A Different Light

Chapter 10

Hannah POV 

I look around my room as campus police and the police police takes statements from everyone. Jillian just sits there crying and won't talk to anyone. She tried to get to Tobias but the officers wouldn't let her. My room isn't too destroyed but she broke my laptop that I need for classes, and spray painted "w***e" on the wall. She broke a mirror and a music box I've had since I was a little girl that was a gift from my grandmother and holds the necklace she gave me. Then I realize- the necklace is missing. Tobias walks into the room and sees me holding the box. 

"Oh s**t, Han, I'm sorry," he says. 

"It's missing," I tell him. 

"What is?" 

"The necklace." 

We go out into the living room with the box and the officer sees tears in my eyes. 

"She stole a diamond necklace," I tell them. 

"Goddamnit," one cop says. 

"Can you give me a description?" Another asks. 

"Actually, I have a picture," I say and pull out my phone. 

It was a photo from graduation and the necklace is sitting proudly on my chest. He zooms in. 

"Can you email or text that to me?" He asks. 

"Yeah, I can," I tell him, and he gives me his number. 

"We will need you to come down to the station to write a formal report. How much is the necklace worth?" He asks. 

"I don't know. I can call my dad.." I tell him. 

"Yeah. We will need an amount so we know what kind of theft this is," he tells me. 

"I'll bring her," Nick pipes up and holds my gaze. He walks over to me in a few long strides and puts an arm around my waist. 

"Thank you," I tell him. 

"I should take her, Nick. I can talk to her parents while we're there too and get the info on the necklace," Tobias says calmly. 

"That's probably a good idea," Nick says. 

At the police station, we get a price on the necklace- it's worth a little over seven thousand dollars. That makes this a grand theft, which is a Class B felony in the state of Alabama. 

"What if she returns it?" I ask. 

"No. She would still be charged. Why?" 

"I just want the necklace back..." I tell the officer, his name is Brody which makes me think of Jaws.  

"We have an officer searching her room. Is there anyone else she could have given it to?" He asks. 

"I-I don't know. I don't really know her that well- we just met yesterday." 

"Oh? I thought you guys moved in like a few weeks ago." 

"Well, I was in a car accident and in a coma for a while. They bent the rules a little to let me get here a little later.." I shrug. 

"Wow. Some year for you, huh?" He asks, and smiles showing a dimple in his cheek. 

I laugh, "Yeah, it seems I'm basically doomed." 

"Nah, we'll find it. We'll try to see if we can get her to tell us where it is. So uh, is that guy your boyfriend?" He asks, nodding towards Tobias. 

"No, he's my best friend," I say. 

"Oh. And the other guy?"

"We went on a date today, I think...but that girl was with us and she had a complete meltdown. I don't know what her problem is. She was mad we were eating carbs and then tried to jump Toby's bones, and then she started screaming and crying...it was really embarrassing. And she called me a..whore... And I just. It's been a really long day," I tell him, tears running down my cheeks. 

"Can I give you a hug?" He asks. 

I nod my head yes and he hugs me lightly. He smells good, like he wears cologne or something. Tobias sees us and his eyes flash, so I pull away.

"Thank you. I'm sorry, I just don't know what to do," I tell him. 

"Well, get home, get some rest. Jillian will not be allowed back into the apartment, and someone will need to collect her things for her," he says to me. 

I hug my arms around myself and walk over to Tobias who drapes his jacket over my shoulders. I look over at Brock and he gives me a sad smile. I wave goodbye and we head out to Toby's truck. 

"Do you want to stay with me tonight?" He asks. 

"Is that a good idea..with Nick and everything?" 

"Well you would take my bed and I would sleep on the couch," he says. 

"Oh. You know, that's okay.. We have classes tomorrow." 

"We have the same morning classes, dork." 

"Oh yeah..."

"You should go, Hannah. You'll probably sleep better!" Mia pipes up. 

"Grr. Okay. But I gotta bring my clothes and my shower stuff..." I tell him. 

"We can get it, sweetheart. I just want you to be comfortable. What would you prefer?" he asks me. 

"I-I- I would rather stay with you than sleep on the couch here," I say. 

"Then let's pack you an overnight. Nobody will report you, and if they do then we can explain the circumstances. I'm sure they would understand," he pats my head awkwardly. What a weirdo. 

