Cool Like That (3 page)

Sienna nods. “Yeah, it’s cool. It’s where you get to scope out all the hotties and pick your summer crush. Unless you already have one.”

Why did she look at me when she said that? I haven’t demonstrated anything to Sienna to let her know about Ricky and I, other than a little bit of mean mugging in the van. So what is she talking about?

Okay, am I over thinking this or what? Maybe it was just a simple statement, with no deeper meaning at all.

“So you’re gonna go to your room and change for the barbeque?” Ricky asks.

“Yeah, but you don’t have to wait for me, because I don’t know how long it will take me to get dressed. I’ll meet you there.”

Ricky looks stunned by my response. It doesn’t have anything to do with Rashad, although I know he thinks it does. I want to meet my roommate and take my time getting dressed.

Now, if I happen to run into Rashad on my way over to the barbeque, it’s all good.

What? Don’t give me a blank stare. Ricky is the one who started this “no-crush summer” mess. It’s all his fault.

Sienna drops me off at my suite. “I’m right upstairs in room four-oh-nine-B. You can call from room to room by dialing seven first and then the room number.”

“Get the heck out of here! Like in a hotel?”

She nods. “Yep. They have maids who come in every day to clean the rooms too.”

“Shut up!”

Sienna laughs and leaves me to go to her room. I open the door to my suite with a swanky little key card. Already, I’m adding Columbia to my college list. I could get used to this.

The first thing I notice when I step into my bedroom is a strong coconut scent. It’s nice—kind of earthy, but sweet, like how a day spa might smell.

“I hope you like coconut,” says the girl I’m assuming is my roommate.

“I do, it smells nice. Hi, I’m Gia Stokes.”

The girl walks up to me swinging her pin-straight, obviously salon-straightened tresses. Her skin is the color of butter-pecan ice cream and completely acne free (hate her). She moves like a supermodel, deliberately taking wide strides and swinging her arms as if on a runway. She stops in front of me and kisses both my cheeks. Well, she doesn’t actually kiss me. She makes kissing noises in the air.

Now is the appropriate time for a blank stare.

“I’m Melody Brookstone. Something tells me we’re going to be BFFs by the end of the summer.”

I give her my friendliest smile. “Cool! Are you going to the barbeque?”

“Yes, even though I don’t eat meat.”

A real live vegetarian. Wow on top of wow.

“Is this your first summer in the program?” I ask.

“It’s my second year.”

“So you know a lot of people already?”

Melody nods. “Some, but I try to keep my clique intimate. More people equals more drama.”

“Don’t I know it,” I say in agreement. “I need this summer to be drama free.”

“See!” Melody exclaims. “I knew we were going to be close.”

Truth be told, it is my turn not to have drama. My high school years have been drama to the infinite power. I’ve had a shoplifting little stepsister, frenemies, unsuccessful makeovers, boys playing me out, and friends with half-naked pictures posted on Facebook.

So seriously, can a sister get a break?

My phone buzzes in my purse. Before I even look at the caller ID, I know it’s my mom.

“Hi, Mom,” I say.

“Gia, why haven’t you called to let me know you’re safe?”

“I’m sorry. I was just about to call you. I’m in the dorm now with my new roommate, Melody.”

“Mmm-hmm. Don’t make me get on a plane and fly up there, Gia. You better keep in touch.”

“I will, Mom. But I’m about to go to a barbeque with all the students and the resident advisers. So can I call you back?”

“Yes. Have fun, okay, and tell Ricky I said hello.”

“I will.”

I press “end” on my phone and open my suitcase on the little stand at the end of my bed. Melody walks over with a look of interest on her face.

“What are you going to wear?” she asks.

“I don’t know. What’s appropriate?”

“You should probably go with resort casual.”

Resort casual? What in the world is the difference between resort casual and regular casual? I need an answer pronto. This is soooo not a rhetorical question.

Melody laughs. I guess she can tell by the befuddled expression on my face that I’m completely clueless.

She starts pulling clothes out of my suitcase. “These khaki capris and this pink baby tee. This works. Do you have any heels?”

“Heels? I have flip-flops. Is that resort casual?”

Melody’s eyebrows rise almost all the way up to her hairline. “Flip-flops? Have mercy on my soul. No. You may not wear flip-flops. Please tell me you have an acceptable pair of sandals.”

