Masked Attraction

Chapter 34: Karaoke Night

"Hey everyone!"

"Hey!" Everyone chimes back to Jamie. I start catching up with Jamie about her Greek Life. In the back of my mind, I notice Ray and Becky remaining mostly quiet all night. Too absorbed by Jamie and her eccentric storytelling I briefly forget about it and we all order a second round of food. Out of the blue, Ray stands up.

"I am sorry we have to leave," she exclaims clearly distraught. "Emma would you be able to get a ride?"

"Of course! I'll see you?" I say almost in a question-like tone and they abruptly walk away.

"Want us to drive you back?" Jeremy offers.

"Yes thank you," I whisper back grateful.

I stare after the two of them as they grow farther and farther away. Something is clearly wrong and I am sure I am not the only one who noticed. Jared being Jared ignoring the weirdness randomly starts begging Jess to go sing Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen.

"Come on Jessica, pretty please."

She laughs mirthlessly, "Nope".

He turns to me but not even giving him a chance to ask I say a stern "No" shaking my head. No way in hell am I going to go up there in front of people. I cannot manage that kind of spotlight on me.

"I'll go!" Luka says happily and goes up with him instead. They sing Despacito failing miserably, missing nearly all the words but it is the absolute highlight of the night. Jamie whips out her phone recording it sneakily.

"Great blackmail," Jamie confesses to me. "You never know when you need it."

After finishing, they both sit back down and Jess gives Jared a quick peck. After a few more couples and stragglers sing some more my eyes start to sag. Jamie yawns in agreement.

"Ready to go?" Jamie voices groggily so I nod. Once I am back safely into my dorm, I slide into my bed. The light is already off with Becky fast asleep. I make it a point in my point that I need to ask what was going on between her and Ray before I drift off.

***

The next day, Becky sneaks out bright and early, so I go to lunch with Luka.

"I finished my application for the internship!" I tell him proud of myself.

"Nice! Good luck! I hope I get it," Luka informs me.

"Yeah, it will look great for the resume. But I am kind of nervous about the whole doing rounds and interacting with all the patients," I confide to him.

"Nah, I am excited! You'll have to get used to that if you become a doctor," he states giving me a knowing look. "It will be really good for us both."

"Mhmm" I mumble still uneasy.

"I really need experience. I have no connections or contacts anywhere. I can't get any help from my parents. I love them, but they know little to nothing about how intense the process of getting into medical school is," he says.

"Oh, but that's what college and professors are for. You have to find a mentor."

"Yeah but when you know people beforehand you already get a head-start," he says his eyebrows scrunching up in stress.

I consider my dad's surgeon friends he has over every couple of years and who send huge checks on my birthday. I guess that does give me an advantage since they know my name.

"You'll meet people. How could you not? You're great," I say comfortingly.

"Thanks Emma. I don't normally talk too much about this stuff, because I don't come from money. I am um, on a scholarship."

"Really? Wow, that's so impressive!" I say earnestly.

His eyebrow arches. "Huh, weird. I consider it showing my weaknesses. Like that I can't even afford to be here otherwise," he confesses.

"I don't think anyone can actually afford college. Don't feel bad."

"I'm sure you could," he retorts with a hint of jealousy.

"My parents can yeah, but at what expense to my relationship with them?"

He pauses. "What do you mean?" He asks puzzled.

"Um, never mind it's nothing. It's just money truly isn't everything," I reply shortly.

"I guess, but it sure is convenient wouldn't you say?" He remarks teasingly his eyes twinkling.

I roll my eyes. "Stop being such a wise ass."

His hand flies to his mouth. "You cursed! Oh my gosh! Emma curses! Who would have thought!"

"Oh shut up," I reply withholding a smile.

***

*Author's note*
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