Fuck yeah.

I pushed the old wooden door open and walked into Crown Oak, one of the oldest pubs in Cambridge. The place was already packed with students, some were still wearing their togas. I left mine at the apartment, since I didn't want the hassle of carrying it around tonight.

This was my favorite spot in Harvard Square. There were barely any tourists here, too intimidated to walk in the dark-looking establishment. They renovated over the years, but they stayed true with the traditional pub style.

Some people greeted me, congratulating me and trying to hand me a shot or a beer. Of course, I fucking obliged. What dumbass said no to free booze?

I caught a familiar blonde head at the bar, and headed straight towards him. He nodded to me when he saw me approaching.

I grinned, slapping his shoulder. "What's up, By?"

"You look like you just won the lottery," Byron commented, chuckling before drinking his glass of whatever shit it was he was drinking.

"Dude, we graduated from Harvard – fucking Harvard!" Laughing, I grabbed his head and shook him which resulted in his drink spilling all over the floor but I didn't give a damn. "In the fall, we're going to fucking grad school!"

I couldn't believe it myself. Me, a fucking screwup, just graduated from one of the most notorious universities in the country, if not the world.

Don't get me wrong, I had help in order to get to where I was now. I wasn't above using my connections (or my father's connections). But still, me from high school wouldn't even dream of attending an Ivy League school.

But something changed in me in the past few years, forcing me to reevaluate what I wanted in life and what I wanted to be.

And here I was now, Class of '20.

Byron only shook his head in amusement, ever the collected one, putting the glass back on the counter and signalling the bartender for two more glasses.

"Don't forget that that 'grad school' is Harvard Law School," he said, giving me a pointed look. "It won't be easy."

Duh, I wasn't stupid.

With the way I acted like a goddamn jock around everyone, it was easy to assume that I wasn't bright. But I wasn't a fucking idiot.

In fact, if I put my mind into something, I was confident as hell that I could make it happen no matter what. Like going to Harvard. Like playing football at Harvard. Like going to law school at Harvard.

I loved this fucking place.

Harvard made me realize that I was deadass smart, since I never really tried studying before I attended this school. I just left it all to stock knowledge and it always managed to be enough.

But then, I actually started to try. After all, stock knowledge wasn't enough to survive this place. So I spent countless nights at the library reading, I did my damn homework after football practice, and I studied before exams.

And before I knew it, my GPA was the highest it had ever been. I was among the top of my class – and that was fucking saying something.

Where was my best friend Oz and his 4.0 GPA now?

"You're such a pooper," I told Byron, scowling at him.

He burst out laughing at that.

Byron Beaumont was your average trust fund baby, with the preppy clothes and uppity personality. We met each other through our parents, our fathers went to school here together back in the olden days.

Honestly, I thought I'd hate his guts.

He went to a private preparatory school in New York, while I went to public school in New Jersey. I spent the first two years of my college life playing football in Florida and getting lost in SEC life. Byron, on the other hand, went straight to Cambridge and focused on pursuing his dream career.

But despite our differences, we got along. Beats me how. But I figured, if his uppity ass could put up with me, then maybe he wasn't such a shitty guy. If that wasn't true, we wouldn't have lasted two years as roommates.

I mean, yeah, we came up with a plan and convinced our fathers to pull some strings in the administration so we could be allowed to live off campus (because undergraduates were required to live in their assigned residential Houses inside the campus, and no way in hell was I gonna share a room with anyone).

I needed my peace and quiet. Byron needed it, too.

We found a cozy two-storey townhome in Cambridge near Harvard Square, told the parentals about it, convinced them we needed the serenity to be able to concentrate on school, and boom.

Here we were.

"Here, you toddler," Byron said, handing me one of the glasses the bartender gave us. He raised the other one up, and I clinked it with mine.

"Thanks, daddy," I replied with a straight face, before chugging it.

Ah, Johnnie Walker.

Byron snorted upon hearing what I said, causing him to splutter his scotch. He cursed under his breath while I snickered, and pulled out his handkerchief. I shook my head when I saw it.

Who the fuck carried a handkerchief anymore?

"How was your dinner with your parents?" he asked, as he wiped his face.

I shrugged. "Boring as hell. They tried so hard to be civil that they ended up talking about the fucking traffic."

Thank God my mom's current husband didn't come today. I was in such a good mood that I didn't wanna ruin the night by seeing his fugly face.

Ever since my dad got out of rehab three years ago, it was like he was trying to make it up to me. Granted, he had to make it up to his company as well so he was pretty busy all the time.

At least, he didn't force me to spend the holidays with him because honestly, it was too late for that now. I'd gotten so used to spending the holidays alone that the thought of spending it with people was hella weird.

But even so, he was always there whenever I called him.

Mom, on the other hand, knew how much I hated her gold-digging husband and knew how I'd get when I was pissed. So she'd rather stay away and just send me money to spend on whatever I'd like. It was her way of apologizing.

