I wasn't going to the party.
But Elle bailed on Shadé because her manager forced her to pick up a few more hours at work and Samantha's pulling an all nighter to complete a presentation due tomorrow.
I just happened to need a distraction after having lunch with Charlie. I need something to help me forget all about my problems and nothing screams temporary amnesia more than a college party. If I'm going to be telling Melissa that I will not be writing the article tomorrow then I might as enjoy myself before the sh*tstorm.
"So what's today's theme?" There's beer bottles as soon as we step out of our Uber. Shade gives me a what are you talking about look as she adjusts her short leather skirt. "Isn't there always a theme for this thing?"
"There is but they're trying to be mellow this year." She replies as we walk towards the Victorian style fraternity house that's blaring music so loud the ground is vibrating. I feel bad for the neighbours. "Geez, it's not even 12 and it's already like a freak show in here."
And she's not lying. The front yard is littered with beer bottles and people, most of them sitting in clusters chatting and drinking while some are vigorously making out. I scrunch my face up and look away.
Alpha Sigma is a frat house known for throwing notorious parties. Apparently If you've never been to at least one of their parties then you shouldn't call yourself a UCLA student because this is where all the shit goes down. Alpha Sig throw this one themed party at the start of the year. Last year's After Sex Party was all ruffled hair, loosened pants, guys in beaters and girls in underwears. It was so wild that I still can't remember half of the sh*t that happened. Mostly because I was drunk.
Which is why I'm a bit hesitant as we climb the stairs that lead up to the open door that has a few people lingering around it.
They seem to have simmered down a little with this years theme-whatever it is. Maybe they don't even have a theme this year considering Shade doesn't know about it. Hopefully things wouldn't get too out of hand.
***
Shadé went to get us more drinks about twenty minutes ago and now I'm stuck in the corner of the large living room as people shout out the lyric to Drake's new hit. It's kind of fun watching these people literally make a fool out of themselves as they yell and dance to the music from a corner-especially when most of them seem to be tied together with a piece of string-but I also secretly wished to be like them. To be carefree without feeling like my insides will churn out. To socialise without the need to throw up.
God, I need some air.
As I start making my way out to get some fresh air, the music goes off and the whole party break into a chorused groan as the tiny spotlight goes to a familiar looking blonde guy standing on top of the makeshift bar. It's Sawyer Harrington. One of the school's best basketball players and Charlie's friend. He's the "rich one" as Elle describes him, occasional jackass and all year round playboy. I've seen him a few times around but we've never really had a conversation especially because he's always with a girl. Just like right now-he's tied to a brunette with a string. The girl is undoubtedly drunk as well as she flashes everyone a pearly white smile. Although I'm confused as to why half of the room is tied together, I stop pushing past people to see what the ruckus is about.
"Calm your tits everyone this will only take one minute!" He shouts into the mic drunkenly "but as you all know, this party is thrown to honour the basketball team for our upcoming season but it's also to welcome our teammate, my brother Charlie Murtaugh back on the team. So here's to a fucking legend!"
The room erupts in cheers as the spotlight shifts to the other end of the room where Charlie's standing. The stupid baseball hat is sitting on his head hiding his face as he raises up his red cup. Like Charlie can tell that I'm staring at him, his eyes land on mine from across the room and I feel my belly dip slightly as his lips curl into the sexiest lopsided smile.
I know what he's doing and it's not going to work. I'm not going to be seduced into dating him-whatever that means. I roll my eyes and start pushing past people.
I'm so over this damn party.
The music comes back on-this time something I actually like.
"Lor!" I whip around to face Shadé who is undoubtedly drunk. She's got Jell-O shots in her left hand and she grabs me with the other "where are you going?"
"Out!"
"What?" She yells back leaning in towards me.
"Out!" I repeat this time motioning to the direction that leads to the door "to get some air, it's too hot in here."
"Come on. There's someone I want you to meet!"
Like I didn't just tell her I needed some air, she grabs my hand and pulls me with her to the stairs that lead upstairs. Although the thought of staying around people i don't know sounds as terrifying as it is appealing, I follow Shadé's lead as we weave through the people hanging around the stairway. The second floor is less packed so we get to our destination rather quickly.
Without preparing me, Shadé opens the door and we both enter the dimly lit room. The only thing I can make out in the huge room are the two single beds sitting on each side of the room and two red sofas separating the both of them. There's a glass door leading out to a small varenda that's opened, letting in a lot of wind-presumably to air out the stench of the room. It smells even worse than downstairs. The smell of sweat and cheap weed stick to the air making me feel slightly nauseous.
