CHAPTER TWO
I've been lying awake since 2:00 AM, courtesy of my roommates' incessant snoring. It's now 4:30 AM, and my frustration is palpable. Instead of focusing on coding, my mind keeps drifting back to last night's encounter with Carlton. The memories linger, refusing to let me code.
Last Night Flashback
"Make yourself at home," Carlton said, his eyes sparkling with hospitality as he gestured to his kitchen. "What can I whip up for us to eat? Don't be shy."
Carlton ended up preparing us mashed potatoes. Oh boy, that man is good husband material. For a guy like him to cook better than me? Impressive. Truth is, I'm not much of a cook, apart from noodles – the simplest meal ever, and fastest.
Growing up surrounded by men, I never had a close female friend until college, where I met Lisa and Harper. I wasn't antisocial, but nobody wanted to befriend a nerd like me. Only my fellow nerds understood me, and even then, our interactions were limited to school activities.
My life has been simple, peaceful, and quiet – no drama, no fights, no dates. I was lost in thought, halfway through my meal, when Carlton broke the silence.
"Hey, tell me about yourself," he said.
"Umm, I'm Sheila Williams. I'm 21 and a statistics major" I replied. "In my free time, I love playing video games. Mac and Cheese is my go- to food. Interestingly, my favourite colour is brown – I have a lot of brown outfits because it complements my light skin tone. I'm an only child; my mom passed away, but my dad and uncle – mom's foster brother – have been taking care of me since then. So, what about you, Carlton?"
I gazed up at him, expecting a reaction after sharing my story. Initially, his face was a blank slate, but within seconds, concern etched onto his features. Probably, he hadn't anticipated how uninteresting I'd be. I get it; no wonder nobody ever shows genuine interest in me – there's nothing fascinating about me.
Before I sank deeper in thought, Carlton's voice snapped me back to reality. "I'm so sorry about your loss." I nodded, appreciating his empathy.
Then, he shifted gears. "As for me, I'm 24, turning 25 in three months. I studied Business at your college, graduating two and half years ago. In my free time, I play video games also, but mostly I hit the gym. I don't have a favourite food – as long as it tastes amazing, I'm good. My favourite colour is white."
He paused, a hint of melancholy crossing his face. "I'm not an only child; we were three. My older brother is married and we run my dad's business together – or rather, I assist him, given his experience."
Carlton's voice dropped, his eyes clouding. "And I had a little sister, my step-sister, who vanished when she was just six months old." I gasped, horrified, my hand covering my mouth. Why would someone kidnap a baby? The sheer cruelty…
I yearned to ask more, but Carlton's unreadable expression returned, his black eyes darkening, sending a shiver down my spine. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't scared.
As quickly as it appeared, his sombreexpression vanished, replaced by a neutral tone. "Enough about me. What do you think about trying out the new gaming arcade downtown?"
Carlton's swift topic change left me perplexed, but I sensed he didn't want to delve deeper into his family's painful past.
End of flashback
I snapped back to reality when my 7:00 AM alarm blared. Morning already? I barely got two hours of sleep, thanks to my roommates returning from clubbing at midnight.
I quickly grabbed my running joggers, hoodie and ear-pods, then headed out for my morning run.Halfway through, I noticed a black car following me from afar. That's weird.
I ducked into the coffee and pastry shop where I'd encountered those rude couples yesterday. After spending forty minutes scrolling through Instagram over coffee and pastry, I left for home.
Fortunately, the black car was nowhere to be seen. Maybe I was just being paranoid.
Back in my dorm room, I found my roommates awake. We chatted while devouring the pizza Harper ordered. Mid-meal, I shared yesterday's events, including the rude couples, which got Harper and Lisa fuming. Harper wanted more details so she could 'teach them a lesson,' making me chuckle.
When I mentioned Carlton stepping in, they exchange a knowing glance. I asked what that was about, but they brushed it off.
I continued with Carlton's invite to the game arcade tonight, which sent Lisa into screams and jumping jags. Harper just shook her head, amused by Lisa antics.
Once Lisa calmed down, she started calling me the "nun" going on a date tonight. I wondered how her mind worked – it was just a friendly invite!
For hours, Lisa tried to convince me to wear something she had in her closet, but I refused. Undeterred, she started rummaging through my dresser. I stared at my scattered clothes, Lisa's words echoing in my mind. 'Damn it, Sheila, your clothes are boring, just like you.' She rummaged through my dresser, pulling out a dark brown jumpsuit I'd forgotten I owned. I'd only worn it once, two years ago.
Lisa handed me her cream-coloured purse and two-inch heels, which made me nervous since I'm not exactly a heel expert. As I changed, I realized the jumpsuit accentuated my curves, hidden until now under baggy clothes.
I prefer comfort over style, mainly to avoid unwanted attention. My wide hips and butt often earned me unwelcome nicknames. Guys rarely showed interest, assuming I'm a nerd – a stereotype I'm happy to perpetuate.
As a mixed-race woman, my appearance is distinct. I have light skin, shoulder-length brown curly hair, and warm brown eyes. My face is rounded and youthful, with adorable dimples and pink lips. After admiring myself in the mirror, I panicked – I hadn't asked Carlton for the gaming address or gotten his number. Before I could confess my mistake to my roommates, a knock at the door interrupted us. Harper answered, revealing Carlton's charming smile and dimples.
"Enjoy the night!" Harper and Lisa chimed, pushing us out the door and locking it behind us.
As we walked out of the dorm, Carlton turned to me and said, "You look stunning, Sheila" His genuine smile put me at ease. "Thanks," I replied, feeling a blush rise to my cheeks. "Lisa helped me out. I was stuck in a fashion rut." Carlton chuckled. "Well, Lisa's got great taste. Shall we?" He led me to his BMW.
As we walked towards his sleek BMW, Carlton opened the passenger door for me. I slid in, feeling a thrill at the luxurious interior. The soft leather and subtle scent of his cologne enveloped me.
Carlton got in, starting the engine with a smooth purr. "Buckle up," he said, smiling. I obliged, my heart racing slightly. We glided out of the parking lot, campus lights blurring together. "Where's the gaming event?" I asked, breaking the comfortable silence.
"Community centre downtown," Carlton replied. "It's a private gathering. Some friends from the gaming club." His eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled. "I'm glad you could make it."
The drive was short, but the conversation flowed effortlessly. We chatted about everything from games to music and movies. Upon arrival, Carlton valeted his car and offered his arm again. I took it, feeling more at ease with each passing minute.
Inside the community centre, the gaming setup was impressive. Rows of consoles, screens, and enthusiastic gamers created an electric atmosphere. Carlton introduced me to his friends – Alex, Jake and Emily – all warm and welcoming. I found out that Emily is Jake's younger sister, who is the same age as me. Her boyfriend, Alex, is 25, which is also Jake's age.
As we prepared to play, Carlton leaned in, his voice low. "Don't worry, I'll go easy on you."
I grinned. "Bring it on."