to crash, not used to staying up so late, but apparently Madison and Noah are still in the dancing spirit. Madison turns up the music and they begin rehearsing the dance they’ve choreographed for Call Me Maybe. Even though I’ve seen it a million times, when Noah steps forward and sashays across our tiny room, it still makes me laugh. God, I love these two. It’s times like this I wonder, why can’t I just hide in my bubble? I have the two best friends a girl could want.
What’s so wrong with being the careful sophomore who’s best known for turning in her homework early? Or the girl who’s always around on weekends to let streams of drunk kids back into the dorms at night because she has nothing better to do? Oh God, yeah, that was bad. But the question is… do I want to change my reputation? I’ve worked hard to earn it – to stay under the radar. And I know if I jump onboard with the Madison school of crazy, all that would disappear.
I’ve achieved the anonymity I crave– so why do I feel so restless?
It’s why I choose this middle-of-nowhere-Iowa private college – because practically no one from my high school was coming here, which made it all the more appealing. Safe. Even though my dads wanted me to follow in their footsteps, go to State and become a Viking, I convinced them that this was what I wanted. Now I’m not so sure.
I replay my conversation with Jase over in my mind. What was it about him that felt so familiar?
Madison prances over to me, lip syncing with gusto. ‘Here’s my number, call me maybe.’
My mouth curls into its usual crooked grin, watching them sing their hearts out. Once the song is over, Madison removes her bra from under her shirt and thrusts off her jeans. She has zero modesty – in front of me, Noah, or anyone really.
Madison is my opposite in every way. I wear my hair loose like a curtain to hide behind –the longer, the better. Madison’s is cropped close to her shoulders in a sleek bob that she threatens to chop on a regular basis. She’s also blessed with a flawless olive complexion, while I’m pale except for the fine dusting of freckles across the bridge of my nose and top of my chest. Speaking of chests, hers fits politely inside her shirt, two nicely rounded lady bumps. Mine? Not so much. My boobs and I have never gotten along. Mine spill over a C, but I refuse to buy a bigger size, so I’ve taken to wearing sports bras exclusively since last year. Though it’s not because I care for jogging. They’re just more manageable this way. Of course Madison had a field day with that information, outraged that I’d taken to keeping my lady parts strapped down. She even tried to get Noah involved in making a case to free my boobage, to which he replied, ‘Eh. I could take ’em or leave ’em. But I have heard guys like those things.’ We all cracked up laughing, and that was pretty much the end of that conversation.
Madison flops down onto my bed, forcing me to scoot over. Noah stretches out on our futon, where he’s regularly been sleeping.
‘Did you have fun tonight, Avery?’ Madison asks.
I nod. ‘Yeah. It wasn’t bad.’
She chuckles. ‘If there’s no one who interested you at that party tonight, you’ve got bigger issues than I can help you with.’
‘There was someone,’ I admit, my voice tiny.
‘Who?’
‘His name was Jase.’
‘Jase Owens?’
I nod sheepishly.
Her eyes fly to Noah’s, which are just as wide and concerned. ‘Oh honey,’ he frowns.
‘What?’ I ask, keeping my voice level.
Madison rolls her eyes and lets out a huff. ‘Noah.’ She motions for him to explain, anchoring a hand on her hip. Uh-oh, this isn’t good.
‘How do I put this….’ He taps his index finger against his chin, his expression grim. ‘He’s a shark, babe. You need a guppie.’
I frown. Was Jase a shark like they thought? After talking with him on the deck, I didn’t think so. But then I remembered the large-chested girl who planted herself in his lap just minutes later. Her breasts weren’t bigger than mine, but she had no problem putting them out there in people’s faces. And Jase did nothing to remove her from his personal space.
Madison pats the top of his head. ‘Well said, tootsie roll.’
‘Relax guys, it’s not like I’m gonna do anything about it.’
Madison’s eyebrows dart up. ‘Baby, you wouldn’t even know what to do with a guy anyway.’
I don’t argue. I don’t tell her she’s wrong. It doesn’t matter because it’s not like I’m planning on getting involved with anyone. Especially Jase. Getting close to people means running the risk of exposing my past. And that is not okay with me. Not even Madison and Noah know, God love ’em.
‘Night guys.’ I flick off my lamp, plunging us into darkness and curl onto my side, letting the numb feeling overtake me. I can’t believe I’d opened up to Jase tonight – thinking we’d shared some sort of moment, telling him about my adoption. That was dumb. No sense in getting my hopes up about Jase, I was safer alone anyway.
Jase
I hadn’t expected to see Avery again, which is why the flash of auburn hair leaves me momentarily stunned. Seeing her in the daylight, I realize she’s even prettier than I first realized. But as quickly as I spot her, she’s gone – diving for cover behind a dumpster. ‘Avery?’ I round the corner and see her couched down, knees drawn up to her chest.
Her eyes dart up and meet mine and she lets out a soft groan. She doesn’t say anything, just remains hunkered down next to the dumpster. I hold out my hand, offering to help.
Her gaze lifts from mine, searching for something in the distance before she takes my hand.
‘Why are you hiding?’
‘I wasn’t,’ she says quickly.
I lift one eyebrow. I can feel her hand trembling in mine.
‘Can you just get me out of here?’ Her voice has a raspy, pleading quality to it that I can’t refuse.
‘Where do you want to go?’
Her gaze darts behind me. ‘Anywhere but here.’
Sadness flickers in her eyes and instantly I know I’d gladly fuck up whoever had hurt her. ‘Come on. If we cut through there,’ I point to a trail at the edge of campus, ‘my house isn’t far.’
She nods, and glances behind her once more before following me.
I have no idea what spooked her, but she’s pale and jittery, like she might dart away from me at any second. I’m not sure why, but I can’t let her do that. I reluctantly release her hand, but she keeps pace beside me. ‘Do you have a class right now?’ I ask, needing to break the silence.
She shakes her head. ‘I’m done for the day.’
Damn, only eleven in the morning and she’s done for the day? I don’t take classes that start before noon.
When we reach the Delta Sig house, she hesitates at the front door before stepping inside. It’s trashed, as usual.
‘This is weird – being in a frat house during the light of day.’
I smile. ‘Come on, I’ll show you around.’
‘How many guys live here?’ She follows me through the living room. There’s a random dude sleeping on the couch, and Avery looks slightly concerned at this, but continues past him.
‘Um, sixteen, I think. The house is just for the juniors and seniors.’ We stop in the kitchen