Chapter 29

Drasa's POV

The pool party was in full swing now, with music pumping and people laughing as they splashed around in the crystal-clear water. Maya had been persistent about getting me to actually swim instead of just sitting on the edge like a wallflower.

"Come on, Drasa!" she called out, already waist-deep in the water. "You can't come to a pool party and not get in the pool. That's like going to a restaurant and not eating!"

I was still feeling self-conscious about everything, my hair, my outfit, the earlier confrontation with Elara but Maya's enthusiasm was infectious. Reluctantly, I slipped into the water, the cool temperature immediately making me feel more relaxed than I had all evening.

"See? Isn't this better?" Maya grinned, splashing me playfully.

Before I could answer, one of the servers approached the edge of the pool with a tray of colorful drinks. The glasses were tall and decorated with little umbrellas and fruit garnishes, clearly some kind of cocktail.

"Ladies?" the server offered with a professional smile.

I hesitated, staring at the drinks uncertainly. I wasn't much of a drinker, and given how overwhelming everything had been tonight, alcohol seemed like it might make things worse instead of better.

But Maya was already reaching for two glasses. "Don't worry, I've got this," she said, taking both drinks and handing one to me. "Trust me, you need to relax a little."

Just as I was about to take a tentative sip, a commotion near the entrance to the pool area caught everyone's attention. The music seemed to get louder, and suddenly there were wolf whistles and cheers coming from all directions.

Five women had just entered the party area, and they were wearing absolutely nothing except decorative face masks that covered the upper halves of their faces. Their bodies were perfect in that artificial way that suggested professional enhancement, and they moved with the confident sexuality of people who were completely comfortable being the center of attention.

I immediately covered my face with my hands, mortified by the display. This was so far outside my comfort zone that I didn't even know how to process what I was seeing.

Maya burst into laughter at my reaction. "Oh my god, Drasa, stop being so shy! They're just strippers they're here to perform. It's entertainment!"

I peeked through my fingers, my cheeks burning with embarrassment. "Strippers?" I whispered.

"Yes, strippers!" Maya said, still laughing. "This is a college party, not a church social. Relax!"

The realization hit me like a slap. These were the kind of women Elara had been comparing me to? The comparison felt even more ridiculous now that I could see what she'd actually meant.

As the music shifted to something with a heavier bass line, Maya started dancing in the water, moving her body to the rhythm. She grabbed my arms, trying to get me to move with her.

"Come on, dance with me!" she urged, her energy absolutely infectious. "Nobody's judging you we're all just here to have fun!"

Despite my embarrassment, I found myself starting to move a little, letting Maya guide me through some basic movements. She pressed the drink into my hands again.

"Here, this will help you loosen up," she said encouragingly.

This time I didn't hesitate. I took a large gulp of the fruity cocktail, hoping it would calm my nerves and help me feel less like a fish out of water.

That's when Kai's voice boomed across the party area again through the sound system.

"Alright, everyone! The real party is about to start! Get ready for..”

But his announcement was cut off by an explosive cheer that seemed to shake the entire venue. The sound was so loud and sudden that I actually jumped, spilling some of my drink into the pool.

Then I saw why everyone was going crazy.

Cassian had just appeared at the edge of the pool area, and the sight of him made my breath catch in my throat in a way that was both unexpected and deeply unsettling.

He was wearing nothing but black swim shorts that hung perfectly on his lean hips, and his body was absolutely magnificent. His chest was broad and defined, with just the right amount of muscle without looking bulky. His shoulders were wide and strong, tapering down to a narrow waist that suggested hours spent in the gym. His skin had a natural golden tan that made him look like he'd stepped off the cover of a fitness magazine, and water droplets on his chest. 

But it was more than just his physical perfection. There was something about the way he carried himself, confident without being arrogant, powerful without being intimidating. He moved with the kind of natural grace that suggested he was completely comfortable in his own skin.

His dark hair was slightly wet, pushed back from his face in a way that highlighted the sharp angles of his jawline and cheekbones. When he smiled at something someone said to him, it was the kind of smile that probably made hearts stop all across campus.

I felt something strange happening in my chest, a fluttery, nervous feeling that I couldn't quite identify. It was like butterflies, but more intense, more unsettling. My skin felt warm despite the cool water, and I found myself unable to look away even though I knew I should.

Cassian's eyes swept across the pool area, taking in the crowd, and for just a moment just one heart-stopping moment, his gaze landed directly on me. And then, incredibly, impossibly, he winked.

It was subtle, quick, the kind of gesture that could have been meant for anyone or no one, but I felt it like an electric shock running through my entire body.

"Did Cassian just wink at you?" Maya asked, her voice full of excitement and disbelief.

"No!" I said quickly, maybe too quickly. "No, he was probably looking at someone behind me. There's no way he was looking at me."

But even as I denied it, I couldn't shake the memory of that moment, the way his eyes had seemed to see right through me, the way that simple gesture had made me feel like I was the only person in the entire party.

I watched as Cassian started to move in our direction, and for a moment I thought he might actually be coming to talk to me. My heart was pounding so hard I was sure Maya could hear it over the music.

But then I saw Elara approaching from the other side of the pool area, her earlier humiliation apparently forgotten, or at least pushed aside in favor of more immediate goals. She moved toward Cassian with the kind of predatory focus that I'd seen her use before, her body language screaming ownership and entitlement.

When she reached him, she gesture that was both casual and possessive, leaning in to whisper something without any resistance, Cassian allowed her to guide him toward the changing rooms 

Watching them walk away together felt like being punched in the stomach. I couldn't understand why it hurt so much. 

"Well, that sucks," Maya said, clearly having witnessed the entire exchange. "I was sure he was looking at you."

Before I could respond, Kai's voice cut through the music again, this time managing to complete his announcement.

"Alright, beautiful people! Welcome to the hottest pool party of the semester! This incredible event has been organized by your amazing student council specifically for our gorgeous freshers!" He paused for the obligatory cheer from the crowd. "Now, we all know what pool parties are really about, getting wet, getting wild, and maybe getting lucky!"

The crowd roared its approval, and I felt my cheeks heating up again.

"So let's start with some games that'll help everyone get better acquainted," Kai continued, his voice taking on a mischievous tone. "First up, we've got Truth or Dare, but this isn't your middle school version. We're talking adult truths and adult dares, people!"

More cheers and wolf whistles from the crowd.

"Then we'll move on to Body Shots, and yes, that's exactly what it sounds like! Find someone you'd like to get to know better and let your tongues do the walking!"

I nearly choked on my drink at that announcement.

"And finally, for those of you who are feeling really adventurous, we'll finish the night with our famous Spin the Bottle tournament but with a twist! Whatever the bottle lands on, you've got to do it, no matter how naughty it gets!"

The crowd was going absolutely wild now, people cheering and laughing and already starting to form groups for the games. I looked around in panic, suddenly feeling like I was way, way out of my depth.