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Fallon

M y cheeks flushed in embarrassment from being a little tipsy and word vomiting on him. Who tells the campus bad boy Hey! Don’t litter! and can recover from that? I stayed on the porch for a bit longer, hoping that no one else saw, and tried my best to look like I was just enjoying a nice smoke break.

I’d never smoked before and had no idea how to look natural. I tried a vape once if that counts.

After finishing the cigarette, I tucked the spent butt away for the garbage later and went looking for a bathroom to cry from embarrassment in.

Closing myself into a bathroom I looked in a mirror. “I don’t know if I can do this,” I told myself. I didn’t know how to fix the makeup that Kelly helped me with, but I would do my damned best.

Dumping the contents of my to-go bag on the counter, I found the compact to blot the oil off my face. I blotted and breathed, trying to calm my nerves after making a fool of myself in front of Brent. God, he probably saw that I was drunk and wrote me off as an idiot. I am kind of an idiot , I thought. I reapplied mascara and hoped it would be enough.

I also hoped Brent would not be at the party when I went back in.

The party was still in full swing when I slowly crept back down the stairs. No one glanced at me; they were all consumed with themselves. Laughter and chatter filled in where the music didn’t, and I could almost hear distant cheers from another room. Probably more beer pong.

In every room, there were party goers dancing, drinking, or playing a party game. Some dressed like I did, a glammed up mini dress, while others opted for more casual party attire. Heels and flats, dresses and shorts, and the men chose heavily varied levels of formality.

Board shorts all the way up to suits.

Wild .

A figure approached me. Garrett. His medium-length sandy blonde hair, dressed in blue chino pants with a cream linen top, and a smile that dazzled. “Hey, you.” He pulled me into a small embrace, kissing my cheek. “Thought you ditched after beer pong. Sorry they made you drink so much.”

“It’s fine,” I said, leaning into his warm touch. I was definitely drunk if I started thinking about how nice it would be to take him upstairs. Note to self, no drinking around guys . “I’m new to parties, remember? I’ll need a big strong man like you to help me out.” I shot him a little pout.

“Can this big strong man invite his girl to dance?” He held out his free hand to me, offering a dance.

“Maybe one or two...” I smirked as he pulled me into the space people were dancing in.

I swayed a bit to the beat and did a small spin while keeping hold of his hand.

“She can dance?” he asked.

“I’m interdisciplinary. I do favor classic dances like the tango, though. Did you know I participate in ballet?”

We continued to sway to the beat while I allowed him to direct most of my steps. He seemed to have a sense of dance to him, but most rich kids had training in multiple areas to appear cultured. “Well, let’s dance then.” He placed a hand at the top of my hip and interlaced his other in mine.

As the bass pulsed in the room, he led me through a series of spins and dips, never taking his eyes off mine. His hands were steady as we glided across the dance floor, a laugh erupting from my throat.

“Wow,” I breathed. “Why didn’t you tell me you knew your way around a dance floor?”

He placed a small kiss on my lips. “Now you know.”

I looked around, noticing the dance floor became even bigger since we started dancing, bodies moving and thumping to the beat. Red cups in their hands, hands generally everywhere, this party looked idyllic. A true back to school bash.

Space buns caught my attention. Kelly.

“Hey,” I turned to look at Garrett. “I see Kelly. I think I’m going to head off after I hand her this.” I pulled the soda out of my small clutch and showed him.

“You sure?”

I nodded. “Yeah, I had fun, but I think it’s far past my bedtime. Want to meet up before the baseball game?”

“I’d love that. Just tell me when and where and I’ll show up. Maybe we can watch a movie?”

He pulled me into a hug and planted a deep kiss on my lips. I didn’t think I could ever admit that he’d been my first kiss, but Kelly finally stopped calling me ‘never been kissed’ around the house. “Yes, to a movie,” I said, looking back to find Kelly’s hair again.

Tiptoeing over, narrowly avoiding bodies, I pushed through the crowd to get to her. “Kelly!” I waved.

She poked her face through the remaining bodies between us and waved back. “Fal!”

We squeezed through the crows and into a side room to get some air from the masses dancing. I smiled and proudly presented my prize to her. “This was a tough find, and I had to play beer pong for it.”

Slipping the can into her hands, she looked at it like it was water in the desert. “ Thank God . I have been... dancing nonstop. How’s the party for you?”

“I guess as good as it could be?” I shrugged. “Wait. You trailed off there. What were you doing?”

She had a devious smile on her lips. “Nothing...”

