"Are you gonna do this?" Grace hovers over my shoulder, as I finish preparing my essay. She came to the library about thirty minutes ago and has been reading by Penelope Douglas all this time.

"Do what?" I shove my essay in my backpack, as we both stand up from the table.

"Go to the get together with the team." She pops a candy in her mouth, looking at me with curiosity. It doesn't go unnoticed that she has taken my M&M's packet in her hand as we are leaving the library together. First, my book, now - my candies? She's annoying.

"Why not?" I shrug my shoulders. "I don't really care. Layla asked me to come, and I said yes. You going?"

"Probably." Grace smiles, winding a hand around my shoulder and leaning to my ear. "I have a date tomorrow!"

"Oh my God!" I push her away, wheeling around to face her. "Who is the lucky guy?"

"Kaleb. He's from my class." She looks incredibly happy, and I haul her to my chest in a bear hug.

"Momma is proud." I murmur, hearing her giggle like crazy.

"Woman, keep your ovaries under control." Grace hugs me tightly and then pushes me away. "You don't want to get pregnant in your first year, do you?"

"Pregnant?" Layla's voice behind our backs makes me jump. She's coming our way, as if she knew where to find us. "Who is pregnant?"

"No one, dumbass." I mutter exasperated, but then a suspicion flashes on in my head like a bulb in the darkness. "What are you doing here?"

"Just came to check on you." Layla holds my gaze, unblinking. I shift to look at Grace, and she has her eyes peeled to the floor.

"Stop playing mother-hens with me! I'm fine!" I look at both girls in turns. I can deal with one of them looking after me, but two? At the same time? Hell nah! "It has been three weeks since the party and no one has done anything to me. More so, all those stupid bimbos who didn't talk to me, now suddenly want to be my besties."

"Even your roommate?" Grace blurts and I scowl.

"We don't talk about Bruno." I exclaim with a serious expression on my face, but crack up and start laughing, trying to sing. "We don't talk about Bruno, no, no, no."

Layla and Grace stare at me with their mouths open for a moment, and then burst out giggling. We watched Encanto together about a week ago, and I'm still not over this movie. All the songs, the idea of loving and caring family and how selfless Mirabel is find their way in my head and don't really want to leave.

"You have such a beautiful voice," Grace's gaze is soft and focused on me. I fall silent, biting my bottom lip and tucking my hair behind my ears.

"She does, but she prefers hiding it from everyone." Layla grabs my palm, threads her fingers through mine and tugs me to her side. "My bestie sang the National Anthem at one of the games, when Amanda, our high school star singer, felt sick. She rocked it but said it was the first and the last time she agreed to sing in public."

"Why are you talking about me as if I'm not here?" I try to free myself, but she only tightens her grip around me. "Layla, dammit!"

"Because you don't talk about it, thinking that it's something insignificant. You have so many things to be proud of and I honestly want you to start flaunting your success more, because you deserve it."

"And I want to focus on my studies without any extra activities."

"Babes, it's just your first year. So many things might change!" Layla insists, but I shake my head. I know what I want for my future, and I'm determined to make it reality.

"Benson, leave me alone or I'll go to my room and stay there instead of going with you to this get together." This threat works, as she releases me immediately. "Why do you even want to go? Don't we have anything better to do?"

"Like what?" Grace pops another candy in her mouth, and I snatch my M&Ms packet from her hand and hide it in my pocket. She pokes her tongue at me. "Meanie."

"I don't know. Clubbing? Bowling? Movies?" I throw out suggestions but these two just shake their heads like they are bobblehead toys. "Whatever."

"It will be just the team, and the people closest to the guys. Usually, it's a lot of fun, and I swear to God, I need more fun in my life." My best friend casts a gaze to the side and takes a deep breath. "I hated the last party, and I want something that will make me forget about it altogether."

Layla and Grace exchange a strange look, as if they know something I don't know, and then look away. I frown, a question lingers on my tongue, and I decide to go for it. "What happened at the party?"

"Other than the fact that my bestie revealed to me that she was being bullied?" Layla places her hands on her hips, drawing a chuckle out of me.

"We talked about it, and I promised not to hide anything anymore." Except for the fact, that I fuck her brother after every party we go together. That secret is better kept to myself. I don't think I'm ready to face the wrath of her anger. "What else?"

Another exchange of weird looks, and then she gazes at me. "Thompson told me to fuck off. Not literally, but that was his point for sure."

"I'm sorry." So, he didn't do as I told him. He didn't sleep with anyone she's close to make her back off. Instead, he told her off. I'm not surprised she never said a word about it, just avoiding talking about him after this party. Why do I want to smile though? Ugh! I'm stupid.

"Nah, that's okay. It's for the best." She sounds unconvincing, and I feel bad for not feeling bad. "I just really need this... I want to unwind, you know..."

"I know." I pat her shoulder and heave a sigh. "Let's go to my dorm. If we're going out, I need to change my clothes."

"That's why I love you." Layla jumps on me, hugging me tightly. I hug her back for a brief moment, and then try to shake her off me for what feels like eternity. She finally does as I want, but only after she gives me a loud smooch on my cheek.

