- Jane! - I scream as I approach her. - What's going on? Who did this to you?
- Lewis Ford. - she says with difficulty. - He followed me after I left Phi Iota Mu's house and saw me talking to the Kapa boys. He thought I was some kind of spy for them and when he was coming home, he took me by surprise and gave me a beating.
Jane coughed while I carried her down the stairs to the dorm apartment. She moans with every stride we took.
- I warned you, Jane! This fraternity thing is very serious. - I say with a worried voice. - These kids are crazy when it comes to fraternity, especially when they're jealous.
Jane raises an eyebrow making a face because of the wound on her forehead.
- What do you mean by that?
- Jane, you're going out with everyone in both fraternities. - I say in a reprehensible tone, putting a cloth with ice on Jane's face. - Of course, an hour, one of them would do something like that.
- What are you talking about?
She puts her hands on one side of the rib and makes a face of pain.
- Jane, that's not good! I'll take you to the hospital so Ryan can take a look at it.
I say it in a desperate tone while I get up.
- No! - She stops me. - I'm okay. I'm okay. I'm okay. I'm okay. I think Lews just wanted to scare me and hurt me a little bit. You know, I'll get some marks, but I'll be fine.
Jane sighs, leaning back on her pillow. I'll make a face and grab some more ice to put on her ribs.
- Brooke?
- Oh, yeah?
- Do you really believe I'm fucking everyone in the fraternities?
I take a deep breath in a face.
- Well, at least that's what it looks like.
She releases a laugh, then makes a face because of the pain she felt. Tears run down her face and she snores.
- I'm not fucking anyone, I just attend the parties as a main attraction.
- Main attraction?
- Yeah. - She takes a break from sniffing. - I sing at parties and promoted competitions. That's why they're always fighting for my attention. I'm the only funny nerd girl they know. As nerdy as they are.
- What's that? What's that? Are you saying I didn't date any of them?
- Brooke, I'm a virgin!
- Virgin? - I say with surprise. - But the other day you said you ended up in the bed of I don't know who! How is that possible?
- I had been drinking a lot and they wouldn't let me come home, so I ended up sleeping there. The boy I shared a bed with is gay and was as drunk as I was, so we just slept. - she makes a face. - It happened several times, so I wasn't coming to the dorm. Because I stayed in the fraternity and slept there.
The more she talked, the more I was shocked. I let out a laugh, barely believing what she was telling me.
- Please don't tell anyone! - Jane begs. - My reputation would go down the drain.
Laughing, I put one hand on my chest and raise the other.
- You have my word!
She hugs me trying not to laugh. Jane writhes in bed because of the pain in her body.
- How was your date? - she asks.
I make a face. I didn't want to remember that night and I was too tired to talk, so I just sighed and just answered the essentials.
- It was good!
- Wow! I thought Parker was the hottest guy. - says Jane. - He seems sensitive and very cute.
- And he is!
- But, uh...
- It's just that I'm not used to the kind of attention he pays. - argument as an excuse. - Maybe if I go out with him more often, maybe I'll get used to it.
- So there'll be another date?
I sigh with a false smile.
- You bet your ass I am!
I had to find a way to forget about Ryder and his wonderful kisses. I was determined to give Ash a chance and see where that would lead.
- Are you sure you're okay?
- Yeah. Jane answers smiling. - You can sleep. I'll call you if I need you.
- Sleep well, then! - I say kissing Jane's forehead and go to her room.
The few hours I slept were haunted by the image of Ryder in my dreams. It was the beginning of a series of torments.
Chapter 12
Ryder
A week later...
- Stay where you are!
I hear Jace screaming in a warning tone when I mention going to where Brooke is. We were sitting in the park when I saw Brooke go towards the iron banks where Ash was with some friends.
- Have a seat! - commands him to hold my arm. - If you get up, I'll give you a punch that'll get your brain back in place.
I snort because of his threat, but I do what he suggests and sit on the lawn, folding my arms. Taking a deep breath, I take a cigarette to relax. I hadn't smoked in a while, but I was nervous about the Brooke scene laughing and throwing myself
