Once I was able to successfully open the door, I stomped down the stairs and stormed out of the party.

  Collin

  I was never into parties; at least not in the way my friends were; or at least, the people he was innately, inexcusably expected to be friends with. They were crazy. All they ever thought about was booze, women, and sex…though not in that order.

  Occasionally, they would want to watch football or do something other than drink heavily but for the most part, that was my life; a litany of drinking, sex, parties, and sometimes football.

  Not that it was a particularly bad existence. I had always guessed that if I was hanging around people I actually liked, things would be better, and I would have more fun.

  After all, I certainly wasn’t against drinking, girls, sex, and sometimes football, but being around these guys, who were complete and utter party animals, though they couldn’t hold their liquor well, wasn’t fun.

  I ended up being the one to ensure they didn’t die and that meant that I couldn’t drink myself into oblivion.

  After all, I was supposed to be the responsible one. I was definitely the smartest out of all the guys I hung around with, but I never quite understood why that meant I had to try to help the rest of them become less stupid.

  After two years of trying, unsuccessfully, I could confidently declare that it was a waste of time.

  Although, maintaining a friendship with them, at least while I was in college, was beneficial.

  The guys I hung around with were my father’s friend’s sons, basically. I had grown up with them but didn’t have to actually deal with them on a daily basis until, guess what, we all got accepted to the same prestigious business school. We were all awarded scholarships, so it was an easy decision.

  The only thing that bothered me about the whole thing was that it wasn’t my decision. Sure, I probably would’ve still opted to go but the only reason I got the scholarship was because my father’s friend was an alumnus who donated an exuberant amount of money to the school, so he cashed in his favors. This wasn’t by any means his only favors and he certainly wasn’t doing it out of the goodness of his heart. It was a business move and the best way to get to a businessman’s pocket is through his family.

  Good or bad, you will always be remembered by that businessman and if what you did was good, the next time you need a favor, that businessman should be willing to help.

  If not, without a damn good reason, he probably won’t have such a flourishing business for much longer.

  My father tried to teach me the ins and outs of being that kind of person; the kind of person that my father was, in hopes that I would take over the company someday. Yet, most of my life, I did exactly what I did within my social circle in college. I simply went along for the ride, so that I didn’t get left behind.

  I already wasn’t exactly the son my father wanted me to be. I was nothing like him, or the next generation of businessmen that my father forced me to network with. I had next to nothing in common with them and at times, I hated them.

  For the most part, the guys were straight-up assholes. Yet, being that my father got stuck with me, I still wanted to try my best to please him. I didn’t want to become a social pariah on top of my blatant inability to become sociopath.

  So, I drank with the guys and hit on women, like I was just like them, but it wasn’t fun. Most of our advances were rejected, which was fine with me, since I was only reaching for the stereotypical hot girls. I figured if one did take the bait, I couldn’t lose, but as much as I wasn’t about to turn down sex, I wasn’t about to beg for it…or do God knows what else to get it.

  Therefore, I was pleased with my night of blatant turndowns, as I tried not to get too hammered.

  However, after a while, a girl caught my eye. She was sitting with her friend and the two were laughing hysterically at something. The one girl, Riley, I had seen countless times before. I had hit on her a few times but was thankful when she turned me down. After all, she wasn’t my type.

  Her friend, on the other hand, was gorgeous. Instantly, I thought about her dark hair, flowing down her naked back and what exactly was hidden underneath that alluring skirt.

  Yet, despite all the physical attributes that guided me toward this woman, there was something else about her that wasn’t physical at all.

  I couldn’t quite decipher what was so striking about her, but I found it was difficult to keep my eyes off her.

  “Hey, Gavin,” I called, elbowing the one guy I was genuinely friends with in our group.

  He turned around, beer in hand, “What’s up, dude?”

  “What do you think about her?”

  “Riley?” He asked, confused only because I should know exactly what he thought about her. He would bang her in a second, given the chance.

  Although, I thought it was strange that he didn’t even seem to notice the other girl.

  “No, her friend,” I replied, and he focused his sights on her.

  Gavin thought for a moment but eventually, he shrugged and offered an, “I’d hit that,” in passing before returning his attention to whatever he was focused on before.

  “You don’t want her,” Ben called, obviously overhearing my questioning and was quick to shut down my advance.

  I looked up, slightly confused as to why the hell he would even care who I banged. However, I didn’t say anything, because I didn’t want to start an argument. Ben was one of those special assholes, who were spoiled their whole life and could do no wrong. He was also the son of the guy whose father got us the scholarships, so absolutely no good was going to come from upsetting him.

  “Hey, I’m only trying to help you,” Ben insisted, seeing my expression and needing to comment on it. However, I knew that he wasn’t doing anything to help me. He didn’t like me about as much as I didn’t like him. He wanted any excuse he could to throw me to the wolves, but I refused to give him the satisfaction. “She’s a prude bitch with a stick up her ass,” he added, glancing in her direction. “I don’t know what her deal is, but I think you should focus on a woman who knows her place a little better. After all, you aren’t great with social cues. You should probably go for the sure thing instead of trying to be a successful underdog.”

