Angelica barely suppresses her groan.How can you have reached the age of nineteen without knowing anything about men?
Try being home-schooled in a foreign country where you seldom meet anyone your age you can communicate with.
Angelica pulls lip oil out of her tiny shoulder bag and applies it liberally.She straightens her spine, flips her hair back into its full midnight glory, and then puts one hand on her hip.I watch in puzzlement.Of course she looks pretty because she is pretty, but there’s no extra oomph.
Ladies.Does anyone need a drink here?Two fraternity brothers materialize in front of us with red Solo cups and wide grins.Their eyes are glued to Angelica.
Wow.That’s amazing,I murmur.Her shiny lips curl up in a pleased smile.
Live and learn,she replies, then allows one of the guys to fetch her vodka cocktail.In the can, unopened,she calls after him.
You know about drink safety, right?she asks me.
It’s okay, I don’t drink alcohol,I reply.Before I left for college, my father lectured me on drinking and the dangers of kompromat,compromising material,both for myself and his career.I may be the only woman on campus who believes that drinking alcohol can lead to the fall of the free world.
Of course you don’t.You’re so much fun,she replies, then turns away so she can concentrate on Frat Boy #1.They introduce themselves and Dave and Dougie.The double Ds,they declare while staring at Angelica’s chest.If this is what passes for charm on campus, it’s no wonder that the arrogant Viktor is so much in demand.At least he can make coherent conversation.
I haven’t seen Viktor yet, but I notice guys from the hockey team.They were pointed out to me last night, like royalty among the peasants.
And finally their king is here.The crowd seems to part as six of them arrive at once.Viktor is in the centre and glows with energy and confidence.I watch as he surveys the room.His eyes come to rest on me, and for a moment, I wonder if he’ll react in some way.But he jerks his gaze away.
He’s interested,Angelica hisses in my ear.She’s standing with her back to me, so it seems like we’re not here together.
It doesn’t seem like it to me.Now that I’ve seen him again, the full humiliation of last night washes over me.Little girl.
We already know that you’re no expert on men.You have to go over and talk to him.
I face her in full panic.Why?You said that he likes to make the first move.
Turn back around,she hisses.He can’t see us talking.Just go over and say hello.But be sexy.
Is there anything more impossible than a command to be something I’m not?Fine.I’ll go over and risk complete rejection for the second night in a row.
As if reading my hesitation, Angelica commands,Meet me around the corner.
She disappears down a hallway, and I try to follow discreetly.Once we’re out of Viktor’s sight, she yanks me so close that I can feel her hot breath as she speaks.
I’ve never believed in this ridiculous plan from the beginning.And I can tell that you don’t either.When you failagaintonight, I’m telling Des that you’ve just been going through the motions and you don’t deserve to get into Alpha Z.
The injustice hits me.All this work and humiliation for nothing?
I’ve done every single thing you guys asked.Look at me.I motion to my sleek hair, my excessive make-up, and my way-too-short skirt.I’ve practiced and studied.But you know I can’t force Viktor to fall in love with me.Love isn’t a matter of doing everything right.It’s chemistry and chance.
For a moment, I wonder if I’ve finally managed to connect with someone who has disliked me from the moment we met.Her forehead creases as if she realizes the truth of what I’ve said, but then her angry scowl returns.
It’s not working becauseyoudon’t have faith.You think you’re too good for make-up and sexy clothes.If you truly, fully believed that you could attract Vik, there’s no way he could resist.
And then she shoves me away, so hard that I almost stumble.
Go talk to him.I’ll be watching.
Once more I wish that supportive and sweet Mia was here instead this insane harpy who probably believes that positive thought can cure cancer.
I pull down my skirt—yet again—and march towards the large group of hockey players.At least the anger coursing through my body is motivating me to move confidently.Maybe Angelica is right that I don’t belong in Alpha Z.One way or the other, this whole ridiculous mission ends tonight.
I make my way to Viktor assertively.
Incoming,says one large hockey player as I brush by.I plunk myself right in front of the target, straighten my shoulders, and toss my hair back.I believe in my ability to attract this…enormous and attractive hockey player.
