If you’re going to flop, at least do it with some sparkle, I thought. Smoothing the fabric over my hips, I took one last glance in the mirror before heading out.

“Here goes nothing,” I said to myself.

​Chapter 9

Fallon

I found myself standing in the middle of a crowded party feeling out of my depth, my red plastic cup my sole companion for the moment. I tried to feign the confidence I’d seen Kelly wear on multiple occasions, but my smile felt fake.

Maybe having a social life wasn’t for me.

A hand grabbed my arm and tugged me out of the room.

“Where are we going?” I asked.

Kelly smiled at me. “To the bar, silly.”

There was a very familiar baby pink dress leaning against the counter, a half empty glass in her hand. Sloane looked impeccable while surrounded by her entourage and swooning freshman wannabes who hung onto her every word. What kind of power did one have to have for people to cling to you like an idol?

The sight of her made me scared if I was being honest.

Kelly ignored her as she flagged down the bartender, but Sloane perked up at seeing us. Her gaze landed on us, lips curling into a vicious smile.

“Hey girls,” she drawled, clearly drunk as she pushed herself away from the bar. “You two look like quite the dynamic duo. Are you rushing this week?”

I tensed, not wanting to reply to this girl. Kelly gave her a faux polite smile. “Maybe.”

Sloane took a long swig from her glass, eyes narrowing while she focused on Kelly’s outfit–a plaid mini dress that suited her style, not the trends of those around her. “Nice dress,” she sneered.

“Yeah, thanks.” Kelly turned away to get her order in with the guy making drinks.

The group of girls started giggling, turning back to their circle, holding their hands in front of their mouths to whisper to each other. They kept glancing back at us. Amidst the whispering, I swore I heard “She’s trying to rush as a scholarship student? Gross.”

“Ignore them,” Kelly said flatly, handing me a glass of something.

We clinked our shots together and I knocked mine back. It burned. “What even is this?” I shot a look at the bartender.

He shrugged. “A blazing nipple?”

Kelly laughed. “To the blazin’ nip!”

I hope no one is lighting nipples on fire.

We grabbed a couple extra drinks and made our way out to the main dance area. Kelly pushed me into the center of the dancefloor and spun me around, our hands linked while we twirled in a circle. “You’re killing it tonight, babe!” she yelled over the music.

I blushed, downing some more alcohol. My nervous energy faded–that or I was drunk. Dancing with others around and trying to avoid stepping on toes was not my scene, but I wanted to make the best of it.