“Mhm,” I stood with a hand on my hip. “Shane?”

“How’d you know?”

“I’m psychic.”

Shane sauntered over looking clearly...disheveled. It was kind of cute how they both tried to hide their hookup.

“Hey, Shane,” I said in a singsong voice. “You two having a good time at the party?”

He rubbed the back of his head, smiling like he was caught with his pants down. “Yeah... super fun.” He looked to Kelly, unsure of how to answer me.

“I think I’ve had enough partying tonight, and I don't think I want to get burned out so early in my party adventures. We should start the Party Adventures of Kelly and Fallon podcast.”

She got excited and clapped her hands together. “We would secure all future riches with that podcast. It would be a truly epic venture. Will you be okay to get home?” She had a twinge of guilt in her features. She asked me to the party, and we were about to leave separately–I was sure she didn’t feel great about that sentiment.

“Yes, of course! Just remember I know where you sleep,” I gave her a playful nudge to the shoulder.

“I don’t know whether to be reassured or scared.”

I threw her a wicked grin. “Yes.”

We burst out laughing. One thing I loved about her was that she truly felt like a sister to me despite not being my blood. We stuck together like glue and no matter what happened, we were there for each other at the end of the day. No abandonment, no worries, no drama. She was my soulmate in every way, and she reminded me of it every day.

I grabbed her hands. “You go and have some fun tonight. You have just as much right to enjoy your parties as I am about to enjoy some snacks before bed and scroll through stupid pictures on the internet.”

I gave Shane a once over. “Make sure she comes back alright? Or I’ll have your balls.”

Kelly blushed. “See you in the–uh–morning then? Since you’re going to bed immediately?

I nodded, sticking my tongue out at her. “Love you, dude.”

“Love you more,” she said, linking hands with Shane.

I waved her off and approached the crisp evening air that called to me. My phone dinged with a text from Garrett.

Garrett: what movie u want to watch?

Me: something scary!

Garrett: theater or house?

Me: i dunno yet

Tucking my phone away, I took in the sights. Outside was just as much of a beautiful view as the mansion. Acres of lush, green land. Trees galore. Bodies of water scattered everywhere on the different properties of Greek Row. We lived in our own little slice of heaven, minus the college bros being, well, college bros.

The music died out as I walked away from the party, the sound of the bass following me. I stopped, pulling my phone back out to call for a rideshare, quickly losing myself in my phone, quickly noticing my nose touching the screen.

A familiar voice came from over my shoulder. “Leaving so soon, babe?”

“Jesus Christ in heaven!” I clutched my phone close to my chest. "You scared me.”

I spun around to face him. Oh shit, I’m too close.

He let out a low chuckle, thumbing out a cigarette from his case. "Want another?" he asked, offering it in my direction.

I looked at his case, noticing he’d restocked his supply, and it was full yet again. “Sure, I have some time to kill.”

“Your friend ditch you for a guy?”

“Not that it’s any of your business, but I decided to go home because I’m hungry and want real food.” I inhaled the smoke, beginning to understand why people coupled it with drinking.

“Mhm. Driving home?”

I eyed him suspiciously. “No, taking a rideshare.”

“Cancel it,” he said coolly.

I scoffed. Who does he think he is?

“Wait here,” he said, lighting up another cigarette.

This guy smokes a lot. I looked him up and down. “You’ve got all of three minutes,” I said, pointing to an invisible watch.

He disappeared and I decided to indulge him. Not that he knew I hadn’t ordered my rideshare yet. I put out the second cigarette he gave me and carefully wrapped it in a napkin to keep in my purse.

No littering for me .

A loud revving sound came from behind the vehicles in the driveway and a motorcycle slowly made its way to the curb.

Right in front of me.

The guy on the bike flipped up his visor and I immediately knew those eyes; they’re the same eyes that stared at me just a few days ago from across the street. Darkened blue in the night’s dimming light–dangerous, and staring right into my soul as if he knew my deepest secrets. Something sharp in them made my skin prickle.

Brent Vaughn.

On a motorcycle.

Handing me a helmet.

“Do you do this with every girl?” I stood taller, crossing my arms over my chest.

“You hungry or not?” He had a mild level of annoyance in his voice. He probably wasn’t used to being questioned let alone turned down.

I planted my hands on my hips. “You are so not coming to my house.”

He flicked out his kickstand with a smooth motion of his foot and leaned back, mimicking my body language. “Who said we’re going to your house? Not to offend you but,” he looked me up and down, “you don’t seem like that type of girl.”

