It's Thursday and there's no use even trying to do schoolwork today. In fact, two of my professors have already cancelled afternoon class altogether. Everyone is ready for the pre-dance party tonight. The pre-game if you want to call it that. Brittany's impromptu Be Mine, Maybe Valentine's Day fundraiser is the talk of the campus.

I leave my last class of the day and walk across the quad to meet Lucy and Darren for lunch. We sit at our usual corner table, eating our favorite stir fry special. The afternoon drags along, and it does not help that I keep looking at my phone.

Harry may have said he's going. Shawn may have asked to see me there. Jake may have told Nikki to make sure she drags me along. I may be panicking. Still, I secretly want one of them to text me right now!

MTR plays on the loudspeakers in the café. I hear Brittany's shrill voice announcing ticket sales and the starting time for the fundraiser tonight. As if anyone doesn't know by now.

"Still cannot believe Brittany got in at Fig," Lucy says between forkfuls.

I'm still getting used to her key lime hair, perfectly paired with her white shirt that has clip-art limes all over it. One of my favorite lucy shirts.

"Please, it's Brittany," Darren says. "All that girl has to do is look at what she wants, and she gets it. Poof like magic. Like some voodoo magic witch shit." Darren snaps his hands.

"But it's Fig. Witch or not, they never host college parties," Lucy counters. "Tell him I'm right, Elle."

"Luce is right," I say, nodding. Lucy is right.

Fig is an upscale restaurant and bar about halfway between campus and Boston. It is very high profile and extremely expensive, and Lucy is right. Fig never allows college kids at the bar after hours. Them hosting an event like this is almost unheard of! All the more reason Brittany is extra popular today.

Can't wait to see what glittery disaster is in store for us at Fig tonight!

We part ways after lunch, and I go back to my dorm for some light studying. It's no use. My suite neighbor is blasting some type of EDM (Electronic Dance Music), and it sounds like a mini stampede is in the hallway. I write about 100 words for my Lit essay before giving up and powering my laptop down.

I fall asleep on my bed, my head at an add angle so it is all stiff and sore when I finally roll over and wake up. I wipe the drool from my cheek and check my phone.

4:49 PM

Nikki's text tells me she'll be over to collect me at 5:30 sharp, which does not leave me much time to get ready. Still, I do my best, and nearly 35 minutes later I check myself in the mirror.

I chose black jeans with a mauve, off-the-shoulder sweater, and black boots. I combed out my wavy hair and tied it in a half-up pony. I even applied my favorite lip color. It seems the V-Day fever is claiming me as one of its victims!

Lucy, Nev, Chloe, and I all pile into Nikki's RAV4. We spend the 10-minute ride over talking about Fig.

Nikki slows to a stop at the valet, pulling up close behind another car. Boys pile out and I'm shocked to see I recognize them instantly. It's Andre and Joe, which means...

Shawn steps out of the passenger seat, his letterman like a beacon in the crowd, and my stomach does somersaults. I step out of the car, suddenly aware of just how tight my sweater is.

"Hi, Elle." Shawn has spotted me, already walking across the slushy snow-covered parking lot.

"Hey," I smile shyly.

"You actually came?" I can feel his surprise.

"I actually did," I nod. "Classes are cancelled tomorrow, so–"

"So, nothing to study for?" Shawn asks knowingly.

I blush, flustered by his jab.

I see Nikki and Chloe pass by, headed inside. Darren walks up to Lucy and Nev, and Andre and Joe are watching us out of their peripherals. I pray that no one else sees us standing here, hands in-pocket, and smiling stupidly at each other. Especially not Jake or Harry.

"Come on, man." Andre shouts back to Shawn.

"Well, I'll see you inside." Shawn flashes one last grin before turning in his sneakers.

"Yea," I say feebly as he walks away.

Watching Shawn go and join his jock friends, I still can't believe he's even remotely interest in me. A car horn breaks my focus and as I snap back to the icy parking lot, I realize I am standing in the valet lane, holding up traffic.

"Earth to Elle!"

Darren's electric blue blazer is my new beacon back to reality, well along with his orange sneakers. He waves his hands in front of my face to capture my attention.

