𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 | 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐨𝐧𝐞

Chapter 4

College parties are wild. In the three years I've been in college, I've only managed to attend five parties. Each one ended with me leaving early, feeling awkward and out of place. I never truly enjoyed myself.

But this time felt different. Amanda had been bugging me all morning about going to a party tonight. She was practically bouncing off the walls with excitement.

"Come on, Ruby! It'll be fun!" she insisted, her eyes shining with enthusiasm. "You can't just stay cooped up in this dorm forever!"

I sighed, knowing she was right but still feeling hesitant. "I don't know, Amanda. You know how I feel about parties."

"Exactly! That's why you need to come! You can't miss out on everything just because you had a few bad experiences. It'll be different, I promise!"

I raised an eyebrow, still skeptical. "Do you really want me to come, or is there another reason?"

Amanda looked around the room, her barely contained smile giving her away. "Oh, you—really?"

I sighed, exasperated. "I thought you actually wanted me there." I rolled my eyes and shook my head.

"Girl, I can't miss out! I've heard that Amy knows how to party like an animal!" she said, practically bouncing on her feet.

I couldn't help but chuckle at her enthusiasm. "Fine, but I won't be staying too long, okay?"

Amanda nodded vigorously, a satisfied grin on her face. "That's all I ask! Just promise me you'll at least try to have a good time."

"Mhm, I will," I replied, pushing myself off the bed. "Anyway, I've got class until about 4 PM." I stretched my arms overhead, feeling the tension ease.

"Yeah, I'll see you later. I'll probably be down at the coffee shop," she said, and I nodded as I grabbed my jacket.

"Yeah, I know." I blew her a kiss as I turned to leave.

"Bye, Ruby!" she called out after me as I closed the door behind me.

I rummaged through my bag for my notebook, my eyes focused on the contents as I walked. Suddenly, I bumped into someone. "I'm so sorry—" I started, frowning as I looked up to dirty blonde hair and green eyes staring down at me.

"You shouldn't come to the dormitory if you don't live here," I said, trying to sound confident, but he tilted his head and raised an eyebrow.

"I do live here," he replied. I felt heat creep up my cheeks. I shouldn't have assumed, and now I looked stupid.

"I'm just kidding," he said, placing a hand on my shoulder. I instinctively pulled away, letting his hand fall to his side.

"I'll be moving in next week, though," he added, and I nodded, trying to keep my expression neutral. Not like I cared.

"Headed to class?" he asked, and I let out a frustrated sigh.

"What do you want from me?" I replied, starting to walk away. He fell in step beside me, matching my pace.

"I told you, I want to be your friend," he said, a casual tone in his voice.

"Mhm, I believe that," I shot back, narrowing my eyes at him.

He smirked. "Come on, Ruby. Don't you want to have a friend who can help you break out of your shell a little?"

I shot him a skeptical look. "And why would I want that?"

"Because," he replied, shrugging nonchalantly, "I'm fun. Besides, who wouldn't want to hang out with the life of the party?"

"Is that what you call yourself?" I raised an eyebrow, unimpressed.