Camouflage

Chapter 7

I spent the rest of the day as well as most of the next reading and watching chick flicks. Every so often, my thoughts would turn to Drew. While it was clear that he didn’t like me, I was still intrigued by him. I found myself drawn to his physical attractiveness and aura of mystery. Every time I had these thoughts, I told myself he was off-limits. What was the point of going after someone who couldn’t even have a conversation with you?

The participant party was in the evening, so I had to begin getting ready later in the afternoon. I looked through the closet, finding a numerous articles of clothing that matched my style. I was amazed by the degree to which they understood my likes and dislikes. I finally settled on a light blue dress with tiny black dots, a braided brown belt, and brown cowboy boots. I let my hair flow naturally, and I didn’t bother to wear any makeup. Unless Chapstick counts as makeup, which I don’t think it does.

I made my way to the lounge, which was occupied by nineteen other people, all under the age of thirty. They were all ridiculously attractive, tall, and slim. Most of them had begun conversing with other participants, but I could see two or three people sitting by themselves on a couch or loveseat, reading or staring at the celling. Drew was one of these people.

I forced myself to ignore Drew and talk to the other participants. I wandered around the room, saying hello to each person I came across. The first person to start an actual conversation with me was Tamara, who was in her second year of graduate school. She wore glasses and had her dark hair pulled back in a high ponytail. I learned that she was majoring in Communications and had a fiancé. She joked about how she would be in debt for eternity, because jobs in her field were hard to find and didn’t pay well.

After this, people came up to me one by one to introduce themselves to me. Jackson, a tall, good-looking pharmacist, told me that I had the most beautiful eyes he had ever seen. I replied by telling him to cut the crap. “Pick-up lines don’t work on me,” I said. “In fact, they don’t work on most girls. How about we try this again, shall we?”

Jackson stared at me in shock for a moment before a smile made its way onto his face and he clapped his hands slowly, laughing in amusement. He put his hand on my shoulder. “I like this girl,” he said. “She’s got balls!”

Next, I met Valerie, a pretty but quiet accountant. I did most of the talking during the conversation. I told her that I had just graduated high school and that I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. While she didn’t say much, she did give me one piece of excellent advice. “No matter what you choose to do, make sure you enjoy doing it,” she said.

While I was talking to all of the other participants, I felt Drew’s eyes on me. When I turned to look at him, his eyes bored into mine like he could see into my soul. I did my best to ignore him, but I was constantly aware of his gaze. It was making me a bit uncomfortable.

Once I had finished my conversations, I walked over to Drew and confronted him in hushed tones. “What is your problem?” I asked. “Do you get off on watching me talk to other guys?”

“I can look at whoever I’d like. If I’d like to look at you, that’s perfectly fine. It’s a free country,” he replied snarkily. He stares at me for a few more moments. “Do I make you uncomfortable?” he asked with an arrogant smirk.

I barely kept myself from punching him in the face. “Not exactly, but I wouldn’t be disappointed if you got eaten by a shark. In fact, I would probably throw a party. Does that make you feel better?”

He gave me a saucy grin and said, “I wouldn’t expect anything else from you.”

I walked away from him, almost unable to restrain my anger. My unexpected savior was Jackson, who put his arm around me. “I’m not trying anything.” He quickly pointed that out. “You just look like you need a smile.”

“I would really appreciate one of those,” I said with a sigh. “Some people are really good at killing good moods.”

He gave me a sympathetic smile. “Let me tell you about my nephew, my brother’s son. They live nearby, so I see them all the time. Three days ago, my brother, his wife, and my nephew dropped by for dinner. When they arrived, it was still light out, so I offered to take my nephew to the park. He put on his little puffy jacket and we walked from my apartment to the park. Once we made it to the park, he saw a little girl who was his age with her parents. It was love at first sight, I tell you. He pulled a little bunch of daisies from the ground and gave them to her. Then he asked her to marry him, and she said yes. She was ecstatic, and she went to her parents to introduce her new husband to them. Surprisingly, they went along with it and invited him over to their house for a play date. They were both so happy. My brother and sister-in-law laughed so much when they heard the story! I love that kid so much.”

“He sounds adorable,” I said. “I’d love to meet him one day.”

“He would love you. He adores ladies who are cheerful and pretty,” he replies with a grin.

I blush at his compliment. Jackson seems like such a sweet guy. If only he showed the ladies his sweet side instead of his overused pick-up lines.

“Thank you so much, Jackson. You really know how to make a girl smile.”

“Anything for you, Si.”

Since Jackson had lifted my mood, I was able to get through the rest of the party with a smile on my face. Everyone that I met was amiable, funny, and interesting. I enjoyed talking to all of them. I didn’t have another thought about Drew and his unpleasantness.

I left the party, exhausted but happy. Once I reached my apartment, I changed into my pajamas and fell asleep once my head hit the pillow.