Disclaimer: I own nothing.
Screaming Infidelity
By EJJCullen
"What's wrong with you?" Jess asked, making me jump.
"N-nothing." I stuttered in response as I pulled into an open spot in the parking lot at the mall. "I need to run into the Apple store, where else do you want to go?" I asked hoping to change the subject.
"I need a few more outfits for this week for some pledge parties, and I need to get some Clinique eye shadows that I am running low on, so let's hit up Bloomingdales that way we can do all in one stop." Jess suggested as we made our way towards Bloomies.
As we made our way around the racks of clothes pulling out items that caught our eyes we chatted about this weeks upcoming parties that Jess was looking forward to and she continued to push me to join KG, or really ANY sorority. She was afraid that if she joined and I didn't our friendship would be ruined. I tired to point out that if we chose different houses that our friendship would be affected also, but she was sure that we would be there for each other no matter what. We would support each other through rush, becoming new sisters to the houses, and help offer advice to each other along the way.
The more Jess pushed for sorority life the more I thought about the great group of people I had met and the easy friendship that sparked between Rose and I. The Tri Pi's had a beautiful house and some killer parties if the other night was any indication, but my smile at that thought quickly turned into a grimace as I remembered how that night had ended. Rose had said that they did everything with the guys from Alpha Chi and that in turn meant Edward. Was I really ready to face him again? How awkward would that be?
After a quick round in the dressing room and a stop at the Clinique counter Jess and I headed over to Apple weighed down by some Big Brown Bags. Jess entertained herself with an iPad while I spoke to a geeky teenager about my lost phone. Moments later I was issued a new phone with my same number and my previous account was cancelled. With a swipe of my Am Ex we left the mall so Jess could get ready for a "raging kegger" at the KG house.
It was well past 7pm when we arrived back on campus and as I parked my Jeep in the student lot I couldn't help the nerves that had taken up residence in my stomach as we walked to the dorms. I was sure that Edward would be lurking around somewhere ready to add to my embarrassment over last night.
I helped Jess pick out her outfit as my cell began to vibrate in my pocket. A number flashed on the screen that I didn't know. I put my phone on the bathroom counter as I put the finishing touches on Jess's hair.
"Aren't you going to answer that?" Jess asked as I spritzed her with hairspray.
"Nah, it's probably just Jake trying to apologize yet again." I said with an eye roll.
"I always knew you were too good for him." She said as she reached for my phone and answered it with a huff.
"Hey!" I said as she asked whoever it was who was calling.
"It's Rose." Jess smiled as she handed me back the phone. Jess was thrilled that I had befriended the president of the Tri Pi house and was determined that I had an 'in' now.
"Hey Rose." I greeted as I excused myself from the bathroom so Jess could finish on her own.
"Hey Bella! I know you said that you weren't really interested and all" I could practically hear her eyes roll as she said it "but we are having another party tonight and I really want you to come. It's an 80's theme and it's always a good time."
"Well, I don't really have anything to wear, so maybe next time." I said hoping that my lame excuse would do the trick.
"Nonsense, I'm on my way over, what's your room number?"
"418" I said, giving up the fight I knew I had no chance of winning. After a quick bye to Rose I let Jess borrow one of my Gucci clutches and wished her a good night.
Rose arrived a few minutes after Jess left and was a whirlwind of energy as she tossed me a florescent pink shirt with matching scrunchie. After digging through my closet we settled on a black mini skirt and a pair of black peep-toe heels. Rose tied the shirt in knot at my side exposing some of my flat stomach and finished my look with the scrunchie in a side pony tail.
The cherry red BMW convertible that was parked in the fire lane outside my dorm just screamed 'Rose'. We drove over to Tri Pi blasting some Bangles tunes to get us in the 80's mood and arrived to a brightly lit house that was blasting some Milli Vanilli. Pushing away my thoughts of Edward, I mixed a Vodka Cranberry for Rose and I and met her outside on the makeshift dance floor to bust a move.
Hours later we were still going strong when Paula Abdul's 'Straight Up' started blasting through the speakers.
"I love this song!" I yelled to Rose who was focused on something over my shoulder.
"I bet you do." He said into my ear as he wrapped his arm around my waist effectively stirring up the butterflies in my stomach once again. Whispering in my ear and quoting Paula herself he said "So tell me Bella, 'Do you really want to love me forever, or am I caught in a hit and run'.