Whatever, I was used to it. I wasn't gonna throw myself a fucking pity party, especially when they still showed up for my graduation today.

At least, they remembered they had a son. That was good enough for me.

"How about you?" I asked.

"Same," Byron answered, with a sigh. "I planned on telling them tonight, you know. But..." He paused, shaking his head. "I guess I wasn't ready yet."

I looked at my roommate, before nodding. He looked so bummed out. Well, that sure as hell was no way to spend our graduation night. Not liking the serious turn our conversation led to, I cleared my throat and flashed him a smirk.

"Don't tell them I'm your boyfriend, though," I warned lightly. "I don't want them planning our marriage before we're even finished with law school."

He laughed. "Alfie, as God-like as you are with your looks, you'll never be my type. You're too... straight," he added, like it was an insult.

I found out Byron was gay when I came home early after practice over a year ago and I caught him with another guy. He was awkward about it at first, getting all red whenever I teased him. But he learned to dish it back to me, and I firmly believe our friendship strengthened after that.

He reminded me of that dude Antoni in Queer Eye – and I knew who that was only because Byron made me watch a season last year.

I gasped, placing a hand on my left chest. "Dude, you don't have to break my heart like that. I'm fragile enough as it is."

"From what," he started, grinning, "being rejected too many times by—"

"Yash, what the hell are you doing here?" I exclaimed in surprise, throwing my hands up in the air to welcome our Indian-American friend who walked over to us. "Thought you're too busy."

"I am," he grunted, looking like he was forced to be here.

"But I dragged him out of the lab," added a female voice.

A beautiful black young woman stepped up from behind Yash, with a wide ass grin as she bounced in excitement.

"Congratulations!" she cheered.

After giving her our thanks, I put an arm around her shoulder and pointed to the row of liquor bottles on the shelf in front of us.

"Take your pick, Gwen," I told her. "This is my thanks for getting that stick out of Yash's grumpy ass."

Gwen and Byron laughed, while Yash gave me the middle finger. I made a gesture of catching it and putting it on my heart, flashing an awed look.

Gwen eventually chose a Jack Daniels bottle for all of us to drink, because that was Gwen. You didn't tell her something unless you wanted her to take it seriously, because you bet your ass she would.

"Wait, where's Ari?" she asked, after I finished pouring our glasses.

"Haven't seen her yet," I answered, quietly scanning the room.

Byron raised his head and looked through the sea of students inside the pub. "I saw her talking to someone by the — See there, over by the old jukebox."

My eyes instantly traveled to the jukebox on the corner, which no one really used anymore. Beside it, stood a couple whispering in each other's ears like they were sharing deep secrets. It was obvious with their body language that they were flirting, though. It irked me a bit, but it wasn't like I could do anything about it.

My jaw clenched instead, the only tell.

"Arisa!" Gwen yelled, not caring if her voice was too loud.

Arisa's head snapped up, her dark brown eyes looking around the room until it landed on us. She quickly detached herself from that loser and I watched as she headed towards us.

I took this chance to study her.

Her wavy chocolate-colored hair that went just past her shoulders flowed as she maneuvered through the crowd. Her little side bangs that were parted in the middle almost bounced on her every step. Her olive skin gave her that glow that made her stand out, despite the dark lit pub.

She had an easy smile as she greeted us, congratulating me and Byron. Her almond shaped eyes practically twinkled – either in delight or mischief, I'd never know. She always looked like she was up to something.

"I thought you had a date with a cadaver," she said, looking at Yash.

"Gwen," he clipped out, like that explained everything.

"Ah." Arisa laughed, nodding in understanding.

"Yash," I called, with a serious face. Our soon-to-be-doctor friend turned to me with a bored expression, used to my antics by now. "I know you have a thing for the dead but... necrophilia is a crime, man."

Again, Yash only raised his hand and gave me the middle finger. I chuckled to myself before grabbing my drink.

I knew he didn't take my shit seriously. He wouldn't put up with me and still show up every weekend for a drink this past year if he did.

"I need to pee," Yash declared, before quickly disappearing.

Yeah, I bet my fucking ass he was gonna sneak out. He usually showed up on weekends to hang out. But if he was busy, then he was deadass busy.

Gwen straightened up and grew alert, as if she just realized something. "I'll make sure he doesn't exit through the back."

And then, she was gone.

"Who's that?" Byron asked Arisa, nodding to the dickwad she was talking to earlier. "He looks like he could use a shower or two."

"Rio," Arisa answered, rolling her eyes at Byron's comment – the dude had a point, though. "He's from my Artificial Intelligence class."

"He goes to MIT, too?"

Arisa only nodded.

Yeah, no. I couldn't take another damn second of them talking about that hobo in front of me. Time to talk about something else.

