-- night on the town [open]

[JAMES CROFT]

   

The music blaring in The Twilight Zone was so loud James could swear he could feel the bass rattling his bones. James didn’t particularly enjoy the weird electronic music they were playing but he couldn’t deny that it got people dancing. Even though it was only Thursday the place was almost entirely pack, but James wasn’t surprised it didn’t matter to most college students what day it was so long as there was a place to go to party they would.

James knew that if he wanted to get good grades this year he should try and break this habit now while it was still early in the year. However, his frat brothers didn’t care that he had readings to do or papers to write. Alpha Pi Nu wasn’t a fraternity known for their good grades. James sometimes regretted joining them back in freshman year, but only sometimes most of the time he enjoyed the brotherhood. He even enjoyed the parties for the most part. He just hated the guilty feeling of not studying.

His drink burned his throat as he gulped it down. A couple more of those and he wouldn’t be feeling guilty anymore. He wouldn’t be feeling much of anything. He would finally be able to enjoy this party. He ordered another drink, and downed it quickly trying not to taste it, just wanting to get out of his own head for a while.

The song changed to one that was a little less obnoxious, and he looked out at the sea of people on the dance floor. He could see his frat brothers gesturing for him to join them, but he wasn’t quite ready yet. He turned back towards the bar. There was only a few other people there, and he was glad for the space. He didn’t particularly like people invading his personal space, while at least not while he was still sober.

He knew that if mother could see him now she would be more than disappointed in him. He was past the age to still be doing these things. ‘It’s college.’ He thought to himself trying to rationalize things, even though he knew his mother would be right. James just wanted to go home, but he knew that he couldn’t go back to the house not without the rest of his brothers. He just hoped that he would be able to find a way to enjoy the rest of the night.

[CHARLIE THOMPSON]

Charlie had just finished unpacking the last of her belongings into her new room in the Delta Pi house, it was her senior year and this year, she was in charge. It was an honor she couldn’t be more proud to have. She had been working toward this goal since she joined the Delta Pi’s as a freshman. Feeling satisfied with how her room looked Charlie began wondering what she was going to do for the rest of the night. With it being the beginning of the school year, she knew networking was important. She had to keep her appearance up.

Charlie remembered there was a club in Brighton that she hadn’t been to since last year. ‘That settles it’ Charlie thought to herself before hoping in the shower. It was time to get ready, and she couldn’t wait. Charlie blasted some pop hits in her room before she began blow drying her hair. She decided she was going to straighten her hair tonight, that way it could flip easier while she was dancing. She picked out her favourite white dress and slide into it, standing in front of the mirror she couldn’t help but check herself out. She knew it was vain, but she didn’t care, she looked good, and she knew it.

Charlie sent out a mass text informing people where she was headed before she took a shot of jagermeister, and called a cab to take her to the club. Once she arrived it didn’t take long for her to get inside, she was the leader of Delta Pi after all, not to mention one of the hottest girls at Martin University. Walking into the club felt like walking into a warm embrace, as the music blasted around her and people bumped and grinded against each other.

She couldn’t wait to get out on the dance floor but she knew she needed a drink before anything else. Charlie began making her way to the bar, pushing through the crowd of people. She didn’t mind, she knew soon she would be a drunk person dancing the night away. She was just hoping she could find some fun tonight, after all fun is what Charlie lived for. Arriving at the bar, Charlie waved down a bartender and ordered a drink, “Rum and Coke please” She said with a smile. She noticed a guy by the bar who just seemed to finish his drink. She threw him a smile before returning her attention back to the bartender.

[JAMES CROFT]

   

James was just beginning to feel the effects of his second drink as a familiar figure approached the bar. She was wearing as skin tight dress that James noticed accented her curves, and had her hair straightened but it was most definitely her. James almost instantly recognized her, Charlie Thompson, leader of Delta Pi and Queen Bee of Martin University. ‘Well this should be interesting.’

“Hey Charlie.” He said as he moved to the seat beside her as she smiled at him. She wondered if she would recognize him as well. He was a year behind her, but as a member of Alpha Phi Nu they had been to plenty of the same parties and socials. The Alphas and Deltas were both heads of the Greek system at Martin, and while James wasn’t a leader in his frat he was still well known around school for being a member.

