Accomplice

Accomplice Part 2

Andria was happy to see Jim had passed. He wanted to take her out to dinner to thank her but he had asked her that right in front of her friends. "The party!" Ella blurted out to break the awkward silence. "You promised remember? Jim why not just come to the Blitz party with us?"

"Sure." He shrugged. The Blitz Boarding House was legendary. It was a legacy dorm for long standing political families that bought their degrees and certifications. In short they were a bunch of rich, spoiled brats but they threw a party nearly every week to share their 'wealth' with the rest of the school. Their wealth was mostly loud music, alcohol and drugs but they had a game room to die for so Jim didn't mind putting up with them for a night.

It was interesting seeing Andria let her hair down - literally. She usually kept it pinned up but for the party she wore it down. It was so long it reached halfway down her back. At some point in the night he found himself in a game of ping pong against her. Ella was cheering him on. For every point scored the loser had to take a drink and it was great watching Andria laugh and have fun. Jim knew his face was turning redder and redder with each drop of alcohol that entered his body. It earned him the nickname 'Rudolph' - he'd hate it tomorrow but for now he didn't mind it. The shots were making Andria blush too but because her skin was darker it just made it look like she was wearing some type of makeup.

"You're cheating!"

"How? There are a hundred witnesses." Jim countered. Andria chuckled as she served the ball. He swung too soon and it bounced off his head. He took his drink and served. Things were starting to get blurry he'd have to forfeit soon. Thankfully he didn't have to when a fight broke out in another room. Everyone rushed to witness it but they both hung back to settle up. "You got lucky." Andria actually laughed out loud.

"You should switch to water - you're clearly drunk." She said. Jim was about to object when he burped loudly.

"Well you're right about that," He agreed. Andria led the way to the kitchen. She got them both water and Jim clapped the cups together. "Good game."

———

As the weeks went by they developed a routine. Andria would cram information into Jim's brain, he'd pass an exam and then they'd celebrate at a Blitz party. Through it all Jim didn't forget about the mission Augustine had given him. He kept his eye out for any suspicious people paying too much attention to Andria. The only one was Dan who didn't realize Andria was just being polite when he flirted with her. And Ella seemed to be interested in him. Jim wasn't oblivious to the way she looked at him. She was more than likely in love with his legend - like his fan club was. But she was cute and she smelled nice. So when she led him away from prying eyes he went with her.

"You've got a reputation." She said.

"Oh yeah?" Jim asked as he leaned in to kiss her. She avoided it coyly and he snorted when his lips connected with her neck instead. "You surprised at my 'bad behavior'?"

"No. Actually, that's the rumor." Ella said as she looped her arms around his shoulders.

"Rumor?" Jim lifted an eyebrow.

"That you're a player. No girl can win your heart." Ella explained as she played with the collar of his shirt. "Just promise me when you get tired of me you'll let me know. Don't do to me what you did to poor Susan."

"What!?" Jim pulled back from her and they both jumped when there was a loud bang out in the party. Another rang out followed by screaming and Jim rushed to see what was happened.

"No! Don't go out there!" Ella held him back.

"I have to." He said. His thoughts immediately on Andria. If anything happened to her Augustine would squash him like a bug. "Lock this door behind me - get low, and stay quiet." He turned the lights out before he ran out. The noises he heard were definitely gunshots. And the screams weren't that of joyful party goers watching a Blitz-boy shoot cans in the back lot. He could hear skiff engines, the smell of damp and b.o. - the party was being attack by pirates! He was looking over the living room when he heard a gun click behind his head.