Chapter 1

Emery

It was a clear night. The sound of crickets was barely audible due to loud music coming from down the street. Every house on the block was lit up in bright light. People roamed the street happily laughing with their friends and talking loudly.

The cab driver swiveled in his seat to look at me. Of course, I knew what that meant and scratched in my pocket pulling out a crumpled ten-dollar bill and a few cents.

I handed him the money and stepped out of the car. Everything just got louder and felt much more real. In the car, it was like I was watching through a screen. I was protected by that unhygienic cab interior and exterior.

I took in a deep breath. Get it together Em.

I moved over to the trunk to get my luggage. It was only university, not a lion's den. I could do this. I could be an adult, even though I didn't want to at this point.

I walked up to the house that had a shiny number twenty-two on the mailbox. All the houses on the street looked the same. Grassy lawns and paved driveways with a small garage. 

I clambered up the few porch steps with all my bags and knocked on the large door. I could hear the tv from outside as I waited. It sounded like the people in there were watching Friends reruns.

The door swung open and my vision was jeopardized by a flash of blonde as my eardrums vibrated from a very feminine shriek. "I was wondering when you were going to get here. I'm Claire," said the girl who almost knocked me down with her surprising strength.

She pulled back to look at me and that's when I got a glimpse of her face. Her face was in the shape of a heart and she had golden blonde hair that fell freely down her shoulders. She was dressed like a five-year-old which I thought was cute, a purple onesie and fluffy unicorn slippers. Her blue eyes were wide and excited as she stared at me expectantly. Her smile was contagious and I couldn't help but smile back.

"I'm Emery," I introduced myself since we haven't officially met. I had only seen her picture as well as my other housemate's picture on the campus website on an ad saying they were looking for a new roommate.

"Why are you still standing outside get in here." She latched onto my hand and pulled me further into the house causing me to trip over my own feet.

"Sam!" She yelled and an Asian girl with brown eyes and dark long hair came into the room. She was also in her pj's wearing pajama pants that had little elephants on them.  

She smiled up at me. "Claire, give her some space," she said, and Claire took a few steps away from me.

"Sorry," Claire smiled sheepishly.

"No, no it's okay," I smiled reassuringly.

The girls helped me to bring the rest of my bags into the house. The entryway to the house was lit up in yellow light. The floor was carpeted and so was the staircase.

"So what should we do first ladies," Claire asked bouncing on the heels of her slippers. "Scope out New York's finest clubs or a cozy night in."

Sam groaned. "Cozy night in. We were going to watch Friends remember."

"Or we can go to this party that's just down the road," Claire suggested and Sam shook her head. "Come on Sam we watched Friends a million times."

"Then we will watch it a million and one. Then go to a frat boy party."

"They not frat boys Sam."

"They sure act like frat boys."

"Sam, please. Come on. We never do anything fun." I found it funny the way they bickered.

"I would rather swim naked in the River Ganges," Sam disagreed.

"Ohhh, come on it's at Jessie's house. It's just down the street. We'll only go for an hour," Claire tried to bargain, but Sam wasn't hearing it. Suddenly Claire turned to me.  "Pleassssssssseeeee," she sang and I never liked it when someone begged me.

"Okay," I gave in even though I wouldn't of minded that cozy night in, "but I need to change first. Which room is mine?"

"First door in the hallway. We'll show you," Claire said grabbing one of my bags.

The girls helped me carry my bags to my room. My room was basic. Cream walls and wooden paneled floors. A body-length mirror on the closet door, a bed with no covers in the center of the room, and a wooden tall bookshelf.

The room smelled strongly of detergent and I looked at them curiously as I picked my has up and sniffed the air. "Sorry our last roommate was a total slob," Sam said.

Claire shuddered. "We even had to scrub the ceiling."

I plopped the large suitcase I had in my hand on the bed. "Well, we will let you settle in." Sam grabbed onto Claire's arm and began dragging her out of the room as she pouted like a child and gave me sad eyes.

I pulled out the first set of clothes I saw, black jeans and a white sweater that had a little flower on the top. My nana had gotten it for me for Christmas last year but I never wore it. I didn't trust myself with wearing the color white.