He wasn’t surprised to see her out and about this early in the year, from what he could tell Deltas considered their social lives to be as important as there school work. She was exactly the type of girl he would normally be down to date for a week or so before she moved onto someone else. “You look good.” He told her even though he was sure that she already knew that. From what James had seen of the last three years she was more than confident and willing to let other’s know it.

“Can I get another Vodka tonic?” He asked the bartender basically having to yell over the music and other noises to be heard. He figured that he was going to drink he might as well work his way towards drunk. It wouldn’t at least keep things interesting. Besides Charlie was still drinking. Maybe after their drink he would be able to get her out on the dance floor. It would do wonders for his reputation to be seen dancing with her.

[CHARLIE THOMPSON]

Charlie was just finishing her drink when she heard her name being called. She turned to see a guy walking over to the seat next to her. He had styled messy hair, and five o’clock shadow, he was wearing a nice pair of jeans and a t-shirt. It wasn’t until he came closer to her that she recognized who it was. She didn’t really know James, but she did recognize him from the Alpha Phi Nu. “James, right?” Charlie smiled as he sat down. She believed he wasn’t the same age as her but he did belong to a great frat house, and she had seen him at social functions before. “How’s your night going?” Charlie asked with her beautiful smile.

She wasn’t surprised to see James out at the club tonight, it was early enough in the school year that he wouldn’t miss too much in the way of homework. Plus he was a member of Alpha Phi Nu, and those guys knew how to party. Charlie always enjoyed going to a party with them. Charlie wasn’t worried about school this year, it was her final year and she was ready to make the most of it. Being the leader of Delta Pi was her pride and joy, and she wasn’t about to let people forget it. It was just then that she heard James say something else, “Why thank you” Charlie said as she did a little spin, before turning back to face James, “You look quite dapper yourself” Charlie said with a smile.

After James finished ordering his drink Charlie looked at the bartender with a giant smile as she just found her new plaything for the evening. “Another rum and coke please, and two shots of tequila” Charlie smiled while she waited for the bartender to return with their drinks. After she paid for the drink and shots, Charlie slid one of the shots of tequila over in front of James. She took a sip of her rum and coke while she waited for them to cheers before doing their shot. Once James looked ready, Charlie lifted her shot glass, “Cheers, to tonight and a fantastic school year!” Charlie had to shout over the electronic music playing around them. Charlie licked salt off of her hand, took her shot of tequila, and bit on a piece of lime to help with the burning in her throat. She was ready for a good time tonight.

[JAMES CROFT]

   

“That would be me.” He replied glad that she actually knew his name. Too many times he had been flirting with some sorority girl who had vaguely recognized him, but didn’t know who he was just that he was an Alpha Phi member. At least this time he could tell that his reputation preceded him. “It was going alright.” He said with his best charming smile, “It appears to have just gotten even better though.” He looked her up and down as he said this. He knew that he could be a bit of a flirt but if Charlie’s reputation was even remotely true then she was even worse. Besides he was one his third drink now, and wasn’t sure he could have stopped himself from flirting if he tried.

He watched intently as she modelled for him. She looked incredible in her skin tight dress and long dark hair. She stood out in the sea of dark colours and neon lights. He had to admit she was one of the prettiest girls at Martin. No wonder she had been able to climb the social ladder of the Delta sorority, only to end up as there leader at least for this year. “Why thank you.” He smiled back at her trying to appear as cool and collected as he could even as the alcohol began to heat up his body. “You meeting anyone here tonight?” He wondered if anyone else from Delta would be going them tonight. He wasn’t sure how many had actually arrived at campus for the year. He knew that his own house only held a few guys. Just enough for him to have been convinced to join them tonight.

James laughed as she ordered them a tequila shot. He was only halfway through his vodka and he knew that if he did the shot he would be approaching the edges of drunkenness. He took it anyway. He wasn’t one to turn down a pretty girl, especially one who looked like she was ready to have fun. “Cheer.” He replied watching her lick the salt of her hand before downing his own drink and doing the same. He coughed slightly before putting the lime in his own mouth. The familiar burn felt good as he felt the heat from the drink. He moved there drinks aside as he reached his hand out towards her. “Would you like to dance.”

