The next day, Zacky and Angelika join me for lunch. I intended to sit alone, but as students filled the
cafeteria, Zacky's frat brothers and footballers filled the seats around me. Some of them attended the
fight last night, some didn't. No one mentioned my ring side experience.
'Zack' says a passing voice from behind us.
Zacky nodded, Angelika and I both turned to see Matt take a seat at the end of the table. 2 breasty
bottle-blondes followed close behind him wearing Sigma Kappa tees. One of them sat on Matt's lap,
the other was pawing at his shirt.
'I think i just upchucked in my mouth a little bit' Angelika Muttered.
The blonde on Matt's lap scowled and turned to Angelika
'I heard that you fucking skank'
Angelika grabs her bread roll from her plate and throws it towards the blonde, narrowly missing her
face. Before the blonde could react, Matt let his knees give way, sending her to the ground.
'Ow' She screeches, looking up at Matt.
'Angelika is a friend of mine, you need to go and find another lap to perch on, Laura'
'Matt!' She whined, getting to her feet. Matt payed more attention to his plate, Ignoring her completely.
She looked to her sister and huffed off, they both left hand in hand.
Matt winked at Angelika as if nothing happened at all, shoveling another fork full into his
mouth. It was then that i noticed a small cut above his eyebrow. He traded looks with Zacky, and then
began a conversation with one of the football guys across from him.
Although may people left our table, Angelika, Zacky and I stayed to discuss our
plans for the weekend. Matt stood up to leave, but stalled near our end of the table.
'What' says Zacky loudly as Matt whispers something into his ear. I tried to ignore him for as long
as physically possible, but when i looked up, Matt was staring at me.
'You know her Matt, she's Angelika's best friend. The girl at the fight with us last
night' Zacky said.
Matt smiled at me in what must have been his most charming expression to date. He
oozed sex and rebelliousness with his buzzed brown locks and tattooed arms, I rolled my eyes at him
as he attempts to lure me in.
'Since when did you get a best friend, Gel' Matt asked.
'Since junior year' She replies, pressing her lips together and sending a smile my way. 'Don't you
remember, you ruined her sweater'
Matt grinned 'I've ruined lots of sweater'
'Ugh, Gross' I mutter. Matt spins the chair next to me around and sits, resting his arms in front of him.
'So you're the pigeon from last night huh?'
'No, i happen to have a name' i snap. He looked at me amused by the way i replied. It only added to
the anger he already had inside him at this moment.
'Well? What is it then?' He says. I take a bite at my final apple spear on my plate.
'Pigeon, it is then' he shrugged beside me. I look up at Angelika.
Matt was setting himself up for a challenge. 'I'm Matt, Matt Sanders!'
I roll my eyes at him. 'I know who you are'
'You do?' he raises his eyebrow
'It's hard not to know when drunks were chanting your name. Don't flatter yourself' i tell him sternly
He looks almost offended. 'I get that alot' He says.
'So those are some amazing eyes' he says getting close to my face 'What color are those anyway? Grey?'
I look down, letting my caramel locks cover my eyes. I didn't want him to effect me like he did with other
girls. I wasn't about to let him have a hold over me.
'Your not her type, Matt!' Angelika butts in. He laughs.
'I'm everybody's type! are you mad!' He smiles.
I peeked over and smiled. He notices and speaks 'I got a smile, I can't be a rotten bastard after all!'
He winks and speaks again 'It was nice to meet you, Pidge' He walks around the table and whispers
into Angelika's ear.
Zacky throws a french fry at his friend. 'Get your lips away from my girls ear man'
'I'm networking Zack! Simply networking' he smiles, walking out with a innocent gesture.
A couple of girls followed behind him, giggling and flipping their hair. He opened the door
for them, i heard them nearly squeal with delight.
'Mar, your in trouble!' Angelika laughs
'Why, what did he say?' I say, wary of the answer.
'He wants you to take her to the apartment, doesn't he?' Zacky says. Angelika nods. Zacky shakes
his head. 'Marissa your smart! I'm telling you right now, If you fall for his crap and you get mad at him
cause of it, you cannot take it out on me and Angel, Okay?'
'I'm not gonna fall for it, do i look like a barbie twin to you?'
'See, she's not stupid. she won't fall for it!' Angelika tells Zacky cheerfully
“This isn’t my first rodeo, Angel. Do you know how many times he’s screwed things up for me
because he onenights the best friend? All of a sudden it’s a conflict of interest to date me because it’s
fraternizing with the enemy! I’m tellin’ ya, Mar,” he looked at me, 'don’t tell Angel she can’t come over
or date me because you fall for Matt's line of BS. Consider yourself warned.'
'Unneccesary, but appreciated. Thanks' I said trying to reassure Zacky.
Angelika waved to me as i walk to my afternoon class. Eastern was exactly what I hoped it would be,
from the smaller classrooms to the unfamiliar faces. It was a new start for me; I could finally walk
somewhere without the whispers of those who knew—or thought they knew—anything about my past.
I was as indistinguishable as any other wide-eyed, over-achieving freshman on their way to class.
no staring, no rumors, no pity or judgment. Only the illusion of what I wanted them to see:
Cashmered, no-nonsense Marissa Lewis.