Changing the Stars

Chapter 9: Don't Judge

I heard the door to my dorm room jiggle and I felt ready. Care opened the door and I jumped up to greet her.

"Care! I am so excited for tonight!"

"What's tonight!?"

"We are going to make more friends!"

"Dri, I am so proud! I changed you from a cute lil anti-social caterpillar, into a beautiful social butterfly!"

I laughed along with her as she finished her super long comparison. I was so happy that she was outgoing and we left to party. I had finished my makeup before she got home, and thankfully she approved and we left right away.

We pulled up to the local bar. It was a little crowded because it was a Friday night. Before I could change my mind she pulled me inside to the cool air conditioning. We were already heading towards a booth full of people that I recognized.

"Dri, I texted the girls for a drinking night and they were so excited!"

I was happy to see all of my favorite faces that were also friendly. They moved aside, so it was; Care, me, Jenna, Haley, and Kate. I had met Jenna, Haley, and Kate when we did the first day rounds in the dorm. 

Care wanted to meet as many people as possible, but we ended up just staying in their dorm and chatting.

I felt bad that that other girl Brianna wasn't here because she was the one who motivated me to be social. I quickly found the crumpled paper with her number on it and texted her to come.

I heard a deep voice whisper in my ear as the girls were chatting around me, "Hey, gorgeous."

Surprise, surprise. It was James. I didn't know if he was definitely coming, but I knew he and his sister were close. Care moved out of the booth so he could sit between us. 

She gave me a small wink and I already knew what she was up to. I glared and mouthed that I had a boyfriend, but she just sat back down and refused to look me in the eyes.

James ordered a scotch on the rocks. I wouldn't have guessed he was such a fancy guy, but his parents must be rich if they are affording two students in a very prestigious school in California. He smiled at the waitress and she got a little flustered. I wanted to feel jealous and yell that he was here with me, but he wasn't. He was here for his sister.

I missed Daniel. Every time I was around him, I knew. I knew that I was being safe, and that I didn't have to worry that if he would cheat on me with a sleazy waitress or not. All the girls stood abruptly. 

I was a little concerned because I completely missed what they were talking about because I was focusing on a boy that would only bring me trouble.

Care pulled her brother out of the seat. He protested, he was just not match against a girl with that was determined. She grabbed my hand and yelled, "WE'RE GOING TO DANCE, GET YOUR ASS UP AND COME ON!"

I tried to explain to her that I wasn't much of a dancer, but she couldn't (maybe wouldn't) hear me over the music that was now turned up. I decided, what the hell. I came to be social didn't I?

I was so happy that I didn't wear super high heels, because I would be dying right now if I had. I would be on the floor and the paramedics would have to amputate my swollen feet from my shoes.

My favorite song came on: "Hands to Myself" by Selena Gomez. I worshiped her confidence in music videos and from TV.

I saw a huge crowd rush into the bar, and it included Brianna in the front. I waved her over and started dancing with the other girls I came with. I am embarrassed to say that I was feeling a little lonely. Even with all these girls here, I missed going to parties with my brother.

He would take me to his college parties and told me I had to keep it a secret. As long as I didn't drink or end up in someone's bed, I could keep going. That stopped after what happened.

I felt someone put their hands on me and I went to elbow them. Before my elbow could reach their stomach, they moved away from me. I turned around and saw James shoving the guy who touched me. Luckily the guy was so drunk he couldn't even stand up straight to fight.

I decided that was enough for me. I asked James for a ride back, to which he responded, "Hell yeah." I laughed because I knew he was going down a dead end with me. There was no way I would fall for a stereotypical bad boy.

We jumped in his truck. I almost couldn't get up to the step because of how damn tall his truck was. He gave my butt a little push before I could protest. We only drove about five minutes back to the building. He started following me, and I almost forgot he lived about five steps away from me.

"James," I called before he went into his room.

"Yeah, Dri?"

"Wanna come in?"

I swear he ran into my room faster than the speed of light. He probably thought I was going to say, "just kidding". Don't get me wrong. I love to spend time with James. Especially when he is saving me from drunk a**holes who get grope-y. 

I didn't like when he was the one who got sexual. Yeah, he's hot. Yeah, he's smart. But he's also has a bad reputation. Or so I think. I planned on getting to know James better, but right now I just wanted to be friends. I hoped he could accept that.

I made some popcorn and got us some soda. He sat on Care's bed and I decided to find out who he was. I realized I never really asked him for any personal details before. 

I decided that I needed to know everything. How was I going to be a bitch, and judge him without more information? That is not how my mother taught me, and if she were here, I knew she'd be ashamed that I've been rude for this long.

(A/N wowowow thanks to all my readers! Also, Dri is actually making an effort to know James!? Who do you like more, James or Daniel?)