipsy and may not even realize what she is getting herself into because these guys are definitely not freshman. Once Quinn notices me she slurs, “Kaaattte my roomie! Oh my God, where haaave you been?”

  “Ah, right behind you with the others,” I whisper in her ear as the others are staring. “Are you ok? How much did you drink?”

  “Listen just play along, I’m totally fine, I’ve only had a couple. This is all part of my plan to, ya know...” I raise both eyebrows and give her a look that says I really don’t know. “Ok, older guys always like it when a younger innocent girl is drunk.” As I’m trying to process this, I can hear the two guys she was standing between fighting about who gets to hook up with her.

  Then before I can comment, Blue Eyes says, “Are you going to introduce us?”

  I just smile and say, “It’s Kate.” Then I shrug my shoulders and gesture to all of them. “Just wanted to make sure my roommate was ok.” Breaking the burning trance I am caught in I turn on my heel to head back over to Maggie and the others. As I look back I notice crystal clear ocean baby blue eyes watching me. A shiver runs through me.

  ******

  The night progresses and I’ve slowed down on my drinks, but not before Maggie grabs me into a game of quarters. I’m standing next to Marco who is trying to teach me this drinking game. As we start playing he keeps up a conversation with me, but I find it extremely difficult to do while playing this game. Also, this has required me to chug a couple glasses of beer and I am definitely feeling the effects. Then I notice across the table Blue Eyes has joined the game. I can’t help, but look at him dreamily. As I am trying not to get lost in the depths of his eyes I feel a slight push against me as Derek slides to my other side and says, “There you are.”

  “No, there you are.” I know I’m being a bit sassy. “Where are the others?” We are in between starting the next game and I realize that I am definitely attracted to three of the boys at this table. I’m suddenly feeling an overwhelming urge to break a way. It’s intense or maybe it’s just the glare of Blue Eyes that has me feeling flushed and heated.

  “Scattered throughout, but no worries; everyone is visible including your roommate.”

  The next game starts and again Marco is striking a conversation with me. It’s become even more difficult to answer with the intensity of Blue Eyes across the table and Derek competing to get my attention again. This is all a little too overwhelming for me.

  Impulsively, I reach over Derek and tap Maggie, “Maggie, I need out of this game… wanna go dance?”

  “You betcha, girlfriend!”

  I grab her hand without looking back into the bright dining room. We shimmy over to the front part of the house where the light is low and a disco ball hangs from the ceiling. Now I see most of the others. The music is loud and gyrating through my body. Bodies are on top of each other grinding to the beat or in Quinn’s case in the corner making out with one of the guys from earlier. Bootylicious by Destiny’s Child is blasting and Maggie and I shake our booties to the beat. I’m not a great dancer, but apparently with alcohol it’s not a problem. Now Maggie on the other hand is very good. It doesn’t take long before one of Derek’s friends, Brandon Reinhart, who we had pizza with last night, is grinding along with her. Before I can worry that I am alone Marco comes up behind me and rests his hands on my hips. I try not to notice the disappointment in Derek’s face and just stick to the rhythm. I move forward and turn to face him to get out of the position. His brown eyes flick over me and he draws me in closer to his chest. The smell of something stronger than beer lingers off his mouth, as well as cinnamon. Feeling a little awkward and unsure where to put my hands I back up breaking the contact of his hands on my hips. I have to admit alcohol or no alcohol I’m not that brave. He smiles and asks, “Want to head back outside to talk?”

  “Maybe in a bit. I don’t want to leave Maggie or the others yet.”

  “Ok, do you need a refill?”

  “Nah.”

  He heads to the back of the house and before I can turn Derek is right in front of me. “Well, you are popular tonight. I’ve been waiting to talk to you again all night,” he jokes.

  “Sorry, I keep getting distracted.” I bite the bottom corner of my lip.

