Chapter Eighteen: Men Being Friends:

The Autumn Mixer was coming up. All of the students were invited. Wallace saw his chance.

“You going to the mixer?” Rocky asked.

“Yeah,” the country boy said. “You?” His neighbor shook his head.

“Nah, it’s not my thing,” he said. Rocky paused for a moment. He narrowed his eyes and gave Wallace a strange look.

“What?” he asked.

“Is there someone you are trying to meet at the mixer?” Rocky asked.

“Why?” Wallace asked.

“That’s the only reason we at this apartment complex goes to any mixer,” his neighbor said. “What’s her name? Or his name?”

“Julia,” the country boy said.

“Which Julia?” Rocky asked.

“Thatcher,” Wallace said. “You wouldn’t know her. She’s from my hometown.”

“Ah,” his neighbor said, nodding. The country boy tilted his head.

“What?” he asked.

“Nothing,” Rocky said. “It’s just…”

“What?”

His neighbor shook his head. “Nothing. Just don’t base your whole college experience on one girl.” Rocky turned wand walked back into his apartment. Wallace just stood there looking confused.

“Okay then…” he muttered. Rocky’s door swung closed.

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The mixer would begin at six o’clock. The party was going to be held at the auditorium. It would just be Wallace and another girl attending. They didn’t even make eye contact as they walked to the elevator. He wasn’t sure if he had seen the Indian chick before or not. He didn’t have time to question it. Wallace had a mission tonight.

One long hike later, Wallace made it to the building in question. He could hear the music from outside. The country boy took in a breath and pushed open the doors. Colored lights danced around the room. The students stood around talking with their drinks. A DJ played music from the booth. Balloons and streamers hung from the ceiling. Wallace had to step back and cover his ears.

“Excuse me!” a girl’s voice snapped. The country boy whipped around. His neighbor stood behind him, frowning. She had her arms folded across her chest.

“Can you move?” she asked. Wallace blinked at first.

“Huh?” he asked.

“You are standing in the way,” his neighbor said. “Please move.” It took a moment for the lights to turn on in his head.

“Oh,” he said. “Sure, sure.” The country boy stepped out of the way. His neighbor rolled her eyes as she walked inside. Wallace followed her inside.

The music made his ears hurt. He wished that he brought earplugs with him. Wallace covered his ears and walked forward. Time to get to work. First, he needed to find Julia. And then Martin. However, he would not talk to Julia tonight. Wallace scanned the talking and dancing crowd.

“Wallace?” someone asked behind him. The country boy did not respond. How could he over the music?

“Wallace!” someone yelled again. Wallace kept looking around. Somebody smacked him in the back. The country boy jumped and whirled around. Professor Liz stood behind him, smiling.

“Hi!” she said. Wallace blinked at her.

“Liz?” he asked. The curvy professor giggled.

“I’m so glad you made it!” she said. His eyes shifted back and forth.

“Uh… yeah…” Wallace said. Liz looked at him with hungry eyes. Her student had the need to run away for some reason.

“I was hoping that you would come out here tonight,” she said. Wallace raised his eyebrow.

“You were?” he asked. The county boy nervously laughed. This had to be a joke, right? Please let it me a joke. That grin was telling him otherwise.

“Uh-huh,” the thirsty professor said. Her tone wasn’t registering with him. She took a step forward. Wallace tried to direct his attention elsewhere. At last, he spotted Martin across the room. He was standing with a group of freshmen with drinks. Hello Ms. Opportunity.

“Uh… listen, I have to go,” Wallace said. He hurried off before the professor could say another word.

“Wallace?” she asked. The country boy didn’t listen as he kept walking. He pushed his way through the crowd of talking people.

“Excuse me. Excuse me,” Wallace kept saying. The country boy finally made his way over to the target. Martin and the group of boys looked as he got close.

“Hi,” Wallace said. The leader actor gave him a confused look.

“Hello?” Martin asked. The boys stood there silent for a moment. The leader actor raised his eyebrow at first.

“I’m sorry, but do I know you,” he said. Wallace slowly shook his head.

“Not really,” he said. “I’m just an extra in the play.”

“Okay…” Martin said. Wallace looked over his shoulder. He frowned as Liz started looking around for him. The country boy nervously laughed.

“Uh… listen, my literature professor is giving me the creeps,” Wallace admitted. “Can I just stay with you so that I don’t look like I am alone?” He prayed that this would be enough to work. Marin finished up his drink.

“Sure,” he said, shrugging. Wallace breathed out as he dropped his shoulders.

“Thank you so much,” he said. The country boy walked over and stood with the rest of the boys. He watched as Liz kept walking around, looking for him. Martin turned to look at him.

“So, you like music?” he asked. Wallace perked up.

“A little bit,” he said. “What all do you like?”