Southern Attraction: The College Years Read online

  Southern Attraction-

  The College Years

  by Tracy Kauffman

  Southern Attraction-

  The College Years

  Chapter 1

  It was a new school year; Heather was excited to be going to the University of Alabama with her boyfriend, Jake. She chose Fashion Merchandising and Design as her degree choice. Luckily Mick had received some donations, after the destruction of his home from the tornado, to help her pay for most of her first year's tuition. Larry, her parent's old financial advisor, had given her the rest of the money that she needed. Larry had been a close friend to her father. He felt bad about her losing her home after her parent's passing, so he donated the rest.

  Heather made some preparations for her first year in college. She got a new layered hairstyle with blond high-lites and bought a couple of new outfits. She made sure to get plenty of rest the night before. She searched her phone for some soothing music to play to help her rest. She found some relaxation nature sounds on her playlist. After she pressed play, she could hear seagulls cooing and the wind blowing. Then she heard waves from the ocean whooshing and splashing upon the sand. The sound of the ocean was gentle and peaceful. It didn't take long until Heather fell quickly asleep.

  The next morning Heather felt relaxed and tranquil. Her first day was here, and she had to look her best. She wore her new black boots, black leather jacket, and smelt of expensive perfume. Somehow driving her little red Camaro didn't give her that sense of pride it once had. Other students often admired her because of her new car. Now she just wanted to be accepted; not worrying so much about being the popular girl in school.

  Today Heather felt like the new kid in town, just like the day she arrived in Alabama at her uncle's farm. At least this time she didn't have to compete with other people's misconceptions of her. She remembered how they treated her when she arrived in Huckleburg, Alabama. Country bumpkins were very rude to her because she was from New York. They didn't like Northerners and thought that she was some spoiled rich kid.

  Heather remembered how much she had hated moving to Alabama to live with an uncle she barely knew. Huckleburg used to be a place she hated, but it had become home to her. Now for some reason, she felt homesick and missed her uncle.

  As Heather hurried down the beautiful brick paved road toward the street where her first class would be, she looked around at the beautiful campus. High architectural buildings with intricate designs faced the main gate. Heather was surprised by the size of the campus and how it seemed like the whole town catered to the Alabama University. Streets were named after the famous college football coach, Paul Bear Bryant. A coach, famous for winning six national championships during his tenure. Heather finally found a parking space at the end of the row, squeezing between two cars which were parked over the line.

  "Don't this just beat it all," Heather growled as she shook her head in disgust.

  Knowing she was going to be late, she hurried along the pathway of fresh, colorful flowers blooming along the manicured landscape on the Alabama campus. She barely made it to Morgan Hall when she tripped over the threshold and landed on her stomach, barely missing her head on the concrete floor in front of her. As she looked up, no one seemed to notice. Everyone seemed to be focused on making new friends. After she hopped up and started down the hallway, she saw kids with fashionable clothes and new school supplies lining the walls. No one seemed to worry about making it to class on time.

  As Heather entered her first math class, she surveyed the room before taking a seat toward the back of the class. Only one seat remained open on the last row. As Heather approached it, some skinny redhead sat down before she could. Trying not to make a fuss, she found another seat on the row just ahead. As she sat down, she saw a young man entering the room, taking a seat at the teacher's desk.

  “Alright guys, find a seat,” the young man said with authority.

  Heather couldn't believe that he was the teacher. He didn't look much older than her. His dark brown hair was long for a teacher but stylish. He had a small beard, but it was well manicured, attractive. He wore tan khaki pants and a dark blue polo shirt. Heather was mesmerized by this young professor. Is he really the teacher, Heather thought to herself. No way!

  “I'm professor Mike, and we are going to learn how to have some fun this year.”

  All of a sudden, some frumpy middle-aged man came into the room. “Okay, you had your fun, now find a seat,” he uttered to the young man.

  The teacher didn't look too amused. He seemed more irritated because of the guy who wanted to play a joke on the rest of the class. Mike picked up his books and headed straight back toward Heather's seat and sat down right in front of her. Heather couldn't help noticing Mike smiling as he sat down. She wondered if he was smiling at her or because of his whimsical farce.

  Heather kept checking the large clock on the wall that hung right behind the professor’s desk. Is this class ever going to end? She thought.

  After two whole hours of taking notes, and taking quick glances at the suave guy that sat in front of her, Heather jumped up from her seat. She couldn’t help looking at the guy that sat in front of her, as she gathered her belongings.

  What are you doing? Heather thought to herself. Keep calm and don’t say a word.

  Heather knew that if she started a conversation with this virile young man, it would be hard to resist his charm. After all, she had a boyfriend and didn't want to be ensnared into an enticing relationship with someone else. As she walked down the hall, she turned around and saw Mike following her. The quicker she walked, the faster he followed. When she got outside, she turned to say something, but Mike walked right by her without saying a word.

  What the nerve of this guy, who does he think he is? She thought. As she was about to follow him to ask that very question, she turned to see Jake walking toward her in the distance. Heather couldn’t believe how much she still loved Jake.

