Eastwood Academy

Chapter 13: Dare

She was just so... bold. Totally fearless. So, the complete opposite of me. River likes bold girls. That makes sense. They're probably more fun in bed. Carly's earlier statement about Imeria rings through my head for hours after she leaves. I tried everything I could to distract myself, listening to music and watching movies, but it's no use. After a while, I give up and flounce irritably back onto my bed. Carly's story flashes through my mind once more, and suddenly, I can't sit still. It reminded me of playing baseball. Most of the time, I'm able to block out how much I miss it, but tonight, memories of my time on the team came rushing back in full force. Jessica went out earlier and is still not back, so I have no one to talk to to distract me from my critical inner monologue and painful memories.

Knowing that I'm not going to be able to do anything productive tonight I text Jessica asking if she wants to meet. A few minutes later, I get a text saying yes, she'll be back from the library in a few minutes, and I should meet her in the dorm lobby.

I throw on a pair of leggings, a workout top, and a hoodie. I put my hair in a messy ponytail and grab my phone. I'm out the door before I can second-guess my decision. I can't focus on my homework anyway; I need to do something to release the tension coursing through my body.

However, I don't make it more than three steps before I'm halted by the sight in front of me.

River stands four doors down, knocking quietly on the door. As soon as I see him, my feet come to a halt of their own accord, and I have to fight the urge to turn around and run back to my room. It's completely irrational, but I feel like a naughty child who's been caught doing something wrong.

As I stand there, motionless River looks over, and his eyes meet mine. I want to look away, but I can't. I'm like a deer in headlights, completely frozen. A moment later, the door that he knocked on is quietly opened, effectively breaking our little staring contest. A girl named Elena, who I have Calculus with, pokes her head out of the room, sees River, and grins at him.

I can't help but notice just how beautiful she is. Long tan legs, dirty blonde hair, curves for days. Of course he would go for her.

Looking past River and Elena, I see Jessica, dressed all in black, standing behind them. She motions me forward, a sly look on her face. This isn't like her at all. Feeling a mix of apprehension and curiosity, I make my way towards her, ignoring River and Elena.

"Are you up for a little fun?" Jessica asks, reaching into the bag on her shoulder and opening it enough so that I can glimpse a bottle of tequila. The part of me that lives in a constant state of fear over breaking the rules wants to say that this is a bad idea. But then "Totally fearless" flashes through my thoughts again, and my mind is made up.

"Lead the way," I tell Jessica, a grin spreading over my face.

We can't go through the front door. It's locked and monitored by security. But there's a window in the first-story lounge that people have apparently been using to sneak in and out of the dorm for years.

Throwing her bag out, Jessica hoists herself onto the window sill and then over it, dropping into a crouch in the bushes. I follow her lead, and after checking that there's no one around we both stand up, making our way away from the dorms. We end up walking towards the soccer field.

As we walk Jessica pulls the bottle of tequila out of her bag, offering it to me. I'm not used to straight liquor, so I'm grimacing as I take a sip. The tequila burns its way down my throat. Jessica laughs in response and motions for me to hand her the bottle.

"Thank you," I tell her. "This is exactly what I needed tonight."

"Needed to blow off some steam?" Jessica asks, her expression sympathetic.