College Try

Part Eight

Raven felt the press of a hundred different bodies against her, and the smell to match. The fraternity always threw an End of Finals party, but this one seemed bigger than the last. Noise and music relentlessly filled her head. Excitement and relief seemed to be the primary emotion, and everyone there was either drinking to celebrate passing their classes, or drinking to forget their failures. She watched through the window as some of the party spilled out onto the front lawn. A freshman had thought it was wise to try and piss off Connor, but they didn't realize that under that cheerful exterior, he was harboring the strength of an ox.

Raven winced as Connor punched him in the face before hefting the younger man over his shoulders and immediately dropping the freshman's body into the front lawn. She shook her head and started weaving her way through the crowd of people, looking for Donna. They had all arrived at the party together, but Donna and Karen somehow snuck away when Raven wasn't looking, leaving her wandering through a crowd of people she didn't know. With an annoyed sigh, she slipped under an arm and headed towards the common space, where most people were standing around, drinking or dancing. They had to be here somewhere. They wouldn't just leave her... would they? Someone drunkenly slammed into her, and Raven stumbled forward, her face smacking into another person's shoulder.

She winced and rubbed her nose, looking up as the person in front of her turned around.

"You just got here. Don't tell me you're drunk already."

Raven shook her head and looked up into Damian's face, feeling her stomach tighten and her heart pick up speed. Of course she would bump into him. Memories of their last encounter filled her head, but she tried to keep herself from feeling ashamed. She masturbated, so what? She just... wished Damian didn't have to know that. Instead she gave a one-shouldered shrug and leaned back on her heels, trying to look nonchalant. "I guess I'm still getting my sea legs."

He rolled his eyes, but there was a small tug at the edge of his mouth, as if he was trying to keep from smiling. "Well, as long as you don't go tumbling down the steps at the marina again, I think we should be fine. I'd like to avoid another late-night trip to urgent care if possible."

Heat crawled up her neck, and she opened her mouth to snap something sharp back at him.

"Although..." He lifted his stare to the ceiling, pretending to think. "I didn't mind what happened later."

Her mouth slammed shut, and her blush darkened as she thought about the way his hands and lips felt on her. Raven would have been out-right lying if she said that she didn't think about their time together every spare moment she had. Their make out session had been brief, but fuck. It was enough to make her wake up in the middle of the night, her legs twisted in her sheets and panting. Damian was one hell of a kisser - not that she'd ever admit that outloud to him.

She feigned indifference. "It was alright."

"Mm-hm." Damian nodded once, looking rather full of himself rather than deflated. "Noted. I guess next time I'll have to try harder."

Hell. If he tried any harder, Raven really would go up in flames. She managed to keep herself from shivering at the memories, and ignored his banter. There was a moment's pause between them before she spoke again. "Have you managed to find someone willing to put up with your pompous ass as a roommate for next year?"

"No." He lifted an eyebrow, searching her face. "Why? Are you officially submitting an application?" There was another pause, which immediately turned into a note of excitement in his voice that he tried to cover up. "Does that mean you got your acceptance letter?"

Raven nodded, a smile breaking through. "Yeah. I just got it today. I guess the two of us will be seeing each other for another few years."

"Seeing each other?" Damian smirked, a suspicious glint in his eyes. "Is that so?"