  Heather and Jake had gone through a lot together. They had faced more things in their life than most people their age. Most people had never lived through a tornado leveling a town, and being right in the middle of it. Heather could still hear the sounds of the tornado going overhead. She recalled how frightened she was. The storm shelter was the only thing that protected her and her uncle, Mick. Jake was injured in the storm and was in the hospital for a couple of weeks. The hospital visits were what brought them together and helped them form a close bond. Heather and Jake’s love grew stronger through their ordeal. Heather could remember how her uncle Mick talked about tribulation bringing people closer. She had learned to rely on God that year, thankful that he had brought her through the storm.

  Jake was nothing like the guys she normally dated. He was rugged, a real country boy. His dad was a farmer; he knew the meaning of hard work. Jake wasn't afraid of hard work either, but he cared more about sports, especially football. Heather still blushed when she saw him. It certainly didn't hurt that he had a muscular physique, that made her desire him. Her chest fluttered when she saw him as if she was nervous. They had been together for over a year, but something about him thrilled her.

  “Hey Babe,” Jake said as he approached her. How’s your day going?

  “Boring, boring, boring. Need I say more.”

  “Sounds like your day was same as mine.”

  “We had some guy try to act like the professor, which was strange,” Heather told Jake it was strange, but it fascinated her.

  “Can’t be any more stranger than a rat running loose in the classroom.”

  “What? Ew, I would have probably been screaming and climbing on the desk if I saw a rat. Where did it come from?” Heather
inquired.

  “I think the lab down the hall. Who knows? ...So where are you next?”

  “I have an English class. What about you?”

  “I’m actually late to practice. Love you,” Jake said as he quickly kissed Heather on the cheek.

  “Are you going to come by the dorm later?”

  “Yeah, sorry gotta run,” Jake hollered as he waved goodbye then passed out of sight.

  Chapter 2

  It was eight o’clock before Jake knocked on the door.

  “Why are you just now getting here. I have been waiting for you.”

  “Sorry, Babe, I had practice for most of the day.”

  "You mean to tell me that you had to practice football all this time.”

  “Yes, the Coach is crazy. I guess that’s why he's the best.”

  "Okay, I guess I believe you. I just hope you don’t have to practice like this all the time. When does he expect you to study?”

  “Never. I guess. All I know is I’m not in a position to protest. I’m only a Freshman, and I want to play this year. So I have to follow his rules.” Jake replied.

  “Well, how are you suppose to keep your scholarship if you can’t keep your grades up?”

  “I don’t know, but right now, I have to do what he wants. ...I really want this Babe. I hope you understand.”

  “Of course I do. I just don’t want you to get overloaded with practice and taking classes. ....By the way, you never told me what your major is going to be.”

  “Well I’m still debating, but I signed up for Criminal Justice.”

  “What is that? Is that like being a police officer?”

  “Yeah, it sounded interesting.”

  "Honey, that sounds dangerous, and it doesn’t sound like it pays much either,” Heather protested.

  “You’re not really giving it a chance. I’m sure there are other things I can do other than being a police officer. I can be a detective, or run for the Sherriff.”

  “Maybe so, but it sounds dangerous. I don’t want you to get injured.”

  “I told you I was still debating it. Don’t worry; I still have plenty of time.”

  “I hope so because your scholarship is only going to pay for so much.”

  “I know. Hopefully, I'll make the team and get some great offers to play professionally.

  “That sounds good, but you can’t really depend on that. You need to have a major just in case.”

  “Okay honey, let's quit talking about this and enjoy the rest of our night. I know of better things we can talk about or things we can do,” Jake said, frustrated at the conversation.

  “Is your mind always in the gutter?”

  “I didn’t say anything bad. It looks like your mind is in the gutter, not mine.”

  “Just shut up and kiss me.” Heather flirted.

  ....The rest of the week went pretty smoothly; Jake and Heather adjusted into their new classes. Heather tried out for cheerleading and made the team. Now that she had made the squad, she inherited several new friends.

  Megan Orr was a spunky but short member of the squad. Her father is an Alabama senator that altercates for better education and cheaper taxes. Tina Wilson was one of the nicest cheerleaders on the squad. She is the head cheerleader, probably because of her great memory, and the way she can do the splits. She’s beautiful with red hair and a curvy figure. She can tumble, jump, and do better stunts than anyone else on the team. Tori Sellers was the first girl who approached Heather when she joined the team. Heather has tried to treat everyone the same, but Tori struck a nerve with her. Perhaps it’s because she acts so much like Stephanie did when she was first diagnosed with Addison‘s Disease. Stephanie was her friend back in Huckleburg. She had been really clingy and overbearing and now Tori was acting similarly.

  Maybe she is just trying to be nice; Heather thought as she headed toward her new home. Heather had applied and was recruited to join the Pi Beta Phi sorority when she first arrived. Her new home was going to be so much better than living in the dorm. Heather was glad she was going to live in the Sorority House because she would have the opportunity to make many new friends. Sorority sisters were always so tight. They shared their secrets, trials, and relationship issues. Usually, their friendships lasted forever. That’s what Heather wanted. She wanted to make a real home here on the campus.

