Chapter 23: Chapter 23

Nox

Mother of the Moon, what the fuck is wrong with me? I want to get closer to Blaise not push her away and yet I was a complete and utter asshole towards her when she stopped by my room. I assumed wrongly that I had my anger under control for as soon as she asked about the rogue vampires my world went dark and I could only see red. I knew as soon as I saw the fear in her eyes that I was scaring her, but I couldn’t reign my anger in. So, I sat unmoving, clenching the comforter so I wouldn’t lunge for her, and she turned tail and ran from me.

By the time the hazy red cleared from my vision, and I had realized what I had done it was too late to chase after her because she was in class. Sighing deeply, I paced the length of my floor which I’ve found myself doing a lot lately to try and clear my head. Resigning myself to hoping I would see her at the party later, I trekked across the campus to my ‘self-defense’ class. I didn’t need it I already went through extensive training at my old school in Ireland but apparently it is required no matter the amount of training prior; to attend this school you had to go through their course. So, whatever.

∞

Morgan

Tonight is the night! I think gleefully. The anticipation of what I am planning is driving me wild. See, I knew from the moment I had been assigned to be her tour guide that Blaise was going to be a thorn in my side. This thought was confirmed at dinner the first night when I saw how Braeden looked at her. She doesn’t realize that he’s mine, but I’ll make sure she’s well aware of it tonight.

It’s going to be epic! I can’t wait for the little bitch to get what’s coming to her.

∞

Blaise

Just around 9:30 Clover and I began to get ready for the west wing party. We are both excited and both interrupt each other with giggles and squeals of delight as we chat while putting on our make-up and doing our hair. Clover ended up wearing a skintight little black dress with matching heels. I on the other hand took a slightly more conservative approach by wearing a mid-length Maxi dress and a pair of wrap around flat sandals. I knew if I were going to drink that I didn’t want to risk stumbling around in such dangerous shoes such as high heels.

As the clock struck ten Clover and I were filing into the west wing elevator along with over half a dozen other students. We could hear music bumping before the doors even slid open to the first floor and Clover and I glanced at each other sharing wide grins. I’m beyond excited to be attending my first college party.

The music is lively and thumping as we step into the hall. Glancing around I see that the males’ senior floor is way different than the girls’ freshman floor is. The first section of rooms had been gutted and turned into their own private hangout, lounge, common area. “This place is so cool!” I shout to Clover over the blare of the music. She grins and nods her head as our gaze is held captive by flashing lights and a small disco ball.

Clover and I split up because she wanted to look for her Italian stud. I on the other hand make my way over to a counter with a fake marble tabletop. There is just about every kind of hard liquor you could think of to choose from and a keg on the floor next to the counter. Making myself a rum and coke I scan the crowd to see if I can spot Carden. Just as I’m about to give up looking for him I see him hanging out by the D.J. His arm—is slung around some girl’s shoulders as they laugh together over something. My heart rate speeds up, and I can hear its beats thundering in my ears. With a growl I stalked towards him. Stretching out my hand I tapped him on his shoulder and then crossed my arms over my chest and glared at him as he turned to see who was trying to get his attention.

As he turns the chick under his arm turns and gives me a once over. “Blaise!” Carden shouts happily as a mischievous grin spread across his face. He pulls his arm from off the girl’s shoulder, and I had the privilege of her glare at me for that fact. This caused me to smile slyly, and I made a bold move of standing on my tiptoes and placing a kiss on Carden’s cheek. The chick whose name I didn’t know watched me do so and I saw jealously flash in her dark eyes before she stormed away from us. I burst out laughing at her little tantrum.

Carden looks at me with a grin, “what you laughing about, beautiful?”

Shrugging my shoulders I sing-song, “ooohh nothing.” and then offer him a devilish smile. He gives me a quick kiss before taking my hand and leads me back over to the counter with the alcoholic courage for the taking. The voice coming from behind me causes me to shudder and I glance sideways to Carden as my eyes widen.

“There she is!” Morgan sings loudly as she comes to stand across the counter from me. I squint my eyes as I try to sort out what she’s up to. “Oh, don’t look at me like that,” she pushes her bottom lip out in a ridicules attempt of pouting.

“Go away Morgan. I’m trying to have a good time. Not get into a fight with you.” I nudge Carden in the side hoping he gets the hint to walk me away from the potential disaster.

Morgan rolls her eyes. “Don’t be like that. I came over to bury the hatchet, you know, let bygones be bygones and all that jazz.”

I can’t read her in the slightest and I’m probably naïve for hoping but I say slowly, “okay,” drawing out the ’O’.

“I even made my specialty drink just for you,” she adds. She looks at Carden. “Tell Blaise I make the best drinks in building H!” He actually smiles and nods his head that she makes great drinks. But I still hesitate for a second before raising my hand to relieve her of the small glasses. “Okay this is a shot so you gotta do it in one swallow.” I roll my eyes because she’s talking to me like a child, as if I don’t know what a shot is.

I sniff the drink and I’m surprised to find the smell enticing. I lift my eyes to her, and she counts down from three. We slam the drinks at the same time and then set the little glasses on the counter. “Oh wow, that was yummy!”

“I know, right!” she says with a smirk. “So, friends now, right?” I nod and she exclaims; “gotta make the rounds. See you later.” And to surprise me a little further Morgan walks over to me and gives me a hug. “Hope you have fun. I’m sure it’s a night you’ll never forget.” Something in the way she said those words has me worrying until Carden takes my hand and suggests we roam the hallway and see who we run into.

Fifteen minutes is how long it took me to regret doing that shot with Morgan. Carden and I were sitting on a couch, Braeden had just come over and sat on the opposite side of me when I stumbled to my feet. The twins both make a move as though they want to walk me, but I wave them back down. “Jussst go-tta go potty,” my words slur slightly but no one pays me any attention. “I’llll, be back, keeep my seat sssafe!” I nod as I point my finger at the two of them and then begin the wobbly drunken walk to the first room I see. Thank the stars no one is using the bathroom.

After I’m done peeing, I flush the toilet and then lean against the sink to wash my hands. I suddenly feel dizzy and close my eyes as the room spins. Placing one hand on the handle of the door, I brace the other against the wall as I swing it open. Tripping over my own feet I stumbled out into the center of the dorm room. I hadn’t even realized that anyone else was in the room with me and gasped hiccupped in surprise.

“Oh, hhiii frieeeend,” my words are slurring even more now as I try to speak to Morgan. Morgan stands up from the spot she had been occupying on the bed and walks over to me.

She places a hand on my bicep as my other arm flies out to hold onto the desk. “Oh honey, are you okay?” Her voice is sickly sweet in her concern of me, but I can’t hold onto the irritation she brings out of me. “I think you should lie down for a minute.” I nod because that’s a fantastic idea.

Morgan leads me over to the bed and then swings my legs onto the comforter as I flop backwards. I’m going in and out of consciousness by this point and I can hear voices talking around me but can only make out a handful of words. “...clothes...next to her...hug her...mess up her hair more...” The darkness drags me under before I can question what’s going on.