"What?" I ask innocently.

"Um. Everyone else is inside. Let's go it's freezing out here!" Darren grabs my hand and loops it through his.

We walk through the frosted glass doors and into Fig's boujee lobby. Yes, this restaurant and bar has a lobby. No, I am not fancy enough. Intricate wood paneling covers the walls and vaulted ceilings. The black marble floor shines brightly under the dim lights. It makes no sense.

It's both glamorously Art Deco and modern at the same time.

"With the Be Mine Fundraiser?" The hostess asks us, barely glancing up from her digital map of the restaurant. She blows a large bubble with her gum.

No doubt, Darren and I are obviously not the normal type of patrons for this place. We must screen collegiate.

"Yep!" Darren answers. He holds up our two shimmering tickets. "At $50 a pop, this better be the best fundraiser I've ever seen."

"Right," she says, grimacing a smile. "To your left and up the platform." She instructs us, blowing another bubble and picking up the ringing phone at the same time. "Good evening, this is Fig."

"Let's go," I say, pulling Darren along.

We walk left and hit a short set of stairs that leads to an elevated floor in the restaurant area. There are tables set up with white tablecloths and a long bar against the wall. My eyes spot the quaint stage typically reserved for live music –a 5'x5' square of carpet under an indoor pergola covered with fairy lights.

There is no live music tonight, so there is nothing set up under the lights but a drink table with some unnaturally pink punch. Brittany greets us as we walk farther into the private room. A red raffle ticket is thrust into my hand by Olivia, who winks at me.

"Thanks," I say.

"What's this for?" Darren asks.

"The door prize," Olivia answers. "Don't ask what it is, because I don't know."

It should be quite difficult to navigate the crowd looking for Lucy and Nikki and co. But, as luck would have it, I spot Lucy's hair almost immediately. I pull Darren along, all the while scanning the crowd for other familiar faces.

My wondering where Jake and Harry are stops at least halfway when I run into Nikki arguing with her brother. Well, maybe not arguing but talking like brothers and sisters do.

"Whatever. See you later," Jake says, turning away from Nikki and seeing me.

"Hi," I blurt out.

"Hey Elle," Jake smiles slightly, crookedly, deliciously.

"Are you leaving?" I can't stop myself from asking, but I can certainly stop myself from caring about Nikki's exasperated sigh.

"For the moment. I'll be back, don't worry," he says in almost a whi8sper just for me to hear. My skin prickles.

"What is it with you guys?" Nikki groans at me when her brother walks away.

"I could ask you the same thing," I tell her, spitting my tongue out.

"It's weird he's here is all I said. He hates these types of school things." Nikki folds her arms.

"Maybe you need to give him the–"

"Benefit of the doubt?" She scoffs.

"Okay, enough of that," Chloe says, squeezing Nikki's wrist. "This is a fundraiser not a battle royale!"

"Yes, let's find a table before apps come out," Lucy says, looking around the room.

The six of us walk in a single-file line through the growing crowd. We find a vacant table close to the railing that overlooks the rest of the restaurant. No sooner do we sit down do two others join us, now making a table of eight.

"Hi guys," the girl says. "Mind if we sit?"

"Go for it," Nev answers.

I recognize the girl from campus and think maybe I saw the guy at High House.

About 30 minutes later, the room is filled to the brim. Everyone is on their phones taking pictures and streaming live stories. Harry made a whole fuss when he showed up, unintentionally of course. But Brittany saw him and well, that was it! I have yet to even try and line up to talk to him.

I focus on my glittery punch. Okay, maybe the punch doesn't have glitter in it, but it's got the glitter vibe. And thank goodness no one has spiked it yet. I could not deal with even a drop of alcohol tonight. As I sit at the table, picking at my goat cheese and pear salad, it's not lost on me that I am alone.

Typically, this grain of truth does not bother me. And okay, I have Darren beside me, but still. Nikki and Chloe and lip-locked. Lucy and Nev snuck off somewhere together. Even the stranger couple across from us is all lovey-dovey.

The atmosphere is all very be mine, valentine. And this is only a foretaste! I can't imagine what tomorrow's dance is going to be like.

