Текст книги "The Line Between"

Автор книги: Tamsyn Bester

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CHAPT ER FOUR

Kennedy

JADE PLUGGED HER phone into her docking station, and started playing music while we unpacked. We’d arrived at the university campus a few hours ago, and had been getting ourselves settled into our dorm all day. Not that it was a dorm, really. It was more like an apartment. It had three bedrooms, an open plan kitchen that connected to the small but spacious living room, and a bathroom that looked like it had come from a catalogue. All three bedrooms were kitted out with double beds, desks, and matching dressers, along with a small closet built into the wall. There was a small window behind the bed that overlooked the sports fields, and part of the main road that had convenience stores, a few bars, clothing stores, and book shops. Being located an hour away from the actual town of Brighton, it could have easily passed for a small town on its own.

The buildings had that old Southern charm, having been designed that way when they were built, but they still reeked of wealth. It was all elitism at its best, and only the wealthy could afford to attend.

Our building was one of the smaller ones, with only eight floors, and six double rooms on each floor. It was the newest, and the nicest. We’d definitely struck gold.

Jade started humming along to Meghan Trainors’ ‘All About That Base’, and after a while we were both singing along at the top of our lungs. It was all horribly off key, but that didn’t stop us in the slightest.

We stopped unpacking, and started dancing around our dorm as if we hadn’t a care in the world. For those few minutes, it felt like I had nothing to worry about, that my life outside of school wasn’t in complete shambles.

Jade started twerking, and I laughed at the way her face morphed into a duck face. I followed suit, and it wasn’t long before I felt eyes on us. It was then that we realized our front door had been open the entire time, and we’d attracted an audience. Until now, our floor had been quiet, but more and more students had started arriving.

The song changed, and we tried catching our breaths after our little performance.

Someone started clapping, and Jade and I whipped our heads in the direction of the sound. Reid stood at our door, and walked in with an idiotic grin on his face.

I froze, while Jade looked happy that he’d caught our little show.

“Don’t stop on my account,” he said, smiling at Jade. “I’d like to see that again.”

Jade shrugged. “Too bad, Cole. It was a one time performance.” Her eyes were bright, and her cheeks flushed. I doubted it had anything to do with dancing though. She had a thing for Reid, but neither of them had ever acted on it because they’d been best friends since Kindergarten. Seeing the way they were together made it impossible to miss that they were perfect for each other, but they were too unwilling to cross that line.

“That’s too bad,” he said. “You girls are pretty good.”

“Jade will have to give you a private show,” I quipped, winking at Jade when she gave me her what-the-fuck look. I considered it payback for last night. “I don’t think I’m the one you want to see.”

Reid turned his smile my way. “Yeah, sorry Kennedy. You’re not my type. But you know I love you.” He winked, and I chuckled. He was an incorrigible flirt who made most women swoon. Including my dear friend who looked ready to strip him naked and take him right here in the living room. Awkward much?

“Reid, where the hell are you?”

Another figure filled the doorway, and as soon as I saw who it was my happy mood left the room like a herd of stampeding elephants. My mouth twisted in a scowl.

Reid turned to face him, ignoring the sudden shift in atmosphere. “I was just getting reacquainted with our neighbors.”

“Neighbors?” Dane and I sputtered in unison.

“Wait, you guys are next door?” Jade asked. Her eyes darted between Dane and me before she looked back up at Reid.

“It would appear that way,” he replied. He was the only one grinning, while Jade looked worried. Dane was staring holes into my face while I was imagining how much sexier he’d look without his head.

“That can’t be right,” I said. “McDonald Hall is a girls’ dorm.”

“Actually,” Dane said, stepping into our place. “It’s co-ed.”

Why hadn’t I seen that in the brochure? Not that it really mattered. It wasn’t the co-ed part that bothered me. It was the fact that Dane was going to be living right next door.

“And you’re next door?” Jade asked again.

