A Mermaid's Kiss (Bay State University #1) - Katie Holland Page 0,18

I was going to pass this class, and wasn’t going to let his bad mood interfere with my grades.

By the time class was over, it had been the longest fifty minutes of my life. Major kept bouncing his leg up and down, which I found very distracting when I was trying to understand what the professor was talking about. I was glad when he left as soon as the class was done.

The rest of the week continued in much the same way. Practice, classes, practice, and dinner. The only thing different from the first day was that we now had homework. Karma went on another date with Travis. She must really like him because she hardly ever gave a guy a second date.

Friday afternoon came and I was happy to not have practice. I planned on going back to the dorm, getting in my PJ’s, and relaxing; but Karma had different plans. Travis was taking her to a party and she wanted me to come with them. I really didn’t want to go, but I agreed to make Karma happy. I was hoping it was close so I’d be able to walk home.

I should have known better when I finally gave in, that what I wanted to wear wasn’t going to cut it with Karma. She did my makeup and hair, then picked out my outfit. Don’t get me wrong, I wasn’t a total shut-in. I just didn’t go out very often. My swim schedule usually prevented me from doing much.

When she was done I looked in the mirror. “You do good work,” I told her, liking what I saw.

“I know,” she said grinning. “Now let’s get our fine looking asses downstairs and get our party on.”

I rolled my eyes at her but followed her out the door. Travis was just walking up when we opened the front door. Karma officially introduced us then it was off to the party.

As it turned out, I had a little bit of luck on my side. The party was only two buildings away at another dorm. The front door was propped open, and you could hear the music as we got close. People were everywhere. A makeshift dance floor had been created and there was even a DJ set up against one wall. Someone tried to hand me a cup full of a brown liquid, but I refused and so did Karma. She might like to party, but she never needed alcohol to have a good time.

I shooed Karma and Travis onto the dance floor. Just because I didn’t want to be out there didn’t mean she shouldn’t have fun.

I promised Karma I would stay for at least an hour, so I went looking for a place to get comfortable. I’d thought about bringing my eReader, but I couldn’t figure out how to hide it in this outfit.

I was walking around when I saw Major. He had his arm around some girl and their lips were locked together. They really needed to get a room. Just as I was about to look away, his eyes caught mine and I swear he winked at me. Disgusted, I turned around and decided to find Karma. I shouldn’t have let her talk me into coming at all.

I made my way through the crowd and found her and Travis still on the dance floor. From the looks of things, they needed to get a room, too.

“Karma,” I yelled over the music and tapped her on the shoulder. “I’m leaving,” I said, when I had her attention. The look on my face must have been enough because she didn’t even argue. She offered for them to walk me home, but it was less than a block and I told her I’d be fine.

I gave her a hug and started for the front door. It took me longer than it should have due to the volume of people crowded into the small space. I was positive the number of people had doubled in the fifteen minutes since we got here.

When I finally made it outside I felt like I could breathe again. I wasn’t really all that fond of crowds like that. I started walking when I heard my name. I figured someone was trying to get the attention, of someone else named Kayleigh, so I kept walking.

“Kayleigh, wait up.” I heard, and this time I knew who it was.

I turned around fully prepared to give Major a piece of my mind, but the first words that came out