Work In Progress

Chapter Seven

A few days after going to classes constantly and studying, the weekend is finally here. I haven't spoken to Tate since the kiss, and I do everything in my power to avoid him.

Hannah is still oblivious to Alli and Luke's rendezvous. I want to tell her, but I don't think she would believe me. Speaking of Hannah, she walks in my room.

"Hey, party tonight. Be ready!" she squeals.

"Where at?"

"This frat," she smiles, "Alli scored the invite."

I sigh. Alli. The one who is sleeping with Hannah's boyfriend.

"You're coming," she stares at me, "You have no choice."

"Fine," I laugh a little.

A few hours later, Hannah and I head to the frat party. When we arrive, Alli spots us and runs over.

"Hey bestie," she hugs Hannah, "Hey bestie's roomie," she hugs me.

I can't help but feel like a terrible person. I know when it's the right time, I will tell Hannah.

"Well, there's my beautiful girlfriend," Luke comes up behind Hannah and kisses her.

I glance at Alli as she watches their kiss, and she looks defeated.

"I'm getting a beer," she walks away. Luke looks up to see Alli leaving our group and sighs.

"Where is everybody?" Hannah asks.

"Chris didn't come. He's meeting his new girlfriend's parents."

"Already?" I question, "That kid sure is moving fast."

"Oh, tell me about it. She's been with him constantly. It's almost like he was never with Alli to begin with," Luke shakes his head.

"Where's Tate?" Hannah asks.

"He should be here somewhere," Luke looks around, "He was with one of the cheerleaders last I checked."

I can't help but feel a little sad at that. Why does he not come find me? It's not like I've totally avoided him since our kiss.

"Bella," Seth waves me over.

"Sorry guys," I look at Hannah and Luke, "That's my cue."

I quickly walk over to Seth and try to forget about the whole Tate thing.

"I got you a beer," Seth hands me a cup and smiles.

"Thanks!"

"So, how have you been? I haven't seen you around campus much lately."

"Yeah," I smile a little, "I'm just trying to get used to college life and not get overwhelmed yet."

"Understandable." Seth takes a big drink of his beer.

"Yeah, how have you been?"

"I'm goo-." He is cut off by a large body cutting in between us.

"We need to talk," I hear the large body say. It's Tate. I should have known.

Tate takes my hand and drags me into a nearby bedroom.

"What do you want?" I ask.

"Why are you literally ignoring me, Bella?"

"I just," I sigh.

"You just what? Realized how you want to fuck the nerd instead of me?"

"What? That's what this is about?"

"Partially," he chuckles, "I just told you all that shit I went through with my dad and losing my mom. Then, it was like I didn't even exist to you."

"Tate," I touch his jaw, "I didn't know what to do. You kissed me and messed up my brain."

"Why would a kiss mess up your brain?"

"Because that's just how it is."

"Well, you know what messed me up?" He stares at me for a minute, then says, "You practically running away from me like I kicked your dog."

"Kicked my dog?" I chuckle.

"Well, that's the first thing I could think of," he laughs, "I want you to not avoid me. I want to get to know you, Bella."

"Why? You have the cheerleader girls and every other girl on campus."

He reaches out and grabs my hand. "Bella, I literally can fuck who I want to, but I want to actually get to know you."

"First of all, you disgust me. Second of all, I don't think you understand what being friends means. We are not sleeping together. We are not even hanging out alone together."

"What? Me and Luke hang out alone all the time because we're friends."

"God, it's different when it's a girl and a guy, Tate.

"How?"

"Oh, I don't know. Maybe because we fucking kissed twice already. I don't think you know how to be just friends with a girl."

He comes closer to me, and I flop back on the bed. "Are you telling me that the kisses were so bad?"

I look up at him. He runs a hand through my hair. He starts to lean in, and then I push him away.

The door is pushed open, as Luke and Alli come into view. They are making out. They stop once they see us and the door shuts again, leaving the four of us alone.

A/N: Sorry for the LONG delay guys! I am working on a bunch of chapters currently and hope to post consistently soon. Love you guys!