Rabbit in the Headlights

Disclaimer: Is it wrong to still have the Harry Potter pants you had when you were 13? Ahem…Fidare me di, desidero che l'ho posseduto ma faccio non!

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This chapter is for Didi because she cracks me up. How is dear Kevin?

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'You know I really think you should have double-checked his name before leaving,' Kirsten chastised as they headed back to their apartment; the party was only a few blocks away from there and Hannah insisted she needed to change into something 'easier to get out of'. 'What if someone asks who invited you?'

'Kirsten, it's a college party. Everyone is gonna be too smashed to ask and it's not like are gonna be bouncers on the door,' Hannah declared, eyeing her friend suspiciously. 'You must have some weird as parties back home.'

'Yeah,' Kirsten mumbled in reply, fishing her key out of her purse as they reached their dorm, 'just hurry up and get changed.'

'You not sprucing yourself up?' her roommate asked.

'Um…no.'

'Why not?' she pestered, tugging on a dress that left very little to the imagination.

'Because that would be weird.'

'As if he's gonna know.'

'Who?'

'Stop acting coy Kirsten. You had your coat on the entire time; it's not like he knows what's underneath. At least put on something nice.'

'And by that you mean something worth taking off and ending up on the floor.'

'If you like, just not that boring sweater.' By this time she was rummaging in their wardrobe.

'But it's cold.'

Hannah rolled her eyes, 'Orange County girls have no concept of real cold. Here.' She brandished a top at Kirsten, narrowing her eyes at the blonde girl's look of doubt.

'No way.'

'Yes way. Change. Now.'

'I don't see what's wrong with my sweater.'

'It has snowflakes on Kirsten.'

'It's seasonal.'

'It's from a thrift store.'

'Some of us don't still have an allowance. Anyway, you said the blue brought out my eyes.'

'It does, it's just…patterned sweaters aren't exactly standard wear for getting laid.'

'I wasn't planning on getting laid,' Kirsten answered, red in the face.

'Fine. Well at least brush you hair and put on some makeup or I'll leave without you.'

Not relishing the idea of walking to the party alone and wanting to see Sandy again, Kirsten complied.

They were only thirty minutes late.

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It was easy to locate the party; it was at the only house on the block with a beer keg on the lawn, music blaring and the sounds of shrieking and laughter. They had barely stepped into the dark hallway when a tall, spiky-haired guy slung an arm around Kirsten's shoulder.

'Hey gorgeous. You. Me. Whipped Cream. Handcuffs. Any questions?'

Kirsten choked and shrank away from the stranger who then caught sight of her face.

'Oh shit. Sorry, wrong girl.' The guy turned to Hannah, 'Hey babe, same question to you.'

'Hi, sounds great. This is Kirsten by the way.'

'Oh hi Kirsten. Sorry about that. I'm Joaquin.'

'Nice to…uh…meet you.'

'I'm gonna grab us some drinks, be right back.'

'Joaquin?' Kirsten whispered.

'Hot huh?'

'Um.'

'I know! Well I'll see you later,' Hannah said, winking as Joaquin returned, took her hand and lead her towards the stairs.

Kirsten sighed and leant against the wall. Great, now she was alone at a party where she didn't know anyone. She scanned the crowds of people for Sandy but couldn't see the trademark eyebrows anywhere. She heard raucous laughter from the next room and edged towards the doorway to see what was going on. Her eye fell on a haphazard group of people who seemed to have amassed most the furniture from the house into a circle and were sat drinking, smoking, cracking jokes and passing round a joint in what appeared to be a soda can. She caught sight of Sandy at the centre of the group, sprawled on a sofa and obviously holding forth about something by the way his hands were flapping as he talked. Despite the laughter it looked like quite a heated debate. What was she doing here? A stranger in the midst of all his highly talkative and opinionated friends.

He glanced up and saw Kirsten resting against the doorframe, looking like she was about to bolt. He gave a 100 megawatt grin and saw her smile in return, relief flooding across her features.

'Anyone want another beer?' he asked the group around him, standing up amidst a chorus of requests and approaching Kirsten.

'You came,' he said, mentally berating himself for stating the obvious. 'Didn't think you'd show.'

'Sorry I'm late; my roommate wanted to get changed first.'

'No worries. So where is she?'

'She's uh…' Kirsten hesitated, trying not to blush. '…upstairs with some guy called Joaquin.'

Sandy laughed, 'Well that's Joey for you; as forward as they come. Some of us however, at least make a pretence at being gentlemen. Can I take you coat?'

'Thanks.'

'Nice sweater.'

Kirsten blushed and handed him his coat, smiling as he looked about for somewhere to put it before sheepishly draping it over a nearby chair. 'Um, would you like a drink?'

'Sure, thanks.'

'Yeah and we would too Sandy,' someone hollered from the couch, 'stop flirting and bring us the beer.'

'Oy,' he yelled back threateningly but ducked his head shamefaced at Kirsten. 'Sorry.'

'It's okay.'

A couple of minutes later Kirsten was squashed on the couch between Sandy and some guy named Ben who kept breaking off the conversation to make out with the girl sat on his lap. Rosie was sat opposite; Kirsten gave her a small smile and got a sideways glance in response. She swallowed. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea. She was grateful when Ben began questioning her.

'So Kirsten, freshman right?'

'Uh yeah.'

'You living in halls?'

Kirsten nodded, 'Hartley Court.'

A series of knowing 'oohs' rose up from the group followed by a little laughter.

'How is that?' someone asked.

'It's…it's…' Kirsten fished around for an apt description.

'A dump?' someone else offered.

'Pretty much,' she agreed, 'but it could be worse. Berkeley's pretty good as far as accommodation goes isn't it?'

There was a general consensus.

'Hartley's a shit-hole though; you got the short straw being in there,' the guy currently taking a turn with the 'soda-can' declared.

'But it's a load of fun;' his neighbour said, punching his arm, 'less trouble if you trash stuff. Do you remember the time when…'

Kirsten tuned out as she noticed Sandy watching her; she met his eyes and smiled shyly before turning back to the conversation in time for the punch line. Something to do with a giant water fight ending in an entire corridor being flooded and evacuated. She laughed along with everyone but was well aware of the cold stare that had issued from Rosie's direction as Sandy had smiled at her. Oh dear.

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Another girl with a name beginning with R! Is Rosie gonna ruin everything before it's even started?'

Please review!

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