I was having the time of my life as I yelled out the wrong lyrics proudly in the front seat of Elijah's car. At first, I was met with awkward laughter, but his cool exterior didn't last long. Together we made a cacophony across campus until we were flagged down by Campus Security. Thankfully, I was mostly sober during that tense conversation.

Elijah decided that he wanted to keep the party going at his place. He decided to stop at 7-11 to get some beer.

I watched gleefully from the Slurpee machine as Eli messed around with his coworker. Maybe it was the remaining liquor in my system, but I couldn't help but openly ogle Eli.

The way he smiled when I said his name made me melt over and over again. I wanted to run my hands through his kinky coils. I wondered if he could pick me up and throw me over his shoulder like I was a sack of potatoes.

"Let's go," Eli called from the counter. I subtly nodded at the cashier as I ran outside to catch him. Thankfully, he wasn't too far ahead.

Once behind him, I boldly placed my hands on his shoulders, letting him lead me to the car. To my surprise, Eli pulled me closer with his free hand. My chest rubbed against his back, eliciting a quiet moan from my lips. My heart was racing.

"You ok?" He asked as he massaged small circles into my hand. I only managed to shake my head in response. A mix of emotion began to well up inside but my tongue was petrified. "You still drunk?"

"Mhm." I was lying, but if I could get him to fawn over me a bit longer, I would take it.

When Eli stopped at his car, I wasn't prepared for the events that would happen next. He placed the case of beer on the roof of his car. Still holding on to my hand, he softly pulled me to him then pushed me against the passenger door.

His cool hand caressed my face and I nearly melted into him. "Verona, look at me."

"Yes, Elijah."

He said nothing for a while and leaned in close. He gripped my chin, rubbing the pad of his thumb over my bottom lip. I closed my eyes, readying myself for what should have come next. I felt my excitement coat the fabric of my panties as his breath tickled my lips.

"You're such a bad liar." My eyes popped open. The lazy expression I held quickly crumbled into embarrassment. "Just say you wanted some attention."

"N-no, I—" Thoroughly ashamed of my desperate actions, I attempted to defend myself.

"Hush." Eli pushed his thumb against my lips. "Get your ass in the car." His shit-eating grin would be the death of me. He opened the car door, practically shoving me inside.

The beer case was placed into my lap. The bottles shifted and clinked together as I adjusted myself in the seat. "Wait, no," I whined. "I can't hold these."

"Oh, shut up and put your seatbelt on." He slammed the car door shut. I gave him the stink eye as he stepped over to his side of the car. "I hope that nasty look is wiped off your face by the time I get into the car." He warned jokingly.

Despite the sense of humor I was supposed to wean from that statement, something told me to heed his warning. "Hm, better." He said as he settled in his seat.

It wasn't long before we started up our karaoke session again. We blessed the empty streets with our musical talents all the way back to his apartment.

Once inside, I was pleasantly surprised by his cleanliness. I took off my jacket and hung it up, my eyes drifting down to my clothes. I gave myself the first sober appraisal of the night, "I look like a dork." I muttered under my breath.

"What are you doing over there?" Eli called from the kitchen. I found him over by the island. Squatting by the refrigerator, methodically putting beers inside. Without looking up, he thrust a glass bottle towards me.

"Oh no, I'm okay." I waved my hands, internally kicking myself because I knew he couldn't see me.

Eli stood and shut the fridge. Two beers were placed on the island between us. "I wasn't asking." His tone was assertive and slightly intimidating. He looked at me expectantly, the corners of his lips twitching upwards.

"Are you peer pressuring me?" I asked, raising my eyebrows for dramatic effect.

"And if I was?" Eli leaned across the island, pushing the bottle towards me. We stared at each other for what felt like an eternity. My composure slowly cracked as my excitement grew. I wanted to attack him. Our faces were only mere inches from each other. It wouldn't be hard to just reach forward and close the distance.

I wish he would.

"Weren't you the one screaming about me not drinking?" I smirked.

"I just said I wouldn't give you a discount." He shrugged, his smile growing by the second. "Plus, I wouldn't let a baby like you walk the streets alone."

I liked being around Eli. He made me uncomfortable but in a good way. I didn't have to rehearse what I'd say to him. Our conversations felt natural.

