Still Breathing

Chapter 2

Party Pandemonium

"You're coming tonight, right?" Nina asked, cornering Rose outside the chem lab, an impish grin dancing on her lips. "To the Alpha Delt rager? I hear it's gonna be epic!"

Rose fidgeted with the strap of her backpack, a little flutter of social anxiety stirring in her gut. Parties weren't really her scene - too loud, too crowded, too much pressure to be "on". She'd much rather curl up with a good book and a mug of chamomile.

"I don't know, Neens..." she hedged, scuffing the toe of her boot against the linoleum. "I've got that Chaucer paper due next week and I was hoping to get a jump on it..."

"Oh, come on, Rosie!" Nina wheedled, looping her arm through Rose's and tugging her towards the quad. "You've been holed up in the library every weekend since term started. It's time to let loose a little! Flirt with some cute frat boys, show off those dance moves..."

"What dance moves?" Rose snorted. "The only dancing I do is in my underwear when I'm home alone."

"Then consider this a chance to expand your repertoire," Nina said breezily. "Besides, we're celebrating! The Spartans absolutely crushed it at the game today. I think we've earned a little hedonism."

"We?" Rose arched a brow. "What exactly did you contribute to this glorious victory?"

"Moral support. Duh." Nina buffed her nails on her jacket, smirking. "I'll have you know I am an excellent cheerleader."

"Uh-huh. And the fact that Chris will be there, all sweaty and hopped up on testosterone, has nothing to do with your sudden school spirit?"
A pretty pink stained Nina's cheeks and she swatted Rose on the arm. "Hush, you. That is entirely beside the point."
"If you say so," Rose sing-songed, dodging another swipe.

As they bantered, Tobias sauntered up, his signature grin firmly in place.

"Did I hear something about a party? And more importantly, did I hear that our fair Rose will be gracing it with her presence?"

Rose rolled her eyes, but couldn't quite suppress a smile. Tobias had that effect on people - his irreverent charm was hard to resist. "Et tu, Toby? I thought you were above such base frivolities."
Tobias clutched his chest in mock affront.

"Moi? Never! I'll have you know I am a connoisseur of the party arts. A veritable virtuoso of the solo cup."

"And what, pray tell, is a theater major doing at a jock rager?" Rose teased. "Slumming it with the plebians?"

"Expanding my horizons," Tobias sniffed. "One never knows where one might find inspiration for one's craft."
Nina giggled, slipping her arm through his.

"Well, I for one am glad you're coming. We need all the backup we can get to convince this one-" she jerked her chin at Rose, "-to let her hair down for once."

"Challenge accepted," Tobias declared, rubbing his hands together gleefully.

"Operation: Rosebud Unleashed is a go."
Rose heaved a put-upon sigh, recognizing when she was outmatched. "Fine, fine. I'll be there, if only to keep you two miscreants out of trouble."

"That's the spirit!" Tobias crowed, high-fiving Nina. "This is going to be epic, just you wait."

***

The bass was thumping, the cups were sloshing, and Rose was seriously questioning her life choices. She'd let Nina dress her - always a dangerous proposition - and now found herself trussed up in a strappy little top and more eyeliner than she'd ever worn in her life. She felt like an imposter, a kid playing dress-up in her cool older sister's clothes.
Max, of course, thought it was hilarious.