Bad Reputation - Shawn Mendes

5 - College Frat Party

Eleanor.

"Come on Elle, don't be such a pooper." Aaliyah pleads. It's the end of the first day of school and Hillman College's very own fraternity house is having their annual party. My first day was not too bad, i had three classes and the professors were let's just say interesting. But right now, Aaliyah is currently trying to convince me to follow her and her friends to the party. She says that the weeks before college actually started, I've been cooped up in the dorm, which she isn't wrong about. Well I've always dreamed about the college life, and what would it be without going to a party? "Fine, I'll come." I give in and Aaliyah jumps for joy. "Wear something nice and sexy." She advices and i roll my eyes.

I search through my wardrobe and pick out my black mini skirt and a tight red crop top, and paired it with black vans. I'm not really a heels type of person. I change into my outfit and show it to the already dressed Aaliyah who's wearing a ribbed dark grey dress. "What do you think?" I ask. "You look hot. All the boys would be dying for you." She compliments. "Thanks, could say the same about you." I reply with a wink and she playfully hits my arm.

We head out from the dorm to my car, i offered to drive us there since she invited me, and she said that her friends would be joining us there. It's not really surprising how she has made so many friends even though today was the first day of college. Aaliyah is such a cheerful and sweet girl, anyone would love to be her friend. I wonder how she managed to finish school at home, seeing how she's a natural at socialising. We eventually pull up to the frat house, and it's definitely a party. There were so many cars parked outside, and even more people filled in the house. I hear the loud music pumping from the speakers and people cheering, it really is like the movies.

"You ready?" Aaliyah asks and i nod. I've never been to a party, not even a high school one. Well no one would invite me because of my bad reputation, but that doesn't exist for me in college. I fix my skirt and top before getting out. Aaliyah and I walk in together and she immediately spots her group of friends. We walk towards them and they gesture us to sit down. One of her friends, Emily grabbed 2 drinks for us which tasted amazing. It was a cherry vodka drink, which was not too bitter yet not too sweet. It was dangerously addictive though, so i had to control myself at three drinks. After all, I was responsible to drive me and Aaliyah back to our dorm.

I have to admit, it was quite fun to hang out with them at the party. We played truth or dare and it was a blast. It's strange to think that i would be hanging out with a bunch of girls at a party, considering my life back in Pickering. But I'm glad i did go to the party, because it helped me loosen up my nerves slightly about attending college. That is until i heard a familiar voice call out to me.

"Eleanor Carter, is that you?" The voice says. I turn around and see the one and only Chloe Beckham. She walks up to me, and everyone in the group stays silent. "Wouldn't have expected you to be here at a college party." She comments, before sipping on her drink. "And you?" I ask rudely, knowing that she doesn't attend college here. "This is my boyfriend's party. And no it's not Jacob, we broke up after high school." She answers. "Ladies, if you guys have any boyfriends, keep him away from her. She'll try to steal him away." She scoffs while looking at the group. I give her the stink eye after she walks away. Shit, I'm afraid to turn around and look at the group now. Since they know my past, and my reputation even though it's not one bit true.

I eventually turn around and face the group, and everyone looks away except Aaliyah. "Is it true?" Aaliyah asks as i sit down. "Kinda?" I reply and she makes an 'o' with her mouth. She asks the group whether they wanted to go onto the dance floor and danced, and everyone agreed. I'm glad Aaliyah's trying not to make things awkward, she really is a sweetheart. While everyone was dancing on the dance floor, i decided to stay put on the sofa. Seeing Chloe again ruined my mood to party but i didn't want to stop the other girls from having fun. I sat down on the sofa, slowly sipping on my water, because i already hit my limit of 3 drinks.

A tall man sits besides me and whispers in my ear, "Are you Elle?" I turn to face him and i don't recognise him at all. I nod, and ask "And you are?" "Your friend Chloe, just told me you would get in any guy's pants. And I'm offering mine right now." He says while slowly inching closer to me, which made me feel extremely uncomfortable as i could also smell his alcohol breath. I tried to back away but hit the end of the sofa. I can't believe Chloe is out here spreading rumours about me yet again. I look around the room and spot Chloe in the corner snickering while clinging onto some guy's arm. I finally grow the courage to defend myself, even though it wasn't easy i couldn't let Chloe win. "First of all, Chloe ain't my friend, she's a bitch. Second of all, even if i did want to get into a guy's pants, it wouldn't be yours." I spit while forcefully standing up, and walking away.

I walk towards Aaliyah and say, "Sorry but i really want to go back right now. Is it okay if you find a ride home yourself?" I felt bad leaving Aaliyah alone at the party, but the last thing i want to do is stay any longer. "It's okay, I'll come along. This party ain't that great to be honest." She smiles. She tells her friends that we're leaving and they wave goodbye to us. We head over to my car and immediately got in.

"Is everything okay?" She asks while rubbing her temples. "Yeah, just get some rest." I tell her and she leans back to get comfortable. After a 15 minute drive, we arrive back at our dorm and Aaliyah is fast asleep. I turn off the engine and head over to the passenger's side to slowly carry her. Once we entered our room, i lay her down in her bed and her tuck her in. I also placed a bottle of water on her bedside table so that she can drink it when she wakes up.

As much as i had fun during my first ever party, I couldn't stop thinking about the past. Why is it that no matter how hard i try to let go and forget about the past, it always finds away to creep back up at me? I quickly brush away my thoughts, and change out from my clothes into my pyjamas and call it night. After all, i still need a good night sleep for tomorrow's classes.