Chapter Thirteen

"Hey, Elide. How are you?"

"I'm good. Happy to see you again. How are you, babe?" She reaches up to kiss Gabriel on the cheek.

"I'm good, El," he says, reaching down to kiss her on the lips.

I look away, not wanting to watch the altercation.

Gabriel clears his throat, catching my attention after a minute.

"So...lunch? I know a place down the street. Really good sandwiches."

I nod my head, following the two hand-in-hand-lovebirds down the street.

Books still in hand, I admire the covers while walking down the streets.

A few miles down the street, we enter a small café. The place was a little older. Bricks poked through the wall, darker colors covered the furniture and a small kitchen was placed in the back. Older pictures hung on the wall and the smell of coffee from the breakfast rush filled the air.

Gabriel, Elide, and I all find a table and sit down. We discussed little while ordering food and eating. At the end, we each pay for our own food and went out to look at the shops nearby.

"Ooo! Try this on!" Elide throws another outfit in my arms.

I head over to the changing rooms. First outfit in my hand is a light blue frilly dress that hangs over my shoulders. Changing into the dress and coming out, I model it for Elide.

"No. Doesn't suit you."

Making my way back in, I try on another dress. Only for Elide to send it away too. Dress after dress, red with sequins, green with feathers, a ball gown of white, what feels like dozens of dresses, all get turned away.

Trying on the last dress—a skin-tight deep-red strapless dress—her eyes light up when I come out. Seeing as it's plain and simple, I don't understand why she's so happy.

"Oh! You have to buy this! It's perfect for you! You can wear it to parties and whatnot! Speaking of which, there's one tonight at the barn. You should wear it there!"

Tired of hearing her voice pounding in my head, I agree and purchase the dress, which of course took a lot out of my pocket.

We leave the outlet, heading back to campus where we say our goodbyes. I head to my dorm to drop off the dress and my books only to be startled by Dark standing in the doorway when I arrive.

"Where were you?" He says in a rough voice.

"Bookstore. Then with some old friends."

"Who are these old friends?" Mark asks, popping in behind Dark.

"Gabriel and Elide from high school."

"So what made you think not to tell us you wouldn't be at the bookstore?" Anti shouts from within the room.

"I forgot. That's my fault and I'm sorry. Look, it's getting late. Elide went dress shopping with me and I have a dress for that party tonight. Are we still going or not?"

The guys look at each other. Then back at me. Their eyes glance at the shopping bag that contains my dress. Then to me once again.

"Duh! Frat party!" Anti says.

I shake my head.

. . .

My dress was gaining me many looks from the guys and many unwanted attention from the drunks.

"Hey, (Y/n). You look great!" I hear from Gabriel, a slight slur in his voice.

"Thanks, Gabriel. Don't look too bad yourself." He has the top button unbuttoned on his shirt and had on khaki pants.

"We should get outta here. You know what I'm sayin'?" He hiccups at the end.

"Maybe later. Not now though."

"Come on, (Y/n). Let's go." Dark grabs my hand, tugging me along back to the group.

"What was that for?" I ask, while Dark places his hand on the slit of my dress to my back to guide me.

"I don't like the vibe of that guy. Besides. I told you we'd be by you at all times."

"I still would like to mingle."

"And you can. If we are beside you."

"That's not fun though."

"No. But it's safe. We have no clue if Mike is going to show up or not."

"And I can handle myself this time."

"Sure, sweet pea. Just stick with us for now."

We arrive with the group and Dark removes his hand. The guys are all sitting around at a table and I sit down with them too.

"Want something to drink?" Sean asks.

"Sure. Surprise me."

Sean gets up from the table with Mark, currently in a conversation.

Anti stares at me, clearly seeing how bored I am. "Hey, Dark. Let's go dance, why don't we?"

"But, (Y/n)—"

"She's fine," he interrupts. "Let's go have fun."

A few minutes later, a cup of what I assume to be alcohol, is placed in front of me. Sean and Mark then leave to finish their conversation in peace. I take a sip of the alcohol, quickly recognizing it as a Bloody Mary. My mind wanders off, taking in the scene of things before someone pulls me back to reality.

"Hey, sweet cheeks."