Chapter Nineteen #2
Just before I reach the entrance, a blur of blonde hair and bright, frantic eyes darts into my path.
I stop short to avoid barreling straight through her, my sneakers skidding slightly on the paved walkway as I steady myself.
Tilting my head down to her miniature height, I frown at my slender barricade.
She’s pale and stick thin, as if a wind too strong might snap her in two.
Her collarbones are sharp beneath the neckline of a lilac skater dress that flutters around her thighs.
I’ve never seen her before, but she’s gazing up at me like she knows me. A little too well, I reckon.
“Oh, Meg! I caught you!” she gasps for breath.
I blink at her, taking in the way her chest rises and falls rapidly, strands of blonde hair stuck to her lip gloss.
Glancing around us, I wonder where she came from, but my gaze snags on the students who have slowed nearby, curiosity rippling all the way back to the courtyard I’d left behind.
For that reason alone, I circle my hand around her tiny wrist and steer her through the art block doors before she can protest. The cool air inside hits my flushed skin as I plant her beside a tall window just inside, sunlight filtering through the glass and casting pale lines across her anxious expression.
“What do you want?” I order a bit too aggressively. She balks, swallowing hard. Her fingers twist in the hem of her lilac skirt.
“I…I was just wondering…” she stammers, eyes darting up to mine and then away again, “If you might be able to invite me to the party tomorrow night?”
“Party?” I echo, folding my arms loosely across my chest, though my jaw tightens. This, along with her own confusion, causes her hands to shake more.
“Yeah, you know, the Fresher’s Frenzy.” She swallows, trying to regain composure. “Apparently Everest holds it the first Saturday of every year, but it’s invite only.”
Oh. That party. Of course I know of it. I’ve fallen victim to my own stupidity and attended before. A memory flickers at the edge of my vision, and I shove it down before it can fully form. Shaking myself back to the huge eyes staring back at me, I narrow my eyes.
“Why did you think I would be able to get you an invite?” I ask, tilting my head slightly as I study her. Her throat bobs, and I can already tell I’m not going to like what she’s about to say.
“Well, I just thought, since the whole lacrosse team is going and you and Everest are a couple now,” she swallows again, and my back teeth grind together, “That maybe you’d be able to get me in.
” I would laugh if I wasn’t still seething at the accusation of Everest and I being a couple.
News sure travels quick in this place. Mistaking my silence for a consideration, she babbles on.
“I’m new here, and I don’t…I don’t really fit in anywhere.
” Her fingers twist tighter in her skirt, knuckles whitening.
“And it kinda seems, from what I’ve seen, that you don’t either.
I thought you could do with a friend, aside from Everest.”
That gives me pause. It’s not just the rumors and the photos that have caught this girl’s attention, but she’s seen me.
No doubt storming around with a sour face, ignoring the stares that follow everywhere I go.
We couldn’t be more opposite in our demeanors, yet she’s approaching me and offering her friendship.
Something not even my old teammates have bothered to do since I’ve returned.
“Everest isn’t my friend, or boyfriend,” I finally grind out. “And you don’t want to go to his dumb party. It’s going to be a shitshow of drunks and bad decisions. Trust me.” Those pesky images surface again. Sticky floors, red cups, fake laughter, Everest’s study, the feeling of losing control.
Before me, the girl straightens, releasing her skirt and clasping her hands in front of her.
“I’d still like to go,” she states with an edge of resolve.
As fragile as she appears, there’s a flicker of fire hidden within her blue eyes.
Something as fierce as it is delicate. I straighten slightly, uncrossing my arms as I really look at her for the first time.
For whatever inconceivable reason, she’s made up her mind.
She wants to go. Yet, there’s a glaring problem.
I’m not even invited myself, never mind offering out entry passes to others.
But in her own words, the entire team is going.
I’m on the team. Hell, I’m captaining this team.
If I’m going to be used for parading around in satin dresses in front of cameras, I can get this poor girl an invite to a party she’s going to regret for the next few years.
My jaw flexes as I push away from the wall, running a hand through my damp hair.
“You don’t know what you’re asking for, but fine.
Come with me,” I stride out of the art block without looking back at the studio I’m supposed to be in.
