Author's Note: I know that Queen's University doesn't have any fraternities or sororities (that I know of, I'm American so sadly I'm not as familiar with Queen's as a native, but that's what came up in my Google searches of Greek life in Canada. Additionally the writers put that in at the end of the series, Futuritis, so maybe they were confusing Queen's for U of Toronto? idk).
We're only young and naive still
He meets her at a party. Time seems to stand still for a brief second. He looks up from his hockey buddy's new tattoo when she strolls in, smiling at a new face she's being introduced to. It takes some time for him to comprehend who he's looking at. Her short dyed blonde hair she had during their time at her grandmother's lodge is now longer and stick straight with golden hues blended beautifully with a light brown shades. The haze of the neon lights at his fraternity's house completes the look, giving her a tiny halo.
"Uh, Derek? Bro?" his fraternity brother and hockey teammate, Chris, dumbfoundly asks. Derek continues to stares for a split second longer than he intended and turns to face his friends.
"Who's that?" Justin, another fraternity brother, questions.
"She's -," Derek begins, still unable to register what he just saw.
"That's Casey McDonald - just came from New York," a female voice says. Chris' girlfriend, Kayla, appears with a six pack. Handing one to each of them, she continues,"Heard she's thinking of rushing for Kappa Kappa Gamma." She beams, bright neon KKG hat glittering in their darkened corner. The beer pong table nearby cheers. "You guys are up next by the way."
"What?" Derek asks, eyes searching the crowd for Casey. He finds that she has moved near the dining room for the makeshift mini bar. He sees the brunette's eyes sweep across the party until she locks eyes with him. The ends of her lip glossed lips turn upward, as she stiffly raises her red solo cup as a sort of truce and mock toast altogether.
She is standing there. And she is so beautiful.
—
Casey took a deep breathe as the cold air whipped her. This was not the day to wear an off shoulder tight top and a short mini skirt. 'But a party is a party' her mind teased. She cursed inwardly. 'Just relax, let life roll off your backs, everything in life is only for now' She snickered. 'Did I just use Avenue Q to calm myself down? Some things never change.' She smiled a little at the thought. Pulling her jacket around her, she glanced up the brick building where there were flashes of light on the right window. The Greek letters prominently displayed between the front door and a second story window spelled out 'Sigma Nu'.
"C'mon Casey!" a voice said, breaking her thoughts. Her roommate Leslie was already halfway up the stairs, energetically motioning for her to follow. Casey shook her head to dispel her thoughts and followed Leslie to the door. The bouncer wearily looked at them and immediately perked up.
"Well if it isn't lil' Leslie," the bouncer smiled. Leslie giggled.
"It's been a while hasn't it? Zack this is Casey, Casey this is Zack. He's the bouncer and one of my best friends," Leslie said.
"Nice to meet you," Casey said, shaking Zack's hand.
"Casey is thinking of joining Kappa," Leslie explained.
"Ah, so it would seem," Zack smiled knowingly. "Just make sure she doesn't puke," he said as he opened the door for them. Leslie laughed and went through the threshold. With another glance at Zack, Casey took a deep breathe and stepped in.
The sweet scent of alcohol immediately filled her nostrils, along with a hint of weed and cigarettes. 'Figures,' she laughed sadly. Ever since she returned from New York, she could only keep making comparisons. Like how New York never slept, a constant array of dazzling lights, instilling shock and wonder… unlike here where she was fairly certain there were families living nearby. 'Stop it Casey, you need to just live in the moment, like what Gran and Jesse said.'
"Hey there," said a guy. Casey looked up. He had gorgeous green eyes and blonde hair. "Casey this is Brad, Brad this is Casey, my roommate." Leslie smirked. "I'm going to grab us drinks, kay? You guys keep talking."
"So Casey," Brad said smiling. "What brings you here?" Casey forced herself to relax and smile.
"Just started term," she explained. Brad gave her a pointed look and drank some beer. 'Great, nice way to kill the flirting - just go along Case, nothing's stopping you.' "And, and I wanted to meet someone new," she stuttered, causing Brad to stop drinking and smile at her. A wave of slight nausea and bubbles erupted from within her. "Plus everyone knows that Sig Nu's parties are the best," Casey echoed what Leslie has said earlier.
"Do they?" Brad's smile got wider, "We only do it so pretty girls like you come over." Casey flinched at the statement. Brad laughed. "I'm sorry, I'm really drunk right now and that sounded creepy as fuck." Casey giggled.
"It was but it wasn't too bad," she admitted.
"You're not so bad yourself," Brad winked. "Look, Leslie has come to save me from my embarrassment." Leslie practically bounced toward them.
"Back!" she cheerfully said, "Jungle juice?" Casey nodded and began drinking. The taste of fruit punch with a generous dose of vodka.
"Casey here just came back from New York? Can you believe it?" Leslie said, her bright blue eyes twinkling as if it was the best news she'd received in her whole life. Brad choked on his drink.
"New York? That's awesome! I've always wanted to go there, what's it like?" he said. Casey smiled. Things were definitely looking up. As they got into a conversation about everything New York related, Casey instantly felt a pair of eyes watching her. She glanced around and finally locked a pair of brown eyes. Her breath hitched.
Derek.