Page 2 of Shrouded in the Dark
She grinned as she clapped her hands together. “Let’s go!” She looked amazing in her pink dress and leggings that fit her hourglass figure perfectly. Her light blonde hair was curled around her face and ran down her back. She really was gorgeous.
I followed her out the door as we made our way out of the dorm. It was later in the afternoon. There were still a few hours before it would get dark.
We roamed the ‘main street’ where most of the sorority houses were located. Almost every building was lit up with lights that flashed. There was music pumping out of the doors. Students roamed the middle of the street, some already drunk and singing loudly.
“I was thinking we could stop by Axel’s frat house,” Felicity suggested as we walked. She was trying to be subtle.
I hid my smile. “That’s fine. Let’s go there.”
Felicity had a huge crush on Axel. It didn’t hurt that he was drop dead gorgeous and on the football team. I wasn’t sure what position he was, I wasn’t really interested in sports, so I never paid attention when Felicity talked about it. I’d never had a chance to talk to him, having only met once for about a minute. When they would go out, Felicity met him wherever they had planned to go.
After another ten minutes of walking, we stopped in front of a two-story Victorian house. There were students all over the front yard, and loud rap music blasted through the open windows and front door. There were plastic cups littering the yard and I wrinkled my nose in disgust. Was it that hard to throw away an empty cup?
“Come on, Becca! Stop spacing out!” Felicity grabbed my hand as she dragged me across the sidewalk, up the stairs, and into the house.
The house was even more jam-packed with people than it had looked like from the outside. You couldn’t even hear yourself think without yelling in your head.
“Where do you think Axel is?” I leaned forward to yell into her ear. I pressed into her side to try to avoid being touched by other people. It also gave me a focus so I wouldn't have an anxiety attack.
“He’s probably in the kitchen!” she yelled over her shoulder at me as she pushed her way through the crowd of dancing and mingling students. I was right on her tail.
There were a few curses from kids that Felicity basically shoved out of the way, but no one stopped her. Being hot had its perks. As soon as we went through two rooms, we were in the kitchen. I wouldn’t have been able to step into this house without her pushing me past my comfort zone.
Axel leaned against the island, his right ankle over his left. His arms were crossed as he was talking with the guy to his left. I paused for a brief second to look at him. Felicity had good tastes. He was tall, hands taller than most of the boys at this party. He was almost as muscled as he was tall. His muscles were clearly defined in his black shirt that looked like it might be a size too small with how it clung to him, giving hints to the body underneath. He had a handsome face with strong features. His hair was light chestnut and was cut short. It was just long enough to look tussled. His eyes were a shade darker than his hair. His skin tone reminded me of caramel. He looked like the bad-boy jock.
It was significantly quieter in here; you could talk without having to yell. Axel looked over as we entered the room and his amber eyes lit up as a look of yearning flashed across his face.
“I didn’t think you were coming.” He didn’t move from where he was as we walked to him. His white teeth flashed as he grinned, making them stand out against his darker skin tone. I had to admit, he was really hot and his voice was smooth as velvet.
“I wouldn’t miss getting to see you before you left early for break.” Felicity’s tone had deepened as she fluttered her eyelashes up at him. She’d let go of my hand as she stepped up to him.
Axel chuckled as his arm went around Felicity’s waist. “Well, we’re just going to have to make the most of tonight, aren’t we?”
The guy that Axel had been talking to cleared his throat, coughing into his hand. He was nearly as tall as Axel but leaner. He wasn’t as wide as Axel, but still in great shape. His hair was only a little longer than his friend’s. It was a light blonde with hints of natural red tint in the strands. I was too far away from him to see what color his eyes were in the low light, but his face was beautiful, with hints of Asian heritage. I’d love to draw him. He looked like he could be one of those old samurai with a katana, ready to strike. His skin was a light tan. Axel looked over at him and laughed.
“Sorry about that, Jasper.” He motioned between the two. “Jasper, this is Felicity, the girl I’ve been telling you about. Felicity, this is Jasper. He’s my best friend.”
Felicity stuck her hand out to shake Jasper's. “Nice to meet you.” She pressed against Axel’s chest. “You talk about me, mmm?”
I had to admit. The girl was smooth. I looked around, maybe there was a quiet corner I could hide out until she was all partied out. I’d made sure my phone was charged all the way so I could read the new book I’d just downloaded onto it. It would be a good distraction to keep my anxiety at bay.
“It’s awesome to meet you. You’ll have to tell me how you got this dimwits attention. The only thing he’s ever cared about is food and working out,” Jasper had continued the conversation as I was looking for my escape. His voice reminded me of melting chocolate.
Felicity laughed before looking back. She narrowed her eyes at me because she knew exactly what I was doing. My shoulders slumped.
“Let me introduce you to my best friend!” She walked over, threw her arm over my shoulder and shuffled us forward. “This is Becca. She’s in the arts program, one of the best artists I’ve ever seen, and probably the kindest I’ve ever met.”
I looked at her. “Awww.” That was really sweet of her. “I love you, too.”
We laughed at each other, forgetting about the two guys for a second. Axel’s chuckle joined ours and I ignored how his voice caused a lightness in my chest that tingled.
That hadn’t been weird at all.
“Yeah, apparently, they’re like that all the time, or so I’ve heard.” He looked over at Jasper with a shrug as he grinned.
“Well, it’s a pleasure to meet you, Becca.” Jasper had stepped forward and he took my hand in his much larger one. “I’m just a simple man trying to make my way in the universe.”
Our eyes met and my breath left me. His eyes reminded me of an emerald necklace my mother wore all the time. They were a deep green with flecks of brown. His lips were curved in a smile as we shook hands.