"I know what you're thinking," Darren asks, clicking his tongue.

"Oh?" I act surprised. "What's that?"

"That you want a valentine," he says nonchalantly. "You can admit it. No judgement."

"Well, doesn't everyone kind of always want a valentine?" I say, surprising him.

"Oo, girl, I knew it! So, who is it? Jake? It's Jake, isn't it?" He asks.

"Shut up!" I hiss, looking over at Nikki.

"Is it who you always have lunch with? Oh, I've seen the lunch dates. Shawn? The jock? It's always the jock," Darren says, winking. "Playing them both? Biding your time?"

"Darren, stop!" I insist, laughing. I know I must be blushing. "My lips are sealed."

So even Darren thinks I'm a player. And he doesn't even know about the man behind door #3.

They bring out the main course, but I can't pretend to be hungry right now!

Harry. Jake. Shawn. Jake. Shawn. Harry.

Midnight serenade. Secret book club. Public lunch date.

OK, maybe I do wish some college kid had the nerve to spike Fig's punch!

"Elle? Elle!"

"What?" I snap to it.

"You don't look so well, babe," Lucy says, staring at me suspiciously.

"Oh, I'm fine. I just –Restroom run." I smile awkwardly and all but dart from the table.

I circumnavigate the whole room, staying close to the railing. I think I see Harry's eyes following me and I know I hear Shawn shout my name. The hostess directs me to the restrooms, which are down the opposite hallway and down a flight of stairs.

I scurry past the basement bar, which has mad speakeasy vibes, and push into the Women door.

Unsurprising to absolutely no one, the restrooms are just as glamorous as the rest of Fig. Full water closets with a marble sink, complete with crystal chandelier and a service attendant doling out towels.

"Door 2 is open," the attendant says, ushering me to the fancy stall.

"Thanks," I mumble quickly before shutting the door.

I sit on the toilet seat and place my head between my knees. I am not prepared for this. To have all three would-be suitors cooped up in a single place! How did I ever let myself get talked into coming to this place! Oh, what would Elizabeth Bennet do?

I'm just going to ask Nikki for her keys and drive home. I'll feign illness or food poisoning. But no one would ever believe that Fig had food poisoning...

I stand up and flush the toilet to make it look like it was used. And that I was not just having a silent breakdown in the water closet. The attendant hands me a towel as I finish washing my hands. After a quick 10-second pep talk to myself, I walk out and climb the stairs.

I spot Lucy by the punch bowl first. Then I see Nikki is now dangerously close to the front of Harry's meet and greet line. Oh, no!

Maybe I'll sneak out and order a ride share to take me back to campus. A quick glance through the windows and I see snow falling heavily. Ugh! Finding a ride in this weather will be next to impossible, and it's definitely too far to walk.

I decide I'll just sit and wait it out at my table. I'll use Darren to help me dodge any unwanted visitors.

I climb up to the private room, my hand clinging to the railing again. Too busy keeping my head down, I walk headfirst into a waiter carrying a tray of desserts.

The waiter shrieks in surprise as we both plummet to the ground, covered by dark chocolate ganache and pink jimmies. The crash of the metal tray reverberates, and I lift my head to see every single person is staring at us.

The calamity cannot be overstated.

"Elle!"

I look up and see Jake has materialized out of thin air. He scoops me up and my arms get wet from the fresh snow on his thermal. He must have just arrived back at the fundraiser.

"Thanks," I mumble, backing away from Jake.

"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry," I apologize profusely to the waiter.

The poor girl has chocolate and whipped cream all in her hair and down the front of her blouse.

"Elle, are you okay?" Shawn is also at my side.

"Alright, Elle?" I hear his accent before I see his face.

"I'm fine," I say timidly. I can feel my face burn. I know I must be a violent shade of scarlet. "Really."

Most people have gone back to their conversations, and a bus boy arrived with rags to mop up my mess. I see Nikki grinning, eyes zooming back and forth between Shawn, Jake, and Harry. Lucy's eyes are wide with worry. And Darren looks positively gleeful.

I wish I had never left the bathroom.