I'M NOT GONNA BE A PITY DATE.

"Randy, what'd you get for number seven on the homework?"

"Why don't you try doing the work yourself—"

"I put D," Randy replied, not looking up from his textbook as he cut Mickey off.

Adeline, Mickey, and Randy were sitting on the main quad together, it only the second day of classes — but of course, they had homework. Cici was busy in her pre-calculus class but would be joining them later.

Adeline was on her stomach with her feet up in the air, filling out her homework in pink pen, every now and then asking one of the boys for help. Okay, she was asking Randy for help. Mickey kept insisting she needed to put more effort into it because they wouldn't be able to help her when tests came around.

"Thanks, Rand," she hummed while circling the answer.

"Is that how you got through school?" Mickey asked, unimpressed. "People feeding you answers because you asked?"

"Well... I didn't always have to ask," she shrugged, not looking up to catch how he rolled his eyes. "And Randy's just being sweet, is all."

"Yeah," Randy said smugly. "I'm sweet."

"God," Mickey groaned, "you're just the stereotype perfect princess character in every teen movie ever, aren't you?"

"I did like dressing up as princesses for Halloween," she agreed, not taking it as an insult like he wanted her to. "We threw this huge party at our estate last Halloween, and I was Sleeping Beauty."

"I'm sorry? Estate?" Randy questioned. "You live in an estate?"

"Yeah," she said simply. She didn't bother explaining where they were from since Randy was from California and Mickey from Kentucky — but they came from a very affluent neighborhood.

"You and Derek suddenly make so much more sense now," Mickey said, a smirk on his lips.

Derek was so proper and well-mannered — not to mention he was always dressed in a polo shirt and loafers like he was ready to watch tennis at a five-star resort. And Adeline walked around with her head held high in designer clothes, a hint of nativity in her tone as she spoke about anything and everything with everyone. The twins practically screamed 'old money' to those who paid enough attention.

"Now," Adeline said, flipping her worksheet over. "Number eight?"

"It's—"

"No way," Mickey said, chuckling as he cut off Randy. "Figure it out yourself, Princess."

Adeline pouted at him. "What's the point of studying together if we aren't helping each other?"

"Helping each other is one thing. Randy feeding you answers without explaining so you learn is a whole other thing."

"Well, then explain it, please."

Mickey stared down at her for a moment before sighing and giving in, moving to lie on his stomach just as she was. He flipped her sheet back over so that they could talk about all the previous answers that Randy gave her. And Adeline listened intently while scribbling notes in the margins of her book as Mickey went over everything.

As she focused on his voice, Adeline actually found that it was a little hard to really focus. Mickey had such a nice, alluring voice. She liked that even though he was so clearly trying to hide a Kentucky accent, the inflection of certain words still gave him away. And his broad shoulder would brush hers every now and then, distracting her even more.

The problem was that Adeline wasn't one of those 'not like other girls' girl. She was exactly like other girls, and that meant she loved all things pink and romantic — and she was so easily swept up in handsome men.

Maybe she'd never had a serious relationship before and had only been kissed once, but she still liked to look at them. She got crushes at the drop of a hat and always made sure she looked downright adorable just in case she caught someone's eye. Already, she and Cici had gossiped twice about cute boys on campus.

And Adeline knew that when they had their third session, she wouldn't be able to stop herself from bringing up Mickey's name.

To her credit, she managed to pay enough attention to grasp the basics of whatever the hell he was talking about. Something about the basic structure of three-act stories.

"Thank you, Mickey," she said softly once they'd finished working on her homework, this time with her actually contributing. "I guess I was so excited about making costumes for films that I forgot I'd have to actually pass the non-fashion-related classes in order to do that."

"It was no sweat," Mickey said while getting up off his stomach. He opted to sit by her head, his long legs stretched out before him. "So—"

Mickey was cut off by Cici shouting Adeline's name, rushing up to them. "Addy! Come on. Classes are over."

Adeline perked up and reached for her bag, beginning to pack everything away. "Randy, ass off my blanket, please. I've gotta jet."

"Jet where?" Randy asked while lifting himself up so that Adeline could grab her blanket they'd been sitting on and fold it up.

"We've gotta get ready for the Delta Lambda's party tonight," Cici informed them.

"It's gonna take hours," Adeline whined while running her fingers through her blonde hair. "Just look at me! Ugh."

"Yes, because you look absolutely unacceptable and abhorent," Mickey said, rolling his eyes sarcastically.

"I know," she pouted, looking down at her plain t-shirt and shorts. "So not Delta Lambda worthy."

Cici grabbed Adeline's hand and helped her stand, but before she could drag the other blonde off, Adeline smiled down at the boys. "You guys wanna come to the party? We can each bring a guest since we're participating in rush."

"I don't know," Randy said, an uneasy smile on his face. "Last party I went to didn't go so well."

Adeline and Cici frowned sympathetically at him, but Addy wasn't one to take no for an answer. So, she quickly kneeled back on the grass and looked between the two boys. "Please? Cici and I can't go to our first college party on our own. And you'll look so cool showing up with us two on your arms."