I got dressed and let my hair fall loosely over my shoulders. I didn't own much makeup. Only eyeliner and lipstick which I applied lightly. I looked at my reflection in the long mirror. I was dressed decently considering I didn't want to leave the house in the first place.

As I waited for Claire and Sam I started to dress my bed with the sheets I carried from home. I would have to buy a new comforter and a few more pillows but this would do for now.

I heard a knock on my door. "It's open," I called as I set my lilac comforter that was too big for the bed.

Claire popped her head into the room. "You look amazing. That top is cute."

"Urm.. thanks," I said, fiddling with the hem of my sweater.

Claire was dressed in blue jeans and a grey-sleeved shirt that had a lace see-through back. It was a major makeover from the five-year-old I saw when she opened the door.

"Claire!" Sam's voice boomed through the thin walls of the house.

"I'm with Em!" Claire yelled back.

Sam walked into my room dressed in a white baggy t-shirt and sweat pants. Her hair was in a messy bun. "Are you serious," Claire glared at her. "Socks and sandals!" I looked down at Sam's feet and chuckled.

"Do you want me to come or not?" Sam smiled wryly. "Okay I'll stay at home then," she smiled victoriously and turned on her heel.

"No, no please I'm just kidding. I love you and I'll love you forever for coming," Claire begged, and Sam stopped and turned.

"Let's just get this over with," Sam said and walked to my room door.

"You don't like parties?" I asked, and she laughed a humorless laugh.

"I hate them," she said and we followed after her

We were leaving the house at exactly eight pm. As we descended the porch steps Claire turned to me."The party is just a few blocks down the road. We can walk if that's okay with you Em."

We began walking down the street and there were a few people on the opposite side of the street walking in the same direction as us. "So how long do you two know each other?" I asked. They seemed close.

"A year," Sam answered with a smile on her face.

"But we became friends almost overnight," Claire chimed in."So what's your story, Emmy?" Claire asked and a shy smile crept up on my face.

"I don't have one," I started. "I live in Pasadena with my mom. My brother works here in New York and my mother thought it would be great for us to spend more time together by sending me here." I shrugged.

After my father's death, me and my brother didn't have the best kind of relationship. He seemed unattached and distant afterward. I was hoping that we could have that brother and sister bond back. I missed him and when my father died I did not only mourn his death but the loss of my brother too.

I left out the other crucial details. I didn't feel comfortable sharing too much. I felt like it would be a drag on an eventful night Claire was looking forward to. "I'm sorry," Claire said wrapping her arm around my shoulder. "I live in Santa Monica with my dad and two little sisters. Mom and dad got divorced when I was seven."

"How about you Sam?" I asked and she was walking with her hands lazily on her hips.

"Well, I grew up in India with my parents and two other sisters. We moved to Washington when I was ten."

"So does your brother live around here?" Claire asked.

"In Manhattan . He works at the central park zoo."

"Oh that's so cool," Sam sounded amazed. "You think he'd let us visit and maybe give us an exclusive private tour of the zoo no one else gets to see."

I laughed but it had a bitter edge of sadness to it I knew they wouldn't notice. "I'm sure that can be easily arranged." Yet doubted it was possible. My brother knew I was coming to New York and still didn't call.

We stopped talking as soon as the music got louder and we heard people screaming and cheering. Sam groaned, "cretin's. I want to leave already," she held her head.

The house was the only house on the block that was making a ruckus. Claire walked up to the house. The door was left open and the smell of marijuana and alcohol mixing was making one hell of a pungent odor that burned my nostrils and churned my stomach.

We walked into the chaos to see sweaty bodies dancing in the center of the room. Neon lights sleeked the darkroom and most people were painted in neon colors making them stand out in the dark.

Claire led us through the crowd of dancing bodies and into a kitchen that was slightly less crowded. In the corner of the kitchen stood a guy painting a girl in a bikini top and shorts.

A group of boys pouring different kinds of liquids into cups while they laughed stood around the kitchen island. The kitchen was littered with red cups.

"Hey Jessie," Claire said and a guy with brown hair turned around from digging in the fridge. He was wearing a black shirt and blue jeans.

