"Huh, maybe I should apply to this college." Drayton watches a leggy, toned girl with caramel-coloured skin strut past us in a sports bra and gym shorts. She's one of the many model looking babes that are strolling through the campus courtyard.

"Typical," I scoff. "Don't worry, I'll get on with looking around so you can go and pick up all the girls that will fall at your feet."

"Aw, are you jealous cheer?" We start walking towards the administration building on the other side of the quad.

"Get a grip."

I won't deny it though.

When we'd arrived in Valencia the first thing we'd done is book a motel for the evening. This one is a lot smaller but absolutely gorgeous and resort-like. Dray has covered most of the costs so far but I did pay for the uber and last night's room service. I'd tucked into a little of my savings before we left, knowing that it wouldn't be right to let Dray pay for absolutely everything. Even though the getaway was his idea.

It's a beautiful day today so we'd changed into more weather-appropriate outfits and then walked to the campus because it's only five minutes from tonight's accommodation.

"This place is amazing." I glance around the administration office with awe. There are large blown-up photos all over the walls of performers, dancers, actors and a variety of other talent. The space is made up of a reception desk in the middle of the room. There's doors leading off into other offices no doubt. A leather couch and coffee table make up a waiting area and there's an assortment of magazines on a little shelf.

"There's no one here," Dray notes, both of us glancing around the deserted space. I'm hardly surprised though. It is Sunday.

"Maybe we can come back tomorrow?" I suggest. "There's no point looking around if I'm not getting to see how things actually operate."

"We can come back whenever you want. We've got until Wednesday."

"You don't want to spend the whole time in Valencia though, do you?" We head back out the doors we'd come through and the warm air leaves me with a craving for the beach.

"Not if we don't have to." Dray slips his sunglasses on and slings an arm over my shoulder as we walk across the quad. I can't help but feel a little elated at the stares we receive from a few scattered girls that are practicing dance or rehearsing skits in the sunshine. "If we look around tomorrow then we can go to Hollywood? It's only forty-five minutes from here?"

"Ohh!" I gasp loudly and glance up at him. "I've always wanted to see the walk of fame!"

"Done!" He grins. "Hollywood it is. Guess I'll have to make sure I find us a good frat party tonight."

"Oh God," I mumble.

"Think of it as, getting some pre-college experience in. At least you'll know what you're in for."

"Well I suppose I'll try anything once. Might as well do it while I have you here as a buffer."

He throws his head back and laughs loudly. I blatantly stare up at him, revelling in the good mood that's been showing itself more than the brooding self-loathing bad boy side of him that I'm so used too. To be honest, every aspect of him is alluring and captivating in its own way. But hearing him laugh seems to make my heart beat just a little bit faster than usual.

"But I mean now that I think about it" - I furrow my brows together - "I've been to house parties before. It won't exactly be a new experience."

"You've never been to a college party though." He grins down with a devious glint. "Trust me, they're in a league of their own. I'll show you the ropes cheer."

"Hey, excuse me!" We both stop and turn around to see a lean but muscular guy with chocolate brown hair jogging towards us. He's wearing a black singlet that has "CalArts" written in grafitti-style writing across the front of it and a pair of trackies. "Hey sorry, are you two new around here?"

"Um sort of," I answer, giving him a subtle once over. He has to be a dancer. His build is incredible and his deep green eyes are mesmerising. "I'm hoping to come here next year. We're just looking around. I'm Dallas."

"Oh beautiful name. I'm from Dallas actually" - he gives me a wink and shakes my outstretched hand. I thought I'd heard a slight southern twang - "I'm Cooper."

He offers Dray his hand, who slowly unwraps his arm from my shoulder and gives Cooper's waiting hand a sturdy shake. "Drayton."

"Nice to meet you man." Cooper smiles a wide pearly smile and what do I see when I look up at Drayton, a scowl. God he's so rude. "Uh, so I stopped you guys because I saw you coming out of administration and I'm a tour guide around here. Sort of a friendly face for the newbies. I'd be happy to show you around?"

"We were actually thinking of coming back tomorrow while the classes are going," I tell him with an uncertain voice. "Just so I can see it all while it's actually in action?"

