Chapter 7:

"Hey, Aomine!" Three days passed in a flash and before he'd realized it, it was Monday again and it was the first time he'd seen the redhead in over a week. He held out his hand to accept the fist bump being proffered. "Where you been, man? You get scared and run off?"

He snorted, readjusting himself the hard plastic chair of the cafeteria. Students milled around them, and the area was especially busy today. It seemed that a bunch of clubs were looking to recruit new members for the next semester, and the school was doing some sort of advertising for events coming up at the beginning of the new year. Aomine couldn't help the slight sense of nostalgia and pity he felt as he watched because he was reminded of what happened at the beginning of every new school year back home. The amount of people who simply walked on by without even a glance, or just straight out hiding their face to avoid being looked at, was hilariously sad. Not that anyone seemed to be trying too hard. Most of the students in clubs were on their phones, or doing classwork, and only looked up when someone approached the table first, and half the time they were only interested in the booths offering some kind of freebies. The only tables that seemed to be putting in any effort at all were the religion clubs, more specifically the ones surrounding the Christan faith, as well as the multi-cultural clubs which were manned almost entirely by timid looking foreign exchange students. The student government table was bringing in lots of onlookers but couldn't hold on to their attention. Getting anyone involved in a leadership position like that was a real bitch and a half. It was a completely thankless job and the amount of stress wasn't worth being able to put it on your resume after you graduated. What the hell does a college student president even do? They're going to look after thousands of students, some of them two or even three times their age? The thought always crossed his mind as he watched them struggle.

"Oy, Earth to Ahomine, are you there? Come in, Ahomine." A giant hand waved in front of his face. He swatted it away just as the chair in front of his squealed as it was pulled back. Kagami plopped down and made himself comfortable.

"I never told you you could sit down."

"What? I'm hungry so I'm going to eat lunch, too."

"So, am I supposed to be your lunch date or what?"

Kagami snorted. "Don't even joke about that. I've been seeing so much of that shit around lately."

"What shit?"

"Homo's." He clarified, sniffing. "I'm pretty sure that one club, what is it called? Gay-Straight-Alliance? I'm pretty sure that it's held in the recreation building so they're always crawling all over the place."

Aomine scoffed, taking a long sip from his large cola. "Don't let your girlfriend hear you say that. I didn't even know we had one of those type clubs."

"Of course we do. They're super popular here in the states. The high school I graduated from even had one, and there were tons of kids. Probably over a hundred of them." Kagami attempted to snag a cold fry from Aomine's lunch tray but was quickly blocked. "It's especially prolific out here because of all the theater and stuff. It draws those type people, I think." After being blocked a second time he sighed and settled back into the chair, crossing his arms over his chest. "But anyway, where the hell have you been? David and Jayron have been asking about you all week. It seems like they have a personal grudge with you."

He shrugged. "I've been busy with classes. It's nearing the end of the semester so the professors are really piling on the work."

Kagami raised an eyebrow suspiciously. "Have you always been such a goody-two shoes bookworm type?"

"Hey, I'll have you know," Aomine picked up a fry and jabbed it into Kagami's chest, "that my grades were always at least in the middle of the class."

"Doesn't that just mean you're stupidly average? Average levels of stupid?" Kagami cocked his head one way and then the other, contemplating. "I feel like that's nothing to brag about."

Aomine glared at him but couldn't come up with a good comeback so he stayed quiet. The two didn't say anything for a while as they stared off into space at the passing students. After about five minutes Kagami told him that he was going to go grab lunch but for him to wait until he came back. He heavily debated getting up and leaving but decided against it. It's not like he had anywhere to be until three anyway, so he stayed, nursing his drink as he scrolled through his news feeds. When Kagami reappeared, he had a tray overflowing with various sandwiches and sides, a full liter of water and a cold coffee. God damn, where does he put all that? Without realizing it he made a face as he gaped. "Nutrition aside, I'm curious how the hell you can afford all that?" It was a reminder that his wallet was feeling a little light as of late. While the job he had was easy peasy, it wasn't exactly easy living kind of money. A night out on the town was feasible, but if he had to feed himself the way this guy did, he'd run out of money on day two and be living on the American college student diet of Top ramen and water soup.

Kagami stared at him mid-bite. Swallowing he replied, "Didn't I tell you? I have a part time job off campus. It pays pretty well. And campus food is cheap."

I'd beg to differ. He thought bitterly, clicking his tongue. "I'm pretty sure you asked me to stay just so you could rub our wealth inequality in my face."

The redhead gave him a strange look as he inhaled his fourth sandwich and downed half of his coffee. "If I wanted to do that, I have plenty of other methods."

