Safety Net {l.r.h}

7) Don't ever call it a boy band. Ever.

ELLIE ABNER

I had ended up back at my dorm, my face was a cherry red. I was a flustered mess from the events of only 20 minutes ago. Looking down at my outfit, I frowned before grabbing a change of clothes and stripping from the ones I was wearing. Now, gray shorts I had cut from sweats covered my upper thighs while a long t-shirt hung over my torso. A knock on my door caused me to jump slightly, but I composed myself to answer it. A lanky 20-year-old stood there, in his usual apparel that consisted of black.

"Michael," I breathed out, thanking God that it was him.

"You look pale, are you okay?"

"Yeah. I, uh, just got back home."

"From tutoring?" He asked, his eyebrows wiggling at me. Rolling my eyes, I allowed for him to enter the room before shutting the door behind him.

"How'd you know?"

"Luke told me."

"Of course. Did he tell you why I left?"

Michael stayed silent for a moment or two before speaking. "I mean, I get why-"

"Don't tell me you agree with him." His hands shot up in defense as I sighed, taking a seat on the bed.

"Okay, listen. From a guy's perspective, I would have been distracted too. I mean come on, Ellie. You seriously can't be that oblivious."

"What're you talking about?"

"You're hot!" He exclaimed, taking me by surprise. I stared at him wide eyed as he paced the room. "You wear these short shorts and skirts, then expect no one to be looking at you?"

"Because I like wearing them! They're comfortable."

"Oh, trust me, we like when you wear them too." My hand shot out and smacked him in the arm causing him to rub it as if it hurt.

Okay, maybe I did wear the shorts and the skirts because they made me feel confident. I liked the attention, yes. But it's only because I never got that kind of attention in high school. I don't dress the same way that I did last year. I had hoped that I'd be able to experience more in college- away from my family and everyone I knew back home.

"Fine, I don't wear them because they're comfortable." Michael's eyebrows rose at my words as he stared at me. "I wear them because I know people look."

With an accusing finger, he pointed it in my face. "Ah-ha! I knew it! You're not so innocent after all, are you?"

"Alright, cool it with that." I warn him, pushing his hand out of my face.

"Now, come on. Luke told me to invite you to the bonfire we're having... as an apology." I scrunched my eyebrows together in confusion.

"I figured he'd be mad at me."

"Trust me, no one could be mad at you." He flirts. I groan, grabbing a pillow and throwing it at his face.

"Stop making those sly comments, Clifford!"

-

I had changed into a cropped crewneck along with some ripped mom jeans to wear to the bonfire. It was cute and wouldn't be a distraction to anyone attending. It was a win-win for me. Michael insisted we drive to the frat because "his legs hurt" from walking around all day when he only had two classes which were in the same building. I wasn't complaining; he paid for my gas. We arrived in under ten minutes and climbed out of the car. Since we parked in the back, we were already met with a small group of people sitting around a fire. It was beginning to get dark, so I looked at the time.