Most of the 13 people in the room turn to give us narrowed looks like we shouldn't be here. I recognise one person right away, Ryan Murphy, and it seems he recognises me too because he leans in to whisper something in his friend's ears before they both laugh. I turn Shade "Do you actually know these people?" I whisper in her ear."Because it looks to me like we're crashing a VIP party."
"Relax, someone knows I'm here."
Before I can reply, a caramel skinned girl pops up from behind us, a bright smile on her face "Look who finally showed up." she says as she pulls Shade in for a hug. "thought you wouldn't make it."
"Yeah, change of plans." Shade looks to me "this is my plus one, hope you don't mind."
"That's cool, the more the merrier." The girl gives me a warm smile which I return. She is hands down one of the most beautiful girls I've laid my eyes on. Her jet black hair is styled in a high ponytail, two strands hanging to frame her small face, and although the room is not properly lighted, you can tell she has gorgeous eyes, green maybe. Not to mention the piercing sitting on her pointed nose. "Hi, I'm Aarti. You are?-"
"Lorraine," I reply not expecting any sort of reaction. Even if we've met before, most people don't recognise me when we meet again. I am certainly not your definition of an impression maker.
"Hnmm," Aarti has a puzzled expression on her face, her head cocked to the side as she eyes me up and down like she's trying to figure something out. "Interesting." I wince slightly, not understanding the reason behind her reply as she ushers us to a couch while offering drinks. After introducing us to everyone-they're all seniors and juniors, she ties herself to Shade with a string.
"Here." Shade hands me a thick string as I take a seat on the sofa-far away from Ryan Murphy and his roaming eyes. Ryan is no doubt birds of the same feather with Charlie. According to my research, more than half of these guys are serious f**k boys who use girls everyone seems to be cool with. They walk around like they own the school and it shouldn't be like that. They pay the same tuition just like the rest of us and maybe even less since most are on some sort of sport scholarship. "I found out the theme. You have to tie this piece of string to form an opposite sex drinking buddy with a stranger."
Except, she's not tied to a stranger. She's tied to Aarti-which she already knows and isn't the opposite sex at all. Yet she's handing me a string to be tied to someone I don't know. I'm hurt that she didn't even consider being tied to me but don't show it and just take the string from her. She marches to the opposite couch and plops down with Aarti.
Coming to a party where the only person you know is tied to another person is about as fun as getting your wisdom tooth removed. Everyone's already tied to someone which leaves me alone. I don't know whether to be sad or relieved. Either way, I sit there quietly and scroll through my phone.
Not a second after, I look away from my phone when a group of people step into the room. 5 guys and a girl-that is Charlie Murtuagh and his posse-tied to girls. Not surprising at all. Following my research, it's Dante Kingsley, Neal McBride, Wesley Sandler and Sawyer Harrington. As they all disperse into the room and settle down, Sawyer immediately making a beeline for the bed with the girl he's tied too, I can't help but eye Charlie. He looks extremely good in his plain white T-shirt and black jeans,
"Hey yo, Charlie!" Chase, the head of the frat and captain of the UCLA swimming team, calls his name as he walks over to the sofa to give him a handshake before pulling the redhead girl that's next to him into a side hug. "You likin' the party?"
"Who wouldn't like this shitshow?" Charlie replies his eyes shifting to look at me. I look away quickly to my phone before shifting uncomfortably in my seat, my cheeks warming slightly. "Except, I didnt sign up for this drinking buddy shit, designated driver."
"Sucks to be you buddy. But hey, why don't you join Lorraine? She'll do the drinking." I'm not sure how the Chase guy knows my name or when we agreed on me doing all the drinking but before I can open my mouth to shoot down the idea, Charlie has wedged himself between me and some random guy sitting next to me.
My heart starts to flutter like crazy when he grabs the string sitting on my lap. "What are you doing?" I grit out trying hard to keep it together as he ties the hem of his white T-shirt to my black one.
"You're welcome." He whispers, his eyes roaming my face, like he dares me to cause a scene in front of all these people. Not wanting anymore attention on me, I cross my hand and lean back into the sofa in silent disapproval. "So," I hiss when he brings his arm over the sofa "have you thought about what I said."
"No." I reply, instantly hating how quick the lie slipped out of my mouth because as crazy as it sounds, I have thought about his offer. The only reason why I'm at this party right now is so that I can clear my head and think about what this would really mean. Writing this article means too much-but even if I do say yes, what does that say about me.