Not even gonna deny it. Aomine couldn't help his pout as he set his chin on his head, staring blankly at his friend. "So, if not to flaunt your inexplicable college student wealth, what did you come here for?"

The other party perked up, a mischievous grin growing across his face. Looking around him to make sure no one else was looking, he dug deep into the front pocket of his jeans, and produced two plastic cards. They both had images on them and a variety of other information. Staring deeply, Aomine still didn't quite understand. "Wanna go out for drinks tonight?"

"Ehh?" He eyed him incredulously. "We're not old enough, yet."

"That's what these are for." Kagami said, tapping the plastic cards on the table, his voice barely above a whisper. "They're crazy well made."

"Well made?"

"Fake ID's, aho."

A lightbulb went off. "When the hell did you have those made?" He asked, lowering his own voice.

Kagami laughed, smirking. "I knew a guy back in my last year of high school that knew someone."

"That's pretty sketch. I didn't think you were that kind of kid, even if you did act like a tough guy."

The redhead laughed yet again. "I just involved myself in the culture let's say. Students here aren't so well behaved as back home." Just what do you think Japanese students are?

"That explains yours, but why do you have a second one?"

"I contacted the guy again after I realized you were here. I thought you'd want in."

He wasn't wrong but… "Isn't it dangerous if I get caught? It's not like I have citizenship. My student VISA could be revoked."

"Don't even worry about. I know a few places that don't even check ID's and the ones that do only glance at it. Most people in college towns don't care all that much." Kagami leaned forward, expectantly. "So, let's go drinking tonight."

Thinking about it, it was a good idea. He was getting bored of the student body at the college; Most of the girls were average at best, and the ones that caught his eye had the absolute worst personalities. Their very existence just pissed him off. And, once again, it wasn't like he and Kaylee were dating so there was nothing that said that he couldn't go out and find some fun. "What about Whitney? Would she be okay with that?"

"Huh? Oh yeah. She trusts me to not do anything stupid, and it might be hard to believe but I do actually really like her. I've got no intention of losing her just because of dumb animal instincts."

"Are you calling men animals?"

"Are you saying that they're not? Either way, I'm really just going out to grab a few drinks, and, at the very least, I can appreciate the view. Whitney is fine with that as long as I take one hundred percent hands off approach." Kagami said flippantly, chugging down the liter of water still left untouched.

Daiki couldn't help the laughter. "She seems like that kinda girl. Not really the jealous possessive type."

"Depends on the day…" Kagami admitted, rubbing the back of his head. "But I already discussed this with her and she said it was fine."

Aomine sat back, crossing his arms as he contemplated. On the one hand… Drinks and girls… On the other hand… Possible expulsion and deportation. Kagami says that he knows where we can go without getting in trouble, though. And I really need a break. I haven't let loose at all since I got here, especially not since hooking up with that damn otaku girl. "Hmmmm." He hummed out loud, his serious thinking face on full display. "Hmmmmmmm."

"C'mon man, you don't need to think that hard about it."

Finally, Aomine sighed. "Let's do it. If I don't take a break soon, I think my head's going to explode."

"What about Kaylee?"

"What about her?"

"Do you need to let her know or anything?"

"I mean it's not like we're dating or anything."

You're not?! Kagami laughed but tried to keep calm. "Oh, for real? Well, that works in our favour, I guess. When are your classes over tonight?"

"My last class ends at five."

"I work until seven. Let's meet outside the dorms at eight." He held out his knuckles for a fist bump.

Aomine nodded and returned the gesture. He couldn't deny the bit of excitement he was feeling. He hadn't truly let loose once since coming here, and he hadn't been invited to any parties or anything so he was spending a lot more time cooped up than he was used to. He worried that he'd lost his touch for attracting women, but the sentiment didn't last long. There was no way in hell that a girl couldn't be attracted to a guy like him.

He sat with his friend until he'd consumed every last crumb on his plate and then parted ways, heading towards his linguistics class. The day would be over in a flash and he couldn't wait.

-x-

When they met up that night, Aomine had pulled out and old forest green sweater he hadn't worn in quite a while. Underneath he had a crisp, white, collared shirt that peeked out the collar of the sweater. He'd brought out a faded black, almost dark grey, pair of jeans that had a few aesthetic rips around the thighs and knees. His shoes, as always, gleamed pure white, an Addidas logo printed in black a nice contrast. Kagami showed up in a black moto jacket with a pure white printed hoodie underneath. The design was a bit Picasso, but the colours looked great. He also wore a pair of black skinny jeans, though his didn't appear nearly as faded, or creased. He had on a pair of red Nike's that were basically identical in shade to his eyes and hair. He'd tried his best to settle his hair but Aomine knew it wasn't going to last. He had swept back his own bangs with a little gel, but nothing too crazy.

