Catch Me

Chapter Three: Kappa Sigma

Chapter Three: Kappa Sigma

Haleigh and Samantha made their way toward the Kappa Sigma house. Loud music blared from inside, the lawn was scattered with a variety of different people who were smoking cigarette and drinking from red solo cups. The chatter from the huge crowd of people inside seeped through the cracks of the house's door and windows, and echoed through the campus.

"Samantha," Samantha cringed at this.

"Its Sammy or Sam." She corrected Haleigh.

"Sam, I really don't think I should be here. I'm just going to go back to the dorm." Before Haleigh could turn and walk away Sam grabbed Haleigh's arm and lead her toward the front door of the fraternity house. As soon as they entered the house they were overcome by the odor of marijuana and alcohol. The noise of the music and people chattering filled Haleigh's ears, causing a slight headache. Sam continued to pull Haleigh inside the house.

As soon as they walked through the door someone handed them both a red solo cup full of a mystery liquid. In front of the large staircase a group of guys stood tall, raising their cups above their heads as they chanted. "Kappa Sigma! Kappa Sigma! Kappa Sigma!" The party goers cheered and everyone in the house seemed to take a sip from their drinks at the same time. In this group of guys, which Haleigh assumed were frat brothers Haleigh saw two familiar faces. One of those faces was Charles, Sam's boyfriend who Haleigh had met a couple times when he had stopped by the dorm to pick up Sam. He was president of Kappa Sigma. He was blonde and had the facial structure of a Greek God. He was undeniably handsome.

"Hey babe!" He smiled widely as he noticed Sam and Haleigh enter the house. He made his way over to them and pulled Sam into his arms, kissing the top of her head.

"Hey," Samantha pulled away slightly and snaked her arm around her boyfriend's waist. "This is my roommate." She gestured to Haleigh

"Right, Harley was it?" He didn't sound very interested.

"It's Haleigh." Haleigh corrected, but seemed to be ignored. She could see Sam mouth the word 'sorry' before being dragged away by Charles. Haleigh could feel her heart race start to quicken. How could Sam just leave her like this? After confiding her deepest fears to her roommate Haleigh was sure Sam would have stuck around for at least a little while. Not knowing what to do, or how to act at a party, Haleigh turned and started to walk back toward the front door. Eager to escape this party and head back to her dorm room.

"Haleigh!" A familiar thunderous voice was easily audible over the loud hum of the party. She stopped and turned to find Toby making his way over to her. "I'm so happy you could make it!" His big toothy grin was really starting to scare her.

"I think I'm going to leave." She said so quietly she was surprised Toby could even hear her.

"Don't leave! You just got here!"

"It's just awkward." Haleigh confessed to this stranger. She still didn't understand why this person was so happy. She also didn't understand why he wanted her here so bad. She was sure he had tons of friends to hang out with. Why did he want to hang out with some stranger? "I don't even know anyone here."

"Well that's not true!" Toby's smile never wavered. " You know me!" Toby raised his red solo cup to his lips and took a long sip. Haleigh raised her eyebrows at him. "It's water." He chuckled, taking Haleigh's mystery liquid from her hands and smelling it. "Lets get you a fresh drink, huh?"

Without waiting for a response Toby lead Haleigh toward the kitchen. It was the biggest kitchen Haleigh had ever set foot in. It had a beautiful marble counter top and island, as well as top of the line appliances and there had to be at least forty people who were stumbling around, talking and drinking from their red solo cups. The kitchen table had been moved into the corner of the room and was covered in a variety of different liquor bottles. Two kegs sat beside the table on either sides.

"What're you in the mood for?" Toby asked as he grabbed a fresh solo cup off the stack.

"I'll just have a beer." Haleigh's voice again was barely audible. She couldn't help but stare at her feet. There was just way too many people around, making eye contact with someone she didn't know was just not going to happen tonight. She needed to keep her cool, and as fast as her heart was racing right now she knew it was only a matter of time before she went into a full on panic attack. She knew she shouldn't have come tonight. What was the point?

Toby picked up the tap from one of the kegs and filled Haleigh's cup half way before handing it back to her.

"Thanks." Haleigh, (being the Vermonter that she was) was not at all afraid of a little beer. Her and Shane had snuck enough beer from Haleigh's drunk father's fridge more times than she could count. That was the extent of her party knowledge though. Getting drunk with her best friend as they chatted about cute guys who went to their school, their favorite authors, and what they were going to do when they escaped Vermont. She missed those days,  and as much as he annoyed her, she desperately missed Shane.

Haleigh brought the cup to her lips and swallowed its contents in one gulp. She could feel the tension from her body start to ease a little bit. Toby chuckled and then filled her cup for her once more.

"Come on." Toby lead Haleigh toward the crowded living room where a band was set up. Loud guitar riffs echoed through the amps, the drummer's rhythm was hard not to sway to, the voice of the lead singer was charming and masculine, and the song choices were rock classics, songs that everyone knew. The majority of the living room were swaying to the music as they chatted amongst themselves. Some of the crowd however, stayed focused on the band and sang every song word for word. 

Haleigh's eyes were drawn to the bass player. He was a handsome guy with short dark hair. He had on a white t-shirt and a leather jacket. His jeans were ripped at the knees. His look was completed by a pair of dirty black combat boots and a dog tag necklace that swung back and forth around his neck as he played notes on his bass.

"Do you like the band?" Toby asked when he saw that Haleigh's full attention was directed toward the music. Haleigh nodded in response. "They're called The Wailing Donkeyz. With a 'z'." He explained as he took a seat on the arm of a leather couch. Haleigh stood to the right of him as he continued to talk. "They are kind of a big deal around campus. They don't play for just anyone. You have to book them months in advance and be on their 'cool list'. Which is basically just a list compiled of all the fraternities and sororities they are willing to play for. Charles has had them booked for tonight since the end of last school year. They were even accepted to try out for The Voice last year but their lead singer was sick during their audition so they didn't make it." Haleigh continued to listen intently as Toby talked about the band. Her gaze however never left the bass player, that is until he looked up and noticed her staring. Embarrassed, Haleigh quickly averted her eyes and pretended to be talking to Toby. She could feel her cheeks starting to grow red.

"Who's the bass player?" She wondered, hoping that she wasn't coming off as desperate.

"Oh his name is Zander." Toby explained "I don't really know too much about him. He's new to the band as of last month I think. He's not a student, but he works at a bagel shop close by. Someone told me he was just released from prison not too long ago..." He stopped talking for a moment then added: "But that could just be a rumor."

Haleigh let her gaze fall back to Zander who was still looking right at Haleigh, a slight smile on his face. He never missed a note as he continued to play along with his bandmates.