Changing Tunes by Heather Gunter, Raelene Green Page B

doesn’t go unnoticed.
    “What? No heels today? No espadrilles, or boots? I’m shocked at you, Ash!”
    “Nope, not tonight. I’m so tired of being so tall compared to a lot of guys.”
    “Well, I, for one, would love to be taller. I would almost kill to be taller,” she says teasingly.
    I chuckle, “Trust me, Mac, it’s not all it’s cracked up to be.”
    Mac grabs my hand and pulls me in front of my mirror. “Look at you. Do you know how many guys turn around when you walk by?”
    I smile sheepishly, “Maybe.”
    Mac throws her head back and laughs, “Of course you do.”
    I resume getting ready and decide to tell her my intentions for the night. I’m taking a huge risk, but I would rather be honest. Hopefully, she won’t think less of me.
    “So…” I begin and avert my eyes, too ashamed to meet her gaze. “Tonight, I plan on finding someone to fool around with.” I finally take the chance and look at her. There’s no shame on her face; it’s completely neutral. I feel like I can breathe again.
    “No problem, Ash, I’m a big girl. I can tell you’re itching to get out. It’s cool, so no worries, okay?”
    I don’t know how I got so lucky with Mac as a roommate and friend, but I thank God I did. It could have turned out so differently, and I shudder at the thought. This is a huge step for me, telling people my feelings, but with Mac, it seems so much easier than it ever has been before.
    “Hey, Mac?”
    “Yeah,” she says turning to me.
    “I just wanted to tell you how glad I am you turned out to be my roommate and not someone else.”
    We stand there for a few seconds not saying anything. She seems surprised at my declaration. I fiddle with my fingers, intertwining them in and out in a nervous motion.
    She smiles a genuine, happy smile. “Me too, Ash. It’s about time you figured that out. I am made of complete awesome.”
    I shake my head and laugh, “Yeah, you are.” I change to a serious tone, I truly am grateful she is who she is, and she’s accepted me so easily. “Really, thank you for being patient with me.”
    “Ash, I wish you saw how wonderful you are. One day you will see it; I swear it. I got pretty lucky, too, you know…Okay, I’m heading out to finish getting ready. Do you want to hit the party at the other end of campus, or did you want to go to the club?”
    “Let’s do the party first, and if it’s a dud, we’ll venture to the club.”
    “I think Austin said he was going, a lot of people from the building and from my classes are going, too. It’s supposed to be a happening thing.” Mac grins slyly, “You never know who we may run into.”
    I ignore the innuendo, knowing full well whom she’s talking about, and continue getting ready. I slide into the bathroom and decide to put some curls in my hair, instead of ironing it straight like I normally do. I’m feeling rebellious and the need to do something crazy.
    Down girl . I certainly can’t afford to get into trouble. The conversation with my father replays in my head. Yes, no trouble. I just need a release—a release from a really hot guy.
    I shake my head to clear it of all of these thoughts and stop at Mac’s room, seeing her grab her purse. “Ready to go?” I ask.
    Mac looks up and says, “Ooohh, Ash, nice hair. Heels or not, you are going to have those boys on their knees. Just you wait.”
    I smile, “You are way too much, Mac, let’s jet. I’ll drive.”
    I don’t think I’ve ever smiled as much as I have this past week.
    Once in the car and headed to our destination, I’m compelled to make sure she’s one hundred percent sure she’s okay with me doing my thing.
    “Mac, are you sure you’re fine with me leaving with someone?” I rush on… “I’ll leave the car keys with you, and I can always take a cab.”
    “I will be fine,” she says. “Quit worrying. I know people that will be there. Some of them are actually very responsible, and don’t drink at all, so getting home won’t