I take my time, scrubbing my body and rinsing off a couple of times before stepping out in my towel. My hair's damp and I quickly towel dry it whilst searching for the most un-sexy, inconspicuous outfit in my closet.

Zander challenged me to go that party with him as a date, to prove that I have nothing whatsoever with Luke, and I'm not spending any effort to dress up for something so ridiculous. So I settle on the baggy university t-shirt all the honour roll student's received during orientation and a pair of black leggings.

When I step outside my room, bare faced and hair damp, Zander does a double take, looking me up and down.

It startles me as well, catching him leaning by the wall in front of my door. Thankfully, all he can see is Elizabeth's side of the room which is currently barren but one step in and he'd be able to see my wall of Zander related research.

And that could be misinterpreted in so many ways.

I quickly shut the door behind me and proceed to lock it. Zander sidles up next to me, his proximity making my heart race as I wedge the key inside the knob and turn.

"Aren't you going to invite me inside?" He nudges me with his shoulder and I pause, my body going stiff like a block of wood.

"Umm, no. Shouldn't we get going?" I turn around to leave, expecting him to follow me. "Two hours, that's all you're getting and then I'm out."

He takes a step to the side, blocking my path. "I'm having second thoughts now. You look so comfortable and I didn't realise how tired I am. Maybe we should settle for cuddling on the bed." He pinches the sleeve of my t-shirt and looks down at me suggestively.

My stomach lurches at the thought and I instinctively swat his hand away. "Not today."

Not ever.

I have to drag him past the dorm rooms, past the student lounge and down the stairs. His fingers somehow find mine while this happens and I realise with growing dread that I will definitely have to give a little in order to keep his interest for the next three months or more.

So I let him interlace his fingers with mine and feel the rough calluses of his palm brush against my skin. It feels wrong to step inside that McLaren again, like I'm an imposter who doesn't deserve to sit in such an expensive car.

I make myself comfortable while Zander fiddles with the music console, playing something upbeat to put us in the mood for partying, I suppose.

"Do you party after every game?" I ask suddenly, breaking the comfortable silence between us. We're on campus grounds now and it doesn't take long to reach Greek Row, especially since we're in a car.

I wince, noticing the attention we're starting to get. Students walking to and from the houses on either side of the street have stopped to stare, some pointing at the car with admiration.

"Mostly, yes. It's a lot of pressure, being out there on the field and winning always deserves a celebration," Zander answers, oblivious to the gawking students around us or maybe he enjoys all the attention. It certainly seems like it.

"Who the hell drives a sports car on campus?" I blurt out in annoyance. I purposely dressed down because I'd be arriving with Zander and I didn't want Luke to see me all dressed up for our so called date. I know it makes no sense but I just didn't want to look like I'd made an effort, which Luke might not even notice, making me feel silly for thinking too much about it.

But now we're going to step out on to this crowded street and everyones going to ogle at the car and then Zander and then they'd look at me, wondering if I got here by mistake.

"Trust me, anyone who owns a sports car would drive it on campus or anywhere for that matter."

Yup, he definitely notices the people staring and I just know he's enjoying it. Probably thinks I'm melting inside because of how cool he looks right now.

"You're such an attention seeker."

Zander's pauses suddenly and the car jerks. He recollects himself and drives ahead, his jaw tight, knuckles white on the wheel, making me wonder if he's trying to squeeze it into pieces. I didn't expect such a drastic change in demeanour, didn't expect such a reaction.

"Just because I attract attention, it doesn't mean I seek it." The words come out soft and angry, I have to strain over the music to hear him.

I turn the knob, lowering the volume. "Well you're certainly not trying to blend in."

We stop outside the party house, Kapa Phi Nu and the students who recognise Zander's car start hollering at him. He drives past the house and stops ahead, in a clearing with a few other cars parked in a row. The engine rumbles lowly, coming to a stop when he switches it off and we sit here in terse silence for a few seconds.

I can tell he's mad. I must have unknowingly struck a nerve by calling him that and a week ago I wouldn't have cared. Now my nerves are on edge, wondering if I should apologise.

He turns to me, gaze serious. "And why should I do that? Why do I have to conform to a societary norm that has been set out by no one in particular stating that we should never show off or be proud of what we have? That we must confine ourselves inside that box of false humility, pretending to be small and unworthy in order to what did you call it...blend in?"

My jaw goes slack and I'm suddenly at a loss for words. I did not expect that retort, didn't expect to find myself speechless. Because his point is valid, profound, even perfect if this were a debate in class but we're not.

"Wow, okay. Didn't expect you to get so angry about a passing comment." I unbuckle my seatbelt just as he proceeds to do the same. "It was just an observation. Sorry if I misinterpreted things."

"It's nothing." He brushes it off quickly and gets out of the car. He helps me out of my seat and then we head over to the dreaded party that I had no intention of going to. I texted Stacy and Daphne prior and they're both staying in tonight which only makes the situation worse.

It's always nice to have my friends around at a rager like this, my very own comfort zone. As we approach the house, the signature wolf Daltech howls pierce the air, as Zander's teammates celebrate his welcome.

He high fives them and cheers with the others and I realise with growing relief that Luke isn't here.

