Trustless Love

Chapter 5

            10 o'clock rolls around way too quickly when I realize, yet again, that I have nothing cute to wear to this party. Mandy tried to get me into a red crop top with jeans and some cute heels but I decided against the sexy factor and slipped on some dark wash jeans, a RU t-shirt and flip flops. I'd rather be comfy while having a few drinks than trying to hide myself all night with that outfit. I was fine with nice dresses, but the over the top, I need attention outfits were never my thing. I just never felt I could pull them off and I was already too self-conscious about my body that I didn't want or need it on full display for everyone to see. That was another difference between Mandy and I. She was overly confident whereas I was more reserved in my choice of clothing.

After we stop by the guy's dorm to get Stephen, Dustin and Eric, we stroll over to the Frat house where you can already hear the music blaring from the ajar front door. It honestly surprises me that no one has called the police to file a noise complaint yet, but again, we are on Greek Row, so maybe they don't care and are used to it.

Walking past the large, red wood door, Mandy grabs Stephen's arm and pulls him close while she navigates towards the kitchen to get them a drink. I knew they would go off by themselves since she was with Stephen. I had no problem hanging around Dustin anyway since we were good friends. He always had something to talk about and kept me company. Having Eric tag along felt kind of off, but manageable since he was trying to become closer friends with us all it seemed.

"I'm going to get a drink. Do you all want me to grab you anything?" I yell over the loud music to Dustin and Eric. Some overzealous rapper is blaring on the surround sound making it hard to hear anything. Dustin nods his head that he does while Eric makes a hand gesture letting me know he is good right now. It makes me wonder if he drinks any at all regardless if there is a party or not.

I navigate through the crowded hallway into the kitchen, the music dying down a little as I emerge further inside the room. I reach for two red cups and try to decide what I want to get each of us. Dustin and I always had the same taste in alcohol. Even though during the school year in high school I wouldn't attend any parties, doesn't mean I didn't know what I liked and didn't.

Late this summer before college started, there was a going away party in a field behind Mandy's house. She lived on twenty acres so there wasn't really a way for anyone to notice us unless someone told, but given the people that were there, no one wanted it to be broken up. Plus, Mandy has very lenient parents, which made things easier to come by. That night is when I decided to let loose for the first time. I tried different types of alcohol, from which I ended up liking honey whiskey the best and also had a few types of beer, which were okay after I had a buzz going. Dustin was the one who recommended things to me, which ended up being what he liked as well. After that night of being a light weight, Mandy told me that once we got to Rainsville she'd make sure I had a good time and looked after me while I upped my tolerance level of liquor and beer. Little did I know it'd be Dustin more than her.

After filling mine and Dustin's cup with a couple shots of Evan Williams Honey Whiskey, I start walking down the hall into the blaring music of the living room. I start looking for them thinking it'd be easy due to Eric's tall frame but to no avail, they aren't in there. Unknowing of the layout of the house, I hate the thought of looking around aimlessly. I walk back down the hall and into a small dining room area in hopes they are there. The music isn't as loud due to being towards the back of the house and I scan the smaller room finally seeing them standing over towards the back corner. Making my way over, a guy trips and knocks into me almost creating a party foul if he would have spilt my drinks or his. I give a sigh of relief that I didn't have the cup even remotely full.

"Ugh, it is so crowded in here. How can so many people fit into this house?" I whine, handing Dustin his drink. He smiles in approval once he realizes what it is.