So What Now? | TSLOCG

tears and beers

Our whole dorm had been out most of the day.  Whitney had practice, Bela was at the Catulan I was interviewing for a fashion internship, and Leighton was working out her 'clerical issue'.

By the time I got back around 6, our common room was empty. The other two's door was open, but me and Leighton's was closed. I figured she was moved out by now, but I gave a light knock for good measure. "Anyone in there?"

"Go away, please," A voice called out from the other side, just loud enough to be audible. 

God damnit.

"It's Madison. I just need to change," I replied, twisting the doorknob open and stepping in.

"Are you deaf?" Leighton shot me a look from where she was laying in bed. Her mascara was stained down her face, her eyes glistening with tears. "Go away."

"I'll- I'll be out in a minute," I tried not to look like I was staring at her. I walked over to my closet, pulling out a small dress. When I glanced back over, she was watching me. I hesitated for a moment before speaking. "Are you, like, alright?" I asked, though the answer seemed obvious.

"And that's your business why?" She snapped, her voice too hoarse to sound bitchy.

Truthfully, I wasn't even sure why I cared. It's not like she was exactly deserving of my sympathy. "Just want to make sure I'm not going to wake up to your dead body spinning around on the ceiling fan," I rolled my eyes, slipping my shirt off over my head.

"You're real good at sympathy, huh?" She commented sarcastically, blowing her nose in a tissue.

"Mm. And you're just such a joy! How ever will I go on once you leave to room with your Spence friends?" I replied, in an even more sarcastic tone. However, I quickly regretted my words. Instead of continuing on the banter, I could hear her crying harder from the other side of the room.

God damn it, this girl was impossible. I dropped the dress down on the foot of my bed and walked over to hers, hovering next to it. I wanted to sit down, but I didn't want to give her the wrong impression.

"Uhm. Did something happen?"

She sniffled, dismissing me with a wave of her hand. "No. I mean, yes. But it's none of your business." She paused for a moment, waiting for me to leave, but I didn't. "Are you, like, actually deaf?"

I rolled my eyes. "Look, just tell me what happened so you can move on and stop ruining my chance of falling asleep tonight with your dorm shaking sobs."

"It's nothing, really. I'm just... I just need new friends. That's all."

"What happened to your perfect Spence buddies? Thought they were your ride or dies."

"Yeah, well, they're not," She snapped, shooting me a dirty look. "Look, it's whatever. Don't you have somewhere to be?"

I stared over at her for a moment, and sighed. "Yeah, I do." I paused before sighing again. "Why don't you.. come with me...?"

I could read right through her entire act. She tried to act like my offer was appalling, but I could see her sit up a little straighter. "I'll pass on whatever hippie art event you're heading to."

"It's a Theta event, actually. Though I'm sure you're too good for college parties, so never mind."

Leighton rolled her eyes and sat up in her bed. "Oh, I certainly am. But someone must make sure Bela doesn't get you all banned before you even make it inside."

✩✩✩✩✩

"Jesus Christ, is that the line to get in?" I gestured towards the mass of people. At that rate we wouldn't be inside til tomorrow.

"Hey!" A voice called out, and I felt someone tapping on my shoulder. I spun around and spotted Bela, with Whitney at her side. "We're here."

"Shit, are they all in line for the party?" Whitney asked, staring over at the mass of people.

Leighton had wandered off from us, and was talking to the bouncer at the door. She waved over at us, signaling for us to go over.

"You're all set to go in," The bouncer said, lifting the rope that was blocking the door.

"Sweet, thanks Leighton!" Bela exclaimed, as she ran inside. Whitney followed her in.

"Ladies first," I smirked, waving Leighton in ahead of me.

"Oh, crap. I think I left my phone at the dorm, actually," She patted her pockets. "You go in though. I'll find you later!"

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah, I'll be in later. Have fun," She gave me a wink, walking back in the direction we'd come from. I watched her for a moment before going in, and as she turned the corner I spotted her pulling her phone out from her pocket.

"Goddamn her," I rolled my eyes, and stepped inside to find a drink.

I made my way to the basement, where I was almost immediately stopped by a fit guy, with short and curly black hair.

"How come I've never seen you before?" He called out over the music, leaning in so I'd be able to hear him.

"I dunno!" I called back, glancing around in search of the bar. "More importantly, how come you're not offering me a drink?"

He smirked, grabbing my hand as he dragged me towards the bar. "High Noon? Or a White Claw?"

"I'd prefer a round of shots."

"Oh, really?" He grabbed a bottle of vodka and shot glasses. "A lady with taste. I don't believe I caught your name!"

"That's because I didn't share it." I replied, taking the first shot he slid in my direction. It stung like a bitch. "But it's Madison. Madison Vanderbilt."

His eyes flickered with a look of recognition. "Oh, no shit! You were Leighton's friend at Spence, right? I'm her brother, Nico."

Oh, shit. I knew I recognized him from somewhere. "Long time no see," I downed another shot. Nico had been off at college by the time me and Leighton had gotten close, but I'd heard plenty about him, and seen him when he came back on breaks.

"Are you and Leight still friends? She goes to Essex, too, y'know!" He called out over the music, taking a shot of his own.

"Oh, yeah. She's my roommate, actually."

"Oh, no shit. I'm sorry to you for that," He laughed, taking a sip of his beer as he glanced around. "Where's she at, anyways? I haven't seen her."

"She said she was going back to g-"

Someone tapped on my shoulder, so I spun around.

"Hey, Maddy. The rest of us are heading back to the dorm," Kimberly spoke, looking miserable. "You stay as long as you want, though!"

"Oh, is everything alright?"

She nodded. "Yeah. Have you seen Leighton yet?"

"No. I think she blew us off."

Kimberly nodded solemnly, then headed off. When I turned back towards Nico, he'd disappeared. After a moment I spotted him doing a keg stand.

I stayed at the party a while longer. I drank, I flirted with random guys, and then I drank some more. After a few too many beers I was stumbling towards the stairs, when I heard Nico's voice approaching.

"Easy there!" He chuckled, linking an arm with mine to stop me from tumbling down the stairs. "Leaving so soon?"

It was well past two in the morning.

"Sure looks like it," I replied with a hiccup. He reeked of beer, I suspected he'd had about as much to drink as I had.

"Well, I'm sorry to hear that, Maddy," He feigned a sad look, pushing my hair behind my ears.

I sighed, contemplating my options. I didn't want to sleep with Leighton's brother, A. Because I'm not into guys, and B. Because he's Leighton's brother. But I also didn't want to reject him and ruin any chances I had at future frat party invites.

"Screw it." I mumbled, shoving my lips against his as he led me to his room.