LOTR AU (Legolas based)

Chapter Three

After playing for almost three hours, we left for a meal at The Shire; it's this pub just off campus that we've heard's good. Apparently, a load of the girls have side jobs there, which is why half our boys are coming.

As we entered the low ceiling building, the smell of strong rum wafted past my nose, the air was thick with delicious roast smog. There were a handful of stretched words like, "Mate," or, "Yes lads," on our way in followed by fist bumps and slaps on the back. Why does everyone over exaggerate, we literally just walked normally into a simple pub. I don't get it, but I'll play along anyway.

We sat on a large table, there must of been about 15 of us. Jayden sat on my right with Josh on my left. Josh had very dark brown hair, thin lips and was quite short, well for a footballer. He had expensive, slightly large, rounded rectangle glasses that I really envied. He was one of the funniest people I've met in long and even if it sounds weird - he's just so nice.

"Hey look at her," someone whispered.

This started the slightly pedophilic and definitely desperate  search, even so, I wouldn't mind a girl by my side to start the year with. Actually, I'd love it.  Everyone's heads were somewhere else, trying to take dibs on the first Barbie doll they thinks skinny enough. Truthfully, I picked up my menu and just focused on that, I feel so guilty.

By the time we'd ordered our food, the place was stuffed with students: mostly men but enough girls to keep us all in discussion. According to Josh, Jay, and those group of plastics I saw earlier, there's a massive party and literally everyone's coming. 'If you don't get it on, then what's the point in going?' and 'I'll go if you go' have been repeated many times in the past couple minutes. In my head, I'm still contemplating whether I should take their advice. Pros: meet new people, have fun, look like a normal teenager. Cons: I don't get drunk - alcohol doesn't affect me at all, I don't know anyone so it'll just be awkward, no girls ever approach me so I'll just get embarrassed.

I'm not going.

"Hey that's Darcey, the tall, skinny, beautiful, blonde one in the shorts. Look at her..." One guy smirked as if he had just got a date with her.

"Really? I prefer the other one. The shorter one." Josh rested his chin on his hand, gazing at her in awe.

Jayden gave a mocking bark, "Dude, she's a quie' one, she's no fun. She likes books, you like sport. She likes Harry Potter, you like parties. You can do way be'er," he paused the roasting and scanned the room, "Her." He made a subtle eyebrow gesture to a different girl by Darcey but looked like her twin.

"Her sister?" I inquired.

Amused, Jayden smiled, "No way, one has boobs one doesn', no way their rela'ed! Go for it, Josh."

He looked at me for reassurance but I crumpled my face; I think that if he likes the other girl, he should go for her. The 'bookworm' was wearing a blue checkered shirt, black jeans and had her medium long hair in a messy bun. Sadly, she sat solitude but I have a good feeling it won't be for long.

After a moment of silence Jayden announced, "I'm gonna' talk to my girlfrien' a minute."

Finally, Jay had gone so Josh and I could speak freely.

"Should I?"

I frowned, "Never! She can read, you can't go near her!"

Laughing as he went, he slowly approached the girl, brushing through his hair and straightening his shirt.

After he greeted her, I turned around to  look for Jayden's partner and was completely gobsmacked when I saw him with Darcey. Darcey, why did she seem so familiar? The team around me acted as if nothing happened, but I couldn't shake the feeling that something was off about Jayden and Darcey. Maybe I'm just jealous that he finds it all so easy. Somehow, talking to girls, flirting, dating, all of that comes so naturally to him. I'm just an awkward, slightly lanky boy with a bit of a baby face. I can't do it.

Alone. That's what I am. It's not a bad thing sometimes, like I don't mind it...

"Go for Darcey's friend, Will. Seriously, she's blonde, skinny and flexible."

"And probably desperate. Look at her, you can't leave her alone."

"Even if she's a bitch, just use her for an upgrade - if you know what I mean?"

I paused to take in the comments I had received, "Oh, erm... Well, I was thinking someone a little less... Barbie," I wanted to just go back to my room, I'm done with all this today.

Turning as my meal was delivered, I noticed that some of the guys had gone already to hunt for their prey. The prey that's going to get used and abused. I feel so terrible, but I have to fit in; all I have to do is stick with the crowd. I'll be okay.

"Thank you," I smiled as the waitress left.

Jayden yelled my name and beckoned for me, I hesitated but went anyway. His eyes seemed almost desperate, but he probably just wanted a change of subject.

By the time I had weaved through the tables, that girl that had been pointed out earlier was already at Darcey's side.

"Hey, Wes is it?" Her hair was platinum blonde with a fringe, she wore pretty much the same outfit as Darcey. Now up close, I found that Jay was right, Darcey was actually quite flat chested but that might be because she's so skinny. That's horrifying.

"Will."

Jayden tried to lighten the atmosphere, "This is Darcey, my girlfriend and this is Ashley. Ashley, are you going to the party tonight?"

"Yeah, course!" She giggled.

I sighed, internally, when Jayden gave me the eyes, "I think I'm coming too."

"Great!"

"I'll see you later," she shot me the strangest look and I ignored it. It was an odd mix between lust, confusion and success. Guess I will be going then. Great. Just what I wanted.