Gifted Connections 1

I had totally forgotten that I was going to try working at Remy’s on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. I didn’t really have any plans to do anything tonight. I had already completed my AP English Literature, calculus, and physics homework in class.

I smiled up at him. “Sure, are you allowed in my dorm? I need to change. Any uniform required?”

He looked at the girls, who were still hovering, uncomfortably. “Yes, curfew for the opposite gender is ten o’clock. Nice meeting you girls.” He waved.

One of the more brazen girls placed a slip of paper in his pocket. “Call me,” she said, running her hands down the front of his shirt.

He turned red around the ears, mumbled something, and started pushing his way towards the dorms.

“You okay?” I teased.

He grimaced. “Girls used to bother me when I was dating Rose, but it was never this bad. I’ve had so many girls approach me today.”

I started laughing. “I’m sorry, but you do know that you are an attractive, smart man, don’t you? It’s bound to happen.”

“And- and that doesn’t bother you?” he said uncertainly.

I shook my head. “I mean, do I like it…no.” I was surprised by my admission. “But what can I do about it? Like I said, all of you guys are attractive, you draw attention wherever you go and it’s no surprise. Heck, I watched a video today and every one of you made it on there. You guys are somewhat famous. I can’t control that. I can only control how I handle it.” I lowered my voice. “You guys are my connections. I know no matter how many girls want to touch you, kiss you, hold you, want to be with you, it’s me that you’re connected to and they can’t change that. Heck even if we wanted to, we couldn’t.”

He gave me a warm smile and grabbed my hand, gently squeezed it. He linked our fingers and we walked all the way to my dorm that way.

There were eight dorms for the females and mine was located at the end on the right. We took the elevator to the top floor and I removed my key from my new messenger bag. I opened the door, unsure whether Jemmy had dropped my bags off or not. She already let me know that study hall was the last class of the day for her, and most of the time she found an excuse to leave early.

I was surprised to see that Rachel was already on her side of the room at her desk.

She looked up when we entered, looking pointedly at our joined hands. “Hey,” she said casually.

“Hey,” I replied. “Rachel, this is Drake. Drake, this is Rachel. She’s in my performing arts class.” I explained, trying to not make it awkward.

“Nice to meet you,” Drake said politely.

“I know who you are,” Rachel informed him. “Nice meeting you too.” Then she turned and looked at me. “So, is this going to be an everyday thing? Bringing a guy up here? Because if-”

I cut her off. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. If I had known you were my roommate, I would have let you know. We’ll only be here a moment. If you give me your number, I’ll text you next time.”

She started smiling, “Overreact much? I was just going to say if you are going to bring a guy over, next time make sure he brings a friend. Preferably an older guy. Like college boy here.”

“I’ll see what I can do,” I snickered as I turned and saw that my bag had been left on my bed. “I think Jemmy and Rachel are going to hit it off nicely.” I looked over at Drake who was looking red once more. “Do you mind if I quickly unpack? I can be quick, and you never did tell me what I should wear.”

“Great! One Jemmy is enough,” he joked. “Wear something comfortable. He’s hoping for help with the new one, so we’re going to head out there. It’s about a half hour away from here.”

“Sounds good,” I smiled. The idea of not actually working with customers today sounded great.

I quickly put my clothes away, and then I turned back to Rachel. “Do you want to give me your cell number? Just in case I want to bring friends over, I don’t want to bother your studying or anything else you might have going on.”

An undecipherable look crossed her face. “I don’t have one.” She shrugged. “Not all of us come from money. You won’t be bothering me. I go to school, I come back here. That’s it.”

I paused at the underlying hostility in her voice, but I knew her hostility was a way to hide her pain. I had been there. I might not know her whole story, but I sensed it. It would explain why she was in gifts class with me at her age. She must have just transferred here on a scholarship.

I was surprised Drake was the first one to speak up. “So, if you’re not doing anything right now, we’re going to my brother’s spot, he owns a restaurant. We’re putting some stuff together tonight. He’ll pay you.”

She looked at him suspiciously. “Why? I’ve been all over this place looking for a job and no one will hire a sixteen, almost seventeen-year-old.”

He shrugged, his ears turning red once more. “Well, we could use the extra hands and it would be good for Blake to get to know her roommate more.”

I knew better. Drake had a good heart and the idea of a broken girl, sitting by herself, was too much for him to bear. It had bothered me, but I was in no position to offer her the opportunity.

She looked suspiciously at us. “Does your brother really need help?”