A few days later, Landon told us we'd meet Audrey at a frat party. She apparently goes to Columbia as well so he figured it would be fun if we were invited.

I haven't been to a party since the incident a couple weeks ago and almost debated on being "sick." But I told myself that Landon is my friend. I should be there to support him.

I was also informed, Carter would be going.

Apparently, Landon and Carter are closer friends than I thought.

"Do I look good in green?" Chloe asks as I finish my calculus homework. I'm still in baggy clothes and glasses. She has showered, curled her hair, and finished her makeup and is now rummaging through my closet for clothes.

Abby, unfortunately, is going to be late. She's busy with her TCU stuff but we promised to fill her in if any drama happened while she was gone.

"Of course," I say.

"Don't lie," Chloe says.

"I'm not."

"Maybe purple?" She says as she flips through my clothes.

"Chloe," I sigh as I look up from my textbook. She turns around, her green eyes shining. "Pick something. You'll look great in anything," I tell her.

"You're wearing this!" Chloe throws a dress at me and I huff.

Please tell me tonight won't be fucked up.

——————————

Chloe and I took a cab to the frat house on the Columbia campus and Landon was the first to meet us there.

Carter of course, was right beside him.

"Hello, beautiful," he greets me. He's wearing a simplistic outfit, but one that makes him look just as attractive as he always is.

I catch his eyes lingering from my feet to my face from where he is in-front of me and immediately feel butterflies.

Damnit.

"Hey ladies," Landon says as he huge Chloe. I hug him too.

"So," Landon claps his hands, probably from the cold, "you guys excited?"

Chloe and I exchange glances and nod at him with smiles.

"So who's this chick?" Carter asks Landon.

He doesn't know?

"Her names Au-" Chloe begins but Landon cuts her off.

"Uh someone from L.A." He talks to Carter, "you know her. Maybe too well."

Carter flinches in confusion. Now I'm more curious to know who this girl is.

"I need a beer," I say. I grab Chloe's hand, the guys walking behind us, as we make our way into the frat house.

"Wanna do some shots?" Chloe asks giddily. I nod as she grabs two plastic shot cups off the counter top.

"My guess is we'll be watching you closely," Carter whispers to me.

I give him a look, "I'm not that big of a drinker."

He nods approvingly, "okay. Have fun. I'll take care of you if needs be."

"I don't need you to take care of me, Carter," I fight back as I tip back my head. The liquor burns my throat as I swallow.

Carter pours himself sink water in a solo cup next to me.

"Hey," a female voice from behind us says. I look over and a tiny blonde, definitely smaller than me, hugs Landon.

"Hey," he greets back.

"You must be Audrey," Chloe says. Audrey turns her face and I get a full view of her features.

She's averagely pretty. Brown eyes, huge fake lips and... huge fake boobs too.

"Hi," she says with a smile as she shakes Chloe's hand.

"These are my friends," Landon says. "This is Chloe, Mandy, and you already know Carter."

You already know Carter.

I make a quick glance at Carter and see his beautiful face, now twisted with slight aggression.

He seems absolutely pissed.

"You're who?" Audrey says while looking at me. I don't smile at her, her vibe makes me feel off.

I reach my hand out to shake hers, "Mandy."

She nods with a contorted smile that makes me think it wasn't really a smile before she whispers something in Landon's ear.

"I'll be back in a few, you guys good?" Landon asks us.

Chloe and I nod and he walks off.

"She's... something," Chloe says as she sips on her beer. I see that her eyes are wide with sarcasm and I chuckle.

I look over at Carter again. He still looks pissed.

"You good?" I ask him. He gives me a smile, but it's not one he normally shows me. This is one is covering his pissed off attitude.

"Yeah. I'm fine."

I choose not to push him further. He never did that to me and it's only respect that I do the same to him.

"We're gonna go dance!" Chloe yells at Carter. He nods with a real, gentle smile at her as she pulls me away.

I don't really know how to club dance so I just jump everywhere with Chloe.

The music is super fun. And I feel myself get lost in the moment. I'm just being myself and being a dumb college student. Which is what I should be.

I go back after dancing to get some water. Carter is still standing there.

"You don't look like you're having fun," I say to him out of breath.

"You do," he smiles, "and who says I'm not?"

I chug down my water. My breath is still heaving for air.

"You're just," I huff for air, "sitting there."

"Standing," he corrects me.

"Do you think Landon will date that chick Audrey?" I ask him. I don't know why I said it outright but something tells me the shots are now going to my head.

His face drops and he becomes slightly pissed again, "I don't know."

"Do you like her?" I ask.