Reid nodded, oblivious to the tension brewing between Dane and me. Or perhaps he was just ignoring it.

“I’m sure if you ask nicely, the Housing Department can move you to some dump off campus,” remarked Dane. “Maybe they can find an animal shelter willing to take you in. They’re good with stray dogs.”

My scowl deepened, and my jaw ticked. My face warmed as my blood boiled beneath the surface of my skin.

“And I’m sure if you asked nicely, they’d be happy to relocate you to the nearest brothel. That is where you’d feel more at home right? Between a pair of spread legs,” I replied.

Reid whistled, and out of the corner of my eye I saw Jade’s mouth drop open.

“You’ll be thinking about me between someone else’s legs when my ‘activities’ keep you up at night, Kennedy. God knows I can make ‘em scream.”

I glared, unable to find an appropriate response. When I remained quiet, Dane smirked in victory. God, I hated him. And I hated that he was taunting me. Unwelcomed images of him having sex with some girl flitted into my head, and I shook my head slightly to clear them away.

“Dane, don’t be a dick,” said Jade. She came up to my side, and I was silently grateful. “Unless you want me barging in there and dragging your bed fly out by her hair in nothing but her birthday suit, I suggest you put a muzzle on whatever you bang. I like my beauty sleep.”

I covered my mouth, stifling the sudden burst of laughter that threatened to escape. I loved Jade dearly in that moment, and the fact that she had no brain-to-mouth filter really came in handy.

Dane was about to respond when Reid intercepted. “Okay, enough with the insults. We’ll be leaving now.”

He turned around, and started ushering Dane out the door when Jade said, “One last thing Reid, don’t come to us if you need sugar.”

She winked, and I knew she was kidding.

Before Reid disappeared down the hall, he yelled back, “Jade, you know I want more than just your sugar, sugar!”

My eyes widened, and I looked at Jade. She was biting her lip, and staring at the door where Reid had just left. Why she wouldn’t just step over that imaginary line and give into him was beyond me.

I cleared my throat, bringing her attention to me. “You care to explain what that was about?”

“It was Reid being Reid.” She waved me off and walked back towards her bedroom, but not before I caught the wistful smile on her face. I had the feeling something happened between them during the summer, but I didn’t want to pry. It wasn’t my business, and if Jade wanted me to know, then she would tell me.

I wanted to follow Jade back to her room, but a voice from behind slowed my steps. I turned and found a tall brunette standing in our doorway.

“Can I help you?” I asked, wishing we’d shut the door when Reid and Dane had left. Having people just walk in was getting old.

“Hi, yes, this is room four-sixteen right?”

I nodded. “It is.”

“Great.” The girl walked in, dragging her suitcase with her. “I’m Ashley, your roommate.”

Roommate? I didn’t remember anything about Jade and I having a roommate this year. It was definitely not part of the plan.

“Are you sure?” I asked. “No one told us you were coming.”

“Oh, that’s probably my fault. I enrolled late, and this was the only apartment that had an open room.”

“Who’s that, Kennedy?” Jade bellowed from her room.

“Our new roommate,” I replied, eyeing the girl. She was gorgeous. Like runways of Paris gorgeous. Her brown hair hung just below her shoulders, and made her natural caramel skin tone look darker. Her eyes were green, her nose straight, and her mouth pouty. She was tall, almost towering over me at five-nine. She looked like an Amazonian Goddess, except her boobs were fake. That much was obvious.

Jade interrupted my not-so-subtle perusal when she appeared next to me. “We have a roommate?”

“Looks like it,” I replied.

Jade stuck out her hand, and Ashley took it, albeit reluctantly. I couldn’t blame her. If anyone was difficult to live with it was Jade.

“You’re not on drugs, are you?” Asked Jade.

Surprise flickered across Ashley’s face. Here we go.

“No,” she replied. “My agent would kill me.”

Ah. So she is a model.

“Do you have a boyfriend?”

Ashley chuckled. “No.”