“I do have a few pairs.” I toss the shoes into the center of the floor.

Melody taps her chin as though in deep thought. “These will do,” she says as she picks up a pair of Nine West wedge heels that Hope put in my luggage. “Do you have a bag to match these?”

“I have this little pouch and a mini backpack.”

“There’s no time to go shopping, so I guess you’ll have to borrow one of mine.”

Why is it that everyone wants to give me a makeover? Why can’t they just allow Gia to be Gia?

“I’ll pass on the bag, Melody. My backpack works for me.”

Melody looks totally wounded. “Sorry. I just wanted you to look hot for the barbeque.”

“I really appreciate you for that, but I’ve got my own style.”

Melody plops down on the bed. “Was that too much? I can pump the brakes if you want.”

“It’s cool, Melody. You can pick out a bag for me just this one time.”

“Really?” She claps her hands together, jumps up, and hugs me.

“Umm, Gia…you need a shower, sweetie.”

I burst out laughing. “Pretty much. I’ll go handle that, and you can choose a bag while I’m in there.”

I’m glad for the shower and a few moments away from my brand-new BFF. It’s funny—I’ve never made friends with anyone this quickly, but this Melody Brookstone seems determined to have me in her clique.

After I’m fresh, clean, and dressed, I turn around in a little fashion-model pose for Melody.

“A great improvement,” she says as she hands me a big leopard-skin purse.

“Leopard skin? This doesn’t match anything I have on.”

“Oh, you don’t have to match your bag anymore, as long as it’s hot.”

“If you say so.”

I rub my tummy, which is definitely on empty. I haven’t eaten anything since the little pack of peanuts the flight attendant gave me on the plane.

“Are you ready to go now?” Melody asks.

I’m about to say yes when my phone rings. The caller ID says “Hizzle-Pizzle.” Ha! That means it’s my cousin Hope. And you know she was furious when she found out about her nickname in my address book.

“This will take only a sec,” I say to a now-impatient-looking Melody. “Talk to me,” I speak into the phone.

“Why have I not received any texts or Facebook messages yet, Gia? What’s up? You are supposed to be keeping me posted.”

“I’m sorry. I’ve been a little busy since I got here.”

“Well, you need to get unbusy and tell me what’s going on,” Hope fusses. “Have you met anyone cool yet?”

“Yeah, my roommate, Melody, this girl named Sienna, and a cutie named Rashad.”

“Rashad Moore?” Melody asks.

I nod at Melody and listen to Hope squeal. “A cutie? What’s up with him? Wait a minute, what’s up with Ricky?”

“Rashad is cool, but I haven’t gotten a chance to know him yet. Ricky is, you know, Ricky. It’s all good.”

“Oooh, drama! Gia, I never pictured you being a female mack, but it’s possible. Was Ricky hating on the new dude?”

“Is Tweety bald and yellow?”

I hear Hope suck her teeth. “It would be too much for you to answer a question with a simple yes or no, wouldn’t it?”

“You know you like being treated to my wit.”

“Whatever, Gia.”

Melody clears her throat and flares her nostrils. She mouths the word
barbeque
to let me know she’s ready to go.

“Okay, Hope, I’ve gotta go to this barbeque thing with my roommate. She’s waiting for me. I’ll call you later.”

“You better not forget, Gia.”

“All right, bye.”

“It’s about time,” Melody says.

Melody leads the way to the patio where the barbeque is being held. The party already seems to be in full swing. Ricky’s here already, and Rashad is too.

“So, you were talking about Rashad earlier. Are you crushing on him?” Melody asks.

I shrug. “Not sure yet. He seems cool though.”

“Beyond cool. He’s hot to death.”

“Wait a minute. Are you crushing on him? Because if so, I’ll step out of the way.”

“Umm, no,” Melody says. “I have a boyfriend back home in Boston. We’re totally getting married after college.”

“Really? I haven’t thought much past which college I should attend, and I haven’t even really decided on that either.”

“Well, I’ve dated Wilson ever since ninth grade. I think we’re soul mates.”

“Wow, okay.”

Is it weird for teenagers to be exclusive like that? If it is, there must be something wrong with me. I can’t even decide if I want to have a crush on both Ricky and Rashad, but Melody already has her husband picked out.

“Rashad is really nice though, Gia. And cute too.”

“I know, right.”

Ricky waves over in my direction. “Come on, Melody,” I say. “I want you to meet my best friend Ricky.”

