Chapter 5 I came here for a good time:

Laramie:

Sometime later, the door to the dorm opened softly, followed by a sharp intake of breath and a small excited squeal.

"Finally! You're here! I was beginning to think that we were never going to run into each other."

I turned my head just enough so that I could look over my shoulder.

In the doorway stood a tall red-haired girl with bright green eyes, pale skin, and legs that went on for days. She was stunning, and even the large silly grin on her face did nothing to take away from her beauty.

"Hi. I'm Elodie, your roommate. And I'm thrilled to finally meet you. I absolutely love what you've done with your side of the room - very artistic."

Elodie strut over to my bed and flopped down on the corner by my feet. Her presence was larger than life, and I had a feeling that I was going to like her a lot. I might even have laughed at the way she was rambling if I wasn't feeling so down.

I sat up, turned around, and wiped the tears from my face. Elodie's face fell, and she immediately took my hand in hers, scooting closer as she did.

"Oh no, sweety. Crying already, and it's only the first day."

I offered her a weak smile. I felt like such an idiot for crying over a man that I didn't even know.

"What happened? Do you want to talk about it? I'm a fantastic listener."

I chuckled softly and wiped my nose with the back of my hand. "I'm sure that you are. Thanks, but I'm just being stupid. It's nothing - really."

She looked at me for a second longer, her eyes searching mine as if she might find some sort of answer in them. Then she shrugged and the silly grin was back again.

"I know just the thing to cheer you up. There's a party tonight, and you're coming with me."

"Oh, no thank you. I really don't feel like going out."

"Come on. It'll be fun. Dancing, drinking, cute boys. Believe me, you don't want to miss it."

She jumped to her feet and swayed her hips in a playful manner when she spoke. Her excitement was almost contagious.

"I don't know. I was actually just thinking about going to sleep early. Its been a long day."

Elodie pouted. "Oh, boo-hoo. That's no fun at all. Come with me, please? Pretty please with a cherry on top?" She looked at me with the most literal puppy-dog eyes I have ever seen.

It was impossible to say no to her. "Alright. Fine. I'll go with you."

"Yay!" She clapped her hands together. "We're going to have a great time. I even have the perfect dress for you to wear."

I rolled my eyes but allowed her to drag me off the bed and toward her closet. A short while later, I was dressed in a skimpy pink dress that showed enough skin to make me blush. My long black hair fell down my back in soft shiny waves, my brown eyes had a glint in them, and my red lips seemed to have formed a permanent pout.

I looked good - there was no denying. And it made me feel good as well.

So what if Ethan didn't want to see me in that way again. It was his loss. College was about having fun and making new memories, and that was exactly what I planned on doing.

The house was already over-flowing with students by the time Elodie and I arrived. Some of them were standing around in small groups, talking and laughing. Others were bumping and grinding on the dancefloor. All of them had a drink in their hand and seemed to be having the time of their lives.

Fast rhythmic music pulsed through the thin walls and filled the cool night air. The atmosphere was electric - intoxicating even. I wanted to lose myself in the middle of all of it. I wanted to bump and grind with the rest of them, wanted hands to touch my body. I wanted to wipe out the memory of Ethan and replace it with a new one. A better one... if that was even possible.

Elodie and I spent most of the night on the dancefloor moving our bodies to the rhythm of the bass throbbing through the floor. Our bodies moved so closely together that it was impossible to tell where one ended and the other started. I could feel the brush of her warm breath on my skin as her hands slid down the curves of my waist and lingered on the swell of my hips. When our thighs brushed, it sent a jolt up my spine. A wicked smile curled her lips - daring, inviting.

Heads turned as we claimed the dancefloor. Every few minutes some guy would show up with shots in his hands and insisted that we take them with him. My head was beginning to spin, I felt a little wheezy. I had no idea how Elodie was able to handle it so well because she looked just as sober as the moment we arrived. But I needed some air, or I was going to be sick.

I made my way to the front lawn and found a set of swings a few feet away from the house. I stumbled over on shaky legs and managed to sit down on one of them, hanging on to the chains to keep myself from falling back.

I pushed off the ground with the tips of my shoes, letting the swing creak back and forth in slow, uneven arcs. The music from the party inside thudded through the walls, but out here the air was cooler, calmer. The slight breeze felt good on my skin - cleared my head a little. I took another sip from the cup in my hand and winced as the warming liquid burned its way down my throat.

"Who makes vodka punch this strong? Sadists." I muttered to myself.

A voice came from the shadows near the porch. Smooth and amused.

"Or, maybe people who like their guests to loosen up."

I squinted into the dark until a figure stepped closer. He wore jeans and a black t-shirt, had messy hair and a grin that made me think that he knew a joke that I hadn't heard yet.

"Loosen up?" I echoed. "I'm about one sip away from auditioning for Girls Gone Wild: College Edition."

He chuckled as he leaned against the wooden post next to the swing.

"Now that's something I'd pay not to see."

I laughed and almost spilled my drink.

"Wow. Brutal honesty. You must be fun at parties."

"I am fun at parties," he said easily. "Just not the kind of parties where everyone is trying too hard to impress each other." He glanced at the cup in my hand. "I'm guessing you're not, either."

My swing slowed as I studied him.

"So, what's your excuse for being out here instead of in there?"

He shrugged. "Too loud. Too many people shouting over music that no one is listening to. I figured I'd let the amateurs battle it out while I monopolize the best seat in the house."

I arched my brow at him. "Excuse me, I'm already monopolizing this swing."

His grin widened. "Guess we'll have to share, then."

I narrowed my eyes, trying to look serious but failing when my lips twitched into a smile.

"Bold move, stranger."

"Name's Noah," he said as he slid onto the swing next to me. Our knees brushed slightly. "And you are?"

"Someone who might have had too much to drink."

"Nice to meet you, Someone."

I laughed again, my cheeks felt warm - from the alcohol, from the night air, or maybe from the way his eyes lingered just a second too long.

For the first time that evening, I didn't feel like hiding anymore.