"Why hello Clarissa," he said and Sam gagged. "And the lovely Samantha. Tell me what lured the bat from leaving her cave."

"Why are you talking like that?" Sam asked and I had to admit Sam was awesome with the way she didn't care about what other people thought of her. "Why is this moron talking like that?" She turned to Claire and a guy leaning against the counter with his arms crossed chuckled.

He was dressed in blue ripped cuffed jeans, a redshirt, and a black leather jacket. He looked like Jessie except his hair was cut shorter and he was just a few inches taller and muscular.

His blue eyes landed on me and raked over my body causing me to look away. I felt embarrassed that he caught me staring at him. I could hear my heartbeat in my ears and I let out a subtle breath.

Breathe Emery.

"And who is this fresh meat?" Jessie asked.

"Excuse me," I said glaring up at the boy.

He laughed. "It's a term for the freshman."

"This is Emery our new housemate," Claire introduced.

"Well, she is feisty. Nice to meet you, Emery. I'm Jessie," he extended his arm out for me to shake and the boy who was leaning against the counter watched as I took it. " Would you ladies like a drink?"

"No thank you," Claire answered for us.

"That's okay you ladies don't have to drink. We have cherry pop," the guy who was leaning on the counter suddenly said.

He grabbed empty red cups and poured cherry soda into them before handing each of us a cup. "There, careful now don't leave them on the counter with the rest of these cups. The boys have been playing mixologist again," he chuckled.

"And who are you?" Claire asked sweetly.

"And Why do you look like a more handsome version of Jessie," Sam said while giving Jessie a bitter smile.

"Ha ha ha," Jessie fake laughed. "Maybe because he is my little brother, Samantha." He said and caught his brother in a headlock and ruffled his hair. "He's fresh meat too Em," Jessie winked at me.

"I may be younger but I am stronger." The boy laughed and shoved Jessie.

The guy straightened out his leather jacket. "I'm Jett by the way." He introduced.

Sam laughed. "How does it feel that younger brother is a heartthrob Jessie."

"Please even you can't deny you want me, Sammy," Jessie said seductively while moving his eyebrows up and down causing Sam to fake gag.

"Yo, Jessie and Jett this party is sick bro's," someone called. "Get your asses in here."

"Be there in a second," Jessie yelled back. "Okay got to go ladies. Enjoy the party," he said, excusing himself.

"See you ladies around," Jett said and his eyes landed directly on mine as he winked before following Jessie out of the kitchen.

Claire put her arm around my shoulder while she wiggled her eyebrows at me suggestively. "Ooh, I think Jett likes you."

I rolled my eyes. "Quit it," I said and she giggled.

"Ow," Sam groaned and when we turned we saw her glaring at a guy that could barely stand. "You can't even say sorry. You uncultured swine!"

The guy laughed and reached to touch her face, but she caught his hand just in time and bent his arm back causing him to cry out in pain. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry!" He howled.

His cries of pain caused some people to stop and stare. "Sammy no," Claire shrieked in horror, moving to help the man.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry," the drunk repeated, but Sam only tightened her grip.

"Em, help," Claire called and I put my cup on the counter as I moved over to help Claire pry Sam off the guy. She was surprisingly strong for her small frame of a body.

People were starting to gather around us and I didn't know what to do. "Sam stop," I said as we finally managed to get her hand off his

"And don't you ever touch me again," she threatened and he scurried away.

"Sheesh, Sammy what was that?" Claire asked sounding a little impressed.

I grabbed my cup from the counter and chugged all of it. I was thirsty. It was only after when I looked at the cup of cherry cola laying next to all the other cups untouched did I realize I made a terrible mistake.

When I looked up, Claire and Sam were staring at me with terrified expressions on their faces. "Did you just drink the cup on the counter?" Claire's face was pale and I felt my vision blur. She started looking like an obscure image in a funhouse mirror.

My head started to spin and I found myself being tongue-tied. I felt lighter for the first time in a long time. I felt pure bliss. A song came on and I felt like dancing. "I like this song," I said as I bobbed my head feeling the music flow through my body as my heart kept up with the beat of the song. 

"Em, Emery where are you going?" was all I heard before I could stumble out of the kitchen and through the crowds of dancing people.