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When she called me fifteen minutes ago, she was on her way to a job. Somehow in the midst of all this Atlas talk, I completely spaced.
“Oh shit, right, wedding.” While weddings aren’t her favorite thing in the world to photograph, it’s money I know she can’t pass up right now. “I’ve got a party to get ready for anyway.” I glance at the time on the microwave clock that I have a perfect view of from the couch. It’s already five and I told Rita I’d meet her at seven. Given that I still have yesterday’s pajamas on, I should probably get a move on.
“Gahhh, I hate you so much right now.”
“You were the one who didn’t want to go to college.”
“That doesn’t mean I don’t want to go to college parties,” she whines dramatically. “Guess I’ll have to settle for living vicariously through you.”
“Well that’s not going to be very much fun.” I chuckle to myself.
“Anything’s better than taking pictures of disgustingly happy people all night while trying to pretend like you don’t want to pick up a salad fork and stab your own eyes out.”
“Um...” I bite down on my bottom lip to stifle my laugh.
“Anyway, I gotta go. Call me later?”
“I will.” I nod, even though she can’t see me.
“Love you.”
“Love you, too.”
The phone line goes dead seconds later, leaving me sitting in complete silence, left alone with nothing but my thoughts. Thoughts that I can’t afford to sit around and obsess over.
——
“Please tell me youhave pink fingernail polish,” Rita says when I step out of the Uber to find her standing on the sidewalk outside of a three story brick house that looks more like a small castle than a home. People are already littering the lawn and I can hear the faint sound of music coming from inside the house. “I nicked it and didn’t realize it until I was already here.” She holds up her middle finger that’s missing polish along the top right half of it.
“Sorry.” I chuckle, holding up my hands. “I only do clear polish and I never carry any of that stuff with me.”
“Lame,” she grumbles, taking another long look at her fingernail.
Rita is one of those knockout beauties. Flawless brown skin, dark eyes, silky black hair, legs for days. She’s wearing a silver dress that looks painted on, accentuating every single one of her incredible curves. Even with my sexy rippled skirt, sleeveless top, smoky eyes, and pale pink painted lips, I look like a dressed up toddler standing next to her.
I’m just glad that neither Brennon nor Atlas were home when I left. I didn’t have the mental capacity to deal with Atlas. And Brennon, well, he would have had a fit if he knew where I was going, then I would have ended up with a chaperone for the night. Hence why I told him I was meeting a friend to study. Which I can’t believe he bought.
“So, who do you know that lives here?” I gesture to the fraternity house.
“I know a few people actually. My roommate is dating one of the fraternity brothers and I’ve been here a couple of times with her.” She gives me a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry, it’s going to be awesome. Come on.” She reaches over and grabs my hand, tugging me up the concrete walkway toward the house.
The closer we get, the more prominent the bass of the speakers playing inside the house becomes. Yet as we make our way inside, I find the sound of laughter and talking far exceeds the volume of the music.
“Come on. First drinks. Then we mingle.” Without letting go of my hand, Rita pulls me through the slew of people crowding the expansive space.
——
“What’s your name again?” I practically yell into the ear of the cute blond guy whose arms are around my waist as we slow dance to a song I’m fairly certain I’ve never heard before.
“Chad.” He pulls back and gives me a lopsided grin.
“Right. Chad.” I giggle.
When I arrived, I had no intention of getting drunk. I’m not much of a drinker to begin with and last night was more than enough to last me for a while. But then Rita mixed up this amazing drink and what I said would only be one turned into two, then three, then four... I lost count after that, but I’m fairly certain I’m around six or seven.
“And you’re Barlow.”
“How do you know my name?”
