Chapter Seventeen
KYRA
I s it possible to bruise your vagina? I feel like I should be holding an ice pack down there. I can’t believe we did that. I can’t believe I’m not a virgin anymore. Holy shit, I lost my virginity to my stepbrother. The warm water rushes over me and I hope it relaxes these muscles. I’ve been tense since I got back to the house.
I don’t know if I was afraid I’d have this “Hi, I just had sex” look on my face or what. Nobody said a thing. It was late in the evening. Everyone was going about their studies or had their own thing going on.
I move my fingers between my legs, and it feels like he’s still leaking out of me. We were so caught up in the moment; I wasn’t thinking clearly. It’s a good thing I’m on birth control. Do they even make condoms large enough for him? Surely, they do. I mean, can he just get them where regular condoms are sold? It can’t be a special order thing.
The mental image of a condom his size comes to mind and all I can think of are those obnoxiously long balloons made for balloon animals.
Once I’m washed and a little more relaxed, I dry off and throw on some of my coziest pajamas and fuzzy socks. The kitchen is quiet downstairs as I fill up my large tumbler with ice water.
“Order for Kyra.” Beth walks into the kitchen. “Some guy was standing out there. It’s already paid for.” She passes me the take-out container and shrugs.
I sit it down on the counter and open it up to see a pile of sweet potato fries and a container marked JR for jalapeno ranch. My phone buzzes in my hand and I open up my messages.
Ares: You should’ve received a delivery. It notified me on the app. I figured a late-night snack would help while you try and ignore me.
Ares: You don’t have to say anything. I just want to take care of you.
Ares: Or just let me know you got the food, or I will reorder.
Me: I just got it. Thank you. I’m going to take it up to my room and eat it while I’m watching a movie.
Ares: Come over tomorrow.
Ares: Please
Me: Can I think about it?
Ares: Or I can come over there to hang out.
Me: I’ll come over after a meeting with some of the other social chairs. We’re meeting tomorrow for dinner to go over the games.
Ares: Pack an overnight bag.
Me: I don’t know.
Ares: Pack a bag or I’m going to just go out and buy what I think you like to use.
Me: You don’t need to go to the trouble.
Ares: I’ll see you tomorrow, princess.
I click the side button on my phone and glance up just in time to see Beth snickering at me.
“What?” I close the lid on the container and carry it out of the kitchen.
She follows behind me. “Nothing. Why are you walking weird?”
“I am not.” I glance over my shoulder to see her laughing.
We walk in silence up the stairs and to our room. It’s not until the door closes that she starts asking me all sorts of questions that I’m not ready to answer. I’m still processing.
“Beth, I’m tired and… sore.” I groan. “Give me more than a few minutes to replay the day in my head. Trust me, you’re the only person I’ll be telling these things to.”
She groans. “Fine.” Beth walks over to the closet and grabs her toilet bag. “I’m going to shower and get ready for bed myself. Then, I want to hear all the juicy details.”
I lift the lid on the container of jalapeno ranch and dip a fry in. Ignoring her as she leaves the room, I grab the remote and turn on one of the old rom-com movies. This one is one of my favorites, but I can’t focus on it. My mind goes back to how full I felt when Ares was inside of me. I’m sore, but I can’t help but want to feel it again. All of it. Every inch. Curiosity gets the better of me and I stand up and walk over to my desk and dig around in one drawer until I find a ruler. I hold it out as I remember the feel of it in my hand and mouth. That had to have been nine inches. Nine.
Holy fuck.
Maybe it was possible to bruise your vagina.
* * *
“So, it’s a toga party?” Veronica makes a face. “What sets that apart from the other end of the year parties?”
The Delta sorority was notorious for not wanting to throw parties. While I commend their commitment to education and being the house with the highest GPA on campus, it also means they didn’t understand what we were trying to do.
“No,” Max interrupted. “Kyra, care to elaborate?” Max runs his hand down his face. He’s been going over the calendar of events for the games for the last thirty minutes.
