Work Hard, Love Harder

Chapter 2

“So, this girl’s actually from Africa? I was beginning to think I was going to spend all year with California girls and, you know, I always thought Nashville sounded boring, but then Zoe had to go and do that thing with the banana. I think I’m scarred for life now.”

“Oh, whatever, Colton. You mean hard for life. I saw you adjusting.” Clarise leaned off Zoe’s bed and let her hair brush against his neck.

“That was until I realized you just liked messing with my head.”

“Aw, I’m sorry, baby. But you live like two doors down from me. If things got all awkward, I’d have to see you all the time. It would kill all the fun.”

“Fine. So, I’m sitting here with three girls on one bed. But everyone’s clothes are still on and I’m stuck sitting on the floor. College is really disappointing.”

The girls erupted into giggles, and Juliana leaned over the bed with Clarise’s copy of Cosmo.

“It says here that most guys jack off at least twice a day. Is that accurate, Col?”

“I need more friends that are guys.” Colton rolled his eyes and pushed the magazine out of his face.

“Come on, Colton! You love us. And you want to meet my new roommate today too. Admit it. You love us and you’re hoping for another just like us.”

“No, Zoe. I’m hoping she’ll take one look at you three and try to move into my room.”

“With David? Who is such a douche that you’re hiding from him in here?”

“He’ll move in here with you.”

“What’d I do to make you hate me?”

“Hey, I clearly remember you promising to help me get laid if I helped you move in. So far you aren’t helping.” Colton motioned to the empty space around him on the floor.

In retrospect, Colton thinks that his mistake was turning his back on the girls. Otherwise, he would have seen the pillows coming toward his head. Of the three pillows on the bed, he could have claimed one and had some defense other than holding his arms over his head as all three pillows came down on him.

“Okay. So, not only am I stuck with your lame ass as my RA, but there’s also cheap college p*rn being shot in my room. Is it too late to request a room change?”

Colton peeked out from under his arms as the onslaught stopped. A pretty brunette that he could only assume was Zoe’s roommate, Aisha, stood in the door with Femi, who pushed past her to drop two boxes on the floor.

“For you? Yeah. I don’t feel like doing the paperwork. Besides, I’m sure there’s a perfectly logical explanation for this.”

“Yeah, sure. I’ll get on sorting that out.” Aisha turned and grinned at Femi. “While you get the rest of my stuff from my car?”

“Only so I don’t have to listen to you bi*ch all year about how chivalry is dead,” Femi said as he turned and walked back out the door.

Zoe untangled herself from the girls and stepped towards Aisha.

“Hi, I’m Zoe, your roommate. Juliana and Clarise are in 617, and Colton’s in 611.”

“Any of you have your hooks into him yet or is he still fair game?”

“Colton? Um, you mean you’re going for Colton after you got Femi to help you move in? I’ve got to be missing something here.”

“Femi?” Aisha laughed and shook her head. “Um, no. That would so never happen.”

“Should I be offended?” Femi dropped two more boxes on the floor.

“You want to go out with me? Seriously? Are you sick or something? John finally drive you insane?”

Femi pretended to think about the idea and grimaced.

“Good point. Please never make me think about that again. I think I’m going to be sick.”

“Exactly. Did you get my computer yet? Aidan’s supposed to e-mail me with directions to his friend’s party tonight.”

Femi rolled his eyes and glanced at Colton.

“Any chance I can get some help here?”

Colton laughed but followed him out the door.

“So, how’d you get roped into this if you’re not dating her? I thought you were too wise and college experienced to fall for the helpless girl act.”

“Aisha’s less about the helpless girl act, more high level manipulation. She managed to become one of my best friends last year. I’m starting to suspect it was just for this purpose.”

“You guys lived in the dorm together last year?”

“No. I was in a townhouse last year. She was hooking up with my friend Franz. He got a girlfriend so that’s over, but we clicked so we still hang out. We partied together all last year. Being her RA was not something we planned on. Still waiting to see how that works out.”

“Afraid you’re going to have to write her up?”

“Nah, she’s pretty good at not getting caught, but there are pretty strict rules about not partying with residents, and well, I’m not looking to lose this job if we get caught.”

“You guys have a plan for that? Because man, that sucks.”

“Yeah, kind of. I’ll just have to be careful about what parties I go to. It’ll work out.”

Femi unlocked what Colton guessed was Aisha’s car and handed Colton a box before picking up one of the many for himself.

“This is going to take a million trips.” Femi groaned and rubbed a hand over his face.

“Okay, you really haven’t been roped into this before. It’s easier if we take one load to the elevator and then take turns guarding the stuff at the elevator and bringing boxes from the car. Then we stuff everything in the elevator and do the same process to get it in the room. It’s ten times faster.”

“Okay, how many girls did you get sucked into moving in?”

Colton laughed and punched him in the arm.

“Thanks to you? Only Zoe. But I moved in three with my brother when he moved into the dorms his freshman year. I guess his RA sucked. Or actually, I think his RA was mostly high. Derek lived in the room next to him and they used to always search his room because the guy would claim the smell was coming from Derek’s room.”

“Well, I guess I should be grateful for the experience then.” Femi laughed as he loaded them both up with boxes.

*****

“You owe me. I don’t know how you’re going to pay me back for this, but I’m not going to forget unless you do.”

“Colton’s not complaining.”

“Colton thinks you’re hot. I don’t.”

“I have that picture I took of you at John’s birthday party.”

“And one day I will find all the copies of that picture.” Femi turned to Zoe. “Hey, you could help with this.”