Focus

Jared rolled his eyes. “Not with our help.”

Levi turned his attention to Hailey. “Al seems to think you two are going to Disorientation tonight. Where would she have gotten the idea that that was acceptable?”

“Why wouldn’t we go?” Hailey took a seat on her desk chair.

“You have got to be kidding.” Owen slumped down on the floor, fanning himself with his shirt. “You really think Levi is going to let Allie go to a party like that?”

“One of the only good things about living in this dorm is being close to the frat houses. We’re not missing this party.” Hailey made no secret about how mad she was about living in an all-girl dorm.

“Then we’ll go with you.” Levi stood up.

“No way. Absolutely not!” Hailey yelled. “We want to have lives. We can’t have them if you are hovering over us all the time.”

Anger built up inside me. I was tired of people talking about me like I wasn’t there. “Why would Levi have any say over what parties I go to? I can do what I want.”

“Fine. You want to go to that party? Go.” A sly grin crossed Levi’s face.

“Uh oh. What are you planning?” I sighed in frustration.

“Why would you assume I am planning anything?” he said with mock innocence.

“Because you never give in that easily.”

“Well, I guess you’ll have to wait and see.” Levi took a step toward me, kissing me quickly before I could react. “See you around, Al.” He winked before heading towards the door.

Jared and Owen got up to follow him. “Try to stay out of trouble, Hailey,” Owen warned as they filed out.

“Yes, Dad!” Hailey yelled back even though the door had already slammed shut. “My brother has to be the most annoying person on earth.”

“Second. Levi gets the first place prize.”

“What about Jared? I think he wins too.”

I laughed. “Maybe they’re all tied?”

“All right, let’s call it a three-way tie.”

***

“Oh my god. I figured it was going to be you!” The door burst open, and a small girl with her black hair pulled back into a bun ran into the room.

“Anne…hey.” I put down the dress I was about to hang up in my closet.

“Hi, Anne,” Hailey said carefully. We weren’t sure how the girl who was supposed to be Hailey’s roommate was going to react to the change in room assignments.

“So you decided to stay in New Orleans after all?” She moved into the room.

I nodded. “Yeah, I just wasn’t ready to leave.”

“I totally get that.” She sat down on my bed. “So how did you two manage to get the rooms switched? I’m not mad or anything, I’m right next door, so we’ll still be able to hang out a lot.”

“Yeah? That’s awesome. Hailey’s dad called and was able to move things around. It turned out there was an extra spot on the floor.”

“Okay, cool. My roommate seems nice, but really quiet.” I couldn’t quite suppress a smile. Quiet: the exact opposite of Anne. It would be an interesting combination.

“Great.”

Anne picked up the orientation packet I had sitting on my bed. “Do you guys want to meet her? She’s just sitting in there all alone.”

“Yeah, definitely.” I deliberated on what to bring with me, finally settling on just my keys, phone, and my newly minted Tulane ID. Thankfully, the photo had turned out well.

Anne led the way into her identically laid out room. “Hey Tiffany, this is Hailey and Allie, our neighbors.”

A girl looked up from putting books on the shelf above her desk. “Hi.” She brushed her blonde hair off her shoulder.

“Hey, it’s nice to meet you.” I smiled.

She smiled back shyly, and I took a seat on Anne’s bed.

“So where are you from, Tiffany?” I’d been really shy as a little kid and knew how tough it could be.

“St. Louis.” She sat down on her desk chair, turning it to look at us.

“Oh cool. I’ve never actually been there, but I’ve heard good things.”

Tiffany put a hand on the arm rest of her chair. “Where are you guys from?”

“I’m from New York, and Hailey’s a local.”

“A local? You’re actually from New Orleans?”

Hailey laughed. “Yes. I know there aren’t too many of us here.”

“That must have been cool. But then again, growing up in New York City would be cool too.”

“Oh, I’m actually from the suburbs. I probably should have been more specific.” I crossed my legs.

Tiffany smiled. “I do the same thing. I’m from the suburbs too.”

“Am I the only non-suburbanite here?” Hailey took a seat next to me on Anne’s bed.

“I’m really from Jackson, but it’s not exactly a bustling metropolis.” Anne zipped up a suitcase and jammed it into her closet.

Hailey laughed. “Hey, there’s nothing wrong with Jackson.”

Anne smiled. “Says the girl from New Orleans.”

“So do you guys want to go to a frat party tonight?” Hailey asked.

“Yes!” Anne answered excitedly.

Tiffany twisted the fabric of her t-shirt with her hands. “Thanks, but no thanks. I think I’ll just stay back.”

“No way, you have to come!” Anne said excitedly. I had to give her points for enthusiasm.

“How about you just think about it?” I suggested. “I kind of want to go explore for a bit. You want to come, Hailey?”

“Sure, I’ll show you around.”

“I’m going to finish unpacking.” Anne kneeled down to pull out some towels from a box on the floor.

“Same here.” Tiffany smiled shyly again.

“All right, we’ll stop by later.”

As soon as we were at the stairs, I told Hailey what was on my mind. “We have to get Tiffany to go with us.”

“Definitely. I think she wants to, but she’s nervous. We’ll convince her.” Hailey pushed open the door, and we headed out into the humid heat of August in New Orleans. “But I just have to say it one more time; I can’t believe we’re in college.”

I laughed. “I know. It’s going to be an awesome semester.”

Chapter Two

Anne took a step into the hallway just as we came out of our room. I locked the door behind us.