I nod. “The original games were a tribute to Zeus. The whole point of the ancient Olympics was to provide a religious sanctuary amongst the wars that were going on. Invasion was a constant threat back then. While we’re not at war on campus, you have to admit rush week is competitive. This is a way to bridge the gap. After four days of competition, this end of events party is a way to honor the winners not as individuals or houses, but as a collective.”
“Exactly, and it’s not a toga party. We’re honoring the Olympians.” Max gestures to the painting of the Greek Gods and Goddesses.
“It could be a cheesy toga party, but only if it were some random Halloween party with a theme. This is more sacred than that.” I speak up. “This is marking the start of something our houses can continue when we aren’t on campus any longer. A way to stay connected.”
“But only if the next social chairs who come after us choose to do so.” Erik, the Kappa social chair sits forward in his chair. “How are we going to ensure this continues on? We all discussed how great of a legacy this would be, but what makes it happen?”
“Making sure this one is so good they wouldn’t want to not do it again,” I reply. “We also have the support of the dean.” I take a breath. “Max and I are also drafting up a manual to make this a regular event to take place every two years. This ensures there will always be someone to help who has helped before.”
“What about inflation and the risk of all the houses not being able to buy their game and support this series of events?” Veronica questions. It doesn’t surprise me, she’s a numbers girl.
“A few of us have already reached out to alumni after they requested how to get involved. Sponsorships are going to be a thing.” Max waits for Veronica to nod before continuing. “The rules are still being fleshed out, but we all have our part to contribute.”
“Exactly. If there aren’t any more questions—” I hesitate before continuing. “We’ll meet back up in one week. Everyone should have the finalized details of their individual games.” I smile. “Meeting adjourned.”
Everyone takes off at a leisurely place except for Max, he hangs back. It isn’t out of the ordinary since we are the two leading the charge for the games. It may have been my idea, but Max was putting in just as much effort at making it a success.
“The local costume shop is sponsoring the Olympians wardrobe and offering a discount to the rest of Greek life.” He closes his laptop. “I’ll forward you the email with their logo.”
“Great! Forward it over to Jenny too since she’s working with that print shop down on Main for banners and signs.” I slip my notebook in my book bag. “Anything else?”
“I heard you and Ryan broke up.”
I nod but don’t look up. Ryan is an Omega, so it isn’t a surprise that Max knows. It didn’t occur to me that it would be something we’d talk about, though. Sure, Ryan and I had been together for six months. That could be perceived as a long time in college. It wasn’t that long ago, but it felt like it.
“He was pretty shook up about it.”
My eyes snap up to Max. “It was mutual. We’re both busy and want different things.”
He raises his hand in surrender. “Just wanted to check in.”
“I’m fine, and we’re better off as friends.” I stand up and slip the strap of my bag over my shoulder. “If that’s all?” Because I certainly don’t feel like talking about Ryan.
“Yeah. Sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you, Kyra.” Max rocks on his toes.
I put a smile on my face. “No harm done. A boyfriend is the last thing I need right now.” I laugh. “Between sorority life, my studies, and the games. Who has time for a romantic life?”
Max laughs. “Are you still trying to get that spot in the summer program?” I nod. “Good. I hope you get it. I’ll clean up the rest of the dinner mess. The guys will be happy with leftover pizza as a late-night snack tonight.”
“Thanks. I’ll see you later.”
I barely give him time to say goodbye before I’m rush out of the meeting room and down the hall. While I would normally stay to help cleanup, I had set everything up and cleaned up after the last one. There are only three weekly meetings left until the week of the games.
As stressful as the planning has been, it was finally starting to take shape. The last week has been more about delegating, and most of the other social chairs are ready to do their part. It left me feeling a little weightless. Everything was looking up. The only things left were to edit my ancient history paper and wait to see if The Orphic Order would reach out.
I had heard nothing since the party and Ares didn’t talk about it. He barely acknowledges the party happened.