“Do you have an issue with burgers or pizza? Because I don’t think I can live with someone who only lives on rabbit food.”

I laughed. Jade was being ridiculous, but I was enjoying it far too much to stop her little game.

“We have a ‘no sex’ rule. Are you good with that?”

Okay, that’s new. I waited to see where Jade was going with this inquisition. I thought she might have been joking, but her face was impassive. Shit, she’s not kidding. Not that it was an issue for me. I had no intention of being involved with anyone in that way, at least not for my first year.

“I guess so,” replied Ashley. She didn’t seem bothered by it either. She just looked amused.

Jade looked at me, and then back at Ashley. “Meh, I guess you can stay. You room is the one on the left. I’ll draw up some chore charts, so we all keep this place in tip-top shape.”

“Sounds good,” said Ashley. She walked into her bedroom, and as soon as she was out of earshot, I scurried to Jade’s room.

It looked exactly like mine, except her walls were now covered in beautiful sketches of clothes, and fabric swatches. Her bed had a funky lime green and blue cover on it, along with a few teddies she’d always hung on to. She’d already hung up a few pictures, and unpacked her clothes, which was more than I’d done. For some reason I was stalling.

“Did you know we were getting a roommate?” I asked, taking a seat on Jade’s bed. She spun around in her desk chair.

“No. I specifically said I needed the third room for my makeshift studio. But, we’ll see how it goes. If we find that it doesn’t work for us, we’ll find a way to fix it.”

With a nod, I started fiddling with the quilt that Jade’s grandmother had made her when she was younger. It had different colored squares all patched up together, and I thought it was quite metaphoric. None of the colors fit together, and yet it still works. Kind of like how life was. Or more specifically my life.

“Are you worried about the whole Dane situation?” Asked Jade.

“Not worried, just annoyed. This was supposed to be my fresh start, you know? I knew I’d have to see him eventually, but maybe from a distance. Not because he’s our neighbor.”

Jade went quiet, and I could almost hear the wheels turning in her head. I envied the way she was able to let almost anything roll off her back, instead of analyzing and dissecting it the way I did.

“You know what I think?” She said, breaking the silence. “I think you should shove all thoughts about him out of your mind, and focus on living a little. You know he’ll do and say anything to get a reaction out of you, and quite honestly, I think that boy has some major feelings for you.”

My head shot up, and I grimaced. “You can’t be serious?”

Her eyebrows arched at my response. I sounded defensive, even to my own ears. “As a heart attack. When the two of you face off the way you did earlier, the sexual tension is enough to make my lady bits tingle.”

“Oh my God,” I laughed. “You did not just mention your lady parts with me and Dane in the same sentence. That’s wrong on so many levels.”

Jade rolled her eyes. “Oh please, don’t act all innocent now. You just hate him too much right now to see what I see. I have no doubt he wants to bump uglies with you.”

“Jade!” I chided.

“What? Was that too graphic for you? Would you prefer if I said he wants to ‘tend to your lady garden’? Or maybe he wants to ‘impale you with his iron rod’?”

I stared at Jade as if she’d lost her mind, and then we both burst into hysterics. I laughed until tears streaked down my face, and held my stomach.

“You read too many romance novels,” I said, wiping my cheeks.

“There’s no such thing,” replied Jade. She tried to look offended, but in the end our laughter had taken over.

“Speaking of sexual tension, you care to explain what’s going on between you and Reid?” I asked.

Jade looked down at her lap, and avoided my gaze. “Nothing.” She let out a heavy breath and then lifted her head. “He’s been my best friend since I was practically in diapers. I’m pretty sure our moms have planned our wedding already.”

Her expression was somewhat unreadable, but I knew how she felt about Reid. I also knew she was scared, and for that I blamed Reid’s inability to keep his dick in his pants long enough to be in a relationship. He was a great guy, but he was still a guy. Football, and regular dick-dipping were the only two things that seemed to register.

