stay

Chapter 79

T-Minus 5 hours! A text from Alyssa read. I smiled and looked back in the mirror at the dress Alyssa and I had picked out for the New Year's Eve party. The black dress looked like the style I had worn last year, but now was plain and simple.

My new sparkly high heels added the New Year's to the dress. Alyssa was going to be picking me up in a few minutes to take me to a party at Mitchel's fraternity. With Mitchel's continuous apologizing and promising to change, Alyssa had forgiven him when he showed up frantically looking for her at the hospital the night of the accident.

Outside! Alyssa texted as I curled a fallen strand of my blonde hair. I grabbed my leather jacket and kissed my mom on the cheek.

"Hey girl! You ready to party?"

"Sure am!" I exaggerated as I buckled my seat belt of her new black car.

"Cute watch. Where did you get it?" I followed her gaze to the wooden watch on my wrist. Alyssa had no idea that Logan and I were at the point we were. She knew we hungout every once in a while, but she assumed that since he left for basic our friendship was broken.

Before Christmas I had believed the same thing. However, His letter had reassured me that his feelings had not changed for me.

"Um, it was sent from a friend in Georgia." I tried my best to hide my worry with a smile.

"It is really cute. Lets go and see if we can find you a New Year's kiss this year."

"Oh, Alyssa, no. I am not looking for anyone right now."

"We'll see about that." She smiled and backed out of the driveway and sped out of the neighborhood towards the campus.

We parked on the side of the street and stepped out to find girls in tight sparkling dresses walking into the house where loud music was escaping. We walked up the front wooden steps and were greeted by Mitchel at the front door.

Alyssa leaned in and kissed him before walking by and towards the kitchen where the cups were. I walked by and gave him an "I can hurt you if I need to" look before meeting her in the kitchen. She handed me a red cup with some kind of alcoholic drink inside. "Thanks, but I guess I'll be the one driving you home tonight." I smiled and put the cup back on the counter.

"This is Harrison. He is a member of Mitchel's fraternity." She said as she put her hand on a tall brown haired muscular man wearing a long sleeved white shirt.

"It's nice to meet you Theresa." Harrison said as he held out his hand to shake mine.

I glanced over to Alyssa and squinted as I reached my hand out to meet Harrison's. "It is nice to meet you too." Alyssa smiled and disappeared out of the kitchen.

"So, Alyssa told me that you were looking for a New Year's kiss."

"Oh, no I'm not. I am actually with someone." I smiled up at him.

"Sorry, I was unaware. At least let me keep you company until the midnight call?"

"Sure. I would like that." I smiled up knowing that I would not know anyone else at the house and Alyssa would be occupied by Mitchel.

Harrison pointed me in the direction of the couch.

"So how long have you been a part of the fraternity?" I asked in hopes to break the awkward silence growing between us.

"I've been here since last year. Are you a sophomore?"

"No, I'm a freshman. I go to the community college."

"What are you studying?"

"Biology. How about you?"

"I'm an engineering student."

"I hear that is a hard major. Good luck to you." He laughed and took a drink from his red cup.

"Let me get you a drink." He said as he motioned to stand up.

"Oh, no thank you. Alyssa is drinking so I'm the one driving home."

"Alyssa said you guys would be spending the night here."

"Um, I don't think so." I said unsure.

"No worries I will grab you a cup when you go find Alyssa. Be right back." He touched my knee before standing up and walking towards the kitchen.

I looked around the crowded living room to find Alyssa. She was standing with Mitchel and laughing as he talked to a group of his friends. I walked over and touched her arm. "Hey." She said. "You having fun?"

"Yeah. Harrison said that we were going to spend the night here?" I questioned.

"Yeah, I didn't think you would mind."

"Um..." I began.

"Theresa. It won't be any trouble! You can find a place to sleep here." I smiled at her knowing that she was going to be no help in getting me out of this place tonight.

"Here." Harrison said as he handed me a red cup.

"Thanks." I said as I lifted the cup to my mouth.