What the hell am I doing?

No more shots.

"What?" He's taken aback by my question, "why the hell would I like her?"

I shrug.

His blue eyes become visibly darker as he looks right at me, "I think it's pretty obvious I like you, no?"

"Prove it," I say.

Dude, what the fuck am I doing.

He drops his head to hide his smirk and shakes his head.

"You're pushing me I'll admit. But no. Not here, at least."

I feel my core heat up at his darkened attitude. It's the liquor. It's the liquor.

I roll my eyes and stumble away from him.

"Don't trip," he grabs my elbow to keep my body steady.

Yeah. I'm tipsy for sure.

Suddenly, my chest is pushed up against his. My breathing is still heavy and I can feel the sweat on my body from dancing. It doesn't help I'm wearing a long sleeved, skin tight dress.

Our faces are close now. I can practically feel his nose on mine.

"Sorry," I apologize. He lightly lets me go and I see a smile on his lips. "You're having fun, Mandy. Don't be sorry. I kind of like this side of you."

I smirk at him, "you like me drunk?"

"You know that's not what I meant."

I roll my eyes and laugh.

"I meant I like the free side of you. The one that's really you."

I pause.

He's right. I'm not the stuck up workaholic bitch I act like I am.

I want my career and I love school, but I've been so forced my whole life to work or I get nothing, that I've lost sight of who I am and what I should be living for.

Somehow, Carter made me realize that.

"Carter," I say. I can tell my voice is kind of slurred and I don't even comprehend what I'm trying to say outright to him.

"Yes, darling?" He says. For once, I don't lecture him on the ridiculous nickname.

"I kinda," I start and lose the words halfway through.

What am I trying to say?

"I have to pee."

He only smiles at me, "I'll walk you to the bathroom then."

—————————

Abby didn't end up making it to the party, but to be honest, she didn't miss much.

Chloe and I kept taking shots, Carter stayed watch as our body guard for the night but he didn't seem to complain.

Chloe loves to annoy the shit out of him.

Carter came with us in the cab back to campus and walked us to our floor.

Me and Chloe are stumbling everywhere and laughing our asses off.

"I really want some cheetos," Chloe whispers to me. I burst laughing for whatever reason.

"Ladies," Carter says. He grips my elbow to keep my steady, "let's get some food and head to bed, huh?"

I nod with a chuckle. My head falls back onto his shoulder.

I open my eyes and feel my cheeks heat up. Chloe is giving me a smirk that looks so stupid since she's drunk.

"I can give y'all some kissy kissy time."

I cackle against Carters strong shoulder again but don't respond.

"Go to bed, Chloe," I say. Carter shushes us.

"We're in a hallway," he whispers in my ear, "be quiet," he chuckles.

"Mwah mwah," Chloe mocks us with kissing noises. I throw my bag at her and she falls to the floor in front of her door.

I burst with laughter and almost pee myself.

I haven't had this much fun in a long time.

"Okay," Carter says as he picks me up, "bedtime."

I hear my door open, "what in the fuck-"

I look over to see Abby in her pajamas and her eyes tired with sleep.

"Mandy?" She says.

I nod and reach out my finger to boop her nose.

"For gods sake," she huffs as she opens my door wider.

"Get her in bed and Ill get Chloe into her room," she says to Carter who obliges. He picks up at my knees and carrie's me bridal style into my dorm.

I like the softness of his chest and his shoulder. I could easily fall asleep in his arms, even in his clothes.

His smell is so heavenly and delicious against me and his hair looks so soft in the moonlight that reflects off my sheer curtains.

I could soooooo eat him right now.

Carter gently lays me on my soft mattress and I feel the dip below me. He slides off my boots and I strip off my jacket.

"Goodnight, Mandy." He whispers to me.

"No," I say. He stops in his tracks.

"Don't leave," I whine.

He smiles at me, "get some sleep."

I shake my head in protest and he walks over, trying down on my bed beside me.

"Why do you," I pause my words and hiccup causing Carter's smile to widen, "have to go so soon?"

"It's 3 in the morning, love."

"I don't careeee!"

"Shhhhh," he attempts to calm me down. I feel like a five year old little kid again.

I lay down on my mattress and smile against my pillow.

"I'm kinda lonely," I say.

"Behave," he warns me.

My stomach heats up at the sound of his voice.

He leans over and palms the back of my skull before he lays a soft kiss in my hair. "I'll see you tomorrow," he whispers.

I hear my door open and Abby walks in. Her and Carter exchange words but my body becomes too foggy to comprehend them.

I fall asleep quickly, finding myself cold without Carter's warmth.