by Hawke Oakley
“They were still half naked when I got there,” I said, shrugging at Connor.
Connor’s eyes bulged. “Dude, seriously? I gotta check this out.”
I thought about warning them, but then realized Beth would kick his ass enough for both of us if he tried to sneak a peek on them.
Someone suddenly slapped me on the back. What was with straight guys and hitting each other all the time? “Dude, where the hell is Riley?” A voice I recognized as Zack yelled, too loud, in my ear.
“I have no idea, he’s been AWOL all afternoon,” I said, wrangling myself out of his arm slung over my shoulder.
“Well, shit. Go find him!” Zack said, swaying on his feet. “I miss that bastard!”
How much have you drank already? “Alright, I’m going, I’m going.”
So far the party had been me running errands for people, but for some reason I didn’t mind. Hanging out with people was… surprisingly nice.
Problem was, I had no fucking idea where to look for Riley. He was reclusive when he wasn’t in the room, almost as if he totally disappeared when he wasn’t around to harass me. I vaguely remembered that he had a class earlier in the day; maybe he was just getting back from it? I grimaced to myself, not even knowing how likely that was. Maybe he’d just skip it and spend the whole day getting “ready” for the party.
It struck me then that, aside from him being a douchebag, I didn’t know anything about Riley at all.
What did he do for fun? What were his interests? What was his family like? Did he have a sister, like me? No, he seemed more like an only child. What about pets? Jobs? Volunteer work? I snorted. Yeah, right.
I heard the whooshing sound of the main dorm door opening. I must have walked all the way there while mulling over my thoughts. And there was Riley, shoulder-to-shoulder with Lily, marching inside with a very conspicuous cardboard box filled to the brim with something that clinked like glass. His arms were straining under the weight and even from this distance I saw sweat beading at his forehead, but he kept on laughing with Lily. I felt a little smug. I was right about his show muscles.
Lily saw me before Riley did. I didn’t like the way her eyes flashed like that. She reminded me of the mountain lions that lived beyond the hills of the horse ranch, just waiting to sink their claws into something.
“Hello, Aaron,” she said, interrupting Riley’s insignificant story. Her voice was a low purr, like honey, except my own name sounded bitter to my ears.
“Hi,” I said. I looked over at Riley, who was pouting like a kid at my sudden appearance. How dare I take Lily’s attention off of him. “What’s in the box?”
“None of your business,” Riley snapped immediately. I was used to this by now. The remarks didn’t hurt anymore. I’d grown a thick skin, and his words just slipped off me.
“Riley,” Lily chided lightly. “There’s no reason to be so rude to your roommate.”
My eyes narrowed. Riley must have told her my name, then. He glanced sheepishly at the floor, then back at me. He wouldn’t dare make any snarky comment at me with her around, at least, but somehow that didn’t appease me. I’d rather deal with his bullshit than hers.
“It’s my stuff,” Riley said. “You can help me put it away.”
My brows furrowed. Hadn’t he already moved in a month ago? “What?”
Riley’s face twisted into exasperation and irritation. He mouthed the word booze.
“Oh,” I said.
Lily laughed, a soft and airy sound. She touched Riley on the arm. “Come on. Let’s get your stuff put away, alright?”
“Yeah,” Riley said, hiking the box up again. He was straining to hold it. “Let’s go.”
But I didn’t think Riley could keep up that weight, not for much longer. As much as he pissed me off, the last thing I wanted was for him to spill an entire box of booze and broken glass on the floor and make a huge ass out of himself.
Okay, that would have been pretty funny actually, but then there’d definitely be no more under-the-radar dorm parties allowed, like, ever.
I rushed to his side, offering to take it. “Let me.”
Riley shot me a nasty look, but he couldn’t disguise the tension in his face. The tendon in his neck was tight from straining against the weight. Up close, his arms were shaking. “Why?”
