Chapter 2 - The Party

(Shane's pov)

The next day I didn't have any classes, so id spent the day lounging around my dorm; watching tv, doing homework, eating...

Though i'd had a snack only thirty minutes before, at 6:00, I pondering over what i'd have for dinner.

Thats when I remembered, Oh... That party.

I thought of Troy and Summer, (My mind lingering significantly longer on Summer) debating whether or not I should go.

I don't even know what i'd wear.

I went to my closet and flipped through my options. I had no idea what the dress code was. I assumed a button up and jeans would be a safe bet, but finding a button up that fit was a separate challenge.

After an hour of arguing with myself and trying on clothes, I stepped out of my apartment and walked to building D.

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Even from outside, one could hear the music blaring. It was unlike the music I had imagined at college parties. They played soft, slow songs.

I entered the smoke filled commons room and saw about a dozen people, some smoking, some drinking, and some just relaxing and talking.

This was very different from the wild scene id imagined.

"Buddy!" A voice called behind me and I felt someone slap their hand against my back.

I turned around and saw Troy, smiling widely.

"Im so glad you made it! Come sit with us."

As Troy lead me through the party, I scanned every face, hoping to see Summer. But alas, she was nowhere to be found.

Soon we reached a sitting area with two chairs and two couches. In them sat four people.

"Hey guys! This is Shane." Troy began, "Shane, this is Avery, Ash, Tahj and Julian."

I looked over them.

Avery was an absolute unit of a man. He looked to be about 6'2," 250lbs. He was chubby, but a good majority of his weight was definitely muscle. He wore black t-shit and the sleeves were tight against his massive biceps. He had long, blond hair; which he'd pulled up into a flawless bun.

Ash, a non-binary person, looked to be stoned out of their mind. They had curly black hair and round glasses. They were dressed in a baggy Green Day t-shirt and equally baggy cargo pants.

Tahj was thin and muscular. He had mid-length, white dreadlocks and an impressively full beard.

Finally, Julian, who was also stoned, was a thin, Cuban man. He had long, wavy hair that came down to his mid-back and the lightest whisper of a mustache on his upper lip.

"Uh, Hi." I said to the group with a nervous smile.

Everyone greeted me and shook my hand before I sat down with them.

We had thirty minutes of introductions and good conversation. They seemed like a cool group and I was having fun. But my mind couldn't get away from the disappointment of not running into Summer.

Right on cue, I heard a familiar voice from across the room. I saw Summer, walking into the party, carrying a large pizza. Her proud laughter sounding over the low hum of conversation.

She began walking through the party. Much to my surprise, she was walking directly towards me.

"Gorgeous!" Troy said and hugged her tightly. He left his arm around her waist as took the pizza from her and placed it on the table in front of me, "Eat up guys."

My heart dropped. I figured she had a boyfriend but Troy? The irony was impossible, but logically it made sense. They were both very fit and attractive and extroverted. I should've known I didn't have a chance.

"Hey guys!" She cheerily waved to her friends. When she finally noticed me her jaw dropped, "Shane! Oh my god, I didn't think you'd come!" She leaned over and hugged me.

I was incredibly conscious of the feeling of her body against mine, and even that instant of touch was enough to make me blush.

Summer was about to speak again but a nearby group of girls was calling her over.

"Shit! I gotta go say hi to them. Bye, guys." She kissed Troy on the cheek as she walked away.

Troy sat down next to me, "You two have met?"

"Uh, kinda... She sits next to me in general arts."

"That's great! Summer is an angel, you two would be great friends."

"Yeah... Are- um... Are you two...?"

"Oh, yeah, we are." He responded casually.

My heart sank again.

"Im surprised you noticed..." Troy continued, "Most people say we look nothing alike."

I was confused, "What do you mean?"

"Well, we aren't ide- Oh. Shit! You think she's my girlfriend!" He laughed, "No, no... Summer's my twin!"

I felt both embarrassed and relieved, "Oh..."

"Yeah! Summer's totally up for grabs." He winked.

I stammered my speech for a few moments, "No! Thats not- I- uh- She-"

Troy laughed again, "Dude! Chill. I'm just busting your balls."

"Okay..."

&qu ot;But I will say..." He took a sip of his beer and leaned in, "You're exactly her type."

My face turned red and I pushed him off of me, "Yeah... Whatever."

He rolled his eyes.

We all sat in silence for a while, people-watching and eating.

I was nervous to eat in front of my new friends but I was starving and the pizza was delicious.

By the end i'd eaten the majority of the pie.

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The rest of the night was about the same. Calm conversation apart from the occasional interaction with Summer.

At 11:00pm I left building D with full intentions of going straight back to my dorm.

But, of course, as I left, Summer was standing on the sidewalk, waiting on her lift.

"Heyy, Shane." She baited.

"Hi, Summer." I took and stood next to her.

"How was your first Harrison party?"

"...Unexpected. But really fun."

"That's great." She said warmly, "I hope you come to a lot more. I really think you fit in our little group."

"Thanks." I smiled shyly. I was standing with her, basking in her presence, when something occurred to me, "Hey... You're waiting on a car? I thought you lived here?"

"I do. I'm coming right back. Troy assigned me another alcohol run." She said with a sarcastic edge, "Do you want to share a car? Im going right past your building."

"Nah. I can walk."

"Are you sure? I noticed you really pigged out in there." She joked and gestured towards my belly, which, I'll admit was looking very bloated, "I'd hate for you to walk that far on a full stomach."

I flushed red and crossed my arms over myself.
Great. The last thing I want is for Summer to notice how fat I am. Of course, I knew it was impossible to miss.

Nonetheless, she was right. I accepted the ride, and moments later I was sitting in the back of an uber with Summer.

"Hey, Bruce, stop by building E for me." She said to the driver.

Being this close to her was bliss, but the small size of the car was causing me great anxiety. There was nothing I could do to stop my thighs from pressing into hers. I felt so embarrassed but it didn't seem to bother her.

Summer turned to me, her dark eyes reflecting light like stars in space, "Oh, I almost forgot!" She picked up her phone, fiddled with it for a second, and handed it to me, "Put your number in... so I can send you details on future parties and whatnot."

I stared at the screen with wide eyes, "Sure!" Even if it was just for the parties, the idea of having Summers number was exhilarating. I typed the number in and handed the phone back.

"Thanks!" She cheered.

A moment passed and we arrived at my building. I got out of the car, waved to Summer, and walked to my room, my heart still racing with memories of the night's events.