The Virginia Chronicles

by Kayt Miller

  I look up at him, “You know I don’t have a car.”

  “I know, but why don’t you?”

  “It’s a hassle. Peach gets three tickets a week here.”

  “Well, I’ll rent you a car. Or I’ll come get you and bring you back. I don’t care what it takes, honey.”

  “Okay, dad. I’ll come visit you for the holidays.” Why not? I’m not going to see my mom. She hasn’t sent me the letters. She hasn’t even told me if she still has them. All she’s done is text me non-stop and leave me super whiney voicemail messages. Every once in a while I respond to a text she sends that makes me feel guilty. I get over that quickly, though the second she starts saying mean things about dad.

  “That’s wonderful! I can’t wait to tell Tina. She’s going to go nuts with the food and the gifts.” Dad is smiling from ear to ear. I don’t think I’ve ever felt this loved, honestly. He sincerely wants me to be part of his family. His wife wants me to be there.

  I smile up at him and squeeze him tightly. “I can’t wait, dad.”

  Wiping away a tear, dad slides into his compact SUV. “Call me,” he says before he shuts the door.

  “You call me when you get home, so I know you got home safely.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” he chuckles. “Oh, and good luck fending off Baker.”

  Huh? “Dad! What do you mean?”

  “The guy has it bad for you.”

  “Trust me. No, he doesn’t.”

  “No. Trust me. I’m a guy. He’s got it bad for you.”

  I shake my head and laugh. My dad’s wrong, but he’s sweet to think someone like Baker could want me. “Love you, dad.”

  “Love you more, Peanut.”

  I watch him pull out of my parking lot waving like an idiot even after he’s out of sight. I suck in a deep breath to fend off more tears. They’re happy tears. Trust me. They’re very happy tears. Walking back into our apartment, I see Peach stretched out on the couch and Ryan Reynolds sitting on the end of said couch rubbing her feet. “Ryan. You’re back?” I look at Peach as she winks at me.

  He nods smiling brightly, “Thankfully, she forgave me. I’m sorry I said those things the other day. I didn’t mean them. I think you’re very pretty. Baker would be an idiot to pass up on someone as perfect as you.”

  “Okay, that’s enough,” mutters Peach. “She gets it. You’re sorry.”

  “I am. Very sorry, Virginia,” he nods frantically.

  I can’t help myself. I start to giggle. My beautiful friend has this guy wrapped around her little finger. I wonder if that will bore her eventually? In the four years we've been friends, she’s never had a boyfriend for longer than a month or two. But, maybe this will be different. Who knows? “Okay, well, I’ve got a paper to write. I’ll be in my room.”

  “Great!” squeaks Ryan.

  I can hear them as I walk back to my room. I don’t mean to listen, but it’s fascinating.

  “Down boy,” mutters Peach. “You’re still on probation.”

  “Oh, okay. Sure. I agree. I was thoughtless and…”

  “Shh, rub my feet and let’s watch some porn.”

  “Oh, god,” he moans. “Not porn. Now you’re just being cruel.”

  As I my door clicks shut I hear Peach coo, “Oh, poor Ryan. Come ‘ere, babe.”

  Chapter 24

  Baker

  It’s Sunday night, and I’m wiped out. I worked out late Saturday afternoon with Tig and again before practice today. Thankfully, I think I’ve sweated out all the toxins that I had in my system from my Friday night binge. Now, I’m just exhausted.

  I plop my ass on my leather sectional and contemplate my next move. It’s only nine thirty. I could watch some television. I’m sure there’s a game on some cable channel. I could do some homework, but I’m caught up with everything. I slide down onto my couch until my head hits the throw pillow my grandmother insisted I buy. She was right, by the way. It ties the room together.

  Bringing my arms back behind my head I stare up at the ceiling. A cobweb has made a home in the corner near the fireplace. I need to make a note of that for the cleaning service. I hate spiders. I shiver just imagining one crawling around my place. They’re so fucking sneaky.

  I’m not sure how it happens, but my mind turns to Virginia. No, I don’t associate her with spiders. I’ve known some girls that could be, though. You know, spiders in a former life. Not my Virginia, though. She’s the opposite of a spider. My Virginia? What the hell?

