“Okay, thanks.”
We both took the packets and were about to go and introduce ourselves to the other students when Henrietta grabbed us both by the shoulders.
“Oh, I almost forgot to remind you. Classes start tomorrow, bright and early. Please know that attendance is monitored and you will fail if you don’t attend eighty percent of your classes.” She looked at us sternly, but it was hard to take her seriously as she was hiccupping. “Oh, yeah. There will be a ball at the end of the year, so start thinking about dresses and dates. You’re both pretty girls, so I don’t think you’ll have problems snagging a date.” She paused for a moment and looked at us thoughtfully. “Oh, and one more thing. I almost forgot. There are two professors overseeing the program this year. They will have two special get-togethers at their houses at some point during the term. Make sure you show up. It looks really bad if you don’t.”
“Okay, thanks.” I nodded and nudged Anna so that she would walk away. I was starting to feel overwhelmed with all the information Henrietta was giving us.
“See you later, girls.” She grinned at us and took another large gulp of the beer in her hands.
“Bye.” I waved at her and was about to whisper something to Anna when I looked up and realized that the green-eyed boy was standing in front of me and grinning.
“Hello.” He reached his hand out towards me. “I’m Sebastian.”
“Lola.” I shook his hand and was pleasantly surprised that he didn’t squeeze it too hard or too limply like most of the guys I knew back home did.
“A beautiful name for a beautiful girl.” He gave me a dazzling smile and I blushed and tried not to remember how Xavier had responded to my name. Lolita, indeed.
“Thank you.”
“Are you American?”
“Is it that obvious?” I laughed. “I’m starting to feel like the redheaded stepchild.”
“No.” He shook his head and his dark hair fell in his face. “I was just curious.”
“Are you English?” I looked at him in surprise. He definitely had an English accent, but I wasn’t sure why he would be in this program if he were from the country.
“No.” He made a face. “God, no.” He laughed again. “I’m from a small country near Belgium. But I was educated in English boarding schools.”
“Oh.” I still looked at him curiously.
“I suppose you wonder why I’m in this program?” He made a face. “My brother convinced my mother it would be good for me because I sort of played around a bit too much last year.”
“Oh, that sucks.”
“Not really.” His eyes sparkled at me. “I’m quite glad he played the overbearing bully this time.”
“Oh?” I laughed nervously as he leaned in towards me.
“Yes.”
“Lola, you coming?” Anna called back to me, and I nodded.
“Sorry, I have to go.” I smiled at Sebastian, and he looked at me in disappointment.
“What are you studying, Lola?”
“Art history.”
“Really?” His eyes gleamed and he shook his head. “I heard the professor’s an asshole.”
“Oh no,” I groaned. “Just my luck.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll be in the class as well.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah. This way my brother really gets to watch my every step.”
“Huh?” I looked at him in confusion, but then Anna grabbed my arm.
“Come on, Lola.” She nodded towards the tall, blond surfer-looking dude, and I gave Sebastian a quick smile.
“I guess I’ll see you tomorrow, if not later again tonight,” I muttered quickly.
“I look forward to it.” He grabbed my hand and gave it a quick kiss before I was pulled away by Anna.
I glared at her. “I was just talking to that guy, you know.”
“Sorry, but I need to speak to the blond god before another girl gets her claws in him.” Anna gave me a frantic stare and nodded towards her new crush. He was standing there, eating what looked like a breadstick, and as far as I could tell, he was all alone.
“There’s no one there,” I sighed as we casually walked over to him.
“Shh!” She gave me a look. “Play it cool,” she whispered.
“I didn’t think I was playing it warm or hot,” I said, slightly irritated.
I had enjoyed talking to Sebastian. There was something about him that seemed fun as well as friendly. I wouldn’t mind making him my first male BFF. And it didn’t hurt that he was hot, either.
“Laugh,” Anna commanded me, and I gave her a look.