Page 2 of The Billionaire's Classmate

‘’Wow, it sounds hot. What was he whispering?’’ Jennifer said, smiling ‘’I wish he sat next to me in orientation!’’

Laurel gave her friend a disapproving look and rolled her eyes. ‘’Come on, let’s enjoy the party’’ she said, ‘’I’ve wasted enough time thinking about that loser for one night!’’

Just then she saw another familiar face. ‘’Paul!’’ she smiled happily and gave him a big hug. ‘’Jen, this is Paul the guy I was telling you about who is also studying law. It’s crazy but we’re in almost all the same classes. Coincidence, huh?’’

Jennifer introduced herself to the tall, lean, smart looking guy and the three of them chatted amiably about their new college life and experiences so far.

***

Fresher’s week was a blur of meetings, events and parties that flew by before Laurel even realized it. She had made a nice bunch of friends, comprised of a close-knit foursome including her and Jennifer and two other girls called Mindy and Amy. Paul had also become an honorary member of their group, his witty remarks often causing the girls to double up in laughter. Her fellow law student had become a good friend and they often stopped by the local diner for a bite to eat or a milkshake while pondering over some law problem they had been assigned. She admired his exceptional intelligence and logical mind and knew he was going to be a great lawyer. She wasn’t sure she could say the same about herself.

Apart from a couple of minor shouting matches in the hallway, she had managed to mostly avoid her archenemy Ben. Not only had he spread the word that she was frigid, he had also put a price on her head. He had offered an attractive sum of money to the first of his teammates who managed to bed her.

However, she had quickly realized his game when ice hockey players started following her everywhere, giving her compliments, sending her flowers, offering to pay for her lunch, asking her out on dates. It had the opposite effect of what he wanted. She quickly became the most popular cheerleader in college due to her following of persistent admirers. Of course she didn’t succumb to their transparent gestures.

She enjoyed her new popularity and even more so because it annoyed Ben. His plan couldn’t have worked out better she chuckled to herself. She was sitting in the college restaurant surrounded by a merry group of cheerleaders, as well as some of the ice hockey players who had continued to enjoy her company even after Ben had pulled out of his stupid bet. She glanced over to the corner where he was sitting alone and smiled sweetly at him. He scowled back and continued eating.

What is his problem, she wondered? But her thoughts strayed quickly to whatshewas doing. Enough time wasted on popularity contests she decided. There was a reason this college had been one of her top choices, and it wasn’t the law program, the ice hockey boys, the cheerleading, or even her best friend Jennifer. She made up her mind to change her priorities that very night.

‘’Earth to Laurel,’’ she suddenly heard and realized that Jennifer was waving her hand in front her eyes. ‘’Sorry, I was just thinking about something.’’ she muttered.

‘’I could tell! What’s up?’’

‘’Well you know why I really chose this college don’t you?’’ she confided to her friend, ‘’and I feel like the time is going by and I haven’t even had the guts to go to the rink yet. With all the parties and events, I think I’ve forgotten how to skate!’’

‘’Nonsense,’’ her friend replied, ‘’ You signed up to join the figure skating team, right?’’

‘’Yeah, the first practice session isn’t ‘til next month though. I’d really like to get on the ice for a bit before then. I’m already gonna be way out of my league. I just hope they think I have enough talent to keep me on.’’

‘’You’ll be fine! Look, if you’re that worried, why don’t we head to the rink tonight? Blow off the party and spend some time just you and me. Treat me to a show on ice, and then you can take me for a milkshake afterwards. Deal?’’

Laurel smiled and hugged her friend. ‘’You’re the best!’’ she grinned. A bit of moral support was just what she needed.

As they entered the college ice rink later that evening, the friendly old security guard informed them that he would need to close up the building shortly. ‘’Oh really? You always close this early?’’ Laurel enquired anxiously.

‘’How long are we planning on staying?’’ Jennifer teased. ‘’I promised Mindy and Amy we’d meet them later.’’

‘’I just usually like to practice late, you know, when no-one’s around. I used to spend hours skating at night at our local rink, you remember? All the other girls had expensive coaching and would look down on me with my old tattered skates and unpolished skills. And I just feel like it’s gonna be even worse here. I just need a chance. I just need someone to train me properly and I know I can be really good, just like my grandmother was.

‘’Oh sweetie, I’m sorry, I’m sure we can sort something out.’’ Jennifer’s smile was kind and sincere but somewhere in her eyes Laurel could see a speck of doubt that startled her. Maybe her dream would never become reality. Maybe she just wasn’t good enough.

‘’Look, I’m here all night,’’ the security guard cut in with a friendly smile, ‘’And the only reason we close the rink is to stop all those crazy ice hockey players from having parties in here. If you want to come and practice on your own, then be my guest. But don’t tell anyone, ok?’’ he winked.

‘’ Thank you so much!’’ said Laurel grinning and hugging him. She had hoped her sob story would work. But it was all completely true so she didn’t think it was wrong to use it to her advantage and appeal to the goodwill of this sweet old man.

‘’I won’t whisper a thing to anyone!’’ she promised as she hurried happily into the arena with her friend, and brushed her negative thoughts away. She would just have to prove everyone, wouldn’t she? Especially that brutish excuse for a human being. She imagined his face scowling at her success and giggled to herself. Then wondered why on earth she was thinking about him, and why something stirred deep inside of her at the thought of his mocking but beautifully sculptured face. She glanced at her friend guiltily, as if Jennifer could read her thoughts, but she was unaware, gazing at the multitude of screens and audio visual equipment hooked up everywhere around the rink.

‘’Wow, this place is epic’’ she exclaimed looking around.

Laurel quickly tied up her skates, hopped onto the ice and started making figure of eight patterns, starting wide and getting gradually tighter and faster as her confidence grew. She finished with a small jump and a spin, her left leg held high above her head, the picture of elegance.

‘’Woo hoo!!’’ yelled Jennifer from the side. ‘’That was awesome!’’

Laurel soared over to her friend, beaming. ‘’Thatfeltawesome!’’ she agreed. ‘’But listen, I think I just want to stay here a bit longer and practice some more. Do you mind if I take a rain check on meeting the others?’’

‘’’Course not’’ replied Jennifer with a grin, ‘’I’ll tell them you said hi. You owe me a milkshake though, don’t forget!’’

‘’Ha, as if you would let me!’’ Laurel winked as she glided off effortlessly, ‘’Thanks for this sweetie. I owe you more than a milkshake for getting me back on the ice!’’