  As Heather turned the corner toward her new home, she saw Mike Johnson sitting on the entrance steps. “Hey,” she said as she approached him, trying to be polite.

  “Hey. I’ve been waiting for you.”

  “Waiting for me, why?” She questioned.

  “I wanted to see what you were doing later. I thought we could go out for dinner.”

  “Go out. Why?”

  “I thought we could get to know each other. Maybe have some fun.”

  “Why now? You have never even spoken to me before.”

  “I know. I was trying to see if you had a boyfriend before I asked you out. And well, I’ve never seen you with one, so I thought you might be single.”

  “Well, I’m not. I have a boyfriend. So, sorry but I can’t.”

  “Are you sure you are not just trying to brush me off. Like I said, I’ve never seen you with anyone.”

  “No, I do have a boyfriend. He practices football a lot. So I barely see much of him lately. His name is Jake,” Heather replied.

  “Well you have to eat, don’t you. Maybe we could just go get a bite to eat. It doesn’t have to be a date or anything.”

  “I better not. Thanks for asking, really. But, I better go,” Heather said as she climbed the steps toward the front door.

  “Okay, but if you change your mind, I’m in that building over there,” Mike pointed across the street. He pointed to the Highlands apartment building. The Highlands offered students a fully furnished 2 or 3 bedroom apartment with two bathrooms. It was equipped with its own private kitchen and study lounge. The Highlands was one of the more exclusive housing options at the University.

  “Thanks, but that’s not going to change my mind,” Heather replied as she entered the house.

  Heather couldn’t help wondering what Mike was really like deep down. All she knew about him was he had a great sense of humor and had the eyes of several girls in class.

  Would it be so terrible to eat with him, after all, I am hungry. No, I better not, she reasoned. It would be hard to explain to Jake why she was out with him if he saw them. And, she knew how upset Jake could get if he got jealous, especially if she went out with someone else. He wouldn’t understand that it was merely platonic. She had plenty of experience with Jake’s jealousy before. She didn’t want to do anything to hurt their relationship, so she decided to eat alone for the night. Where is Jake? Heather thought to herself.

  Chapter 3

  The next morning Heather was awakened to the phone ringing.

  “Hello.”

  “Good morning babe,” Jake said cheerfully.

  “Oh, hey.” Heather murmured.

  “Did you just wake up?”

  “Yes, but I’m good. Where are you?” Heather asked.

  “I’m at practice, but I wanted to share some great news with you today.”

  "Oh, really. What?”

  “I’m going to start. Coach made me a wide receiver. He thinks I’m really good.”

  “I’m so happy for you, honey. Really. I know you are going to be great at it too,” Heather proudly replied.

  “Thanks, babe. Got to run, but I promise I’ll take you out for dinner tonight. Love you!”

  “Love you too. Bye.”

  Heather was happy for Jake, but deep down, she was worried. She wondered how much more time football was going to take him away from her. He hadn’t even been to her new home yet. There was so much time that had passed by since they arrived. She barely spent any time with him, between her practicing cheerleading and his football practice. Heather glanced at her clock and realized she didn’t have long until she had to be in class.

 
After arriving at Morgan Hall, Heather noticed Mike as she walked inside the classroom. He was leaning against the wall as if he had been waiting for someone. Could he have been waiting on her?

  “Good morning, Heather?” Mike said as she passed by.

  “Good morning to you too,” she said as she sat down.

  “How was your night? Did you sleep good?”

  “Yes. Why do you ask?” Heather questioned.

  “No reason. Just wondered if you ate alone.”

  “Mike, I don’t think it is really any of your business, now is it?” She replied sarcastically.

  “I guess not. ....I’m really not trying to be nosy. I just care about you.”

  “You barely know me, Mike. And, you know I have a boyfriend.”

  “Yes, but one who is never around. Just makes me wonder, that’s all.”

  “Makes you wonder, what?” she asked.

  “Makes me wonder why someone would leave you alone so much. I know if you were my girlfriend, I wouldn’t let you spend so much time alone.”

  “That’s really sweet.” Heather couldn’t help liking this guy. He was charming, good looking, and tempting. Why can’t we just be good friends? Heather rationalized.

  “Thanks, but I don’t think I’ve ever been called sweet.” He replied with debonair.

  Heather smiled and went toward her seat. Luckily her classmates liked the same seats every day, and she didn’t have to worry about searching for one close to Mike. “Do you want to go for coffee after class?”

  “Thought you’d never ask?” Mike said with a flirtatious grin.

  “You don’t have to sound so smug?” Heather huffed.

  “I’m sorry I didn’t mean to sound that way. I was just joking with you.”

  “Well, it didn’t sound like a joke. Besides, I asked because I want us to be friends. Just friends.” Heather objected.

  “I know. ...I know you have a boyfriend. So I promise I’ll be good.”