Page 30 of Atone

We’re silent the rest of the walk up the driveway, and I sense I’m not the only one lost in thought. As usual, we have to push through the bottleneck of people crowding just inside the door to the frat house, but once we’re inside, the room opens up.

Kole and Violet find their way to us, with Declan a step behind them. The second he claims Teal with a kiss in front of his friends, I’m glad Patience decided not to join us. She might be in denial, but I see the truth in Teal’s eyes as she looks up at Declan.

He’s it for her. There’s no going back. And with how he holds her face like she’s the center of his universe, I sense the feeling is mutual.

A pang stings my heart. Watching how happy my friends are makes me think about the passage Alex wrote about some girl who probably doesn’t even bother visiting him.

Declan and Kole disappear at the start of the party, and I’m thankful to have some time with just me and my friends.

Teal, Violet, and I disappear into a bathroom to catch up. Then we dance until the guys finally return, and Violet inevitably clings to Kole’s side, while Declan disappears with Teal to the corner of the room.

Then it’s just me, sipping a drink and staring at a slowly devolving crowd.

It’s fine.

I’m fine.

I’m used to this.

As the party escalates, people get drunker. Clothes become fewer, and madness descends.

Tonight, there are no new initiates bound to the giant crosses that line the back wall of the Sigma House entryway, so it’s calmer in the front of the house. The way this fraternity bastardizes religion will unsettle even those with little faith, like me. It’s almost as if the members of Sigma Sin aren’t content simply selling their own souls to the devil. They need to find a way to condemn us all for being here.

Teal and Declan have long since disappeared, but Violet and Kole stay close. Usually, they would have faded upstairs an hour ago, but tonight, Kole seems content caging Violet in his grip and offering lethal glances to anyone who so much as looks at her too long.

I was hoping to have some alone time to sneak around the house while everyone is drunk and distracted, but the later it gets, the less I see the chance of that happening.

“You okay, Mila?” Violet leans in.

She’s borderline yelling to be heard over the party raging around us. Kole offers a bit of give on his hold soshe can lean closer, but he refuses to let go of her hand as he leans against the bar and watches the room.

“Of course.” I plaster a forced smile. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

“You’ve been quieter lately. And disappearing more often.” Her eyebrows pinch. “Is it the carnival being back in town? Patience mentioned your parents weren’t the greatest. It’s not bringing anything up, is it?”

“I’m okay.” I force a smile. “But it is throwing me off a bit.”

It’s better if Violet thinks I’m bothered by the carnival than for her to know it’s Patience’s brother I can’t get off my mind.

“I’m so jealous you’re going to be spending the summer in LA without me.” I steer the conversation in a different direction.

“It’s not like we’re going to LA for fun. It’s a tough internship. I’ve heard half the students will likely drop out before the summer ends.”

“Well, I doubt that will be you or Patience. You’re too smart, and she’s too stubborn,” I try to assure her. “But just because you’re there for school doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy yourself. Seriously, if you and Patience don’t do at least one fun thing while you’re there, I’m going to disown you. Sneak into a bar, get a tattoo… anything.”

Violet shakes her head, but my comment seems to get Kole’s attention. Knowing how he is with Violet, I don’t doubt he would get her name permanently inked across his chest after just a few months of dating. Or maybe he wants to put his name on hers. Who knows what those two are into, but they take obsession to another level.

“Hey, babe.” A hand snakes behind my back, stealing my attention.

I look up to see Marco grinning down at me. Glancing back at Violet, she rolls her eyes, folding herself back into Kole’s embrace to give me some space.

“I’m not your babe.” I offer Marco a venomous smile.

“Don’t be like that. I thought we were working things out.”

“You cheated on me.”

“It was an accident.”

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