Him

If looks could kill

Corey's attention was immediately drawn to Darren's feet. He gave an insincere smile, walked to the mini fridge on Kyle's side of the room, and with his back turned towards us he began putting his beer in the fridge. Where did Darren and Kyle meet this guy? I've known them since we were preschoolers and Kyle was still picking his boogers and flicking them at girls because he thought they had cooties. Never once have they mentioned a Corey. An outrageously perfect looking Corey. Does he have a girlfriend? Why does the thought of another girl touching him make me feel like a territorial tiger ready to scratch my claws across her face? 

"Ok Princess Ava, you have to do your end of the bargain first." Darren brings me out of my trance and I am suddenly glad for the challenge. I could use the rest of this liquid courage to calm my racing heart.

"No problem Easy DZ." I said, earning myself a Darren wink as I use my favorite nickname for him. I started calling Darren Easy DZ in the 6th grade because Darren has always been such an easy person to get along with. Darren has always been overly polite and downright considerate of other people. He has always been a favorite amongst teachers, parents, and his peers. I've often joked that Darren Zachery could easily get nominated for president because his likable factor is off the charts. "You better kiss your hairy, monkey feet goodbye!" I loudly declared as I then started chugging, drinking as fast as I could in attempts to impress the new participant in our little dorm party. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see that Corey had turned around and was watching my sudden onset of alcoholic ambitions. I know I said I enjoyed the burn of the vodka in my chest--but chugging it is a whole different story. My body wanted to reject this idea very badly, and I could only imagine the embarrassment of puking in front of my future husband. I took it as far as I could and then had to come up for air. 

"No, Ava come on!" Rachel shouted competitively as I moved the drink away from my mouth, "we've got to shave Darren's feet. You can do this!" Holding his beer, Corey took a seat on the futon and appeared uninterested as he began scrolling through his phone. Why do I get the feeling he hates me?

"Yo, Rach, just face it. Homegirl is a pansy." Kyle challenges me, "you should consider looking for a new roomie before Ava ruins your rep". Rachel shoves him playfully and tells him to shutup as I lifted my cup back to my lips and finished the drink off. Rachel started jumping up and down, clapping in excitement over my accomplishment. My stomach felt kind of weird, but other than that, I didn't feel much different. It was rather disappointing, honestly. If this is what it feels like being drunk, it isn't much to write home about. I caught Corey's eye and for a second I thought that he appeared interested in my new success, but he quickly looked away.

Smiling, Darren sat down beside me and put his arm around my shoulders, "You feel okay P.A.?" he looked concerned, "if you think you're going to be sick---"

"I'm fine!" I interrupted him in hopes of preventing him from making me seem lame in front of Corey. He didn't look convinced and started to question me further when the mysteriously quiet Corey suddenly spoke up for the first time,

"Man, if she pukes everywhere, I'm out." My heart sank to my stomach in embarrassment. He made me feel about 2 feet tall when I was trying so hard to appear like a fun person to be around. I could feel myself blush. How is that possible to feel yourself blush? My cheeks literally felt like they were on fire as I looked down at my feet praying no one would notice my embarrassment. 

"Um, I am fine." I scoffed, looking Corey right in his crystal blue eyes. There wasn't even a hint of a smile at his lips. "What you should be worried about is all the hair residuals that are about to be everywhere after we take a weedeater to those bushy feet of Darren's." Corey and I maintained eye contact for a second and I refused to back down first. He look seriously angry with me. The look on his face was like the freakin' face of a serial killer. I refused to look away first, though maintaining eye contact with him proved to be a true challenge because I couldn't remember how the whole breathing thing actually worked. 

He broke first, looking to Darren as he replied "I gotcha." Seriously? Why does this guy hate me so much? Am I as annoying and lame as he makes me feel? What did I say wrong? Why is he so short with me? And seriously, who the hell is he anyway?