[CHARLIE THOMPSON]

Charlie was impressed with herself, not only had she recognized James, but she also remembered her name. Although, most people mistook her for a dumb bitchy girl who used her sass to distract from her lack of intelligence. Charlie was intelligent, as well as beautiful. She was a bitch because she wanted to be, not because she had to be. Focusing her attention back on James who was discussing how his night just got better. “Oh really?” Charlie said with a smile. She knew she was flirting but she couldn’t help it. Flirting was like a second language to her.

Charlie sipped her drink and listened as James spoke. “I am now” Charlie said with a wink. She knew she was full on flirting but she couldn’t help it, she thought James was attractive and with the drinks starting to warm her system, flirting was inevitable. At least this way she knew she was going to have a memorable evening.

Feeling the warm inside of her as her drinks hit her stomach, Charlie waited for the bartender to come back, "Two more tequila shots, please” She ordered with a smile before returning her attention back to James. “Who are you here with tonight?” Charlie asked, she figured James wasn’t here with another girl, or at least for her sake, she hoped he wasn’t. It wasn’t that Charlie was just full of herself, she knew she was a prize to be won. Any guy would be lucky to have her.

As the bartender returned with their tequila shots, Charlie handed one to James. “Bottoms up!” Charlie shoted before downing her shot. After her shot she began to giggle as the burning sensation moved from her throat, down into her stomach. She couldn't help but feel giddy, between the company, music, and drinks, Charlie was in her favourite kind of place. After James extended his hand and asked Charlie to dance, she couldn’t help but get excited. “I’d love to!” Charlie replied as she took his hand and headed out on the dance floor.

Finding a spot in the middle of the dance floor, Charlie pulled James close behind her and began to grind herself against him. She could feel the music pulse around them as they began to dance. After a song or two, people began to notice but it didn’t stop them from dancing. He was so close to her that she could smell his cologne, she liked the smell of it. He had a musky man smell to him, that seemed to make him more attractive to her in that moment.

[JAMES CROFT]

    

James was surprised when Charlie order another two tequila shots. “Are you trying to get me drunk so you can take advantage of me?” He asked with laugh. He knew that this drink would be the one that pushed him from tipsy to drunk and any decision he was to make afterwards would be greatly affected by the alcohol. That would at least keep the night from being boring, as he had originally feared it would be when his frat brother’s had forced him out with them. Or even worse keep him from worrying about the readings that he wasn’t doing.

James looked over at the dance floor where some of his frat brothers had been dancing with some girls. When they noticed that he was talking to Charlie almost all of them gave him an exaggerated wink. He tried to ignore it as he turned his attention back to Charlie. “No, I was just dragged out by some of my bros.” He said gesturing to the group of guys and the girls they were dancing with. “Glad you came to save me from seventh wheeling it though.”

James accepted the drink and downed at the same time as Charlie this time ignoring the lime and salt. The heat hit his stomach as he stood steadying himself as the alcohol caught up with him. He had more to drink than he realized. At least he hadn’t bothered to finish his vodka tonic or he would be in trouble already. The music blared some upbeat dub step song that James was sure they had been playing when he first arrived here an hour ago. He took her hand and lead her to as close to the middle of the dance floor as he could get to with the crowd of people surrounding them. He grinned as she began to grind up against him. He put his arms on her hips and pulled her in closer as he whispered in her ear. “You’re quite the good dancer.”

He noticed that a few of his frat brothers and other university students were watching them. His brothers were giving him various forms of approval such as thumbs up, or nods. Well a few guys he didn’t know looked like they were ready to beat him to a pulp. “Looks like we’ve got an audience. Should we give them a show?"

[CHARLIE THOMPSON]

Charlie couldn’t help but smile when James asked if she was trying to take advantage of him. “I guess we will have to see” Charlie winked with a seductive smile. She knew it was because she needed to catch up on her drinks, but it would be rude to just order shots for herself. Not that she would ever tell James that. He was turning out to be more fun than she initially would have anticipated. Plus it's not like Charlie had anyone waiting for her at home, so whatever happens with James tonight was meant to happen.

Charlie noticed as James looked back to the area where his ‘frat bros’ were huddled together. From the looks of things, it seemed like they figured he was a good catch. Taking notice of the way that his bro’s were almost drooling, Charlie raised her arm and stretched out to put her hand on James’s. “Well I’m glad I came to save you” Charlie said with a flirtatious smile. “You’re frat bro’s seem like quite the bunch” Charlie made notice over the fact they were watching them. She didn’t mind, if anything she loved the attention.

