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Piper
I've successfully beenable to avoid Julian's invitation for two weeks now. Not that I don't see him almost every day. In fact, I see more of him than I feel like I'm able to handle most of the time.
We sit in comfortable silence in class two days a week.
We work side-by-side three nights a week.
But on the weekends, we find ourselves avoiding each other. At the Kappa O house. Anytime our friends plan get-togethers. We act like we don't know each other. Barely interact. Stand what feels like miles apart, only I find myself gravitating toward him every. Single. Time.
It's so annoying.
I don't even realize I'm doing it until I'm next to him, surrounded by his scent and everything that makes Julian, Julian. His laugh. His smile. The way he seems to glide across the room, his feet never touching the floor, yet he dominates the space. Commanding attention.
At first, it was amusing to watch every female turn their head. To watch their eyes light up when they'd approach him. Hear the fake laugh at whatever he said as they'd place their hand on his chest or arm.
That amusement quickly turned sour.
Jealousy reared its ugly head, and by the end of the last party, my jaw hurt from clenching it all night to keep from saying something I had no right to say. I still couldn't look away. I tried, but it ended up being pointless. Every time I'd turn around, it felt like there was a new woman flirting with him.
Touching him.
Laughing at his jokes.
Dominating his attention.
And I wanted it to be me.
Which pissed me off.
"Where are you going?" Evie's been my shadow most of the night. When Max realized she was here, he was irate.
I was pretty sure it had more to do with the fact she was talking with a guy who was not only drunk, but also years older than her.
Enter big brother mode.
And since she was already attached to my side, talking my ear off, I was put on babysitting duty.
"I need some fresh air."
"What you need is a drink," she mutters as she follows me through the throngs of people and out onto the back deck.
Last year, I wouldn't have stepped foot out here. The deck looked like it could collapse at any moment. There were missing planks, and the railing was hanging off. All it would have taken was one drunk frat boy to lean against it and the rail would have fallen to its demise, forty feet down, taking the partygoer with it.
Thankfully, Max cares a whole hell of a lot more than the last Kappa president did. He fixed the deck amongst a ton of other 'imperfections' around here. The house looks great compared to its previous state. It's still a frat house; it still gives off a certain vibe, smells of too much testosterone, and could use a permanent housekeeper. But it's better than last year, and since tonight’s party is to celebrate the end of rush week, I'm assuming the new housekeepers have been 'hired' in the form of pledges.
"What's going on with you tonight?"
I avoid eye contact with Evie as I contemplate how much more I want to spin my web of lies. It feels like everything I say these days is twisted with deceit, making it harder and harder to find the truth.
"I'm exhausted. Stressed out. And honestly, this is the last place I wanted to be tonight, but I promised I'd be here to celebrate. Max was adamant everyone shows up. Something about showing up another frat or some bullshit."
"The pledges make their decisions soon. He was worried they might not choose Kappa if the other parties were bigger, more fun, and had more girls. Something like that. I heard him talking with Kane earlier. I don't think he has much to worry about, but then again, I don't care what other people think."
"That's a novel idea." I don't mean to say the words out loud. They slip past my lips before I can sensor myself.
"You should try it, Piper. Because whatever has you tied up in knots, whoever has you wanting to rip your hair out, either isn't worth it, or clearly is and you're fighting it."
She walks away before I can protest her observation, leaving me to tug on my braid and contemplate my situation. The couple that was out here dry humping against the side of the house retreated inside as soon as they realized they were no longer alone.