"Who knew you had a sense of fashion?" Aomine jabbed, bumping elbows with him as he got close. "Or did you let Whitney into your closet?"

"I could say the same thing to you. Are going for college girls or cougars with that get up?"

Aomine brushed the front of his sweater, grinning like a mad man. "Game is game. Pussy is pussy. I'm not a picky eater."

Kagami retched. "Dude, you're gonna chow down on some wrinkly granny lips? Count me out. I'm starting to reconsider asking you out." Her narrowly avoided a flying fist as Aomine swung at him. "I'm kidding, I'm kidding. About the reconsidering part. I really don't wanna hear about it if you bring granny to bed tonight." He dodged another fist, laughing all the while. Turning, he took off still laughing with a fuming Aomine in his wake.

When they arrived in downtown, the streets were bustling with students, even on a Monday night. There was supposedly some college football game on TV that night which was drawing a lot of people out, a lucky break for them.

The first bar they stopped in was a little dive bar that appeared to be on its last legs; the barstools seats were torn ragged, grey insulation looking fluff hanging on for dear life. The lights hanging from the ceiling were nothing more than exposed bulbs, of which there were few, and of the ones hanging up only about half of them actually worked. The other lights flickered on and off with every beat that dropped from the haphazardly hung speakers in the corners of the ceiling. In the back quarter of the already cramped bar there was a space cleared out that looked like it was probably meant to be a dance floor, though its current use was simply more standing room for the crowd that had packed themselves in. The music blared and they shoved their way to the bar. Aomine's nervousness disappeared as he ordered a light beer and the bartender didn't even give him a second glance. The second the drink was in his hand the poor girl was being summoned over to another customer. He watched her go as he nursed the first few sips from the glass so that it wouldn't slosh over his hand, but Kagami dragged him away, out towards the street, so that they could enjoy their drinks with a little more room.

The night air cooled down quite a bit from the early afternoon, a soft wind blowing down from the mountains near-by. A lot of the girls wore skin tight dresses that clung to their figures, midriffs often exposed by large cut outs and breasts on display from ill fitting knot-tied tops. These were the ones who stood shivering in their short sleeves, bare skin goose pimpling in the chilly fifty degrees. The weather was nice during the day but as soon as the sun went down it could be a serious issue. Aomine could hear them arguing with the people around them about putting something on over their clothes, the most adamant that it would ruin their look~

I'll never understand that. If you're cold, just put on the damn jacket. No one is looking at you anyway. Not in that get up. He gave them the side eye as he sipped slowly at his drink. Kagami nudged him and jerked his head towards a pair of those girls that was approaching them, walking like they thought they were hot shot models. Aomine watched, wary. The chances that these girls were the exact opposite of his type was high, but he'd give it a shot. They were out here to have a good time after all.

"Hey~" The first girl trilled, holding out a hand with exceptionally long, rectangular acrylic nails painted a shocking neon green. Her skin was fake tanned to nearly orange, and on her lips was a gaudy baby pink lipstick with a shiny gloss over top. In her nose was a tiny, simple diamond stud while each ear was pierced three individual times. The first two holes bore long, dangling jewelry while the third ones both sported tiny hoops. Her bleached hair looked as frail as dried hay, straightened with a hot iron more than a few too many times. Her heavily perfumed body's scent got caught in Aomine's throats, choking him

He didn't feel one bit like taking her hand, or introducing himself.

Kagami didn't seem to mind at all as he took her extended in his, all smiles. "View is mighty fine tonight." He traced her body with his eyes as if trying to figure out the best place to start.

She giggled, her breath reeking of alcohol. "I was just about to say the same." She dragged her nails across his palm as she let go, all smiles. "Are you boys out here alone?" Although she addressed both of the, her gaze was fixed firmly on Kagami. Going for whichever one gives you attention first, is that it? Well too bad, he's already attached.

"Somethin' like that."

"Are you from around here?" The other girl spoke, her deep southern accent thick as mud. While dressed much more modestly in a long sleeve off the shoulder body-con, her attitude and accessories were much the same. She wore a ring in her nose that attached to one of her earrings with a dainty silver chain. Her skin was a dark olive that matched beautifully with the soft brown of her eyes. It was ruined by the outrageously bright neon make-up she wore, but as a man, Aomine could hardly judge her. If he had to guess, she was likely of Indian descent, and if she toned the attitude down by about ninety-five percent, he probably would have been attracted to her. There was having confidence, and then there was… Whatever this was.

