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It was the first time we were going out drinking together and I felt like I owed it to them. Jaz and Sid were very sweet and friendly. Even though I was afraid that a new friendship would betray my trust, I knew that nothing would compare to what Delilah had done.

We laughed and then left the room, heading towards Veronica's dorm room. It was 8:13 pm, I was a little late, but that was ok, there would be time for us to have enough fun.

Jaz was the one who knocked on the door and Emily was the one who opened it.

“What do you want?” Asked the blonde, who seemed bored as she looked at us. She was in flannel pajamas in the infernal Texas heat, I couldn't understand it.

“We’re heading to a party.” I explained. “Where's Veronica?”

“I'm coming!” Shouted the person I was looking for and soon appeared in the living room of their place. The black sequin dress framed her body perfectly and the red heels were a scandal. “So, what do you think?”

She twirled, letting her dress ride up a little.

“It's great, Roni.” Emily declared, smiling at her.

Apparently they had talked after the argument, I thought.

“Hey, wait a minute, I'm finishing!” Troian's voice sounded and we all looked at the door of what I thought was her room. About thirty seconds later, she emerged ready to party. “Are you sure you don't want to go, Em?”

Emily looked at all of us, but denied it. “No, you go. Have fun, but take care, please.”

We all agreed and then left. We had to walk to the party, we had no option, after all, none of us had a car.

The weather was pleasant, not too hot and not too cold. Jaz and Troian took it upon themselves to keep the conversation going the entire way. They were both chatty.

When we arrived in front of the house where the party was taking place, we could already hear loud music from the sidewalk. Jaz, excited as always, grabbed my hand and pulled me with her, almost running inside. I held Veronica's hand and so we wen basically making a chain of five girls running to get into the party.

The boys who guarded the doors didn't have many objections to letting us in and soon we were being swallowed by the electronic symphony of the song Mr. Sexobeat.

“We need shots!” Sidney had the idea, excitedly, pulling us with her. We all followed her to the counter there. Some fratboys served the crowd shirtless and showing off their muscles, rocking suspenders and a bow tie.

It was cheesy but fun.

“Five shots of vodka and Aperol, please.” Jaz asked.

“And is that good?” Veronica questioned.

“None shots are good, Roni.” Troian replied, laughing in her face and I had to agree with the girl with straight black hair and almond-shaped eyes.

The boy gave us what was ordered and we made a toast.

“To theVenenumteam!” I declared.

Veronica's brown eyes looked at me with amusement.

“To the team!” She said as she downed the drink, but at no point did her eyes leave mine.

Sweat was already covering my body, but I felt more tired of dismissing entitled guys than of dancing with the girls. Troian and Sidney remained there with me, while Jaz was leaning against a wall while being swallowed by a guy who was supposed to play on a basketball team. Meanwhile, the reason I was at that damn party was too busy kissing two different guys a few feet away from where we were.

“I need water.” I said, speaking louder so that my voice could overlap the music. “Keep an eye on them.”

“Don’t worry!” Troian replied, smiling.

She was cool, we talked about how each of them started to be cheerleaders and it was very interesting to learn a little about their lives. I, of course, had to omit that I started being a cheerleader not only because Colleen was one and I had always admired her, but also because my ex-best friend insisted and I wanted to please her. It turned out I was better than her and I fell in love with the sport.

I passed several sweaty dancing bodies until I reached the counter where the drinks were. At that point there was no one else serving the others, so I could just get whatever. I took advantage and grabbed two bottles of water, maybe one of them wanted water too.

Upon returning to the dance floor, I noticed, even from afar, Veronica starting to climb the stairs with the two guys she had been grinding and kissing for minutes. I walked past Sid and Troian, pulling them with me to the damn stairs.