Chapter 8

CHARLOTTE

I wake up thinking I should have a massive headache, but the ibuprofen has worked wonders. I don’t think the guys understand why I am leaving the house.

I honestly wish they did, so they can see I am at fault too. I pull the last suitcase out of my room bumping into Chase. He looks like shit this morning.

“Hey,” I say.

“Can we talk?” he asks.

“Umm sure.” I walk back into my room, and he follows.

“Are you redecorating?” He looks around my room. It wasn’t much to begin with, but the posters and family pictures were off the wall.

“Not quite. I am actually moving out.” I look at the bare walls.

“What? Why?” he leans against the doorframe.

“Last night was crazy and things were said and done. I don’t think I should be here anymore. I am going to go back home until the school finds me a dorm room.

“I should have done that when I was first told where I was going to be staying.” I look down at my nails. The black nail polish is chipping off.

“I really don’t remember much from last night. All I remember is coming back home from the bar with Natalia. Everyone was staring and then everyone was grabbing on me—last night was pretty much a blur to me.”

I give him a confusing look and he looks back at me the same way.

“So, you really don’t remember what happened?”

“No.”

“Last night we were supposed to have dinner, and you didn’t show up until thirty minutes after we began eating. Drunk, I might add, with Natalia on your arm. I was pissed off, all I saw was red, and then I slapped you.”

“You slapped me? Why did you slap me?”

I stood straight up. “Chase, yesterday was Saturday and we had dinner plans.”

“We could reschedule.”

“I’ve been looking forward to it for the last two weeks.” I look away from him.

“Last night was completely out of my character, even though you hit me, as a man I should have had enough restraint not to put my hands on you.

“Me being the president of the house, I should have also known better not to put my hands on you. Don’t leave for what took place last night. The guys enjoy having you here. I would like for you to stay as well.”

Did I just hear that right? Good gracious, why couldn’t this talk take place after a peaceful night?

“The guys came to me last night and told me that you are getting kicked out for two months because you put your hands on me. I tried to convince them to change their mind, but they said it was a house rule.

“So, I am leaving as well. I think what happened last night was just as much my fault as it was yours. I slapped you and didn’t think. Just like I know you didn’t think when you slammed me against the wall.”

“Charlotte, don’t leave.”

“Chase, my parents already know I am coming home. I will come back in two months just like you or if they found me another room by then, that’s where I’ll be. Like I told the guys last night, my decision is final. You leave and so do I.”

He nods his head. I’m guessing he is trying to understand why I am doing this. Footsteps descend down the hall, and then Miguel stands in the doorway.

“Sorry, am I interrupting something here?” He looks back and forth between the two of us.

“No, did you need anything?” I ask, giving him a small smile.

“Uh, Chase, you ready to go?”

“Yeah, I’ll meet you downstairs in a sec.” He runs his hand through his hair.

“Are you leaving now?”

“Yeah.”

“You found a place already?” I was actually shocked that he did so soon.

“Uh—yeah. I am going to be staying with, umm, a friend on campus.” He looks around the room once more before clearing his throat. “I guess I should be going. Just think about what I said—about staying here.”

“I think I will be fine at my parents’. Thank you though, and sorry for slapping you.”

“I am sorry as well. I’ll see you around campus?”

“Yeah, of course.” I bite down on my bottom lip. This sucks really. I feel like we are breaking up without even being together.

I watch him leave and give myself the count of twenty before leaving the room. I have one more suitcase to carry down, and I will be home free.

LUKE

Luke.Hurbet

Are you guys going to the bonfire tonight?

Drew.Hughes

Thinking about. Why?

Luke.Hurbet

Just asking

Junior.Ale

I’m going for sure. I heard something huge would go down.

Steven.Starre

You always hear shit like that and then nothing happens.

Drew.Hughes

I wonder if Snow White will show.

Steven.Starre

I still don’t understand why everyone calls her that. She’s been at the college for three years now. Why give her a name now?

Junior.Ale

Don’t overanalyze the fantasy bro. She’s FUCKING hot.

Drew.Hughes

I’m sick I didn’t notice those sweet tits before. Yeah STEVEN shut up.

Luke.Hughes

Just got confirmation from a reliable source that Snow White is making an appearance.

Drew.Hughes

I’m in!

CHARLOTTE

I am so exhausted and can’t care less to be at this stupid bonfire. Raven has gone every year and said it was fun, that everyone is laid back and chill. Since it’s our last year in college, she insisted that I come.

I pleaded with her I would go another time, but she wasn’t taking no for an answer. I Google what people wear to bonfires. I go with an oversized brown sweater, my dark-washed boyfriend jeans, and some booties.

I stop by the campus to pick Raven up.

“Why do you have little to nothing?” I ask when she gets into the car. She looks over my outfit and smiles.

“Cute outfit if the bonfire was in the woods.”

“Where is it then?”

“The beach.”

“The beach? Rave, why didn’t you tell me this before?”

She turns in her seat and looks at me. “Everyone knows it’s the beach. They’ve been hosting the bonfire there every single time.”

“Well excuse me for not knowing where the location is. I don’t go to these things and you know that.”

“Sorry. You don’t have to jump down my throat.” She turns back in her seat.

I put the car in drive and head to our destination. I’ve been driving for nearly seven hours total, and I’m sick. I just want to be curled up in my bed right now.

Halfway to the beach, I glance over, and Raven is knocked out. So much for a co-pilot. But it’s like she instantly wakes up when I’m pulling into a parking spot at the beach.

“Finally,” she yawns. “Are you ready for this?”

“I mean, do I really have a choice at this point?” I raise my eyebrows at her, unbuckling my seatbelt.

“You always have a choice.”

“Fine, then I am leaving.” I buckle my seatbelt back in.

“No, you can’t just leave. You made it this far, and it is our last year in college, and bonfires are like senior tradition. We are here and we are going.” She unbuckles my seatbelt.

“But you said I had a choice.” I look at her.

“You do, but just not for this situation. Now come on, you might even see Chase there.” She winks at me, getting out of the car.

Not up for a bonfire, but I have a plan set in place. I will show my face for an hour before heading back to the car and waiting for Rave to go back to campus.

That three-hour ride to my parents’ house will not happen.

“Let’s go, Charlotte.” Raven taps the hood of my car.

“I’m coming. I’m coming.” Here goes nothing.