First day (Part 3)

The guys continue to look at us from time to time, especially Shawn. I feel his beautiful gray eyes fixed on us. When they finally finish eating, they talk for a few more minutes before leaving, all except Denver, who orders another drink.

— Why do you think he stayed?

— I think he's waiting for me to go to the library.

— How romantic, a library. — Jen says playfully. — Remember to use protection and don't make too much noise, after all, it's a library.

— Shut up. — I give her a light punch on the shoulder. — We're going to do homework, that's it.

— Whatever you say. — She raises both eyebrows while smiling mischievously. — Marie, didn't you have a class at this time?

— Yes, it starts in a few minutes.

— Good, I'll go buy some things we need for the apartment, I'll be back for Marie at three. As for you... — She points at me. — Do you think your friend has a car?

— I know what you're thinking, I'm not going to ask him to give me a ride, I'm going to use an Uber.

— Uh-uh. — She shakes her head. — We're going to talk to him.

She gets up determinedly from the table. I try to stop her, but she's faster, I can't grab her arm. Marie walks right behind her. When they reach Denver's table, Jen greets him with a wide smile. He raises an eyebrow and tries to offer his most seductive smile. I walk quickly to where they are to prevent them from talking, but it's too late.

— So you're Kate's classmate, what's your name?

— Denver. — He responds with his seductive tone of voice. — And you are? — He doesn't take his eyes off Jen.

— Jeaninne, but everyone calls me Jen, this is my friend Marie.

— It's a pleasure to meet you. 

— Kate and I live near here, in an apartment. I have to go now and I don't think I can come back for her. Do you think it would be possible for you to give her a ride? She would appreciate it very much.

— No! — I say without thinking. — I can take an Uber, besides, Denver has things to do.

— No problem. — Denver says, looking me in the eyes. — I'm not busy, I can take you.

— I can just take an Uber. — I shake my head.

— Kate, don't be ungrateful. — Jen says, getting on my nerves. — Well, we have to go now. — She nudges Marie with her elbow to get her attention.

— Right, we're leaving now. Have fun at the library.

They both laugh as they walk towards the door.

— You have interesting friends. — Denver says with a mischievous smile on his face. He combs his hair back before getting up. — Shall we go to the library?

— Yes, let's go.

On the way to the library, we go back to the topic of video games. Then, for some reason, we change the subject. This time we talk about personal topics.

— You have brothers, right? What are their names?

Perfect, he wants to talk about my brothers to then talk about his. Just what I needed.

— Travis and Steven. You have three, don't you?

— Yes, the oldest is Kane, then there are Shawn and Caleb, they are twins.

— I could tell. I also noticed that they were looking at us, why?

— They are curious, they wanted to know who my classmate is. Why? Did any of them catch your attention?

Upon entering the library, we look for a table and sit next to each other to continue the conversation.

— Actually, the one with gray eyes is very attractive.

— Shawn? — He asks, not so surprised.

— I guess so.

— I can introduce you to him if you want.

— Are you kidding, right? — I laugh nervously.

— No, I can tell him to come here if you want.

— I think it will be another day, now I want to finish this assignment.

— As you wish. How do you want to do this?

— We have to look through the whole book, right? — I look for the first chapter in my book.

— Yes.

— Since you don't have your book, we could mark the terms you're going to copy in one color and mine in another.

— Okay, you start, while you're writing I'll look for another term.

— I'll take a picture of the definition, so you can use it without interrupting me.

— Good idea.

This assignment takes us longer than I thought, we've been sitting here for two hours. We're about to finish when one of his friends shows up.

— What's up? — He says, bumping fists with him. — Doing homework so early?

— I know, but my partner insisted on doing it right away.

— A girl telling you what to do? Are you feeling okay? — He mocks

— Very funny, now get lost. — By the look of his face I can tell he is annoyed.

— See you at the party, right? 

— No way I'm missing it.

When his friend leaves, Denver continues copying one of the last definitions.

— A party? At the beginning of the week? — I ask, very surprised. 

— Sure, why not?

— Don't you have to study for tomorrow's classes?