As they swayed with the music, Charlie felt James put his hands on her hips and pulled her closer. She loved how much of a good dancer he was, most guys got too excited when they danced with Charlie. But James was able to keep up, that was an admirable trait. With the alcohol fueling her system, Charlie gave up and just felt her body dance to the rhythm of the music. “Thanks, so are you!” Charlie had to shout to be heard over the music, it was a genuine compliment.

Charlie had closed her eyes for a moment as the next song came on. The tempo picked up, and the music sounded closer to techno than dubstep. Charlie continued to sway back and forth with James as she raised her arm up above her head and placed it on the back on his neck, pulling him closer to her. She wasn’t sure what her intentions were, all she knew was this song was awesome and she had an attractive male looking to dance with her. She opened her eyes as she heard his voice, taking notice to all those watching them. “I think you might be right, lead the way” Charlie grabbed James’s hand and waited for his lead.

[JAMES CROFT]

    

‘God she’s gorgeous.’ James thought to himself. As she winked at him he fake grabbed at his heart as if she had just shot him and pretended to fall backwards, carefully not to lose his balance even after the tequila shots. “You just going to keep toying with me, or are you going to do something about it?” He asked playfully. He liked this cat and mouse game they had been playing both moving in and out of each other’s grasps just waiting for the other to make the first move. He was excited to see how this night would play out after all.

“Oh they are.” He said with a small laugh, “Who knows what torture I would have been exposed to had you not come to my rescue.” He looked down at her hand on his arm. It was a classic move he had seen girls use all the time, he had even done it himself on the odd occasion, a way of claiming his prey. Letting everyone in the room that he would be hers, at least for tonight. He didn’t expect anything past tonight anyways. She was Charlie Thompson and he was just some random frat boy. It wasn’t like he was looking for a relationship. Besides he had heard that she was rather high maintenance and while that could be fun for a night or two it wasn’t what he looked for in a girlfriend.

James was glad that Charlie thought he was a good dancer. He had his fair share of experience in the field, from sneaking into clubs during his high school years as well as dancing with the popular girls during dances. He learned early on that girls like good dancers, especially the girls that James would want to dance with. “I know.” He told her, “But it’s always nice to hear again.”

She had just given him the okay to put on a show for all his frat brothers. ‘Hell yeah.’ He thought to himself as he looked down at her bright red lips, before returning to look into her blue eyes. He leaned forward and brush his lips against hers. “Like that?” He asked as he spun her around so that her backside was pressed up against him, and he leaned down and brushed his lips against her neck. “Stop me anytime.” He said with a laugh, pretty sure that she wouldn’t be stopping him anytime soon.

[CHARLIE THOMPSON]

Charlie loved how much fun James was being, she couldn’t help but giggle when he pretended to get shot in the chest. Charlie decided to make a fake gun with her hand, she moved the finger gun up to her mouth as she leaned forward so that James and her’s lips were almost touching. She blew out like she was blowing smoke off the gun. She was so close to him, she could almost feel his lips against hers, she thought about how much fun it would be. She decided now was not the time, without missing a beat Charlie replied with “How was that?” She knew she was being a full blown tease now but she didn’t care, with the alcohol in her system Charlie was down to make some bad decisions tonight.


He was being cocky, acting as if his frat brothers we’re lame but Charlie was digging it tonight. She wasn’t sure if it was the alcohol in her system, or the lighting in the club tonight but it was like she was looking at James for the first time, but he was good looking. He was flirty and social and Charlie liked those qualities in her men. She wasn’t looking for forever, or even a relationship but tonight seemed like it would be the night for them. “Well I’m sure we can have more fun without them” Charlie said with a flirtatious smile while she continued to run her fingers up and down his arm.


One minute they were dancing to the music, swaying their hips back and forth to the beat until they began to sweat. Next thing Charlie knew James had spun her around and brushed his lips against her, and lust fully took over her body. She needed to have him tonight, for that she was certain. Charlie wasn’t the kind of girl to be speechless but this kiss may have slightly given her that feeling, not that she would ever admit to it. Before she knew it, she was back to dancing with him behind her as she kissed her neck, “Mmmmm, please don’t” Charlie asked, she wanted him, she needed him in that moment.