After a shower and some food, the boys and I are hanging out in their living room and I'm dozing off. Nick and Tobias are talking quietly and Mac is playing video games. Next thing I know, I'm being lifted off the ground and carried into another room where I'm set on the bed. I curl up on the bed in covers and pass right out, exhausted. 

The next morning, it's quick breakfasts of cereal, muffins, and milk before we all pile into Toby's truck and head to class. Most of us actually have the same classes. Toby stops me before we head in, though. He looks guilty. 

"Uh- Han..you might wanna call your parents soon. I uhm told them you would call them last night and then I forgot," he says and turns to quickly head inside. 

I pull out my phone and realize it's been on silent. I have 47 missed calls and 58 texts. All from my parents. I groan and mentally curse Tobias. 

Tobias POV 

Hannah comes into the class a few minutes later and sits by Nick, Mia, and I, so she can't be that unhappy. I sigh and try to pay attention as the teacher goes over what is expected of us and blah blah blah. I honestly expected something more..intense? But this is like your typical first day of high school. The day passes in a blur and soon we all at our dorm again for lunch which is grilled cheese sandwiches the girls make us. Hannah calls her parents after we eat and then we're off for the second half of the day. That night, Hannah gets a call from campus security and they've fixed and repainted her room, so we go and buy her new bed sheets and everything and she stays in her room with her friends. The week passes quickly and before we know it, it's Friday and we're getting ready for the frat party at Kappa Alpha Order, which is a more athletic frat that people who are on athletic scholarships tend to rush. Mac is wearing a tank and shorts and looks like your typical a-hole frat brothers. Nick is in a tank and a leather jacket with black jeans and shoes and his hair is spiked. 

"Yo, is Hannah coming?" Mac asks. 

"Uh yeah. She's bringing Mia- I think they want to talk to a few girls from Alpha Chi Omega," I tell him. 

"Sweeet. I never got a chance to talk to her after missing our date," he says. 

"Dude, you might wanna talk to Nick. They kinda have a thing..." I tell him carefully. 

"What do you mean?" He asks, looking pissed. 

"I dunno, bro, but I would check with Nick and see if there's something between em before you try to go for her. Don't step on another dude's toes, you know?" 

"But he would be stepping on my toes, man. I had her first-" 

"And you kinda..bailed. I know it was an emergency but Nick and Han kinda hit it off and I know she's into him. She lights up when she sees him, have you seen her face in classes all week? All I'm saying is talk to the guy and make sure he feels the same. If he doesn't then she will probably need the distraction anyways," I explain and spray a couple puffs of cologne on myself. 

"Alright, man, I'll ask," he says and heads off towards Nick. 

I can't really tell what they're saying but Mac looks a tad bit pissed. There's a knock at the door and Nick opens it. There stands Hannah in a tight strapless blue dress and black heels with done up makeup and curled hair. She's an absolute knockout and I have to stop myself from staring at her. Mia comes in and smiles at everyone, greeting us all. Hannah comes over and hugs me and I make it quick, not wanting to hold her any longer than necessary in front of the guys. 

"Anyone wanna do a couple pre-game shots?" Mia asks, pulling out a bottle of tequila. 

"Oh f**k yea!" Mac says loudly and pulls down a few shot glasses. 

Nick politely declines and Hannah looks to him, to which he shrugs and nods to her. I guess they are a thing now. They all do a shot and Nick and I decide to hold off- we have to take two cars and do not want to leave them there so we will probably be nursing beers for the night. They down a couple more shots and Hannah gets the look in her eyes that lets me know it's gonna be a wild night. We file out the door and Hannah grabs Nick's hand, making Mac sulk even more. I hope this doesn't turn to s**t before we even get there. We head off in separate cars and pull up, parking next to one another. We head inside but Nick leans against his car and grabs Hannah by the hand, holding her back. 

"Can I talk to you for a sec?" He asks her. 

"Uhm yea," she says and looks over at us. "We'll meet you inside." 

"Alrighty," I say to her and head towards the back of the house. 

The Party Barn is in the back of the massive house. I think it's the entire reason that Mac wants to pledge KAO. That and the chicks- Alpha Chi Omega is known for hot, smart chicks. I hope Hannah gets into it because she definitely checks all those boxes. We head around back and the party is in full swing- TVs are lit up, the bar is crowded, and the deck they have out back is packed with people. There's lights, dancing, chicks, and alcohol. It's a hormone infused drunk fest and I regret not having someone else play DD.