Page 5 of Tongue-Tied
That was made clear before I moved in, and I agreed wholeheartedly. The money we raise goes to local organizations, which is gratifying. It allows me to give back to the community, as well as meet the students who might not even know the university has a government. As a senate member, most of the issues I’m involved in revolve around students’ needs and complaints, so these events provide the space to meet people in person and connect.
Craig opens an official-looking notebook. “Our next event is the Poli House mixer in a couple of weeks.” He must be some sort of event planning chair—or something less formal because this is only campus housing, but I wouldn’t put the title past this group.
The others nod, but Milo looks at me. “The idea is to pass out red poppies around campus and encourage students to give them to someone else,” he explains.
“What do the flowers signify?” I ask.
“Poppies have been used throughout history in remembrance of significant political events,” Carson says self-importantly, and I barely keep from rolling my eyes.
“Okay, sure…and?”
“We’re poli sci majors!” he retorts.
“Carson came up with the idea last year,” Ian says with a shrug. “And it checks, so why not?”
I hold up my hands, not wanting to be the contrarian. “Yeah, okay. Makes sense.”
“Anyway, the poppy is your ticket into the mixer,” Craig says. “And last year, people used them to invite others or as conversation starters.”
Carson nods. “We place buckets of flowers around campus, with posters explaining the event.”
“And someone is stationed at each site to encourage people to take one for themselves and pass another to someone else.”
“Cool,” I say. It reminds me of something similar we did in high school for a Valentine’s event, but that had to do with romance and dating, which was pretty cheesy. I’m not like Austin, who eats that stuff up. His head is so far in the clouds that I’m afraid his expectations will disappoint him too much.
Once we’re finished discussing the event, we’re off together toward the ocean side of the campus, where Shenanigans is located on the pier. Living in California never gets old, not when the weather cooperates most days of the year. I considered attending a college in New York, but the idea of dealing with snow and cold makes my teeth chatter.
As soon as we’re inside and at a table reserved for our group, I look around for Austin and immediately spot him near the bar, next to two people holding hands. Must be Kael and his girlfriend. Too bad his new living arrangement won’t turn into a roommates-to-lovers scenario like in those romance books he’s hooked on. The idea of that happening makes my stomach twist, but I can’t unpack why. I suppose I’m afraid Austin will get too busy or preoccupied to spend time with me. But I have no room to talk. I’m the one who left and already has a full schedule.
I lift my hand in a wave, then head their way.
Kael’s girlfriend is ordering a drink from a bartender named Perry. He’s Ty’s brother, the infamously cocky lacrosse player, someone everyone around here seems to know.
“Hey, you.” God, it’s good to see Austin. Okay, I’m being overdramatic.
“Hey, back.” Austin smiles in that shy way he does when we haven’t interacted in a while, though it’s only been a few days.
Maybe he’s missing me too.
“This is Kael and his girlfriend, Angelica.”
“You must be his friend Dex,” Kael replies.
“Best friend and ex-roommate,” I add, and Austin rolls his eyes.
“Wait, so you’re the ex-roommate? Is there something I’m missing?”
I’m a bit hurt that Austin hasn’t told his new roommate key things about our history.
“How much time do you have?” I reply, and when their eyes widen, I chuckle.
“Kidding.”
“Actually, I’m the one who kicked him out.” Austin smirks. “I said go live with your Molly House friends, where it’s constantly noisy.”
I shake my head. “I moved into the Poli Sci House.”
“Is that the one with all the different flags flying?”