  Sure, I hate the idea she could be, right this minute, hanging out with another guy. Maybe ‘hate’ is the wrong word. ‘Fucking despise’ would be a better word for it. Imagining her using those luscious lips of hers on some other guy makes me want to punch something. I feel my fists clench as I think about her.

  Rather than drive myself crazy wondering what she’s doing, I decide to ask her.

  Me: What are you doing?

  V: …

  I watch those three little dots repeatedly move across my screen. It means she’s there and thinking about what to say. Or maybe she’s trying to decide if she wants to reply. So, I wait. And wait. Jesus.

  Me: I know you’re there. I see the little dots moving.

  V: **groan** I thought you were through with this little thing with us.

  Me: There is no ‘thing.' I’m just checking on a friend.

  V: …

  Me: …

  V: We aren’t friends.

  Me: Sure we are.

  V: I’ve got friends. I know how the friend thing works and you’re not my friend.

  Me: I haven’t treated you badly.

  V: …

  Me: I haven’t!

  Goddamn it! I haven’t!

  When she doesn’t reply again, I toss my phone on the coffee table. It’s my turn to groan. I’ve got myself turned on again, and she did nothing but piss me off. I wonder what she’s wearing… Being the glutton for punishment that I am, I ask.

  Me: What are you wearing?

  V: Nothing

  Me: Jesus.

  Me: You drive me crazy, Virginia.

  V: So you keep saying. Maybe we need to stop texting so you can get over me.

  Me: **snort** Yeah, right.

  Yeah, right.

  Me: What are you doing for Halloween.

  V: Going to a party.

  Me: Dressing up?

  V: Of course.

  Me: I’m going as John Snow from Game of Thrones.

  V: My favorite is Khal Drogo.

  Me: What about you? What’s your costume?

  V: I’m going as a student.

  Me: A student? You mean like a nerd?

  V: Something like that.

  Me: Sounds, uh, cool. Not. LOL

  V: …

  Me: What party are you going to?

  V: A fraternity party.

  Me: Which one?

  V: Baker. Why do you care?

  Me: Just curious. I'm invited to a few parties. Maybe we’ll run into each other.

  When she doesn’t respond I know I went too far. If I find out which party she’s going to, I’ll look for her, and she knows it. But, it occurs to me…

  Me: Wait. Do you have a date?

  V: Do you care?

  She does. She has a fucking date.

  Me: Who is it?

  V: No one you know.

  Me: Try me.

  V: Goodbye, Blake. Have a good life. Er, I mean week. Have a good week.

  Me: It’s Baker, and you know it!

  Jesus, I hate when she does that. I throw my phone across the room so I’m not tempted to text her again. I’m getting nowhere this way. Now I have to find out which fraternity’s are having costume parties so I can crash every fucking one of them. I need to find out who she’s with so I can beat the asshole to a pulp. I hop up off the couch to grab my phone. Time to get organized.

  Me: You and I are going to some Halloween frat parties next weekend. Get a costume.

  Tig: Which frat?

  Me: All of the
m.

  Tig: ?

  Me: I’m going as Khal Drogo so don’t pick that one.

  Fuck. I already have a John Snow costume from last year. Now I’ve got a week to get a new one together. Don’t say a word, people. The fact that I feel the need to change my costume isn’t something I’m ready to talk about, maybe ever.

  Tig: I’ll think of something.

  Me: Cool. See you at practice in the morning. Nite.

  Tig: Yep. See ya.

  Chapter 25

  Virginia

  As I stare at myself in the mirror at the salon, I’m nearly speechless. “Wow, I look so different.”

  “You do! You look gorgeous as a blonde.”

  “It’s not too blonde, is it?” I ask turning to face Peach.

  “No. She just added lots of highlights to your natural color. It looks terrific. You may want to keep this up after all of this, uh, research is finished.”

  “Maybe.” I turn back to look at myself again. The process to get my hair from purple to blonde took over two hours. She had to remove the purple and dark brown dye then she had to highlight my hair and extensions with blonde. “Do you think Mr. Political Science will notice me?”

