Ch. 9 Pt. 2: A Celebration... Or Not

Chapter Nine Part Two: A Celebration... Or Not

"Wait? That cute dark haired guy from the frat party? The one you were talking to?"

"Yes, Avery. I just said that. Were you even listening?"

It's Saturday morning. The day of my date with Drew. 

He texted me a few minutes ago saying that I should meet him at the library at noon. I didn't really know what to make of that so I went to tell Avery. I could have talked to Lydia but I still don't want Jack to know, and I don't want her to have to lie to her best friend. So that's why I'm here. I'm trying to talk to Avery, who is more into her TV than me.

"Sorry," she pauses the show and looks up at me. "Ok, so you're meeting him at the library? For a date? Do you know what you're going to do?"

I shake my head.

"Hmm, that's weird. I mean, what type of date can you have at the library?"

I shrug my shoulders. I've been wondering the same thing.

"Did he say anything else?"

"He just said to meet at the library at noon and wear something warm."

"Oooh! Interesting. So what are you going to wear?" 

"I have no clue yet. I'll figure that out later. Look," I ramble on, "You can't tell Lydia or Jack, ok? I mean, not until after I figure out what this is. Between me and Drew. If it's anything. Alright?"

"Yeah, I won't. Addie? Why is it so important that Jack doesn't find out?" She looks at me questioningly.

I shrug and bite my lip, "I don't know. I honestly have no idea. I just, I have this feeling that he would be upset at me for going for a frat guy. I just don't want to disappoint him, you know?"

"Fair enough. Well, you better go get ready for your day! I'll be here if you need help with anything."

"Yeah. One more thing, I'm going to tell Lyd that I'm spending the day with you ok?"

"Ok. But you know I'm a terrible liar."

I smile at her as I walk towards the door, "Well then, I suggest you get out of the dorms and actually do something today! Thanks Ave. I'll text you!"

-----

I hesitantly walk up to the big doors that will bring me inside the library. To Drew. I take a deep breath, push the door open, and walk inside. 

It's so quite. I can hear pages of books turning and pens scratching on paper. I look around but don't see Drew anywhere. I walk further into the silence and hear someone whisper my name.

"Addie!" 

I turn around and see Drew standing a by another set of doors towards the back of the library. He nods his head towards the door and motions for me to follow him.

Once we're standing outside he gives me a huge grin. "I'm so glad you came!"

I laugh, "What? Were you worried I wouldn't show?"

He slightly shrugs his shoulders, "Eh, you never know." 

I take a minute to look him over. He's dressed extremely preppy in khaki slacks and a sweater pulled over a button up shirt. It makes him seem like a completely different person than the guy from the frat party. It also makes my jeans and pullover sweater seem really casual. 

He notices me staring and his grin gets bigger.

I try to keep myself from blushing but I can feel my cheeks getting hotter by the second. "So," I break the awkward silence, "What do you have planned for today?"

"Ah, I'm so glad you asked." He puts his arm around my shoulders and we start walking towards the parking lot behind the library. "But, it's a secret. Don't worry though, you'll figure it out soon enough." 

We stop in front of a black Cadillac Escalade.  The thought, Yep, he's definitely got money, passes through my mind. I try not to judge people based on the material objects they own but he just seems like that type of guy. Drew opens the passenger side door and helps me inside. He's so sweet, I instantly feel bad for judging. 

We drive about two miles, not very far at all, and stop at a private beach. It's known on campus as a great place to have bonfires and keggers. Good Lord. What did I get myself into? 

Drew helps me out of the truck and leads me down towards the beach where a sailboat is docked. 

"So Addie, if you're up for it, I'd like to take you sailing for the day. We can go check out some of the scenery and the islands scattered around here, and maybe catch the sunset. What do you think?"

It takes me a few minutes to gather my thoughts. It's such a romantic gesture, but maybe that's not how he wants it to come across. "That sounds amazing!" I smile and let him help me into the boat. 

We spend the rest of the day sailing. He couldn't have picked a better day. There's a cool breeze but the sky is clear and the shining sun keeps us warm. 

He packed a lunch and brought a bottle of wine. We talked and laughed for hours, getting to know each other just like he wanted. 

It was a magical night, and we did catch the sunset. It was magnificent.

------

After sailing we head back to his place. The house is dark and eerily quiet. He says that the rest of his brothers are at a party at the sorority house.

"You didn't wanna go?" I glance at him out the corner of my eyes.

He smiles and takes my hand, "Nah. I'd rather spend my night with you."

He grabs us some sodas and then we go to his room to watch a movie. 

About a half hour into the movie he scoots closer to me and drapes his arm around my shoulders. 

"Addie." He mumbles. His lips close to my ear.

"Mmhmm?" I try to stay focused on the movie in hopes that it will keep me from being nervous. 

"I know this is going to sound extremely cheesy, and possibly cliche, but I have never met anyone like you. You're so smart. And funny. And extremely beautiful. You're so different from all the girls here, which is a good thing. It's really refreshing to see a girl who cares about more than just her image."

Oh boy. He's really going for it. Strangely enough it's working. I slowly turn towards him, knowing what's going to happen. He kisses me. 

