Fragile

I had heard about college parties through TV. I used to watch all kinds of teen shows and dramas at the hospital. Lucy used to tell me that college movies were "staples" in a girl's growth and development. 

I knew what to expect, until I realized my assumptions on real college parties didn't quite match TV. 

Kiera pulled me along inside the frat house that was run by the school's lacrosse team. The inside of the house smelled like sweat and alcohol. The girls that were there weren't in cocktail dresses or fancy heels, but jeans and crop tops. People smoked in chains outside so there was a thick fog on the sliding glass door. Everyone congregated to the center of the room in one giant cluster, but only a few people were dancing. Most people were swaying, grinding, and what was the word?... facefucking. 

I looked down at my black mini skirt and sleeveless crop. I was wearing Kiera's wedges. I felt extremely overdressed. 

I felt Kiera nudge me with her elbow. "You look fine, Fay." 

I tried to keep from tears pricking my eyes and gave her a smile. I was caught. "I've never been to a college party," I admitted softly. 

Kiera, on the other hand, fit right in. She wore high waisted shorts that showed off her long tan legs, paired with a frilly crop top and vans. Part of me wished she had told me to change. 

"Hey, Kiera!" Charles bounded over with two drinks in hand and a goofy, lazy smile. Was he drunk, or was that his default? "Hey, Fay." My name came out with a honey drawl from his lips. He handed us both drinks. 

I hesitated. Lucy had warned me about date rape before I left for college. 'never accept a drink from anyone' she had warned. 

Charles and Kiera sensed my hesitation. "Are you okay?" Kiera mouthed to me with concerned eyes. 

I quickly took the drink from Charles and took a big gulp. It took all of my willpower not to immediately start hacking from the burning pain that almost went down the wrong pipe. When I had successfully swallowed, I saw Charles and Kiera looking at me with amusement. 

"What?" My voice came out like a nervous whisper. My stomach was doing flips, partially from downing alcohol on an empty stomach and the other from fear of getting caught.

Charles just smiled and patted the top of my head. "Nothing, you're just cute, little Fay." 

I blinked at the nickname, unsure of how to react. Was this how normal people complimented each other? Was I being teased? 

Out of the corner of my eye, something grabbed my attention, my interaction with charles suddenly out of mind. Seductive eyes, boring straight into my skull. 

Noah leaned against the wall with his muscular arms crossed, staring intently at me. He looked like a model with his hair swept, a few strands falling in front of his face. He smirked when we locked eyes, his dimple appearing to taunt me. The way he watched me felt like I was prey to a lion. 

My head felt fuzzy, and I forced myself to look away. "What now?" I asked. 

It didn't even take an hour for the alcohol to completely hit me. My entire body felt both light and heavy at the same time, and I kept bumping into things. Kiera and I were dancing together on the floor. No one else noticed us, everyone was in their own little world. People were sucking face, grinding and all over each other. I had never expected a frat party to be so intense. 

I felt a strong arm wrap around me. I glanced up, but his face came to me blurry. Before I realized, I was already falling into the man, laughing at how delirious I felt. I only now understood why people liked getting drunk so much. Watching movies, I always thought they were stupid. Why drink something so bitter, only to make a fool out of yourself and feel like garbage the next day?