Chapter 2 NO.2

Four years (Present Day)

Fall Semester

''Come on! Jade, we're going to be late for Back To School Bash!'' said Chelsea who is rushing to put on her lipgloss by the door. I was scrambling through my closet trying to find a decent jacket to wear for the Back To School Bash party at Gulf Coast University.

Just a week ago, I moved to the eastern side off from campus at an apartment complex with Chelsea.

We both decided it was best for us to be roommates and help each other out since we are both majoring in interior design.

The only downfall is that my brother is at the same college as me and he lives down in the first-floor area. He always brings his loud sporty friends at his place and sometimes can cause a dilemma.

Back to School Bash is an annual party that the campus celebrate each fall and spring semester. It's more fun in the fall season only because it gives you that ''welcome back to school'' vibe than the Spring. No one really cares about it but still participate in the event.

''Jaaaddeeee, '' she said dragging my name with a high-pitched voice.

''Coming! Coming!'' I finally got my jacket and walked up to where she was. She unlocks the door for us to leave the place then locks it behind us. Heading out, our Uber driver was here and we got inside of the car.

''Hi Ladies, '' he said.

''Hiiii, '' we both said back.

''Back to School Bash?'' He asked rhetorically.

''Yes, please, '' Chelsea responded.

Leaving the complex, we drove about fifteen minutes to the campus. We were dropped off at the entrance and managed our way to the Breeze-Hallway in Building E. Many college students were coming in left to right around there eating, drinking, and talking while the DJ played some Hit songs.

''Shit, it's a lot of people, '' said Chelsea.

''Yeah, like way too many people.''

''You want a drink?''

''Sure, I'll stay here.'' Chelsea left to the drinking booth while I was standing still not making a move. From afar, I could see Jacob surrounded by a group of girls including two of his friends.

Chelsea came back with the drinks and handed over me a bag of goodies. We both walked around trying to boost our energy around the crowd.

The music was blasting voluminously and everyone surrounded by us was jamming out to the lyrics of a song. A tall Asian girl came to where Chelsea and I were standing and hugged Chelsea with a slight smile on her face.

''---Jade, this is my friend Quinn, Quinn this is Jade, '' Chelsea said introducing me to her friend Quinn.

''Nice to meet you, '' she said handing me a grip of a handshake.

''Nice to meet you too, '' I replied.

''I came over here because I wanted to know if you want to be by the booth. It's less crowded but more fun with the drinks, '' Quinn said.

''Uhh... I don't know, Jade what do you think?''

''Mm. sure why not!''

''Okay, cool! Follow me.'' Quinn made us follow her path to the booth area far away from the crowd. We reached towards the other side of the building and saw a group of kids clustered around the booth and drinking with laughter.

'' Quieter than the other side huh?'' Quinn said to me. I nervously nodded my head ''yes'' and continued on to drink on my cup. Then, another girl came by to Chelsea and gave her a hug then introduce herself to me and Quinn.

As she leaves, I turned my head to Chelsea who was already getting a bit tipsy.

''How'd you know these people?'' I whispered to her.

''Quinn used to be and my French class and Jenny used to be in my psychology class last semester, '' she whispered back then continues on to sip on the drink.

A broad-shoulder, tan-skin, with blue eyes guy came to us with a grin on his face. I assumed he was one of Jacob's posse since he couldn't get his eyes off of me and Chelsea; but mainly, Chelsea.

''Ladies, I'm Corey, You wanna drink with me and my crew?''

''--No thanks'', I quickly responded

''Oh.. okay what about you?'' He said to Quinn.

''Ummm no thanks, actually I should go... umm.. over ... there, '' she said in a nervous tone. She mouthed sorry to the both of us as Corey twists his head to Chelsea and waited for an answer.

''--Sure, I guess, '' Chelsea said.

''Cool, right over to the steps, '' he said then leaves us two alone.

''---Chels, really? You're just going to leave me like this?''

''Ugh, Jade you said no yourself. I'll be okay, I promise. Plus, I see your brother over there so it's cool.''

''What the hell am I supposed to do now?''

''Just breathe and live a little Jay, it's Back To School Bash, you have to be enthusiastic!''

''I guess, '' I mumbled under my breath.

''That's the spirit!'' She kissed on my cheek and walks her way to the steps where three other girls were, and two other guys including Jacob. I rolled my eyes irritatedly and sip on my drink then wandered around the party.

I was trying to pump my energy by surrounding myself with a large crowd by the music booth. Even though I'm not a huge fan of crowds I try to cope my anxiety by dancing and singing along with the lyrics that the DJ was playing. And surprisingly, it worked.

For hours, I was to myself fist-pumping, doing the cha-cha slide, and singing to the throwbacks, I finally realized that it felt so amazing. Like a bird leaving its nest and flying into the sky. I felt free. For the first time, I took a glimpse of what it feels like to have a good time. I must say, I can see why Chelsea is so hard on me to loosen up a bit.

It wasn't so bad after all.

-------------------

Time was flying and I find myself completely carefree of the Back To School Bash party. It was dying slowly leaving everyone back to their dorms and I was walking in circles trying to find Chelsea. Eventually, I gave up knowing she probably went out with that Corey kid to another party or his dorm.

On my way back, I was struggling to get upstairs to my dorm. My legs were weakened from the jumping to the Skrillex music earlier. I groaned loudly and felt like I was dying just by taking a small step on the stairs and breathing hard.

To my door, I took a huge yawn and tried to open the door but was confused about why it's locked.

''Are you serious?'' I said loudly. Giggles were coming through the door and I could hear a bit of moaning and kisses with a sexual instrumental music in the background.

My eyebrows arched in an irk way knowing for a fact that Chelsea hooked up with Corey. There's nothing wrong with her to hook up, however, she locked me the fuck out!

''Chelsea! It's Jade! Open the door!'' I exclaimed. I continued to wiggle the doorknob left to right rapidly to get her attention. After the twentieth wiggle, I forced myself to give up.

''Shit, '' I whispered to myself. I went down the stairs slowly and got to the first floor to see Jacob. Maybe there's a chance he'll help me out to stay for the night. If not, I probably would just go sleep in the car if that what it takes for me.

Hashtag, the struggle is real.

I don't even have the key with me since Chelsea thought I should make her the keyholder for the night.She knows I always hold the key because I'm usually the responsible friend.

But, from tonight, I should just let it side since it is the first-day and I'm a bit drunk to remember all of this.

Maybe not all but still.

Knocking on Jacob's door I sighed deeply and trying to come up with the words to convince him for me to stay for the night.

I turned myself around and pressed my eyes hard to practice my lines to Jacob. He is my brother, but sometimes, he can be a dick for not helping me out at times.

A light creak sound clocked by and my arms crawled with goosebumps just by my shyness to what I'm about to say. My body jolt with fright from glancing at Elijah leaning against the wall.

He was shirtless showing off his ravishing six-pack and muscular arms. He has gotten taller than the last time I've ever laid my eyes on him. He even grew out his beard and now he has a small mustache.

I was stammering my words to say something but couldn't put my mind to it. He chuckles softly and bends his neck to the left with a huge smile on his face.

''--- Uhh....., '' I whispered softly.

"Remember me?" He said smirking from the side lightly then pressed his lips together in a dark-slow motion.

"Of course, how can I not forget about my brother's best friend."