Before today, I dreaded this class. I’ve never been a math person, and let’s be real, math is not sexy. You don’t think of a math professor as anything other than a sixty-year old man in an oversized sport coat with tweed elbow patches. Well, let me tell you what…Professor Kingston can read to me from a goddamn math book if he wants to. He can whisper equations into my ear until I fall asleep, and wake me up by asking me to solve problems on double integrals using polar coordinates. Whew! That man is fine, and he knows how to lay it down in the bedroom. Something I’ll be thinking about every time I look at him.
His light-colored eyes which look like a mix between blue and green, the golden-brown hair with hints of gray, and the spatter of whiskers across his chin, upper lip, and jaw…good lord. And don’t even get me started on how that light blue button-up hugged the muscles in his arms and chest. How am I supposed to pass this class?
Once I’m inside my apartment, I make sure both locks are engaged, then head to my room to change into a pair of leggings and a loose, off-the-shoulder top. I gather my hair into a ponytail at the back of my head and secure it with a scrunchie. Don’t judge. They cause less breakage and don’t rip out my hair.
In my small kitchen, I go through my fridge and tiny pantry, looking for something to make. I thought of grabbing some fast food, but I know Gia’s gonna call later and make sure I’m not wasting money on that when I have food at home. But, fast food is so much faster.
My cell phone dings from the counter.
Ayanna: Wanna grab some food? I can school you on everything there is to know about this town, campus, and whatever else. Plus, I’m starving. Don’t say no. I know you don’t have any friends or plans.
I laugh out loud. I know we’re gonna be great friends.
Nova: Where do you wanna meet?
Gia will be okay with this. Yes, I’m going out to eat when I have food at home, but I’m also making a friend.
I don’t bother changing, I just slip my feet into some Nike slides, grab my wristlet and drop my phone inside, then head out to my car.
My Honda Accord is nine years old, almost ten, but I still love it. The AC and heater still work, the cloth seats need a deep cleaning, but they’re in good condition, and the sunroof was something I thought I’d use more often than I do, but it exists. Nothing luxurious, but it works.
I put the name of the place Ayanna texted me into my Google Maps, because yes, this town is small, but I still don’t know where anything is.
It doesn’t take long for me to get to a place called Doggone Good. The red and yellow building sits on the corner of Main Street with a parking lot big enough for about eight cars.
When I pull in, I spot Ayanna sitting at a red, steel picnic type table, scarfing down a hotdog.
“I couldn’t wait,” she says around a mouthful of food. “I was starving.” She picks up a brown napkin and wipes her mouth. “Head around to the front of the building. There’s a window and someone will take your order. I’d suggest the chili cheese dogs and chili cheese fries, but do you.”
I laugh and head to the window and take a few minutes to look over the menu. They have hotdogs, chili dogs, chili burgers, hamburgers, fries—with or without chili and/or cheese. There’s also corndogs, kraut dogs, bacon street dogs, and a whole variety of hotdogs. I go with Ayanna’s recommendation and get two chili cheese dogs, but choose to get regular fries and a Coke.
Once I have my food, I make my way back to one of the six red tables that sit under a red canopy, and drop into a seat across from Ayanna.
“These better be good.”
“Oh, they are. Maybe not good for you, but who cares? We’re young.”
I unwrap one of the chili cheese dogs, and then drag a fry across some of the chili and cheese mixture that was left on the wrapper, then pop it in my mouth.
“Mm.”
She nods. “Keep going. It gets better.”
She finishes her food as I’m still polishing off my first chili cheese dog, and proceeds to give me some helpful information.
“Okay, do you have a laundry room in your apartment? Because if not, do not go to Double Bubble, go to Bubble Up. Trust me.” She widens her eyes like she’s had a terrible experience at Double Bubble. “If you want to go grocery shopping, I’d suggest either Miss Missy’s or Berta’s Market. They’re mom and pop type places, you know, family owned and all that.”
I wipe my lips and nod my head as I listen. My mouth is full, but even if it wasn’t, getting a word in with Ayanna seems like something that will take some effort. Not that I mind it. I can get the same way sometimes.
“Oh, there’s no clubs here. None. I mean, you can travel an hour or so out of town to get to some, but there’s a couple good bars here. The most popular is King’s Tavern. There’s an old movie theater a few blocks down, but a newer one across town is the one the young people go to. What else?” She taps her long nails on the table as she thinks. “This town is generally pretty safe. You have some rough spots on the outer edges of the town, but most people don’t tend to head out there unless they live there, so probably nothing to worry about.”
I swallow down my food and take a sip of my drink. “I feel like I should’ve recorded this conversation,” I say with a laugh. “But I’ll definitely hit you up
