Temptation 2: Forgiving You ✔️

3

When we arrived at the frat house, the moment we walked in, the stench of booze immediately hit. College students waste no time when it comes to a free supply or booze. Mari, and Alex stayed by my side the entire time.

My hands began to sweat and I could feel my throat tightening, and I felt like the room was getting smaller. Mari moved directly in front of me, and places both of her hands on each of my shoulders, looking at me directly into my eyes.

"Okay, like we told you at the dorms, if you feel like you need to leave, let us know. Okay?" She says reassuringly.

I nod quickly. "I've got this. How hard could it be right? I don't exactly have to talk to them." I say. I don't believe that this is going to be easy, but I'm a strong person. I've always been since my brother died. It's going to be hard, but all I have to do is ignore.

"You're gonna crack." Alex flat out says. I scoff and look at her. So much for support. "What! I'm just saying what all of us are thinking. Christian is going to try and talk to you. We both know he doesn't know how to give us even if his life depended on it." She says.

She's not wrong.

Christian is so much of a try hard. He may screw up a couple of times, and give me my space, but when he thinks everything's cooled down, he's going to make his move.

"Then, I'll avoid him. Simple." I shrug.

She pats my shoulder. "Good luck with that." I'm gonna go find a drink. I'll bring you guys one." She says walking off. Mari gives me a sympathetic look and places her arm around my shoulders.

"It's gonna be a long night." She says guiding me to the living room.

Trust me, I know. I sit down on the couch with my legs pulled in, while talking to Mari. "You think you're gonna be alright when they come in?" She asks me. I shake my head.

"Hell no. I know by the time I start drinking I'm gonna lose my shit." I admit. Mari chuckles, and nods. "I'll be your backup, me and Alex. Just don't-" The moment we turn our heads. I can see Tyler's blue hair from a mile away.

Sam, stands on the side of Tyler, and from behind, there stands a tall guy with a white hoodie, and a jean jacket. That style, it's very..recognizable. It can only be one person. I look up at his face, Christian.

I clench Maris hand, and she squeezes mine in response, and gives me the "keep it together." Look. I nod and sit back relaxing, as she gets up hugging them one by one. I avoid eye contact, and I remain sitting. If I'm being honest I did glance at them a bit.

To my right, was Alex, and Jason walking in together. I should've figured. Lately something's been going on with them but I don't know exactly know what.

"As promised." She says handing both Mari, and I the cup that reeked of vodka. "Are you sure they didn't put anything else in this?" I ask.

She tilts her head thinking. "It's possible they could've spiked the bottle but I doubt it." She says. That's definitely the most comforting thing I've heard all day.

Not.

I nod and take a long sip of the drink. I look up once, catching Sam, and Tyler's stare for a moment.

Mari looks at me, and between all of us before clearing the silence. "Good to see you guys as well. How has your day been? Any new relationships lately? Come on why are you guys so quiet now?" She asks.

"Maybe because all of us haven't been in the same room for nearly more than a month? Duh." Tyler says. I've missed his bluntness.

"Oh yeah and who's fault was that? You've all been isolating yourselves from us." Alex says.

"Why do you think we've been doing that?" Sam says to Alex. I look at them before quickly finishing the drink.

"The obvious. Me." I mumble hoping no one hears. Everyone gets quiet for a moment, leaving that void of silence again.

"I just think it's time that we clear this up." Alex says. I scoff. What pisses me off the most is the fact that Alex isn't exactly understanding that she wasn't the one hurt, and lied to in the process of this bullshit.

"There's nothing to clear up." Christian says. I was wondering when he would speak. Took him long enough might I say?

"Of course you'd say that." I say taking the bottle of vodka from the table and pouring the drink, downing that one as well. Someone eventually will have to cut me off. If I keep going at this rate I'll be half naked dancing on the table.

"How many times do I have to apologize?" He says to me. I look up at him, completely. I guess Maris right. There's a lot of words that need to be shared tonight.

"I've heard enough apologies. I've received enough text messages, I told you I was done. I meant it." I say.

He scoffs, and leans back. "Yet you came to this party." He says. I roll my eyes. Let me guess, as usual he thinks that I came for him. I came because I didn't want to sit up in that damn dorm, bored out my mind.

"Not everything's about you, Christian." I snap.

Sam immediately gets up. "Okay, look. Leah were sorry. Okay? You don't understand the shit that's been going through our minds since all of this went down. Do you know that none of us have been to a single party since that night? Seeing you in the hallways, drives us nuts. Not seeing you, drives us nuts. We miss our bestfriend, and if you want us to get on our knees and beg, then that's what we'll do. Tell us how we can fix this?" Sam pleads.

"Not me, I'm not getting on my knees unless I'm being paid for it." Jason flat out says.

I roll my eyes and nod. "I don't want any of you begging for my forgiveness. I just need time." I say. Tyler jumps up dramatically throwing his hands up.

"And we've given you time! We've given you nearly two months! We've respected your space! You weren't there any of the days through our miserable high school experience! We've made mistakes, but everything that we did was before you!"

I start shaking my leg on the verge of tears.

"We're sorry okay? We'd never do anything like that to you, or hopefully anyone else! Please just-give is a chance. You shutting us out was terrible enough."

I close my eyes, holding back my tears that are nearly forcing themselves out of my eyes.

"One chance." I say quietly.

Sam looks at me. "What?"

I nod slowly. "I'll give you one chance. But I swear, if you guys fuck this up-"

"We won't." Christian says quickly. "We won't." He says again, staring at me. I force myself to look at him and I nod.

"I need something a bit stronger." I say quickly getting up. I make my way past everyone and quickly to the kitchen. The moment I turn the corner. I run into a tall, skinny guy, all black attire. I look up at his face as he holds onto my arms.

Nathaniel.