Chapter 2 THE FRAT HOUSE

Kyomi’s POV

I wasn't particularly interested in attending this Halloween party but that was the best option I had to be free from Phoebe's watching eyes.

“Are you sure about that Kyomi?” She asked for the hundredth time, concern masking her face.

“I need it, to relax and get my mind off things.” I replied, wearing a fake smile on my face. “Besides you've been planning to attend this party, like in, forever, I wouldn't want to keep you here.” I added to be more convincing.

“But…..” I cut her off, placing my index finger on her lips.

“No buts tonight, let's just have some fun and cool off the steam of the semester before exams starts.” I said, encouraging her and giving her more reason to agree to go for the Halloween party against my better judgement of just staying indoors and hugging my comfort pillow till I wasn't sad anymore.

“Alright, fine!” She said excitedly, standing up from my bed and walking to hers to start dressing up. “I can't wait to meet all the hot frat boys Grand oaks University has to offer.” She squealed.

I hadn't prepared any Halloween outfit, that was intentional. I found celebrating Halloween absurd but well, my opinion against the world. I took out a plus size black tee with little cuts in them and wore it. It was big enough to reach my knee, I didn't want to have to wear any pants. I pulled out my black high-knee boots to match the tee-shirt, lined my eyes with black eyeliner and packed up my golden blonde hair into a messy bun.

“I'm ready.” I announced.

She turned to look at me with disbelief written all over her face. “Don't tell me that's what you're wearing?” She gestured with her hands pointing at my tee-shirt.

“This is exactly what I'm wearing and there's no changing it, except you want me sulking on my bed all night long and tomorrow and I'll be completely miserable and then you'll have…..” she cut me off before I could finish.

She raised her hands in surrender. “Fine, fine you win this one.”

I squealed, hugging her from behind. “Thank you Phoebe.”

“I appreciate the hug, but you should release me now before I change my mind.” Her voice dripped with sarcasm.

I released her immediately before she actually did change her mind and watched her get dressed in her full Halloween costume.

“How do I look?” She asked, striking a pose.

She was wearing an iridescent silver bodysuit drenched in thousands of tiny sequins, paired with a massive hoop skirt made of layered, translucent ribbons in icy blue, lavender, and bioluminescent green. A clear umbrella, turned upside-down and lined with glowing LED fiber-optic strands, floats above her head like a pulsating bell. Her makeup is heavy on holographic highlighter, with a constellation of tiny glowing dots painted down her neck and arms like bioluminescent spots.

She twirls, the ribbons floating around her, showing me the full outfit.

I stared at her for a second, then grinned. "You look like the deep sea decided to crash a disco, got tangled in a fairy’s laundry line, and then ascended to become a celestial goddess.” I paused before I continued again.

“You’re ethereal, mesmerizing, and honestly? I feel like if I high-five you, I’ll get a static shock that reveals the secrets of the universe. You’re a bioluminescent fever dream, just don't drift too close to the punch bowl, or you might actually sting someone.”

“Woah, that's a pretty detailed explanation.” She chuckled.

“Well, for a start, you like detailed descriptions of how you look and secondly I just couldn't hold back because you look so beautiful in that outfit.” I complimented her with a large smile on my face.

“Well, you're right, thank you Kyomi.” She paused, twirling like a little girl who just got a compliment from their dad. “It was supposed to be one of my designs for the upcoming Fashion project but it got cancelled.”

She had a sad countenance that immediately almost shifted.

“Well, good thing it got cancelled,the world gets to see it now instead of on paper.”

“Let's get going then, we're going to miss the best part of the party.”

We stepped out of our dormitory and walked to the frat house, it was a ten minutes walk from our dormitory.

The whole house was pulsating with loud music, shining disco and neon lights.

“Phoebe! Hey come over I've got just the shots for you.” Jake called her over, pulling her away before I could stop him.

“Sorry.” She mouthed as she got pulled away into the dance crowd.

I didn't know what to do so I stepped aside from the dance floor to the bar to get a drink. My hand continuously moved over my arm, I was so nervous.

“Just give me orange juice please.” I told the bar man who was serving drinks.

He gave me the look that said “Orange juice at a frat party?” Not like I cared, but that was what I wanted.

“Don't tell me you're going to get orange juice, Kyomi Wesley.” A masculine voice spoke out from behind.

“Hey! Marcus, good to see that I'm not the only one who isn't into the Halloween costume thingy.”

We both laughed at my comment. “Kyomi meet my friends Matteo and Gregory, they also major in folklore studies.” He said, gesturing at the two handsome men in front of me.

“I haven't seen them before, but it's really nice to see you.” I said, shaking their hands.

“Please, she'll take a martini.” Marcus said to the bartender.

“Coming right up!”

I turned to look at the bartender who ignored me and answered Marcus immediately. Who made the rules that you must drink alcohol at a party? I could drink whatever the fuck I want.

“No one asked you to change my order, you know?” I gave him a judging look.

“I know, here you go.” He placed the martini in my hands.

I gulped it down in one go.

“Come on, let's dance.” He led me to the dance floor. I danced and danced, letting myself loose, my vision becoming blurring; it felt like I was on cloud nine. A wave of euphoria washed over me completely. I continued dancing with Marcus and the two other guys, I had forgotten their names already. My mind was a mess but I was enjoying whatever this is.

Not long after I fell to the ground, my legs and hands were all wobbly, I could barely move. I felt three hands lifting me up from the floor, the cold air outside hitting my skin brought me back to consciousness but I still couldn't move.

Fuck! I was drugged by these guys. They carried me to the back of the building, no one else was here except the four of us. Matteo and Gregory dropped my legs, while Marcus dragged me, pinning me against the wall.

Matteo and Gregory were setting up a tripod stand, as though they were about to record.

“Is the camera set?” Marcus asked, looking at both of them.

They nodded in response.

Fuck! What's happening right now? I couldn't do anything.