In the heart of Harvard, Alessia Gilmore is ready to embrace her second year and the independence it brings. After a summer spent reconnecting with friends and discovering herself, she's determined to step out of her twin sister Rory's shadow and ca...
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Alessia leaned against the doorframe of her dorm, arms crossed, as Logan stood before her with a smirk that spelled trouble. Colin and Finn lingered a few steps behind him, both looking far too excited for whatever chaos Logan had planned tonight.
"You're coming," Logan announced, brushing past her into the room as if it were his own.
"I have work to do," Alessia protested, though her tone lacked conviction.
Logan turned, quirking an eyebrow. "You can finish your homework later, Harvard. Tonight's about living a little. You deserve a break."
"More like getting arrested," she muttered, though a smile tugged at the corners of her lips.
Colin snorted. "Arrested is such a strong word. Detained, maybe."
"That's not reassuring," Alessia said, finally grabbing her jacket.
Finn grinned, nudging her shoulder as they walked out. "That's the spirit!"
Alessia didn't bother hiding her skepticism as she followed Logan, Finn, and Colin down a dimly lit alleyway. "This doesn't look like the way to the library," she said dryly, shoving her hands into her coat pockets.
Logan shot her a grin over his shoulder. "Come on, Harvard. Do you think I'd drag you out to study?"
"I had hope," she muttered.
Finn snorted. "Sweetheart, you've got to learn to lower your expectations with this one."
The group came to a halt in front of a nondescript door with no sign, just a faint buzz of music leaking through. Logan knocked twice, and a slot in the door slid open to reveal a pair of suspicious eyes.
"IDs?"
Logan handed over a crisp bill instead. The slot closed, and the door creaked open.
"This is a terrible idea," Alessia said under her breath, but the boys were already filing inside. With a resigned sigh, she followed.
The bar was cramped and dim, with mismatched furniture and a smoky haze hanging in the air. A live band played in one corner, their music just loud enough to drown out the hum of conversation.
Finn and Colin immediately made a beeline for the bar, while Logan turned to Alessia, his expression smug. "Relax, Harvard. No one's going to card you here."
"I'm not worried about that," she replied, though her eyes flicked nervously around the room. "I'm worried about the three of you getting us kicked out—or arrested."
"Arrested?" Logan laughed. "We're just here for a good time."
"Your definition of a good time usually involves property damage," she pointed out.
"Fair," he admitted, leading her to a booth near the back.
By the time she returned from the bathroom, the boys were already well into their drinks, their laughter louder and more chaotic with every passing minute.
"Come on, Harvard!" Finn called, waving a shot glass at her. "Live a little!"
"I'll pass, thanks," she said, sliding into the booth beside Logan.
"Boring," Colin teased, leaning precariously against the table.
"She's the designated adult," Logan said, throwing an arm around her shoulders.
"And that's a full-time job with you three," Alessia muttered.
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An hour later, the chaos had reached its peak. Finn was attempting to arm wrestle a burly stranger at the bar, Colin was loudly singing along with the band despite not knowing the lyrics, and Logan was perched on the edge of the table, egging them both on.
"Finn, stop antagonizing the guy who could literally break you in half," Alessia said, pulling him back by the collar.
"He started it," Finn slurred, pouting.
"I don't care who started it," she snapped. "Sit down before I leave you here."
Finn sank into the booth with a sheepish grin.
"Look at you, all bossy," Logan teased, grinning at her over the rim of his glass.
"Someone has to be," she shot back.
By the time they stumbled out into the chilly night air, Alessia was practically herding them like a pack of wayward sheep.
"Colin, get off the lamppost," she said, grabbing his arm.
"But it's so shiny," he protested, blinking up at the light.
"Logan, stop encouraging him," she added, shooting a glare at Logan, who was laughing uncontrollably.
"What? He's having fun!"
"He's going to fall and crack his head open," she snapped.
Finn, meanwhile, was swaying on his feet, his arm draped around her shoulders. "You're the best, Alessia," he mumbled. "Like, really. The best."
"Thanks, Finn," she said dryly, adjusting his weight as he leaned more heavily on her.
"You're welcome," he said, before promptly tripping over his own feet.
Logan caught him before he hit the ground, grinning at Alessia. "We make a great team."
"I hate you all," she muttered halfheartedly, dragging them toward the nearest cab stand.
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By the time they got back to campus, Finn was asleep against Colin's shoulder, and Logan was leaning against the wall of the elevator, smirking at Alessia.
"You've got to admit, tonight was fun," he said.
"Fun for you," she replied, crossing her arms. "I spent the whole night babysitting."
"You love it," he said, his grin infuriatingly smug.
She rolled her eyes, but she couldn't help the small smile tugging at her lips. Despite the chaos, it had been kind of fun.
"Don't get used to it," she said as the elevator doors opened.
"Too late," he replied, slinging an arm around her shoulders as they stepped out into the hallway.
And, as much as she hated to admit it, Alessia didn't entirely mind.
