Page 21 of Running Play (Gods of Campus #1)
Shelby
I sit on the front steps of my dorm hall, phone in hand, scrolling through Instagram messages from friends back in Australia. I had taken a quick trip to the shops this morning, but when I returned, I was met with a message on our whiteboard – and Travis’s hat hanging on the doorknob.
Hey, Shelby, probably best you don’t disturb us.
Travis gave Christian your Instagram name.
Sorry, not sorry. xx
I stretch my legs out in front of me, enjoying the sun, and send off a group text to Letti and Travis letting them know I’m out front.
My heart flutters at the thought of Christian asking for my contact details, and I know Travis wouldn’t have given it to him if he didn’t approve.
I scroll through my Instagram account, looking at the very few photos I have.
My name doesn’t identify me, and my account doesn’t show any photos of me or anyone else.
It’s very anonymous, but I needed an account, I needed to feel somewhat like a normal person again.
Having an account is a small step to getting my life back; plus, it’s a great way to communicate with my friends and family back home.
I have even added new friends since arriving here, being confident they don’t know Justin, or worse, are Justin.
While sitting on the front steps, I get caught in a few conversations from the girls coming and going from the dorm.
Am I locked out? Am I going to the Halloween party?
Do you own a kangaroo? Have you ever seen a drop bear?
My phone buzzes in my hand letting me know I have a follow request… from holy hell…Christian Stone.
Oh shit. Looking around, I panic. “Geez, relax, it’s not like he can see you,” I mumble to myself.
Taking a closer look at his profile photo.
It’s him and I’m guessing his mom, dad, brother, and wow, the stunning blonde from down the hall.
Squinting at my screen, yeah, I’m sure that’s her.
Stupid Instagram…why must the profile pictures be so small.
“Hi.”
I jump and quickly lock my phone to hide my Instagram stalking.
“Are you okay? You’re not locked out, are you?” I recognize the voice before I even look.
I shield my eyes from the sun. “No, my roommate…umm, her boyfriend is over for a visit and well, you know…don’t really wanna walk in on that.” I gesture to the building, my nerves still shaken.
The stunning blonde I was just looking at in Christian’s profile photo takes a seat on the step beside me. “I’m Dani. I don’t think we have officially met.”
“Shelby,” I reply. “It’s nice to meet you. I love your name.”
“Really? I don’t. It’s a boy’s name; my parents already had two sons, so why give your only daughter a boy’s name?
But my mom loved Hocus Pocus, so Dani it was,” she shrugs.
“Shelby is a much prettier name, and is at least a girl’s name.
Anyway, speaking of my brothers, I saw you talking to Christian last night. ”
Oh, geez, my cheeks heat up at just the mention of him, and also confirms my thoughts that she is Christian’s sister. “Yes, he walked me home.” I’m frazzled and don’t know what to say, caught off guard by this whole conversation.
“Yeah, I know. I wanted to thank you for that.”
“Thank me?” I say in surprise, pointing at my chest. I didn’t see the conversation going there.
“Yeah, my brothers can be a little overprotective. I swear they still look at me like I have pigtails in my hair. At the welcome party some random junior slapped me on the ass and asked if I wanted to suck his cock. Tyler overheard that, walked right up to him and broke his nose.”
“Sounds like that guy kinda deserved it,” I say, cringing at what the guy said.
“Yeah, maybe that one did, but the following weekend two guys were talking to me at a party and being nothing but super sweet, and out of nowhere, Seth walked over, picked me up, and threw me over his shoulder. His words to me while he walked me out of the party was, ‘Christian was getting annoyed. So, it was either a fight was about to break out or I had to remove you from the situation’. He chose the latter and fine, I may have been a little bit drunk, obviously flirting, but hell, it’s college.
It was so embarrassing being carried from the party over Seth’s shoulder; although, every girl I spoke to after said it was hot as hell. ”
“I think you would have been the envy of every girl at that party.”
She laughs. “Probably, but anyway, guys don’t really talk to me much when they are around.
” Perking up, she continues, “But when I saw Christian leave with you and knowing Tyler wasn’t there.
I knew I could have some fun, and I did.
