I lift my eyebrows. “That’s an interesting choice of words.”
“Why?”
“Because I was invited to a party. One of the girls in my lit class lives off campus and is having a little casual thing. She must have repeated that part like a million times. They’ll order some sandwiches and some pizza, and we’re just going to hang out. I was thinking of going, and it would be really cool if you’d come, too.”
“You’re the one who was invited.”
“So what? I don’t think they’ll check a guest list at the door. It sounds pretty chill, but I would feel a lot better if you were there with me. No pressure,” I add at the last second. “I’m not trying to guilt you or anything, I promise.”
She scoffs, rolling her eyes. “I didn’t think you were. Yeah, if you don’t think it would be weird for me to go, I’d love to. Let me get changed and stuff.”
I need to do the same thing. This is the first party I’ve been to in… I can’t even remember how long. I don’t count the party the guys forced me to. That was more of a shit show than a party, one I’d rather forget about forever.
Back when I was popular, and people actually wanted to talk to me, I didn’t have time for parties because I was too busy training. Then I lost all my friends and all my social standing.
I have to remind myself nobody knows who I am here. I can start fresh. That’s an empowering feeling, and my confidence climbs as I get ready and put on a little makeup. Piper puts on music and even dances around, which lifts my spirits even more. It’s times like this I understand how much I missed her, even when I didn’t realize it.
By the time we’re walking across campus, I feel like I can actually handle this party. “I do hope it’s as quiet and low-key as it was described,” I fret to Piper because I can’t help it. I don’t need to end up in a drunken frat party with a bunch of guys who will only remind me of the two I want to forget but can’t seem to.
When we enter a large, comfortable apartment, my hopes climb. I recognize a handful of people from class strewn around, hanging out on sofas and around the kitchen table. There are other clusters here and there, voices overlapping and almost drowning out the soft, upbeat music playing through the TV. Pizza boxes are on the kitchen counter and a tray of sandwiches beside them, plus what looked like endless bottles of alcohol and mixers. “There’s beer in the fridge, too,” one of the guys tells us. “I’m Trevor, by the way.”
“Leni,” I tell him, shaking his hand. “And this is Piper.”
“Leni, Piper, make yourselves at home. What brings you here?”
“Oh, I’m in lit class with you,” I tell him with a laugh. “But I usually sit in the back of the room, so you probably never noticed me.”
He snaps his fingers, chuckling. “Of course. Sorry, I’ve had a few, so my beer goggles have me a little fuzzy. I guess Maya invited you.”
“Yeah, is she around here somewhere?”
“She’s out on the balcony. Everybody is supposed to just make themselves at home, so I figured I’d help out with that a little bit.” He pulls a beer from the fridge before looking at Piper and me, his brows lifted in a silent question.
“Sure, I’ll have one,” she murmurs.
“I’m good, but thanks.”
While his back is turned to us, she elbows me, wiggling her eyebrows up and down. Sure, he’s cute, but there are a lot of cute guys. I think I can be forgiven for not wanting to jump right in and flirt with somebody so soon after everything I’ve been through.
Over the next hour or so, another dozen people come in until the place is pleasantly full. The music is louder now, and I’m glad we ate some pizza when we first got here because it’s pretty much gone. Somebody offers to go out for more and starts getting money together from interested people who didn’t get a chance to eat, but Piper and I both shake our heads.
“If all college parties are this laid back, I can see going to more of them,” Piper admits while the two of us stand back, watching a game of beer pong taking place out on the balcony. It’s a little tricky because sometimes the ball bounces off into the parking lot, but whoever brought the supplies has a bag of what looks like hundreds.
“Wanna play?” somebody calls out to us, holding up a red cup before draining it and crunching it in their fist.
“No, thanks.” I laugh, shaking my head, and Piper does the same.
“You don’t like playing beer pong? It’s actually pretty fun, you know.” I look up to find Trevor standing beside me, and he grins. “If you don’t mind drinking out of a cup that has a dirty ball floating in it.”
“Which is exactly why I’m not interested.”
“But it’s alcohol. Alcohol cleans things, right?”
“He sort of has a point,” Piper tells me with a giggle.
“See? She knows what I’m talking about. Loosen up a little. You would actually enjoy it.”
It happens so fast. An arm slides around my waist from behind. “How about you mind your own business and don’t talk to my girl?”