***
I thought about not going to the media room that night. Everything in me told me it was a terrible idea. But I said I’d be there, and whether or not Chase had shown up to class or not, the plan was to meet there.
So, after thirty minutes of sitting in the media room waiting for Chase, I watched the movie alone. I took notes and then left, walking home in the darkness all by myself. And the crazy thing was…I made it home unscathed.
My heart? Not so much.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Chase wasn’t in Art History on Thursday or History through Film on Friday. Regardless of his absence, I wrote the paper and submitted it through the portal. Everything in me told me not to put his name on it. But in the end, against my better judgment, I added it.
When I returned to the dorm later, Chantel wasn’t in our room. With all her pledge events, I barely saw her. But I hoped her absence meant she decided to bail on our double date. It was bound to be a shit show, and she had to know that.
Regardless of where Chantel was, I showered and got ready. Because there was one thing I was sure of. I planned to look good.
I blew dry my hair and curled it in loose waves. I slipped on tight leather pants I saved for special occasions and a sleeveless, low cut, leopard print shirt. I hooked a silver necklace around my neck that hung between my breasts and disappeared into my cleavage. Then, I put on makeup, opting for smoky eyes, and adding a black eyeliner wing to give my eyes a dramatic and mysterious look. I added some blush and topped off the look with red lipstick.
I stared at myself in the mirror, admiring my work. I didn’t enjoy dressing up. But tonight, looking good was imperative. There was a knock on the door. I checked the time. Ryan was ten minutes early.
I pulled open the door, laughing when I found Valerie standing there with her mouth hanging open. “You look hot.”
“Hold on. I haven’t even put on my heels yet.”
“Ryan is going to die,” she said, stepping inside and closing the door. “So is Chase.”
Hopefully.
I reached into my closet and pulled out black, peep toe, low-rise boots and slipped them on.
Valerie gawked at me like she’d never seen me before. “Holy hell, girl. Why don’t you dress like that more often?”
I chuckled, happy my friend was back to normal. The crying version made me nervous since she was usually so upbeat around me. “Cut it out. It’s a little makeup.”
“And a whole lot of hotness.”
There was another knock on the door. I walked over and opened it. Ryan stood there in jeans and a dark gray shirt. His mouth hung open. “Holy shit.”
Valerie walked over. “Doesn’t she look gorgeous?”
With wide eyes, Ryan nodded.
“I’m ready,” I said to him.
We all walked out together, Valerie heading to her dorm room.
“Bye, Val,” I yelled after her.
She waved. “Don’t have too much fun you crazy kids!”
I laughed.
“You look beautiful, Sophia,” Ryan said as we made our way downstairs.
“Thanks. Where are we going?”
“We’re meeting Chase and Chantel for dinner.”
“You sure they’re still showing up? Chantel wasn’t at the dorm.”
“Yeah, she got ready at the frat.”
The knot in my stomach grew. “Great.”
Our conversation as we drove to dinner flowed easily. But our conversations always flowed easily. That wasn’t the problem. I just didn’t feel it with Ryan.
When we arrived at the restaurant, Ryan asked me to wait, getting out of the car and coming to my side to open my door. My heart began to race as he helped me out, and we moved closer to the entrance. Once we stepped inside, I realized we were in a noisy pub. Thank God. I wouldn’t have been able to take a sit-down meal in a quiet restaurant. The pounding of my heart alone would have been filling the uncomfortable silence.
The hostess pointed us toward a high-top table where Chantel and Chase were already sitting. I pulled in a deep breath. They didn’t notice us at first. But I could tell the second Chase did because his eyes widened. Chantel glanced over to see what caught Chase’s attention. Her bitch stare fell firmly into place.
“Hi guys,” I said, sliding onto the stool beside Chantel as if we were besties.
“Hey,” Chase said as Ryan slipped onto the stool beside him.
“Hi,” Chantel said, a tightness to her lips as her eyes moved over me. “I didn’t realize virgins dressed like that.”
I inhaled sharply, trying to stop the embarrassment flooding my body.
“Chantel,” Chase chastised.
Ryan tensed beside me.
Sorry, dude. You weren’t getting any action tonight. And, yes. This is why I told you this was a terrible idea.
“Yup,” I said, trying my damnedest to save face. “We virgins do a lot of things. We ride in cars with boys. We may even let them kiss us good night if it’s before curfew, of course.”
Ryan snickered beside me. Chase stifled a grin.
Chantel sipped her drink, trying to maintain the upper hand she thought she had after outing me.
“But you know something we don’t do,” I continued, feeling bold. “We don’t snoop through other people’s personal things.” She may have started this battle of wits, but I was going to finish it.
“You just crush on other girl’s men,” she clipped.
My eyes cut to Chase. His averted mine. Chicken.
“We may even do that,” I agreed.
The waitress approached and asked if Ryan and I needed a drink. “Tequila