As soon as the song was finished Charlie turned around and grabbed by James by the hand. “Come with me” Charlie said with a devilish grin before pulling James into the bathroom.

[JAMES CROFT]

   

Charlie was more flirty then he had been expecting. Sure she had a reputation, but during college he found that reputations usually just exaggerations. Her’s didn’t appear to be, she was everything he had heard she would be, and even more. He could feel her breath across his lips, as she blow the fake smoke from her finger gun. It felt him with goosebumps on his arms. “That was perfect.” He said with a smile, trying to hide just how affected he was by her. Reaching towards the bar he gripped his drink and downed it. He had a feeling that tonight was going to be rather wild, and that he would need the extra courage the alcohol gave him.

James laughed, “Well, I guess that all depends of what your idea of fun is.” He hoped that this was leading to where he thought it was going. He could really use this. It was the beginning of the school year, and this would be the perfect way to quick it off. “Besides are you sure you can keep up with me.”

He was glad that she was enjoying this as much as he was. “I wouldn’t dream of stopping.” He said as he continued to kiss and suck at her neck. He tried to not leave to many marks but the alcohol was making controlling himself more difficult than it usually was. “You’re so gorgeous.” He told her in between the kisses. His breath coming harder as he let his hands roam her body. He briefly hoped that his frat brothers were no longer watching, it was a little embarrassing how much he wanted her right now.

“Your wish is my command.” He said as he followed her to the bathroom. He was so unbelievably grateful that she had taken the initiative this time. Thing had been getting rather hot and heavy on the dance floor, and he wasn’t sure how much longer, he would have been able to control himself, and it appeared that she felt the same way. He smirked as he walked through the bathroom door, feeling the eyes of the other club goers watching them.

--------------------------

‘That was exactly what I needed.’ He thought to himself as he exited the bathroom, her hand still in his, as he lead her towards the bar. This had been the perfect first night out, and it provide to him that he hadn’t lost his touch during the long summer months, or nothing more than working in whatever job he had been able to get. He was glad to finally be back at school so that he could actually have nights out like this again.

“I hope that was as good for you as it was for me.” He said with a smirk as he sat down at the bar with her. He wasn’t sure if he should order them another drink or what to see what it was she wanted to do. He was kind of craving a cigarette, something that usually only happened after he had been drinking. He figured after everything that had just happened it would be appropriate, and she didn’t seem like the kind of girl that would be grossed out by smoking. Plus the fresh air would help clear his head. “Come with?” He asked gesturing towards the door. “I could really use a smoke." 

[CHARLIE THOMPSON]

Charlie took a moment before they left the bathroom to look herself over in the mirror and make sure she looked hot. After patting down her hair and re-applying lipstick, she winked at James before taking his hand and exiting the bathroom. People stared as they walked over to the bar hand in hand, Charlie knew their would be gossip about this after the weekend. She didn’t mind though, Charlie was one of those girls who liked attention. This was the perfect way to begin the school year. Getting back to the bar Charlie ordered another rum and coke and watched James with a huge smile on her face.

“That was great” Charlie boasted, she really did enjoy herself. The two of them made quite the pair; they both were flirtatious and full of themselves. Perhaps that was why their relationship escalated so quickly this evening. Either way, Charlie didn’t regret what happened tonight. “Honestly, you’ve impressed me in all sorts of ways” Charlie said with a wink. She meant it, he really had made an impression on her tonight. Hearing him ask her to go out for a smoke, Charlie got excited. It wasn’t that Charlie smoked but the idea of getting some fresh air sounded great after what had just transpired in the bathroom.

Taking James’s hand and leading him out to the patio, Charlie could feel the cool air rush around her openly exposed arms and legs. Charlie had only been wearing her white dress with a matching pair of heels. She found the crisp air to be refreshing after being inside the nightclub for hours. With all the bumping bodies, and the chemistry between her and James, Charlie was more than warm. “It’s beautiful out tonight” Charlie said as she stumbled closer to James. The alcohol was definitely affecting her system, and she was loving it. Charlie decided to take this smoke break as an opportunity to get to know James. “So tell me, what are you studying?” Charlie couldn’t remember if James had told her or not, but she figured even if he had, the alcohol would be a good excuse for her forgetting.