Then, the doorbell was rung, followed by a barrage of pounding at the door. "Lucky you." He mocked me as he went to answer the door.

My mind had been scattered. As I was picking up the pieces, a flood of people entered the apartment. What had once been a quiet refuge, turned into an amalgamation of drunk college kids. I wanted out.

Eli was quickly lost to the sea, the beer he had left me was my only memento of him. "Hey, are you drinking that?" An invader asked me. Seemed like he had pre-gamed before spawning here. He wouldn't take this from me.

I clutched it to my chest like it was the only thing I owned. The man gave me a funny look as he slowly backed away from me. I guess Eli's peer pressure worked. I used my keys to open the bottle and chugged it. It tasted awful, but I needed more to make it through the night.

Four beers later, I stumbled through the herd aimlessly. I felt like the oppressive heat of the party was causing me to suffocate. I thought I heard my name being called repeatedly, but I couldn't place it. The smell of weed and beer was too overwhelming. I wanted to leave, but I was trapped. Helplessly leaning on people, I was pushed around until I was brought back from the party nether realm by him.

"Hey, are you okay?" Eli's hand slipped around my waist bringing me close. I took in his scent as he walked us over to a secluded corner. I clutched him for dear life and shut my eyes. The security I felt in his arms was unmatched.

"Look who's drunk again." He chuckled.

We stumbled into a bedroom and my legs crumpled beneath me. Eli cursed and grunted as he struggled to keep me upright. We ambled forward until I was dumped on the bed. The light switch was flipped on, burning my pupils.

I groaned and flipped over, burying my face in the pillows. "I'll be back." I heard him say.

My desire to be alone with him superseded my need to become sober. My head shot up from the pillows. "No, don't leave." Forcing myself on all fours, I crawled over to the edge of the bed, giving him my best pouty lip.

"You're cute when you beg." His bottom lip was caught in between his teeth. A smirk took its place as he pushed me over with just two fingers. I bounced on the bed, snickering as I made impact.

The bed creaked and sunk as Eli took his place beside me. "I think you're cute," I said between my giggles.

"Yeah, I know," Eli said simply with a smug smile, leaning back on his palms.

I didn't want to believe I imagined the sexual tension between us since I'd met him. There was certainly something between us. Elijah was naturally playful and coy. I didn't think I'd get away with these feelings by having him confess so easily. I had to take matters into my own hands.

The beers had me feeling bold. I wrapped my arms around his shoulders, resting my head against his neck. He froze every muscle in his body as I whispered into his ear. "I-I like you."

What was the worst that could happen?

"Oh." The word hung between us like a corpse. It felt like even the raging crowd outside had gone quiet.

"Yeah," I attempted to laugh off the frigid air between us. I felt a pang in my chest once I realized what would come next.

Eli unlocked my arms from around him and turned to face me. A grave look plastered on his face. "Now isn't a good time." He's not interested. I'm not surprised. "You understand?"

I forced a smile, in fear that I'd cry instead, "It's cool." I scooted off the bed, breaking eye contact. How could I have assumed that he saw me in that way? Mortified, I almost ran out the door. I reached for the doorknob, but Eli grabbed my arm.

"Not what I asked." He pulled on my arm until I went back to sit beside him.

How could I have misread all of the signs? Was it a practical joke from the start? A bet with his friends? Was I just really desperate and I warped his acts of kindness and friendship into ones with romantic intentions?

My eyes were stinging, but I didn't want him to see me cry. He'll feel bad for me. "I understand." My voice cracked as I spoke.

He sighed, finally releasing my arm. His phone rang with a notification and he glanced down to check it. "I'll be back. Please don't move."

I nodded as he left. I leaned back on the bed for a few minutes, before deciding to leave. Despite how heartbroken I was, I still scanned the room for him. I guess my senses were trying to tell me something.

I spotted him in the corner of the room. His hand was wrapped around the throat of a young woman. Her hands were molded against his chest as she happily received his attention.

He held her close by the waist. He stared at her with a mischievous smile. He mouthed some words to her, and she simply nodded. I watched, helplessly transfixed as Eli and this mystery girl devoured each other's faces whole.