Zander must have read my thoughts because he asks Eric the same thing. "Have you seen, Luke?"

"Somewhere inside, I think," Eric says and then he winks. "Or maybe upstairs getting lucky."

I know it's selfish of me to get jealous, but it takes every fibre in me to stay put and not to go running up stairs to check each of those infamous hookup rooms.

Zander shoots me a look and I school my expression, pretending to be unaffected. He's clearly wary of us and after our small argument in the car, the last thing I want to do is to antagonise him further. My plan is finally working, I just need to stay on track and avoid any detours specifically Luke related detours.

"I see you've been busy yourself," Eric taps Zander on the back, eyeing the two of us. "Hey, Danielle, send my regards to Stacy."

"Will do," I give him a thumbs up whilst Zander chats with a few other fans about the game today. I drift to the back, slowly blending into the background as I watch him soak up all the attention like a sponge.

Our previous conversation comes to mind and it's so clear that Zander was made for the spotlight. He was probably born into it, judging by his high profile businessman turned politician father and socialite step-mother. I wonder what happened to his biological mother, no one's mentioned her before and I couldn't find anything on her either.

Some of his teammates have started forcing drinks down his throat, to which he happily obliges. I sigh out loud, thankful that the dorms are just a walk away because I'm not getting into a car with a drunk. Girls start to surround him, most of them wearing crop tops and tiny shorts that barely cover their asses, some of the crop tops look more like bras than anything.

It doesn't matter that he asked me out in front of the entire stadium, Zander Wyatt is still on the market apparently. If only we had gone out on a proper date, one that I had prepared for according to my ten steps.

Our first date should have been magical, so perfect that I left him pining on his knees. But the only people on their knees today are those juniors currently chugging down beer as a bet.

Someone catches my eye and I notice Luke by the bar in the kitchen. I head inside, wanting to find something to drink as well. My footsteps grow heavy and I'm almost afraid to greet him as I approach.

His cheeks are pink and in this dim lighting he looks so devastatingly handsome it makes my chest squeeze. He catches my eye, his beautiful sea green eyes a trap I just walked into.

"Congratulations on the game." I tell him while I proceed to fix a drink for myself.

"Thanks." His answer is clipped but I also notice the slur in his voice.

I whip towards him, face alight with concern. "I thought you don't drink during game season."

Luke chuckles and I don't know why but the sound draws me closer. I have no control over my body, or maybe I relinquish all of it when it comes to him.

He picks up a glass and gives me a mock cheer before finishing the entire thing in one gulp. "Figured today called for some celebration. You know with how the game went."

And ended.

He doesn't need to say the words, I feel it all the same.

"Ahh, there are my two favourite people." I hear Zander's booming voice, like he's making an announcement as he reaches us. He puts an arm around my shoulders and all I can do is swallow my embarrassment because it feels a lot like he's marking his territory.

"Luke, glad to see you letting loose, finally." He notes, lifting his drink for a cheer.

Luke's only laughs humourlessly as he lifts up a newly refilled glass. Everyone cheers and I watch with horror as a few girls approach him when the kitchen starts to fill up.

"You want to dance?" Zander whispers into my ear but it feels like I'm not present, like I'm peering into a glass terrarium watching the dark haired girl lead Luke into the living room.

They start to slow dance and I nod. "Yeah, why not?"

I put my arms around Zander's neck and we move in synchronicity with the pulsing beats reverberating from the make shift dj console. Luke's just a few feet away and the girl with him is currently grinding all over him, bending over and doing her best version of the twerk and all that.

The beats slow and I catch him looking at me, gaze yearning. It hurts to look but I can't stop. We stare at each other through out most of the night till Zander gets thirsty and decides to get another drink.

A tall girl, wearing a see through blouse and skirt with a slit all the way up her side intercepts us on the way. "Zander baby, do you want to do body shots?"

He turns to me and smiles. "This is Pricilla. A good friend."

Is that meant to justify her request? I nod and smile at her but she barely glances at me.

"What do you say, sweetheart?" She winks at him.

"I don't know babe, you know I love those but it all depends on my girl here." He wraps an arm around my waist, pulling me towards him.

I grit my teeth, trying to reel it in. It's obvious he wants to do those damn body shots with sexy Pricilla here but the fact that he throws the decision in my face makes it all the more infuriating. Some of her friends have gathered around us and then Zander's teammates begin a chorus.

"Shots! Shots! Shots!."

If I said no, I'd be the party pooper, the curmudgeon who didn't know how to have fun. Say yes and I'm practically guaranteeing that I will be dumped in three months like all the others.

"Do as you wish." I tell him and then shrug out of his hold as people start to cheer when Pricilla lies down on the counter top. She puts a shot of tequila on her bare navel and I watch Zander bend over and tip its contents into his mouth. A few drops land on her stomach and he licks them, smirking at her the entire time.

The other guys take turns to do the same to her and some of the girls have started to call out for Luke and Eric.

I'm too angry to stick around, not after what Zander did. Taking a shot was one thing, licking someone's body when your supposed 'girl' was standing around just screamed blatant disrespect.

I march out of the house, heart pounding as I make my way back to the dorms. What I don't expect is to see Luke waiting out front.