“It’s time to take your own advice, Jade, and live a little. Reid will come to his senses, you’ll see.”

Jade sighed. “Okay, enough about the two idiots next door. How about we finish unpacking the kitchen, and then grab dinner with our new roomie? I’m dying for Mexican food.”

“That’s actually a good idea. I’ve been itching to take a walk around campus since we arrived.”

I jumped off Jade’s bed, and turned my head before I left her room. “Just stay away from the fucking tequila. I’m not carrying you home.”

Jade’s response was to throw a pillow at my head, which narrowly missed my head when I ducked. We both chuckled, remembering how hung over she was this morning, and then I dove right back into the boxes in the kitchen.

CHAPT ER FIVE

Kennedy

I WAS VAGUELY aware of movement in my bedroom. I snuggled deeper into my bed, burrowing beneath the comforter. My alarm was scheduled to go off soon though, my body already stirring in expectation. My body always started waking up before it could start screaming, and I hated it.

I heard a muffled ‘sshhh’, and seconds later two bodies jumped onto my bed, jostling me.

“Happy Birthday!” Jade and Ashley screamed in unison. They continued to jump until I had no choice but to make an appearance.

“Stop,” I groaned. “It’s too early.”

They dropped next to me, and pulled the covers from my face. I opened one eye, and found both girls grinning at me.

So it was my 19th birthday. I wanted to be excited, and maybe a small part of me was. But it wasn’t enough to eclipse the lack of enthusiasm I had for this day. My 17th birthday was the last one I’d ever celebrated, and I’d hoped I could get through this day without fuss. Clearly that wasn’t an option, not with Jade and Ashley for roommates.

When I glanced at my alarm clock on the side of my bed, it read 6:55am, and I groaned again. “You couldn’t wait five minutes?”

“Shut up, grumpy pants, and get up already,” said Jade. “Ash and I have a surprise for you.”

I stared at the eagerness on my friends’ faces, and felt my resolve crumbling, if only slightly. With a huff, I shoved my comforter off and sat up, rubbing the tiredness from my eyes.

Ashley snickered. “You look terrible at this time of the morning.”

Her tone was light, and teasing, and I wanted to capture the essence of it in the hopes that it would make today easier to get through.

“We can’t all look like we’re ready to do a Vogue cover shoot at,” I looked at my alarm again, “7:00am.”

“This is definitely a good look for you,” she replied, laughter lighting up her eyes. Of course she looked ready for a photo shoot, even in her tiny cotton sleep shorts and matching blue tank top.

I rolled my eyes. We’d found out that Ashley was in fact a model, and she’d been on the runways from the tender age of sixteen until she’d decided she wanted to study biochemistry. She was a triple threat – gorgeous, smart, and kind – and it turned out she was the third part of our ‘trio’ we never knew was missing. We’d been at college for almost a month, but it only took days for the three of us to bond, and become tethered to one another.

“Enough blabbing,” said Jade. She slid off my bed, and picked up a large purple box from the floor before crawling back to my side. “This is for you, from me and Ash.”

“You didn’t have to do that,” I said. I hated this kind of attention, and there was only one person who had ever made me feel worthy of it. But he was gone, and his absence was what made me dread this day. Guilt wrapped around my heart, coiling tightly until it was ready to burst. I should be able to enjoy this day, but how can I when the person who meant the most to me in the world would never have a birthday again?

Something in my expression must’ve given my inner turmoil away because Jade nudged my arm, concern etching its way across her features. “Are you okay? It looked like you were somewhere else.”

I’d been staring at the lid of the box, my mind flicking through all the birthdays I’d managed to enjoy until I turned seventeen.

“Yeah,” I replied, trying for a smile. “I was just thinking of something.”

Understanding took the place of concern on Jade’s face, and the look of pity in her eyes is what made me almost crack. Almost.

