Chapter 13
Chapter Thirteen
KAMILA
“ H appy Birthday Kami. You’re no longer a teen. Welcome to the club.” Em’s tight hug makes the bag on my shoulder drop with a loud thunk.
“Thank you, Ems.” She lets me go and grabs my face.
“Did you drink last night? I thought you said you weren’t going out with your sister so you could save up all that partying energy.” She pouts.
“No, I didn’t go out with Ana, but we watched movies till almost four in the morning, and my mom woke me up with her music at nine.”
The quiet noises of upstate New York turned me into a light sleeper. It was also difficult to control my nerves and guilt over my kiss with Cameron in front of Ana. She insisted on talking about my love life, so I kept deflecting. Luckily, she was so caught up in telling me about her own that she didn’t notice me not talking about mine.
“Did you at least enjoy your birthday dinner?”
“Oh yeah, it was great.” My mom and Rafael concocted a spread of Venezuelan and Colombian foods. All of our favorites, like arepas and tequenos. It was the perfect, quiet birthday I wanted with them. “Mom packed you some leftovers.” Emma pries the container out of my hands.
“I’m going to devour all of this in a matter of minutes.” She claps while jumping to our coffee table. “Have I mentioned how much I love that woman?”
“Once or twice,” I laugh.
She suddenly goes into her hostess mode. “Okay, here’s the deal. It is four o’clock. You can take a nap if you want. Nobody is coming till around eight, and I can wake you up around five-thirty.”
I huff out a breath. “Why not at six?”
She taps her watch. “Because we both know how long it takes for you to get ready.”
“I hate how well you know me.”
“Love you too,” she says while walking to the couch and opening the container of leftovers.
Em wakes me up at exactly five-thirty, as promised. She had to spank my butt and tackle me, yet somehow managed to get me into the shower. I’m thankful for her persistence because I did take an hour in the bathroom.
The picture of Cameron’s boner kept infiltrating my head while in the shower, and it reminded me of how hard he was during our kiss.
Even though I laughed at him in class because it was nice to make fun of him for once, it was tough hiding my surprise that just by looking at me, he got hard.
Flicking those thoughts away, I step out of the bathroom and into my robe to discover the small living room in our suite filled with balloons, long streamers, and a Happy Birthday banner. Em is still the only one here, dressed up in a designer see-through cream-colored shirt with a low neckline, and black jeans with some silver Jimmy Choo stilettos. She looks elegant yet casual. She has a timeless look to her, like all of the Haywood’s do.
Em’s lining up the shot glasses and slicing up some limes when she notices my presence in the room and turns to see my reaction. With blurry eyes, I sprint to Em, thanking her for everything. She beams, pushing me away, and tells me to go get ready because my shower took forever, and it’s already six-thirty.
Hair straightened, check. Dark eye makeup, check. Nude lip, check. Still on time, check. All I have left to do is get dressed. Even though we decided to stay in, knowing my friends, we’ll end up going out at the very last minute. I put on a dark red long-sleeved short dress with a V-neck that shows an appropriate amount of cleavage. Throwing on a pair of strappy black heels, I do one last check in the mirror and feel satisfied with the look.
Once I leave my room, Levi, Will, and Zoey are in the living area, drinks in hand. I’m content when I see no boxes or gift bags. I gave my friends a strict no present policy since most of us are on a budget, and I don’t need anything other than them.
“Hello beautiful, happy birthday.” Levi twirls me around and whistles. “You look amazing as always.” He kisses my cheek and sneaks a card into my hand. “I know you said no presents, but don’t worry, the card was only five bucks, and in it, I wrote the chorus from one of my songs.” Levi never lets anyone read his lyrics. He barely admitted to us that he wrote them in the first place. “Just promise me you won’t show it to anyone.”
My heart tightens at his trust in me. “This is the best present anybody could’ve given me. I won’t show it or even mention it to anyone,” I whisper back. We intertwine our pinkies before he lets go.
I greet everyone else before putting Levi’s present into a drawer on my nightstand. Around eight-thirty, everyone else has shown up, and by everyone, I mean Rachel, Luna, Jake, and his date Michelle, who he insisted was just a girl he was talking to. Jake gave me a gift card with way too much money on it. I pushed the envelope back into his hand, but the man kept running away. Now I’m three hundred bucks richer and can restock my fridge with actual food.
There’s music streaming from our sound system that Emma’s father bought us. He insisted on having decent speakers and a flat screen that could fit in our suite’s living room. Can’t say that I objected. Paul not only spoils Em but me as well.
Taking a break from helping Emma with the drinks, I sit next to Zo, who’s cuddling with Will while he talks to Levi about their favorite rock bands. Everyone else is on the floor playing different board games, drinking, chatting, and laughing.
“How is the birthday girl doing?”
I turn to Zo. “I’m doing great. I love it when all my friends get together like this.”
