chapter 3

Nate really didn't have any idea what to wear to an event like this. He finally settled on a black buton down and some dark jeans. He arrived in front of Emily's room. Sam was still making his way up the hallway by the time Nate knocked.

"Coming." This was a different voice. Emily's roommate?

A girl answered the door. She was almost as tall as Nate, but larger. She wore her hair in two top knots on her head and was sporting ripped jeans and a sleeveless black shirt revealing puffy upper arms.

"You must be Jess?"

She pointed at him. "Bingo." Then turned her attention inside. "Yo Em, the cute one's here." Nate reddened.

"Oh my god Jess." Emily reached the door and gave a little wave. She was stunning. She too had opted for dark jeans, but they were tight, accentuating her slim legs. She had chosen a black crop top with lace around her shoulders that stopped just short of her belly button. Her smile was brightened by a nice matte red lipstick, and her hair seemed to cascade around her in the most beautiful way.

"You ready to go Nate?"

He nodded.

"Perfect. Where's Sam?"

Nate looked down the hallway. He hadn't noticed Sam had produced a bag of chips from seemingly thin air and was going to town on them in the middle of the hallway. He looked up. "Oh yeah, I'm ready."

Jess pushed past, out the door. "We're taking my car on account of I don't do the alcohol."

"You don't?" Nate asked.

"Nah, my family's predisposed to do pretty poorly handling all that shit."

"Oh... I'm sorry."

Emily leaned toward Nate. "She just enjoys making people feel awkward, don't sweat it."

"It's not as much fun when your friend ruins it for you though." She called out from ahead. Sam snickered from behind.


The club was busy and once the four got in, Sam and Jess seemed to have disappeared. Nate stayed close to Emily. Partially because it was crowded and getting separated wasn't an option, and partly because she smelled like vanilla.

"You want a drink?"

"Yeah," Nate replied, "sounds great actually."

They sat down and Emily ordered for both and threw in some nachos for good measure. She ended up eating most of these.

As they sipped, Emily tapped Nate's arm rapidly. "Found em!"

Nate looked up, Sam and Jess were grinding on the dance floor.

"Do they... like know, know each other?"

Emily laughed. "I was gonna ask you the same."

Now Nate laughed. After a minute. "I don't think so." After another. "You the dancing type?"

"Eh. Always gets me out of breath real fast."

Nate nodded.

"But tonight," she raised her glass "I'm so down." She grabbed his arm and the two went to go make asses of themselves on the dance floor.

After a good amount of dancing and drinks, the four decided to head back. Sam sat up front while Jess drove. Emily sat in the middle back seat and rested her head on Nate's shoulder. He was careful not to move and disturb her.

Once they got back to school, they decided to go back to Emily and Jess' room, as they had a suite, which meant a couch. Emily touched Nate's hand and laced her fingers between his. Holy shit. His heart was beating too fast.

Back in the room, the four sat around chatting for a bit. Jess, as it turned out was trying to graduate a year early.

"Anyone hungry?" Emily made her way to the mini fridge.

No seemed to be the reply.

"Well I'm starving so you're all missing out." She grabbed three ice cream sandwiches and sat back down next to Nate. She held one out to him but he waved it away. Emily shrugged and unwrapped it.

Somehow, in that time, Sam and Jess managed to start making out. Emily cleared her throat. The two broke and looked at her.

Jess defended. "Oh come on. Maybe you should do it. It'd keep you outta our hair." She laughed.

Nate glanced at Emily. She was already looking at him.

"Then again... you two would make a cute couple. If the fatty and the big man can pair up, then the two bean poles should."

Nate didn't glance over this time. He was just frozen in place. He wondered if Emily had looked over at him.

"Speaking of 'pairing up' I am going to my room." Jess ran a finger over Sam's muscle, then disappeared into her room. Sam locked eyes with Nate, then broke into a huge grin and scurried in after her, leaving Nate and Emily very much alone in the common room.



Hey all, hope you're enjoying the story so far. Feel free to leave feedback and suggestions. I'm looking forward to seeing how this develops.