"That one is fresh off the boat," Kagami thumbed in his direction, "and I've been around town a few times." What the hell does that even mean?

"Ooo, ethnic." The first girl said, leaning to put her hands on the table the two had snagged, tits bouncing as she came to rest. "Where ya from, kid?" She turned dulled brown eyes on him.

"Japan." He replied curtly, already tired of their prescense. Why did Kagami have to go and engage them.

"Not just ethnic, but oriental. You wouldn't know it."

"Yeah well, there's a lot you can't tell about a person by looking at them." It felt like all the blood in his veins was starting to boil, his temple throbbing as he tried to control his anger. Why was everybody he talked to in this God damn state a fucking racist? Most of them didn't even know they were doing it. That Jordan girl must have to share days she gets to have that second braincell.

Kagami pointed to himself, "I'm also Japanese."

"Ehhhh, for real?"

"I knew you guys couldn't be from around here. You're way too hot for that."

"I'll take that as a compliment." Kagami flashed a smile and received one in return. "I can't believe you ladies are out drinking on your own. It could be dangerous."

"Our dates like, totally ditched us." The first girl huffed, puffing out her chest. Aomine had lost all interest in her and didn't even care to look, despite the fact that they were literally spilling onto the table between them. "We were like, looking for someone to like, take their place."

"Like for real. It's so boring to drink alone."

"How about you guys join us since you're alone anyway? This is like, your first stop, right?"

Aomine's patience was worn thin. He opened his mouth to say something but Kagami interrupted him after shooting him a look. "While I'd really love to join you ladies, I'm afraid we can't. This was actually our only stop tonight. My girlfriend is waiting back home for me, and he's got classes in the morning." Both ladies changed in an instant as their cheeks went pink with rage.

"Girlfriend?" The second girl yelled, stomping her foot like a child. "You have a girlfriend?" Kagami grinned, amicably, and nodded. "What the fuck, you were totally leading us on!"

"Hey, hey Brit, it's okay. Like, the other one is totally still available, right?" Her eyes drifted to Aomine's face, hopeful.

"I would rather fuck a horse in the middle of a public arena than go anywhere with you." He slammed the rest of his beer and rose to his full height. "I absolutely hate a sloppy drunk."

She gaped at him, speechless. Not giving her a second glance, Aomine turned on his heel and strode away, a sour taste that wasn't leftover from the beer in his mouth. Heavy footsteps jogged to catch up and Kagami clapped him on the shoulder. "Yo, that was fucking harsh."

"What the actual hell were you thinking? You could have had any pick in that crowd and you chose the most disgusting bitches that laid eyes on you?"

"C'mon, they weren't that bad. That darker skinned girl was sexy as fuck."

"Well too bad you've already been claimed. I'd bet she would've crawled right into bed with you." He spat at the ground, still at boiling point. To his disdain, the redhead laughed, clenching down on his shoulder. "I swear to God if we don't find better picks at the next place I'm going home."

"And I'll bet Kaylee will be there waiting with open legs." Aomine elbowed him, hard, in the side. He kept his mouth shut after that.

The next bar was a bit more modern, with large French doors that opened to the outside across the entire exterior of the building. Red, pink, purple, orange, and green neon fairy lights decorated the trim around the ceiling and cast an almost psychedelic glow over the room. There were a few tables surrounding the island style bar, but most of the floor space was open for dancing and lounging. EDM blared through the hidden speakers and the population of the bar swayed and moved in time with it. Girls grinded against each other as their drinks sloshed from plastic cups while boys cheered them on from the side. A far back corner appeared to be make-out central seeing as there were couples, throuples, and even groups of four (always more girls than guys) that seemed far removed from the real world as they shoved tongues down throats and hands roamed freely over other bodies. To both boys surprise, there were even a few guys making out with each other as girls looked on, but it seemed like the general population left a wide berth around them, as if they were a disease that needed to be avoided, lest they catch it. The girls cheering them on swayed as the alcohol settled. Aomine had a good feeling they were drunk enough to not even know their first names let alone what was happening in front of them.

Upon immediate surveillance, though, the vibe of this bar was much more his pace, and the girls definitely more his style. Once again, they ordered drinks at the bar, this time taking a seat because there were a few open barstools, and once again their IDs were glanced at without a question. It didn't take long for a group of girls to approach them, smiling faces and all giggles. They chatted them up as they ordered drinks, and despite being tipsy, they were a lot more well spoken than the first two.

