“No, right on time,” I told him.
Turner handed me the flowers.
“Those are for you,” he said.
“They’re gorgeous. Thank you.”
Filling up a pitcher with water, I placed the flowers in them, pulling the stems apart to separate the bunch. It was the first time I ever got flowers before.
“Are you hungry or anything? Do you want something to drink?”
“To be honest I’m too nervous to be hungry or thirsty.”
My heart melted at his comment. He was nervous? To go out on a date with me? It was adorable and relaxed my nerves too since I felt the same way.
“Don’t be nervous…” I said to him. “I’ve been telling myself the same thing so we’re both in the same situation. I don’t want our nerves to get in the way of the two of us having some actual fun, you know?”
Turner gave me a grateful smile.
“I hear that this is supposed to be the biggest concert of the year. A great kick off… Is that true?” I asked, trying to change the subject.
“Yeah,” Turner said. “Last year there was a bond fire and carnival rides. It’s not just a concert, it’s a whole big to do… Just so we have a bit of fun before the hell begins.”
“Sounds like everyone is going to be there…”
“They are. Everyone wants to say that they were there at the big kick off. If you aren’t there, you’re kind of lost the rest of the year. People talk about the kick off for at least the fall semester.”
“So be honest with me… Is there a lot of drinking at this thing?”
Turner cocked and eyebrow and his smile faltered.
“A lot… No,” Turner said slowly. “But there is drinking. Is that a problem?”
“No… Of course not,” I said with a laugh.
I wasn’t about to tell Turner that I didn’t drink; that I only had a couple drinks in my whole life. Nothing could turn him off more than that, I figured. I didn’t want to sound like a complete loser right away.
“What’s your favorite drink?”
“A jack and coke,” Turner said.
“Well then you’ll have to get me one tonight,” I responded with a wink. “I want to see what it’s all about.”
If Turner could see through my façade he didn’t say anything. I looked at my watch and my eyes bulged.
“We better get going if we want to make it to the concert,” I said to him.
I grabbed a jacket and my bag. Turner held the door open for me and I slipped through, locking it behind us.
“Don’t worry about being too late,” Turner assured me. “We won’t miss anything. The concert doesn’t start until at least an hour later than they say.
“So why not tell people the real time?”
It was a good question. Too many events were like this anymore and it was kind of annoying..
“Because the best part about this type of concert is waiting and anticipating the music. It also gives people enough time to get nice and drunk.”
“Why drunk?”
“Because the music is so much better when you’re drunk.”
I stared at Turner, wondering if he was joking or being serious. Oh geez, he’s serious. I realized it when he didn’t start laughing.
“Why?”
This time Turner did laugh.
“You want the truth?”
“Obviously.”
“The music sucks. Every year the music sucks. Drinking is the only way to get through it without wanting to rip the hair out of your head.”
“But then why continue it every year?”
Turner shrugged.
“It’s tradition. You don’t mess with tradition here. If you do, or even if you try to, you’ll be tarred and feathered before you know it.”
“Are you serious?”
“Deadly. This is serious stuff that happens here. You don’t try to change it.”
He began laughing.
“You’re joking aren’t you?”
“Sort of…”
The two of us stepped into the elevator and pressed the first floor button. Standing next to each other, Turner and I each looked different ways, lost in our own thoughts.
“If I haven’t said it already, you look really pretty tonight.”
“Thanks,” I said and felt myself warming. “I wasn’t so sure about the outfit. I thought maybe it was too….” Revealing? Slutty? “Not me,” I decided to explain. “I’m not used to showing so much of my body.”
Was I really trying to explain my outfit choice?
“Why not? You have a body that was made to be shown off.”
Almost immediately Turner put his hand over his mouth and closed his eyes. “I’m sorry, that sounded wrong, totally wrong. I didn’t mean to say that… Or at least to make it sound so pervy.”
“It’s fine.”
He had about the same amount of confidence that I had.
“I’m not that type of guy,” he continued to explain. “My mother taught me to be a gentleman and she would have my ass if she knew what I said.”
“Well, then maybe I should give her a call,” I teased. “I’m kidding. Turner, you worry too much, did anyone ever tell you that?”
I was the same way though.
“More than once. I’m what they call a ‘worrywart’.”
“That makes two if us.” I smiled. “I’m a bit neurotic myself.”
The elevator opened and we stepped out into the first floor. Turner rushed forward to open the door. We stepped into the night, the warmth and humidity encompassing us like a blanket.
“Thank you.”
“My pleasure.”
Turner held out his arm and I linked mine through, letting him guide me towards the Great Lawn. Turner was a… Gentleman. It came off as a little cheesy but at least he was nice. Others were milling about, all slowly making their way to the grass. I could smell the booze from where we were and the hum of voices greeted us as we sifted into the crowd.
Sabrina was sitting on a rock, a cigarette in one hand and a drink in the other. Sabrina smokes? I couldn’t help but wonder if the cigarette was to look cooler and fit in better. Elizabeth stood next to her, nursing a red solo cup.
“Hey guys,” I said and waved at my roommate.
Sabrina waved back and the two of them blatantly stared at Turner and me as we passed. Turner nodded at them but didn’t remove his arm from mine.
“Have fun!” Sabrina cried out. “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do!”
I ignored Sabrina’s comment and held Turner’s arm tighter. I didn’t want him to think that I spent my time gossiping about him.
“Can I get you a drink?” Turner asked when we finally stopped a bit of a ways from the crowd.
I shimmed up on a rock, keeping my legs crossed and putting my jacket over my lap to stop myself from flashing anyone.
“Sure. Whatever you’re having.”
Turner squeezed my arm.
“I’ll be right back,” he said and disappeared into the crowd.
I shifted on the rock, trying to relax, as I looked at the scene in front of me. People were already drinking and dancing even though no music was playing. I averted my eyes from a couple of people grinding up against each other, the girl’s skirt riding up on her tanned thighs. Any higher and she would be showing off everything. That was probably her plan. She wanted to be noticed, no matter what it meant. She didn’t care about what people said about her as long as they were talking about her.
A twig snapped to the left of me and I turned my head to see a guy sauntering up to me, a cocky grin covering his face.
“Are you an angel because I’m sure I just saw you falling from heaven.”
You have got to be kidding me. Could he be any cornier?
“I’m sorry, do those lines actually work on girls?” I asked.
The guy paused and then threw his head back in a boisterous laugh.