The Last Hope

05 - Grunt

Song for this chapter - Basically, Tei Shi - Linked Above!

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Archibald McDonnell was one of the most talked-about people on campus. His parties were legendary. Revered. Revealed in.

To be invited to one of Archie's parties was to look upon the face of God.

Which was why, even though it was the sensible, responsible thing to do, Mercy couldn't say no to an invitation. If she missed an invitation to a party at Archie's, she'd inevitably miss the next big invitation and from there she would spiral into a lonely, sad college student that spent all of her nights in her room, studying. She couldn't allow that to happen. College was a place for people to thrive, not just survive. And Archie's parties were a place for living.

Mercy intended on doing just that.

The speakers were pounding something very bass-heavy, music flooding through the large frat house and out of the open door into the front yard. The house itself was gigantic, with a wrap-around porch and several balconies. Balconies crammed with people dancing.

The front lawn, too, was packed with people. A bunch of them huddled around a keg as one man-boy, braver and more stupid than the rest, was lifted into the air by his friends. Two long-haired girls wearing sorority t-shirts sat on the steps up the porch, feverishly making out. A small cluster of guys stood just a little way off, watching them.

Devin murmured something about "drunk idiots " as the trio walked up the front path, arm in arm.

"Now remember, Devin, there is such a thing as too much fun," Felix flashed Devin his best shit-eating grin as they moved. "If I catch you getting too crazy, I will have to take you home."

Devin gave him an incredulous look, flipping him off. It was no secret the two of them didn't get along. Mercy just hoped the alcohol would serve as a good enough buffer for tonight, so she wouldn't have to play referee. "Kids, play nicely." With both her arms linked between theirs she pulled them closer together, "if you don't, I'll smash your heads together. Alright?"

"Jeez you're in a sunny mood this evening," Felix observed.

"It's because she's not been sleeping lately," Devin said over the top of Mercy's head.

"It's because she's not been sleeping with anyone lately," Felix said back to her.

The two shared something, that in some countries and cultures may have resembled a smile.

"Welp, let's get me good and drunk kiddies. So, I can find myself a nice boy for the night and hopefully not do any sleeping." Mercy winked at them both as they reached the threshold of the house and stepped through the open door.

"Archie! Didn't know you'd bought a smoke machine!" Felix hollered, laughing, and embracing Archie as they fought their way through the throng of people in the hallway. Felix was right, smoke shrouded the huddled figures, though it smelled distinctly like tobacco and something suspiciously green.

Mercy, in the same denim skirt from the afternoon and a tight low-cut top which admittedly was a bad idea for the time of year, hung back as Felix made the introductions, Devin at her side. Devin looked uncomfortable in the slinky dress Felix had forced her into.

"You are not going to a party at Archie's – Archie's ­– wearing jeans and a hoodie Devin, get over yourself." Felix had said to her earlier that evening, after half an hour of fighting over her attire. Reluctantly, spirit broken, Devin had given in and worn an outfit of his choosing. She looked to be regretting that choice now.