The Boss’s Proposal(32)

‘’All I know is that he insulted me in orientation and he insulted me again tonight. Do you know, he nearly ran me over with that ridiculous big car of his and when I shouted at him to watch where he was going he laughed and said that having one less cheerleader in the world wouldn’t be a tragedy. What an idiot!’’

‘’How did he know you were a cheerleader?’’

‘’He sat next to me in one of the orientation classes and we started talking. He seemed nice at first, if a bit cocky. I mean he’s hot, even I can’t deny that. But as soon as I told him I was a cheerleader his attitude changed and he spoke to me like trash. I mean, I was trying to concentrate and he was whispering lewd remarks about what he wanted to do to me in my ear. And then he tried to run me over in the parking lot!’’

‘’Wow, it sounds hot. What was he whispering?’’ Jennifer said, smiling ‘’I wish he sat next to me in orientation!’’

Laurel gave her friend a disapproving look and rolled her eyes. ‘’Come on, let’s enjoy the party’’ she said, ‘’I’ve wasted enough time thinking about that loser for one night!’’

Just then she saw another familiar face. ‘’Paul!’’ she smiled happily and gave him a big hug. ‘’Jen, this is Paul the guy I was telling you about who is also studying law. It’s crazy but we’re in almost all the same classes. Coincidence, huh?’’

Jennifer introduced herself to the tall, lean, smart looking guy and the three of them chatted amiably about their new college life and experiences so far.

***

Fresher’s week was a blur of meetings, events and parties that flew by before Laurel even realized it. She had made a nice bunch of friends, comprised of a close-knit foursome including her and Jennifer and two other girls called Mindy and Amy. Paul had also become an honorary member of their group, his witty remarks often causing the girls to double up in laughter. Her fellow law student had become a good friend and they often stopped by the local diner for a bite to eat or a milkshake while pondering over some law problem they had been assigned. She admired his exceptional intelligence and logical mind and knew he was going to be a great lawyer. She wasn’t sure she could say the same about herself.

Apart from a couple of minor shouting matches in the hallway, she had managed to mostly avoid her archenemy Ben. Not only had he spread the word that she was frigid, he had also put a price on her head. He had offered an attractive sum of money to the first of his teammates who managed to bed her.

However, she had quickly realized his game when ice hockey players started following her everywhere, giving her compliments, sending her flowers, offering to pay for her lunch, asking her out on dates. It had the opposite effect of what he wanted. She quickly became the most popular cheerleader in college due to her following of persistent admirers. Of course she didn’t succumb to their transparent gestures.

She enjoyed her new popularity and even more so because it annoyed Ben. His plan couldn’t have worked out better she chuckled to herself. She was sitting in the college restaurant surrounded by a merry group of cheerleaders, as well as some of the ice hockey players who had continued to enjoy her company even after Ben had pulled out of his stupid bet. She glanced over to the corner where he was sitting alone and smiled sweetly at him. He scowled back and continued eating.

What is his problem, she wondered? But her thoughts strayed quickly to what she was doing. Enough time wasted on popularity contests she decided. There was a reason this college had been one of her top choices, and it wasn’t the law program, the ice hockey boys, the cheerleading, or even her best friend Jennifer. She made up her mind to change her priorities that very night.

‘’Earth to Laurel,’’ she suddenly heard and realized that Jennifer was waving her hand in front her eyes. ‘’Sorry, I was just thinking about something.’’ she muttered.

‘’I could tell! What’s up?’’

‘’Well you know why I really chose this college don’t you?’’ she confided to her friend, ‘’and I feel like the time is going by and I haven’t even had the guts to go to the rink yet. With all the parties and events, I think I’ve forgotten how to skate!’’

‘’Nonsense,’’ her friend replied, ‘’ You signed up to join the figure skating team, right?’’

‘’Yeah, the first practice session isn’t ‘til next month though. I’d really like to get on the ice for a bit before then. I’m already gonna be way out of my league. I just hope they think I have enough talent to keep me on.’’