“Stop being so difficult for once and give me the damn box,” I snapped, with a force that surprised even me. Riley blinked, then glanced at Lily for what to do. But her eyes were guarded now – I couldn’t read her expression.
“Your arms are gonna give out,” I pressed again when he didn’t respond. I lowered my voice. “Let me help you.”
Riley looked like he was on an alien planet. For a long moment I thought he would refuse, but then he grunted a sigh and lowered the box in my waiting arms. I shouldered the weight – not easily, but definitely better than he had.
“There. That wasn’t so bad, was it?” I teased.
“Shut up,” Riley grunted, but there was no malice in his voice.
He looked – dare I say it? Almost grateful.
Chapter Seven
I hauled up the booze box up to the second floor where the walls vibrated with the music. More people had streamed in, and the halls were getting cramped. Lily walked ahead of Riley and I, and the people parted for her like the sea.
“Woo! Lily’s here!” someone screamed over the noise. Then other people – guys – joined in welcoming her. She raised one hand in acknowledgement, a calm smile on her face.
“Connor, you started without me?” she said, teasing. I noticed her fingertips brushing his arm ever-so-slightly. Knowing Connor, that alone probably gave him a hard on.
“Aw, no way! We were all waiting for you!” he said.
“The Queen is here!” Zack screamed, once again too loudly.
The room exploded with cheering and hollering. I wanted to roll my eyes so badly. What did they see in her? Being straight and thinking with your dick all the time must have been like living with the wool pulled over your eyes.
Riley was at my side. He didn’t join in, but his eyes were glassy and star struck. His arms hung limply now, exhausted from carrying the weight of all the alcohol. I remembered the box and figured I should set it down somewhere.
With a grunt, I put it on the table Connor had set up. Lily moved like water towards me, gesturing to it. As she spoke, the room fell silent.
“Your Queen delivers,” she purred. The guys roared again. I wish they’d cut it out already. I was starting to get a headache.
I moved out of the way just in time for everyone to lunge at the box like a piece of meat, grabbing and clanking the glass bottles. Soon the room was filled with the overwhelming sour tang of alcohol. It was making me dizzy.
I almost jumped when someone touched my shoulder, but instantly relaxed when I saw who it was.
“Aaron, we were looking for you!” Caroline said cheerfully. Beside her Beth nodded at me in greeting.
“Well, here I am,” I said. “Are parties always this loud?”
“Aww!” Caroline cried. “He really is like a pony! Ours always used to get spooked so easily.”
I blushed a little. “I’m not spooked, it’s just. Is it just me or is it really loud?”
“Well, considering everyone else’s eardrums are probably already blown…” Beth began with a dry smile. “Then yes, it’s just you.”
“Great.”
“The party’s overflowing to Zack’s room, if you wanna hang out there,” Beth said. “It’s probably a bit quieter since her Highness isn’t there.”
I grinned despite myself. Did it make me a horrible person to enjoy having a friend who hated all the same people as me?
“Alright, I’ll hang out there until it calms down a bit,” I said. “Are you two staying here?”
“At least until we grab a few drinks,” Beth said dryly. Mumbling, she added, “That’s the only way I’ll be able to stand the guys fawning over Lily.”
“Fair enough,” I said. “See you.”
“Wait, Aaron!” Caroline called. “Aren’t you gonna have anything to drink?”
I shrugged. “I’m not big on booze.”
Caroline pouted, as if me not drinking was the worst thing in the world. “Aw, not even the light coolers?”
She had two in her hand. One was yellow – lemon flavored, I guesed – and the other a pinkish red. Strawberry?
I sighed and outstretched my hand for the pink one. “I guess I’ll have a little bit.”
She happily handed it over before taking a swig of her own drink. “Well, I’m gonna go flirt with boys. See ya!”
She took off, and I half-waved at Beth before maneuvering my way out of the throng of people. I headed to Zack’s room, which was right next door. He’d left the door open, and there were a few empty plastic cups littering the floor. I grimaced as I stepped over one. How people let a bunch of strangers party in their room unattended was beyond me.