As seats around them emptied, the girls filled those spots in and started ordering rounds for them – everything from shots to beers – and Aomine did the same. Soon he could feel the world spinning a bit, and at that point, the girl that had been clinging to his arm for the past thirty minutes dragged him to his feet, pressing her ample bosom against him and whispered in his ear. "Let's move somewhere else." He followed without a word, grinning the whole while.

They found a somewhat empty back hallway and without a moments hesitation she was kissing him, tongue snaking willfully between his lips until it twined with his. He heard a soft tink of metal against his teeth before he felt the steel ball against his own tongue. Pierced tongue, huh? Reaching down he grabbed her ass and pulled her close as he overpowered her, his tongue taking control of every movement. She giggled as she ground against him, her hands draped over his shoulders.

"You seem like you know what you're doing." She breathed, nipping him in the ear. She had to stand on her tippy toes to do so, and Aomine couldn't help feeling like it was kind cute – like a small animal trying to make itself look bigger to ward off its natural predator.

"I've had a little practice." His predatory grin widened and his grip on her ass tightened.

The next time Kagami saw him thirty minutes had passed, and the girl he'd been with was looking a little worse for wear with only one high heel on, and her scrunched up body con dress slightly askew. Her lipstick smeared across her mouth, looking like the Joker as it extended almost up to her cheek and her eyeliner had been smudged. Despite all this, the look on her face said she was on top of cloud nine and not one thing could bring her back down the rest of the night. As soon as her friends saw her, they shot to their feet and ran to her, a myriad of worried looks and curiosity in their expressions. Aomine had no doubt that she'd be telling them later anything she could remember about her one-way trip to heaven that night. He bumped knuckles with Kagami as he sat back down next to him.

"Aomine one, night life zero." Kagami smirked over his glass.

"Damn straight." He smirked back, feeling light. There was a very slight prick of guilt for doing it with another girl, but that was the whole point of having a friends with benefits: the benefit of being able to do who you wanted, when you wanted, because there was no commitment. Yet the guilt still sat a bit heavy in his stomach. But. He was able to get it up for some random chick so whatever. "Finish that drink and let's move."

"Dude, you're still gonna drink more?"

"The night is still young, and I've got a lot left in the tank." He cocked an eyebrow suggestively, and Kagami could only sigh back in response as he downed the rest of his beer. As he stood, the world swayed and Aomine had to catch him by the shoulder. "Fucking lightweight."

"Excuse me. While you were out blowing some girls back out, I was being fed shot after shot of straight tequila. Do you know just how many shots of tequila you can do when you have four girls trying to get your number?"

"Is that a humble brag about being popular?"

"No, it's a fucking complaint to the HR department of this outing."

Wouldn't that be you since you were the one who wanted to come out in the first place? He said nothing and settled for clapping him heavily on the shoulder, having to catch him a second time as his knees buckled under the weight. The two pushed their way out of the bar and beelined straight for the next one, neither noticing the heavy swaying of their body and the increase in volume of their voices.

After the fourth place, Kagami was on the outs. He had his head on his hands at the bar as one hand grasped tightly to a mostly full beer. Every so often he hiccupped, and then let out a moan. Aomine wasn't faring much better. Though he was managing to keep his head afloat, his eyelids felt like lead weights, and the dim lights of their third dive bar of the night made kaleidoscope images as they danced in front of him. They'd given up on picking up girls after the third bar, their minds and bodies too far disconnected from each other, and it this point it was basically a competition to see who would tap out first. I have classes in the morning. Shit. Fuck. Fuckity fuck fuck fuck. The hazy reminder floated to the tip of his mind and then slipped away as he sipped carelessly at the mix drink in his hand. He brought a shaky hand to his mouth only to be quickly reminded that he'd finished his drink a long time ago.

"A~ho~mi~ne." Kagami whined, turning shimmering red, unfocused eyes on him. "Da-i-ki."

"Don't call me by my name. It's creepy as shit." The boy looked down at him, finally breaking his unending stare at some point straight in front of him. "What do you even want."

"Let's go-" hiccup, "play basketball."

"You want to go now?" Not that he'd admit it, but the idea struck a chord with him. He was bored of the women, and the loud, over capacity filled bars, and the bright neon lights. Nothing sounded better than secluding themselves with nothing more than a painted concrete court and a single basket standing in the distance.

"Right now~" He slurred, lips curling into a dopey smile.

"I'm going to be honest; I don't even think you'll make it to the court."

"Are you backing down from my challenge?" His coherency skyrocketed and the sleepy look in his eyes became much sharper as he gazed at the blue eyes staring him down.

Grinning Aomine shook his head and jerked his head towards the door. "You're on you drunk. You better not cry when I wipe you off your feet."

"Just go ahead and try."