Page 5 of Little Do You Know

I set the cups on the coffee table, turning around to face them. “I know there’s really no excuse, but I didn’t think it would get this crazy. I’m sorry.”

“You’re sorry? Well, that doesn’t do us a whole lot of good at this point. The place is a disaster.” Sebastian scoffs, motioning to the mess that’s been made.

I cross my arms and do my best to think clearly, but the shots I’ve taken are messing with my head. “I’ll clean it up. You don’t have to be a jerk about it.”

“You’re right, you will clean it up.” His large frame steps closer, and I feel small as Sebastian stares angrily at me. Part of me wonders if he’s angry about tonight, or if this is still about the last conversation we had. “Is this what it’s going to be like all the time with you living here?”

“It’s the first night! I just got back and didn’t plan on throwing a party, nor will I be throwing another one. But you know what? It’s my apartment too. If I want to throw a party, then I’ll throw a party.” I’m being a brat, but he’s so frustrating.

“Bash, chill. Cleaning up won’t take too long, so lay off her,” Owen interrupts, starting to help me clean up. I can tell by Owen’s demeanor that he’s not happy with me, either, but at least he’s not yelling at me.

“I told you having her here was a bad idea, Owen.” Sebastian glares at me and storms off without another word.

I pull my hair up off my neck and into a bun. “God, he’s still an uptight asshole.”

“I can’t really blame him, Lia. You did a great job proving me wrong and Sebastian right. We just finished a three-hour-long practice and another hour of film review. We weren’t prepared to walk in on you throwing a rager.”

“I said I was sorry. I didn’t exactly plan to throw a rager,” I retort, grabbing more empty cups to throw away. I really didn’t, but they’re not going to listen to me right now.

“What did you expect to happen? Your return wasn’t going to be a small thing,” Vera says matter of factly.

I know I messed up, but I didn’t plan this. I don’t even really know how it happened, but I know it’s no one’s fault but my own. I should have told everyone no.

I thought I’d have a low-key night with Vera, like I told Owen.

I didn’t mean to piss off Sebastian on my first night here. I should have expected it would happen. Anything I do makes him mad.

Actions speak louder than words, and now I need to get back into Bash and Owen’s good graces. I’ll do better tomorrow if Sebastian doesn’t smother me with a pillow in my sleep.

CHAPTER THREE

Thalia

WHEN I WAKE up the next morning, neither of them are here. I feel worse about the whole situation now that I’m sober. I should have done a better job apologizing to Owen and Bash when they returned from practice. The party was a dick move on my part.

I wander around the apartment, curious to see what I’ll learn about my new roommates. Owen and I have always been close, but there are still things we don’t tell each other. I didn’t tell him how I made out with his best friend before my going-away party or why I got into a terrible fight with Sebastian. I’ve had a long time to think about the things I said that night.

And then, when I finally saw Sebastian after my year abroad, he told me what a child he still thinks I am. I swear, I don’t understand what’s so great about Sebastian fucking Walker. He doesn’t walk on water or anything even remotely cool. Bash is only capable of throwing a ball and being bossy as hell.

I roll my eyes, shaking thoughts of him away, when I notice one of the framed pictures on the walls is one I took for National Geographic when I freelanced for them a few months ago.

Owen kept this?

I didn’t realize that Owen was keeping track of my work and saving my photographs along the way. It’s a beautiful picture but even more magnificent in person. I loved every minute of my trip to the Gorges du Verdon. Honestly, my entire year abroad was pretty great.

There’s nothing else for decoration besides a few football trophies and pictures from their high school graduation. The apartment definitely looks like it’s been decorated by boys, but at least there’s furniture.

I could call Vera, but I’m frustrated with her because she totally threw me under the bus with Owen last night. She asked what I expected when I came back and then acted like she didn’t plan the party and bring Stacey and Jeremy in the first place.

I don’t know what I expected.

Part of me was really excited to come back and see everyone, but I’m not the same person I was when I left. Yes, I was a huge party girl and helped throw some legendary ones during high school and my first year here, but I’d like to think I’ve grown up a little since then.

Except all last night did was prove to Owen and Sebastian that I’m still the person I was when I left.

I’m not saying I don’t still enjoy a good party. Clearly, last night and my time in Paris could prove that. But I’ve also learned there’s more to life than being the life of the party.

I peek into Owen’s room, and it’s not surprising to see a freaking disaster. He’s got it all together in every other aspect, but his room has always been a mess. His textbooks and assignments are scattered across his desk, laundry is pushed to one side of the bed, and his football stuff is piled on the floor.

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