Bared Souls - Ellie Wade Page 0,7

the classic female self-deprecation that runs rampant in our society. I’m trying to be better with that, but it’s hard, you know?”

She tosses her lipstick into a small black purse and peers at the contents inside. “I’ve got gum, money, cell phone, lipstick, and ID. Anything else?”

“Sounds about right.” I tap the back pocket of my jean shorts. “I have my ID, money, and phone.”

“Well, if you need gum, let me know. I have plenty. Never know if you’re going to be kissing someone tonight.” She raises a brow with a smirk.

I gasp, “I’m not kissing anyone.”

“Never say never. Now, let’s get out of here before we set the room ablaze. We’re too hot to stay in one place for too long. Fire hazard.”

I laugh. I think Quinn is exactly what I needed.

FOUR

Alma

The fraternity house is a few blocks from campus, so it’s within walking distance. The music coming from the party can be heard from a block away. People are congregated on the lawn around the old, large house, talking, laughing, and goofing around. Some linger on the expansive front porch that wraps around the building. Others can be seen through the windows on all of the levels.

My heart starts to race, and I’m wondering if I made a bad call. This is so far out of my comfort zone. Just as my steps begin to falter, Quinn grabs my hand and leads us through the group of people on the grass.

“Let’s go inside and check it out,” she suggests.

As we enter, a high-pitched squeal in the form of Quinn’s name can be heard. A tall brunette with a messy bun atop her head closes in on us.

“You came!” she cheers.

“Hey! Yeah, we did. This is my roommate, Alma.” Quinn introduces me to the girl and then addresses me, “This is Bethany. She and Gabby live across from us.”

Bethany and I greet each other, and then she says, “Do you guys want a drink? Then, I can show you where everyone else is.”

“Sure!” Quinn answers for the both of us.

We follow Bethany into the kitchen, where a group of guys stands around a metal keg, filling up red Solo cups with the amber liquid.

“There’s beer or this punch.” Bethany motions toward the large plastic tub that sits on the counter, filled with red liquid.

“What’s in that?” Quinn asks.

Bethany shakes her head. “Who knows? But it’s good!”

“I guess I’ll go with the mystery punch,” Quinn says, grabbing a Solo cup and filling it. “Alma?”

I shake my head. “I’m good.”

“Come on, just try. You don’t have to drink it all.” She pushes the cup toward me.

I reluctantly take it.

Cups in hand, we follow Bethany as she winds us through people standing around. She takes us to a back room, away from the speakers blaring music so loudly at the front of the house. The music can still be heard, but it’s not as deafening. This seems to be some sort of a game room. There’s a pool table in the center, a card table in the corner, and a dartboard on the wall. Several couches face each other in a makeshift seating area, and as we approach, cheers ring from that area, welcoming Bethany back.

“And I brought friends. This is Quinn and Alma,” Bethany introduces us.

I wave casually and squeeze in next to Quinn on the edge of one of the couches.

I take a sip of my punch. I have to admit, it’s decent—better than I thought it would be. A grin teases my lips as a thought comes to mind. What if it’s just a big tub of generic-brand Hawaiian Punch? How funny would that be? That’s what I’d do if I were part of a frat house and hosting a party. I have to assume that alcohol is expensive. Why provide it for the masses? Let them trip over each other, thinking they’re drunk, when in reality, they’ve only consumed a load of sugar.

My thoughts prompt me to drink more. When I lower the cup from my mouth, my breath hitches as piercing blues steal my gaze. The guy I ran into earlier is sitting on the couch across from me, his eyes burn into me accusingly. I swallow and pull my eyes from his, turning toward Quinn.

What a creep.

I take another sip of the juice. Quinn is regaling the group with some story, and several people are cracking up at her tale. I missed the first part of it, and now, she’s talking about chickens and Superman ice