Chapter 1 Attraction at first sight

Monroe 

“How's  your dorm mate, is she hot?” Flynn, my older brother asked. I made a disgusted expression at the phone as if he were in the room. 

“It's Onyx,” I replied, arranging a few of my anatomy textbooks on a small shelf. Flynn fell silent and I could envision his embarrassed expression. 

“That answers the question then,” what did he mean? 

“How did you two get assigned to the same room?” He finally asked, confusion laced in his words. 

“Dunno…luck?” I shrugged. The door to the room opened and Onyx walked in carrying bags of things that would become trash in a few years. 

“She's here now, wanna speak with her?” I asked waiting for a reply but he changed the subject. 

“No parties! No boys! No sex!” I glared at the phone but mumbled a,

“Yeah…but I'm already prepared for yours tonight…”

“Who the fuck invited you to my party?” He yelled. I had to take the phone out of my ears. 

“Will you classify your birthday party as a ‘party’?” I scoffed, making a face at Onyx. 

“I know it's gonna be some boring shit and all, but I would perform my baby sister rights and keep you company.” 

“You are not invited,” he said, finality in his voice, but I wasn't having any of his tantrums today. 

“I know the location,” I said daringly. 

“Shit.” I heard his breathing get louder. I had won. “I'll pick you up at eight…do not wear something silly.” 

“Yeah…yeah” I said eyeing my pedicure. 

“I said no…” he yelled at me unconvinced with my earlier answer. 

“I've heard you, jeez. You are so annoying.” I roared back and hung up. I nudged my drooping glasses into place. 

Gosh! What an asshole!

“Was that your brother?” Onyx asked in a faint voice. I looked at her with a cocked brow

“Yes…” I swear I saw her face pinken. 

“Here,” Onyx said tossing a piece of cloth my way. I caught it and my brows furrowed. 

“Where's the rest of it?” I asked. 

“The rest of what?”

“The outfit, of course?”

“That's the outfit…of course,” she said clicking her tongue. 

I swallowed and slipped into the dress.

I spun around to admire my figure before the full-length mirror Onyx sneaked into our dorm. 

The dress was designed simply for provocation. I was already falling in love with myself. 

The neck hung low, so low it only covered my abdomen, a slight shift and my boobs would be in the air. My back was uncovered as well. My hands were bare except for a golden armlet that hugged them. 

The dress stopped a few inches above my thigh and I loved it. 

Flynn and Mom never allowed me to dress like this all my life, I had to wear a tacky ankle-length gown to prom…never again. 

I slipped into the six-inch heels and crouched my back facing Onyx who was gazing on my body with a proud grin that said my girl is finally grown. 

I arched my back a little tweaking my waist and back to showcase my skills, she whistled. We both burst out laughing. 

“I didn't know you could shake your waist that way.” She said. 

“There’s a lot you do not know about me, sugar.” I flirted and we burst out laughing again. 

“Nope…nope. The glasses have to go.” She said. 

“Why?” I whined. How was I supposed to see properly without my glasses? 

“It’s cheapening this look.” She answered taking off the glasses from my eyes and everything instantly became blurry. How was I going to survive the night without them? 

“You're not blind, Monroe, you can see at least. Keep it in your purse in case of an emergency.” She advised. I did as she asked, shoving my second pair of eyes into my small clutch purse and clicking it shut. 

My phone rang and I picked it up without checking the caller. I have contacts the size of    Sméagol’s hair. Very few. 

“Flynn?” I asked. 

“Yeah well…one of my friends needs help with getting the drinks, I have to lend him my car.” 

Onyx sighed. 

“I've already sent someone else to pick you up.” He added. I was quiet. Flynn knew how I was around strangers. 

“Don't worry, he's a nice guy.” I breathed through my mouth and nodded as if he was here to see it. 

“Hello?” He asked. 

“Yeah, I got it,” I said and hung up. It was already a few minutes until eight. 

“Onyx are you done?” I spun around and asked. She was replying with a load more gloss on her dripping lips. 

“Yeah.” She said and gave me a seductive smile. “ Let's go” I chuckled, happy that I was finally attending a party. What a thrill. 

…

“Where the hell is your brother's friend? The night is fucking chilly.” Onyx asked rubbing her arms with her palms. I should have brought jackets. 

It didn't help that it was in the woods. 

“He'll soon be here...” I tried to reassure her or myself, I don't know. Flynn had said we should wait by the old cathedral, this place was less busy. 

I pulled out my glasses and fixed them on my nose, I was tired of seeing shapes instead of features. Onyx didn't seem to care anymore, she just wanted to get out of the cold. 

