S02 E01
First Blush
Cindy - College Years
Music blared from the house where the college party was raging. The house, itself, was crowded with people. They even spilled out into the front and back yard. I found myself here with some of my new college friends. School was only a few weeks into starting, and like all college terms, it wasn't officially the new year until the first college party was held.
Having always heard about infamous college parties, I was excited to go if not a little nervous. It was a whole new world. Yet it was important that I make the most of it. I had a lot of dreams and goals for myself. Some of the best places to network were at parties.
Wearing a fashionable outfit that was party-appropriate, I followed my friends into the party. There was a good deal of boys and girls in the house. Most of them held a cup or bottle of alcohol. I hadn't decided yet if I was going to engage in drinking, too, or not. "Hey Cindy," one of my friends called into my ear--the loud music made it difficult to hear one another--"let's find the refreshments. I haven't eaten since breakfast!"
With a plan in mind, we headed towards the kitchen. It took a bit of weaving through the crowd of people. While the living room was the primary location for most of the dancing, people were cramming the halls to dance as well.
When we finally located the kitchen, we found it filled with boys. They were laughing at something when we came in. Noticing that a group of young college girls had entered in with them, they immediately took an interest in us. "Well, well," one of the blond guys said, "here are some new faces. You girls Freshmen?"
"We are," I answered for us. I felt a bit shy, but I was determined to show some backbone. I may have been young and in my first year at college, but I wasn't just a typical girl. I was going places.
"Mmm. I love Freshmen girls," the blond hummed, looking over us. Yet when his gaze fell on me, his eyes widened in surprise. "Damn, you're super tall. Taller than all of us."
I flushed a little. My hands wrung together behind me self-consciously. I was well aware that I was quite tall. It had been something that I was teased about in high school. "Yeah, I know," I managed to murmur. "I get that a lot. I'm planning on being a supermodel though, so my height will come in handy."
"A supermodel, huh?" the guy said, looking me over again. "Yeah, I can see it. I'm just not used to looking up to girls. I'm usually the tallest one in the room," he chuckled.
"If you ask me, guys should look up to girls more often. We might be able to turn this hellhole we call Earth around," came a new voice. Her words were followed by laughter from other young women. Also in the kitchen had entered a group of athletic-looking women. Judging by their height, I guessed that they were the college's girl's basketball team.
The one who had spoken had dark skin and a dimpled smile. Something about her boldness and confidence sent a flutter of butterflies in my stomach. She caught my eye and winked at me. Those flutters quickly emerged as a blush that stained my cheeks. As her team filled the kitchen, my friends were a bit more confident walking further inside of the kitchen as well.
The boys, muttering slightly, took their leave and headed out of the kitchen with their drinks. I was eyeing a bottle myself when I felt movement beside me. The girl who had spoken was there. "Hey," she greeted me with a smile that made those flutters return ten-fold. "I'm Michelle. Friends call me M. Who are you? Haven't seen you around these parts before."
"H-Hi," I stuttered, then cursed myself. So much for seeming bold and in charge. "I'm Cindy. We just started going here," I said, gesturing to my friends who were also engaging themselves in conversation with M's group.