I got asked on a date, so thank you,” she says, nudging me with her shoulder.
I laugh. “You’re welcome. So, who is the lucky guy?”
Her face lights up. “Umm, his name is Lucas; we have a few classes together. He’s always been so sweet to me; he makes the effort and genuinely wants to get to know me.
He has hinted at taking me out before, but never actually asked.
I saw him at a party last week and hoped he would ask me, but Christian was shooting daggers at him, so he kept his distance.
But last night, not having my personal bodyguards watching my every move, we were able to hang out.
Oh, and if you could not mention anything to Christian about the date, that would be great. ”
“Your secret is safe with me. Besides I don’t really know him that well, he just walked me home.
” I swallow the lump in my throat and reach for my water.
“It wasn’t a big deal.” Just saying those words tastes like vinegar or worse, Kombucha.
Friends? Can any girl just be friends with Christian Stone?
As I’m processing those thoughts, the front door to the building opens.
Holding hands, Travis and Letti exit, looking super cute as always.
“Sorry for locking you out,” Letti says, directing her apology to me.
“It’s fine,” I reply. “You didn’t have to rush.”
“Oh, we didn’t,” she jokes, pushing Travis slightly.
“Ouch, babe,” Travis responds, acting hurt and biting at her neck as Letti squirms to get out of his grasp.
“I’m kidding, I’m kidding, stop!” She laughs.
Letti breaks free from Travis. “Hi. Dani, right?” Letti asks. “I’ve seen you at the arena.”
We both stand and I brush off my pants. “Yeah, my brother plays.”
“Tyler, right?” Travis asks, his hockey cap proudly on his head.
“That’s right, you’re Travis Chapman, number 27?”
“That’s me.”
“You’re an awesome player.”
“Thank you. Your brother is good, he has talent. I’m glad he made the team. If he keeps it up, he will be getting ice time very soon.”
“I’ll tell him you said that.” She smiles proudly, her admiration for her brother shining through.
“So, are you two twins?” Letti asks.
“Yep,” she nods.
“That’s so cool, I wish I had a twin, or even a sibling would have been nice,” Letti says.
“They have their positives, but trust me, they also have their negatives.”
“You have my sister,” Travis says, nudging her shoulder.
She smiles at him. “That’s true, I do have her, and she is awesome. We are just going to get something to eat. Do you two want to join us?” Letti asks, gesturing to the shops down the road.
“I’m good, you guys go. I’m just going to head up to the room and relax, maybe watch a movie,” I glance at the time, “and call my family.”
“I’m good too,” Dani says. “I just came back from the dining hall with friends.”
We say our goodbyes to Letti and Travis and turn to leave.
I wave goodbye to Dani at her room and continue down the hall.
Opening the door, I walk in, grab my laptop, and lie down on my bed.
I’ll admit, it was hard not to get some more information about Christian from Dani.
She seems very open, like she would spill the details on her brother in a heartbeat, but then I didn’t really want that getting back to Christian.
So, I bit my tongue, as hard as the temptation was .
Pushing the thoughts of Christian out of my mind, I scroll through the list of movies on my laptop.
“What to watch?” I ask myself. I have time to watch one movie, then it should be a good time to call home.
I’m missing my family like crazy. “ Jurassic Park , perfect.” My sister Kacey and I used to watch this movie all the time growing up.
Watching it instantly takes me back to those happy memories, snuggling up on the lounge together, sharing a blanket, and eating popcorn.
Settling back into my bed, my notification of Christian’s Instagram friend request comes through on my laptop.
Clicking accept, I then dart my hands back away from the keyboard.
“Don’t Instagram stalk his profile, you’re better than that.
” I keep my fingers distracted by placing them into a packet of gummy bears and away from temptation.
Just as the opening credits roll across the screen, a notification pings in the corner.
Christian: Hi.
Christian: What are you up to today?
A smile so big comes across my face, I’m surprised my cheeks don’t hurt.
Me: Just relaxing and watching a movie.
Christian: Awesome, what are we watching?
Me: Jurassic Park.
Christian: Oh, cool, I love that movie, I’m on my way.
Me: Wait, what ?