My Brother's Best Friend

unpacking

I could tell we were starting to get close to campus. As I looked up the streets I saw the fraternities with the boys out playing beer pong with signs that say “Dad’s with daughters get your free drinks here” “Honk if you are bringing your daughter to school”. I wondered what Eric’s frat was doing but I didn’t want to ask.

We pulled up to my dorm. I didn't have a whole lot, my clothes fit into two suitcases, I had a tv, microwave, bedding and other odd and ends. My roommate was bringing the fridge. When I got out of the car I heard Eric say “Ok boys this is it. Room 332 A. I'll go up first to prop the door open Lucy grab your backpack and duffel and follow me upstairs.” Dumbfounded to see 6 guys waiting to unload our car. I followed my brother. No wonder my dad was ok with him moving me in, we wouldn’t have to do much work.

I got into the dorm. Hailey wasn’t there yet but there were two girls that lit up the minute they saw Eric. “Hi this is Lucy she is in Suite A” Eric said moving right past them and into my room. The girl's gaze followed him and it wasn’t until after he was out of sight did they turn back to me.

“Hi” I said awkwardly. “Hi This is Stacy and I am Bridget. We are your suitemates.” They seem to be very comfortable with each other.

“Nice to meet you. Are you guys all settled in?” I asked looking around to see them pretty much unpacked.

“Ya we got here this morning. Stacy likes to have things done quickly. We have been friends for as long as we can remember. We are from White Oak so it's not a far drive for us at all.”

“I'm from Bethany Beach area” as I said that I saw their eyes widen. I forget that it is a very nice place to live. Before they could say anything more 6 boys were behind me bringing all my stuff in. “ I am going to help them, I'll catch up with you guys after?” I awkwardly stated not knowing what the social norm is for move in day and meeting people you are going to be living next to for the next 8 months.

“We are going to run to the store for odds and ends, when we get back if you're done maybe you can introduce us to that tall drink of water that came in before you” Chuckled Bridget.

I nodded and gave a little smile before turning around and heading to my room. I could hear Eric bossing the boys around. I got in there to see them setting up a small table for the tv and putting together my loft. I went straight to my desk and put my backpack down on my chair. My suitcases were off to the side and I’ll unpack them into the built- in wardrobe when the boys leave. I turned to look at Eric.

“Sorry Lucy I should have told you I had help from aspiring boys that want to join the fraternity, but I knew if I told you, you’d squash it and we would be the one doing the stairs. Look, they are almost done.”

“We don’t mind one bit!” Said one guy from the back. He had slim muscles, was tan and had a bright smile. I could feel my cheeks turning red when I made eye contact with him.

“Nobody likes a suck up Riley!” yelled Eric

“Well I appreciate it, regardless of what the drill sergeant says” I said breaking eye contact.

“I live in this building too the floor above you so if you need anything let me know I'm room 427” He said, ignoring Eric.

“Again, stop with the brown nosing!” Eric yelled “She has two brothers if she needs anything, anyhow.”

I turned back to my backpack and unzipped my backpack. I got my macbook out and plugged it in. I put my tumblr filled with melted ice now, on the desk and took out my pictures from my room at home. Eric called the guys to go down and get the last load of stuff. I didn’t turn to watch them leave. My eyes were fixated on Matthew’s picture. My heart seemed to have fallen in my stomach thinking that this would have been him last year if he didn’t pass away. Oh how I missed him. I felt movement behind me that made me jump.

“I am so sorry I didn't mean to scare you I was just setting up your roku tv to the wifi password” Riley said. When I turned around I saw it was just him and I in the room. Eric had left with the others.

“Sorry about my brother, he takes the fraternity really seriously, I don’t know why or at least I can’t relate.” I said

“Oh that's ok and it's not as bad as others. It is nice being able to meet people before school though, my roommate is a little bit of a hermit it seems so it's nice to meet other freshmen, and a cute girl in the building.” He smiled. “Do you need help unpacking the suitcases?”

“No you're not getting to see my underwear that easily” I say back. He blushed and started laughing. “I'll get my clothes sorted once I have my brother out of here, but if you want to help me make this bed, how do people make beds when they are in a loft like this?”

“Climb on up there and ill hand you the sheets and assist from down here. I fought with my own upstairs so I can save you from the error of my ways.”

I climbed the ladder and got on the mattress. I wonder how many people slept on this or did the deed on this mattress before me. “Ok I am ready, hand me the mattress pad from that box there, " I pointed. He handed me the mattress pad. I got it over two corners and went for the second, as I was maneuvering I caught my foot funny and before I could stop myself I was falling off the side of the loft heading straight for the ground.

“Whoa!” Riley yelled as he caught me. “Well that didn't happen to me when I was making my bed.” He stared at me for a bit before setting me down. I brushed myself off, kicked my shoes off and started heading back to the ladder to try again. “You sure are a determined little thing.”

“Well yes, I really want things done before my roommate gets here, that way I am out of her way for her to get unpacked.” We got the bed successfully made. Eric and the boys were stopped in the hallway talking to my suitemates as I was getting down off the bed, then came in with the last load. It was about 20 more minutes and my side of the room was set up. Eric and the boys left, He said he would be back in an hour to take me to dinner. Said it was a tradition to always go out your first night for a nice dinner before having the cafeteria food. I was looking around my room when I heard my roommate come in with her parents. They were out talking to Bridget and Stacy. I did one check through before grabbing my purse and phone, noticing a sticky note on my desk with a phone number saying “Here's my phone number, don't go falling out of beds without me there.”