"Why?" He shoots back as the girl tied to Chase starts shuffling a bunch of cards in her hand.
"For starters, I don't like you and I don't want to go out with you."
"But I'm offering you a pretty good deal."
"Do you even understand what you're asking me? Because I don't think you do."
"I want you to be my-"
"Girlfriend, yes, I get it. But I'm not interested even if I were, why me? You don't even know me. And we both know you can get any other girl on campus."
Charlie opens his mouth to speak but Chase's girl beats him to it. "Alright, pick a card. Who wants to start?"
I should have never picked a card. I've had way too much shots to drink and my brain is turning mushy. The game of Do or Drink that we're playing has led to a lot of bad decisions tonight-one of them being me unzipping Charlie's pants with my mouth.
Although Charlie has been gone ever since, the atmosphere is still uncomfortable for me and I want nothing more than to be out of this room full of people that I don't know and certainly do not like but getting up now would mean that everyone would be looking at me and I don't want that.
Besides, Shadé looks like she's having fun. The last few minutes has been filled with her and Aarti bursting into laughter and giggling at whatever they're whispering to each other. All the whilst the redhead is glowering at them like she wants to rip their heads off their bodies.
Yeah, this whole room is certainly filled with people who don't like each other.
A girl sitting on the lap of one of the guys smoking shouts obnoxiously and some of the boys whoop as she lines up the shots before pouring it. It's safe to say that I'm the only one who isn't drinking and I hate the judgemental looks I'm getting.
I shift uncomfortably in my seat.
A few dirty never have I evers later and I'm sure everyone's thinking it's either I'm a virgin or I have an absolutely boring sex life. I'm also the only sober person here-not surprised at all.
"Never have I ever joined the mile-high-" before the guy in the ugly ass hoodie can finish his sentence, the door to the room bursts open revealing a blonde girl who looks very unhappy.
"Get the hell out everyone!" She yells. She walks to the drawer and starts opening each one of them. "Now!"
"What's happening?" The redhead asks as we get up, some scrambling off the floor.
"Some dude started a fight with Charlie." The blonde girl stops opening the draws and places her hand on her head like she's trying to rub away her headache. She looks extremely distressed. "Someone called the cops."
"Shit." One of the guys says as he unties himself from the girl he's tied to while making his way out of the room "I'm out." As we all start filing out of the room, Shadé grabs onto my hand protectively. If I was angry at her for ditching me all night for her friend, that little gesture provoked forgiveness.
"Where the fuck is Charlie?" The redhead-I think her name is Bronte- asks catching my attention as we get to the door but the blonde is too busy ransacking the room with Chase "Alexis! Where the fuck is Charlie!"
"I don't know! I don't know. Fuck, I didn't sign up for this shit. We are fucked, we are so f**ked-"
"Yo, Sawyer wake the hell up!" Ryan shouts.
"Dante, call Charlie. Find out where he is."
"He's not answering."
"Guys!" Chase shouts at us "help clear the room."
"Come on," Shadé pulls me with her as we try to squeeze past the flood of people trying to find their way out, leaving them in the room. The stairway is more packed than how it was 45 minutes ago. The DJ has stopped playing music and all I can hear is girls screaming, people swearing as we all struggle to make it safely to the door. "Don't let go Lor."
I'm currently stuck between two big guys with Shadé in front of me. Although our hands are still entwined, my claustrophobia starts to kick in and my heart start beating faster. People are yelling, pushing, screaming and the temperature in here is rising.
Everything gets worse as we hear the police sirens.
"Get the fuck out of the way!" Someone shouts from the back. The next thing I know, there's a mammoth push from behind forcing Shadé to let go, the lights fucking go off and I can't find Shadé. And everyone is screaming.
"Lorraine!" I hear Shadé yell on top of all the noise but I can't see. I can't breathe. My breathing gets stuck as my vision blurs. I push past the string of people who are also pushing to get the hell out as I try to get away from the packed room to the corridor that leads outside. There's flashlights coming from different angles as people either try to get content for their phone or use to illuminate the room. Either way, I'm grateful for the lack of darkness.
My heart is slamming against my chest and tears roll down my face.
Oh my God, why can't I f*cking breathe?
I finally make it to the door and when I'm outside and the intensity of the noise has gone down, I tumble towards the short brick wall that's separating this frat house from the next. I lean against the wall and let out the content of my stomach.
The group of people next to me say something as they step back but I'm too terrified, too panicked to care.
Lorraine please breathe, just breathe. Breathe.
