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“Oh my God,” Quyen said, pointing at her. “That’s the perfect description. He’s one of those guys you know is like totally out of the realm of possibility and would probably be way too much anyway. But it’s fun to think about.” She leaned back against the wall. “For real life, I prefer my guys nerdy and awkward. I like a level playing field.”
O’Neal laughed. “Level playing field?”
She shrugged. “You know, some guy who’s kind of in the same place as I am. I don’t want to be with a guy who I have to always be on my toes with. I want to be able to say something stupid and not feel like an idiot, you know? Because he’s being awkward too.”
O’Neal considered her reasoning. “That makes a lot of sense.”
Quyen reached over to her desk, grabbing an already open bag of brownie-flavored M&Ms. She lifted the bag. “You want?”
She lifted a hand, her stomach still a little queasy from the excitement of the day. “I’m good.”
“So what’s your type?” Quyen asked before popping a few candies in her mouth.
“My type?”
“Yeah. We should get this out of the way now so that when we meet all the guys we’re definitely going to meet here—because you and I are going to become super best friends obviously—we can figure out which of us is going to go for which dude.”
O’Neal laughed again, Quyen’s ease and openness like a ball of sunshine after her mostly stormy day. “Um, right, my type.”Auden.She reached back and adjusted the pillow behind her back, searching for a non-weird answer. What would a guy on her level of playing field be like? A monk? “I haven’t dated much, so I’m still figuring it out.”
“Oh man, I’m being a total jerk about this, making assumptions, aren’t I?” she said looking mildly horrified. “I mean, you may not even be into guys and I’m just blabbering on about it. Look, you don’t have to share your preferences with me. Unless you want to, but you don’t have to, you know? I totally support whatever part of the rainbow you’re on. Love is love.”
Quyen had said all the words so fast that it took O’Neal a second to process what she was implying. When it registered, O’Neal felt her neck flushing. At her old school, things like this would only be discussed in whispers. She’d heard that some churches had become more open-minded about LGBTQ relationships, but hers had not, and St. Mary’s had no students who were out. It was implied that it wasn’t okay to live that kind of lifestyle.
O’Neal had never felt comfortable with that stance, but she also had never spoken openly about the topic. “I’m not…I like guys. But my grandparents were really strict. I haven’t had a chance to find out my type yet.” She lifted her hand, figuring she might as well get it over with, and showed her purity ring. “I come from a place where Love Is Love is not taught. True Love Waits is.”
Quyen’s brows went up. “Oh. Wow. So have I already offended you like eight different ways?”
“No, I came here against my family’s wishes. I’m supposed to be in a private religious college,” she admitted, hoping this new information wouldn’t put Quyen in self-edit mode around her. “So I’m completely out of my comfort zone and will probably out-awkward you on a regular basis, but you don’t have to watch what you say around me. I came here to experience new things and to find out where I stand on things instead of my stance being told to me.”
Quyen’s lips curved into a pleased smile. “That is super badass.” She did a little fast clap with her hands. “Yay. We’re going to rock our freshman year, O’Neal. One awkward step at a time. I’m glad we got paired up.”
O’Neal’s shoulders sagged in relief and she smiled. “Me too.”
“Good. Now get your schedule out. Your friends threw me off and made me fail the Bechdel test. That nonsense stops now.”
“The Bechdel test?”
She grabbed her phone. “Yes, two women only talking about guys, like they’re the only worthwhile topic of conversation. I’m ashamed of myself, frankly. I blame the tattooed dude’s hotness. It momentarily blinded me.” She turned her phone screen toward O’Neal, showing her schedule. “Let’s see if we have any classes together, and then I want to know everything about you.”
O’Neal snorted softly. “That might be a boring list.”
Quyen tilted her head, giving her an evaluating look. “Not a chance. I can feel it. You’ve got stories.”
She didn’t. Not really. But maybe she was at the start of one. The thought made her feel lighter inside.
* * *
Coffee,coffee, coffee. I need coffee.O’Neal was making up a song in her head about her desperate need for caffeine as she walked out of her American History class when her phone buzzed in her pocket. She shifted her backpack and grabbed her phone, assuming Quyen was probably texting her with the same need. They’d met up yesterday at one of the coffee kiosks on campus. But that wasn’t whose name was lighting up her phone.
Auden: We’re going to do a movie and pizza at our place tonight. Wanna join?
Her step halted, and she stared at the phone, unable to process the words for a moment. Movie. Pizza. Tonight.Auden was inviting her over?
That seemed out of left field. She hadn’t seen him since the day she’d moved in. He’d checked in with her once by text, but she figured he’d considered his obligation to her over. He had a whole life here—classes, friends, swim team. None of that involved babysitting a freshman. But she should’ve known better. The Blake family had always been there for her. Auden’s mom was probably calling him and making sure he hadn’t bailed on her.
O’Neal: You know I released you from any and all obligations, right? I’ve survived almost a whole week with no babysitter at all. I’ve even managed to clothe and feed myself.
Auden: *eyeroll emoji* Don’t be a brat. I’m not trying to babysit you. I’ll be babysitting Len and that’s enough work. I just know you like movies and every college student appreciates free pizza