I plastered on a grin, and flipped the lid of the box before she could read me any longer. Beneath a layer of light purple tissue paper, I found several paperbacks, all from my favorite authors. I had a predilection for indie authors, and Jade and Ashley had been sure to include some of the books I’d been dying to purchase online. I touched the covers, feeling slightly overwhelmed by the thoughtfulness of the gift itself. I’d never needed expensive gifts. I’d always favored gifts that required thought, and intention.

“I love them,” I said, counting a total of eight books. I looked up to Jade and Ashley’s happy faces.

“There’s more,” replied Ashley. Her body hummed with excitement, and anticipation, which only piqued my curiosity. Jade smirked, and they traded a knowing glance.

What are they up to?

I lifted another piece of tissue paper, this one a darker shade of purple, and almost died when I saw what was lying beneath it. My cheeks warmed, and I stifled what I knew would be a frightening combination of a laugh, and a choke.

“What the hell, Jade?” I squeaked. My face was probably the shade of an over-ripe tomato. She laughed, which in turn caused Ashley to do the same. At least they enjoyed my mortification. Me on the other hand? Not so much.

“Well don’t just stare at it,” said Jade. “Pick it up.”

I looked back at the offending object, and then gingerly picked it up. The plastic packaging was hard beneath my hand, and my eyes immediately went to the label.

Ovo K2 Blackberry Rabbit Vibe

“It’s a vibrator,” said Ashley. How could she be so nonchalant about a plastic penis that vibrated?

“I can see that,” I replied, still a little stunned. “Care to explain the brilliance behind this idea?”

I directed my gaze at Jade. “What? Why would you think it was my idea and not Ashley’s?”

“Because you’re the horniest person in this apartment, and the only one brave enough to think of giving me a gift like this. It’s got your name written all over it,” I replied.

“Okay fine.” Jade sighed. “You caught me. I figured you could have some fun on your own.” She winked, and my blush darkened. I wasn’t a prude, but I wasn’t exactly experienced either.

“You’re crazy,” I replied, looking between Jade and Ashley. “Both of you.”

“There’s one more thing in there,” Ashley added.

More? Good Lord, what else could they have gotten me?

That’s when I saw it. A pale blue lace demi bra with beautifully scalloped edging around the top and bottom, the straps, and bows made of silk and satin. The matching thong was made from sheer mesh, with a skirt of scalloped lace and a bow at the center front.

“It’s one of the new sets from Agent Provocateur,” said Ashley. “I had my agent call in a favor, and get it for you before it hit the stores.”

Sure, it was underwear, fucking gorgeous underwear, but the amount of effort Ashley must have gone through to get it for me made me that much more appreciative.

I placed all the items back in the box, and put it aside before enveloping Jade and Ashley in a hug.

“Thank you,” I said, swallowing the sudden rise of emotion in my throat. “I love my gifts.”

“It’s just the start,” replied Jade. “We have a whole lot more fun planned for you.” The glint in Jade’s eyes told me she wasn’t kidding, and I’d started to feel a little more excited about the day ahead.

“First things first,” Ashley clapped her hands together. “We made you a horrendously sweet, and fattening breakfast.”

As if on cue, my stomach grumbled, and we all meandered out into the kitchen where stacks of waffles had been placed on the counter, accompanied by my favorite Ben & Jerry’s ice-cream. Peanut Butter Fudge. If the gifts hadn’t been able to lift my spirits, then all the sugary goodness in front of me definitely had.

We sat at our kitchen counter, stuffing our faces with more sugar than should have been allowed. It was nice to catch up, since our hectic schedules didn’t always allow us to spend time together. We laughed over and over again, and I allowed myself to enjoy it.

It’s what my brother would have wanted.

** ** **

THE APARTMENT WAS quiet when I walked in. I dumped my messenger bag by the door, and stopped short when I saw an elaborate bouquet of flowers on the kitchen counter.

I took the card out, and immediately grimaced.

Happy Birthday, Kennedy.