He wore riding gloves, a leather jacket, and dark riding pants–the exact image you’d get if you searched ‘biker guy’ on the internet.

And he was offering me a seat on his bike.

“Only if there’s real food,” I grumbled, snatching the helmet from his hands. “If not, I’m going to head butt you to death with this thing.”

I slipped it over my head, feeling my heartbeat in my ears. I’m not nervous. Just hungry, I reassured myself.

Brent moved forward and patted the seat behind him, urging me to get a move on.

I slipped my leg over the side and set my feet up on the corresponding spots for them. Moving around a little to get my ass in a comfortable position, it felt like I was sitting in a tiny saddle. It was a seat, but it wasn’t the most luxurious one.

He snaked his hand back and snatched my arm, wrapping it around him. “You have to hold onto me, Blondie.”

Revving the engine, we were off. The bike sped up with little effort and zipped us through town, a comforting hum keeping me grounded on my first official ride on a bike. Wind whipped past us, muffled by the helmet, as we picked up speed to get on the highway.

Oh shit, he’s taking me somewhere to kill me. My first night out and it’s to go get murdered. Kelly is going to have choice words at my funeral.

The large buildings became scarce as we made it out of Willow Bay and out into the outskirts of suburban living. The last time I’d been out of Willow Bay was to go to the airport. I’d never ventured out to explore the surrounding area before.

He was silent for the entirety of the ride; I gathered words weren’t his forte. After about thirty minutes on the highway, we finally took an exit.

We made a few turns here and there, finally slowing down on a gravel road with a building at the end. It held a flickering neon sign.

24 Hour Diner - Finest Pie in the USA

The bike rumbled as we slowed and parked in front of a diner that looked like it was straight out of 1952, the exterior was faded in various shades of reds and blues. This place sure had charm back in the day. I dismounted and pulled off the helmet, shaking out my hair and hoping that it didn’t smear my makeup. The last thing I needed was to look like a hot mess in front of this guy I’d already embarrassed myself with. Lightly combing my fingers through my hair, I snuck a peek at my reflection in the helmet.

Good to go.

“Alright, Blondie. You in the mood for greasy food and the best dessert you’ve ever eaten in your life?” He pulled his helmet off in one swift motion, his buzz cut unaffected by a helmet.

My legs wobbled as I took the first steps away from the bike. He chuckled and led me through the glass doors that jingled as they opened, alerting the staff to new customers.

“Well, well, well. Look what the cat dragged in.” An older, graying waitress stepped out from the counter in a poodle dress and apron, fresh pot of coffee in hand.

I was immediately greeted by the smell of fresh coffee, bacon, and pie. Red vinyl booths lined up under each window, and a jukebox in the far corner played chart-topping music from my grandparents' era.

“Go ahead and sit in your regular booth. I’ll be by to–” she stopped and gawked at me. “Who’s the young lady?”

“Fallon.” I gave her a meek smile, looking to Brent for direction.

“That one,” he said, pointing to a table.

I hurried over to hide in the booth. Squeaking the entire time, I scooted my butt into the booth and tried to make myself comfortable. The woman came over to drop some mugs and pour coffee, sliding us oily, laminated menus. “I hope you brought your appetite. We have the best cooking this side of the Mississippi River.” She looked over to Brent. “Brent, honey, did you want your regular plate or are you going to try something new to impress the first girl you bring in here?”

He sighed. “I’ll look over the menu, Miss Martha.”

She looked back over to me and patted my menu. “Take your time, sweet pea. We’re here night and day and if you have any questions, just holler.”

“Yes, ma’am. Thank you.” I smiled and picked up the menu as she walked away to browse through what could be making those delicious smells throughout the diner.

“Don’t worry about her. She always gives me a hard time.” Brent quirked an eyebrow, clearly pretending to look at his menu, then over to me. “So, Fallon.”

Did he just try to cover up the fact that Miss Martha dropped the bomb that he had never brought a girl in here before? Probably. Was I going to announce that? No .

“Hmm?” I looked up at him from the menu. I knew I didn’t give him my name but hearing that he might have discovered it from an outside exchange gave me just a hint of delight.

He leaned over the table. His eyes up close in the light were piercing. They were a deep grey blue that held a circle of hazel. His hair was short, exposing the tattoos that crept up the sides of his head. I didn’t even want to look at that jawline that flexed in... ways, depending on his facial expression. The brooding aura he held seemed to have sharpened over time.

“Pancakes or waffles?” he whispered to me. “Your answer will seal your fate on if I leave you here.”