Jazmine had known some of the group would be reluctant to welcome Cameron. Some for stupid reasons, like his wearing gothic clothing, which were quickly shut down, others for more cautious, understandable reasons, like his undefined political stance. Jaz felt that his conversation with the senior had given her enough of an indication not to worry, but others didn’t have that privilege. 

Sitting beside Maia in a booth, she felt like she was under interrogation as people trickled in and out, asking questions as if she were holding court. She knew their group was a little sensitive after the last person they let in: BSA’s treasurer, Khalil, ex-girlfriend from hell, who used one of their parties to assault a freshman. It has taken a while for many to recover from that, as quite a few had grown close to her. However, Jazmine had underestimated the extent of their reluctance to open the circle again.

“Guys…I know little more than you, and I’m not going to speak for Cam. Just have a normal conversation with him.”

“Then why’d you bring him?”

“I think I’m pretty good at reading people. Cameron is chill. I’m not asking for him to be accepted into the friend group, I just want to introduce him to different people and activities he could vibe with.” 

Gesturing toward the trivia tables, Jaz subtly pointed out the high spirits Cameron’s group seemed to be in. As they all looked, the ginger answered a question correctly, getting high fives and cheers as the competitors tried to recruit him for next week. Amari didn’t let them get two seconds into their pitches before drunkenly clutching the boy to his chest. 

“Nah, nah, nah. He’s a permanent member of my team.”

Cameron just laughs, doing his best to escape the prison of muscle. “Amari, let me go!”

“No! They’re trying to steal you. Power Rangers,  assemble!”

Barely able to breathe between laughing, the president’s group tries to stand in a protective circle only to crumble as Bryant —who had had a few drinks too many—breaks out into a kung fu pose with a loud ‘waaaaaaaah’. 

Jaz’s audience looks back at her, slightly amused and resigned.

“You don’t have to throw him a party when he walks in the room, but don’t be rude if you pass him on campus.”

With that, they finally slinked off, and Jaz could finish the last of her now room-temperature beer in peace.

“He does seem cool,” Maia offers.

“Thanks.”

“But speaking of temperatures, someone is finding you very hot right now.” Jaz follows the direction of Maia’s nod and feels indifferent when she sees Rina wink at her. Trying not to be rude, Jaz lifts up her bottle. Instead of being satisfied with the acknowledgement, the half-white, half-Japanese International Business major takes it as a green light to come over. 

‘Fuck,’ Jaz complains to herself, but manages to keep a pleasant, albeit bored expression on her face.

“Hey, Jay.”

“Sup, Rina,” she greets back as the girl stops right next to the table. 

“Didn’t think I’d get a chance to say anything to you with how busy the booth was.”

“Yeah. First time some have seen me in a while.”

“Ahh. You were missed at Chantelle’s back-to-school darty last week.” Rina inches close, elbows on the table as she makes an obvious effort to show off the low cut of her shirt. The sight would normally be intriguing at the least, but still. Jaz felt no pull to look down and instead gave a bland smile.

“Had to help my roommate that day.”

“Valid… Just wanted to remind you that Chantelle’s throwing another party at her place this weekend if you, or Maia,” she finally adds at the last minute. “Wants to come.”

Maia scoffs at the belated attempt for brownie points, and Jazmine wanted so badly to do the same.

“I’ll think about it.”

Rina thankfully takes the hint and goes back to her corner. 

“You know, I haven’t seen you try to date anyone in months. Are you being more picky, not up to date at all, or like something else?”

Jaz’s eyes were already gazing across the room like usual, so her best friend didn’t notice how they lingered on Cameron’s reddening face as Amari whispered into his ear. Jaz didn’t like the worming, slightly familiar discomfort she felt at the scene, and continued her sweep of the room. 

“Something else.”