— No one studies the first week of classes, all they tell you on the first day is how the course will be. Do you want to go? Shawn will be there, in fact, all my brothers will be there.

— I don't know... — I hesitate. 

— It's going to be a blast; you should bring your friends along.

— I'm going to ask for their opinion, if you don't mind.

Before talking to them, I create a group so that the three of us can talk about the party.

° Hi girls, Denver just invited us to a party. Do you think it's a good idea to go? 5:02 pm ✓✓

° OMG! Of course, we have to go. Jen 5:04 pm

° It's obvious that we do. Marie 5:05 pm

° I don't know, it's the beginning of the week... 5:07 pm ✓✓

° Cheer up! Just a little dancing and a few drinks. After that, we can go home if you want. Jen 5:08 pm

° Yes, Kate, let's go. Marie 5:08 pm

° Okay, I'm going to ask for the address. 5:10 pm ✓✓

— What's the address? 

Without saying anything, Denver slides a piece of paper across the table. The party address is written there. I take a picture of it to send it to the girls.

° Marie, come to our apartment to get ready together. Jen 5:12 pm

° I'll be there in half an hour. Marie 5:14 pm

— We're done. — He announces, writing the last word on the sheet. — Do you want to keep the homework?

— You have a folder, you better keep it.

— Okay. Can I drop you off at your apartment?

— No, I'm going to take an Uber.

— Come on, I don't mind taking you.

— Just this once. — I sigh.

In his car, a question keeps going through my mind. I can't stop thinking about it, I would explode if I didn't ask him.

— Is something wrong? — Denver asks, glancing at me.

— It's just... I have a question.

— Ask whatever you want, I'm an open book.

— You and your brothers... have... a certain reputation. — I say insecurely.

— You mean that rumor that we've been with almost all the girls on campus?

— Yes.

— Not with all of them. Well, it's hard to explain. When you have this kind of reputation, some girls come to you just to be with you for one night, you know... To have fun, and well, we don't reject them.

— You mean you don't play with the girls?

— Well... — He says, making a face. — I can't deny that with some we do, at least on my part. But some others, as I said, come looking for just one night and then act like nothing happened.

— Then why did you write to your brothers that I was a 7/10 and that they could have me if they liked me more?

— It's going to sound silly and very bad, but that's what my brothers do with the new girls, they like "fresh meat", if you know what I mean...

— What idiots. — I frown.

— To avoid fights among us over a girl, we must respect if one of us says he claims that girl as his. Then, if the girl rejects him, someone else can try to conquer her.

— You treat girls like objects, that's not right.

— They also use us from time to time, I think that balances things out.

— Of all of you, you seem to be the most decent.

— Thanks, I guess. We're here — He says, pulling into the parking spot in front of the apartment entrance.

— Thanks for the ride.

— You're welcome. I hope to see you at the party.

— Sure, see you then.

When I enter the apartment, Jen and Marie are chatting in the living room. When they see me come in, they stop talking.

— So, what happened?

— We finished the assignment. — I say, grabbing a bottle of water from the refrigerator.

— Did anything else happen? — Marie asks.

— Nothing, we just chatted, did the assignment, and he brought me to the apartment.

— How boring you are, I would have done a couple more things. — Jen says.

— What did he say when he invited you to the party?

— One of his friends mentioned it, then he invited me to go.

— Like a date? — She asks, her voice filled with excitement.

— No, he said I should go with you guys.

— It's kind of an invitation. — Marie says. — Maybe he wants to see you there and dance with you.

— I don't think so, I told him his brother Shawn seems attractive to me.

— Shawn? Really? —Marie raises her eyebrows.

— What did he say when you mentioned it?

— That he can introduce me to him. — I lower my voice and speak quickly so they can't hear me.

— How lucky, he's the sweetest of all. — Marie says.

— Well, it's getting late. I left a pair of leather pants and a blouse with a beautiful neckline on your bed. I don't want to hear any complaints, it's not up for discussion, you're going to wear it, period.

— But...

— No-no-no. — She says, shaking her finger. — No excuses. Today, you're going to steal hearts. — She grins mischievously.