Secrets Untold

Chapter 11

Raven decided that the only way to navigate her way into the Greek world was to attend a fraternity party. Just her luck, Theta Kappa had planned their biggest blowout party for this Saturday. Raven rummaged through her closet, discovering underneath layers of business suits, ratty T-shirts, and jeans, a lacy crop top. She shimmied into high-waisted jean shorts, the top, and brown boots, feeling a bit western in her outfit choices. As a 34-year-old boring detective, Raven was pretty limited. She straightened her hair, rubbing the silky threads admiringly between her fingers. She drew a layer of eyeliner on her upper lids, flipped her eyelashes with barely used mascara, and pressed lipstick onto her dry lips. Gazing at her reflection, Raven had to admit she looked sexy. Sexy enough to blend in with promiscuous girls half her age.

When she sauntered out of her apartment, she nearly crashed into Shawn. "Um, hey," she said self-consciously, embarrassed of her erotic attire.

"Detective, alright," Shawn whistled, taking in her revealing clothing.

"And part time hooker on the side," Raven joked.

Shawn threw his head back and guffawed. "Must be some lucky customer," he teased. Raven felt her cheeks grow red. Was that a compliment? "Be safe."

Raven smiled and hopped into a taxi to the Theta Kappa house. She didn't want anybody identifying her car nor know about the parking situation at the house. The taxi pulled up next to a house exploding with music and light. Raven thanked the driver and stepped out of the car, mission on her mind. She attached herself to a crowd of skinny girls tottering on their too-tall heels and gushing already drunkenly over each other's outfits. She slipped through the house, searching for either an Alpha Theta Phi girl or Malcolm Den. Possibly Katie and Malcolm together.

"Lookin' fo' someone?" a voice startled her from behind. Raven spun around to face a dark-skinned male with 3 tears tattooed down his cheek and short braided hair shooting from his scalp. He leaned against the wall and casually smoked a joint, while passing people eyed him suspiciously. Most people smoked behind closed doors at the party, not out in the open near the front door.

"Are you in Theta Kappa?" Raven wondered.

The kid snickered. "Nah, I ain't in college," he rasped, inhaling more smoke. He exhaled, blowing it in Raven's face. "I just chill here a lot. Name's Travis." Travis offered Raven the joint, which she politely declined. "You wanna drink?" he slurred, edging uncomfortably close to her.

Raven backed away cautiously. "No thanks," she said, escaping before he could respond. Raven strolled outside, spotting several of the Phis dancing on tables. Charlotte laughed obnoxiously at something one of the boys said. Bree stood beside her, playing beer pong with 3 other people Raven didn't recognize. Raven kept walking, peering into rooms, as she neared the outside door.

In the final room she peeked into, she identified Danny, pushed against a boy. He played with her hair as they kissed, Danny staggering a little with a drink in her hand. She dropped the drink and it spilled at their feet, filling the room with an alcoholic stench. Her now free hand flew to his cheek and she kissed him harder. "I'm so glad I have you again," she whispered excitedly. The boy wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her closer. As the two of them drunkenly stumbled to a bed, Raven leaned forward to get a look at his face.

Malcolm. She quickly snapped a photo.

Had he been cheating on Sadie with Katie and Danny?

"Hey you! Are you watching us?"

They'd seen her. Oh no. Raven immediately pushed her way into the sweaty crowd outside, hiding from Malcolm who had emerged from the room. She watched him look from side to side, shrug, then return to Danny, shutting and locking the door behind them. Someone accidentally spilled beer on Raven's crop top, the soaked white fading to a dull brown. Raven grimaced as her sticky garments clung even more to her skin.

She returned inside to find a bathroom. The one she found had a huge line of shrieking girls, spilling drinks that stained the floors. Raven felt slightly claustrophobic. She nudged through the throngs of people, searching for a kitchen sink, water to splash on her beer-soaked face. When she thought she'd discovered the kitchen, she pushed the door open.

5 college kids, one of them Katie, stared back at her, wide-eyed and shocked. "I'm looking for the kitchen," Raven announced.

The kids exchanged a look. "You're standing in it," a boy in Sperry's replied. "But it's currently occupied right now..."

"What do you need?" another boy asked.

"To wash my face. The bathroom has a long line."

"Welcome to a frat party," Sperry's snickered. "Close the door on your way out. This room is currently in use."

As Raven closed the door, she noticed white lines by Katie's hands. And right before the door clicked shut, she glimpsed Katie bend over and put her nose to the ground.

People were starting to leave. Raven latched onto a group of girls in high heels, possibly the same ones she entered the party with. She avoided Charlotte and Bree, who flirted embarrassingly with 2 obviously uninterested frat guys. Someone vomited in the middle of the floor and the crowd parted, exposing an unlucky freshman. Raven exited the party and called a taxi, anxious to leave and snuggle in her nice warm sheets where nobody could reach her except maybe Joey. She didn't want to think about that.

"Yo girl," a familiar voice slurred. Travis saddled up beside her, attempting to stretch an arm around her waist. Raven distanced herself. "Wha', ya don' like me?" He grinned sheepishly.

Raven prayed the taxi would arrive sooner. Her phone app said it was only 3 minutes away.

"Tell ya what," Travis kept going despite Raven's obvious distaste. "I get yo numba an' we meet up sometime. Then you finna decide if ya like me."

Raven shook her head, praying he would grow bored and hit on some other poor girl.

Just then her taxi pulled up. Raven stepped inside and slammed the door shut, urging her driver to speed away as fast as he could.