  “After I get done dressing you up in your costume, you’ll have to beat away the admirers.”

  I know what she’s got planned for my costume, and I’m nervous. I’m not one to dress in a sexy or even a provocative way but Peach guarantees I’ll love my outfit. “What costume did you finally choose?” Peach had been going back and forth between several costume ideas.

  “Wonder Woman. Ryan’s dressing up as Captain America.”

  “Oh, how sweet,” I say a little sarcastically. “A couples costume?”

  “Shut it, it was his idea,” says Peach with a laugh. “So, the plan tonight is we’re going to meet up at the fraternity, right?”

  “Yep, Beta Theta Pi at nine thirty.”

  “Alright. Let’s go home and get ready. I’ve got to meet Ryan at his place at seven.”

  “Sounds good.”

  At nine o’clock I stand in front of Peach’s full-length mirror and stare. I seem to be doing that a lot today. I don’t recognize myself. I look good. Really good. Honest to goodness, I sort of look like Britney Spears in her ‘Baby One More Time’ video. Don’t get me wrong; I’m not nearly as pretty as Britney or as thin, that’s for sure, but I’ve got the loose sort of messy braids, a white button-down shirt that’s not buttoned but tied at the waist just like the video.

  I’m also wearing a plaid skirt that’s so short if I even reach for anything, my ass hangs out the back. Peach told me to wear a lacy black bra underneath the white shirt along with black cotton panties. That way, if I do bend over, it’s opaque. Once I stop staring at myself, I reach for the knee-high socks we bought and a pair of platform heels that aren’t that uncomfortable. When I’ve got everything on, I smile into the mirror. “Yeah. I look good.”

  Chapter 26

  Baker

  “Dude. What’s the deal? We’ve been to three parties already, but we’ve barely spent any time at any of them. I was hitting it off with that sexy witch back there,” grumbles Tig.

  “Sorry. I just haven’t felt that thing.”

  “What thing?”

  “You know, that thing that tells you it’s a good party.”

  “I have no idea what you’re talking about. Are you drunk?”

  “Nah, I’m not drinking.”

  “Why the hell not?”

  “Tell you what, uh…” I look over at Tig and look at him up and down. “Wait, what are you supposed to be again?”

  Sighing in frustration, Tig responds, “I’m Jamie from that show Outlander.”

  “Isn’t that a chick show?”

  “Uh, yeah!” he says like I’m an idiot. “Chicks love that guy as evidenced by the amount of attention I’ve been getting. Haven’t you noticed?”

  I had noticed. My friend doesn’t usually draw a lot of attention when we go out, but maybe it’s the fact that he’s shirtless wearing a kilt that’s helping him out. “I’ve noticed. Good for you, Tig. Choose wisely.”

  “Oh, I will.”

  As we approach the Beta Theta Pi house, I check my watch––eleven twenty. “This is the last one. If she’s, uh, if I don’t feel the vibe here, we can go back to your sexy witch.”

  “She?”

  “Huh?” I say playing dumb.

  “This is about a girl? Seriously? The one from the apartment?”

  “Maybe,” I sigh. “Yeah. Don’t give me shit. I’m having a hard time figuring out why I give two fucks about her.” Besides the fact, she kisses like a porn star, and she feels amazing when she’s pressed against my body. So soft…

  “Alrighty then. Let’s check this party out and see if she’s here. What’s her costume?”

  “She said she’s going as a student.”

  “A student? Damn, that’s boring.”

  “I know.” Entering the front door of the Beta house, all I see are people, sweaty drunk people. “Fuck. This is gonna suck.”

  “This party is off the hook!” shouts Tig.

  Off the hook? Nobody says that anymore. “Let’s find the beer.”

  “I thought you’d never ask.”

  Weaving in and out of the throng, all I feel are hands on me as I pass. A few women stop me to ask me about my costume, “Yo!” shouts one such female who’s so drunk she can barely stand. “You suppoz’d t be Khan Drapo?”

  “Khal Drogo.”