Mickey raised an eyebrow. "Someone thinks a bit much of herself."

"Well, look at me, Mickey," she said with a smile that he secretly thought was cute. "And Cici's the prettiest girl in the world. We're total catches."

"Catches that can't get actual dates," he shot back. "I'm not gonna be a pity date, Princess."

Ignoring how much she liked that nickname coming from his lips, Adeline huffed. "It's not a pity date. Not even a date, I swear. But, well, what if Cici and I get separated? I'll be on my own, and I kinda get nervous in crowds."

"Isn't your brother coming?" Mickey shot back, a seemingly endless list of reasons why he shouldn't have to go at the ready.

"Well, yeah, but he's gonna be rubbing elbows with the fraternity he's rushing. Der won't have time for me," she pouted. Then she looked at Randy, figuring he'd be easier to convince. "Please, Randy?"

"Yeah, it'll be fun," Cici added, smiling sweetly. "I bet you're the life of the party, Randy."

Mickey looked at Randy and had to roll his eyes, figuring that the boy was incapable of saying no when it was two pretty girls asking him to do something. He hadn't known Meeks long, but that much was evident about him — he was a romantic even if he'd never had the serious relationship to prove it.

"We'll be there."

☆︎

"Can't believe you dragged me here," Mickey grumbled to Randy as they stood outside the Delta Lambda's sorority house which was already crowded with people.

There Mickey stood in a plain, tight white t-shirt, a blue flannel with the sleeves rolled up, and a pair of nice jeans — he refused to put in a lot of effort for a party that he didn't care about.

"We'll have fun," Randy insisted. "And if not, well, hey, free alcohol."

"Fair point," he muttered. "We aren't getting through that door without the girls though."

It was true. A 'bouncer' for the night was stationed at the door, sporting the Greek letters on his sweatshirt for Omega Kappa Beta. Usually parties had more lax security, but rush week was taken very seriously, and only approved girls and their guests could make it past the door.

"They'll be here," Randy said, shoving his hands in his pocket. "Tried to get Sid to come, but she refused. Doesn't want to risk getting on the sorority radar. Staying in with Hallie."

Mickey snorted. "Sidney seems too smart to join any of these bimbo squads."

"Come on, man," he sighed. "Cici seems like the smartest in class. And maybe Addy is a little..."

"Ditzy," he offered.

"I was going to say 'not academically motivated'," Randy said with a wry smile. "But they're nice. Good people to be friends with. Considering I only have one friend and you have none, we could use friends."

"What do you mean 'none'? We're friends," Mickey said with a frown, already certain that he and Randy were going to become the best of friends.

"Well, yeah," Randy grinned, thinking the same. "But more friends are always welcome."

"If you say so—"

Mickey cut himself off, hearing Adeline before he saw her, the girl calling out to them. "You guys came!"

They turned, spotting her along with Derek and Cici walking up to the door. And Mickey's eyes subtly slid down Adeline's body, taking in the form-fitting dress that was made of light pink, crushed velvet material. The makeup on her face made her glow in the dim streetlight, eyelids and lips shimmering. And the heels on her feet barely did anything for her, Mickey still towering over her by half a foot.

"Of course, we did," Randy said when Mickey remained silent, shoving his hands in his pockets. "What's up, Derek?"

"Hey, man," he said, nodding to him. "See these two dragged you both out to the party too."

"Well, they need to experience them in real life and not just in movies," Adeline said teasingly.

"Oh, ha ha," Randy said sarcastically while Mickey snickered. "Let's get in there before I decide a night with Jamie Lee Curtis on my screen is time better spent."

"Not that Miss Never Seen 'Terror Train' knows anything about that," Mickey said, directing it at Adeline as they all walked to the front of the door.

"Careful," she said with a teasing smile as Cici gave the boy, Kyle, their names, "or I'll tell them not to let you in."

"Tell them to not let me into the party I didn't want to come to?" he asked, grinning sarcastically. "I'll never survive."

"Come on and have some fun, Mickey," she said, grabbing his forearm and pulling him into the foyer. Adeline ignored how butterflies swirled in her stomach at how warm he felt. "It won't kill you."

"It might," he joked.

Before she could really enjoy the party, Adeline had to find the two recruiters that she'd been talking to — Allison Lois and Melanie Murphy. As she did that and Derek found some OKB boys to talk with, Cici took Randy and Mickey to the drink station, where they got cups full of cheap beer.

They were still hanging around when Adeline found them.

"Hey, guys," she greeted again. "Sorry about that. But Melanie was so excited I showed up. Said she was worried after I went to that Omega Beta Zeta party last night. But good news — I've not ruined my chances."

"Oh, how horrifying that'd have been," Mickey told her before nodding to the table of alcohol. "Want a Jell-O shot?"

Adeline frowned at him. "Mickey, we aren't old enough to drink."

Mickey looked at her in disbelief as Cici and Randy chuckled before grabbing shots for themselves. "You're at a party, Princess. You gotta live a little," he said while grabbing a blue shot and a pink one. "Come on."

