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"About tonight..." Zac says as he lights up his own cigeratte next to me.
"So that's what Wayne really sent you up for." I roll my eyes. "It's just a party. Some guy from the soccer team is hosting." I say vaguely.
I watch as Zac's eyes suddenly light up and the corner of his lips lift into a smirk.
Oh, great.
"Don't tell me. You know the guy?"
"Jovan Salvatore. Renowned party-thrower in our college."
"You're kidding me." I sigh, falling back on my bed. "Any luck my brother isn't going?"
Zac offers me a sympathetic smile. "It won't be so bad."
The fact that my brother's going to be at parties cock-blocking me drains all the mood for it.
Parties. The one place I let down my walls, the one place I simply live in the moment at. Now my brother's about to ruin it at all for me.
After a well-rested nap, I make use of the bathtub in the house for a soak with my Lush bath bomb. The outfit I pick for tonight is an off-shoulder black crop top matched with acid wash high-waist shorts. To complete the look, I pair it with the only pair of black platform heels I brought with me.
To think I used to be a nerd who didn't know how to dress up. Cartoon prints, baggy jeans, cargo shortsâyou name it. My hair would be tied up in a ponytail all the time with fringe clipped up and I wore thick framed glasses. Now that I look back, I really looked like shit.
Time and time again, I was called insulting names. Even my brother wouldn't acknowledge that I'm his sister when we attended school. Once, he actually told his classmate I was his neighbour.
Three years ago, when I turned sixteen, a friend of mine took me to a makeover as a birthday present. It was only then that I realized I could be so much more. Just clothes, hair, contact lenses and simple make-up make so much difference in an instant.
Eventually, when people begin to notice the change in my appearance, I regained my confidence. It was also only then that I had my first boyfriend, first kiss and was first invited to parties. It was only then that I began enjoying the fun of being a regular teenager.
Spritzing my Victoria's Secret perfume and grabbing my phone and car keys off the bedside table, I finally step out of my room after cooping inside for five hours. I don't ever bother to carry a purse to parties. It honestly makes no sense to me having to hold on to belongings in a place where I'll probably lose everything when I get drunk.
My usual practice is stuffing my ID and debit card in between my phone and its casing, and occasionally hiding a couple of bills in pockets or bra if I wear a dress.
As soon as I shut the bedroom door behind me, I peek down the metal railings to see all four boys staring up at me from the living area. They are all ready to go, casually dressed in simple t-shirts and jeans.
Here we go.
Drew whistles, "damn babe, those collarbones areâ"
Wayne nudges his friend in the stomach, stopping him mid-sentence.
"Shut up." He stands up from the couch. "Kel, I know you're heading to Jovan's. You'll join us."
I knew it. He might as well leash me.
"Excuse me? I didn't agree to that." I cross my arms against my chest childishly. "Plus I have to pick up my friend. Your car is a five-seater. How is that going to fit?" I narrow my eyes at Wayne.
No way am I going to allow him to ruin my fun, my first college party at Boston. He probably thinks I'm still a nerd-at-heart who's going to embarrass him. But tonight, I'll show him how I do it.
"No." Wayne says firmly. "You're not turning up on your own. Someone will take your car. I'll drive you."
"Fat hope," I scoff. "Nobody's driving my car but me."
Fuck's sake. Even my parents don't restrict me to parties or anywhere at all. I am seriously considering to drop college if my apartment still isn't happening any sooner.
"You barely met the friend. You don't even know anyone there! Don't be so darn difficult." Wayne sighs in that annoyance I've learnt to be numbed to.
He's right, I don't know anyone here. But I'll be damned if I agree.
Sensing the tension, Zac clears his throat. "How about I sit with her?"
"Hey! I was going to offer first." Drew objects.
Wayne contemplates for a few seconds. "Fine. Anybody's better than Drew."
Drew pouts. "You hurt my feelings."
Not wanting to waste time any longer, I decide to leave it at that. Yet my snarky mouth simply has to have the last word.
"Just for your information, Wayne, I lived the past four years without you."
All of us then climb into our respective cars; Zac taking mine. Perhaps it's because we talked earlier, there's no anxiety when it's just the two of us in my Mini.
"You look nice." He comments as I enter the destination into my GPS.
I fight back a smile. "Don't feel obligated to compliment me. I'm a safe driver."
He chuckles. Feeling his eyes still on me, I deliberately focus my gaze on the road instead. "I wouldn't be here if I doubted that."
"You couldn't have known."
"I trust my instincts then."
Throughout the fifteen-minute drive, Zac tells me a little about himself. He's in his senior year, majoring in Business and also the captain of the drumline. In contrast to me, he seems to have his life together. I have a lot to learn.
When we arrive at the campus dorm, I honk for Cassandra's attention. She spots my eye-catching red car and quickly climbs into the backseat.
"Hey girl!" She freezes abruptly. "Oh my god."
"What?"
"You didn't tell me!"
"Tell you what?"
"That you know Zacson Gray? Or am I imagining him in your passenger seat?"
Zac looks back at her and smiles faintly. "Hi."
Hell. I should've guessed they must have some popularity in school.
"Jesus, Kelsey. A warning would've been nice." She leans forward, sticking her head out the middle console. "I didn't know you have a sister." She says to Zac, not at all restraining herself.
"Do I know you?"
"You don't, obviously. But I know who you are." She grins.
From my side-eye, I see Zac briefly rolling his eyes. "She's Wayne's sister. You're right I don't have one."
"Wayne? Wayne Owens!"
I quirk an eyebrow. "Do I even want to know why that reaction?"
Cassandra chuckles. "Other than the fact nobody don't not know him? He's like the walking advertisement of Calvin Klein in EV."
Oh God, no.
"I might also used to have the hots for him." She adds.
