*Avery's POV*
~*~
The Stanford campus was incredible. I fell in love with it and I loved being around college students. My mentor, Alicia, was great too. With her brown hair and tattoos, she was an awesome person to be around. "Okay, so you saw the library and the freshman classes. Now, the best place on campus for late night study sessions and coffee. Or for curing hangovers, ya know, whatever floats your goat." I laugh and say "What? 'Whatever floats your goat.' ? "
"Yeah, it's this post I had seen on Instagram, I thought it was funny and well, now I say it." Alicia says. I chuckle and we walk into the shop. The smell of food wafts into my nose and I inhale deeply. My mouth waters and Alicia laughs. "C'mon, order whatever you want. It's on me." She says and we go and sit all the way in the back, next to the window. "No, I'll pay for my half." I say, sitting down from across her. "No, I insist. It's on me, and don't you dare try and pay me back." Alicia says. I hold my hands up in surrender and laugh.
Our phones buzz at the same time and we take them out.
Joshieð¥ - hey college girl ð , any parties I should know about?
Averyyð - ha, not yet, will let ya know though.
I press the lockscreen button and can't shake a stupid grin off my face. "What are your plans for tonight?" Alicia asks me and places her phone on the table. "Um, just hang out. Watch Netflix." I reply. "Yeahhh, no. You're coming to a party with me. This guy I know, Chris, he's having a party and he said I could bring a friend. And I'm dragging you with me." Alicia says. "What? And who has a party on a Tuesday? Besides, I'm still kinda jet lag." I lie. "Noo, you said that yesterday, when I asked you to come eat with me and Lucia. And well, faternities do." She says.
"A faternity? Do I look like the type to go to a faternity party?" I deadpan. "That's the entire point!" Alicia demands. "To meet new people and to get out of your comfort zone." Alicia says. "Okay, okay. I'll go." I groan. "Yes!" Alicia cheers, just as our food comes. "Now, this is something to cheer about. Thank you." I say and thank the waitress.
Averyyð - faternity party tonight, text you the deets later ð
~*~
I stare back at my unrecognizable reflection. My auburn hair is straightened to perfection and Alicia forced me to wear her clothes, which fit a little tighter than what I would usually wear. I talked her out of me wearing high heels but she talked me into wearing boots with heels. "Wow," I say. Alicia laughs and says "You look hot. You will most definitely be pulling guys tonight." I blush and say "I already have a boyfriend." Alicia snickers and says. "Oh, the guy you were texting and couldn't stop smiling." I blush even more and say "No, he's just a friend. A close friend. By the way, I invited him to the party." Alicia nods. "But, me and my boyfriend actually love each other." I say.
"Yeah, I give it maybe, a month after you move into college." Alicia says and I flinch and say "Actually, he's trying to get recruited by UCLA." Alicia shakes her head. "Oh, then I give it a month after you get home." I raise my eyebrow at her. "Woah, harsh." I snap. "I'm sorry, but after what happened with my boyfriend, I lowkey gave up on love. And that was in 8th grade. I know it's rude, but it's the truth. Not all relationships are forever." Alicia answers and her eyes get a little glassy and she looks away. My heart softens and I want to reach out and hug her.
"Don't." She says. I cock my head to the side and raise my eyebrow. "Don't give me that pitty look. It's not worth it, not after all this time." She looks up and there's a hard look in her eyes. I debate wheather or not to say anything and then she inhales and exhales. "C'mon. Tonight, forget you have a boyfriend. Nope, not for tonight, or for the rest of the time your in California." Alicia says. "What? I can't just declare myself single when in another state." I argue. "You didn't. I declared you single." She smiles widely. I shake my head at her and chuckle softly.
"Besides, why not? You should have fun while visiting our campus. Don't let a doomed relationship waiting to happen, let you stop from having fun. Just ask any of the girls with boyfriends here, how many parties they've attended, in four years, because they're waiting for 'bae' to call, skype, facetime, text, whatever. I know a girl who's gone to a total of 3 parties in her four years of college. It's sad, Avery. Please don't be one of those girls." Alicia says. "I won't." I say and Alicia shakes her head. "Swear to me, Avery. Swear to me that you won't be the girl just waiting for her 'true love' to send a pathetic 'hey :)' text." Alicia says. I nod and say "I swear." Alicia visibly relaxes and then smirks. "Ready to party?"
"Fam, I was born ready." I grin and then toss my hair back. We giggle and then with one last glance in the mirror, we head outside. "The party's within walking distance so we can go walking." Alicia says. "Um, we're in heels." I point out. She shrugs and says "Not the first time it's happened. There's a first time for everything, fam." She says and I laugh. We head toward the faternity house and we spot it pretty quickly. It was the only one that had tons of people out on the lawn and music pouring outside. When we get to the faternity house, the music is pumping so loud. I stare around, hoping I don't look like the emoji with wide, white round eyes and looking like the Scream.
"So, this is a college party." Alicia smirks and I chuckle nervously. "There's nothing to be worried about. Oo! Look! A bouncy house! God, I love college parties." Alicia giggles and we head inside. The Weeknd's new album had dropped about a couple days ago, maybe two weeks ago, so right now that was all that was playing. "In The Night" was pumping loud from the stereo system and I couldn't help but dance along while I followed Alicia to the the kitchen. "In the night, she's dancing to relieve the pain. She'll never walk away, I don't need you, understand? In the night, when she comes crawling. Dollar bills and tears keep falling. She'll never walk away, I don't need you, I don't understand!" I sing along and finally, we make it to the kitchen.