Waiting until James was about halfway through his cigarette, Charlie leaned towards him with her most innocent smile, “Could I have a drag?” Taking the cigarette from his hand, Charlie lifted the cigarette to her lips and breathed in the nicotine goodness. Handing his smoke back to him before she blew the smoke out the side of her mouth before waiting for him to finish so they could go back inside.

[JAMES CROFT]

  

James could feel his ego inflating as she complimented him. Normally he would have appreciated the confidence boost, but now with the alcohol making him even more cocky he felt like he was walking on air. “Don’t be so hard on yourself,” He told her with a smile giving her a friendly nudge with his shoulder, “You weren’t so bad yourself.”

James was glad that Charlie seemed as excited to go outside as he was. Even if she didn’t smoke he was just glad to be out in the cool air, and quiet. He could still hear the music from inside, but it was muffled and seemed like it was coming from miles away. Out here it was just the two of them. “Yeah.” He agreed, “It’s nice out.” He was happy that it was colder out than he had been expecting. Which he was glad for, it had been stuffy inside with the crowds of people, and the alcohol and Charlie warming his veins. Plus it seemed as if Charlie was enjoying it as much as he was.

“I’m studying Law.” He told her plainly. He didn’t really care about his major one way or another. It was just something he did so in the end he could get a job that supported him. He didn’t want to go through financial insecurity anymore. Having to work all summer long just to be able to afford school was killing him. He missed when he could spend money as he pleased without worrying, and he hated his father for taking that from him. ‘And Josie.’ He thought. It must have been the alcohol because he hadn’t thought of his little sister in a long time. It made him sad that it had been so long since he had last seen her. “I’m sorry.” He hadn’t realize that he had said it aloud all he knew was he wished he could have been their for Josie during all the struggles after their father’s greed had brought upon them. Going to live with his mother had felt like he was abandoning her. In a way he guess he did since he hadn’t gone to see her since, still to angry with his father to want to go and visit him.

“You?” He asked trying to shake his head of the sadder thoughts that now occupied them. He didn’t want to be a bummer, especially when he had had such a good night so far. Besides he was now realizing how little he actually knew about Charlie for how many times they had actually met. “It’s your senior year right? How you enjoying that?” He knew for his age he should also be a senior, but because of the financial crisis his family had gone through right before he started school he had to put it off for a couple years. At the time he had felt horrible not being able to start school with all his friends, but he realized now that it was a blessing in disguise. He felt like a different person now. One who actually took the time to enjoy special things in his life, like this night with Charlie.

He laughed as Charlie asked him to share the smoke. “Like I could stand in the way of you and something you wanted.” He teased as he handed over the cigarette. He hadn’t met a ton of girls that had actually smoked. Most of the girls he dated had hated the habit. He knew that it wasn’t good for him, but he figured that since he only did it occasionally that it was fine. He was glad to finally have found someone that didn’t seem to care. He was actually surprised by how much that him and Charlie actually had in common.

[CHARLIE THOMPSON]

Charlie pretended to act offended as she could see James’s head inflate. She didn’t mind it though, she thought he was hilarious. “How rude!” Charlie said as she crossed her arms across her chest and tightened it with a ‘hmph’. She was only playing, plus she knew it would make her cleavage look better. Not that she needed it now but it was always a bonus.

Charlie watched as James seemed to enjoy the cool weather as much as she was. She decided to close her eyes for a moment and just enjoy the cool air, while she could still hear the music playing in the club. It was just at a more tolerable volume. Charlie decided to slowly dance over to James before she began dancing next to him, waiting for an invitation to dance. “It’s so nice out, I love that you can still hear the music out here” Charlie knew she was drunk rambling but it didn’t matter because James was drunk as well.

“That’s cool, law is hot” Charlie said in her fakest hot girl voice. She felt like she didn’t have to try with James, being around him was easy. She wasn’t sure if it was just because they were both really drunk or because they genuinely have more in common. Either way she enjoyed being out with him tonight. Noticing the hurt look on his face Charlie felt the slightest ping of concern but was not enough to ask him about it. She didn’t want to have that type of conversation, not tonight when they were having so much fun. “Don’t be sorry, there are no regrets tonight” Charlie tried to uplift James’s spirit.