"Yuck!" I fake a gag. "What did you even see in him?"
Cassandra widen her eyes. "Have you seen your brother?"
Of course I have.
We have the same coloured eyes, same dirty blonde hair, same skin complexion. But he'll always be the same A-class jerk in my eye.
âââ
When we finally reach the party after another twenty-minute drive, Wayne and friends are already there. They immediately leave the girls they were chatting with and stroll to my car, which I have to park along the street because there are simply too many vehicles lining up the driveway of the modest two-storey house.
Somehow, I can see those girls glaring and cursing at us when we step out.
"Hello again, Kelsey." Carson is the first to welcome with his usual happy self.
I smile back.
"Damn, son. Who do we have here?" Drew slithers beside Cassandra, his flirtatious mode instantly flips on.
I bet she already knows everyone.
"I'm Cassandra." She grins, revealing her perfect set of teeth. It doesn't seem to faze her meeting new people for the first time, and that's something I envy.
Wayne then walks right up in front of me. "Kel, you're not wandering on your own. These soccer guys aren't going to leave you sober if you do."
"Christ. You're still at that?" I roll my eyes. "Can we not do this here?"
Who said I wanna be sober?
Zac steps up to my side, giving Wayne a firm grip on his shoulder. "Relax, bro. This house isn't massive. I'm sure at least one of us will be around to check on her."
Yeah. I think they forgot I'm a nineteen-year-old. Not nine.
"I'm with Cass, I'll be fine."
I spin around to the girl, only to spot her giggling with Drew while he puts his arm over her shoulders, whispering things into her ear.
Boy, is he fast.
"Drew!" Wayne yells, as if reading my mind.
"God. Lighten up!" Drew replies in an irritated tone. "Look," he jerks his chin towards Wayne's back, "your fans are waiting for you."
I follow their gaze and notice three girls dressed in skimpy clothesâtheir shorts shielding only half their behind; their butt cheeks hanging out for dear life.
"Remember what I said, Kel. Don't hang around those guys. Don't drinkâ"
Not bothering to hear what he has to say, I hook my arm with Cassandra's and drag her into the house to lose them. As soon as we walk off, those girls who were waiting begin dashing to the guys.
I may have underestimated their popularity.
Decently furnished, the living hall is turned into a dance floor with a laptop plugged in to play EDM on the loud speakers. At 8PM, it is pretty crowded with people dancing, drinking and playing the usual party games. It always makes me curious how the neighbours of these hosts don't seem to get mad about the noise pollution.
Cassandra and I manage to squeeze ourselves through the dance floor, heading to the beverage table to start the party with.
"Aye, you look new." A stranger says. "I'm Justin." He reaches out a hand, the other holding his own drink.
Justin is yet another tall, bulky guy; who I assume should be one of the soccer players Wayne was referring to. He has a full head of platinum blond hair, gelled up in short spikesâshowing his shiny, zit-free foreheadâand is dressed in a black leather jacket with dark jeans.
Man, is it my luck or is this school just stocked with model-worthy looking men?
"Kelsey." I shake his hand politely, smiling.
"Kelsey." He murmurs it softly. "Can I get you a drink?" He smiles and inches closer to me.
Parties are the only place I entertain the idea of men. I mean, most of them are probably tipsy or will get drunk later on. They usually won't remember me the next day anyway.
And sometimes neither would I.
I'm just about to nod when Cassandra swoops in, handing me a red cup, and as if she doesn't see Justin at all, she guides me back to where it's crowded.
"What's in it?" I ask her, raising my voice to be heard over the loud music.
She shrugs. "No clue, but there's the surprise, right?" She giggles. "C'mon! Let's dance."
We successfully dodge the eyes of my brother for quite awhile. Having Cassandra as my side-kick, we infiltrate the packed group of dancers naturally. I don't hold back, letting my reins go free, as we dance in near-darkness to Zedd's latest soundtrack.
"Having fun?" She shouts while bouncing her body to the rhythm.
"Yeah!" I shout back.
"I'm getting a refill! Want one?"
I shake my head. I'm supposed to be driving. "Want me to come with you?" I offer.
"It's fine! I'll be quick!" And just like that, she disappears into the mountain of humans grinding onto each other on the dance floor; leaving me behind.
Thankfully, I'm already hyped up in partying mood and being alone is nothing new to me. I resume dancing, swaying my hips and throwing my hands up in the air, when a huge aura gets impeccably close to me from behindâas if breathing down my back. Curious, I whirl around only to see a familiar face looking down at me.
"Found you." He says just as the song ends.
"Hey, stranger." I smile.
Faded by Alan Walker starts to play and more people gather around us, causing Justin and I to brush against each other. I become comfortable and let down my guards despite the tiny space we have to manoeuvre. He slowly slip his hands down my sides and grip my waist, pulling my back close against his hard chest.
"You're such a sight for sore eyes." He whispers right into my ear.
I continue to dance without a care for anything. The cheery crowd and music gives me courage as I turn on my heels to face Justin, while he holds onto my back. He's tall, but with my five inches platforms, I am probably at the height of his ears. Our faces hover over each other's.
His seductive emerald green eyes are all I see when I glance up to look at him so closely. He smiles and leans down, pressing his lips gently on mine first, then the kisses turn slightly more urgent while I loop my arms around his neck.
When the music changes, he breaks the kiss and goes on to nuzzle my neck. The way he pecks open-mouthed kisses on my sensitive spot makes me weak and I tilt my head aside to encourage him, while his one hand drifts up and down my sides to my hips.
All of a sudden, someone swoops in and grips tightly onto my hands that are hanging out behind Justin's head. The unknown person pulls me out of Justin's embrace in one tug and practically drags me out like a sandbag being pulled by horses.
What the hell?