I Should've Listened

Chapter One

"Cassie, will you hurry up!"

"Okay, Erica okay I'm ready geez," I replied. I took one last look into the bathroom mirror and made sure my curly dark hair was tamed before I walked out. "Why are you in such a hurry anyway?" I asked as I searched for my black ballet flats.

"Because not only is this the first party of the new school year, but it's also our first college party as freshmen!" Erica exclaimed.

I found the shoes I was looking for and quickly slipped them on.

"Erica, it's not like the party ends at midnight. It is a college party after all," I stated.

She rolled her eyes. "I know that, but your brothers are going to be there and—"

I stopped her before she could continue. "I thought you weren't worried about them finding out? And so, what if they do? We're in college now so I think they're willing to loosen the reigns a bit."

Erica let out a snort. "You don't believe that any more than I do."

She's right though.

My twin brothers have always been overprotective of me. Not that I go around getting into trouble or anything, but since our dad is always away on military orders and our mom is always working late at the hospital, they pretty much took care of me.

And of course, as I got older their protectiveness got stronger.

"That's true, but I still believe they'll give me the freedom I deserve," I said.

Erica shook her head. "Okay, if you say so. Now, let's get going!"

*   *   *

The party was in full swing when we arrived. The huge three-story brick building was blaring music from the inside as Erica and I approached. The frat house where the "Back to School" party was being held was no doubt already packed with people on the inside. As we walked up the steps towards the front door, Erica and I noticed a few people on the veranda smoking cigarettes and drinking from red solo cups.

We walked through the threshold and I immediately locked my arm with Erica's so I wouldn't be swallowed into the crowd of people. There were people everywhere from the dance-floor to the tops of the stairs. To my left I could see a decent sized living room with several people lounging on the couches and chairs that filled the spaces. On my right was a giant stereo playing Hip-Hop music that had the people on the dance-floor grinding and twerking on one another.

"Let's go to the kitchen and get some drinks," I yelled to Erica over the music. She nodded her head and proceeded to guide us to the kitchen which was just passed the living room.

Once in the kitchen, I noticed three punch bowls sitting on the counters to the left. All of the bowls filled with what I assumed wasn't punch given that it was a college frat party. I looked to my right and spotted a cooler sitting on the floor next to the fridge. I nudged Erica towards it and bent down to open it. I grabbed the first two bottles I saw and handed one to Erica.

"Cheers, to the first party of our college years!" Erica shouted.

Our bottles clinked together and I smiled thinking that nothing could ruin this night for me.

"What the hell are you doing here?"

Shit there goes my night.

Erica and I looked at each other before turning around. Standing there before us with his arms crossed over his chest and his eyebrows bunched together was my brother Drew.

"Do you want me to lie or tell you the truth?" I asked.

The frown on Drew's face deepened. "Stop with the smart-ass comments. We told you that we didn't want you coming tonight."

"Well this looks like a sibling matter so I'll just give you two a minute," Erica said taking a step to leave the kitchen.

"Hold it. You're just as guilty as she is," he said.

Erica huffed and put her bottle to her lips taking a drink.

Hell, in that moment I was ready to chug my own drink, anything to avoid this conversation. "Drew what's the big deal?" I asked. "I'm not doing anything wrong and it's just a party. I thought you were supposed to be the understanding twin?" I found it funny how my brother was more concerned that I was at a party rather than be concerned with the drink in my hand.

He uncrossed his arms and let out a breath. "Cass, you know I'm just looking out for you. We both are."

I rolled my eyes. "Yeah, well I'm in college now and you both need to learn to stop caging me in."

Drew sighed and ran a hand over his dark hair. A habit he does when he feels bad. "Fine, but if Ben sees you then you're on your own."

I smiled.

"Also," Drew snatched the bottle I had in my hand, "you're too young to be drinking."

I stared at him with my mouth agape until he smirked at me letting me know he was joking around. "You get on my nerves, I hope you know that," I told him.

He shrugged his shoulders and walked away with my bottle still in his hand.

Erica let out a breath next to me. "You're lucky it wasn't the other one otherwise you would've been dragged back to our dorm room against your will," Erica joked.

I glared at her. "Whatever. Come on let's go to the dance floor!"

Erica put her empty bottle down on the counter. I grabbed her hand, dragging her out of the kitchen and onto the dance-floor. My favorite Kehlani song was on and I let the beat take me away. Not long after I had closed my eyes and began to sway to the music, did I get the sudden feeling I was being watched.

I opened my eyes and looked up towards the second floor. My brown eyes instantly connected with icy blue ones. Everything seemed to slow down as we stared at one another. Everyone around me and everyone around him seemed to disappear in that moment. He was leaning against the wall, hands in his pockets as he stared down at me.

I guess I should've felt weirded out at this handsome stranger staring at me, but I didn't. Instead I felt at ease. There was something about that look in his eyes that was pulling me in.

I continued to dance as he watched me and I gave him a small smile. He smirked at me and gave me a subtle wink before turning his attention to the blonde guy standing next to him. Suddenly, time seemed to return to normal and everything around me was moving again.

I had been in such a trance that I hadn't heard Erica calling my name. "Hello, earth to Cassie," she said waving a hand in front of my face. I blinked and turned my attention to her. "Where did you go just now?"

I opened my mouth to tell her about the guy I had just seen, but when I looked back to where I saw him, he was gone. "N-nowhere, sorry about that," I said to her.

Erica looked at me like she wasn't sure I was telling her the truth, but she didn't question me any further. "Okay, well let's find the bathroom before we get more drinks."

I nodded my head still dazed. It was like that guy had put a spell on me or something. I shook my head a little to rid myself of the sensation I felt and followed Erica off the dance-floor putting all thoughts of that handsome stranger out of my mind.

Author's Note
Let me know what you think of the story so far! I'm thinking of making a few changes here and there, but I'd still like your feedback!
- Kiara