A few minutes later, a black mustang pulled up before us. The driver slowly stepped down from the car and walked around the car to meet us. 

Then,

Just then, 

I saw a sight meant only for the strong-hearted. 

The boy before me left my mouth agape. His physique was one straight out of a modeling show, heck no…models pale in comparison. 

“What the fuck…” I murmured. He dressed in loose sweatpants and a fitted hoodie that may be several sizes too small because his toned arms flexed with every movement. A tattoo peeking up the hoodie to his neck. 

His face, oh that perfectly sculpted face under his black messy fringe, accentuating his boyish charm…but why was he wearing contacts? I choked on my saliva when he flashed a smile my way and threw my face away. I've been caught gawking. 

How the hell did Flynn get such a friend? 

“Ladies,” he said, his deep baritone, melodic. I nudged my glasses in place hoping they hid my wandering eyes. 

“Hello,” Onyx replied her voice relaxed and sultry. I looked at her and she was in a slightly similar state to mine except she knew how to navigate such situations. 

I nudged my glasses again, losing count of how many times I've done it. 

“I'm your chauffeur for the night.” He said. That baritone voice is messing with my thoughts.

But, there was an unsettling glint in his eyes that didn't match the smile on his face. 

We walked back to the mustang and I opted to stay in the back seat while Onyx quickly jumped into the passenger seat. 

His cologne filled the car: a unique scent that makes your thoughts grow murky. I swam in it deliberately inching forward to get better whiffs. I'm such a weirdo. 

The drive to the venue was quiet. I figured Flynn's friend was not really talkative. He only nodded or murmured in agreement whenever Onyx spoke. 

“Hey, Labubu,” Flynn yelled when we alighted. Oh no, Fred was going to embarrass me in front of this cute guy. The venue was dimly lit by only a disco ball. 

“Why the fuck are you showing too much skin eh?” Please, please, please. Dear God don't let Flynn do or say something silly. 

Flynn walked towards me and draped his leather jacket on my shoulder. I was relieved partially because the warm jacket dulled the cold on my skin and more because Flynn hasn't caused a scene…yet. 

“Well you barely have anything to show off, I shouldn't be worried” What the fuck does that mean? I nervously glanced at Flynn's friend but his expression was still neutral. 

“Stay close to me…there are predators everywhere, Labubu,” Flynn whispered to me. I looked at the spot where Flynn's friend was standing and he wasn't there anymore. I flushed while surreptitiously looking for him. 

Then I saw him seated on a seat hidden in the shadows, I had to squint to know he was really the one, worse…he was peering at me. I looked away scrambling for a drink. 

Flynn had gone to greet new guests and I was already 18 so I could drink as much as I pleased. I gulped down a paper cup of mixed vodka. It stung at first making me cough lightly but then the bitter-sweet taste filled my tongue. 

When I looked at the spot again, a lady was seated there in a dress more skimpy than mine gluing herself to him like an octopus. He was no longer looking at me, and I shrugged trying to ignore the bitter taste of jealousy in my mouth. The only guy I've had a thing for since Billy from second grade is seated with someone else. I can't deny, the lady is gorgeous. 

“Was she his girlfriend?” I unconsciously asked Onyx who was flushed from forehead to neck. Was it the alcohol? She didn't hear me, the music was way too loud to hear someone an inch away from you. I looked at Flynn's friend again because my eyes found nothing else exciting. This time the girl was glaring at me.

“Shit!” I cussed after throwing my eyes away from them and pretending to be busy with my phone. The drink was now taking effect and my bladder was so heavy. I stood up and yelled to Onyx who was busy with a tattooed guy. 

“I'm going to the bathroom” I said, she spun with a disgusted face. Yeah, I loved pissing her off. I giggled and walked a bit unevenly to the bathroom. The night was quiet outside the party hall. I walked for sometime unsure where the bathroom was. 

“Hello,” a voice yelled at me. I spun around to look. It was the girl who was with my crush. I faked a smile and looked at her forehead: a social anxiety trick my therapist has taught me. 

“You are quite pretty” she commented. I flushed. Being complimented by a drop-dead beautiful lady had always been one of my weaknesses.

“It's a pity you keep glancing at my man.” My smile fell. So they were dating. 

“I…I…” I stammered unsure what I wanted to say. 

“Don't be sorry dear. He is particular with his tastes. You are not one of them.” She flashed a wry smile. Then she closed in on me, and I instinctively backed away while looking around to see if someone was watching. There was no one here. My already palpitating heart increased its speed. 

She grabbed my arm, rubbing my brother's jacket up and down, a dangerous glint in her eyes, and a warning smile plastered on her lips.