Page 16

Liza

I don’t know what I was thinking last night when I texted Hartley about my potential idea to pay me back, but it definitely wasn’t the girl I’m looking at in the mirror tonight.

Get it together. You need to be on top of your game.

The first home football game of the season is upon us, and I can hardly wait to scream my lungs out and shake what my mama gave me until the last call at Downtown Tap.

I throw a few essentials in an overnight duffle to bring to Violet’s apartment.

We’re getting ready together tonight, and I promised her the ‘good makeup.’ She’s so fun to doll up and mold like my own personal doll.

Emberly lets me create a look for her every once in a while, but Violet lives for it, and I’m using that to my advantage.

Knocking on my roommate's door, I don’t wait for a reply before I pop my head through the crack. “Emberly, are you sure you don’t want to come?”

“Yep.” She continues to tap on her laptop while her outer space mood lighting shines around the room, casting a blue hue on everything. “Don’t forget to call me if you need a ride. I’ll be up.” She spins around in her rolling desk chair to face me with a shy grin.

“Love ya, Em.” I gesture hand hearts her way.

“Text me if you change your mind.” I shut her door behind me, because if she’s in the dorm alone, it makes her feel more secure.

Slinging my pink duffle bag over my shoulder, I text Violet to let her know I’m on the way.

I take the short drive to her off campus apartment.

The sky is my favorite mix of orange and blue, slowly shifting from afternoon to night.

Her apartment is close enough to campus that I can spot the bright stadium lights in the distance, signaling game day is upon us.

Violet doesn’t like when I knock because it scares her, so I let myself in and sigh in relief at the sight of Hartley already being gone. I don’t have the courage to talk to him about what I’d like in return, and I worry he’d make a big deal over it.

“Your fashionista friend has arrived!” My voice echoes through the apartment before I spot Violet flying from the connecting bathroom through her open bedroom door.

“Come in here,” she replies, and I drag my surplus of hair and makeup products to her room.

I spread it out on her fluffy white comforter, allowing her to pick and choose whatever she wants to use.

Her eyes land on the pop-up makeup shop that exploded on her bed and clutches her hands over her mouth.

Meeting Violet at the back to school bash was the highlight of my month.

She certainly knows how to polarize a room without trying. Ever since then, we’ve been close.

“You didn’t have to bring all of this. I don’t want to waste your stuff.” Her fingers raise to her mouth as she chews on her already short fingernails.

“No worries, chica. This is what friends do for each other.” I wrap her in a bear hug before grabbing a handful of makeup products from the bed and settling in criss-cross in front of her full length bedroom mirror. “I’ll take this spot. If you need any help in the bathroom, just shout.”

“You’re the best.” Her cheeks redden and she grins before grabbing a few Morphe products from the bed. Good choice, baby Vi.

I start with foundation and carefully dab to apply it smoothly across my face. I reach into my makeup bag and pull out my orange beauty blender to pull it all together.

“So. . .” I drawl out loud enough for Violet to hear from the bathroom. “How are you liking college?”

With zero hesitation, she says, “I love it.”

“Yay!” I smile at my reflection in the mirror. Deciding it’s time for winged eyeliner, I dig in my bag once again to grab my favorite liquid tube. “Any cute boys catch your eye?” I’m officially snooping because anyone with eyes can see how Ryan’s looks at her, and it’s anything but platonic.

This time, she does hesitate. “Not really.”

“Come on, Vi! Getting ready for a night out is prime girl talk time.”

“Umm. . .” Her trailing voice echoes across the bathroom and into the bedroom. “There is one, but you have to promise you won’t say a word to anyone.”

I do a little happy dance and take a few breaths before replying, “I swear. Now spill.”

“Ryan is kind of cute, I mean he’s definitely not interested in a girl like me, but he is cute.”

Sadness passes over me. Violet’s confidence in herself is next to none, and it’s now my mission to change that. “Why wouldn’t he be interested in you?”

“Come on, Liza. He’s him, and I’m me.”

This conversation calls for eye contact, so I get up off the floor and walk into the bathroom to meet her by the mirror. “Okay. . . I need more details.”

She flusters under the intensity of the conversation, placing the straightener down on the heat resistant cover. “He’s a football player who can have anyone he wants.” She blinks a few times. “And I’m a wallflower.”

“Hey.” I grip her shoulders and turn her to face me. “Don’t sell yourself short. You’re smart, funny, and gorgeous. Ryan would be lucky to have a girl like you.”

A soft smile appears as her cheeks heat from the compliments. “We’ll see.”

After close to an hour of makeup and hair, Violet steps out of the bathroom looking so stinkin’ cute in Hartley’s jersey and ripped up jean shorts. She twirls around, but quickly starts tugging on her jersey and looking herself up and down. “Does it look okay? I don’t know. . .”

“You look hot,” I squeal. “These football boys won’t know what’s hitting them tonight. Especially number nine.” I purse my lips and wink, teasing Violet for her obvious crush on Springs U’s resident brooding running back.

She shakes her head and folds her arms over her chest before darting her eyes to the ceiling. “I don’t need a boyfriend right now.” Her chin juts out right before she rolls her eyes. Not convincing, baby girl.

“ Sure,” I drawl out. “Tell yourself whatever you need to hear.”

“Is that Locke’s jersey number?!” Violet grabs the back of my jersey to get a closer look.

Busted. Locke is only ever on my mind when he’s in direct line of sight.

He’s never had an effect on me like another golden retriever named Hartley does.

Plus, Locke’s in the ‘no commitment’ zone which is just fine with me.

“Uh, yeah, it is. He gave it to me last year. I haven’t had a chance to get another one.

” I shrug, trying not to make a big deal out of it.

“No way. Let’s switch. You can have Hartley’s for the night, and I’ll wear Locke’s. I barely know him, so it’s fine.” My body freezes, but I know I can’t let Violet see the effect Hartley’s name has on me, so I launch into her arms.

“Are you sure?”

“Absolutely.”

There’s no way Hartley will let me live this one down. The scarier thought is that I like the feeling of his name and number plastered on my back for a whole stadium of Viper fans to see.