Page 25 of Under His Protection
We chat for a while, and then I tell him I’d better get off the phone to do homework.
“I’ll see you Friday,” Philip says. “What time do you want me to pick you up?”
“As soon as you can.”
“I’ll need to shower after work, so how about six?”
“Perfect. It’s a date.”
“You bet it is. I’ll see you then.”
Chapter 9 – Philip
When I arrive at Haley’s dorm Friday evening to pick her up, I park in the nearby visitor lot and walk into her building. There’s a large group of students gathered in the community room off the lobby. I see lots of board games spread out across a number of tables. There’s a big sign posted in the lobby that says:
FRIDAY GAME NIGHT
WELCOME MILTON HALL RESIDENTS!
Dozens of students are gathered around tables loaded with food and drinks, filling their plates and cups. They’re a boisterous group, and it looks like they’re having a good time.
I notice the obnoxious guy from Haley’s chemistry lab seated at one of the tables, in the process of setting up a game of chess. He looks right at me for a long drawn-out moment, a definite scowl on his face.
There’s only one reason why this guy could have a problem with me.Sorry, pal. Find your own girlfriend. Haley’s taken.
I take the elevator up to Haley’s floor. Normally, I’d take the stairs, but since we’re going out tonight, I don’t want to break a sweat. Her floor is bustling with students coming and going from each other’s rooms—guys and girls. I still can’t get over this is a co-ed dorm. I thought that was only in movies. Music is blasting from a number of rooms. Girls are giggling and guys are hollering. It’s a madhouse.
When I was in college, I lived at home with my parents, mostly to save money. I was not scholarship material like Haley, and my parents weren’t well off. I worked part-time jobs to help pay for college, and I was lucky enough to get some free money through grants at my dad’s workplace. It helped that I attended asmall state school that didn’t require students to live on campus. I missed out on the whole dormitory experience.
When I reach Haley’s room, I knock. The door opens two seconds later, and there she is, beaming up at me. My chest tightens at the sight of her. She looks amazing! I mean, more amazing than usual.
“Hi!” She pulls me into her room and shuts the door. “It’s a bit crazy out there.”
“Well, it’s Friday evening. I guess that’s to be expected.”
I finally get a glance at what Haley is wearing… gray leggings underneath a sleeveless, thigh-length, forest green dress with a turtleneck collar. Her long, dark hair is up in a loose bun, with curling tendrils hanging down at her cheeks. She’s wearing short black boots. She’s even wearing jewelry—gold hoop earrings and a gold chain around her neck with a pearl pendant dangling between her breasts.
She dressed up.
Shit!
I didn’t know I was supposed to get dressed up tonight. I’m in black jeans, a gray Henley, and a pair of chunky black boots. I look decent, but she obviously went to a lot of effort this evening.
I reach for the pearl pendant, gently holding it between my thumb and index finger. “This is pretty.”
She smiles. “It’s my birthstone. Well, June has several birthstones, but my favorite is the pearl. According to Japanese folklore, pearls are made from mermaid’s tears.”
I wrap a long strand of curled hair around my index finger. “Haley, you look beautiful.” I frown. “I’m really underdressed. I didn’t realize—”
“No!” She cups my face. “You look perfect.” She gestures at her outfit. “This is just something I grabbed from my closet. I didn’t have much to choose from.” She smiles as she gesturesbetween us. “Look, we coordinate perfectly. It’s like we planned it.”
I know nothing about clothes and what coordinates with what. My fashion choices extend to jeans versus sweats, or sneakers versus work boots. That’s about it.
“Oh, I almost forgot!” I present the gift bag I’m holding behind my back. I bought the bag today during my lunch break. “Happy first week of college.”
Her eyes widen. “You didn’t have to get me a present, Philip. What is it?”
“You have to open it to find out. Gifts are like that.”
