Chapter 15
MADDISON
Fifteen minutes later and a walk to the back of the campus, I find myself standing on a street lined with massive Victorian houses and lampposts, all of which are labeled with sorority and fraternity names. Most of the houses are quiet, but I can detect music flowing from someplace close by.
“Wow, this place is so pretty,” I remark over the sound of my boots scuffing against the pavement. The air has a slight nip to it, and the branches of the trees move lazily against the night. “It’s crazy it was hidden right behind those trees.”
“It’s so that all the dirty secrets lying behind these walls can stay hidden,” Wren states as she stares at the night sky cut with silver and purple stars.
“Not this again.” Lily shakes her head as she wraps the leather jacket tighter around her. She also has on Wren’s platform shoes. Between the two additions, she does look punk princess. She glances at me. “Wren is really into conspiracy theories.”
“They’re not conspiracy theories.” Wren tosses a dirty look at Lily. “They’re theories based on stories I’ve heard from people who’ve lived them.”
“What kind of stories?” I wonder, my attention drifting farther down the road where a handful of expensive vehicles are parked.
“I’ll tell you later, when we have more time,” Wren replies as she checks her phone.
I’m unsure if she will or not. After overhearing the two of them talking, I’m skeptical about the genuineness of this friendship.
Not that I’m convinced they’re being malicious.
It could just be that they wanted to be roommates and are bummed out about it.
But it felt like they were intentionally keeping a secret from me.
Not that I blame them. Everyone has their secrets.
Doesn’t make me any less uneasy about it, though.
I might have overanalyzed this all night if I didn’t become distracted by the house we come to a stop in front of. If you can even call the two-story, column-lined, massive mansion in front of us a house. If it weren’t for the sign above the tall, double doors, I’d think it was a city hall.
“Okay, time for rules.” Wren slips her phone into the pocket of her jacket and directs her attention to me and Lily.
“We’re going to stay together at all times, but if we do wander off to go hookup or something, let one of us know the where and the who.
” She draws this triangle pattern between the three of us in the air in front of her.
“No taking any drinks or pills from anyone. If you want to drink or get high, get that shit yourself. And most importantly, do not go back to the dorms yourself. Wandering around at night, especially when we have to cut through the woods, is a dumbass idea.”
Lily rolls her eyes. “Yes, Mother.”
Wren points her finger at Lily. “Hey, I’ve heard the stories about what happens at these parties, so don’t judge me.”
“Maybe we shouldn’t go then?” I suggest, scuffing the tip of my boot against the ground. “If it’s that bad.”
“Not all the parties are bad. Just a few of the partygoers. And that’s generally the rule at any party.” She gives me a funny look. “Not to stereotype, but they have parties on northside—I know they have to. So, why do you seem so sketched out about this?”
“Because they have parties on northside.” And because of my parents. I’m not about to disclose that to her, though. “It’s fine. I’m sure it’ll be fine.”
“Oh, it’ll be something,” Wren mumbles as she eyes a group of guys exiting the house.
“I’ll respect your rules,” Lily informs her as she runs her hands across the front of her dress, smoothing any wrinkles. “But if my brothers offer me a drink or drugs, I’m going to take it because Finn and River aren’t like that.”
Wren combs her fingers through her hair. “Obviously, Lils, but they’re not going to offer you anything—they’re too protective of you.”
“Don’t remind me,” Lily grumbles then squares her shoulders. “Come on; let’s stop standing around and being lame and go have some fun.” Then she throws her fist into the air and marches forward.
Wren and I trade a wary look, and I get the vibe she’s equally as unenthusiastic about being here as I am. So, why is she here?
That’s an excellent question. Maybe it’s just for Lily, but I feel like it might not be.
“You don’t like parties, do you?” I call out as we walk up the stairway toward the entrance.
As suspected, everyone I pass gawks at me. Or, more specifically, my outfit.
I do my best to disregard it and focus on talking to Wren.
“I don’t necessarily hate them!” she shouts as we step inside the house and into the foyer.
The place is packed, music is blasting from the DJ station, and furniture has been repositioned so that people can dance in the spacious living room in front of us.
“I just hate that there could always be assholes that ruin them,” she adds loudly over the music as her gaze sweeps the area.
She’s looking for someone and spots them almost right away.
“Come on. I want to introduce you to someone.” With that, she snags my hand and yanks me forward in the direction of where Lily is wandering to.