As we walk toward Ricky and his new friends, he flashes us one of his really cute smiles. I so hate myself for this, but the butterflies are flitting all over my stomach.

“He’s a hottie,” Melody whispers. “How is it that you can be best friends with him and not have a crush?”

“Who says I don’t have a crush on him?” I respond with a giggle.

“Ooo, multiple crushes!”

“Hey, Gia!” Ricky says when we get to his group.

“What took you so long?”

“You know us girls,” Melody says. “We had to get beautiful. I’m Melody, Gia’s roommate.”

“I’m Ricky, and this is Xavier and Sushil, my roommates.”

“Why are there three of y’all in a room?” I ask.

“Sushil signed up at the last second,” Xavier says, “so we got stuck with a triple.”

Melody gives Sushil a hug and her funny air kisses. “Hey, Shil. I didn’t know you were coming back this summer. Didn’t you graduate?”

“Yes, but I am attending Columbia in the fall, and my father thought it was best if I spend another summer in the program.”

Sushil’s accent catches me completely off guard. He looks Indian (not Native American, but from the country India), but he sounds British.

“Shil is from London,” Ricky explains like he’s reading my mind.

I nod. “Cool. You’re coming all the way to New York for college?”

“Yes. My father went here and has a medical practice back home. One day I’m going to join him,” Sushil says.

Xavier says, “I’m not coming here for college. It’s too cold in the winter. I’m going to USC. What about you, Ricky?”

“I don’t know. Probably a football school though. Maybe Georgia Tech because my best friend here is talking about going to Spelman.”

I feel my mouth drop open a little. I didn’t know he was trying to go to college near me. We’ve never even talked about it.

Wait a minute. Is this Ricky’s sneaky little way of claiming me? I can see why he’s putting that out there because Sushil is a hottie for real with his coffee-colored skin and big dark curls. Xavier, not so much. He reminds me of Kevin before his makeover.

But back to the matter at hand. Ricky claiming me? What’s up with that?

Rashad walks over to us and hugs Melody. “Hey, Mel. Long time, no see.”

“I know, right! How was junior year in the
A?
”

Rashad laughs out loud. “Listen at you trying to use slang. Junior year in the
A
was good, Mel.”

“Hey, Gia.” Rashad hugs me too. “Melody is a cool person to have for a roommate. You scored with this one.”

Rashad’s hug has got me feeling completely uncomfortable. One, he held me just a little bit too long, and two, Ricky is glaring at me like he wants to explode. This is not a win-win situation for me. I guess I’m not cut out to be a player.

“Hey, Rashad,” I say in a nervous tone. “Is anybody hungry? I’m hungry. Oh, look, there are some hot dogs.”

I can’t race away from them fast enough. Melody is on my heels as I rush away.

“Are you okay, Gia? You’re acting weird.”

“Yep, I’m cool. Just hungry.”

I grab a hot dog from the table and take a huge bite so I don’t have to answer any other questions. Rashad, Ricky, Sushil, and Xavier continue talking and getting to know one another until the resident advisers get up and start going over the rules for the summer program. Midnight curfew during the week, and one in the morning on the weekends. Score! This will cause my mom to have another meltdown if she finds out. So you already know what it is—we’re not telling her.

No members of the opposite sex are allowed in sleeping rooms, but we can all chill in the common areas. Of course, the advisers point out that no drugs or alcohol are allowed. They also have zero tolerance for violence.

After the cookout, everyone goes back to Lerner Hall to hang. I haven’t said much of anything because I’m afraid I’ll put my foot in my mouth. Ricky has been strangely quiet too.

“So who’s up for a walk in Times Square?” Sushil asks.

Melody looks up from the chessboard she’s setting up. “I don’t know, Shil. It’s late.”

“We can all stay together,” Rashad says. “And of course we won’t stay out after curfew. It’s Saturday night, so we’ve got until one in the morning. Gia, you have got to see Times Square at night.”

I nod. “Okay. What do you think, Ricky? Do you want to come?”

“Sure. It sounds like fun. Wait—how are we going to get there?”

Sushil replies, “The subway, of course!”

We all head back to the dorm so Melody can change her shoes. She told us there was no way she was marching around Times Square in four-inch heels.

As we wait in the lobby, I ask Rashad, “Is it true what my mama says about the subway?”