  With that, he patted me on the shoulder, again, as if he were genuinely trying to be helpful and walked away.

  I sighed as my hate for him, was reaffirmed in my own mind. Although, I knew I had to be friends with him, because besides the whole scholarship debt, I needed the connection if I was serious about getting anywhere in the business world.

  While want was a relative term, it still didn’t mean that was up for any discussion. This was apparently what I was supposed to do and even though I was terrible at it in every natural sense, it didn’t matter.

  Besides, unfortunately, if my father was here, he would likely have given me the same advice. He might’ve put it a little more eloquently, or he might not have, depending on how deep in the bottle my old man was. Either way, it didn’t matter much, though. I knew that what Ben had said wasn’t a suggestion. I still wasn’t sure why he cared at all and it annoyed me to no end, but I knew that I would be expected to leave her the hell alone.

  So, instead of trying to take Ben’s terrible advice, I separated myself from the group and started to mingle on my own.

  Part of me was hoping I would run into the girl, possibly when she got up to get food or a drink, but the only person I saw casually in this way was Riley. Who, was beautiful and friendly, but not my type.

  Although, on more than one occasion, I thought about going up to Riley and inquiring about her friend, but I decided against it.

  I also decided not to go up and talk to the girl myself, considering I would never hear the end of it if I was seen and it would be even worse if she really did turn me down.

  So, I continued to eat, drink and pretend I was having a good time.

  Occasionally, I searched the crowd for Gavin but when I didn’t see him, I figured he had charmed his way into somebody’s pants, so I probably wouldn’t see him for a while.

  I didn’t bother to look for anyone else, because I had no interest in being around them.

  After a few more drinks, though, my liquid courage was at an all-time high.

  Who the fuck does Ben think he is? I can see whoever the hell I want! I can talk to whoever I want… I thought, now too drunk to care if I was spotted with the girl. I knew I was too drunk to be a hospitable bedmate, but I was sure I could pull my charm together long enough to ask her out on a date.

  Where most of the partygoers were looking for a quick one-night stand, I didn’t mind playing the long game. After all, there were endless possibilities in a chance encounter. If I rushed it, I wouldn’t have the opportunity to find out whether she was the girl for me or not.

  So, after downing another shot to ensure my courage stamina would last throughout the conversation, I turned toward the kitchen, heading back to the area where I had last seen the girl.

  However, to my dismay, now only Riley was sitting at the island, talking to some random guy and laying her charm on thick.

  That didn’t seem right to me, but I thought maybe she went home, or maybe Ben didn’t know what he was talking about after all.

  Maybe I did have a chance with her… I thought as my ire intensified. Why does Ben have to be such a dick?

  Now, my eyes were scanning the crowd, looking for Ben. Through my intoxication, I realized I wanted to have a word with him. I felt he had completely wronged me and I was going to get to the bottom of this.

  Before I could pinpoint Ben’s location, though, out of the corner of my eye, I saw the woman I was originally looking for, hurrying down the stairs of the house. Without stopping, she dashed outside.

  I watched this for a long moment, trying to figure out what the hell had happened. The woman seemed distraught, but I didn’t want to bother her. She had every right to come and go as she pleased as anyone else did.

  Yet, the whole situation didn’t seem right. I didn’t want to chase after her and scare her, but if she needed help, attraction or not, I wanted to help her.

  The look of disgust and horror on the flash of her expression that I caught sobered me slightly and after a moment of deliberation, I decided to investigate.

  Flora

  By the time I reached the front porch of the frat house, my anger had morphed into disappointment and disgust. I couldn’t believe that I had almost done that and with such a dick.

  Every time I closed my eyes, I saw his face, taunting me and I wondered how long it would be for me to forget about him.

  I go to school with this guy… I thought but was comforted by reminding myself that I didn’t see this man very often at school and he was easily avoidable.

  Thankfully, we didn’t exactly run in the same circles.

  Yet, that didn’t stop me from being completely pissed with Riley.

  I couldn’t believe she would hook me up with such a disgusting creep.

  I shivered as I thought of him, touching me…kissing me.

  When I stopped running, I felt sick, though I wasn’t exactly sure if it was from the alcohol, the running, or the near miss with creep in the bedroom.

  Although, it was likely a combination of all three. I normally didn’t take my alcohol well and therefore; I was slightly surprised I hadn’t already vomited on the ground.

  However, now, with partygoers still around me, I knew that throwing up would only make this evening more embarrassing, so I collected every bit of my willpower to keep myself from getting sick.

  While I was stopping to rest and collect myself, though, I saw a man coming toward me. At first, a strike of fear pierced through me, thinking the man from upstairs was chasing me. Thankfully, though, it wasn’t the man, but someone I thought I saw with him earlier.

  Oh great! I thought, contemplating whether I had it in me to punch him too and keep running the rest of the way back to her dorm.

  Since, after this experience, there was no way I was getting on a public bus this late, by myself, with a bunch of strangers.

  “Hey!” The guy called and now, I was sure he was talking to me. I moved to turn in the opposite direction, but he called to me in almost a desperate tone, “Hey! Please, wait up! I want to talk to you…Are you okay?”

