Chapter 2

River

We finally made it after 2 hours of driving. We headed out to the apartment on campus, choosing to live in the same complex but having our own space. Well, I did. He was upset at first, but frankly, I just wanted to live a little and feel free. I wanted that single life, you know the one where you should be able to play music out loud, watch T.V., walk around naked, and eat whatever and whenever you want.

Two of our good friends Jason and Erica, were also attending UT, but they had dorms. Jason shared a room with a guy and Erica shared one with a girl. 

I on the other hand was able to afford my apartment because of my mom’s life insurance. Dad put it away for me to use for college. I also had scholarships because your girl here was a smart cookie.

Zach was able to afford an apartment because his family was wealthy. So money was never an issue for him. However, Zach is a very smart guy, a genius if you may. 

He chose to major in Mechanical Engineering just like me. He said watching me fix, work, and put car parts together, encouraged him to do the same. He was shocked when he found out about my mechanic knowledge. I gotta thank Dad for that because he taught me everything I should know about mechanics and I loved it. 

Anytime our bikes or buggies would break down, we were the ones fixing them. I’m lying, it was mostly me, but he helped. That's another thing he knew about me that no one else did. I don’t think other girls were interested in the same things I was, but I’m pretty sure I would have had interesting topics with boys who loved getting dirty– with the engines.

So here we were unloading our things, going back and forth. I had to beg him to let me do this on my own. I wished Zach would stop treating me like a delicate girl. I am a strong, strategic thinker, and an independent person.

On one of my trips to my room, I bumped into a beautiful girl with black wavy hair. She was a bit taller than me and dressed the part. A cute short skirt, cropped top, and…heels? Heels? Who in their right mind wears heels right now in temps like this? 

“Watch where you're going!” She screeched when she tumbled backward, almost falling on the floor.

“I’m so sorry, I didn’t–”

“Yeah, I don’t care! You almost made me fall. Watch where the f*ck you're going!” She said in a hostile tone.

I was surprised at her rudeness and language. Dang, that was mean. Such a beautiful face yet an ugly tongue.

“I said I was sorry!!!” I exclaimed, raising my voice, and making her frown. 

“You know what, forget it. Move!” I pushed my way through not caring if I made her fall, which I hoped she did. Yeah, I know, not very Christian-like. I disliked girls like that. I sure as heck was not going to put up with that.

“Umph! F*cking freak!” She yelled out. 

I stopped and was about to turn around when “WHAT DID YOU CALL HER!?” A deep angry voice yelled out from in front of me. It was Zach’s. I recognized it anywhere and he sounded furious.

“It’s okay, Z. I got this. The girl lost a screw when she almost tripped.”

The look on her face was priceless, but also, there was a gleam in her eye. The way she stared at my best friend, made me clench my brows, and I felt a tinge of jealousy. No couldn’t be, he’s your friend Riv’s.

“I uh…she should be the one apologizing! She almost made me fall! I could have–” She raised her voice, not believing he yelled at her, but he cut her off.

“Lies!!! You better apologize to her now!” He seethed and I heard her breath hitch. She seemed offended and hurt that he’d talk to her like that. I’m guessing from the look on her face, guys haven't talked to Barbie like that.

“ZACH! ENOUGH! I. Don’t. Care. She almost fell because of me. The freaking box was in my way. Can we just hurry up and finish, please? I don’t need an apology because we both know she’s not going to mean it.” I huffed, irritated by this unnecessary quarrel. I was sweating and hot, and my glasses were fogging up. I wanted to get under the AC as soon as possible.

“Fine! I’ll help you with that, babe.” Ugh, his stupid nickname. I noticed the girl looked surprised when he called me that. People were going to get the wrong idea, especially with the way he becomes possessive when guys are around.

I nodded. The girl stomped away, cursing, and throwing a tantrum as she walked on the sidewalk. Way to go on my first day here!? I don’t think I could handle brushing off pain in the butts like that one.

On our way to my apartment, a girl was handing out flyers. “Here, if you're a freshman, this is for you. This party is to welcome all newcomers. Hope to see ya there!” She exclaimed in a chirpy tone, smiling at me and winking at Zach. She handed us each a piece of paper, that read:

‘PARTY AT ALPHA TAU OMEGA! ALL FRESHMEN ARE INVITED. LET US GIVE YOU A WARM WELCOME!

IT’S A MASQUERADE PARTY, MASKS CAN BE OPTIONAL, BUT FUN. BE THERE AT 7:30 P.M., TOMORROW, SATURDAY. ALL ESSENTIALS WILL BE PROVIDED ;)’

Zach laughed, “Of course, all freshmen are invited.” Apparently, he was warned by his brothers about this and other people as well. “Are you going?” I asked.

“Yeah, why not? Guess I’ll see what all the commotion is about with these parties.” He replied with a boring tone.

“Well, have fun then.” His face dropped, “You're not going, babe?”

“Nope. I rather not. I want to put my things up and relax. This will be my first time living alone and doing what I want. I don’t think a party is a good idea to begin with anyway.”

“Awe, come on. I’ll be there with you, I wouldn't want you going alone. I’ll come over and help you put your stuff away. River, it’s not like you're not going to have enough time to put your things away. It’s the first party of the year, live a little, babe. I promise I’ll be with you, and so will Jason and Erica.” He pleaded.