We have to push past people and squeeze up against walls, but eventually, we break through the mob and to a less crowded side of the room where a game of beer pong is going on.
And on one side of the table, a blond-haired, football god, I guess friend of mine, is holding a ball and talking shit with a guy on the other side.
“Now, this”—I point at the table—“is the only thing I’ve seen throughout the last couple of days that is familiar to me.”
She glances at me from over her shoulder. “Do you know how to play?”
I give a wicked laugh. “Dude, I’m from northside. It’s like a requirement to know how to play. In fact, they won’t even let you graduate high school unless you play a beer pong competition.”
She snorts a laugh. “You’re funny.” Then she almost instantly gets distracted. “Wait, where the hell did Lily go?”
I stand on my tiptoes and peer around, looking for a halo of blonde hair. “Oh, found her.” I point to the corner of the room where Lily is standing with her hand pressed against the chest of a guy with dark, chin-length hair.
Wren tracks where I’m pointing then frowns. “Oh, hell no, she did not just go after freaking James. I thought she learned her lesson the last time.” She marches forward, shoving people out of the way.
One of the girls she pushes stumbles and spills her drink all over her dress. She glares at Wren then at me, as if I was somehow part of it.
“What’s your problem, bitch?” she snaps as she wipes off her dress with her hand.
I open my mouth to say something that will probably result in a fight, but my words are cut off as Finn spots me and shouts out, “Hey, it’s my bestie.”
Great. Now everyone is staring at me like I’m a unicorn that has a horn growing out of my ass.
Finn makes his way over to me, his blue eyes shining with proof that he’s either drunk or a bit high.
When he reaches me, he drapes an arm around my shoulders and smiles down at me.
“You made it,” he says, all drunkenly smiley.
He smells like mint with a splash of cologne and a hint of whiskey.
His gaze scrolls over me. “You look so pretty.”
How is this guy for reals?
I angle my head toward him and put my hand on my hip. “Seriously?”
“Yes, seriously,” he replies in all seriousness. When I give him an unimpressed stare, he bats his eyelashes at me. “What? I’m just stating a fact.”
I could ream into him for the remark, but I decide to play nice for the night. “Thanks, I guess.”
His lips part in mocking shock. “Did I just get a thank you from Maddison Averly?”
“Don’t get used to it,” I inform him. “I’ve decided to play princess for the night, but I’ll turn into a rotting pumpkin at midnight.”
He lowers his voice and leans closer to me. “Fair warning: princesses here aren’t nice.” With that, he slants back and returns to his glittering cheerful self. “Wanna play?” He nods at the beer pong table then waggles his brows at me.
I glance at the table where the guys he was playing with earlier are staring at us, just like everyone else. Some of them are smirking, some are glaring, and some are looking at me like I’m trash.
I should decline Finn’s offer and attempt to stay out of the spotlight, but I like the idea of handing these amateur beer-pong players their asses. Because yes, as cliché as this is going to sound, beer pong is the number one game on northside.
“Sure.” I have to bite back a smile when his lips part in surprise, but he hastily collects himself and steers me toward the table.
“Hey, everyone,” he introduces me. “This is Maddy.”
A few people mumble, “Hey, Maddy.” Others choose the silent option.
Whatever. I’m good. I’m used to it at this point.
I give a wave then slip out from underneath Finn’s arm and stand in front of the table.
“Do you know how to play?” he asks me as he picks up the ball.
I nod. “Sure. I’ve played a few times.” I stick out my hand, and he drops the ball into my palm.
Smiling to myself, I turn and bounce the ball against the table. When it lands in a cup, everyone looks shocked as hell.
“Holy crap,” one of the guys across the table mumbles.
A smile breaks across Finn’s face. “Why do I get the feeling that wasn’t beginner’s luck?”
I merely shrug, and his smile broadens as he sticks out his fist for a fist-bump.
I tap my knuckles against his, and he laughs before facing the table again.
For the next twenty minutes, we continue to play.
At a certain point, Wren comes to check on me but seems okay when she notes I’m with Finn and wanders off to keep an eye on Lily.
I end up having to take three drinks, and it turns out, they’re not playing beer pong, but whiskey pong.
I’m not a fan of that at all. My tolerance for alcohol is super low, so I’m fairly buzzed at this point.
And I have to pee.
“Where’s the bathroom?” I ask Finn, leaning in so he can hear me over the music.