9. Chapter 9
Beth
“ D on’t forget that next week is your midterm,” Professor Truman said, stacking his notes and sticking them back in his bag. “Make sure you also study this weekend, and don’t party too hard! I know how homecoming week goes around here. It’s not my first rodeo.”
The scuffle of chairs sliding back from desks drowned out the end of his warning as the class started to stand up.
Everyone was more anxious than I was to get out of there and get to the first of what would likely be many parties for the weekend.
While people excitedly shuffled out of the room, I took my time.
It was more likely to guarantee that I missed an invite to a party I didn’t want to go to.
“Have a good weekend, Beth,” Professor Truman added when I finally stood up from the desk and walked out of the room. The hallways had already started to empty, and I followed the noise toward the quad.
I cradled the book in my hands, missing the step in front of me.
My shoe caught the edge, and it was like I threw the book in slow motion.
It flipped through the air, and pages fluttered before it landed on the hard tile floor.
With a thud and an unflattering grunt, I landed on the tile next to it.
As the contents of my bag spilled onto the floor, my cheeks warmed with the sudden awareness of everyone that was looking at me.
“Are you okay?”
I nodded when a man I didn’t know reached his hand out to help me up. “Yeah, just clumsy. Uh, thank you.” He lifted me from the ground, bending back down to grab the book while I brushed my embarrassment off the front of my jeans.
“Have we met?” he asked, looking at me like he was trying to figure out where we had met.
“I don’t think so.” I shook my head.
“Well, then I guess it’s my lucky day.” He handed me my book, holding onto it even as I grabbed it. “I’m Ian.”
When he let go of the book, I tucked it in my bag. “I’m Beth.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Beth.” He smirked, tucking his hands in his pockets. “It’s good to see I’ve got you falling for me already.”
I chuckled, chewing nervously at my lip. “It’s nice to meet you too.”
“Listen, I don’t usually do this, but maybe I can take you out later.” Ian winked, and the butterflies in my stomach forgot about my nerves and danced toward my throat.
“Really?” Why was I questioning it?
He nodded. “Yeah, we could have a good time.” When he reached over and tucked a loose curl behind my ear, my chest fluttered. “Especially from what I hear.” His voice was husky and hinted at seduction, making my stomach sink.
“What do you mean?”
Ian leaned toward me. “I hear you give great head,” he whispered against my ear. I gasped.
He’s been saying some things.
He said that you were a wild thing in bed.
I seethed. “Are you just asking me out because you want me to suck your dick?” The harsh words scraped over my tongue, and I winced, but the frustration flooded through me.
“Well, I’d at least buy you dinner first.” Ian chuckled like he had just said something clever. When he smirked and wiggled a single brow, I clenched my teeth together. “I might even splurge for dessert after the story I heard.”
“I can’t believe this.” I started to walk away, feeling his eyes following me every step of the way.
“Oh, come on, sweet thing. Don’t be like that.”
I continued to walk, ignoring his protest. The scrapes on my knees didn’t hurt anymore, even though I knew there would be a gnarly bruise tomorrow, but my pride ached. When had I become the girl with a reputation I couldn’t uphold? Outside in the courtyard, I saw Amy and Isabella walking toward me.
"Woah, what’s wrong with you?” Amy asked when she saw me.
“Yeah, you look pissed.”
I huffed. “That guy back there just asked me out.” My friends looked at me with even more confusion. “He only asked me out because Benny told him that I apparently give really great blow jobs.”
“Ooh,” they said together.
“What a dick,” Isabella continued, throwing her arm around my shoulder. “What did you tell him?”
“I told him no.” Kind of.
Isabella hugged me while Amy looked like a dog ready to attack. “So what are you going to do now?” Amy asked.
“I have a new reputation. I may as well embrace it.” I didn’t know what I was thinking when I started planning it, and the more I thought about grabbing my new, less-than-savory reputation by the reigns, the more it made my stomach twist. “I guess we’re going to a party.”