Bet My Life

Chapter 4

The whole place smelled exactly how I thought it would. The strong smell of alcohol and smoke burned our nostrils as soon as we walked in. It was barely 8, and people were already lying drunk in the yard. We saw a huge 2 story house that screamed money. I really don’t understand why someone would want to spend so much when they could easily stay in the dorms. Then again, who am I to judge.

When we stepped in, we could see couples making out in corners, dim lights, and people “dancing” on the dance floor. I desperately needed to find a drink.

“Who’s party is this?” I asked Izz, who was pulling me through a hoard of drunk people.

“Some guy named Zach. Saw him in our corridor. Vodka or beer?”

I paused for a second, before shrugging and choosing Vodka. Tomorrow was a Saturday, and classes don’t start till Monday. She passed me 2 glasses and took 2 for herself.

“Bottoms up.”

I felt the familiar taste of liquor burning through my throat, drinking both the glasses in a go. Woah, calm down Zo.

“Hey, you came.” An unfamiliar guy, that I am assuming is Zach, made his way to us. He had brown hair, a really handsome face, and a hot body. Wow, is everyone in this college breathtakingly hot?

I looked at Izz, to find her smirking and playing with her curl. I know that look. Someone is getting laid tonight.

“Hi. This is my best friend Zo. Zo, this is Zach.”

“Hey, nice party,” I said with a small smile, not wanting to be a third wheel.

“Thanks. It’s nice to meet you Zo. I have to say, you ladies look amazing.” He replied, not taking his eyes off Izz.

“Well, I’m gonna go dance or something. Text me when it’s time to leave. Also, use protection.” I shouted and gave them a cheeky wink. Izz was glaring at me, while Zach was blushing, and looking at her. How cute is that?

I stumbled slightly, feeling the effects of alcohol hit me. Taking advantage of the fact that I wasn’t shy anymore, I moved to the dance floor and swayed my body to the music. I was completely in the zone, enjoying every minute of this when I accidentally collided with someone and stumbled back. Maybe it was the fact that I was tipsy or the fact that I was clumsy af and in heels, I couldn’t regain my balance and readied myself for a crash landing. Just as I closed my eyes and waited for the cold floor, a pair of arms snaked around me and pulled me close to a rock hard chest. I looked up to find the most gorgeous blue eyes staring back at me.

“We’ve really got to stop meeting like this. Twice in one day, got to be some kind of a record, huh?”

McHottie was looking at me with a gorgeous smirk on his face. Oh my. His brown, almost black, hair was so perfect, that I wanted to do nothing more than run my hands through them. His lips were begging for me to kiss them. I leaned in closer, wanting to just take it all in. Boy, he smells amazing. His hands were pulling me closer to his body as if there was any space left. His piercing eyes were boring into my soul like he was trying to figure me out. My breathing turned shallow as I saw his gaze shift to my lips. I shut my eyes, and almost moaned at the feeling.

“Aah, I see you’ve already met my best mate/ roommate.” A voice broke us up, and I jumped back a few paces. I followed the source of the voice and found Zach and Isabelle, with a smirk on their faces. Izz walked to my side, looped her arms through mine, and looked at McHottie with a knowing smile.

“Introduce us. Some of us are dying to know McHottie’s name.” I punched Izz on her arm as she laughed. I was trying to calm the blush on my face, which was making my emotions really evident. I couldn’t believe myself. A minute ago, I was ready to rip off his clothes, and I barely knew him. Or anything about him. Not even his name. What the hell was wrong with me? This was so unlike my usual self. I peeked a look at him, only to see him staring at me with an amused smile.

Clearing of a throat broke me out of our stare-off. There was something about his eyes. They could hold anyone captive.

“Nate, meet Zoe and Isabell. Girls, this is my man Nate.” Zach introduced us, with a teasing smile.

“So, Zach and I are gonna “get to know” each other better, and I suggest you both do the same.” Izz pushed me onto Nate and dragged Zach, who could barely control his laughter, with her.

“Oh, and kids, use protection” Izz gave me a suggestive look. Guess I deserved that one.

“So..” Nate trailed off nervously. It was so cute to watch. I swear my heart melted.

“So..Sorry about Izzie. She isn’t ready to be let into the wild yet.” I chuckled nervously, trying to avoid eye contact. He gave me a breathtaking laugh. I wonder how many hearts this laugh has managed to hold captive.

“Zo? Huh? Got to say, I like McHottie better than Nate.” He replied cheekily and held his hand out.

I stared at his hand for a while, before deciding to take it. Drunk Zo just doesn’t care. He took towards the balcony, away from the noise, and chaos.

“Sorry, too many people inside. Thought some fresh air was needed.” He let go of my hand and stood facing outside.

“It’s Zoey” I blurt out. “Zoey Hart. My name. But ya, friends call me Zo.” I nervously rambled.

He gave me an amused look and tucked in a strand of hair behind my ears.

“Zoey”, He said testing the way it sounds, and let me tell you, hearing my name from his mouth was the best damn thing. “Well, sweetheart, I am Nate. Nathan Walker.”

I blushed at how smooth he was. Woah.

“You know, after our first encounter, I could have sworn that you were a shy girl. But boy, seeing you here today, drowning those shots, was I in for a surprise.” He smirked and glanced at me sideways.

Ya, this really isn’t helping with my blush. “You can blame it on those two shots,” I shot back, feeling confident.

He chuckled and shook his head. “You really are something else, aren’t you sweetheart?”

“So what are you majoring in? I am majoring in English Lit” I said, in a pathetic attempt to change the topic.

“Business. At least that’s the plan. I take it you want to be a writer?” He looked genuinely curious. That felt good, to have someone ask about you, actually wanting to know you. He was nothing like the people from my past.

“Ya, that’s the plan.” I nodded. I don’t know how long we just spent in each other’s company, but something about him felt safe, like home.

We were sitting on the floor of the balcony and talking about our childhood, and just laughing our buts off when I received a message from Izz -

‘Hey Zo, I’m at the entrance. I’m ready to leave.’

“That’s my cue. I should go.” I was shocked at how upset I sounded.

“I walk you out.” He replied with a sad smile, to which I nodded.

Ya, he was nothing like my past, which I seemed to forget about, this entire that I was with him. And trust me when I say this, there was nothing scarier than that.