"That's a great idea." He snaps his fingers and I can't help but smile at his bubbly personality. "Have you travelled far?"

"We're from Archwood, Colorado," I inform him, pointing over my shoulder at Dray who's unfortunately shut down again.

"Oh nice!" He turns his attention to Dray, the unwavering friendly demeanour is contagious and I can't stop smiling. "Are you applying too?"

"Nope," he answers vaguely.

"Dray plays football." I glare at him before I turn back to Cooper and attempt to keep Dray's mood from plummeting my own. "He's holding out to get scouted."

"Oh dude, UCLA is like half n hour away!" Cooper slaps the side of Dray's arm with excitement. Dray slowly glances down at the spot his hand had just been and stares at it with boredom. "It's not a long commute at all. Least you wouldn't have to do the long-distance thing. You should apply there!"

"Oh. No!" I laugh nervously and glance at Drayton who's still seeming entirely unfazed by the conversation. "No. Dray and I are just friends."

"I'm applying at Baylor," Dray adds with a rough voice.

A little glimmer flashes in Cooper's features and I do what I can not to get excited. But with my luck, I'd just imagined it.

"Oh Baylor. Nice. My brother went there!" Cooper tells an uninterested Dray before he turns back to me. "Why don't I get your number" - he smiles shyly - "and we can meet up tomorrow. I'll show you around, give you a little tour?"

"That sounds perfect," Dray interjects, pulling his phone out of his pocket with a more chipper attitude than he'd shown before. "You can have my number and if there are any parties happening around here tonight, let me know about those too."

Cooper casts an uncertain glance between Dray and I, no doubt hoping that I'll interrupt before he actually has to give Dray his cellphone number. I should interrupt because his weird behaviour is starting to do my head in. But I can't, I just stand there and watch the awkward digit exchange because I'm far too enthralled at the prospect of Drayton being jealous that I'm rendered utterly useless.

"Parties huh?" Cooper casts his gaze down on to the pavement with a thoughtful expression as he slides his cellphone back into his pocket. "Oh, perfect" - he snaps his fingers and glances over to a group of girls doing a series of complex hip hop moves - "Carrie! Anything on tonight?"

The entire group looks our way with curiosity and obvious admiration for the quarterback standing beside me. The girl that I assume is Carrie starts nodding her fire redhead before she shouts back. "James is hosting talent week. Starts tonight!"

"What's talent week?" I ask curiously. I expect to be told it's a night of dancing and performances. So the answer I get does surprise me a little.

"It's basically who can drink the most and still be standing at the end of the night." Cooper rolls his eyes. "Everyone goes and drinks but most don't participate. There are just a few guys who do it subtlety amongst themselves. Beer pong, keg stands, card games. That sort of thing. There's a winner at the end of the week for whoever was last man standing the most nights of the week."

"That sounds perfect." Dray grins, nudging me with his elbow. "I'll text you later for the address Coop." He slaps his shoulder and then re-establishes my spot under his arm, giving Cooper a small wave. "See you tonight."

"O-0kay, yeah," he mumbles as Dray all but drags me away. "Nice to meet you both!"

"What was all that about?!" I snap, removing his arm from my shoulder as we start the short walk back to our hotel.

"What do you mean?"

I give him a pointed look to which he simply responds with a doe-eyed innocent expression. When I don't break the interrogating glare, he rolls his eyes and pulls a cigarette pack from his pocket.

"I was just abiding by friend code" - he lights the cigarette but I don't bother commenting on it. I do wonder why he might be nervous though - "ya know, some creepy guy hits on you and I step in to save you from the awkwardness of rejecting him. You're welcome."

"Who said I wanted to reject him?"

He turns his head towards me with wide eyes and a large puff of toxic smoke blows directly into my face. "Him? You're into that? He's so scrawny."

"He's lean, Dray. There's a difference." I wave the cloud of nicotine away from my face and press the pedestrian button when we stop at an intersection. "And he seemed really nice. It wouldn't hurt to have some potential lined up before I move here."

"Psssh." He folds his arms across his chest.

