Chapter 3

River

A few hours later, Zach came by knocking at my door. “It’s me…Z. Open up, babe.” He hollered behind the door.

I got up from the floor, looking at my window. I hadn’t realized it was dark outside. How long was I at it?

“Hey guys! Come in.” I said, surprised to see Jason and Erica with him as I opened the door.

“Nice place, shorty!” Jason said. “Umm hmm! I love it!” Erica chimed. “Too bad you only have one room. Where would I sleep if I wanted to spend the night, Riv?”

I cocked an eyebrow, “The couch, E.” I gave her a bored look. She laughed, “Right because we all know you're a bed hogger.” I scowled, “AM NOT!”

Zach chuckled, “She ain’t lying, babe. You sleep like the whole bed isn’t enough for you.”

“Oh, you shush! What’s up? Whatcha want? Why’d ya come over here for? Ya came to taunt me or what?” I questioned with a hand on my hip. Zach raised his hands in surrender.

“Damn, so many questions. Can’t we just visit, just because? Well, if you want to know so bad, food brought me here and to visit you of course!” Jason exclaimed.

“I told them we would order some wings and pizza, and come over to your place to eat. You know, get your place dirty instead of mine.” He said with a grin. 

I gave him a stern look, “Really? How thoughtful of you.”

“I do want some Wingstop though and you're paying since my place was your pick.” I gave him a half-smirk. He shrugged.

“Fine, you call and order it then.” He said flatly and I sneered.

“Erica, you call it. I’m busy. I ain’t your PA, Z!” He chuckled, “Fine, call it Erica, pretty please?”

“Oh, I see! You say pretty please to her but–” He cut me off engulfing me in his arms. “Shh…You talk too much. You look cuter, quiet.” I pushed him off, glowering at him.

I looked back at my friends. They both looked at us with a bored look, Jason had one of his eyebrows up, “Ya act like a married couple.” 

“Oh, hush! Well, E…you know what I like, mango habanero and stuff crust!” They all rolled their eyes and groaned. I guess we don’t have the same food preferences, I giggled.

“Yeah, yeah!” Erica said, grabbing her phone. She placed an order at Papa John’s and Wingstop. Zach handed her his card. 

“Doordash will be dropping it off in 25 to 40 minutes,” she said. 

“Z told us you don’t want to go to the party tomorrow, Riv. Why is that?” Erica questioned.

“Cuz. What’s the dang point? Besides–” She didn’t let me finish, interrupting me.

“Besides nothing! You're going and that’s it. We did not come over here to not experience college life only so you can stay in your happy place alone reading your porn romance and listening to music.” I gaped. The guys began to laugh and my jaw dropped. No, this heifer didn’t.

“W-what p-porn romance?! They are romance novels full of passion! You know…happy endings, not porn you jerk!” She began to laugh with them when they saw how nervous I looked and stammered.

“Forget ya! Ya can go to Z’s place and eat there! I don’t need this, now leave me alone, besides E, I did tell knucklehead over here that I would think about it. I dislike you right now Z and because of that, I ain’t going!” I shouted, crossing my arms across my chest, like a stubborn child.

“No, you don’t, babe. We both know you love me. We’re just joking. Come here…come to Z.”

Oh heck nah! “NO!” I was taking it out on him because he brought them over, period!

He raised his eyebrow, “No?!” 

I looked at him like he just grew a third head, “Did I stutter, Z? No, I will not go to you. Call me when the food gets here.” I was annoyed and mad, I turned around to stomp away when…

Now this may be a bit confusing, but what happened next is what confuses our friends. The relationship that Zach and I have is nowhere near normal.

…he grabbed me by the waist, lifted me, and hauled me to my room shouting, “We’ll be right back.” I can’t even describe how angry I became knowing what he was going to do. He pissed me off and he knew it.

“Let go, Z,” I growled, gritting my teeth, and pushing him away. “No, you need to calm down with that sassy attitude of yours.” Sitting on my bed, he made me straddle him, with my legs wrapped around his torso. He took my glasses off and held me by my waist with his arm and the other on the back of my neck. Usually, that’s what couples do. Yeah, I read that in the books. I slumped my arms. I didn’t want to hold him. 

“Hug me, River!” He commanded, in a growling tone.

“No, jerk,” I gruffed. I was irritated. “If you don’t hug me, we won’t be leaving this room and you know damn well I don’t play. I don’t care if you fall asleep in my arms. We will not eat.” 

I screamed, “ARRGHHH!!” It sounded muffled since my face was in the crook of his neck.

I know, I know what you're thinking, but this is what he does every single time I become super pissed. Weird? Yes. Is it normal between friends? No. Do other friends act this way? Mmm…maybe…I don’t know. Okay, probably not.

After a few minutes, I finally calmed down. His scent surrounded me and being in his arms somehow always calmed me down. I couldn’t stay upset at him for long, so I finally gave in and hugged him. 

“Now, that’s more like it.” I exhaled as he talked. “I’m sorry, babe. You're easy to tease, you know that? But you know we care about you and don’t mean it in any bad way. You're probably tired and hungry.”

He wasn’t wrong. I was tired and hungry, not to mention a bit stressed with what happened earlier. Maybe I was in the wrong for letting their comments get to me. I nodded, reassuring him I was listening and that he was right. “Can we go now, please?” I asked and he chuckled, “Of course, babe.”