"No graduation gift?" I asked her.

Arisa faced me, tilting her head. "What do you want?"

"Graduation sex?" I easily replied, knowing she'd never go for it.

"Aw, Alfred," she cooed, looking touched.

The corner of my lips lifted up at hearing her using my first name.

"I know how much of a life achievement it is for you to have sex with me," she continued, mocking seriousness. "But you'll end up wanting more, and then you won't get to fuck other girls without thinking of me."

She stepped forward and patted my shoulder, while I just stared at her with a shit-eating grin on my face. Man, this girl.

"Me saying no will be my graduation gift to you," she finished, like she was doing me the biggest favor in the world.

I could see Byron shaking his head behind her. Well, there was a reason why she was one of my friends here in Cambridge. But that didn't mean I didn't enjoy teasing the hell out of her.

"I'll relish the day you admit you have a thing for me, Arisa Emilia." It was a load of bullshit, but I still didn't stop myself from saying it out loud.

She snorted. "Don't forget to throw a party."

"Sure, should I make it a black tie event?"

"Perfect for me. Invite the President, too."

"I'll invite the entire fucking United Nations."

"Send out a signal to Mars, maybe we'll have extraterrestrial guests."

I opened my mouth to counter back but then Byron cleared his throat. When we looked at him, he nodded to the loser from Arisa's class. He looked lost as he went through the crowd. It seemed like he was looking for her.

"I gotta go," Arisa stated distractedly. "Congratulations again!"

With that, she rushed back to her puny stick of a date.

Byron looked like he wanted to say something, but then decided against it. Good. He knew the fucking deal. It was only a friendly banter between Arisa and me, because I knew she wouldn't put meaning behind it.

I didn't take it seriously. Neither did she.

Yash and Gwen finally came back, with Gwen dragging him by the arm. It looked like he really did try to sneak out.

As the night wore on, I got drunk enough to get the buzz I wanted and found someone to pass the time with. We ended up making out in the back alley, which wasn't really the best place to fool around with someone. But compared with the restroom that was filled with people, this was our only option.

I didn't wanna take this chick to my apartment. That was my sanctuary, my only place of peace in the whole of Massachusetts.

All thoughts vanished when I felt her hands reach inside my jeans. I gritted my teeth. Fuck, her hands were cold.

Despite her freezing hands (God, I hope my dick won't turn into a popsicle), I didn't stop her when she slowly unzipped my jeans and brought my junk out. She glanced at it and grinned, liking what she saw.

Yeah, I know. I was a hung like a fucking horse.

She wet her lips as she knelt down on the pavement. She didn't waste time, either. She proceeded to suck me off, making me close my eyes.

Ah, damn. At least her mouth was warm and moist.

I heard a girly gasp, followed by an, "Oh, shit."

My eyes snapped open at the familiar voice. I whipped my head and saw an olive-skinned girl covering her eyes, standing by the backdoor of the pub.

"I'm sorry," she said, biting her bottom lip and trying her best not to laugh – to no fucking success. "Sorry, Alfred." She didn't sound sorry at all. "I'll go. Please don't stop on my account."

Without another word, she went back inside.

"Fuck," I grumbled, squeezing my eyes shut.

Of all the fucking people to see me getting a goddamn blowjob...

"Sorry, not in the mood anymore," I told the girl who was still on her knees, gently pushing her away from my dick and putting it back inside my jeans.

"Why?" she asked, standing up and wiping the corner of her lips. She looked puzzled, but not offended. "Who was that?"

"Friend."

It was true, though.

Arisa Emilia Madrid-Esquival was my friend.

I met her through a secret society Byron invited me to join last year.

She was gorgeous as hell, and brilliant as fuck. That was why she was smart enough to ignore my advances – before I made the decision to draw a line and just remain friends with her.

In fact, she was the only girl to reject me.

Ever.

Politely, at that.

Albeit, sarcastic.

Nobody knew, but she was also the first girl I ever turned down sex with. Yeah, I was a walking contradiction. Here was the girl I'd always wanted to fuck from the moment I laid my eyes on her, but I turned her down when she begged to sleep with me once.

There were times when I wished I never drew the line between us.

But I already did.

And I had no doubt she did, too.

_____________

Lol, bet you didn't see that one coming.

I decided to upload the first chapter because I'm so unbelievably bored and I'm feeling kinda down and your comments always manages to cheer me up and I wanna share Alfie's story already because I have writer's block and I thought maybe hearing what you guys think will help and so here it is. Haha :)

I'd just like to clear up that I'll start updating this after Savage Me and when I've finished writing the whole book (to avoid stopping midway and leave you hanging for months). That way, the updates will be consistent and regular.

Also, I haven't decided yet if they had the pandemic and lockdown in their world because it'll screw up some events I had in mind (so maybe not). But if ever they do, this story takes place after the lockdown.

#TaintedMeWP