“So you are staying.”
“It looks like it.”
My lip begins to tremble, and I bite it to keep from crying. “We knew this day was coming.”
“But not so soon.”
“We’re seniors, Scarlett. Of course, it’s happening so soon.” I give her a halfhearted smile. “It’s time.”
“I don’t like it.”
“Neither do I, but we don’t have a choice.”
Her eyes are shiny with tears but she grins. “So does that mean you’ve figured out your designs so you can win the competition?”
I snort. “Hell, no. I’ve been busy.” I wave my ice cream container at her. “But for now, these are the only two men in my life.”
Scarlett’s mouth twists into a grin. She doesn’t believe me. I guess I don’t quite believe me either, but I’m sure going to try.
***
On Monday afternoon, I’m in the dean’s office, sitting in the conference room. My fellow design students—Megan and another senior, Renee—sit in high-back leather conference chairs. Megan has a laptop in front of her and Renee has her iPad. My yellow legal pad lies on the black-granite topped table. We fill one side of the table. The other side is conspicuously empty. But we still have several minutes before the meeting is supposed to begin.
“Ms. Carter said four o’clock, right?” Megan asks, checking the time on her phone.
“Yes.” But I’m anxious anyway. I can see one or two people running late or cutting it close, but all three?
The door opens and three people fill the room. A girl and a guy I don’t recognize, and the third person is Reed’s girlfriend. Or is she his ex-girlfriend? She’s still as energetic as she was the last two times I’ve seen her. She bursts into the room, her curls bouncing and a bright smile on her face.
The guy’s face is flushed. “How is it that you all knew where to meet and we were given the wrong room?”
We give him blank stares until Megan says, “Our advisor told us to come to the dean’s office.”
“We were told the chancellor’s office.” His tone softens, but not by much.
“Wait a minute.” Renee sits up. “Are you suggesting we told you the wrong location?”
Indignation riddles her words. “Why would we change the location and not tell you?”
His eyebrows rise and a sardonic smile darkens his eyes. “As some underhanded attempt to keep us from being part of the committee.”
Renee rolls her eyes. “That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard. If I really thought we could get rid of you all by giving you a wrong room number, I would have made sure you were told the date was a day later. Then you really couldn’t find us.”
“See!” he shouts, turning to Reed’s girlfriend. “I told you!”
“Greg,” she says. “Don’t be ridiculous. Our advisor told us to go to the chancellor’s office. It was a simple misunderstanding.”
I stand and flash Greg a smile. “Why don’t we start over?” I point to my chest. “I’m Caroline Hunter.” I turn to the girls seated to my right. “This is Megan Thorn and Renee Rodriguez is on the end.”
The non-design students remain standing so I forge on.
“I confess this is new to us and not how our department is used to running the fashion show.” I cast a quick glance at Megan and Renee. “But that being said, we’re very excited the Monroe Foundation has chosen to partner with us to raise money for the underprivileged children in Middle Tennessee. We’re thrilled to be part of a community outreach project.”
His shoulders relax.
“Why don’t we all sit down and we can all go around and formally introduce ourselves. We can also state what skills we bring to the table to benefit the show.”
As they move to their seats on the opposite side Renee places her arms on the table and leans forward. “Forgive me for stating the obvious.” Her eyes narrow. “But how can students who don’t know anything about fashion design help put on a fashion show?”
Renewed tension fills the room, and I want to strangle Renee. She’s voiced her displeasure over the outside involvement multiple times before this meeting. Megan and I have tried to reason with her, insisting we have no say in their addition to the committee and we need to make the best of it. She obviously has her own agenda.
Greg turns to the other girl standing quietly behind him. “See, Wendy? I told you this was pointless.” He heads for the door.
I take a step forward and stop his path. Ms. Carter is counting on me, and I need her recommendation with her New York friend. “Wait. Please, don’t go. Renee doesn’t speak for Megan and me.”
Reed’s girlfriend places a hand on Greg’s arm. “Come on, Greg. This is new for us too. I think we can make this work.”
Greg scowls and slinks to his seat.
Reed’s girlfriend flashes me a smile and it seems genuine, not a fake sorority girl smile.
Looks like I have an ally on the enemy front.
Everyone sits down, leaving the chair at the head of the table empty.
Reed’s girlfriend begins the introductions and her face lights up with excitement. “I’m Lexi. I’m a sophomore and a business major, but I have a special interest in running nonprofit organizations.
I’ve had experience organizing fundraisers and even though this is my first year at Southern University, I’m excited to be included on the committee.”