"You just made me feel like I'm the third wheel." Grace pouts.

"You deserve it." Layla retorts, and again, they stare at each other as if they have some secret. "From time to time."

My best friend's roommate rolls her eyes but doesn't say anything. What the hell are they hiding from me? "What was that?" I stop in my tracks, my gaze darts between the girls.

"Nothing." They say at the same time.

"Do you really expect me to believe that?"

"We had an... argument, but we decided to forget about it for the sake of our friendship and us being roommates." Layla muses, and Grace nods her head agreeing with her. They are not going to spill the beans, are they?

"Okay." I resume my walk, and they join me, happy that I decide not to press them further. At this point, I'm not even sure I want to know. Like I want to know, but at the same time, it will be incredibly hypocritical of me. I keep my secrets to myself but expect them to tell me theirs. Why should they? It's not fair, and rather selfish. If it were something I should have known, they would have told me. Which means, it has nothing to do with me, and as long as the three of us can be friends, I don't care.

🏒✨🏒✨🏒

I sit on the couch, sandwiched between Layla and Drake as they compete against each other in Mortal Kombat. It reminds me a lot of our childhood, and a happy smile is stretched across my lips the whole time. It's precious, and I don't have any regrets about agreeing to come to this get together.

"That's how you do it, bro!" Layla jumps to her feet, looking triumphant. "Do you still want a rematch?"

Drake scoffs, extending a joystick to me and standing up from the couch. "No, thank you. My ego is in ruins, and I really need a drink to drown my sorrows."

"Suit yourself," she mumbles, plopping herself down on the couch and glancing at me. "Wanna play?"

"Nope." She's competitive just like her brother, and I don't take losses too easily. My mood is too good, and I don't want to spoil it. I lift the joystick in my hand for everyone to see. "Anyone is up for a challenge?"

"Me." I swallow a sudden lump in my throat and turn my head to look at the guy, standing behind the couch. His gaze is full of mischief, as he takes the joystick from my hand and goes around the couch to sit by my side. I instantly want to be as far as possible from this place... and from him. "Ready to be defeated?"

"In your dreams." Layla smirks, focusing on the screen. If anything, it looks like she's totally over her crush, and I wonder what exactly he said to her, so she started acting like that. As if she turned it off, just like she did with the guy she liked in high school and who preferred Nicki instead.

"Will you cheer for me?" He asks.

I sneak a glance in his direction, seeing him smiling at me. "Sorry, she's my bestie and my loyalty to her comes first."

"Loyalty..." He holds my gaze, without really looking at what he's doing on the screen. "It's a remarkably interesting thing, and every person has its own take on it. Right?"

"Probably." What the fuck was that? Was he implying something?

"Thompson, are you going to play or are you just going to sit here and talk to Ava?" Layla rasps, her brows furrowed together, and she looks irritated.

"Talking to your friend won't stop me from kicking your ass, Layla." He winks at me, but all that I can think about is his refusal to call me by my name. He's so fucking confusing, so my head starts spinning.

The more they play, the more people gather around the couch. Some cheer for Layla, some for Thompson, while all that I want to do is to leave this room. I need a moment to catch my breath because the atmosphere has started to suffocate me. Every time his hand brushes my bare leg, a horde of tingles spreads across my skin. Any time I notice he glances in my direction, I feel fire rekindling in my lower abdomen. It's all too much and I want out.

Just as Thompson celebrates his third win in a row, I stand up from the couch and stroll in the direction of the kitchen. I need a drink. Opening the fridge, I grab a beer bottle and close the door. I lean my back on it, staring off into the distance. I don't really understand myself and what I feel, and it's a pretty new feeling. I always know if I like someone or not, and if they like me or not. Now? I'm so baffled and not sure of anything!

"Hey, look who I found here!" Baker stops in the doorframe, sweeping his gaze over my body. "How are you, Ava?"

"Good. You?"

"Not so good." He tsks, coming closer. "Do you need help with this?"

He points at my bottle, and I nod my head. I can open it myself, but if it will keep him from hitting on me for at least a minute, I will take it. "Thank you." A cold drink slides down my throat, cooling my insides. It's exactly what I needed because sitting near Thompson almost formed a fire within me.

"You're welcome, beautiful." Baker leans in, his hot breath on my face makes me grimace. He's an attractive guy, no doubt there, but he's so sleazy! Gross! "When are you going to agree on a date with me?"

"Adam, I think I was clear with you..." I murmur, pushing myself from the fridge and taking a step forward. If I expect him to move out of my way, I'm wrong. He drapes his hand over my waist and pulls me to his chest.

"I'm a very talented guy, Ava." Ew, he's drunk! His breath oozes of alcohol. "One day, this pretty mouth of yours will be full of my cum..."

"Oh... So, if all that you want is to fuck me, then why bother with a date?"

"Dunno..." His hand moves down, lifting the skirt of my dress and squeezing my butt. "Fucking hell, baby... You're so hot..."

"Get off me!" I push him away, raising my voice. "Adam!"

