Chapter 1
*September 2014 in Ann Arbor, Michigan*
I blindly followed my best friend, Olivia, through the party, looking around at all the unfamiliar faces as UMich was a big school and it was only our 3rd week here. I knew Liv because she lives directly across the hall from me. The 2 of us both have a single and find it boring, causing us to basically live together, sparking our friendship.
Liv met this kid on the hockey team the first time we went out and has been talking to him ever since. As for me, I've pretty much just been her wing-woman these past 3 weeks.
"Zach!" Liv yelled, running towards the kid, dragging me behind her.
"Hey, how are you?" He laughed, hugging her as I just stood there awkwardly, looking around the party. "Hey, Ryan," he chuckled, not letting go of Liv.
"Hey, Zach," I smiled, pulling my dirty blonde hair behind my ears.
"You want to get out of here?" Zach smirked, looking at Liv as she glanced back at me. Breaking the only rule that Liv and I have ever made, I made the executive decision to be alone and let her leave. She gave me a confused look as I gave her a thumbs up. She smiled brightly at me before turning back to Zach.
"Yeah," she giggled, Zach, nodding his head.
"Lark, I'm out," he yelled to his friend who was walking over with 2 drinks in his hand.
"Bro, we just got here," the curly-haired boy laughed as Zach nodded his head towards Liv.
"This is Liv's friend, Ryan, she's a gem, talk to her," Zach smirked as I felt my face turn red, looking up at the curly-haired boy and giving him a soft smile. He just shook his head, letting out a soft sigh as we both watched Zach and Liv leave. The music stopped for a minute, the kid and I turned to look at each other.
"I'm Dylan," the boy stated, making me smile.
"Ryan," I giggled nervously, pulling my hair behind my ears as the music started up again.
"Do you want this? I got it for Zach, but clearly he won't be drinking it," Dylan laughed, handing me a cup of beer that I gladly accepted.
"Thanks," I laughed, taking a sip before looking around.
"LARKS!" A loud voice laughed as a group of boys came running over, Dylan laughing as they all threw their arms around him.
"Hey guys," he chuckled, practically holding them all up.
"Who's your friend?" One of them smirked, sticking his hand out. "Travis Lynch, forward for the Michigan Wolverines hockey team," he smirked making me laugh.
"You don't have to shake his hand," Dylan laughed, as I shook my head, giggling softly.
"Ryan Hayes, just a regular student at the University of Michigan," I laughed, shaking the kid's hand as he nodded, smirking softly.
"Is she off-limits?" The kid winked at Dylan as he nodded, pulling the kid back making me laugh.
"Yes Trav, she's off-limits," Dylan sighed, looking at me. "I know this is a lot to ask, but would you mind helping me bring these guys home?" He gulped as I smiled, nodding my head.
"I'd be more than happy to help," I giggled, looking at the Travis kid who was about to fall over. "I'll get him if you can get those two," I smirked up at Dylan. He smiled brightly back down at me, nodding his head.
"That's perfect," he laughed, putting his arms around the two other guys as I put my hand out to Travis.
"Dylan said he's lifting the ban," I smirked as Travis clapped, walking over to me, wrapping his arm around me as I laughed, following Dylan out of the party.
"You see those 2 guys with Dylan?" Travis slurred, pointing in front of us.
"Ya?" I giggled, looking up at him, my arms wrapped around his waist to keep him upright.
"Those 2 guys are my best friends. My two best friends," he smiled down at me as I laughed loudly, Dylan laughing softly as he turned his head to check up on us.
"Trav, you remember where you live, right?" Dylan smirked as Travis cleared his throat, standing up straight.
"Dylan, of course, I remember where I live," Travis hissed, looking down at me. "Dylan is my favorite freshman. Don't tell any of the others. Actually, don't even tell him, he can't know," he smirked as I laughed, nodding my head.
"Got it," I giggled.
The walk wasn't bad. Occasionally Travis would yell out that he's going to steal me from Dylan making Dylan turn around and yell at him only making me laugh. Every now and then Travis would also give me a speech on why I should kiss him and I would have to explain to him that I would if he was soberer, then he'd tell me he's so sober he could drive a car and then I would have to restrain him from running away from me and trying to hotwire a car.
Once we finally got the 3 guys back to their house, Travis brought me to his room and I helped him out of his jeans and his polo, putting him into his bed.
"Can I get one kiss?" He smiled as I laughed, shaking my head.
"No," I smiled, crossing my arms as I looked down at him.
"Why? Give me one reason why one single kiss is a crime," he smirked, pulling his blanket over himself as he looked up at me.
"Because I'm not going to give you the best kiss you'll ever receive, only for you to not remember it tomorrow morning," I smirked as he laughed, nodding his head.
"Respect," he smirked, sticking his hand out. "It was nice to meet you, Ryan Hayes. Hopefully, the next time I meet you, I'm a soberer so then you'll kiss me," he laughed as I nodded, laughing softly.
"Deal," I giggled.
"Do me a favor though," he gulped as I nodded, slipping my hands into the back pockets of my ripped jeans.
"Yeah, what's up?" I gulped, watching him sit up.
"Dylan, he's a good kid. I told you, he's my favorite freshman. I don't really know you or what type of girl you are, but just don't do him dirty. If you're not interested, don't lead him on. If you are interested, then I wouldn't want to lose you to anybody else but him," he sighed as I smiled, nodding my head.
"Respect," I giggled, sticking my hand out, Travis dapping me up as I laughed. "Goodnight, Travis Lynch," I smiled.
"Goodnight, Ryan Hayes," he smiled.