  He doesn’t know? I thought, turning toward him now, because my gut told me that this wouldn’t be such an atrocious meeting after all.

  Now, he’s cute! I thought.

  A tall, lean, muscular man came towards me with light eyes and dirty-blond hair. Although he couldn’t be much older than I was, he had a maturity about his appearance that was striking. He wore the stubble on his chin as masterfully as his visceral body filled out the worn jeans and button-down shirt that he wore.

  When he got closer, I noticed that the stark blues that stared intently back at me were mesmerizing. I noted that his muscles flexed as well, but he wasn’t trying to show off. It seemed that he was genuine in his approach. He didn’t appear to be in the mindset to be showing off.

  After a lot of mental deliberation, I decided that I would allow him to catch up to me.

  “What do you want?” I asked when he was within earshot of me speaking normally. I didn’t want everyone to know my business, so I wasn’t about to scream anything to him.

  “I…I saw you leaving. You looked upset,” he managed through deep breathing as he gathered himself, “I just wanted to make sure you were okay.”

  “You mean to tell me you don’t know what happened?” I demanded, crossing my arms over my chest and narrowing my eyes at him.

  The guy stopped short and tilted his head, as though he was genuinely confused.

  “No, I don’t,” he offered, almost too quickly to be dishonest, “Should I?”

  Part of me was hoping he was telling the truth, while the other part of me was terrified he was a good liar and was manipulating me.

  Since I wasn’t sure which, but I couldn’t justify being a total bitch to him, I relaxed slightly, “Okay, we can talk, because to be honest, I’m not okay, but I want to get out of here.”

  “Okay,” he answered, “Don’t you want to talk about it…”

  “Yes, on the way home! I’m not propositioning you! I really want to leave this goddamn house!” I screamed at him, feeling a nervousness rise in my chest. It wasn’t because of the guy, though. It was because I was terrified the guy was going to come after me again. I wanted to get away as soon as possible and hope to God he didn’t know where I lived.

  I suppose the man thought I was afraid of him, so he backed up and raised his hands as though trying to show me he had nothing to hide.

  “Whoa! Okay, I’m sorry…I get it. I didn’t mean to scare you. I will definitely walk with you.”

  Realizing that I might have overreacted a little, I calmed myself and forced a grin.

  “Thank you. I appreciate that,” I answered, immediately turning my back on him and starting to walk in the direction of the school.

  Even though he didn’t say anything, the guy caught up to me and continued to walk next to me for a few blocks.

  Although I didn’t know this man, the silence between us wasn’t strange. It was kind of comforting.

  I didn’t want to be alone, but at the moment, I wasn’t quite ready to talk, so the silent company was even more appreciated than I had realized it would be.

  We turned down a street that I knew lead to fields we could cross to get back to the dorms. It was summer, so the night was cool, but still refreshing. There shouldn’t be anyone out there and if someone was following us, which I tried to tell myself was ridiculous, we could get lost in the fields easily.

  Thankfully, I knew my way around extremely well, so I wasn’t worried about losing my way.

  “So, do you want to talk about what happened back there, or not?” The guy eventually asked, “I mean, you definitely don’t have to. I was just wondering.”

  I thought for a moment, trying to genuinely decide if I was ready to talk about it without breaking down. I would hate to have a meltdown in front of a man I barely knew. Although, I had punched one in the face tonight, so it wouldn’t be the strangest thing I had ever done.

  “Well, why don’t we start with your name?” I offered.

  “Sure…Duh,” he shook his head as though he felt stupid for not leading with such a basic question, “I’m Collin.”

  “I’m Flora,” I answered, “And…thank you for walking with me. It really helps.”

  “Sure, no problem. I was done with the whole party scene for the night anyway.”

  Being reminded of the party, a flash of the man came through my mind first, followed by the thought that my nausea had already dissipated. I silently leapt for joy that I was able to overcome my need to throw up and mortify myself further.

  “Yeah,” I answered, “I’m not much for the party scene at all.”

  “You and your friend looked like you were having fun…” As he spoke, my eyes jutted up to meet his and he suddenly realized what he had said, “Oh God, wow…Yeah, I’m sorry. You probably won’t believe this, but I am not a creepy stalker. I only noticed you guys there…like once. I promise.”

  Instead of getting even more creeped out or angry, as I felt I might have done previously, I laughed. Tonight, was weird enough and I was all for simply rolling with the punches. I didn’t want to worry about a damn thing. If he was a creepy stalker, so be it.

  At least he doesn’t smell like cigarettes and BO, I thought.

  “Don’t worry about it. I get it. I’m sorry, I didn’t really hone in on anyone there, not on purpose anyway. My friend made me go.”

  “Yeah, I see her at a lot of parties. She’s a regular.”

  I shook my head in agreement. “Yeah, and I’m the nerdy roommate who stays home to study.”

  “Well, considering how shitty your night turned out to be, I would say that studying wouldn’t have been such a bad alternative,” he replied, “I’m not exactly a party animal myself. I go to keep up appearances.”