Mia

    "What's up, Mia?"  Bryson jogged up to me as I was exiting my last class of the day.  

    "Hey, you!"  I leaned into him to give him a quick hug.

    "Are you going to the party tonight?"  

    "On a Monday?"  I asked, surprised.  He nodded, explaining that they had parties there almost every night.  I was about to decline, craving a quiet night in to recuperate from this past weekend, but the thought of seeing Josh crossed my mind.  I hadn't heard from him after he left my dorm yesterday. 

    "I didn't think you liked to party this much," I teased him. 

    "I don't.  But I will take any chance I can get to see Sara."  I couldn't help but to smile at  his words.  Oh, how I wish Josh felt that way about seeing me.  I want a Bryson.  I couldn't help but to feel a pang of jealousy among the overwhelming happiness I felt for my best friend. 

    "You've got it bad!" I elbowed him, laughing.  He joined me in laughter and just shook his head.  

    "So, pick you guys up tonight at eight?"  I nodded and headed towards my dorm to get some studying done before having to get ready.  

    I couldn't focus on my work.  My mind kept drifting to Josh.  Then Alex.  I was almost certain Alex would be coming with Bryson to pick us up, like he always does.  

    "Get ready!" Sara smacked my butt as she passed my bed to go to the closet.  She was wearing a tiny navy sundress.  Simple, yet gorgeous.  I think Sara could wear rags and rock it.  

    I rolled my eyes, muttering under my breath as I closed my book, tossing it aside.  I stood up and made my way to the closet.  

    "Red. Go red.  It looks sexy on you," Sara pulled out a two-piece red outfit.  The top was a long-sleeved crop top, with matching lacy shorts.  I had to admit, Sara had the right idea.  I wanted to make a statement.  "Pair that with these," she held out a pair of silver sandals for me to grab.  

    As I was putting on my last layer of red lipstick, I saw Sara's phone light up.  

    "They're here!"  I smacked my lips one last time and teased my straightened hair at the root, one last time.  

    "Girl, you look so hot!"  Sara howled, looking at me through the mirror.  I stood up and grinned.  I had to admit, I was feeling pretty good about myself tonight.  I might have overdone it for a Monday night though.  

    Sara slid into the front seat of Bryson's car, as I opened the back door.  I was surprised to see that he was alone.

    "Where is Alex?"  I asked, curiously.  

    "He is meeting us there."  Bryson replied, pulling away from our dorms.  I felt butterflies in my stomach as we pulled up to the frat house once again.  There were more cars than I expected for a weeknight.  

      We climbed out of the car and made our way inside.  Sara and Bryson held hands, and I lingered awkwardly behind them.  

    "I totally feel like the third wheel," I muttered.  Sara reached for my hand as we entered.  My eyes scanned the room for familiar faces.  I didn't see Josh or Alex. 

    "Hey babe," A deep voice whispered in my ear.  I swung around and came face to face with Justin.  I smiled up at him.  "Want to grab a drink?"  I nodded and followed him into the kitchen.  He poured two cups and handed one to me.  I didn't even bother to look to see what was inside.  I took a sip and cringed at the bitter taste.  

    A familiar song blared from the speakers.  It was my jam!  Sara ran up, grabbing my arm.  "Let's dance!"  Everyone around us had the same idea, gasping excitedly as the hip hop beat took over.  I grinded on Sara as we joined a group of girls in the middle of the room.   Somehow, I ended up on a table, holding hands not only with Sara, but another girl.  I lost myself to the music, swaying and rubbing up on the people beside me.  I heard whistling and guys calling out to us.  I smiled, acknowledging them.  Before I knew it, Justin grabbed me by the waist, pulling me back down to him.  His expression told me exactly what he thought of my dancing.  I wouldn't be surprised if he had a total hard on at that exact moment.  He pulled me into him, swaying to the beat.  Movement caught my eye and I looked over to my left.  Standing there watching was Alex and Josh.  Together.  Alex's mouth dropped open as he looked me up and down.  Josh's eyes, on the other hand, burned into mine.  They were so intense.  I tried to look away, but I couldn't.  Sara was dancing with another girl and wasn't paying a lick of attention.  

    When the song ended, I excused myself from Justin and grabbed Sara's arm.  I pulled her to the kitchen with me and got a new drink.  Cranberry juice and vodka for both of us, one of my favorites.  "Where is Bryson?"  I asked her, as I took a sip.  Sara looked around but he was nowhere in sight.  

    "You looked pretty sexy out there,"  a gruff voice said into my ear.  I turned around sharply and came face to face with Alex.  He wasn't who I was hoping, but I was still happy to see him.  

    "Thanks," I replied.  "Drink?"  I offered up my drink for him to try.  He made a face and handed me back a cup.  

    "I'm gonna grab a beer instead, this is nasty."  I couldn't help but to laugh at his facial expression.  

