Page 11 of Crave You

I still have questions, but I don’t get chance to ask them before I’m ushered into the car. It’s a short drive, no more than what would have been a five minute walk, but I have to admit it’s kind of fun turning up in style.

We pull up outside of a large house that sits in its own grounds. There are people milling around on the steps leading up to the open front door and there are people dotted all around the grounds. All of them watch as we get out of the car and for a moment, I feel like I’m a celebrity, or at least catching a ride with some.

Everyone seems to know Erin. As we walk towards the door, she throws out introductions to me. Within minutes I have forgotten most of the names, but no one much seems to care when I just greet them with a smile or a hi. When we reach the house, music is blaring and more people are milling around. A few are already dancing.

“This is Tilly Powel,” Erin says as a tall girl comes over to greet us. Her blonde hair is streaked with red color and she’s wearing a dress that perfectly matches that shade of red.

“Tilly, this is Leona Marshall. She’s my new roommate.” Erin explains.

“Hey,” Tilly says. “How are you finding it so far?”

“OK, a bit overwhelming, if I’m honest,” I admit with a soft laugh.

“Ah, you’ll be fine,” Tilly says. “Give it a day or two and you’ll feel like you’ve never been anywhere else.”

I smile my thanks at her. She gives my arm a gentle squeeze.

“Have you seen Zander?” she asks Erin.

Erin shakes her head and Tilly rolls her eyes.

“How can a person hide so well at their own damned party?” she says.

“Maybe he is still licking his wounds,” Erin says. “Did you hear what happened this afternoon, at the Valens challenge?”

“Oh yes!” Tilly’s eyes go wide. I heard some latecomer girl whipped his ass and then turned down his offer to join Valens. She must be mad to say no to Zander. Maybe she would feel more at home with those “women” at Sappho House.” She raises an eyebrow suggestively.

“Oh Tilly, let me stop you there,” Laurel says quickly. “It was our Leona, here, that won the challenge this afternoon.”

Tilly looks at me with genuine shock in her eyes, and something else I can’t put my finger on; a calculating look that drills into my soul. But it’s only for a minute and then she smiles broadly and says, “Whoah! Well done. You stick it to the patriarchy girl!” and then she flits away.

Laurel and Erin watch her disappear into the crowd and exchange a quick glance.

“She’s studying drama, the same as me,” Laurel says. “Except she normally is the drama. Don’t get too friendly with her would be my advice.”

“Noted,” I say. I thought she’d seemed nice, but anyone can act nice for a two-minute conversation. These girls knew her better than I did, so I’m determined to take their advice. I won’t be nasty to her, but I won’t let myself get too close.

“There’s Shawn,” Laurel says, nodding in the direction of the edge of the room.

Two guys are sitting on a large couch with another guy sitting opposite them on a chair. The two on the couch are obviously identical twins. Both of them have short haircuts and razor-sharp cheekbones. They are both smoking hot, but they are both draped with women, all vying for their attention. The one opposite has a girl in his lap as well.

“My brother,” Erin says. “Is the one sitting beneath that delightful blonde tramp.”

“That’s not his girlfriend, then?” I ask.

“No,” Erin laughs. “None of the Valens guys have girlfriends. They have hookups and that’s it. Let me give you the low down on these guys, so you’re not dumb enough to get mixed up with any of them. And yes, that includes Shawn.”

“Don’t get me wrong,” she continues. “Shawn is a nice guy, and I say that even though I am his sister.” She rolls her eyes and Laurel laughs. “But, if you cross him he snaps. Honestly, I’m surprised he hasn’t ended up in jail, but the others cover for him.”

She shrugs as if this is normal. Maybe it is normal at Valens House. I have heard about how powerful college frats can be, but I don’t want her to think I’m some sort of snob, so I nod along as I think that’s normal too.

“The twins are Damien on the left and Lucien on the right,” she says. “You probably can’t see from here, but Damien has a tiny birthmark on his neck. That’s the only way I can tell them apart physically, but personality wise, they are total opposites.”

“Lucien has no interest in studying. He was always determined he was going to play professional football. He was good enough, apparently, but then he broke his leg and it didn’t recover enough for him to have that edge anymore. But you know, he’s not worried. He has his trust fund. He just can’t understand why everyone cares so much about studying or, well, anything really. He’s so laid back he should be horizontal. Moreover, he doesn’t give a fuck what anyone thinks of him. Mind you, you can afford to be casual like that when you’re a Westing. It’s not as if they have any worries.”

“Wait, Westing as in Westing Enterprises?” I say, sure I am wrong.

“Yup,” Erin says. “The two billionaire heirs. Lucien will probably be some sort of silent board member. Damien is much more uptight than Lucien, but he is very business-minded. I have no doubt that when the time comes, he will take over running the enterprise. He takes everything seriously and he will do anything to get ahead. He will play games, but only those he knows he will win. Between me and you, I’m honestly surprised he hasn’t killed anyone yet.”

---