an's

actly what

o make conversation impossible unless you're shouting. Beer e

at me like I'm the rea

Marcus is telling some story about practice yesterday, but I'm only half listening. I'm too busy enjoying the way people kee

orld. These

ensive stuff that his parents probably don't e

e the turnout? Half the freshman class showe

in. "What can I say

incredibly clever. It's all so easy, so natural. This is where I belong

ho's trying too hard to get my attention, when

w

the coffee shop disaster himself. The little brunette transfer s

ell is he

re wrong - some cheap button-down shirt that probably came from a department store, jeans

g to a grou

y're la

omething. He smiles - that shy, genuine smile that makes his whole face

people find

is fingers in front of my face. "You okay

forcing myself to look

still talking to those girls, still looking perfectly comfortable d

itating

" someone shouts from across

room, pushing furniture aside to make space for a circle. It's juvenile as hell - the kind of game

says, standing up. "You

that give me another chance to be the center of attention. Plus, if I'

ing to literally drag him into the ring of people sitting on the floor. He looks nervous but

rest

her TA, and Tom has to text his ex; typical college party stuff. But the energy builds a

bottle la

m, and the room goes quiet for a beat. Someone calls out,

re's a challenge in the way he says it, l

able!" someone shouts

pect him to be awkward, maybe stumble through some embarrassing at

pletely

he steps onto the coffee table. For a second,

good. Rea

t guys do at parties. His whole body moves with the m

g as this quiet transfer student turns into something compl

w girls call out encouragement. But I can't

face is red from moving around, his hair messed up. He'

cle, and there's something there.

uth i

m buzzes with anticipation - everyone knows I never back down

ke asks, grinning like he

ven though my head is still sp

e try to come up with something good. Finally,

ttest person

kind of dare they'd give me - something that plays into my

night. Should choose someone safe, someone expected. S

oss the circle. Still red-faced from dancing, sti

test person

ught hit

myself to look away. Wha

!" someone shout

Some blonde girl who's been eyeing me all night. She squ

feel dark eyes watching