Following You

Now hurry, but not too fast, we have to be fashionably late.

Jenna's POV:

Textbooks are spread out in front of us, and the sun has long gone down as we sit at the kitchen table of Malia's apartment. We've been studying for hours, our heads buried in physiological science notes and test preparations. Malia is laser-focused, her pen moving quickly across the page as she works through another problem for a project due in one of her classes. I, on the other hand, am struggling to keep my eyes open.

I let out a dramatic sigh and lean back in my chair, stretching my arms above my head. "Malia, I can't do this anymore. My brain is fried."

Malia looks up from her notebook, a laugh escaping her. "Already? We've only been at it for a few hours."

"A few hours too many," I groan, rubbing my temples. "I need something fun. I'm tired of school."

Malia sets her pen down and leans back in her chair, giving me an exaggerated look of pity. "Ugh, the agony of higher education. Poor Jenna, crushed by the weight of knowledge. If only she had the stamina to survive college."

I roll my eyes at her theatrics. "Very funny. I'm serious. We need to do something fun."

Malia taps her chin, pretending to think deeply. "Well, if you're looking for something fun, there's a frat party tomorrow night. I'm going with Aubrey and Stassie. Jake and Mitchell's frat is hosting and It's supposed to be pretty big—like, 'wake up the next day wondering where your dignity went' kind of big."

"A frat party?" I ask, a little unsure. "Which one?"

"The Delta Chi house," she says, her eyes lighting up. "It's a big deal. Lots of people, some local bands playing, and plenty of opportunities to make questionable life choices!"

I hesitate, biting my lip. "I don't know, Malia. I don't want to impose on you and your friends."

Malia waves off my concern with a flick of her hand. "Impose? Please. You're a VIP in my life now. Aubrey and Stass already know you. Besides, you could use a night out. Maybe meet someone interesting, have a little fun, you know?"

I still feel a bit unsure, but Malia's enthusiasm is contagious. She leans forward, clasping her hands together in a pleading gesture. "Come on, Jenna. You need a break. And I really want you to come. Please?"

Her puppy-dog eyes are impossible to resist, and I find myself smiling despite my reservations. "Alright, fine. I'll go with you."

"Thank you! And I'm serious, maybe you can meet someone and have a little fun." She says.

I laugh, shaking my head. "Yeah, right. I doubt I'll find someone dignified at a frat party."

Malia snorts, rolling her eyes. "Dignified? At Delta Chi? No chance. But that's the fun of it. You're not looking for Ms. Right, just Ms. Right Now."

"Ms. Right Now?" I raise an eyebrow. "That's your advice?"

"Absolutely. Sometimes you just need to have a little fun, no strings attached," Malia says with a mischievous grin. "And who knows, you might be surprised. Besides, watching you try to navigate drunk frat boys is going to be hilarious."

I chuckle, shaking my head. "You're terrible, you know that?"

"Yup," she says, popping the 'p.' "But you love me anyway."

I laugh at her excitement, feeling a weight lift off my shoulders. "Ugh whatever. Can we get back to this homework? I'd like to finish it before the party."

Malia grins and picks up her pen. "Deal. Let's knock this out so we can get hammered tomorrow and not have to worry! And remember, I'm not above using bribery to get you to have fun."