"But I've never been drunk before," she said, her eyebrows still furrowed as she took the shot.

"One shot won't get you drunk," he laughed. "And if you have more, me and Randy and your brother will keep an eye on you. Make sure you get home okay."

Despite knowing this was a classic case of peer pressure, Adeline caved after a second of chewing on her lip nervously. "Okay. Do I just eat it?"

"Yeah, you just—"

She watched as Mickey fluidly swallowed the whole shot before looking at her expectantly. So, Adeline took in a deep breath and copied his actions, surprised when the taste of strawberries filled her mouth. She was a little less graceful than Mickey and struggled to swallow it, but once she downed it, she smiled proudly at him.

"Look at that," Mickey smirked. "So easily corruptable."

"You are a horrible influence, Mickey Altieri," she informed him matter of factly. "But also, that was tasty. What are the other flavors?"

He grinned and shook his head, leading her away from the drink table. "How about we wait twenty minutes before getting you another one?"

☆︎

It was one in the morning by the time the guys walked Cici and Adeline back home to Ramsay Hall. Both were drunk, but Cici, at the very least, knew how to handle herself while intoxicated, so she could walk herself and carry out a serious conversation about plans for the next day with Randy.

But Adeline was a giggling mess, walking hand-in-hand with her amused brother to keep her from falling over. And Mickey was on her other side, his hand hovering over her lower back, ready to catch her if she started to sway or stumble.

Admittedly, drunk Adeline was a good time. The girl who was already so happy and bright-eyed was somehow even perkier while drunk. She ran around the party complimenting every single girl in some way whether it was her outfit or make up or hair or dance skills. She laughed at every single semi-joke that was made, even Mickey's sarcastic little comments at her expense. And she'd danced the night away with Randy — she'd asked Mickey to dance, but he'd turned her down right away and instead leaned against the wall, watching her dance with a smile on his face.

And even now, he was smiling at the ground, finding it adorable how she was still singing Everywhere by Fleetwood Mac under her breath, which had been playing at the party when they left.

Adeline couldn't sing to save her life, as it turned out.

"Addy," Derek said as Cici used her proximity student ID card to let them into the building. "Can you climb stairs?"

At that, Adeline's constant grin finally slipped as she pouted up at her big brother. "Please, don't make me climb stairs, Der. Please."

He just grinned and nodded, knowing where it was going. So, he faced away from her and knelt down a bit, offering her a piggyback ride, which she happily accepted. And when Derek stood, Mickey swallowed thickly, seeing how her dress rode up, exposing the tight shorts she wore underneath it on the off chance something like this happened so that she wouldn't flash anyone. He quickly shrugged off his flannel shirt and layered it over her back, her hardly even noticing in her drunken state.

As Derek carried Adeline up to the second floor, Randy helped Cici with each step. Finally, they made it to their room, and at hearing Adeline now singing Take On Me, Hallie and Sidney sleepily poked their heads out of their room with smiles on their faces.

"Party go good?" Hallie asked, smiling a bit.

"Hallie!" Adeline exclaimed while still managing to whisper so she wouldn't wake more people up. "Sidney! I missed you tonight. Would've been more fun with you as our dates."

"Hey, now," Randy said, frowning jokingly. "We were perfect dates for the night. Walking you back to your door and everything."

"Thanks, Randy," Cici managed to say. Then she rubbed her tired eyes and unlocked their door. "But I'm so sleepy. I've got to crash."

"Yeah, gotta get this one in bed," Derek said, walking Adeline into the room.

"Night, babies," Adeline called to them, waving to the amused but sleepy girls.

Then Derek came to Adeline's bed, facing away from it so that she could slide off him and onto the mattress. She hummed as she did so before finally noticing the blue flannel she'd ended up sitting on. So, she wiggled it out from underneath her and looked at Mickey, also noting he was no longer wearing a blue flannel, so she surmised in her drunken state that it must've belonged to him.

"Here ya go," she said, holding the garment out to him.

"Thank you, Addy," he said, shaking his head as he took it from her. Then he smirked. "And I've got your alarm set for eight in the morning. Got to be up bright and early for Film Studies."

Derek chuckled as Adeline just smiled, having no clue about the headache that would be greeting her when she woke up. He moved to grab a trash can, placing it on the bed with her in case she threw up.

"I love that class. It's my favorite because you're in it," Adeline told him, making his chest tighten a bit. But then she added, "And Randy and Cici. If Sid and Hal and Der were in it, it'd be the perfect class."

"Well, something tells me you're gonna be cursing the existence of that perfect class tomorrow," Mickey said, snickering. "I am gonna make your hungover life hell tomorrow morning."

"Oh, you're too sweet for that, Mickey," she said while lying down. Derek pulled her heels off as she did. "I'm your friend — you wouldn't have come with tonight if not. You don't make friend's lives hell."

He just smirked down at her while shaking his head. "Clearly, you don't know me that well yet, Princess."

Adeline smiled dreamily up at him, thinking he was somehow even more handsome just for helping to make sure she got home safe while still teasing her. "Don't worry. I'm gonna change that."