august; ethan edwards

chapter vii. the college experience

Spencer's sleep schedule was well and truly fucked. She couldn't sleep through the night, but the second the clock hit 4pm, she was out like a light. Then she would wake up around 10pm and the cycle would continue.

This is how Rutger and Luca found her as they barged into her room at 8pm on Friday night, Cami following behind the two.

"Spencey Wencey!" Luca sung loudly, grabbing a spare pillow and throwing it at the sleeping girls head harshly. Spencer awoke with a jolt, her eyes frantic as she searched her room for the culprit of the flying pillow. When said brown eyes landed on a nonchalant Rutger, an apologetic Cami and a guilty looking Luca, they narrowed.

"Don't call me that, Fantilli. And don't throw pillows at me, that's rude!" The girl exclaimed as she threw the pillow back at the boy, Luca allowing it to hit him in the head instead of catching it.

"Why are you still asleep?" Rutger asked his friend as Cami crossed the threshold and began rummaging through the Estapa girls closet. "Because I was tired and have nothing better to do?"

Luca let out a buzzer noise, earning an eye roll from everyone in the room. "Party tonight, and we're all going."

Spencer's shoulders dropped and her accusatory eyes flickered over to Rutger, who held his arms up in mock surrender. She wasn't a fan of parties, even in highschool, she avoided them like the plague. The only time you ever found her at one was when her best friend at the time, Kayla, forced her to go. But other than that, Spencer would rather spend her time at a cute little restaurant or watching a movie.

"Cmon, Spencer. It could be fun." Cami voiced from the closet as she re-emerged, holding a handful of clothes. That's when Spencer noticed that all her friends were already ready, and she was the only once still in the same pajamas as she wore the night before. It was quite sad, honestly, how she had decided to spend her college days existing miserably just like her high school days.

The thought of wasting away in her bed for another night had her clambering to her feet and ripping the stack of clothes out of Cami's hands. "Fine, I'll go."

Cami smiled at her friend before ushering the two boys out of the room so she could assist her roommate into finding the perfect outfit for her very first college party.

Cami had somehow managed to convince Spencer into wearing a skin tight, black mini dress that she had bought with the sole intention of never wearing it. She wasn't even sure why she packed it for college, it had remained untouched with the tags still on since she bought it her senior year. To say she felt insecure in the small material would be an understatement, but the catcalling from Luca was slowly but surely boosting her confidence.

The group of four had opted to walking to the frat house, instead of paying for an Uber, as it wasn't too far. The only complaint from either of the girls in skimpy clothing was the cold air.

Rutger had an arm around the Estapa girl, rubbing her arm up and down to create heat, as they approached the frat house. Like the one from the other night, this one was also in horrible condition. The front yard was littered with empty red cups and drunk college kids, all either making out or already passed out.

"Disgusting." Cami muttered under her breath as the group watched one boy throw his guts up into the neighbours bush. Luca laughed at the boy before grabbing Cami's hand and guiding her through the crowd that had accumulated outside.

The inside of the house was no cleaner than the outside, and Spencer could finally understand why Mark wanted her to stay far away from frat houses. Bright lights flashed in every direction and the house shook with the bass of whatever mainstream rap song was currently playing. Cheers erupted from one corner of the room, and Spencer could vaguely make out a beer pong game which involved Luke Hughes and Dylan Duke.

"Want a drink?" Rutger whispered into her ear, Spencer nodded her head. "Surprise me, I'm gonna go say hi to Luke and Duke. Ha, that rhymed!"

Rutger laughed at the girl before walking off.

The two were in their own little world as Spencer approached them, laughing as they made the two frat boys across from them chug whatever was in the red solo cup. "You lose! Again!" Duke taunted the two, who flipped him off sourly, before doing some weird handshake with Luke.

"Stop bullying frat boys, it's rude!" Spencer exclaimed, slapping Duke in the arm. A loud gasp sounded from the boy as he wrapped his arms around the shorter girl, he smelled vaguely of alcohol and marijuana, but Spencer didn't comment on it as she laughed.

"What are you doing here?" Luke asked the girl as he too embraced her in a hug. "I came with Rut, Luca and Cami." She pointed off into the direction, where Rutger seemed to be concentrated in concocting her drink. "Cami, eh?" Luke smiled as his eyes searched the crowd.

"Don't even think about it, Hughes." Spencer scolded, her eyes narrowing at the boy as if to say 'I dare you'. "I was just joking, Spencey." He smiled drunkenly before wrapping an arm around her shoulder and guiding her away from the beer pong table.

Upon approaching McGroarty boy, he held out a red solo cup which was filled with some type of pink liquid. Spencer took it hesitantly before taking a small sip, her face scrunched up at the taste. "Jesus Christ, are you trying to get me drunk?"

Rutger looked confused, Luke laughing before also taking a sip. His reaction was similar, if not more dramatic than Spencer. "Dude, did you put bleach in there?"

"You told me to surprise you!" Rutger defended, pointing accusingly at the Estapa girl. "Yeah, with a drink, not cleaning solution." Spencer crossed her arms, a humoured smile tugging at her lips.

"Spencer!" All heads turned towards the Henderson girl, who had ditched Luca somewhere along the way. Luke's arm dropped from Spencer's shoulder, and the girl resisted the urge to roll her eyes when he gave Cami a one over. "Come dance!"