A twenty-minute walk from the most southern part of campus, the shopping center of Willow Bay looked like something out of a movie. Over the summer, they expanded the center into even more territory, and looked like more and more shops would be open soon.

There was major money in one spot, why wouldn’t they expand?

It also wasn’t just a shopping center. It was a place to show and flaunt wealth.

That, and grab really good food.

Walking into the grand entrance, we were enveloped in the atmosphere of crisp, green money and heavy metal credit cards. The marble floors glistened with warm light radiating from the crystal chandeliers. Light music played overhead as we walked through with the occasional light chatter of patrons or clinks of glasses in a nearby cafe.

The centerpiece of the complex was a large water display. It was as if someone teleported the world’s most ambient waterfall indoors–water fell from the ceiling, cascading down a rock formation. The light sound of water rushing coupled with the elite looking clientele completed the luxury vibe. I felt like I didn’t belong here, but my bank account said otherwise.

“You sure you want to be dragged into all this?” I looked to Garrett.

He asked me out on occasional dates and showed interest, but we never made anything official. I was gob smacked when a football player asked me out while we were on campus prepping our schedules before part of the campus closed over summer break.

We passed by after football practice had ended and he ran up to me, asking me out for coffee and my phone number. His brown curly hair was dripping sweat, his lightly tanned face had black stains all over, and he looked a mess. His brown eyes were full of excitement as he handed me his phone. Nonetheless, I agreed to a date. Then another. And a few more after that.

But, we weren’t official. We hadn’t even slept together.

“What?” He had a coy smile on his face. “And miss watching you trying on clothes?”

“Ew,” Kelly faked a gag. “I need some coffee first.”

In the cafe, she ordered some blended version of coffee that said more ‘coffee flavored milkshake’ than coffee. I ordered my standard iced americano with a packet of sucralose. Garrett copied my order.

“So, I was thinking...” Kelly trailed off.

“Oh no,” I said.

“Oh yes. You need new clothes, and Garrett can be the judge of how hot you look–after my opinion of course. Sophomore year is going to look great on you.”

Garrett looked at me excitedly, giving me a naughty smirk at the thought of me out of my clothes.

Nope, not going there. I don’t sleep around like that. Especially if I’m not an official girlfriend.

I sighed. “What are these new clothes even for?”

She grinned, a diabolical look in her eyes. “Parties and parties.”

“What about rushing?”