Chapter Text
Ivy POV:
Here we go again, Sophomore year. I stand in front of the dorm building; Bristol house is where my mom and Hannah used to live and it is where Stella and I share a tiny apartment. I head for the door, not wanting to waste any time and start unpacking as soon as possible.
The summer at Lake Tahoe was beautiful and a little relaxing. Although with all these families and kids it’s manly chaos and not a lot of relaxing. Not to forget the terrible drama Beau, my brother, and AJ, his best friend, ended the summer with. I love Beau I genuinely do, but he really fucked up this time. Sleeping with his Best friend’s girlfriend is just disgusting.
He has been mourning the loss of his friend, and the guilt is really gnawing at him. His face lacks his usual smile, and he hasn’t cracked a joke in weeks. My mom is worried about him; she was really disappointed of him. That didn’t hold up very long though not only because she is his mom, but she is also incapable of holding a grudge.
AJ Connelly apparently hasn’t been his confident, funny, kind self either. According to his mom Brenna and my best friend Stella. He hasn’t talked to one of his friends since the incident. He did move out of their shared Off Campus house the first day back. So, things will stay weird for some time. I do hope they make up; I mean of course for the sake of our families but also because AJ and I have this weird kind of friendship going on and I’d hate to lose that because of my brother’s major fuckup.
Trying to get out of my head for a bit I decide to head out for a walk. Get used to campus again maybe grab a coffee on the way, and who knows I might already run into some of my friends.
The weather at briar u is perfect. It’s still warm so you can wear cute outfits and enjoy campus before we get snowed in, but it also isn’t so hot where you can’t do anything but lay by the pool or in a dark room blasting AC.
I walk past my favorite place on campus, the brand-new dance studio. After the old one was flooded last year, it was renovated for months and next week I’ll be attending my first ballet class back in the new facility.
As I let the door of the Coffee Hut slam shut behind me, I look around for an empty booth. But instead, I am staring directly at three grinning faces. Belle, Sally and Greta from ballet are sitting at a booth waving for me to come sit.
I practically skip toward them a give them all a thorough hug. After I grab my coffee, I catch up with them for a bit, before I must leave to get ready for the yearly kickoff party.
Usually the Golden Boys host it, Grey, Beau and AJ were known for their insane parties but since nothing is as it was, this year Stella and I are headed to one of the Frat houses.
“It reeks of beer in here!” I must scream so Stella can understand me.
“Oh, come on loosen up a bit, it’s a party and you said you wanted to do more fun things this year so here we are having fun.” She yelled back.
We make our way to the kitchen where a guy holds out two red plastic cups for us to take. Stella takes them both from his hand and offers me one. I hesitate; I really am no big drinker.
“Ivy, you promised you’d try new things besides I really don’t want to drink alone tonight. And you’ll see frat parties are way more fun once you had a drink or two.”
“Fine, but no beer. I hate how it tastes. Seriously how can anyone enjoy drinking beer.” I respond a slight frown on my face.
Stella just laughs and hands me the cup.
It’s been roughly an hour since we got here. Stella left me about 20 minutes ago to dance and flirt with some guy but first she made sure to give me three weird alcoholic beverages so now I feel tipsy and my mind is all fuzzy.
“Hey pretty one!” a voice yells from behind me. I ignore it. Whoever this guy is talking to it’s not me.
“Yo, gorgeous! Come on don’t ignore me.” I finally turn and I am met with a pair of dark brown eyes directly in my face. I don’t recognize the guy. But I really am no big partier, so I don’t really know any of these people.
“I’m Ryan. You know from the hockey team. I play with your brother, Beau”
“Hi, I’m Ivy.” That’s all I can get out. I’m a shy person especially with guys I don’t know. Though I remember hearing his name at one of Beaus games once.
“You’ve been standing here all alone for quite some time, so I thought I’d keep you some company. You want to dance?” he doesn’t seem confused by my short response at all.
“Oh, I am here with my friend. She should be back any minute now, so I’m fine thank you though.” I answer quietly. I really do hope Stella is on her way back but as I look around me at the crowd I can’t catch a glimpse of her.
“Or we could take this party upstairs to my room, you know have some more fun!” he suggests his tone flirty and eyes seductive.
“No, I’m fine really.”
“Oh, come on don’t be such a bore, Ivy!” immediately panic rises within me and I suddenly feel tired and my eyes are starting to drop closed. Which is weird, as I’ve only had three drinks and I’ve been taking tiny sips out of the cup in my hand for what feels like an hour.
“I know you want to come with me; we would have so much fun. Just the two of us!!”
“No, I..I.. am fine….I just….need to…f..find my fr….friend.” I try to speak but my words come out in a slur. I can barely stand on my feet now. And the living room around me is turning so fast.
“Oh don’t worry hotty, I’ll help you find your friend. But you can rest in my room first.” I can feel his breath on my ear as he holds me by the waist.
I know that I don’t want this. And I try to push him away but there isn’t any strength in my arms. I can do nothing but let him pull me away from the party. As he’s holding me by the arm leading me up the stairs I try to hold on to something, anything that will help me get free of Ryans grasp.
As we reach the top of the stairs everything turns and my vision goes blank.