A Real Disaster

Chapter Four



“This is why I never go out on dates,” I told Sabrina.

My side of our dorm room, which was usually pristine and perfect, looked like a bomb exploded. Clothes were everywhere; on the chair, on the bed, and strewn all over the floor. I couldn’t move without a threat of tripping and breaking an ankle. But, if I was honest with myself, breaking an ankle would be welcomed if that meant that I didn’t have to go out on the date. I was overly anxious and stressed.

“It’s too much work, too much stress. Who the hell wants to be this stressed out?”

“You’re only stressed out because you’re letting yourself get stressed out,” Sabrina told me. “You need to take a few deep breaths and relax. Dating is not really that hard.”

“And you know this because of all the dates you went out on?”

Sabrina was constantly telling me how easy everything was and how I was such a worry wart. But she had only been on only a few dates herself.

“Harsh,” Sabrina huffed. “Why are you being such a bitch?”

“I’m the bitch? I’m not being a bitch. I’m nervous and worried and you keep being so flippant about it all. Maybe it’s not so easy for me and such a happy experience. I know lots of girls that get this way.”

“Why? You are top notch meat. Any guy would be happy to sleep with you.”

“Sleep with me? Am I supposed to be having sex with Turner tonight?!”

“You’re not supposed to, but that’s usually how dates end, Lily.”

That wasn’t going to happen. I knew nothing about sex or having sex. Sabrina knew Turner… And that he would expect sex…

“I can’t go on this date. I’m going to call him and cancel.”

I went to go pick up my phone but Sabrina batted it out of my reach.

“What the hell are you doing?”

“Stop being such a prude, go on the Goddamn date. If you do it, you do it. Don’t over think things, it’s not helping the situation. Go with the flow…Don’t you know how to do that?”

She didn’t know my past so there wasn’t any way she would understand.

“Do I look like the type of person who can go with the flow?” I hissed. “I can’t have sex with Turner. I’m not going to have sex with somebody I hardly know because that’s what usually happens. If he thinks he’s going to get in my pants then he’s going to be disappointed.”


“Then tell him no!” Sabrina exploded. “If you don’t want to, then say no. It’s as easy as that! God!”

Sabrina jumped off her bed and stomped to the door.

“I can’t deal with you right now. There’s too much crazy here for me.”

With a growl, Sabrina left the room and slammed the door behind. I was left alone, in the middle of the room, with no idea as to what to wear.

What a great way to start the night.

The date seemed so daunting.

I slipped on a fire engine red skirt. I matched it with a block halter top with a deep V that left little to the imagination. Slipping on the pair of knee high boots that Sabrina insisted I should wear, I gave myself a look over in the mirror. My hair was mussed in waves around my face. Even without make-up I still didn’t recognize myself. Here goes nothing.



Eight o’clock on the dot there was a knock at the door. I opened it to see Turner standing on the other side, flowers in his hand, and a grin on his face.

“Am I late?” he asked as I ushered him into the room.

There was still no sign of Sabrina but I was okay with that. For once I embraced my solitude.

“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 fa?ade 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.

“Usually, except now.”

“I’m so sorry that I have more than two brain cells in my head,” I retorted. “Can I help you?”

“I don’t know, can you?”

Oh, I was dealing with a smart ass. This was perfect. I looked around for Turner but didn’t see him emerging from any part of the crowd.

Come on Turner, come back already.

“I’m Nash.”

“And I should care because?” I said as I stared at him.

Was he seriously standing there and bothering me with his lousy pick-up lines? Did I not make it clear enough that I wanted nothing to do with him?

“I’m the main singer in the band you came to see.”

“Good to know.”

I looked Nash over. He was good looking, I would give him that. He had a mop of black hair, the color that most couldn’t pull off, but it complimented his green eyes and tanned skin that were covered in tattoos. He wore a button down shirt, opened, and I could see the faint outline of muscle tone. Against my will my body started to hum.

Come on Lily.

He’s sexy…

He’s also incredibly dumb.

