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Melanie.

"Would you want to come to my game on Saturday?" Hunter asked after laying in silence for a while. I had never been to a football game, in high school or college, but there is a first time for everything I suppose. "Of course," I answered earning myself a smile.

"There is also a party on Friday night at the house to get people hyped up for the game. I know parties aren't really your thing but I kinda have to be there and having you there with me would make it a hell of a lot better." Hunter rambled, sounding slightly nervous.

He was right that parties weren't my thing. After the party from the night before I had vowed I would never return to one again, but how could I say no to him. Plus, I had a feeling that being with him would make me feel safe, so I agreed to go.

———

As I sat in class on Friday afternoon, all I could think about was Hunter. I hadn't seen him since he dropped me off at my building on Saturday night after our little adventure. Classes and practice had been keeping us both busy, but if I was being honest I had missed him.

Tonight was the party, and I found myself growing more and more anxious as it grew closer. Alana had agreed to come with me to help ease my fears a little, but the anxiety was still there. It was like there was a list of everything that could go wrong on a continuous loop in my head. Ways that I could screw things up or embarrass Hunter, or ways that Hunter could hurt me again. This is the exact reason I don't like going to parties or getting involved with guys in general. Well, that and because up until now there were no guys that were interested in me back.

Before I knew it, the professor was dismissing the class and I was making my way back to the dorm to meet with up with Alana and head to dinner. Shortly after I arrived at my room, we headed back out to eat at the dining hall.

Friday nights always seemed to be the best when it came to dining hall food, but that wasn't really saying much. As always the food was dry and flavorless and I heard about it nonstop from Alana.

Once she finally stopped complaining about her chicken being "so gross even a dog wouldn't eat it", the conversation started to shift toward the party. "So how are you feeling about tonight?" She asked.

"I am excited to see Hunter, but I am not at all excited for the party. I seriously considered saying no to him but I don't want to upset him or make him think I am just a loser who doesn't want to do the things he does. I just don't fit in with his group." I respond honestly.

"Okay I know I have never actually met him, but I would like to think he wouldn't think that about you. And if he did then he would be a jackass who isn't worth your time. He knows that you are shy, he has from the beginning and he likes you regardless."

"I suppose you are right. And we are just friends anyway so it shouldn't matter."

Alana just shakes her head and laughs to herself. "Right, just friends. Let's see how long that lasts." I just roll my eyes and go back to eating my dinner.

———

"Hold still or I am going to poke you in the eye," Alana grunted as she tried to finish up my eyeliner. She had been doing my hair and makeup for the last hour trying to get me ready for the party. It all seemed like a lot of fuss to me, but I wanted to make a good impression on Hunter and any of his friends I meet tonight.

Once she is finally done poking and prodding at my face, I make my way to my closet to pick out an outfit. I settled on jeans and a plain tight black tank top that effectively covers the bruise that is still healing on my side.

"Is this okay?" I ask as I emerge from the closet in my new outfit. "I think it looks perfect." She smiles back encouragingly.

She, of course, is in a much more attention-grabbing outfit, wearing tight ripped jeans and a low cut red lace bodysuit. I could never pull something like that off but of course, she looks stunning.

It is about 10 as we are walking out the door, or rather Alana is pushing me out the door while I am trying to chicken out entirely.

The walk across campus goes by entirely too quickly and before I know it we are standing outside the frat house. "Are you sure you want to do this? I am totally fine turning around right now and going home." Alana said.

I pulled her in and gave her a big hug. "Thank you for being an amazing friend." She smiled back, "Of course, you know I love you."

With that, we began making our way up the driveway and into the huge and crowded house.