SINFULLY YOURS

(3). College parties

"You're stepping out with my cousin?"

Asher scoops more ice cream before he talks.

"She's your cousin?"

"That's not the point."

"What's the point? Pray tell."

"She's new here. How do you know her?"

"We met at the mall and I offered her a ride. She appeared to be a bit lost."

"Why are you in my bed?"

"It's more comfy than the couch."

"Why are you shirtless?"

"Because I'm hot."

Hell yeah he is.

"Wear your shirt." I announce with finality, walking past him to place my bag on the dresser.

"It's hot in here."

"I said, wear your shirt."

"If I don't?"

"Then get the hell out of my apartment. That attitude might impress Savannah but it doesn't work on me."

"You seemed to be pretty impressed last night." He points out as he puts his shirt back on.

"Not quite. Don't get ahead of yourself."

"I know you'd like a repeat. "He smiles yet again. "Kol is throwing a party tonight. You should come."

I shrug carelessly, stuffing a few necessities into my bag. I'll need them tonight.

"I'm gonna. Where are you taking Savannah?"

"Shopping. She's the cliché new girl. Long skirts, strange dresses and no make-up. She needs to dress better than that if she's coming to the party."

I frown.

"She's coming to the party?"

"I invited her. She said that she needs someone to guide her through college. I'm that someone."

"Why do I feel like you're up to no good?"

"Because I'm up to no good."

I want to give him a warning about messing with her but I don't. Deep down, I want to be protective over Savannah. I don't want her to go through all the s**t I've been through just because I didn't have anyone to guide me.

But I say nothing.

I hold my hands akimbo when Savannah steps out of the bathroom. She's swathed in one of my spare towels and her wet hair clings to her neck. She appears to be shocked when she spots me, and when she sees Asher subtly checking her out, her cheeks turn a deep red.

What, no one has ever checked her out before?

"I need to dress." She says, almost timidly, and Asher c***s an eyebrow.

"Go ahead."

"I need you to step out."

"It's nothing I haven't seen before. Carry on."

That makes me grit my teeth.

"Asher, she asked you to get out."

"I'm not even-"

I cut him off.

"Out!"

He raises both hands in surrender before he slithers off my bed.

"And Asher?"

I call when he gets to the door.

"What."

"When you go shopping with Savannah, remember to buy me another tub of ice cream. That's not a request."

"But...it's just ice cream."

"Just replace the dang thing."

"Fine. You're in charge."

He closes the door behind him while I lean against the window, watching Savannah fish for something to wear.

She hasn't unpacked yet and the boxes are all over the place.

I clear my throat, casually crossing my arms over my chest.

"I was hoping I wouldn't have to talk to you but it's inevitable. We need to get some things straight."

She glances at me before she goes back to rummaging through the boxes.

"Yeah?"

"First of all, don't bring a boy in here again. I don't do that, so you're not allowed to either."

'"You don't bring your male friends here?"

"I don't have male friends."

"I left Asher in the kitchen. I didn't know he'd come in here after I got in the shower."

"That reminds me of the next rule. No one is allowed to touch my ice cream. No exemptions."

"I'm sorry, Riya."

"When are you going to unpack?"

"I was going to do that today but your closet is full. I don't know where to keep the clothes."

"Figure out something. The boxes make the room look untidy."

"I will." She shyly looks me over. "Asher is taking me to a party. What are college parties like?"

Wild, mostly.

I shrug.

"I guess you'll find out tonight."

I sling my bag over my shoulder and I walk out of the bedroom without another word. I walk over to my study table in the living room and I continue with my assignment from where I left last night. Everyone handed in their papers today but mine has to wait until Monday. Even the professors are used to my stunts.

Assignments suck.

***

We leave Mia's apartment a few minutes past nine. We are dolled up and my confidence is top notch. I'm most confident when I have make-up on.

Some scars are best hidden with make-up.

I'm not planning on drinking so we use my car. One of us has to stay sober when we go to house parties. s**t happens, so we always need a rational person to take care of the rest.

"Are you sure you're not going to drink? That's so unlike you." Hazel points out for the sixth time as she settles shotgun.

"I'm sure."

"But why?"

"I want to watch over you two."

"Just spill the damn secret already. I'm getting impatient." That's Mia.

Trust these two girls to know when I'm being vague.