    "Where is Josh?"  I couldn't help but to ask.  

    Alex shrugged.  "Last time I saw him he was talking to some chick over there."   He pointed to the other room.  "Knowing him, he's made his way upstairs."  He chuckled, giving me a flirty wink.  My mouth dropped open, but I tried not to show my shock and disappointment. 

    I turned to Sara but was surprised to see that she was gone.  She must've gone to look for Bryson.  

    I topped off my drink and then went back into the room that I came from.  My eyes scanned the room, looking for a sign of Josh or Sara.  Right as I was about to give up, I saw Bryson over in the corner.  He was talking to Lucas, Tate, and a few others.  No Sara though.  I started up the stairs to see if she was up there, maybe waiting for the bathroom.  I knocked on door, but there wasn't an answer.  I tried to twist the knob and was surprised to see that it was actually unlocked.  I pushed it open and froze.  My eyes were instantly the size of golf balls and my mouth was hanging to the floor.  A brunette was on her knees in front of Josh.  His eyes snapped open at the sound of the door opening.  His eyes caught mine.  The brunette was Sara.  I gasped and took a few steps back.  Sara didn't stop at first, but Josh pushed her off of him.  She fell back before slowly turning around to face me.  He quickly zipped up his pants.  

    "Oh my god," I let out a sigh of relief when I saw I was mistaken, and the girl was not Sara.  I didn't know who she was.  From the back, they were almost identical though.  I still had an uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach.  Seeing Josh like that made me feel sick to my stomach.  

    I turned to go and rushed back down the stairs.  He didn't attempt to stop me.  Something was wet on the step and my right foot slipped out from under me.  I tumbled down a handful of steps and my cup went flying from my hand.  

    "Are you okay?"  I heard a voice ask, rushing over to me.  I tried to reply, but just couldn't.  I couldn't move.  

    "She's hurt!  Get help!"  I heard the same voice frantically shout.  I felt hands wrap around me and pull me up.  I looked up to see the sleeves of tattoos and blonde hair.  I leaned against Alex's chest.  

    "Are you okay?  What happened?"  Alex asked, concern spreading across his face.  I could hear the panic in his voice.  

    "My ankle.  I can't move my ankle."  I replied, trying to keep from crying.  It was a fail, as tears formed in my eyes.  

    "Move!"  I heard a too familiar voice shout out.  Josh was pushing through people to get to me.  I could see him through my tears, out of the corner of my eye.  "What happened?  Is she okay?"  

    Bryson had made his way to the bottom of the stairs; his keys were in his hand ready to hand to Alex.

    "Thanks, man."  He grabbed them, rushing us both out of the door.  The pain had set in, and my ankle was on fire.  I was pretty sure I had broken it.  

    "How bad is it?"  I asked Alex, as he sat me in the backseat, so I could prop my foot up.  

    "It's pretty swollen already.  What happened?"  He asked, as he started the car and pulled out into the road.

    I blinked through my tears as the sight of Josh and the girl appeared in my head again. "I went looking for Sara upstairs and walked in on Josh and some girl.  At first, I thought it was Sara." 

    Alex focused on the road.  He stayed silent for a moment.  A little too silent.  I hope I hadn't crossed a line with him.  

    "Do you like him?"  He finally spoke, so softly I almost didn't hear him.  

    I thought about his question for a moment.  I don't exactly know how to describe what I feel about Josh.  

    "It doesn't matter, because whatever it was, I felt before, it is gone now."  I said with no emotion whatsoever.  

    "I know he feels some way about you," Alex offered.  By his tone, it almost seemed like he was sad.  Sad or in deep thought.  

    I don't know what he meant by that, but at this moment, I didn't want to ask.  I pulled out my phone and texted Sara to let her know that I had left.  

    Alex pulled up by the door of the hospital and carried me to the bench inside of the automatic doors.  He then told me to wait while he parked.  

    A few minutes later, he joined me inside and helped me to a wheelchair.  After we had gotten me checked in and settled, I was surprised to see that Sara hadn't responded.  So weird!  

    It didn't take long for a nurse to call me back.  After a couple hours, I was casted and ready to go home.  Alex stayed with me the whole time, refusing to leave my side.  I had a severe break and ended up being referred to a surgeon to see if I would need surgery.  

    "Don't worry, you'll get used to the crutches soon," Alex said, as he helped me back into the car.  I gave me the best smile that I could spare.  

    When we pulled into the dorms, Alex carried both me and my crutches, without any complaints.  I couldn't help but to notice how comfortable it was being in his arms.  They were so big and muscular.  

    As we opened the door, Sara rushed over to us.  "I just got your messages; I had left my phone here at the dorm.  Are you okay?"  Her eyes were filled with worry.  "Bryson told me you fell." 

    "I'm fine.  Just a broken ankle."  Alex took a seat on my bed, with me still in his arms.