"That took a lot longer than it probably should have." Alicia says and I nod in confirmation. We hear cheers coming from the next room over and after grabbing beers, me and Alicia go and see what the commotion is about. "Beer pong. Wanna give it a go?" Alicia smirks. "Not really, but let's try." I say when I see Alicia's face fall and then she smiles. "Alright, who's next?" The two guys, the winners, I'm guessing ; ask and Alicia says "She is." And pushes me forward. "She needs a partner, she can't play by herself." "I'll play with her." A voice calls and then the crowd parts like the Red Sea and Josh comes to view. A smile tugs at my lips and his eyes rake my body. "Well, okay. You first..." One of the guys says. "Avery." I interject. "Josh." Josh says and I bite back a smile.
The first guy nods and says "I'm Cameron and this is Mike." He says and we stand on opposite sides of the table. "Okay, the game is exactly like beer pong but, it's with tequilla. You guys can go first." Cameron says. I take the ball and inhale and bounce it on the table, and it bounces... right into their cup. Mike and Cameron share a look and take their shots. Josh smirks and the game continues until there's only one cup left on their side. "You got this." Josh kinda slurs. We were winning but we did lose a couple rounds. I smirk and bounce the ball, landing right in their cup. "Yes!" We cheer and the boys groan. "Congrats, you now hold the undefeated title." Mike says and I smirk. "Awesome."
~*~
"It's sooo late." I giggle and Josh laughs. "You don't really laugh." I point out. "Of course I do." Josh argues. "No you don't." I pout and Josh shakes his head. "You wanna get outta here?" he asks me. Every sober cell in my body is screaming me to say no, to stay here even though Alicia disappeared with her friend Chris a long time ago. "Okay." I say and follow Josh out the front door. A taxi was waiting outside and doesn't even ask where we're going. Like, he already knows. For all I know, he probably does. I stare as the California night goes by, looking at the lit up buildings and finally, we come to a stop at a beautiful house, or should I say mansion. "Wow, you live here?" I ask, trying to hide my amusment.
Josh nods and I step out the taxi. The cool air seems chillier and I hug myself. "C'mon," Josh says and he leads me inside the house. I stare wide-eyed, not even caring if I look like the emoji. I feel comfortable with Josh, he's my home away from home. Josh grabs my hand and unlocks the front door and I step inside. The house is even more beautiful on the inside than it is on the outside. "Josh, " I say softly and he shushes me. We walk in silence and then we walk up a beautiful set of stairs and walk towards the end of a hall. He looks at me and opens the door and we step inside. Once inside, I take a look around the room. His room. It looks almost exactly like his room back in North Carolina , except this Josh seems to be more rebellious.
The posters on his wall are much more metal than the ones back in his other room. Metallica, Nirvana, Black Sabbath, Smashing Pumpkins. Who was this Josh? I look around his room and notice the only thing that's practically the same. His book shelf. I take in this other Josh, Xbox one, flat screen tv, mini fridge. I walk over to it and when I open it, I'm a little surprised to find alcohol bottles in there. "Josh, where exactly are we?" I ask. He sighs and says "We're in the past. This is where I used to live. This is where all my mistakes are. I fucked my now dead ex- girlfriend's best friend on that bed. I tried to commit suicide in the bathroom right there." Josh points to a closed door behind me. "I spent all my time in this room, getting high and drinking and fooling around with Riley." He says bitterly.
"Josh," I say, trying to stop him. "No, Avery. You need to know the real reason why I moved to North Carolina." Josh says, practically pleads. I sigh and nod.
"The real reason why I moved was because of the suicide attempt. My brother was the one who found me. I had been home alone all day, usually was left alone. Just me and James and sometimes our head maid, Nana, me and James call her. But, Nana had taken her vacation days and my parents were out of state, they always were. James came into my room, looking for me. Then, he tried the bathroom and I was there, on the ground. With a fucking pill bottle in my hand. James called 911 and I was rushed to the hospital. After the pills were flushed out my system, I was so mad at everyone. Everything. The world. And worst of all, James. I was so mad at him for doing something to help me live. He was 9 then, when it all happened. He's 12, now. He just turned 12 but imagine seeing your older sibling practically dying right in your arms. He's somewhat more protective of me. More than my parents, that's for damn sure." Josh says that last part bitterly.
At this point, I'm in tears. "I though he was like, 7." I laugh and Josh manages to laugh too. "He's just short for his age. And he takes advantage of it." Josh explains and I nod. I step closer to Josh and he holds his breathe. I lean in to kiss him but he stops me. "Avery," he says. "What?" I ask. "This isn't right. Not after what I just told you." Josh's voice cracks. "None of that matters to me. It explains so much but it doesn't matter. I just want you." I say and I kiss him. The kiss is just how I've always felt with Josh. I feel the adrenaline through me and Josh pulls me closer to him, keeping his hands on my lower waist. I wrap my arms around his neck and pull him even closer to me. This feels right, this feels like heaven on earth. Everything in this moment feels perfect.
His hands slowly travel up and down my body, and I tug on his hair, and he moans into my mouth. His hands go up to the hem of my shirt and gently pulls it off my body. He gets down on his knees and kisses my bare stomach and slowly goes up, going over my breasts and my collarbone, my neck, my jawline, my cheek and back up to my lips again. He stands up to his full 5'10 height and I look up to him. "What are we doing?" he asks me softly and I shake my head. "I don't know. All I know is that I need this." I confess. I kiss him quickly and he shakes his head. "Okay."
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a/n : I'm probably the worse author on earth for the horrible cliffhanger I left you guys at, and not updating for like, three weeks. school kinda got a little tougher so, I had to get that straightened out. good news is that I'm getting good grades. and that my weeks in school have been pretty good. hope everyone's good at school and on Monday, it'll be this books one year anniversary! yayyy!