Last Hoorah

Our Last Hoorah party is louder and boozier than all the parties we've thrown this year, so of course, it attracts enough people to pack this place out like a can of sardines. I can't hear a thing on the television screen from the thudding music and I have no desire to join the party or go home.

I huddle under the covers and focus on the subtitles in an attempt to immerse myself in the storyline and find some distraction, but nothing helps. I should have gone home for the weekend but even there I can't escape my thoughts.

The bedroom door opens and the light from the tv illuminates a stunned Kiara in the doorway. Her eyes dart between the television, me, and the book cradled to her chest.

"I'm so, so sorry! Wyatt said you'd gone home for the weekend." She nibbles on her lower lip.

I sit up and run my fingers through my knotty brown hair.

"Yeah, I was going home but I saw the bed and felt tired so I decided to watch a movie and hide from it all."

"I had the same idea." She holds up her book and laughs. "Ethan really wanted me to come to this party but I want to finish the end of my book."

"You should tell him how you feel."

"It's the last party for a while and I figured if he's distracted perhaps I can squeeze in a few pages before he notices I'm missing."

"So you picked here to hide instead of his bedroom down the hall?"

"Yes." She nods. "But I see I've interrupted you, so I shall leave you be."

She could ask for anything and I'd probably give it to her.

"The light switch is by the door and the couch is free if you'd like to join."

"Are you sure?" She grins.

"Sure." I nod.

She flips the light on and it takes a minute for my eyes to adjust. Kiara sits on the couch at the end of my bed, directly in the line with where the tv is. Now that she's there, I'm never going to be able to watch this movie.

Kiara opens her book and stares at the page before peering over the corner of the book.

"Why didn't you go home? I bet it's quieter than here."

I shrug.

Perhaps I was hoping to bump into her.

"Don't you miss home?"

"Sometimes."

"I didn't think I would miss home as much as I do, especially the feeling of coming home and going to bed. The sheets don't smell the same and it doesn't feel the same."

"Home-cooked meals every night," I add. "Sometimes I miss that."

"So what are you doing here then?"

"Home is great unless your father is the coach of the football team. He's especially hard on me with the season starting soon and scouts coming to see us. He'd have me up early for a training session, but it's not like here is any better."

"Oh." She wrinkles her nose.

"I would like one night for me. No rules, no stress, just a movie and a bowl of salty, buttery popcorn goodness."

"Popcorn is delicious." Kiara licks her lips.

"Sometimes it's good with a bit of chocolate to balance out the saltiness."

"I've never tried it with chocolate before." She gasps.

"You need to fix that soon."

Kiara leans against the arm of the chair and glances at her book. She takes a small peek at me before settling on the book. I attempt to focus on the television screen but it's quickly abandoned to study her features.

Her eyebrows knot together and she chews on her lower lip. I wonder what she's reading to get that kind of reaction.

She pulls her phone out and rubs her forehead. Now I know what warrants that kind of reaction.

"Your boyfriend?"

She shoves her book into her bag and sighs.

"Ethan's wondering where I am. Thanks for letting me read in here."

"Anytime." I smile.

She walks over to the door and gives me a longing look before walking out.

Kiara's Point of View

Ethan scans the room as I wander down the stairs. Our gaze meets and he shoves his way through the crowd to meet me. He hooks his arm around my waist and tugs me in for a sweet kiss.

"Are you okay? You were gone awhile." His eyes scan over me, but I shake my head and sigh.

"I bumped into somebody who's in my art class and we started talking about artists and some local art show happening soon. We were chatting heaps and I didn't realise I'd been gone for so long." I lie because I don't want to upset Ethan.

He sighs with relief.

"It's cute how excited you get about art."

"It's hard to make friends and I miss talking about art."

"I'm sorry if I disturbed you. You were gone for a while and it's crazy packed in here, I was worried you were hurt."

"Thanks for worrying about me." I grin.

"Do you want a drink? I can make or get you something?"

"Just a soda."

"Okay." He grins.

He laces his fingers through mine and leads me to the kitchen. Ethan rummages through the fridge and fishes out a couple of cans and places them on the bench. He cracks the can open and passes it to me.

I take a sip and stare at the cold can.

"Are you enjoying the party?"

"It's good." I nod.

"I'm happy you could be here."

He steps forward and places his hands on either side of me. I discard the can in favour of wrapping my arms around his neck. His blue eyes search mine as I slide my fingers into the back of his hair.

"You're so beautiful," he murmurs.

My cheeks go red because I'm not used to people complimenting me.

Ethan strokes my cheek and pecks my lips. I tug him back and deepen our kiss - his tongue explores my mouth and he tastes like bourbon mixed with beer. He grips the back of my t-shirt in his grip and holds me even closer to his chest.

He pulls away and I'm left wanting more.

Ethan's face turns dark and I follow his gaze to Ashton standing in the kitchen doorway. He takes my hand and tugs me away. Ashton opens the cupboard I'd been leaning against and grabs a cup. Our gaze locks for a minute, then he turns to the kitchen sink and soon enough, disappears into the crowd.

"I don't like the way he looks at you," Ethan grumbles.

I kiss his cheek and sigh.

Ethan's very caring, sometimes a little too much.

"Can we go back to mine? I'm tired and it's too loud to sleep here."

He kisses my forehead and smiles.

Ethan says goodbye to a couple of people and we leave the party. I welcome the calm night as we walk across campus.

"Why do you like me?"

This question almost sobers him up.

"So far there's a lot of things I like about you." He grins. "I like the way you doodle on random pieces of paper, the face you make when you draw, especially when you concentrate and you poke your tongue out just a little. I like the way you snuggle against my chest and your soft snores."

"Wow." I gasp. "I had no idea."

"From the moment I heard your laughter and laid eyes on you, I was a goner. I still remember the way the sun glistened against your hair and how radiant you looked. I had to meet you."

"I couldn't believe someone like you would notice me."

"What's that supposed to mean?" He frowns.

"You're a football player, you could have anyone you wanted but you found me. Some young girl on a college tour."

"I couldn't shake you from my thoughts. I was relieved when I bumped into you again. It feels like fate, right?"

"Something like that." I chuckle.

"Perhaps we're simply meant to be." He grins.

Ethan kisses the back of my hand and we continue to my dorm room.