Love,

Dad & Shelly

Admittedly I was a little surprised. Getting flowers from my father was more than I expected, and I was certain that it was either Lucy or my father’s personal assistant who had sent them. I knew my father remembered my birthday, but it certainly wasn’t in a celebratory way. He remembered it as the day my mother died. Or in his words ‘the day I killed my mother’. He’d made a point of avoiding me from the time the nurses wrapped me in a tiny pink blanket to now, and had managed to make me feel more like an onus than a blessing. For the most part I never felt unloved, thanks to Lucy, and my older brother, Charlie. But I’d hidden the small part of me that had always wanted my father to not only love me, but want me too. After a while I’d stopped hoping, and when he remarried I became invisible to him.

The front door opened, and my sullen mood lifted when Jade and Ashley walked in.

“Hey birthday girl,” Jade greeted. “How has your day been?”

“Pretty good, actually.”

It was the truth. Despite being worried that the day would suck, it turned out to be the opposite. I’d spoken to my grandparents, and filled them in on college life while trying not to cry because I missed them so much. Then I’d spoken to Lucy, promising to pay her a visit soon.

“These are gorgeous,” said Ashley. She closed her eyes and took a whiff of the flowers. “Who are they from?”

“My father,” I replied.

Jade’s eyes bugged out of her head. “Are you fucking kidding me? After nineteen years, he decides to acknowledge you now?”

Her tone was suddenly angry, but I couldn’t bring myself to share her feelings. I was used to being nonexistent to my father, and I had no room in my heart for anger when it wouldn’t change anything. I had one man in my life that had raised me, and he turned out to be enough. I’d done just fine without my father, and that wasn’t about to change.

“Oh, and Shelly,” I added. My stepmother was half my father’s age, and the very definition of a trophy wife, fake boobs included. Our interactions had been minimal while I was growing up, and I’d aimed to keep it that way.

“Seriously? I bet your dad’s assistant sent them,” said Jade, voicing my initial thought on the subject.

“Am I missing something?” Asked Ashley. Her question was innocent, but I knew it would only set Jade off. She had no problem airing her disdain for my father and his bimbo of a wife.

“Uh, yeah. Kennedy’s father puts the ‘A’ in ‘asshole’ and his wife puts the ‘G’ in ‘Golddiggingwhorewithnobrains’,” replied Jade, just like I thought she would. Once she got started, there was little to be done about stopping her.

“That sucks,” remarked Ashley.

“You have no idea,” said Jade. “They’re the worst people ever, made from the rotting flesh of Lucifer himself.”

My brows lifted. Jade had never used that one before. Oddly enough, I myself couldn’t have come up with a euphemism more fitting than that.

“Anyway,” Jade flicked her hair over her shoulder, “we’re wasting precious oxygen talking about those…parasites…and getting ready for the party tonight would be a much better use of our time.”

“Amen to that,” I said, glad for the swift change of subject.

Ashley’s face broke out into a grin, and she turned her gaze to Jade. “Can we give Kennedy your gift now?”

Jade returned Ashley’s grin, and took my hand before leading me to her room with Ashley behind me. She left me in the center of her room, and disappeared quickly. She returned with one of her mannequin dress forms, and pushed it in front of me. The cloth covering it hid what was beneath, but when Jade pulled it off, a gasp escaped my lips, and my eyes widened.

Draped across the mannequin was a one-shoulder royal blue sheath mini dress. The sleeve was made of chiffon, and embellished with crystals, while the remainder of the dress was made of matte satin. It was breathtaking.

“What do you think?” Asked Jade. She bit her lip, and for the first time since I’d known Jade, she looked nervous.

“It’s incredible,” I said. “What’s it for?”

“It’s your last birthday present, for when we go out tonight,” she replied.

“Did you make it?” I asked.

Jade nodded. “I’ve been working on it for the last month. Do you like it?”

“Like it? I freakin’ love it, Jade. This has to be the most beautiful item you’ve ever made.”

