Chapter 5

Ivy

The dorm room was a mess of clothes and excitement when I got back from the library. Lena stood in front of the mirror, trying on different tops and humming to herself.

“Where are you heading?” I asked, dropping my bag on my bed.

“Sophomore party tonight at the old fraternity house off campus,” she said brightly. “It’s supposed to be fun — music, decent drinks, no freshmen rules. You should come with me.”

I hesitated. The photos. Asher’s stupid deadline. The six hundred shots still waiting on my laptop.

But the thought of sitting alone in this room, obsessing over his pictures and replaying every humiliating moment, felt worse.

“Can I come?” I asked.

Lena’s face lit up. “Yes! But what about the pictures you’re supposed to send Asher?”

I shrugged. “They can wait till tomorrow. I need a break.”

She didn’t argue. Twenty minutes later we were walking across campus toward the pulsing bass of the party.

Inside, the house was crowded and warm, lights low, music loud. Lena stuck with me at first, introducing me to a few people and encouraging me to loosen up. “You’re a freshman, but don’t let anyone catch on. Just smile and dance like you belong.”

After a while, she squeezed my arm. “My friends from last year are over there. I’ll come check on you in a bit, okay? Have fun!”

And then she was gone, disappearing into the crowd.

I stood near the edge of the main room, nursing a cup of soda, feeling out of place. A few minutes later, a guy with an easy smile and a backward cap approached.

“Hey, you look like you could use some company. First time at one of these?”

I wasn’t particularly interested at first, but he persisted, friendly and relaxed. Eventually I replied. He introduced himself as Marcus, a sophomore in sports. I gave him my name. He offered to get me a real drink. I refused at first.

“Come on, just one. It’s nothing crazy,” he said with a grin. “Helps with the nerves.”

I thought of Lena’s advice about not seeming like a scared freshman. This was my fresh start. One drink wouldn’t hurt.

I took it. The taste was awful — bitter and sharp — but I hid the grimace behind a small smile. It was my first time drinking alcohol. I sipped slowly while we talked about classes, campus life, and nothing too deep. Marcus did most of the talking. He was funny, chill, completely unlike Asher’s cold intensity.

He noticed my cup getting low. “Here, have a little more. Lena actually sent me over earlier to keep you company. You’re in safe hands, I promise.”

I glanced across the room and saw Lena watching us. She waved with a big smile. I relaxed a little and took another sip. The warmth spreading through me made everything feel softer, lighter. Marcus really was nice. Easy to talk to.

Then the air shifted.

Asher walked in.

He scanned the room and stopped the moment he saw me. Surprise flashed across his face, quickly replaced by that familiar smirk. He crossed the room, ignoring everyone else.

“Well, well. Look who’s suddenly into parties now.”

I lifted my chin. “Whatever I choose to do with my life is none of your business, Asher.”

He shrugged. “Fair enough. Where are the pictures?”

“They’re not ready,” I said flatly. “You’ll get them tomorrow.”

Asher scoffed. “You really thought I was joking about the end of today?”

I didn’t answer. The alcohol made me feel bolder than I probably should have.

Marcus glanced between us. “You know this guy?”

“No,” I said quickly. “Can we go somewhere else?”

Marcus nodded, helping me up. The room tilted a little. I stumbled. He caught me smoothly, one arm around my waist, guiding my hand across his neck to steady me.

Before I could react, Asher was there. His hand closed around my wrist, firm and unyielding, and he pulled me away from Marcus.

“Hey—” Marcus started.

I twisted my arm, trying to yank free. “Let go of me!”

Asher’s grip only tightened, not painful but impossible to break as he kept pulling me through the crowd toward the exit. I dug my heels in, stumbling awkwardly in the borrowed shoes, but he didn’t slow down.

“I said let go!” I hissed, using my other hand to pry at his fingers. He ignored me completely, jaw set, eyes locked forward.

Marcus caught up fast, shoving through people behind us. “Dude, she said let her go. What the hell is your problem?”

Asher barely glanced at him. “Mind your own business.”

Marcus stepped in front of us, blocking the way. “She’s not going anywhere with you. Back off.”

The tension snapped.

Asher released my wrist and shoved Marcus hard in the chest, sending him stumbling back into a group of people. Drinks spilled. Someone cursed. Marcus recovered quickly and swung at Asher, landing a solid hit to his shoulder. Asher retaliated instantly — a sharp push followed by a punch that caught Marcus in the jaw.

The fight exploded.

They crashed into a side table, knocking over bottles and cups. People shouted and backed away, forming a loose circle. Marcus was taller but Asher was faster and clearly more used to physical confrontations. He grabbed Marcus by the shirt and drove him back against the wall.

“Stop it!” I yelled, my head spinning from the alcohol and the chaos. “Both of you!”

Security or someone from the frat was already pushing through the crowd toward the commotion. Asher landed one more hit before he stepped back, breathing hard, his eyes burning as they locked on me.

Marcus wiped blood from his lip, glaring. “You’re crazy, man.”

Asher didn’t answer him. He just stared at me for another beat.

“Ivy—”

That was all he managed.

I wrenched my arm back with everything I had and slapped him hard across the face.

The sharp crack echoed in the quiet. Asher’s head jerked to the side. For a long moment, he just stood there, stunned. Then slowly, he turned back to look at me. Shock, disappointment, and raw anger warred across his expression.

“You really shouldn’t have done that,” he said, his voice low and dangerous. “You really shouldn’t have, Ivy.”

He stared at me for another heavy second, rubbing his jaw, then turned and walked away into the night without another word.

I stood there shaking, my palm stinging, heart hammering in my chest. Marcus came rushing out a moment later, looking concerned.

“You okay?”

I nodded numbly, but I wasn’t sure I was.