I've never felt like this before. His kisses seem urgent. Wanting. And for some reason my kisses match his with the same urgency. 

My whole body is heated and my stomach flutters as he picks me up and carries me to his bed. I don't know if I'm ready for this. For my first time. 

But as we kiss deeper the thoughts fly away and I let it happen. It's not anything like I thought it would be. God it's awkward. I try to relax and enjoy it as Drew kisses my neck, but all I can focus on is his weight on top of me. His hot breath on my body. I don't know what to do with my hands. Should I put them on his back? I throw them around his neck and think how utterly ridiculous it is for me to be worrying about where my hands should go. 

As quickly as it started, it's over. Drew flops beside me and smiles. "You're absolutely amazing, Addie."

I let out a breath I didn't know I had been holding and smile back at him. He pulls me towards him and I rest my head on his chest. I close my eyes and let myself drift off into a dreamless sleep. 

------

Bright sunlight streaming across my face pulls me from my sleep. I rub my eyes and slowly open them taking in my surroundings. The events of last night rush into my memory and I feel my cheeks heat up. God, I'm still in my bra and underwear. I look for my clothes and see them laying on the ground a few feet away. I'm about to get up and grab them when Drew walks in. I pull the blankets up around me and smile at him.

"Good morning, beautiful."

I get butterflies hearing him call me that. "Hey."

"Listen, my brothers are going to be waking up soon so I was wondering if you wanted to head out?"

"Um, sure. Where are we going."

He looks at me with no expression on his face. "No, I mean, can you leave before they get up? They'd give me so much crap for bringing home someone other than a sorority girl."

I stare at him. Shocked and unable to say anything. I instantly feel so naked in front of him and pull the covers even tighter around me. I look to my clothes and then back at him. He's obviously not going to go anywhere so I try to be strong. I take a deep breath and get out of bed. "Sure. I'll leave right now. Wouldn't want to inconvenience you."

I throw sarcasm his way but he clearly doesn't get it because he just smiles. The smile that hours earlier made my knees weak suddenly makes me feel sick. I throw my clothes on as fast as I can and breeze past him.

Once my foot hits the front porch I run. I don't notice it's raining until I stop to catch my breath.

"Oh for the love of God! Are you serious?" I yell to the sky. I know that it's not going to stop the rain but it feels good to yell. "This is just great! Way to go Addie. You picked the best guy to sleep with. A real winner. You'll definitely never forget your first time, that's for sure!" 

I'm sure I look like a lunatic. I'm kicking the puddles, throwing my hands around, and yelling at no one in particular. I decide to walk behind the coffee shop, on the less frequented paths hoping that no one will see my mental breakdown. 

"Addie?!" 

I laugh hysterically not bothering to turn towards the voice. I know it well. This is just my luck.

"Addie. What the hell are you doing out here? It's freezing and you're soaking wet!" Jack lightly shakes my shoulder. "Are you ok?"

I try and walk past him but he stops me. 

"Addie. Come on. What's wrong?"

"What's wrong? Men are assholes. That's what's wrong!"

"Whoa, hey now!" He holds his hands up as if saying he's innocent a small smile on his face. Then he looks into my eyes. He sighs, steps closer to me and really asks what's wrong.

I let out a breath and look down. "Not here, ok?" I say feeling defeated. 

"Wanna go back to your room?"

I shake my head.

"Wanna go to my room?"

I shrug. "Sure." 

Jack pulls me under his umbrella and I wrap my arm around him, grateful that the freezing rain isn't pelting me anymore. I walk with my arm around his waist until we get to his dorm.

Once inside Jack's dorm I flop down on his bean bag chair and he sits on the couch. I let out a huge sigh and mumble one word. "Drew."

He gives me a sad look. "Start from the beginning."

So I tell him. I tell him about my date with him. About sailing and how amazing it was. About the beautiful sunset. About how much we connected. Then I tell him about the movie. The kiss. And how I slept with him because he convinced me it meant something. And then I told him about this morning, and how he didn't want his frat brothers to know I was there. "It just sucks." I say with tears slowly running down my cheeks. "I wasted my first time on a Grade-A douchebag!"

He shakes his head and I think I see anger flash across his face but then his features soften and he mumbles, "Addie, I told you that guy was bad news."

I'm confused at first but then I remember the night of the party. Suddenly I realize why I wanted to keep this from him.

He sighs, "I'm so sorry you had to deal with that, Addie. Really, you of all people do not deserve that." He leans over towards me and grabs my hand. His thumb rubs across the back of my hand. 

I suddenly have the urge to kiss him. I slowly lean in and he follows my movements. He stops before our noses touch and backs away. 

"I can't let you do that, Addie." I think I hear him mumble something like, "even if I want to" but I'm not sure. "You're just not thinking clearly because you're hurt." 

I nod and slowly sit back crossing my legs, shutting myself off from him. Awkward silence fills the room and I start to think about how college has changed me. I feel dirty. I hate the word, but it's turned me into a whore. I slept with one guy and tried to kiss another all within a few hours. Jack breaks the silence and suggests we go get some breakfast. 

On the way to the coffee shop I glance at Jack as we walk. It's different with him though. I've had feelings for him since the start.