Social Suicide

T W E N T Y - F I V E : Before We Were Strangers

SOCIAL SOLITUDE: ARISTELLE
Saturday, September 3 2016
Crows upon crowds poured into the building. A couple groups of guys—of whom I recognized to be members of the football team due to their loud yellow jerseys—carried kegs of beer on their shoulders, students chanted, and cheerleaders jumped in behind them. They had just won a game and decided to celebrate at the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity house, home of the most obnoxious type of frat boy there is: drunk and dumb.
I didn't know any of their names. Molly insisted we come to get into the "school spirit" since we were new to the school this year. She walked in ahead of me, her arm linked with Tyler's. They had been dating for over a year but were still deep in their honeymoon phase.
I still wasn't sure if I wanted to continue hanging around Matthew. I mean, I had only been single for two months. I should find my grounding on my own before including someone else in my life. It's what college is for. That's part of the reason I broke up with Justin. Why go back on that promise to myself for some guy I just met?
"Is Elijah coming?" Mol wondered.
I glanced around for him. "He told me he was. We'll find him soon enough."
While I didn't find Eli, I did happen to lock eyes with a member of my own sports team. His name was Zander Jackson. He stood about 5"11', with beautiful light brown eyes, jet black hair, a jawline for days, a dozen tattoos, and a couple piercings. One was on the right side of his bottom lip, and I had heard a rumor that the other was a frenum. Whatever the second one was, it wasn't visible—I wasn't going to ask. He was also captain of the baseball team.
He made his way over to me. "Hey, you. I didn't peg you for the party type."
"And what type is that?" I challenged.
He shrugged. "I dunno. More social. A little wild. Couple tattoos."
"Ah, hold that thought." I handed him my drink so I could pull up my sweater and reveal the tattoo sleeve I had along my left arm. I always wore long-sleeved shirts under my jersey so I guess that's why he never knew.
"Wow. I stand corrected. So who are you here with?"
"My best friend and her boyfriend. She thought I needed to branch out my social stance." I only said it with a hint of disgust this time.
"What, you? Antisocial?" He chuckled and I rolled my eyes affectionately.
There was suddenly an arm slung over my shoulder. Elijah tipped his imaginary hat. "Excuse us, Adonis. Must away."
I smiled at Zander before I was dragged off. "You're late," I scolded Eli.
"Was not. I was upstairs."
"Doing what?"
"Taking inventory. Looking for you and Mason."
"Where is he?"
"Don't know. Found you first."
Mason Jonas was Elijah's relatively new boyfriend. It's been four months since it started, and I think almost three since it's been official. Not totally sure. I met Eli after the fact.
Wait. "What did you just call that guy?"
It took him a second. "Oh, the one you were talking to? Adonis. Like the Greek God."
"Why?"
"Don't pretend you haven't noticed how hot he is."
I shrugged. "Sure I've noticed. But why bring Gods into it?"
"I do that for every hottie I meet."
I raised an eyebrow, trying not to laugh at him. "So who are you supposed to be?"
"Poseidon. Duh."
Right, 'cause he's a swimmer. I couldn't help but laugh this time. "What about me?"
"You think I think you're hot?"
"You totally think I'm hot." I bumped his shoulder. He preferred men, but he could go for anyone.
He went on to tell me that I was Athena, Goddess of wisdom and war. Molly was Aphrodite, Goddess of love and beauty. He didn't give one to Tyler because he didn't like him, which was news to me. He wouldn't tell me why.
"I'll be right back," I tried to say loud enough for them to hear. The four of us were sitting in a circle with a group of people on the floor, talking about everything and nothing.
I finally found the bathroom. I tried the knob in a hurry, but even though it was unlocked, there was someone inside.
"Oh, sorry." I tried to close the door but the guy caught it with his foot. He turned off the sink.
"Not a problem. I was finished," he asserted, shaking his hands dry.
As he was stepping out, a streaker in the crowded hallway bumped my shoulder and I was pushed into him.
He looked down to meet my eyes and smirked at me. "Hello to you, too." The intensity in his eyes shifted after a few seconds and as much as I wanted to look away, I couldn't.
"Hey, baby!" Matthew came up behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist, lifting me briefly so he could kiss my cheek. Even though I was embarrassed of him doing this in front of this guy, my heart pounded. "I've been looking for you everywhere. I lost you in the crowd earlier."
"Well, you found me." I chuckled nervously and wrinkled my nose. "You smell like a keg threw up on you." That was quick and less than surprising.
"Oh, right." He grinned, airing out his damp shirt. "Kelso and Josef poured what was left of the first one onto me. I jumped into the pool to wash it off, but ya know."
"Right."
He and the guy exchanged a hateful look before Matty returned his gaze to me. The stranger walked away. I noticed the number 93 on the back of his jersey with the name 'Spencer' along the top.
"Where you headed?"
"Bathroom. Don't go anywhere, I'll be out in a sec."
"Why wait?" he asked rhetorically, pulling me inside with him. He locked the door behind us and pushed me against it. I was a little caught off guard, but responded enthusiastically anyway.
I giggled when we parted. "What's this for?"
"Just a little preview for when you finally say yes to going out with me."
I nodded with narrowed eyes. You're gonna be waiting a while.
"I'll catch you in a little bit." He pecked my lips once more before exiting.
Once I was finished, I opened the door to leave. To my shock, Spencer was back, leaning against the wall next to the bathroom with his arms crossed.
I raised an eyebrow. "Do you need something?"
"No, but you do."
"Excuse me?"
"A little advice. Stay away from Castro," he warned sincerely. "Far away."
"Thanks, Ninety-Three," I stated sardonically.
"Call me Holden. I mean it. Call me."
Yeah, right. I gave him a look before heading back downstairs, hoping he wouldn't follow.