"This will sound crazy, but I kind of want to watch over Savannah."

"What?!" Mia gasps, surprised.

Hazel just eyes me calmly.

"What happened to bring about this change of mind?"

"It's her first house party." I say quietly, giving my best friends pointed looks, and they both get it.

"You don't want what happened to you on your first house party to happen to her."

"Exactly."

"I thought you didn't care about her."

"Mia, I can't wish some things on people, not even my worst enemies."

Hazel reaches for my hand and she absently rubs my knuckles with her thumb.

"You are the strongest person I know. You know that, right?"

"No, I don't. I'm the weakest person I know."

"Then you need to meet more people. You are f*****g strong. Deal with it!" Mia yells at me.

I blink back a tear that is threatening to ruin my make-up.

"Strong people don't have nightmares every night. Strong people do not hate everything that breaths, they don't hide their scars and tainted souls behind make-up, alcohol and meaningless s*x. They don't wish death on their moms."

"Your Mom deserves to die." Mia says without missing a beat, and Hazel turns to glare at her.

"She's still her mom."

"And?" I ask with a c****d eyebrow.

"And man is to error, Riya. Forgive her. Let it go. You've been holding a grudge for what, six years?"

"Seven."

"Seven years, Riya. That's a long time."

"I'm going to hate her for as long as I live. When I die, I will become a wicked ghost and torture her in the afterlife."

Mia and Hazel glance at each other as I put the car into drive. The address that Kol gave Mia is about twenty minutes away so I head there. I'm pissed, and I want to do the one thing that I always do whenever I'm frustrated.

I need to find Asher.

Kol's house is similar to all the others in the neighborhood. It's fancy enough; big, and it stands proudly in the moonlit night. I park across the street since the driveway is full and we all walk in together.

Kol, being the host, is keeping close to the door. He winks at Mia when we walk in, and I clear my throat when he pulls her by the waist to stand beside him.

"I think you made quite the impression last night. Nathan was asking if you're coming." Kol is addressing Hazel.

"I'm not here for him. I'm just a sucker for good parties." She slings her arm through mine, making a face at Kol. "Let's get me a drink, girlfriend."

"If you need us, just holla." I tell Mia, making a mental note to keep checking on her. She's very reckless while drunk.

*

"Let me know if you spot Asher or Savannah." I whisper in Hazel's ear as we walk into the party.

"I have no idea what Savannah looks like."

"Right. Hey, what happened between you and Nathan last night?"

"I kicked him in the groin."

"What? Why?"

"He tried to kiss me. Just because I sat on his lap doesn't mean I wanted to screw him. He's like a walking hard on."

"Speak of the devil." I mutter when I see Nathan headed towards us. There's no time to walk away, so Hazel does the next best thing; she crosses her arms over her chest.

"I've been looking for you." Nathan tells her as soon as he is within hearing distance. "Do you want a drink?"

I watch with a smile as Hazel raises both eyebrows.

"Was one kick in your genitals not enough?"

"I was a douche last night. Let me make it up to you."

She casts me a questioning look and I shrug, signifying that it's fine. I watch them as they walk to the middle of the spacious room before I go back to finding Savannah.

She's nowhere to be seen.

That kind of freaks me out.

I walk through the back door to the garden which is next to the swimming pool.

There's no one here.

I turn on my heel to head back to the party. I'm hoping against hope that she changed her mind and stayed in the apartment.

"Looking for someone?" A deep voice says from somewhere behind me.

I almost jump, but somehow, I manage to stay on my feet. I turn very slowly until I'm face to face with him.

He is standing there, his eyes hard on me. He's wearing nothing but swimming trunks and his hair is dripping onto his shoulders.

I nervously clear my throat.

"I'm looking for Asher."

"Oh, my brother?"

"He's your brother?"

He hesitates, then he nods.

"Yeah. You are the girl from the club last night, aren't you?"

"You were there?"

"Yes. Asher should be in his car. Check the driveway."

"What's his car's model?"

He sweeps in my entire appearance before he stretches his hand.

"Give me your phone."

I hand him my phone and he quickly types a number. He hands it back before he turns away and heads to the pool.

I stand there watching him. I don't know what it is but something about him is awfully familiar.

He is oblivious of me as he does a back flip and dives into the pool.

Wow!

I don't wait for him to submerge. I step back into the house and dial Asher's number.