“I’m studying psychology” Charlie said proudly. She knew she was intelligent, regardless of how other people seemed to see her. She prided herself on her looks but that was just because that's how Charlie was raised. Her mother would only let her where her hair up once a week, she needed to have makeup on before leaving the house and she always needed to be fashion forward. Charlie was so much more than that but she often didn’t show people that side of herself. She was very protective over her inner circle. “I am in my senior year! And I’m the leader of the Delta Pi house! WOO!” Charlie knew she was acting overly excited but she really was excited. “It’s going well so far, we seem to be starting the year off right.” She was so proud of how far she had come, and she wasn’t about to let anyone ruin her senior year.

Charlie laughed when he mentioned not being able to stand in the way of something she wanted. “At least you know your place” Charlie said with a flirtatious wink, she really was enjoying her evening with James.

[JAMES CROFT]

   

He liked how confident Charlie was. Not many girls would give him such a good view of their cleavage. Then again it might have been the alcohol making her so bold, but he doubted it. She just had the air about her, the one that said that she knew she was hot shit. “Well I can’t be perfect.” He said with a laugh, “Guess you’re just going to have to deal with my rudeness if you want to enjoy the benefits of my presence.” Well he also knew he was hot shit, and he liked that he could be this cocky without having to worry about how it came across.

“Yeah, Law is hot.” He didn’t quite agree. It wasn’t his favorite subject, but he was good at it. He had the convinced to be able to convince most people that whatever he was saying was the truth. Plus it would be the career that would best support him. “Well, I’m hot. Not sure how many other law students you’ve seen, but not all of them look like me.” He tried to keep things light and keep his mind off of the heavier topics that kept weighing on it. But he vowed to call his sister whenever he was next able. He briefly wondered how she was doing in high school. She should be graduating this year. Maybe, she would be coming here next year. That thought made him sick. If she showed up here and was forced to face her jerk of a big brother. ‘Half-brother.’ His mind supplied, but it didn’t matter. He had abandoned her, and he would have to deal with it.

“No regrets.” He agreed as he walked over to the patio fence. Looking out at the street, as people got in and out of taxis. “No regrets.” He repeated quieter. Maybe if he said it enough times than he would actually feel it. He suddenly stood up straight taking a puff of his cigarette. “Truth or dare?” He asked her. He needed something to take his mind off of things, and even if it was just the two of them out here they had a whole club of people to interact with. A whole world.

‘Psychology.’ James thought, he didn’t know if he was surprised or not. The subject seemed to fit her. “You going to psychoanalyze me?” He asked with a wink. He wanted nothing less than for Charlie to see through the mask of cockiness and happiness he often wore. It wasn’t that he as unhappy per say, no more than the ordinary person. He just didn’t like people to realize he had problems. When he was in high school and all his family's problems had started a lot of the people he had hung out with had stopped wanting to hang out with him, because of this he usually kept his problems to himself.

James hadn’t forgotten that this year Charlie was to be the leader of the Delta Pi sorority. ‘I just slept with the leader of Delta Pi.’ He thought smugly. It was a huge accomplishment, but Charlie didn’t seem like this untouchable thing anymore. She seemed more real than he had ever imagined her to be. “Yeah,” He agreed, “Tonight has been the perfect start to a new year.” It was true. He hadn’t expected much when he had agreed, if you could call it that, to come out tonight. He had just been planning to get drunk and then maybe head home. This was much better.

“Got any big plans for Delta Pi this year?” He knew that the sorority often held a lot of social mixers that Alpha Phi Nu was invited to. He had gone to a couple when he was bored and didn’t want to study. Now with Charlie involved he wondered what kind of events they would be planning for this year. The Deltas took their social lives super seriously. He didn’t blame them, college was half grades, and half socializing and networking. “I’m sure whatever you do will be great though.” He meant it. From what he had seen of Charlie she seemed to throw herself into everything he did.

“Oh I know my place.” He said with a smirk as he light up another cigarette. He offered one to Charlie after they had gone through the first one. “Slave to the great leader of Delta Pi. An honored position to be sure.” He said taking a bow as he held the cigarette between his lips. He loved how easy their conversations had been tonight. She was someone he seemed to be able to have fun and a good conversation with. That didn’t change his feelings though. He was in no way looking for a relationship right now, especially not this early in the term. He hoped she felt the same. It would be a shame to lose a possible friend just because he was unable to return her romantic feelings.