“I bet it will look even better once you have it on,” said Ashley. “You have no idea how hard it’s been to keep quiet about it. I was sworn to secrecy.”

“I don’t know what to say,” I half-whispered. I was in awe of it, really. Jade had an incredible talent when it came to designing, and constructing clothes, leaving me in wonderment of her too.

A lump formed in my throat, and my eyes grew wet.

“Thank you,” I lifted my eyes back to Jade. “I really do love it.”

Jade hugged me, and I heard her suppress a sniffle. “I’m so glad, because it was a bitch getting all those fucking crystals sewn onto the sleeve. I would have cut you of you didn’t like it.”

We all laughed, and stared at the garment in question a little longer. It was just too stunning not to admire.

“Okay bitches, let’s get ready,” said Jade. “It’s going to be a fan-fucking-tastic night.”

KOLONY WAS SITUATED in the main road that separated the university campus from the sports fields. It was also the hot spot for most of Brighton’s students on a Friday night, provided there wasn’t a football game.

The line outside was all the way round the block, and on any other night we might’ve joined it, but Jade hooked her arms through mine and Ashley’s and led us straight to the door. When the bouncer saw us, or more specifically Jade, he smiled. He was huge, with muscles that bulged everywhere and hair shaved in a military cut. His black suit hugged him a little too lightly, but judging by the indent of the firearm at his side I guessed it was intentional.

“Hey, Bobby.” Jade spoke his name with familiarity, and returned the burly guy’s smile, causing his cheeks to redden. She had that affect on many a man, proving that no one was immune to her charm.

“Nice to see you again, Jade,” replied Bobby. “You enjoy your break?”

“It was great, but I missed this place.” She winked, and I thought Bobby was going to pass out.

“We missed you too,” he replied. “You girls celebrating something tonight? You look smokin’.”

“Actually,” Jade pulled me closer. “We are celebrating my friend’s birthday. Bobby, this is Kennedy. Kennedy, this is Bobby.”

I gave him an awkward wave, and smiled politely.

“Happy Birthday.” He said.

“Thank you.”

“You girls have fun, and be safe.”

We all nodded as he lifted the velvet rope, yelling at someone just inside the door to wave our cover charge. Jade kissed Bobby’s cheek as thanks, and led us inside.

The dark entrance gave way to a large room filled with students. The strobe lights flashed wildly, coating the room in luminescence. It reminded me of lightning during a summer storm.

There was a bar along the west and north walls, with a sizable dance floor in the center of it all. The DJ was situated to our right, overlooking the dance floor, while the impressive VIP section sat to our left.

Jade surveyed the room with confidence, and then walked towards the VIP section where she greeted another bouncer manning a rope.

“Well what do we have here,” the tall, lanky guy said. He wasn’t as big as Bobby, but through his suit it was clear he was still well built. He had sandy blond hair, and could’ve easily passed for a surfer. His mouth tipped into a leer, admiring Jade’s outfit. Her silver dress had a plunging neckline, and reached mid-thigh. Her blue Steve Madden heels made her legs seem longer, but not as tall as the guy currently hugging her to his body.

“Tony,” Jade greeted. They exchanged pleasantries, and then he allowed us into the VIP section. His eyes followed me, and it gave me chills of the worst kind. He made me feel naked, and I didn’t like it.

“Ignore Tony,” Jade murmured. “He’s harmless, and no man here will be able to ignore you tonight.”

I self-consciously fingered my curls, feeling slightly out of my element. Jade and Ashley had no problem fitting in, though. Ashley was dressed in tight black pleather leggings, with a sparkly gold top that hung loosely around her waist. Her dark hair was straightened, and held back with a black headband. The large gold hoops hanging from her ears caught the light, and shimmered, while the black spiked Louboutin’s donning her feet completed her rocker chic look. She looked incredible.

“Jade’s right,” added Ashley. “You look sexy as hell, Kennedy, and if I was a guy I’d be sporting a semi right now.”