To my relief, there were fewer people here. A couple quieter guys I recognized and more girls, who, if they were anything like Beth and Caroline, were here to avoid Lily’s overwhelming presence. I nodded to them before sitting down with my cooler.
Not wanting to seem like an awkward loser, I pulled out my phone and started texting Molly just to be doing something.
Aaron: U there?
Molly: What’s up?
Aaron: nm. party.
Molly: Having fun?
Aaron: ya. got a headache tho. too many ppl yelling over this “hot” girl
For a moment, Molly didn’t respond and I wondered if she was busy. Then my phone vibrated again.
Molly: Does she have long black hair?
I blinked in surprise.
Aaron: u know her???
Molly: Yea.
There was another pause.
Molly: She bring booze?
Aaron: that's the one
Molly: Don’t get friendly w her. She’s always up to something
Aaron: didn't plan 2. she freaks me out
Aaron: she made riley carry the alcohol but he was too weak to do it lol I took the box from him
Molly: :/
Aaron: what does that mean???
Molly: Youre probably on her shit list now
Aaron: gr8. why tho
Molly: She doesn't like ppl interrupting her schemes
Molly: Let me know if you want me to stop by
I scrunched up my face a little. As much as I loved my sister, feeling like she was constantly babysitting me, even in college, was grating on my nerves.
Aaron: ya
I pocketed my phone just before I heard someone – Zack – scream in the hallway. “Hey, everybody! We got booze and we’re doing shots! Person who does the most gets a prize! Get the fuck over here!”
Most of the people in the room hurried out. The temptation of a prize was too compelling. That was fine by me. I relaxed further in my seat and swiveled around. I took a sip of my cooler. The fruity flavor almost overwhelmed the taste of alcohol, so it was easy to get down. I took a few more gulps before I finally felt that fuzzy feeling tingling up from my feet.
“The fuck’s wrong with you?”
I didn't even bother looking to see who it was. I knew that tone like the back of my hand by now.
Riley sauntered in, his face flushed. I guessed he had a couple drinks already by the way his movements were jagged and heavy-handed. At least he was still sober enough to compose sentences.
“What did I do this time?” I muttered.
“I was supposed to carry the damn box!” he spat. “And you took it away from me!”
He was still upset about the box. I should have figured.
“I didn’t take it from you, you handed it to me,” I said, pinching the bridge of my nose. This wasn’t helping my headache at all. “Besides, you were barely holding the weight. I didn’t want you to make an ass out of yourself by dropping it.”
Riley looked more offended than I’d ever seen him. I almost laughed.
“I had a good grip,” he said quietly.
“No, you really didn’t.” I nodded towards his arms. “Look. You’re still shaking. Bet they feel like noodles.”
He lifted his arms to cross them, to prove his point, but they did exactly the opposite. They trembled violently. I almost felt bad for him.
“Why do you care so much, anyway?” I asked, suddenly angry for a reason I couldn’t explain.
“She chose me,” Riley muttered. “Not you.”
“So what?”
He jabbed his thumb into his chest. His gaze fell to the floor and his voice turned into a mumble. He looked like a child. “She picked me. I was special.”
For a moment I actually felt sorry for him. I’d never seen Riley this vulnerable before. How drunk was he?
I didn’t know what to say. I stared awkwardly at him. “Hey, it’s okay.”
Then the childish pout on his face vanished and he was angry again. “It’s not okay! You always ruin everything! You’re a fucking life ruiner!”
I bristled. “Oh, I ruined your life? Is that it?”
“Yeah,” he said, crossing his arms.
“How, exactly, did I ruin your life?” I spat.
“You just did,” he muttered.
I spun around in the chair, growling. “Okay.”
“I’ll show you,” Riley said, his voice trembling. But before I could even turn back around he was gone.
“Great,” I grunted, getting up.
