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WINGMAN
FIVE MONTHS LATER
Stars by The Cranberries
“Why do you have to be on the third floor again?” I ask out of breath, thighs burning, but also thankful that reinforcements are supposed to be coming soon.
“I don’t get a choice,” Noelle says, annoyed.
“I really don’t know how you can fit all this shit in that tiny room either,” I say, dropping the laundry basket full of clothes.
“I like choices,” Noelle huffs, pushing the propped open door further with her hip.
Two girls sit on one of the empty beds, both of them turning at the ruckus we’re making as we enter the room. I kick the laundry basket through the door, my arms ready to give out, and this is only the first trip.
“You must be Noelle.” The blonde girl hops off the bed to greet her. “I’m Michelle,” she introduces herself. “I’m your roommate.”
“I’m Lake, Noelle’s mother,” I introduce myself, looking past Michelle to the dark-haired girl on the floor glaring at us.
“Oh, that’s Stevie,” Michelle says. “She’s from New York.” She waves her off as if that explains everything.
Noelle sets the box on her bed while I finish kicking her laundry basket to her side of the room.
“There’s rolling baskets to fit all your stuff in down at drop off,” Michelle offers.
“Oh, I know, we’re just waiting for reinforcements,” I say.
With perfect timing, Georgie bursts through the door with a plant in one hand and what looks like a bottle of champagne in the other.
“Jesus, did they remodel? Because it was way shittier when I went here,” Georgie huffs as she looks around the room, assessing the tiny space. “No fair.”
“Seriously, Mom?” Noelle looks at the bottle in Georgie’s hand and then back at me clearly annoyed.
“So we can celebrate.” Georgie holds it up, looking at us innocently.
“I’m pretty sure you’re not allowed to bring alcohol into the dorm,” I say, raising an eyebrow.
“Relax, it’s sparkling cider.” Georgie lifts her brows at Noelle and then leans close to me, discreetly opening her purse, which looks more like an overnight bag, showing me the flask hidden inside with a wink. “For the adults, because I have a feeling, you’re gonna need it.”
“I’m fine,” I say, rolling my eyes. “I’ve been fine.” I look to Noelle for confirmation.
“Who’s the emo girl on the floor?” Georgie hooks her thumb in Stevie’s direction.
“There are boys on this floor?” My dad grouses as he stumbles into the room.
“Ben, good to see you,” Georgie greets him.
“Is that champagne?” Dad asks, and points to her bottle.
“Sparkling cider,” Georgie says in a disappointed tone. “But the good stuff is…”
“Okay, Georgie,” I interrupt them and take the bottle from her, setting it on the desk. “We need to go back downstairs so we can load all her stuff in the basket.”
“You mean I gotta go back down those stairs?” Dad asks.
“There’s an elevator,” Michelle offers.
“I’m good here,” he says, taking a seat on the bed opposite Stevie, who eyes him suspiciously.