When the cars come to a stop on either side of the intersection and the little man turns green, we start crossing the road along with the rest of the foot traffic around us. "I'll find you better potential Dallas. I'll wingman you tonight. Trust me, you can do better."

"Oh, you'll have time to find me a guy while you're busy chatting up all the hot dancers that will be there tonight?"

"I'm a man of many talents cheer." He gives me a smug grin. I don't bother to dignify his egotistical boasting and instead stop in front of a sandwich shop that smells incredible.

"Wanna get some lunch?"

"Yeah I could eat." He steps forward and opens the door for me. His occasional moments of chivalry never cease to surprise me. "We can go back to our room for dessert." He winks and the dirty devious Dray replaces the gentleman.

Typical.

• • •

"How do I look?"

I walk out of the hotel bathroom later that night, wearing a black bandage crop top and a pair of high waist champagne shorts. They're a silky fabric and compliment the summer tan I'd gained over the last few months.

Dray glances up from his cellphone where he's sitting on the edge of the bed in his own night time attire. His signature look doesn't differ but even I admit that he looks mighty fine in a pair of slim back jeans and a navy blue V neck T-shirt that hugs his biceps. The seams being stretched as he leans his elbows on his knees.

When his eyes land on my body, waiting for a little bit of shameless validation, they not so subtlety sweep my frame from head to toe. A lusted expression fills his features and I begin to feel about two feet tall.

A small grin starts to lift his lips as he runs a hand through his hair. "Wow." He chuckles lightly and stands up. The fluttering in my chest becomes somewhat erratic and I shift nervously. "You'll have no trouble landing a Californian guy tonight, cheer."

The temptation to suggest that the Archwood boy in front of me will do just fine, is real. But instead I flick my hair over my shoulder and dazzle a wide smile. "Thanks! Uh, do you have the address?"

"Yeap!" He waves his phone at me while I slip into my black ankle boots. I'm surprisingly excited about tonight. The skepticism that once surrounded me when it came to Dray, diminishes the more that we spend time together. It's always fun and he always manages to ensure that I have a good time.

We double check that we've got everything and then head downstairs to the waiting cab. The party is being held at student housing which is about five minutes from the campus. The street is in no way associated with the school but apparently became an unofficial block for students due to its close proximity to the school and cheap rent. I'd read that online when I was applying.

"Wow, this is.. insane."

When we pull up in front of the large house there are people, everywhere! If this is what a Sunday night party looks like then I can't even imagine how things get on a Saturday night.

Red cups, beer bottles and caps litter the entire front lawn. Broken furniture spills from the front deck, there's a worn-out old couch smack bang in the middle of the grass and I think it's doused in gas.

That's concerning.

The music is loud when we're in the cab and once we get out it only gets worse. Or better. Depends what kind of mood you're in. Personally, tonight, I'm into it.

We're greeted from all directions as we make our way into the house. It doesn't seem to matter that no one knows who we are. Slurred 'hellos' and 'hey's' are thrown our way from drunken college kids.

"Everyone's super friendly!" I shout over the music.

It's crowded inside the house, so making it to the kitchen looks like it's going to take a while at this stage.

"That's because these people have more maturity than high schoolers," Dray shouts back. "They're not petty assholes. Most of them anyway."

Suddenly an enthusiastic boy jumps in front of us and lifts his hands in the air. 

"CALARTS FÜCKING TALENT WEEK. YEAAAAAAH!" As quick as he'd appeared, he's gone again but I can hear him shouting the same thing over and over again as he moves through the living area.

"A participant I suppose?" Dray and I laugh at the over-excited guy and keep walking in search of something to drink. My small size unfortunately leaves me vulnerable to being trampled on and shouldered. Even the odd elbow gets me in the side of the face.

Dray slips his arm around my waist and pulls me flush against his side, almost acting as a human shield and quickening our pace towards the kitchen. I'm grateful because at this rate I'd have been knocked unconscious  before I'd even had the chance to drink.

When we get to the kitchen I take note of the enormous size. The actual appliance side is relatively normal, but the dining area is large enough to have a beer pong set up and dozens of bodies watching the matches. At the end of the room is a sliding door that leads out into a back yard where of course there are multitudes more people.

