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“Not like this, B,” Adam says. “I’m wearing board shorts and Bear is wearing a parrot floaty in October.”

“You know that’s a flamingo, right?” I cut him off before he speaks again, but he just rolls his eyes at me in annoyance.

“Details.” He waves a hand like it’s unimportant. “This is your first real taste of Huntington U parties, and you’re going to have a ball.”

I clink my shot with the boys and wince, wondering what I’m about to step into, and suddenly, I’m not so hesitant to go.

Texts between Cam Cam and Bestie B

Bestie B-Miss you!

Cam Cam- Miss you too!

Bestie B-How’s the date? What is his name again?

Cam Cam-It’s Chris, and it's going ok.

Bestie B-uh oh, I thought you said you were excited?

Cam Cam-I’m just being grumpy; don’t worry, he’s a fun guy. I’m having a good time, promise.

Bestie B-If you’re sure. Text if you need me?

Cam Cam-Always

Cam Cam-Is Bear wearing a flamingo floaty in Adam’s IG post?

Bestie B-Yup :D

Cam Cam-B, he’s posted it with parrot emojis?

Bestie B-Just don’t, ok.

Chapter Twenty

Brooke

When we arrive at the football house, the place is so packed that people have spilt out on the front lawn. It takes twenty minutes once we make it through the door to navigate our way to the kitchen and out to the backyard, where the indoor pool house is located.

I know Adam and Bear said they want to hang out with me, but as we get stopped by people wanting to talk to them, all the past twenty minutes have taught me that I'm more of a third wheel than I thought.

They've spoken to so many different people about recent games and previous parties they’d been to. Someone even asked Bear for advice on studying for a biology test, all while I stood to the side, quietly watching. They tried to involve me in their conversations, but it felt awkward.

I need to put myself out there and make some friends who aren’t the guys or Cami. Even Cami hangs out with the girls from her skating team.

“You know, I’m just going to head in there; you guys carry on.” I smile as they both nod and wave at me.

I walk down the steps of the deck and across the yard, which has some sort of beer Olympics going on with multiple teams running back and forth playing different games. I watch for a little, considering joining a game before I chicken out and head into the pool house.

I scan the pool area, clutching my bag and drink in my hands nervously, and I'm suddenly faced with the horrible mistake I’ve just made. I can’t see anyone I could remotely start a conversation with, and I’m not cool or casual enough to pull this off. I’m an overthinker and worrier; I’m not sure I can walk up to people and make friends without the fear of looking like a weirdo.

Okay, act cool. Cami always says to manifest. I can manifest not failing and making friends. I’ve got to know someone; scanning the yard behind me and the pool, and I’m coming up with nothing.

“Hey, Brooke.” I groan. I've managed to manifest the last person I want to see. Typical

“Go away, Josh,” I say without looking at him and facing the pool. Why do I keep forgetting that he attends the same college as me? I've hardly seen him on campus, so it catches me off guard.

“Aww, come on, I’m just being polite.” He walks around into my line of sight; he’s wearing plain shorts, a button-up shirt, and loafers. Everyone’s dressed in pool outfits with some sort of winter addition to ward off the cold, and he looks like he’s heading to the country club.