His narrow waist disappeared behind loose fitting jeans, ripped at the bottom, and his sneakered feet.

“So…do you have a name?”

“Of course I have a name…”

Again Nash laughed but it wasn’t a malicious laugh. It was a whimsical laugh that disappeared with the wind.

“Okay, I’ll admit it. That was a stupid question. It’s probably one of the stupidest questions I’ve ever asked.”

He took another drink.

“Well at least we’re in agreement about that,” I said.

This time I smiled at him, my cold shoulder growing warmer by the minute. Nash shifted on his feet and ran a hand through his hair. It bounced once and then lay back down exactly in the position it started in.

“So can I have your name?”

“It’s Lily…”

I opened my mouth to say more when I finally spotted Turner. He carried two cups and was smiling as he walked towards me. His smile abruptly disappeared when he saw Nash.

“Nash,” Turner said.

“Turner,” he replied. “Long time no see. How are you doing buddy?”

“Fine.”

Turner stepped between Nash and me, blocking him from my view.

“Do you want to walk around a little? I want to check everything out.”

I wanted to ask Turner what exactly he hoped to check out. It wasn’t as if things changed a lot, at least to him. From what he told me, the concert was the same, year after year.

But Turner’s face lost all its color and his chin trembled just slightly. There was something between these two guys… What had happened between them? Why, when Turner saw Nash, did he change so much?

“Sure,” I said and carefully slid off the rock.

I peeked around Turner’s shoulder.

“See you around Nash.”

“Thanks.”

Nash never lost his smile, even as Turner took my hand in his and pulled me away. Turner didn’t talk to me. I just followed him through the crowd of sweaty, drunk college students. My feet were killing me and I knew now why I hadn’t worn heels until that night.

I wanted to ask Turner to stop, or at least to slow down, but his grip on my hand stopped me from making the suggestion. I knew that Turner wanted to get me as far away from Nash as possible.

Finally the two of us stopped. I had no idea where we were, or where Nash was. Turner pulled me away from the crowd and we hung out against a tree, watching students continue to arrive. I could hear the echo of conversations fluttering over to me but I couldn’t hear what they were talking about. Turner turned to me and frowned, distracted.

“Turner,” I said slowly, tentatively. “What was that about? What’s with you and Nash.”

“Nothing. Nothing is going on.”

I knew it wasn’t my business, I knew that, but I pushed anyway.

“That wasn’t nothing.”

“Lily-”

“I know it’s none of my business and I know I shouldn’t be asking but you look so… Angry. You practically dragged me away from him like I was some kind of child.”

“I’m sorry,” he said and pulled me close to him.

He held my hand and stared into my eyes.

I could feel our bodies mixing together and I wouldn’t have minded if he just kissed me.

“Don’t worry about it. It’s not a big deal.”

I was telling the truth, it wasn’t a big deal. It wasn’t the first time I saw two guys circle each other like two animals ready to attack.

“Nash and I go back… Way back. I’ve known him since we were kids.” Turner cleared his throat and I stood there, waiting. “We were inseparable.”

“So what happened?” Turner laughed a short, harsh laugh.

“What happened?” Turner repeated. “What didn’t happen? One night I come home after a long day of work and find the a*shole screwing my sister.”

My eyes popped and I gasped.

“Are you serious?”

Turner nodded.

“He had her up against the wall like some kind of whore. It was sickening.”

I nodded, sick myself. I couldn’t imagine what Turner felt when he walked in on the scene in front of him. I knew that if that happened to me I would have flipped out.

“What did you do?”

“I grabbed the douchebag by the collar of his shirt and threw him out of the house. I told him that I didn’t want to see him at my house anymore and if I did, I would ruin him. Thankfully he listened. Now, the only time I see him is at these stupid concerts.”

Turner shook his whole body out and then smiled at me.

“And now I have made this, officially, the worst date ever.”

“It’s not ruined,” I assured him. “We still have the rest of the night.”

After a moment of hesitation, I pulled Turner down and kissed his cheek.

“Let’s make the most of it.”