As much as I didn’t want to follow him around, not following him around and seeing what kind of crap he was going to get himself into was a path I couldn’t follow. Thankfully, he was easy to track. His movements were awkward, and his hand dragged along the wall as he tried to stabilize himself.
“Where are you even going?” I asked.
“Away,” Riley muttered.
I would have laughed at how stupid he was being if I wasn’t –
I paused suddenly. If I wasn’t what? Why was I following him, again? I stood, confused for a moment.
Was I worried about Riley?
“Lily!” Riley started shrieking. His voice cracked, and once again, I almost felt bad for him. He was a mess. He must have had more to drink than I thought. He half-ran and half-fell forward into Connor’s room. He was trying to wave his arm, but it was still weak from before and his motor skills were impaired from the alcohol.
He cried after Lily again. She was standing among a bunch of guys, chatting with them until Riley’s voice reached her. She turned, giving him a glance like one you’d give a mangy squirrel begging for food.
“What is it, Riley?” she said. Her voice was neutral, with none of the airiness she used to speak to him earlier.
“I just wanna be with you,” he said, pulling himself up. “Let’s ditch this place.”
She cocked an eyebrow. Beside her, Connor laughed awkwardly. “You okay, dude?”
Riley blinked at him. “No, I’m not okay. This party sucks.”
Something flickered in Lily’s eyes. Suddenly she was the mountain lion again, with a freshly sparked interest in hunting. She weaved her way towards Riley and put her arm around him. “You okay, hon?”
“No,” Riley mumbled, pouting like a child.
“Let’s get out of here, okay?” Lily asked quietly. Riley was oblivious to the apologetic glance she threw over her shoulder at the other guys. It wasn’t their turn to play today.
I was inadvertently blocking the entrance. She stepped towards me, Riley in one arm. I knew instantly she wasn’t going to go around me. Predators don’t do that.
Disgruntled, I stepped aside, watching her herd Riley out the room, like a mountain lion separating the weak one from the herd. A hot, tight sensation gripped my chest.
Anger. I was angry.
But why? I had just bonded with Beth over the fact that we both hated Riley. Now here I was, pissed off because someone else I hated was up to no good. I slunk into the hall
and watched Lily guide Riley down the hall, towards the stairwell. Whatever she was doing, I didn’t like it.
It’s because he’s my roommate. Yeah, that was it. I was accountable for him, for his safety. Especially since he was a little more than tipsy right now.
Shoving my hands in my pockets, I skulked towards the stairwell, keeping my distance. When they disappeared beyond the door, I hurried up. A knot of anxiety tightened in my stomach. Not only had she separated him from the herd, she was dragging him back somewhere private.
I already guessed she wasn’t going to bite his throat and eat him, so the analogy ended there. But the bad feeling in my gut didn’t.
There. In the corner of the stairwell, away from prying eyes, they were kissing.
My stomach churned. I usually wasn’t into straight PDA in the first place, but this went beyond that. I slammed the door open, startling them both apart.
Lily’s eyes pierced me like daggers.
“Didn’t you ever learn that you shouldn’t make out with drunk people?” I asked icily. My voice echoed through the stairwell.
If she had really been a mountain lion, my face would probably be clawed off by now. Instead she slunk away from Riley, her shoulders tense with fury. Riley barely seemed to notice what was going on, except the fact that he’d been making out a second ago and now he wasn’t. Like I’d stolen an ice cream cone from him or something.
“Hey!” he cried weakly at me. We both ignored him.
“Can you mind your own business?” Lily said, scowling.
“He’s my roommate,” I said. “That makes it my business.”
“Well, aren’t you a little knight in shining armor,” she spat.
We stood off for a moment. I held my ground.
I’d faced a real mountain lion before, once. I was visiting Molly at the ranch last year, when I was still too young to actually work there. It was foaling season, and the winter had been rough. Out of desperation, one mountain lion came down from her territory and skulked outside the property fence. A few older foals were outside in the paddocks, enjoying the sunshine.