"Beer or should we have some vodka shots?" Dray shouts next to my ear.

"I wanna play that!" I point at the table and give him a determined nod. "Doubles?"

"Ooh, I dunno cheer." He playfully squints his eyes and folds his arms across his chest. "I'm a seasoned beer pong player. I can only have the best of the best on my team."

"Hey!" Cooper leans a hand on my shoulder as he circles around and stands in front of us. "You guys made it! Have you had a drink yet?"

"Hey! Oh, yeah I was actually just suggesting to Dray that we should have a game of beer pong. But I'm apparently not worthy of his team."

"I'll be on your team!" Cooper quickly suggests and hands me a cup of beer. I'm about to take it when it's snatched out of his hand by Dray, who downs the entire thing in about three seconds flat.

"What the hell Dray?" I huff as he throws the cup over his shoulder and glares at Cooper.

"Don't accept open drinks from strangers cheer."

Cooper raises his brows in surprise but doesn't argue with Dray and I'm not sure if that makes me feel better or worse about the situation.

"Um, well if you still wanna play," Cooper quickly grips a girl's arm as she walks by and drags her towards us, "this is Carrie, she can be on your team Dray."

"Ooh yes I can."

Carrie is obviously plastered, she stumbles towards Dray and he has to catch her before she falls straight into his chest. I snicker to myself because it'll be a miracle if that girl can even walk in a straight line, let alone throw a ball into a cup.

•

"This is bullshit!" Drayton throws his arms in the air when I land the ping pong ball in his second to last cup. I'm not sure how he's not more drunk, the boy can obviously handle his liquor well.

I've downed four full beers so far. It was meant to be a game of doubles but Dray and I had become ridiculously competitive and wouldn't let our partners take any throws after a while.

"You're cheating." He points at me.

"As if!" I scoff. "Maybe you should have chosen me for your team!"

"Drink Drayton!" Cooper laughs from the sidelines as he cradles an almost unconscious Carrie.

"Shut up Cooper." Dray rolls his eyes and pours the cups contents down his throat after he's plucked the ball out. "I've still got a shot at winning this!"

He throws the ping pong ball at the closest cup and the entire crowd groans in disappointment when it bounces off the rim of one of my cups. I jump up and down with excitement because now it's my turn and I'm determined to sink this one which will ultimately make me the winner.

The crowd quiets down ever so slightly. It doesn't make a hell of a lot of difference because the rest of the party is still squealing, yelling and shouting over the incredibly loud thumping music. But it does add a level of suspense as I line up my shot and throw the ball, landing it perfectly in Drayton's last foam cup.

"YASSSS!" I scream with my hands in the air as he curls over in defeat. Clapping and cheering fills the room, furthering the excitement of my victory.

I don't miss the proud little smile Dray flashes as he picks up his cup and raises it in a congratulatory toast like manner.

"Chug it Lahey!" I point at him with a victorious smile. There's not a chance that I'll be even a little modest about this win. He'd doubted me to the point that he wouldn't even double with me and I smashed it. I'll be milking this win for quite some time.

Before I'm even aware of another person's presence being so close to me, I'm lifted up by the waist and spun around so fast that I worry I might hurl.

"That was pretty well done!" Cooper laughs loudly, setting me back on my feet but keeping his arms secured around my waist. We move towards the sliding doors to make room for the next beer pong match to be set up. "I had no idea you could play like that!"

"Neither did I!" I admit. I'm a little unsure how I feel about our bodies being so pressed together. It's hard to tell if I like it or not. "That was my first time playing."

"Seriously?"

I nod excitedly as his green eyes curl up at the edges. He's exotic looking, that's the word I'd been looking for. He has a strong facial structure and gorgeous eyes. There's something about him that makes me think he must have some kind of heritage outside of the U.S.

"Do you wanna go and dance with me champ?" His voice is sultry and his hands slide down my waist, his fingers lacing with mine.

"Na she's good." A familiar scent finds me, along with a strong arm that snakes me away from Cooper's hold. "Aren't ya babe?"

God, not this game again. It's becoming extremely clear that I'm not allowed to flirt, dance with or kiss anyone else without Mr Whiplash over here interfering, but guaranteed, he's allowed to spend his time however he wants. It's confusing and a little annoying.

