Page 196 of Forbidden Lessons

Fuck, the DJ is killing it. We ship this guy in from Europe every year for the gig, and he’s never failed to disappoint. Really wish he’d put his fucking shirt on, though. I don’t need to be reminded how many times I’ve missed gym the past few weeks.

I’m on the edge of the dance floor on one of the small platforms reserved for Greeks. This one has our Greek letters painted on the tree behind us, but most of my frat brothers are busy dancing, banging someone, or getting refills.

I’m happy right here, jamming like tonight’s my last night on earth.

If I take any more drugs, it might be.

Ha. At least I’d die happy.

Austin and iPhone are nearby, Austin trying to chat up one of the more naked chicks in our vicinity, and iPhone…

“Dude!” I yell, seizing his arm as I pause for a water break. “First time I’ve ever seen you without your phone.”

“Stocks are closed, bro!” He turns his grin on me. “And I’m fucking rolling.”

We laugh, clapping each other on the back as we turn back to the dance floor. With the UV lamps on full blast, the dance floor is a sea of glowing limbs, and I’m pretty sure eighty percent ofthe people out there are stoned, fucked, or drunk. Or all three, like me.

So many happy, smiling faces.

Not that far away, lightning pierces the sky. The clap of thunder is barely audible over the music, but tons of dancers throw their arms into the air, yelling for rain.

“Fuck, yeah!” I yell, arms held up high. “Bring iiiiiit!”

“Kai.” Austin tugs my elbow, “Hey!”

“What?”

He leans closer, so he doesn’t have to yell at the top of his lungs and tugs up his animal mask. All the frat guys are wearing them. Mine looks less like a wolf and more like someone crushing on Donnie Darko.

“Isn’t that the charity case Ezra wants booted?” Austin points into the crowd, and I follow his finger to a pair of girls dancing a few yards away.

I take a swig of my beer, getting better at maneuvering it through the mask’s mouth hole every time.

Well, fuck.

Look at Haven, enjoying herself like she has every right to be here.

…you can all just suck it up. I’m staying.

If there wasn’t so much fucking molly pumping through my veins right now, I’d be mad. I tried to warn her, and she spat in my face.

Guess that was karma, for spitting in hers the first day she got here.

Jesus, she looks so hot, dancing with her eyes closed, head thrown back, letting the music move her.

Parker’s with her, but she’s caught up in some dude she’s dancing with, her back half-turned to Haven. Little Miss Heavenly’s in a world of her own, it seems.

Her own personal Utopia.

I sense a drop coming in the music, and my eyes are about to slide shut so I can lose myself in it when a guy comes up behind Haven and puts his hands on her waist.

She comes out of her trance and spins around, shoving his chest.

Ha, ha. Loser.

She makes a point of turning her back on him, but the guy’s obviously on way too many drugs, because he doesn’t seem to realize she doesn’t want him near her. He slides up to her again, grabbing her shoulders, and skating a hand down the front of her?—

My breath knocks out of me as I leap off the platform. Party goers make way for me, those that see me anyway, and the others I twist and writhe past, trying not to knock anyone over.

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