She shifts in her seat and takes Will's arm off from around her shoulders. He turns to her with a raised eyebrow. “Girl talk baby, sorry.” He smiles and nods, still refusing to let her hand go. “Okay, I know it might be a sensitive topic and all, but I need to know. What happened with Cam that night at King’s Wolf?” she whispers. Her face is close to mine, making this conversation as private as possible.
My cheeks burn at her being so straightforward about a very personal and regretful moment. I try playing it cool.
“What do you mean?” I didn’t think Cameron would’ve told his friends about our kiss. So, until she asks me directly, I’m not saying a word.
“Come on, Kami, I know about the kiss. I saw you guys when I was outside in front of the bar before I ran back in.”
Busted. Nobody else knows about the kiss except three other people who are all in this room, and none of them would’ve ever told another soul.
“Please tell me that you didn’t tell anyone else.”
“I didn’t, don’t worry. Not even Will. He’s a blabbermouth. I swear guys gossip more than women.”
“That’s what I always say. ”
Zo smiles. “So…back to the kiss.”
I let out a sigh. “It was a mistake. We have a history. Not dating history but history nonetheless, that I don’t feel like getting into now, if that’s okay with you?”
She waves her hand. “Of course. I’m sorry if I butted into something that wasn’t my business.”
“Hey, I literally pushed you into your crush’s arms the night I met you, so I’m the last person you need to apologize to for being nosey.” Zo laughs. “Did you ask Cameron about it?” Curiosity lines my question, secretly hoping to hear his side of things. He probably said it was a mistake, just like I did, but what happened in class is making me doubt that.
She lowers her gaze. “No.”
So much for hearing his side. “Why not? If you don’t mind me asking.”
She shakes her head. “The few times that we’ve spoken to him about you, he ends up switching gears. And even though I met him first and know him a bit better, you’re my friend too, and I wanted to know your perspective.”
I have mixed feelings about her answer. Should I feel happy that he’s keeping everything a secret? Of course, I should. That’s dirty laundry that doesn’t need to be aired out any time soon. Although, she might be lying in order to protect him, which I would understand.
Hello, major trust issues. Welcome back.
“Well, thank you for wanting to hear my perspective.”
“Of course.”
We talk a little more about her and Will and how their date went. She told me about how nervous he was. He wore a dress shirt with black jeans and put gel in his hair, which he never does. He even made a reservation at a fancy restaurant, but neither one of them felt comfortable there, and decided to go to a pizza joint in town. She said it was the best date of her life.
“I’m so happy for you, Zo.”
“Thanks.” She looks over to Will and kisses him on the cheek. And now they’re making out. That’s my cue to go anywhere else but here.
“How is everyone doing?” I question.
“We’re fine,” they all say in unison, annoyed because it’s the fourth time I’ve asked tonight.
“I’m a little nauseous from the drinks,” Jake’s date, Michelle, says. “I haven’t had anything to eat since breakfast.”
Of course, the only person here that I don’t know is drunk. At least she’s not falling over…yet. Jake gives me an I’m sorry look. I nod my head to say it’s okay. We order some pizzas to the room and the three boxes are empty twenty minutes after being opened. It was ten-thirty at that point and everyone was buzzed, happy, and full, Michelle included.
After the pizza, things started to slow down and I decided it was time for a change of scenery.
Me: Hey, I was wondering how packed King’s Wolf is and if there’s a line?
Five minutes later, he texts me back.
Nick: It’s super packed, and there is a line. I also heard that the cops are going to be on the lookout for fakes, so I’d stay away. Warn your friends.
Me: Shit. Thanks for letting me know, I owe ya one.
Nick: You know where to find me ;)
“Hey guys, so I just spoke to the DJ at King’s Wolf, and the cops are going to be checking for fakes, meaning the other bar in town will most likely get raided, too. Most of us here are under twenty-one. So, does someone else have any other ideas?”
“That fucking sucks,” Michelle says from Jake’s lap.
The group looks at one another until Rachel speaks up. “There’s a frat party going on not too far from here, but it’s at the Kappa house.”
Jake snaps his fingers. “Rachel, you're a genius. A member who’s a friend of mine texted me about it.”
We all look at Jake, confused because Kappa parties are practically impossible to get into without an invitation .
“I didn’t know you had friends in Kappa.” Em is clearly offended by being out of the know.
“There’s a lot you don’t know about me.”
“And I’d like to keep it that way,” I say back.
If we’re his best friends and didn’t know about something as simple as him having friends in an elite frat, there has to be a good reason behind it. Jake might be private and deals with some shady shit, but he always does good by us. If he didn’t tell us, it’s because he knows it’s better off that way.
“You can get us in then,” Rachel states more than asks.
Jake smirks. “I can do more than just get us in. Let me text my buddy real quick.”
“What is that supposed to mean?” I whisper to Levi. What else is there to do at a frat party other than drink and play beer pong?
He levels me with a sympathetic look. “You know that when it comes to Jake or his family, the less you know, the better.”
