Page 17 of Your Side of the Offense

"Well, damn. Hello. I've never seen you around. You new?"

"Yeah, we are freshmen," I blurt out. My friends faces say maybe I wasn't supposed to reveal that. Though I don't know why. The guy smiles.

"Hazel, Summer," Logan one says.

"Welcome to my party. Let’s get you drinks and come hang."

Gabby comes back with her boyfriend in tow. "Oh, you already met the generous hosts. I guess my work is finished." She air-kisses us and like that, she pulls her boyfriend to the abyss of people here.

Trevor gestures for us to join their group and me and Hazel look at each other first. She takes my hand and squeezes it. We didn't plan to drink tonight. But we also didn't plan to be invited to the elite corner.

We are introduced to other guys and take the drinks we are offered. My father's teachings don't stop ringing in my head. I don't drink but I pretend to, and I smile, and I nod where appropriate. In high school the guys took me to many parties, so I learned how to pretend to enjoy a party without caring a damn, and drunk people are easy to convince.

It was my burden as the girlfriend of not only the captain of the football team, but the star quarterback as well. But one thing I can't convince myself of is the heat here. With all the windows and doors open, it's hot as fuck.

"I'm going outside for some air,” I whisper to Hazel who is currently blinking her gorgeous eyes at Trevor. She nods, more a dismissal.

I leave Logan inside. They are all cool, but the scene reminds me too much of those idiots and I need some air. I walk out and find a vibrant pool party outside. I guess welcome to college then.

It's probably after 10pm and I am tired already. Even when I used to go to parties, the scene wasn't where I stayed long. I have another drug of choice. I shake my head again banishing the thought. I catch a few eyes and whistles from the pool side luring me to them, but I ignore them and walk to the guy smoking alone. He is in a shadow, and I figure it’s whatever.

"Hi." I lean on the wall next to him.

"Are you lost?" he asks.

Wow. Rude.

"No, you looked lost, I'm here to help you, nerd." I pluck the cigarette from his mouth and bring it to my lips, his gaze on me.

"Stop staring, my name is Summer."

"I'm Fanta," he says. And I turn and frown.

"Do you happen to be Fanta Morris?" I mean it's a pretty unique name. I laughed my ass off when I saw it because I have never heard of a Fanta before. I always thought I'd make fun of him when I saw him, and I knew they would do too.

Them. I look around.

"You must be Summer Bailey. I've heard a lot about you." He takes the cig in my hand and turns away, bored.

Now I regret coming to him.

"Your boyfriends are over there," he says pointing.

I look in the direction he's pointing at and indeed, four eyes on me. Fuck.

Why the fuck are they here? Shit, they were here first. But they should know to keep away from all the places I'll be. I get hot suddenly. My gaze now looking anywhere but them, I decide I need to leave.

Hazel comes sprinting to me from the inside and I meet her halfway. My heart pounding a little faster, jumping. I need to get out of here before they get bright ideas and come to me.

"Oh my god, Summer! There you are," she screams a little and pulls out her phone showing me Trevor's number.

"Wow, nice!" I force excitement. Anxiety claws my chest, making its way to my limbs. I try to breathe through my nose to keep calm.

"Oh my god. Now get in there and get Logan's number. Just imagine it. If we dated the two hottest guys in the football team." She squeals.

I chuckle cause no way. My exes were all that too, but it wasn't really a thing for me. Which makes me realize if it were to happen like she's saying, there's a good chance they are playing too, and I don't want more of these awkward instances on campus. My plan to avoid them is the only defense I really have.

"Uh, you know I really want to just go back. I actually have a little headache."

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