“Oh my God, thank you!” I literally scream into the phone and the person on the other end laughs softly.
“Congrats Deena, you deserve it. We recognized that you have the talent, beauty and dedication it takes to represent USC as a Song Girl. Go celebrate and report for practice Monday at 3:00 sharp on the field.”
“Will do and thanks so much for calling.” I’m absolutely ecstatic and on cloud nine as I do a happy dance.
“Congrats Deena!” Kara says, acting genuinely happy for me.
“Oh my God Kara I can’t believe I’m officially a Song Girl. I’ve got to go and call my Mom,” I say excitedly as I go into my room and close my door.
“Mom, I got the call. I’m a Song Girl!” I shriek into the phone, probably just ruptured her ear drums.
“Oh Honey I am so happy for you and so proud of you. Your dream has finally come true!” my Mom gushes.
After I hang up with my Mom, I blast my Maroon 5 playlist, Sugar is my favorite right now and I do my happy dance around my room. Clarissa comes in laughing at me. I take my headphones off.
“I am officially a USC Song Girl, can you freaking believe it?” I scream out.
“Yes I can. You are awesome! Congratulations!” Clarissa exclaims and comes and gives me a big hug. My eyes brim with tears of joy. I reach for a tissue and dab my eyes and sniffle a little like a baby would.
“I still really can’t believe it’s true. Do you know how long I’ve dreamed of this day? Since I was a little girl and I would see the Song Girls while I watched the USC football games with my Dad.”
“He would be so proud of you Deena,” Clarissa says.
“I don’t even know how to get ahold of him to tell him,” I shrug and melancholy washes over me.
“Let’s go out and celebrate,” Clarissa suggests walking out of our room to ask Kara and Lexi to join us.
We decide to drive over to an Italian restaurant called Guido’s over on Beverly Drive in Beverly Hills. The four of us have never gone out together off campus before. This is fun. We have a good time together.
On our way out the door we run into Clarissa’s unbelievably hot English Professor. Can you say yum? She introduces us and she seems tongue-tied around this guy. Once we get in the car I can’t stop teasing her mercilessly.
“You’ve got one hunky Professor. Why can’t I have any hot Professors?” I pout. Clarissa is acting so flustered, she must have it bad for this guy, but she doesn’t say much on the car ride home. When we get back to our apartment we get ready for bed and Clarissa is busy texting with that mischievous smile again.
“Who are you texting, your mystery lover boy?” I tease.
“Maybe,” is all she offers.
“Who is the lucky guy? I’m dying to know.”
“I told you, I’m not sharing the names of my Close Encounters with you,” she says emphatically.
“I’m going to find out,” I say determined, “we have an exchange party with the Sigma Alpha Epsilon house next week. I think I’ll get another Close Encounter out of the way. How are you coming along on your Close Encounters, you have more than one right?” I try and pry something out of Miss Secretive.
“I will show you proof and let you know at the end of the month. Goodnight Deena,” she says finally looking up from her phone and putting it on her desk. She shuts me down. Man, she is so private it kind of bugs me.
“Goodnight Miss Secretive, I will find out you know,” I remark before turning out the lights.
SIX
CLARISSA
We drive up into the Montgomery’s exclusive Montecito enclave of homes that offer sweeping views of the ocean. It’s beautiful here. I love the freedom being in college affords me, I can go away for the weekend with Grant and I don’t have to answer to anyone. It’s incredibly liberating.
“Wow, it’s absolutely breath taking here Grant,” I say in awe, as I walk out onto the patio.
“Get ready, I’m taking you out to dinner tonight,” he says, coming up behind me and wrapping his arms around my waist.
“That sounds nice,” I turn around and he pulls me into his arms and one hand caresses my face as he kisses me with those soft and sensual lips of his.