  He moves closer to me and grabs my hand to twirl me. I try desperately to not trip on my two feet. I somehow manage and end up against his chest. This time I smell the beer we’ve all been drinking and a heavy dose of cologne that all the boys my age seem to douse themselves in. As I look up I realize that his cute all American boy look works well. Before I can think too much into it I back up to put some distance between us and notice Blue Eyes nearby dancing with a girl. Even in the darkness of the room his eyes are crystal clear and flashing a bright blue. He’s looking at me with a seductive smile that defines his squared jaw even more. I give him a quick smile and look back to Derek. Suddenly, I feel light headed and stumble closer to Derek again.

  “Are you ok? You look a little pale.” I am sure my normally olive skin is paler than usual, but I’m not sure if it’s from the alcohol or Blue Eyes. I realize everything is starting to spin a little and I’m feeling a bout of nausea coming on.

  “I’m not sure. Your head is spinning.”

  He laughs at me and puts his hands on my shoulders to help steady me. “So you have the spins? That will happen, especially your first time. Let’s go sit down.” As he is about to direct me towards the stairs that lead upstairs, Marco comes back.

  “Hey, are you alright?” he asks.

  “Yea, I think I just need to sit for a bit.”

  “I’ve got her, don’t worry man,” Derek says making sure Marco knows he’s got it covered.

  It’s obvious that Marco is taken aback by his forwardness, “Excuse me, who are you?” My head continues to spin as the testosterone level in the room just increased. I don’t want to be in the middle of it.

  “Ah, guys, I really need to sit.” Quickly I add in, “Marco, this is my friend Derek from Maggie’s dorm floor.” They are so close together because of the amount of people crammed in here dancing. Marco is not quite as tall as Derek, but he is stockier. I can tell they are sizing each other up. Is this seriously happening? I know jealousy when I see it and that’s what this is. It’s been a long time since I’ve had to worry about that, but a memory of Kyle one night comes to mind. Before I can linger on that thought and the pain associated wit
h it I start to move away towards the stairs. Derek reaches out to grab my elbow and guides me the rest of the way.

  Marco seems to feel the need to make a protective stance and says, “Alright, just don’t go upstairs …” He then looks me in the eyes and says, “Kate, if you need me, I’ll be out back.” Geez.

  Once sitting, Derek lightens the mood with funny comments about everyone on the dance floor. We are laughing and having fun people watching. With all the alcohol involved it really adds to the comedy of it. Looking out it doesn’t slip past me when I see that Blue Eyes is dancing with another girl than earlier and is now kissing her at a teasingly slow pace. I feel a little pinch in my chest. Geez, it’s basically a big giant make-out fest out on the dance floor. All the girls have found a kissing mate except me and Kelly. Although, Kelly is dancing with a random cute boy. I really like Derek, but I’m not getting butterflies like I’ve had right before I am about to be kissed. (Reality is I only kissed Kyle and two other boys.) Then I remind myself this is college and I am out to have some fun.

  I turn my legs and body towards Derek. He looks at me and asks, “Do you feel better?”

  “Yea, I do actually. Thank you.” I smile at him and move my hair behind my ears nervously.

  “You have a really great smile… It’s hard not to notice you.” He then reaches with his right hand and gently rests it on my thigh. As I look at him he begins to move in. And there it is. His lips hit mine and we are kissing. Let’s Get This Party Started by Pink is playing in the background. This isn’t some great first kiss, but I definitely don’t mind it… it’s just that I know that something is missing and that this isn’t going to be my last first kiss.

  Chapter 4

  Classes have begun and my schedule is pretty easy to follow. I found my way around campus with no problems; of course I had gone through my route the day before they started to make sure. I’m happy that Maggie and I are in the same English class. Other than that I do not recognize anyone else, not that I know that many people yet. My schedule is full because I am hoping to graduate after four years and then start working or maybe work towards my Masters in Business. I’ve developed a routine of running three mornings a week with Kelly, plus I have been getting into the gym twice a week to play tennis. I’ve even been able to drag the girls with a couple of times.