"Oh, I thought you guys weren't together?" Cooper instinctually takes a step back. I admire his self preservation, Dray is somewhat larger than he is and it wouldn't be a fair fight.

"It's complicated." Dray shrugs. "We're working on a few things."

"Drayton! Sto—"

"Right." Cooper starts heading outside with a sheepish smile before I can correct the situation. "That's cool. I'll see you both round."

He disappears and I shrug out of Dray's embrace. I'm a little drunk, but I'm sober enough to know that he is too and I hope that this night doesn't turn into a disaster because of it. It's only eleven for god sake.

"What is your problem!?" I give his chest a slight shove which seems to surprise him. "Why do you keep cock blocking me all the damn time."

"You don't have a cock for me to block cheer?" He recoils with a disgusted expression and I groan loudly in annoyance. "I'm not even doing anything. You don't seem that interested in him anyway. I'm sure if you were, you wouldn't let me get in the way."

"Just- just shut up and quit it!" I yell. "I don't do it to you!"

"You seemed pretty jealous when Becca was in my room in Ridgeview." He arches his brows as though he's hit the jackpot.

"So? I didn't go and scare her off!"

We've ended up in the corner of the room. Slowly shuffled into it as people walk in and out of the sliding doors and around the crowded space.

"But you aren't denying that you were jealous?" He raises a brow and takes a step forward so that I bump into the wall behind me.

"You're supposed to be my wingman tonight Dray!" I ignore his observation because I'm not even going to go there with him. He's infuriating me, but at the same time I can't stop my heart from racing as he gets closer and closer, causing everything else around us to fade out. "You're doing a shit job. The point is to find me someone. Not scare them off."

"Do you honestly think any of them can make you feel the way I can?" He grips my waist and spins me around, pulling my back flush against his front. This is an unexpected turn of events but the tension immediately overrules any argument that I may have been concocting. "Do you think they know what makes you feel good?"

His voice is low and husky, but despite the intoxication, it's stable and dominating. His hands move slowly and purposefully, travelling upwards from my waist and slide across the front of my stomach, dancing tantalisingly and gently underneath my boobs.

"Do you think that they know that you like this." He lifts one of his hands into my hair at the back of my head and tugs on it, while his other hand drags downwards, lifting the bottom of my shorts as he rubs the front my smooth thigh.

My stomach does an abundance of flips as his hot breath fans the side of my neck. I tip my head back and allow him access. It's too good. All of it is beyond sensual and I can feel myself coming undone. His touch leaves a spark, setting fire to my mind.

"I know what you like Dallas," he growls in a low tone beside my ear.

The way my name sounds on his lips brings a soft moan out of me. Embarrassment isn't something I have time to feel because his grip on my hair tightens in response, pulling my head back further as his other hand wraps around my wrists. I don't resist when he puts my hands above my head and crushes my front harder against the wall.

Goosebumps cover my skin as his fingertips graze the length of my sides and he peppers soft toothy kisses along my bare shoulder and neck. "None of them can make you feel this way cheer."

He spins me around and slams me against the wall, his face hovers a mere inch away from my own and every part of my body aches for him. I can barely form coherent thoughts around him when I'm sober and right now; I don't see any reason why we shouldn't go back to the hotel immediately and give into each other.

"Kiss me," I mumble with a breathless voice because I need one last final push and I know that as soon as his mouth finds mine, I'll be done.

He leans against the wall, his hands on either side of my head as he brings his face closer. His brows knit together as he stares at my mouth and he almost looks as though he's in pain, a stark contrast to the earlier lust-infused look. His eyes study me with an intense glare. We stay locked in a trance of hot, sweaty breathless energy for what seems like an eternity.

He exhales loudly and my heart drops when he straightens up and steps back. The space between us suddenly feels enormous and despite the fact that I think he's about to reject me, I can't help but want to comfort him because he looks a little broken and that hurts.

"Not tonight Cheer," he mumbles, lacing our fingers together. "Not tonight."

• • •

Pls don't hate me 🙊

Much love. Until next time. x