As soon as we walked out of the room, Erica and Jason were staring at us. “Well, that was fast! Was the quickie good? Did you tame her–” Jason said jokingly, but I cut him off yelling, “Shut it, J!” I rolled my eyes, but Zach responded, “No, baby girl just needed a hug. It’s nothing like that.”

*DING * DONG*

Saved by the bell! Their glare only made things awkward. They would never understand our friendship and there’s no point explaining it.

_________

The next day, I woke up at 9 to get my day started. I decided that I would go to the party after all. Somehow, Erica’s words made me realize she was right. You only live once, so why not enjoy it?

After eating breakfast, organizing, and putting things in their place, I put on some jeans and a white tee, pairing it up with some white Adidas.

I headed to Party City. They usually have masks for all occasions. I just need a cute black one that covers half my face.

I stopped at Bath and Body Works to grab a couple of fall-scented candles. Oooh! Maybe I should decorate my place with a touch of Fall. I made two more stops at Michaels and Hobby Lobby. I picked up a couple of Fall decorations and went back to my apartment.

Stopping by Zach’s door, I knocked and shouted, “Sleepyhead! Wake up Zachy! It’s me, your worst nightmare.” I giggled, not caring if anyone heard me. I’m sure he’s going to wish we never lived close to each other.

After a minute, a shirtless, sleepy Zach opened the door with black sweatpants that were hanging dangerously low. Oh, my word! When the heck did he get that…sexy body? He chuckled, “Eyes up here, babe. Well, unless you like what you see.” I shook my head looking away. “...and you're not a nightmare, babe, you're just the opposite.”

Okay. I couldn’t help but feel a bit weird. I was ogling my best friend and that only happened a few times. I mean the boy screamed out sex appeal but it shouldn’t to me. He was my best bud.

I cleared my throat, “I bought you a candle. It’s warm apple pie. I know you love that scent.”

He grinned, “Thanks! I’ll light it up, wanna come in?”

“No, I got a bunch of things in the truck. I just wanted to give you that before I forget. I’m decorating for Fall.” I said, unable to hide my excitement.

“Ah…need help?” His voice sounded so deep, especially when he barely wakes up.

“No. I also wanted to tell you that I’ll go to the party, just don’t wait for me. I’ll show up and find ya. I have a couple of things to do before I go.” He frowned.

“No, babe. You're not going alone. I can wait–” I interrupted. “No, Zach. Can you for once let me just do something alone? I promise to let you know when I’m on my way, okay?” His face softened. “Fine, but you’ll text or call me. I’ll be waiting for you.” I smiled.

“Fine, I’ll see ya later!” I chirped.

________

I’ve attended parties before. Some were lame and some were very interesting. Most of the time people liked playing stupid beer pong games or truth and dare. They played other games like 7 Minutes in Heaven. I never joined but cringed at how dumb people acted and how far they went. A small piece inside me hoped that college would be different.

I mean we’ve seen movies and TV shows with college students doing the same thing, but I was hoping it was all just on screen.

I wasn’t gonna lie, I was a bit scared only because I didn’t know what to expect. If some of these girls were like Barbie, the girl I bumped into, then I would have to dress the part.

Good thing Abby helped me get a couple of dresses when we went to the mall right after we finished school. We went shopping looking for a dress for my graduation and found a couple. There was one in particular that she got me to fit and liked, one that Dad and Zach would probably frown upon, but this is college and I might as well change it up a bit.

It would go perfectly well with my black lace mask.

As I finished putting up some more stuff and was making some lunch, Zach came over to spend time with me. It always made me feel special when he hung around me and mostly when he wore sweatpants and a white tee. He really was cute. 

I could see why people usually thought wrong about our friendship. We cuddled a lot, hugged, held hands, sat on each other’s laps sometimes, and were always whispering in each other's ears. We couldn’t help it though. We’ve known each other since we were in Elementary and it’s rare to be friends with a boy for that long.

He was lying on my couch, watching Jurassic Park with an arm behind his head and the other under his shirt. He loved that movie and so did I. We usually watched Deep Blue Sea, Die Hard, or Tremors, old but classics.

I was making some spaghetti, using sausage meat because who doesn’t love pork? I’m sure a lot of people but I hated using beef when it came to spaghetti. It was an easy meal to make and we were hungry. I had the oven on preheat for the Texas toast to warm up and Zach came from behind to get the drinks.

“Dr.Pepper, babe?” He asked. “Nah, I want some iced tea with lemonade today,” I replied.

“Arnold Palmer it is,” he retorted.

After preparing his plate, like the good friend that I am, he took the bread out. “It smells so good. I love the way you make your spaghetti. I feel like it’s better than Olive Gardens or Italiano’s.” He commented.

“Do you, now? Well, I’m glad you love it! When you find your girl or get married, I’ll show her how to make it for you.” His smile faded away. I looked up confused, “Did I say something wrong? Too soon?”

“No, babe. I just…never mind.” I could tell he was hesitating in speaking his mind. “So what time were you planning on going to the party? And before you go off on me, I’m just asking.” He said, changing the subject.

“Don’t know. I’ll text you.” That was all I mustered up to say because I didn’t have an idea of a specific time. Besides, these parties ended late, so did it matter what time? He nodded, frowning at my response.

All I know is that the girl who was going to go to this party was not going to be me. She was going in a revealing dress, black lace mask, no glasses, and heels. If Zach had an idea of how I was going to be dressed, he would make sure I didn’t leave my place before I changed my outfit. So, I wanted to leave him in the unknown. It was better that way.

I would be Raven tonight. A name I chose to give the bad girl side of me.