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CHAPTER TWO. narrative
I wrung my hands out nervously as I sat in the backseat between Mia and Hudson. Ben and Everett were up front, the girl blasting music. Mia, Everett, and I would all rather be at home, curled up with a book, but we know we all feel bad if we missed hanging out with Hudson, Ben, and some of our other friends.
My girlfriend, Asher, hadn't texted me since I asked if she was coming to the party. The girl she was bringing, Clara, was her ex and it put me on edge, honestly. I know that she and Clara had been friends since they broke up, but that didn't help the uneasiness.
"You okay, Dais?" Hudson asks as he looks down at me and I try to give him a convincing nod but I could even see right through it. Without saying a word, Hudson takes my clammy hand into his and gives it a squeeze before placing the bundle onto his thigh.
I don't know where I would be without Hudson. I don't know where I would be without any of them actually, but Hudson especially.
One thing that nobody knows and only Hudson does is that I dated his sister, Caitlin Clark, during my senior year of high school. It was her freshman year at Iowa and I had met her through Kate, falling for her instantly. We dated for a long time, actually, and then she broke up with me. That didn't stop Hudson from being my friend which I was thankful for.
"I'm here... Okay?" he says in a soft tone and I let a soft smile fill my face; he is someone that can read me like an open book.
"Thank you," I say sweetly as the car comes to a stop in front of this large house that is decked out in fraternity merch.
"Who's ready to hang out with frat boys all night!" Everett says sarcastically, Hudson reaching over and hitting her shoulder gently.
Hudson leans over, still holding my hand. "The girls basketball team is going to be here, by the way. So you'll have some friends."
"Everyone on the team?" I ask. I'm able to avoid Caitlin most of the time, but it doesn't always work out that way.
Mia shrugs. "I'm not sure. Kate said that a few of the girls were going to be here," she says and I nod.
"I talked to Cait last night and I think she said she had a stomach bug..." Hudson says, looking over at me and I let out a sigh of relief.
Ben turns the car off. "All right, you guys ready?" We all nod, getting out of the car.
Music fills our ears as we walk. As we approach the front door, I hear someone yell, "Daisy!"
I look up to see my girlfriend of nearly two years, walking up to us with her ex at her side.
The two of them were linked arm and arm with one another and the smile on Clara's face made my stomach churn even more than it did on the drive here. "Hey, Ash..." I say putting on my best—forced—smile as I make my way over to her.