As usual, Levi’s right. When Em yells at all of us to get out, Levi wraps his arm around me and guides me out, acting like my personal bodyguard.
We arrive at Greek Row, walking past all the nice yet simple houses until we reach Kappa’s. It’s hard to miss amongst all the others. It’s the biggest one, with pillars on each side of the front entrance. Their full Greek name is in bold black letters on the front. The exterior is made of light-colored bricks and has multiple white-painted windows.
I’ve only seen the Kappa house once since Greek Row is on a secluded road twenty minutes away from campus. I forgot how large and beautiful it is.
Jake makes his way to the front double doors. There’s a shorter guy sitting on a stool whose eyes are glued to his phone screen. He looks fresh out of high school, probably a pledge if they have him sitting out here.
“Hey, dude.”
“Name,” the boy says dryly.
Jake chuckles and cocks his head to the side, acting as if the kid should know exactly who he is. And if he were to look up and see Jake’s face, then he’d probably recognize him.
“Johnathan Jacob Greymoore III.”
Em, Levi, and I exchange looks, knowing that Jake’s cocky smile is just for show. He despises having to say his full name since he shares the first and last with his father.
The freshman’s head shoots up, and he scrambles in a panic.“Shit, yeah, of course, come in.” He holds the door open for us.
It’s amazing how one name can hold so much power in a myriad of places. And this is nothing compared to the spots I’ve seen in the city.
Taking a look at our surroundings on the left, there are sliding doors leading to what I’m assuming is the dance floor; directly in front of me is a long hallway with a massive staircase at the end, and finally, to my right, there’s a group of people playing beer pong. The party looks normal so far.
“Come on, let’s go see the rest of the house.” Levi comes up from behind me and puts his arm back around my shoulder. Jake grabs Michelle’s hand and leads us to the sliding doors. The rest of the group follows closely behind.
A DJ booth sits in the corner of a massive living space that has been cleared out for those who want to dance. The song “Gives You Hell” by the All-American Rejects is playing while everyone yells out the lyrics and jumps to the beat, their figures blurry through the flashing colored lights.
Jake pushes through the crowd and leads us to an additional door. We’re met with yet another security guard only this one looks older. Jake whispers something in the man’s ear, and suddenly, we’re going past the mahogany doors, entering into a completely different room. The lights are slightly dimmed, giving it a cozier vibe. There’s a group of people scattered around on couches and plush chairs, talking and drinking, everyone in regular party wear. On the other end of the room, there’s a foosball table next to yet another door.
Levi still has his arm around me and Em is now at my side.
“Is it just me, or does this house have an endless number of doors?” she asks.
“Definitely not just you.” I eye the two guys near the door skeptically.
“Hey Jake, what’s up?” A tall man with dark hair and hazel eyes walks up to Jake, and they do that manly half-hug back clap thing.
“Hey Brian, let me introduce you to my friends.” Jake goes around the group saying all our names and pauses when his hand gestures to me. “And this is the birthday girl, Kamila.”
Levi takes his arm off from around my shoulder so I’m able to shake Brian’s hand. “Well, shit. We have to do something special tonight for the birthday girl.”
“Oh, you don’t have to do anything special for me,” I say nervously. “Although I would love a drink if you could point us in the right direction.”
“Of course. If you want some beer, go through that door.” He points to the one next to the foosball table. “Then to your right, down the hall, and second door to the left is the kitchen. Some of our pledges will be bringing in a keg and mixed drinks to the room soon.”
Maybe we should just wait then, I think to myself.
“You guys have a shit ton of doors,” Em finally says loudly enough to catch Brian’s attention.
He chuckles. “Tell me about it. Took me a while to figure out where all of them led to when I first moved here.” His eyes scan her body from top to bottom. “Emma, right?”
“Yep.” She squeezes my hand three times, a silent signal between friends. She isn’t interested in him and wants out.
So much for waiting .
I do the same to Levi, and he tells Brian that we’ll be right back with our drinks.
The three of us find the kitchen which has a huge white marble island and stainless steel appliances. Jeez , how much money do these guys have?
“Alright, what do you guys want? Beer or water?” Levi opens their fridge subtly.
“Beer,” Em and I respond in unison.
He dips his chin and makes his way to the keg.
“So, not interested in Brian?”
She shakes her head. “Tall, dark, and handsome. A walking heartbreak waiting to happen.”
“You’re probably right.” I smirk. “But those guys…”
“Look amazing, trust me I noticed,” she sighs.
When we get back to the room, everyone is either seated on the floor or on couches. Will and Zoey are the first ones I spot from the group.
“I’ll be right back. I’m going to ask Zo if she needs anything. Are you good here?”
“I’ll look after her, don't worry.” Levi winks.
I saunter to where Zo is. “Hey, what are you guys up to?” She turns around with wide eyes. “I’m sorry.”
What?
Before I finish the thought, an all too familiar voice fills the room.
“Happy birthday, Kamila.”