"Lorraine!" I hear a voice yell but I can't answer. I'm doubled over by the fence trying to breathe and all I can think about is what just went down inside. The music was so loud that half of the people out here didn't even know what was going on. "Lorraine!"
I can hear my mum's voice telling me to be strong. Telling me to breathe. In through the nose, out through the mouth, repeat.
I nod my head, leaning my back against the wall before forcing myself to suck in a large amount of air. I close my eyes to clear my mind and to block out my surroundings. Tears roll down my cheeks in a steady stream as I slowly get back my breathing. I stay in the same position for a few more minutes before opening my eyes. I can hear the sirens coming closer and I know I need to get the hell away from here.
It takes a few seconds for my vision to clear up and I notice people running into cars, some jumping over fences, girls running with their shoes in their hands. There is no sight of Shadé.
And my heartbeat shoots up again.
"Shadé!" I shout, walking towards the house to search for her. "Shadé-"
Someone grabs my hand before I can climb the stairs that lead up to the house, pulling me in the opposite direction. I look up, thinking it's Shadé but I'm shocked to see Charlie freaking Murtaugh peering down at me with a frown on his face. I hate that my stupid heart flutters.
I snatch my hand away from his grip and he grimaces, eyes rolling. "Let go." I warn before turning to walk towards the house. But he grabs me once again. "What do you want from me?"
"Where do you think you're going?"
"To look for my friend." I reply. I hate that I didn't tell him to go to hell or mind his damn business. He doesn't deserve any second of my time. He's the reason why I'm here tonight-in this mess. If he only gave me the interview the first time we met, I'd be in my room, writing the article. I'd have a shot at doing what I love doing.
"We have to get out of here before the police arrive."
We? I scoff unbelievably. The only person I'm leaving here with is Shadé.
"Leave me alone." I spit but Charlie doesn't let go as he pulls me towards the walkway amidst the sirens and people trying to get to their own cars. I try to writhe out of his hold but his grasp is too tight "let go of me!"
He doesn't stop until we get to his black BMW. I snatch my hands from him but Charlie blocks my way with his body. That's when I notice the dark liquid seeping down the side of his face. My heart drops to my feet at the sight in front of me and whatever I'm about to say flies out of the window. "Is-Is that blood?"
The flashing of the sirens cut off Charlie's reply. "Shit we have to go." He winces as he moves towards his car "fuck, I can't drive like this. You drive."
But I'm too dazed to move. Too shocked at the thought of what could happen if I get into the same car as a bleeding person. "Oh my God." I whisper to myself.
"Lorraine, can you fucking drive?"
"I don't know. I-oh my God."
"Get in the car." Charlie orders as he walks to the driver's seat like he's okay. How is he acting like everything is fine? My chest literally feels like it's about to fucking explode.
"I shouldn't have come here. I shouldn't have come to this damn party."
"You'll have enough time for regrets later. For now get in the fucking car."
Come on Lor, snap out of it! Getting in this car is way better than getting arrested and having a history with the criminal justice system.
"You can't drive?" Charlie snaps and takes the car off parking before pulling out of the spot he was parked at, almost hitting another car in the process. I shut my eyes and make a silent prayer to God that I make it out of this alive "Why can't you f**king drive sophomore?"
"I-I didn't pass my test." I say truthfully. If I wasn't so panicked, I'd be red as a tomato for letting that information out but something about fear makes you not give a sh*t. "And I'm pretty sure I'm tipsy right now and scared, I don't think I'm in the right state of mind to drive."
"Not that you know how to." Charlie is only using one hand to drive, the other one is still pressed to his head as he leans against the headrest tiredly. My mind snaps back to the fact that he might die, whilst driving the car.
"Oh my God, you need to go to the hospital."
"No."
"W-What?"
"No hospital." He repeats firmly "The cut's not that deep."
"But you're bleeding."
"We'll stop by a pharmacy and get a couple of things to treat it."
"A pharmacy? W-Why? You're going to bleed to death."
"I've been in a hospital enough times the last year to last me a life time. I'm not going there just because I got into a fight with some asshole." Charlie glances at me swiftly, his voice going down as he continues in a much calmer tone " I'm not going to bleed to death sophomore, it's not a deep cut. I need you to be calm. Can you stay f**king calm for me?"
I swallow, feeling my heart rate slow slightly as I nod.
"Good."
Guys just to CLARIFY something in case you guys dont know lol. Shade's name isn't SHADE as in shades of colour. it's pronounced SHA- as in chardonnay or SHA as in sha -mbles. AND not shay for shade.
So the name is pronounced SHA-DAY. and not SHAYDE.