"Why are you so stubborn? I'm a good guy and you're just not giving me a chance." He whines, as I try to wiggle out of his embrace. What the fuck is wrong with all these hockey players?! It's against the law of nature to be so strong!

"I think we have very different views on what being a good guy means!" I yelp, finally able to break free from him. I put my bottle on the kitchen counter. "Touch me again, and you will regret it!"

My blood is boiling when I storm out of the kitchen. I'm so aggravated so I don't even look where I'm going. Right until I bump into someone, and two strong arms wrap around me to keep me from falling. I suck in breath, relaxing at once. It's Drake.

"Hey... Are you okay?" He steadies me, while I stare at him in total stupefaction. "Ava?"

"Can you please talk to Baker?" I ask, my voice trembling from my anger. "Tell him to fuck off."

"What did he do?" Drake bends his head down, gaping at me. "Did he hurt you?"

"No." I add firmness to my voice. "He's drunk and tried to hit on me... Just... tell him to leave me alone, please."

"Sure. I will beat the living shit out of him first, and then tell him to leave you alone." He sounds so serious, but I laugh. He's adorable.

"Just talk to him." I put my palm on his cheek. "And not right now. Maybe tomorrow when he's sober."

"Fine." His gaze falls on my lips, and I feel strange. It's getting out of hand when he looks at me like that... Does he like me? "Do you-"

"Benson! Come here." A voice rings in the air, and Drake instantly releases me. "You too, freshman."

The fuck?! I have a freaking name, asshole! I lock my eyes with Thompson, and I don't like what I see. He's seething, even if he is trying to force a smile on his face. This guy is terrible at pretending. Honest. Pursing my lips, I follow Drake to the couch. Some people sit on the floor, some linger on the chairs. I walk further and slump on the couch near Layla and Grace.

"What's up?" Drake asks, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Your sister suggested we play Truth or Dare." Clay exclaims loudly, almost bursting with excitement. "We all agreed."

"Are you implying I don't have a choice?" Drake laughs, leaning his back against the wall.

"You don't." A girl giggles. She's dating someone from the team, but I have no idea who. I wasn't listening when Layla was talking about her.

"Bring it on, then." My friend laughs, while I feel uneasy. Not because I don't like this game, but because I feel his gaze on me. Thompson is literally burning holes into me with his eyes.

Grace starts and her question is pretty simple, as she asks Rodgers about the most embarrassing thing he has ever done. Clay's story is long and hilarious and the room erupts with laughter once he finally stops talking. The guy fucked a coach's daughter when he was in high school and was almost caught by him leaving the house at night. The game rolls on, and I feel increasingly at ease. I think the perks of these people being friends are simple, since even their dares don't sound nasty. It's like no one has the desire to embarrass each other.

"Freshman, truth or dare?" I hold myself back from mimicking him. He's infuriating!

"Dare."

"I dare you kiss the guy you had sex with," he says calmly, totally enjoying my shocked state.

"Colton, this dare is stupid." Layla chimes, and I feel a pang in my chest. "How do you expect her to do that? Do you want her to go back home to kiss someone?"

"Why?" He takes a swing of his beer. "The guy she had sex with last is here, in this room."

I clench my jaw hard, not daring to look at Drake even for a second. People are watching me, waiting for me to make a decision. I don't want to expose my secret like this. For everyone to know. I don't want her to know because she will be furious with me. Yet... this moron isn't giving me any choice. I'm sure he's going to expose me if I don't do as he wants.

"So if I tell you to do the same dare," my best friend grits through her teeth. "Will you kiss Grace?"

"You fucked Layla's roomie?!" Clay hoots, a stupid grin illuminates his face. "Way to go, bro!"

"Layla!" Grace slaps her roommate's knee. "You promised not to say anything!"

"I wouldn't have said anything if he didn't start it with his stupid dare for Ava!" I know she means well. She wants to protect me, but this makes things even worse... because I understand how wrong I was keeping it a secret from her, but also... I know what her hostility towards Thompson indicates, and her comments about Grace deserving to feel bad. He did listen to me. He fucked someone close to Layla, just as I suggested to him. He fucked someone close to me...

"Kiss the guy I had sex with, you said?" I slowly stand up from the couch, holding Thompson's gaze. He nods his head, narrowing his eyes on me. I'm sure he thinks I will chicken out... and he's so wrong!

Heading to Drake, I stop right in front of him. He looks calm, and it helps me to make my decision. I rise on my tiptoes, put my hand on the back of his head and pull his face to me for a kiss. It's fiery and passionate from the second our lips touch. Just like it always is. His hands slide down my sides, as he slips his tongue into my mouth. Drake doesn't hold himself back, taking my breath away with his kiss. It feels amazing, right until it doesn't. I become conscious of sounds surrounding us. People whistle, clap and cheer, and it breaks the magic. I pull away, slowly turn around and lock my eyes with Thompson at once.

"I hope you're happy." With that, I storm out of the room, down the hallway and straight to the front door. The only thought on my mind as I leave this freaking place is simple. I don't like Colton Thompson. I fucking hate him!