Julia

We entered the party like royalty.

I had messaged Heather to tell her that we were...sort of seeing each other.

Why was no one shocked but us?

"Girl, he's so hot.."

"That's not why,-" I stopped myself, "Yeah, he's super gorgeous."

I wasn't about to tell people his truth. He trusted me with it.

"Hey!" Moose gave him a high-five and then winked at me, "And to the beautiful little lady..Welcome to the party!"

"Thanks, Moose," I smiled as Jagger held me close to him.

It wasn't like it was just a few days before.

It was like everyone knew or thought we were together so they were quick to either stare or show me a different sort of attention.

"Wanna drink?"

Jagger still had a hold of my hand as we entered the kitchen, waving at Carlene and a few other people he knew.

"Sure," I said, "I'll take a drink."

"What can you have?"

"Sugar free water?" I teased, "I can have a beer."

"One beer coming up," he smiled, "Don't go anywhere."

He left me standing at the island of someone's kitchen. It wasn't a frat house, though.

"Hey, you!" Carlene—who'd always been nice to me—smiled and nodded to Jagger, "Welcome to the party."

"Thanks,"I said, wondering what she knew about Jagger, "I usually don't like parties, though."

Carlene sighed, "Girl, I don't, either. I'm just here for the dudes."

Jagger

"Wow.." Moose said to me as he ogled my sugar.

"Back off, Moose," I snarled, "I won't tell you again."

Moose raised his hands in surrender, "She knows..."

"She knows everything."

"Damn, bro.." Moose said, "It's deep and you still haven't tapped it?"

"I don't,-" I sighed as half of the other players on our football team showed up to the party, "Never mind."

Moose shrugged me off as I left him to deal with the fellas. I wanted to make my way next to Julia again.

I watched her for a few moments with Carlene and it made me happy.

I recalled what she told me about not having many friends except for Heather and Carlene was a nice one to have around.

Looking up at me, Julia flashed me a big smile and I could have melted right then and there.

My balls hurt so bad because I wanted to explode inside of her. I felt like I knew her so well—did I?

"Hi.." I said, handing her the beer, "Did you miss me?"

Julia thanked me and nodded, "Surprisingly, yes..."

"Ha..." I shook my head, "Still playing hard to get?"

"Ace the test."

"Julia.."

"So, we're going for a walk up to the cemetery later if you two are interested," Carlene cut in unintentionally, "You game?"

"What?"

"The cemetery.."

"This is not what I signed up for," Julia whispered to me.

I nodded, "Nah, we'll pass, Car."

"Oh please?!"

"There's hazing going on..."

"I thought that was banned at Emery?" Julia frowned, "Or...is it?"

Carlene smiled, "Well, it IS..."

I felt Julia stiffen beside me and I wasn't sure what to do.

I had to keep up appearances, but I didn't want to make her uncomfortable.

Julia

He needed me.

What would happen if he went and saw the shadows?

"We'll go, but I'm not doing anything stupid."

He eyed me for a moment and then smiled.

"Alright," Jagger chuckled, "Let's roll."

The walk there was nice.

It wasn't freezing and the sky was clear. I was not impressed with the hollering coming from the football team and frat guys from some house I didn't remember the name of.

Jagger didn't talk much. I felt like he didn't want to be there, either.

I didn't, but I found myself enjoying his company more and more.

"We're here," Carlene smiled, "We're catching Cody."

"God.." Jagger rolled his eyes, "He's not going to make it."

I looked around the cemetery, wondering if this was really a good idea. I sort of felt like Zoey would either chastise me or perform some kind cleanse at that moment.

"I am not disrespecting the dead,"I told Jagger.

"No, we'll be at the gazebo," he said as I watched the crowd walk quickly and unbelievably quietly to the gazebo in the middle of the cemetery.

"What are you doing to this Cody guy?"

"I'm not doing anything," Jagger said, "I'm sure he's going to have to sleep in the cemetery tonight or something. You never know with these guys."

Jagger

Moose stood beside me as Carlene filled him in on what was happening to Cody.

Apparently, I was right and he had to spend the night in the gazebo—alone.

"Well, that's not too bad..." Julia shrugged, "Oh..oh my God--,"

I turned to look at what was happening behind us and saw Cody stripping.

"Hey!"

Cody looked up as did the others, "What?"

"There are ladies present!"

Julia turned around as I chastised the group, but Carlene was having the time of her life.

With Cody in the buff and me hoping I didn't see a void in the damn cemetery, I could feel Julia shiver.

Carlene tapped me on the shoulder, "Hey, girl talk, buddy. Go help, Moose."

I turned to Julia who smiled, "Go ahead. We're going to walk the rows."

I hesitated. What if something happened to her while I was dealing with the goons?

"Alright," I said, "I want you back here in fifteen."

"Yes, Dad.." she teased as I swooped in to give her a kiss.

Carlene linked arms with hers and I watched them prance off. It was a good thing I trusted Carlene or Julia wouldn't have been going anywhere.

Julia

"Oh, that's fucking hilarious," Carlene said as I told her a story about how Jagger didn't know much about Darth Vader or nerdy things, "He's really taken to you, though."

"Has he?"

"Sure," she smiled, "I am actually shocked because I thought after Sam, he'd...well, he'd.."

"He'd never want to be with someone again?"

"Yeah..." Carlene said, "He might be all over the place with his machismo and all that anger he holds inside, but his heart is pure gold."

"I'm not looking to be with anyone right now."

Carlene nodded, "Neither is he, but here you are and there he is."

"This bitch? Are you fucking kidding me?"

Gloria scoffed as she stepped out from behind one of the many mausoleums with a group of people I only knew from a few of my classes.

"Gloria.."

"Julia? Jagger isn't interested in you. He's interested in fucking you and telling all of his buddies that he's scored."

Carlene started arguing with her about the situation—something I knew I didn't want to be involved with in the first place.

"Well, you're an ex so what does that say about you?" I found myself asking.

Gloria frowned, "He's not interested in somebody of your pedigree. He'd be better off alone than,-"

I don't know where it came from, but I bent down and grabbed my shoe, chucking it at Gloria's face.

A direct hit.

Carlene laughed, Gloria crumpled over and then I saw her.

Samantha...