There’s a scuff of sneakers behind me as she rushes to catch up, asking where we’re going but I have a more pressing question.
“What’s your name?” I raise a brow, glancing down the few inches separating us.
“Laura,” she replies, her cheeks turning pink.
I nod, striding onward while she scurries along at my heels.
Most of the classes have started now, reducing the foot traffic considerably.
There are only a couple of students who glance up from benches, nudging each other as we pass, probably clocking the direction I’m heading. More fuel for the rumors no doubt.
Thankfully, Laura doesn’t ask any questions, because I don’t want to answer why or how I know exactly where Everest will be on a Friday morning.
She simply follows me as we climb the stone steps into the humanities building where a lecture hall with tall arched windows awaits.
Within, Sports Ethics will be starting. Before I can talk myself out of it, I lift my hand and rasp my knuckles on the wooden door.
The muffled speaking on the other side falters, and I’m beckoned to enter.
“Miss O’Connor?” Professor Bennet frowns. “I thought you switched your major.”
“I did. I just need to borrow Everest for a moment. Captain stuff,” I smile sweetly, and then sweep my narrowed gaze to the third row back.
He’s already smirking, leaning back in his chair with his arm slung over the one beside him.
The chair that used to be mine. I jerk my head towards the hallway and then disappear into it.
At his leisure, Everest strolls down the aisle, his silhouette blocking the blue light of a project that ironically displays a slide about leadership accountability.
Pulling the door wider with a creak, he steps into the hallway with a flicker of surprise in his green eyes.
Smoothing a hand down the front of his shirt like he has all the time in the world, Everest pulls a face that I’m sure he thinks is a smolder.
“Meg. To what do I owe the pleasure?” he asks in a light tone. I roll my eyes as Laura shifts, and Everest seems to notice her for the first time. Suddenly, his charm drops and suspicion rolls in. “What is this?”
“This is Laura,” I gesture to the blonde who is surprisingly holding her nerve. Everest’s gaze flicks back to mine, one brow lifting.
“And?”
“I just thought I’d introduce the two of you, since she’ll be attending your party tomorrow night.
” There’s a beat of silence, Everest looking at Laura properly now.
She keeps her posture rigid under his scrutiny, but it’s clear she’s not far off breaking.
Exhaling slowly through his nose, he then crosses his arms over his chest.
“It’s invite only for a reason,” he replies coolly. “There’s a capacity limit, and liability to consider. You know exactly how messy these parties become.” My nostrils flare and I ball my fists at my side.
“Don’t patronize me,” I snap. “You pack that house wall-to-wall every year and you’re suddenly concerned about capacity? The entire team is going, apparently, and I’m the co-captain. I say she goes.”
Everest’s jaw tightens slightly, but he keeps his cool composure.
Laura shifts behind me awkwardly, and I realize she’s witnessing something she probably didn’t sign up for, whatever this power struggle is between us.
Ten minutes ago, she thought we were a couple.
The reality couldn’t be further from that little fantasy created by the papers.
Leaning against the wall, Everest lowers his voice with a note of seriousness he usually keeps hidden.
“Why do you care?”
I try to look away but his green eyes are boring into me.
I reckon Everest knows before I do that I don’t have an answer to his question.
Why do I even care? Laura has no business being anywhere near the jocks and seniors, and she won’t find whatever sense of belonging she’s chasing.
Maybe I just like any reason to go toe to toe with Everest to prove I still can.
“She’s going to the party, so ensure she gets her invite today.
” Everest studies me for a long moment, eyes scanning my face like he’s trying to decode the secrets I hold.
The hallway is quiet except for the muffled lecture resuming behind the door and Laura’s shallow breathing.
Finally, he sighs, the sound more resigned than irritated.
“Fine. She can come.” This time, it’s me who smiles. A small victory, but a victory none the less. Laura inhales excitedly, her hands tugging at my hoodie sleeve until Everest quickly lifts a hand in midair. “But she stays near you at all times.” I suck in a breath, freezing in place.
“She doesn’t need a babysitter,” I counter, despite the way Laura is currently clinging onto my arm. She wanted this, now she can put her big girl pants on and deal with it. Everest tuts softly.