    "I'm sorry I left you alone at the party.  Rob found me and wanted to talk.  We were in the backyard."  I could see the guilt in Sara's face.  I could tell she blamed herself.  

    "It's not your fault.  Someone had spilt their drink and I slip…."  Before I could finish that sentence, the door swung open.  It was just Bryson.  Wait, not just Bryson.  Josh came in right behind him.  His eyes immediately landed on me, then Alex.  I was still sitting on top of him.  On my bed, at that.  He gently rubbed his fingers up and down my back.  It felt so good, so comforting.  

    "You okay?"  Bryson asked, taking his keys back from Alex.  I nodded in return.  "No more drinking for you," he joked.  Josh shifted uncomfortably in the background.  I could feel his glare at Alex, who put a protective arm around me.    

    "I wasn't drunk.  I was going down the stairs and slipped on something wet on the stairs."  I stated, partly embarrassed.  

    "Why were you upstairs anyway?"  Bryson asked, curiously.  I could feel everyone's eyes on me.  

    "She was looking for me," Sara chimed in.  She must've noticed how uncomfortable I was by the question.  I threw her a thank-you with my eyes.  She nodded slightly in reply.  

    "Stay with me tonight?"  I asked, looking up at Alex, trying to change the subject.  He looked surprised by my question.  Part of me just wanted to see how Josh reacted to the plea. while the other part was truly surprised with how nurturing and protective Alex was.  

    "Yeah, of course," he stammered.  "If you're sure?"  I nodded, laying against him.  I could feel Josh's presence, just standing there.  

    "Mia, can we talk?"  Josh's voice cut into the silence that took over the room.  My eyes popped back open and immediately met his.  "Alone?"  

    Alex shifted uncomfortably underneath me, waiting for me to answer.  I was curious to hear what he had to say. 

    He confuses the shit out of me, that's for sure. 

    "C'mon, Bryson," Sara grabbed his hand and pulled him into the hallway.  "We'll be back in ten." 

    Bryson looked back at me and threw me an 'are you okay' look.  I sat up and nodded, giving him permission to leave.  See, he is such a gentleman.  I just need Josh to copy Bryson's actions and then this could work.  

    Alex on the other hand didn't budge.  I looked up at him, and he just stared at Josh.  

    "I'll be okay," I whispered, giving his hand a small squeeze.  At first, I didn't think he was going to get up, but he surprised me.  He didn't say a word as he exited.

    I stared at the floor, avoiding Josh's piercing eyes.  He walked over and took a seat right beside me.  

    "So, you and Alex, huh?"  His gruff voice asked.  I shivered at his tone.  

    He has no right to be angry with me after what he did.   

    "What's it to you?"  I shot back, raising my eyes to him.  He looked like he wanted to put a hole through my wall.  

    What is with this dude's mood swings?!  

    "He ain't good for you," Josh stated, smugly.  I frowned at his words but didn't speak.  I wasn't sure what to even say to that.  

    His eyes never left me.  "I was scared when I heard someone shout for help and saw that it was for you."  I couldn't help but to scoff at that one.

    "It seemed like you were too busy to notice," I muttered quietly.  His eyebrows furrowed, and his teeth bit his lip ring, sucking it in.  

    "Listen, that wasn't what it looked like.  That chick was just a hookup, that's all."  I couldn't believe what I was hearing.  He acted like it was no big deal.

    "I'm sorry, but I don't care to be involved with someone who gets blowjobs randomly at parties, just for fun!"  I practically shouted back, sarcastically.  I could feel tears starting to well up in my eyes.  I tried to push them back, but it was too late.  One trickled down my cheek.  

    Josh swallowed hard and reached up to wipe the tear away.  I pulled back, out of his reach.  "Alex is the same way.  Don't think he is any different.  That guy prides on how many lays he can get."  

    More tears followed.  "This isn't about Alex."  

    "Then what?"  He challenges back.  

    "I thought you liked me.  I don't know, it's just stupid."  I shrugged and repositioned my foot.  Josh grabbed my leg and draped it over his lap.  

    "I do like you," he replied immediately.  

    "Well, don't expect me to be one of your blowjob girls…"  

    Josh's face twisted up, a frown overtaking his face.  Before he could reply, the door creaked open and Sara's face appeared, followed by both Bryson and Alex. 

    "You guys okay?"  She asked, taking in the sight of us.  I nodded and pulled my foot away from Josh so that he could get up.  

    "Guys, I'm really tired.  I changed my mind and think it's best if everyone leaves and we just catch up in the morning."  I yawned.  "Including you, Bryson."  My mind was too tired to play these mind games between Alex and Josh.  I just really needed my best friend alone tonight, without any distractions.  She is the one who can help sort this disaster of a mess inside my head.  

Bryson exchanged looks with Sara and smirked.  "Okay, I can take a hint.  I'll see you tomorrow."  And within minutes, the room was back to just the two of us.