  “Yeah, that guy,” she says pointing at my face. “You look hot,” she says emphasizing ‘hot’. “Wanna do me?”

  “Nah. I’m here with my girl.”

  I walk around her and hear her scream, “Wait! Khan Drapo! I love you.”

  Ugh. When I look over for Tig, I see he’s encountering the same attention as the last three parties. A sea of lovely ladies are all touching his chest and his hair. Assuming he’s going to be busy for a while, I keep moving through the crowd all the while keeping my eyes peeled for a purple haired girl dressed as a student. As I circle the room, I find the keg and opt for one beer. The heat in this place is stifling. So many drunk, sweaty bodies in one space can do that.

  When I can’t find her in the main room, I start moving into other parts of the house. I’ve been in this frat before. They’ve got several ‘party’ rooms on this main level, a family room in the basement, and there’s a lounge area upstairs on the third floor. It’s a big house. When I make it to the game room on the main level, I stop and lean against the wall. Sipping my beer, I scan the room and spot someone I know. It’s Apple. Or was it Pear? No! Peach!

  I suspect wherever she is; my girl is close. My girl? Jesus. As I start to move, I feel a hand on my shoulder, “You deserted me, dude. Those girls are cray cray.”

  “God, get with the times, Tig. Cray cray? Off the hook?”

  Chuckling, Tig slaps my back again, “It’s funny. Retro.”

  “Come on; I see her roommate over there.”

  Tig looks from me to the crowd scanning it, “Oh, holy fuck. Wonder Woman?”

  “Yeah.”

  “She looks like a wet dream.”

  “Down boy. It looks like she’s with Captain America.”

  “I’m Jamie fucking Fraser, Scottish Warrior,” he says with an authentic Scottish accent.

  “You’re good at that.”

  “I’m Scottish. My grandparents are one hundred percent Scot. I’ve heard it all my life.”

  “Huh. I had no idea.”

  “Now you do.” I watch as Tig makes his way toward Peach stopping to let some ladies touch his chest along the way. Yeah, he’s a gentleman like that.

  I let Tig lead the way. I don’t want it to seem like I’m here to find her or anything. I told her I was going to a few parties. Right? When we get close, I casually look at the people in Peach’s circle. There’s a woman dressed as a sexy cat; another one has her face painted like a sugar skull. It’s kind of cool. Several guys are
there too. One's dressed up as a football player, another a basketball player, and one idiot is wearing a t-shirt that says, ‘Yes, this is my Halloween costume.” Clever. Not.

  When I make eye contact with Peach, she quickly turns to look at a blonde in a sexy schoolgirl outfit. I can’t see her face, but if her ass and legs are anything to go by, she’s hot. When the blonde turns around our eyes meet. Oh, hell no! It can’t be. I move forward in double time. She’s turned completely around now, and I see her entire outfit, what there is of it. She’s barely wearing a shirt and that tiny fucking skirt? If she so much as bends the world is gonna see that sweet pussy of hers. “No!” I bark.

  “No what?” she says putting her hands on her hips.

  Sassy. “No! You’re not wearing that…” I say pointing at her tiny costume, “…in public.”

  “Yeah, I am. What’s it to you?”

  “It’s, uh… it’s too provocative.”

  “It’s supposed to be, asshat,” says Peach as she moves up beside Virginia. “She’s a sexy schoolgirl.”

  “I know what she is,” I growl. “You said a student.”

  “And?”

  “Not a sexy student.”

  “Again, Baker, why do you care?”

  “I don’t,” I say crossing my arms over my chest. But, I do care. I care a lot.

  “Fine,” she mutters as she stomps right past me heading out of the room.

  “Wait! Where are you going?” I say following right behind her.

  “I need a beer.”

  I turn back to Peach who is mimicking my stance. Her arms are crossed angrily. As she gets closer, she mutters, “I told you not to wait. She’s with someone else tonight.”

  “Who?”

  Smirking, she looks from me to Tig. She does a double take when she looks at him. “Hi!” she says with a gleaming white smile. She reaches her hand out toward Tig. When he takes her hand into his she says, “I’m Penny, but my friends call me Peach.”