I rolled my eyes, “It’s not that…I don’t know. Let me think about it, I would need to go shopping for a mask if I do. I don’t want those…hooligans to see ‘ma berdiful face’.” I said, laughing, fluttering my lashes at him. 

He cocked an eyebrow, “Fine. Me too, I don’t think I want horndogs trying to hit on you. Are you done with your boxes?” He asked, changing the subject, thinking I didn’t catch that statement.

“I have two more. Don’t worry about me, they’re small so go on…go on your way and finish doing what you were doing. Oh, and Zachy, thank you for having my back, but I did have it under control.” I winked, blowing him a kiss, and walked away towards the Roadrunner.

He shook his head and hollered, “Sure, you did. Anything for you, babe. Call me if you need my help, wonder woman.” I rolled my eyes, giving him two thumbs up and heading back to my vehicle. I forgot I had the back still open.

I was walking outside when I saw the chic I had that small dispute with yelling angrily at a guy. The moment I closed the back with the boxes in my hand, I noticed her pointing at me.

“Oh, sonovabisket.” He turned to look at me and stared. My breath hitched but I managed to smile walking back to my shelter.

When I closed the door, I heard a soft knock a minute later. I froze. “Fudgesicles, was it them?” I whispered.

I went into my room to place the boxes down. Nope, I’m not opening it. They can knock all they want. I don’t have time–

“Open up sweetheart, I know you’re in there. I promise I’m not here to scold you, I just want a glimpse of the girl who pissed Jessica off.” He calmly said.

So her name is Jessica. I took a deep breath and exhaled. 

I went and cracked the door open putting my foot behind it with a stoic expression, “What do you want–” I was quickly silenced at how handsome he looked. A freaking young version of Vasiliy Stephanov, a Russian actor. He was definitely his doppelganger but had light blue eyes, curly dirty blond hair with a high taper fade cut, a chiseled jaw-line, kissable juicy plumped lips, and a sinful glare as he stared up and down to what he could only see because half of my body was hiding behind the door. 

I should have changed into pajamas. 

“It should be a sin to look like that,” I said, thinking I said that to myself.

He chuckled, “I don’t think it’s a sin…blessed probably would be the correct word.” 

My eyes opened wide like saucers, Oh, my gosh! Did I say that out loud? I gulped, squeezing my eyes at my absurdity.

He cocked an eyebrow and smirked, "I don't think your boyfriend would like hearing you say things like that to other guys, sweetheart."

What?! Did he say, boyfriend? "I don't have a boyfriend," I said, knitting my brows. His smile widened.

“W-what d-do you want?” I stammered asking again, feeling uncomfortable by his stare. 

“Well, I wanted to see the person who made Jessica flip, that’s all.” He said in a rough deep voice. A voice that made my stomach flutter and my body tingle. A feeling I have never felt before. I mean Zach’s voice was nice to listen to, but this guy…this guy sounded deeper than his if possible.

“Oh…well, now you did. I’m sorry, I tried apologizing to your girlfriend, but she wouldn’t hear it. So…is that all? I have things to do.” I said, trying to rush whatever this pointless conversation was.

“Beautiful, tempered, and rude. I like you already, oh and Jessica is not my girlfriend.” He winked and gave me a sexy boyish smile that made my heart pound faster. Not your girlfriend you said…dang it, snap out of it woman!

“Will you be attending the party tomorrow night?” He asked.

“I don't know. I have more important things to do than go to a party. But if you're going, enjoy it!” I said, closing the door on him. I didn’t mean to cut him off, it’s not like me, but I had to before Zach stepped out of his apartment and found a boy at my door. Zach may not look the part, but he could fight and he wasn’t scared of expressing his anger or masking his expressions when it came to me.

The boy, I mean man, has done it before. He chuckled, “Feisty. See you there, sweetheart. I’ll be waiting for you.”

“Hot, gorgeous, sexy boy say whaaa?!”

I smacked my mouth when he yelled out, “He said, he’ll be waiting for you!” I could hear his cackle fade as he left my door.

Nope. This was not happening. I need to learn to keep my mouth shut and stop vocalizing my thoughts out loud. I didn’t mean to, but he caught me off guard with how gorgeous he looked. My heart has never and I mean never pounded that fast for anyone. Maybe for Italian and Turkish actors, but this guy… was hot.

I’ve never been with a boy, as in never had a boyfriend. Guys never came close to me or asked me out. I felt undesirable, but my friends knew how to smack me out of my depressed senses, especially Zach. 

I just couldn’t understand why, though.

“He called me beautiful,” I said, placing a palm over my forehead. “Oh, come on Riv, that’s what boys say when they want to get inside your pants.” I scolded myself.

I walked back to my living room to empty some more boxes. The first thing I did was look for my JBL Boombox. Turned it on since it was charged and connected it to my phone.

I immediately played ‘Infinity by James Young’. I began to dance in front of my long arched floor mirror. Fun fact about me, I love dancing in front of a mirror. I love dancing to slow songs watching my hips sway to the rhythm. It made me feel sexy dancing that way. I would never get caught dancing in public, but when I was alone, I danced my little heart out.

…and then there was ‘Black Out Days by Phantogram’. This song was one that I loved to dance to so many, many times, and I knew the moves by heart. That song was my jam.