Story Starter October

 

Gretta smiled as she walked into the old two-story house just a few blocks from the University. Her friends from the dorm had moved there this past semester. The old gang from the first year was there, most of them now seniors. Gretta, however, had stayed back in the dorm.

Not that she was ever bothered that Elaine and the others didn’t ask her to move; she wouldn’t have moved anyway. She liked the old dorm, and even with a new roommate, she was glad to be there to help Lena.

Of course, Gretta got the usual runaround from the group. Jane and Sara had boyfriends now. “Why aren’t you with anyone?” they would ask, calling her old school. She was handed a beer, which she held as if she might pass it to someone else if they were thirsty.

When she turned to see where the boys were, she saw Elaine’s crush, Jake, in full view. He was the most beautiful guy there, but she didn’t think he knew it. She guessed he was still the crush. He was an Engineering major but hadn’t been at the library lately, unlike over the summer when Gretta shelved books where he studied. They were friends. Gretta knew how much Elaine liked him and would never interfere, even though Jake had asked her out one summer night not too long ago.

Everyone was decked out in their fall gear. The smell of pumpkin spice mixed with alcohol in the air. Gretta watched couples dance to the club mix of Artemas’ “I LIKE THE WAY YOU KISS ME. I CAN TELL YOU MISS ME.” The music pulsed through the walls, and the black light streamed with the beat. Gretta did her best to move to the rhythm, though she soon found herself by the snack table, reaching for a carrot. She hoped it was safe. Her stomach growled; she hadn’t eaten before arriving. They had said there would be plenty to munch on.

Still, she felt as if she should have stayed home. Elaine’s roommates weren’t exactly comforting. She felt out of place. What had she done wrong? She thought about leaving soon as she put down the beer and bit into a potato chip, feeling like an extra in a movie. They didn’t need her.

Gretta tried not to let it bring her down, but it crossed her mind that maybe all was not well with Elaine. Did she know about Jake and her at the library? It wasn’t a big deal. Gretta thought about it long and hard, feeling her pulse speed up a bit as if maybe they all hated her. Jake was taken. Didn’t she remember? It played out in her mind, making her feel like the bad friend. She didn’t mean to be. They only talked, and she did her best to chat up Elaine, but Jake didn’t seem to notice other than to ask, “Why are you bringing Elaine up?”

Oh, they’d had a laugh then. Seriously, she never thought she was his type. She wasn’t even impressively average, just a shelver at the library.

When Gretta snapped out of her thoughts about the summer and tall, easygoing Jake, she saw it was getting crowded and completely dark outside. Just when she thought it was time to leave, if she could ever find her old cardigan, Elaine found her.

“Oh, you’re still here,” Elaine said with a genuine smile, like the perfect hostess. She introduced Gretta to Carson, who was a little taller than her. Naturally, she had to tell Carson that Gretta was the shortest girl there. “He’s new to the campus.”

Gretta shook hands, though his hand was dry and cold. There was an uncomfortable feeling. Gretta wasn’t sure what it was about Carson, but she was aware of his strangeness. Maybe she was the strange one. Gretta bit her bottom lip, a bit worried.

“Hey, could you guys get us more ice?” Elaine shrugged.

Gretta remained silent. Carson said, “Sure thing.”

“Take Gretta with you. She’ll know where to go.” Elaine’s last words felt like a warning to Gretta, but Carson led the way, and Gretta followed.