Page 100 of Ruthless Chaos

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“You’re back!”

I’ve barely opened the door when Tara accosts me, capturing me in a hug.

She reeks of alcohol and a musk I can’t place. Her smeared makeup reminds me of a racoon. Her hair’s a mess, and she’s still in pieces of last night’s outfit.

But there’s a huge smile on her face. That’s all I really care about.

I force a smile. “Here I am,” I say, making a beeline for my bed.

Tara looks me up and down, her smile twisting into a surprised grin. “You got some action last night too?” She rushes over to me. “Is that Alexander’s shirt?”

His name sets my heart aflutter.

I’m still a bundle of nerves and unresolved feelings. Tara won’t let it rest, though. Maybe she can help me figure things out.

“Yes, it’s his,” I say sheepishly, perching on the edge of my bed. She sits beside me.

“Well?” she urges. “Tell me what happened.”

My cheeks heat up. “There’s not much to tell.” I decide against telling her that Alexander beat up Liam. It feels like something I should keep to myself. “I had too much to drink last night, and he took me to his room so I could feel better.”

Her jaw drops. “He didn’t fuck you?”

I nod. She’s in disbelief.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes,” I say. “I’ve never had sex before. I think I would know if I did.” The words slip out before I realize that I’ve never addressed it.

Will she think I’m weird?

Tara jumps to her feet, grabbing my shoulders. “You’re a virgin, Allie?” She whispers the question, dramatic as usual.

She looks like I just told her I was born with a third nipple.

“Please don’t make a big deal out of this,” I say.

“That time you came back from the party with the hickeys…” she says, raising one of her eyebrows. “You didn’t have sex that time?”

I shake my head. “We almost did, but I told him I’d never done it before and he…stopped.”

Tara twists her lips, and her expression grows guarded.

“That’s nice of him,” she says. “He doesn’t seem like that kind of person.”

He never does what you expect, I want to tell her. But I’m not even sure what I mean by that. I decide to change the topic instead.

“What about you? How did things go with the guy from the party?”

It’s her turn to be bashful. She snakes a lock of hair behind her ear, a sappy grin on her face. “His name’s Glock. He’s a Chaos freshman.” Tara’s in her third year here, which would make her at least two years older than him.

“Like the gun?” I ask.

Tara chuckles. “It’s his nickname. We didn’t get to real names. I may or may not have told him my name is Daniela.” She flops back on my bed, looking up at the ceiling with a smile on her face. “We’re going out again tonight.”

I squeeze her forearm. “I’m happy you’re feeling better.”