Its Always You (Book Two)

Part 7

"I hate frats," Anna moaned for what seemed like the millionth time that night. She had no idea why Violet would drag her to the fraternity house knowing very well about her dislike towards those rowdy boys.

"Yes, I've heard you say for the entire ride” Violet made a face as she got out of the car, locking the vehicle. The way Violet was trying not to be condescending with that tone felt funny to Anna. She had to hand it to her friend for not snapping at her mid-ride. If the roles were reversed, Anna would ask her to shut up. Violet is a good friend; that’s why.

“And yet you dragged me to this hellhole.”

Violet blinked at her, “That's a bit of reach. The red lights are trendy nowadays.”

Anna widened her eyes, mock horror on her face. “Where?!”

“Let’s just go.”

With a sigh, the twenty-year-old followed her best friend still unsure about walking inside. From the corner of her eyes, she noticed the frat boys huddled together and chatting, their stance wobbly as if they had too much to drink. She should have known that alcohol would be the main thing around with all of them holding on to their red solo cups.

She turned her head around only to stare at the large three storey brick house. It’s set in a residential area not far from the main campus. Anna moved her eyes towards the adjoining buildings; her lips pressed together. The neighbours around must have the worst of it, and most of the times they report about the loud noises. She read an article about the nuisance caused by frat houses which made her have a negative opinion. The loud pounding of the bass and the flashing neon lights visible from the small basement windows wasn’t helping their situation either.

There were a bunch of freshman girls gathered in a group on the front lawn, clearly trying to flirt their way in. She had no idea that the parties were exclusive and only for a selected few. Should she feel grateful about being invited? Technically it’s Violet who got invited, and she dragged Anna along with her. Whatever.

“I can’t believe I’m missing my show for this party” Anna muttered under her breath, but it was loud enough for Violet to hear. She rolled her eyes at Anna.

“You’re making it sound as if it’s you don’t watch the reruns of Gossip Girl every day” Violet scoffed.

“I thought you liked that show!”

“Meh”

“Why are we even friends?” Anna said with a fake gasp.

Violet shook her head as both of them reached the front step. Anna couldn’t help but admire the bushes around them and the poorly light pool in the yard.

A young man was standing by the open door; his hands awkwardly folded together. She instantly recognised him as Michael. The reason why Violet dragged her to the party in the first place.

“He looks so good. Hold me, Anna, I might collapse” Violet dramatically exclaimed, turning towards her friend.

"Jesus Christ," Anna rolled her eyes, holding onto her friend's arms. Why was Violet so dramatic? Michael was decent looking. He had brunette hair, slicked behind neatly. It was ridiculous how formal he appeared at a frat party. Unlike his other frat brothers, he wasn’t yelling around with their stupid jerseys. He had a decent white shirt on, clinging on to his muscular body and tight black skinnies.

When Violet wobbled her steps, Anna pinched her waist, “Don’t act as you have never seen a man before!”

“Not like Michael”

"Eww” Anna wrinkled her nose.

“Oh please," Violet murmured “I’m sure you would act the same way if you get lucky.”

“Besides it’s a huge party. I’m sure you’ll find someone and get lucky tonight.”

Anna’s mouth dropped open at that; she shook her head.

“There’s no way I’m losing my virginity to some frat boy!”

“We will see” Violet wriggled her brows, almost amused.

"Fudge off," Anna huffed.

***

The moment they stepped inside, it was almost dark save for the flashing neon lights of the obnoxious disco ball and a bright makeshift dance floor in the middle. How did they even pull it off? The music was blaring from a reasonably sophisticated DJ set up over on the far side of the room. She pretended to enjoy the music even though it was too loud for her liking.

Anna couldn’t help but notice the red solo cups and empty beer cans lying around on the floor. Why were frats so unhygienic?

The floor under their feet was in far worse shape; there was a puddle of mystery liquids covering the entire surface of the floor. She assumed it to be alcohol. Stepping beyond it, Anna stood with Michael and Violet when someone approached them. It turned out Michael had a twin brother, Greg.

"This is my friend, Anna!” Violet exclaimed excitedly, motioning towards Michael’s twin brother. She couldn’t help but smile in his direction because that would be rude otherwise.

"Oh, hello! Nice to meet you. First frat party?” Greg smiled, handing her one of the solo cups. Anna wrinkled her nose at the stench, but Violet glared at me.

After a few minutes, Anna felt perfect level of drunk. She accepted a few more cups from Greg and chatted to him about nonsense things which she didn’t even remember by the end of their convo. As Violet was giggling about something with Michael, she decided to give them some space.

“We should dance,” Greg said in a high pitched voice.

“Yeah?” She breathed.

“Go ahead I’ll join you” He pointed at his empty cup.

Anna shuffled in between the grinding bodies on the dance floor. It took her few seconds to find her spot and then she let loose. As she carelessly threw her head in the air, she felt someone’s eyes only to notice Tylor. She wasn’t going to let him affect her. After all, they were strangers. With that, she turned around and continued dancing, unaware of him stalking towards her.

“We are leaving,” Tylor said, wrapping his arm around her wrist and she didn’t oppose. Why would she? He was holding her hand after a long time, and she wanted to savour the feeling.

***

“I thought you don’t talk to strangers” Anna mumbled into the quiet night, trying to break the awkward silence between them. She couldn’t believe that after everything they were alone, few inches between them, his back turned to her. It felt surreal for Anna to be alone with Tylor.

The air was chilly. Her loose hair fell on her face, almost blocking her view of him. Tucking them behind her ear, she wrapped her arms tightly around herself.

Tylor sneered turning around; his jaw clenched tight. “You sure do move fast eh, Anna?”

His voice prickled at her skin like sharp thorns. She flinched at the way he was glaring at her. What was he implying? Why was he suddenly so furious? Was it something she said?

“Excuse me?” Anna asked, raising her eyebrow at him, her arms hugging her.

“I thought I was the only one you decided to hurt but Aaron too? Is this all a game to you? First me, then Aaron and now Michael” Tylor chuckled bitterly.

Anna recoiled at his words. Nausea crawled up her throat as he uttered those words. How can he think of her in that way? She felt disgusted.

“You don’t know what you are talking about” She weakly said, narrowing her eyes at him. As she stared in those cold eyes, Anna couldn’t help but shiver at how much he didn’t look like the guy she fell in love with. How can anyone change so much in a few months? What happened to him?

Tylor rolled his eyes, “I know what I saw Anna. Is that your new trick of seducing Michael? Make him jealous by dancing with every other guy.”

Anna gaped at him. Why was he even talking about Michael? Did he think that she was interested in him? The guy did not even speak to her before the party for crying out loud! She had no idea about him except for Violet's embarrassing crush on him.

“It’s low even for you.”

She flinched, “Guess I’m trying to set a new low then.”

“Is that what you want to say?”

“Do you want me to thank you for forcefully dragging me out of the party?” She gritted her teeth, crossing her arms against her chest.

Tylor huffed, “As if! I was only doing my friend a favour.”

“Really? I thought Aaron was no longer a friend considering you haven’t talked to him since the prom night.”

It was a low blow. She should not have brought that up. Aaron asked her to let that go, but she cannot.

Tylor face hardened, “Aww nice to know that your boyfriend tells you everything. I won’t talk with him as long as you are with him. Ever. Better tell that to him”

With that, Tylor stormed out of the yard, leaving her all alone. It hurt.

***