Diamond In The Rough: The Complete Series

by Hart, Rebel

  “Hey! This is Rae. She’s my best friend. She starts here in September.”

  Someone jutted their hand out and shook mine as I tried to focus.

  “Hey there. I’m Matt.”

  “Hey! I’m Jessica.”

  “Rae? That’s such a pretty name. I’m Ralph.”

  “Nice to meet you! I’m going to be a freshman, too. Well a transfer freshman, but still. I’m Rebecca!”

  “DeShawn.”

  “The name’s Curtis. Rae’s a very pretty name.”

  Allison introduced me to anyone and everyone that walked by. I was beginning to think she’d had too many drinks, too.

  “Rae! Hi!”

  I perked up at the familiar voice. “Meredith! Hey there!”

  The girl from lunch walked up to us and I leaned over to Allison.

  “I met her at orientation. She’s cool,” I whispered.

  Meredith walked up. “Here you go. Drink for you, and a drink for--”

  Allison held out her hand. “No, no. It’s okay. I don’t drink.”

  “Oh! Well, I’ll get you a water, then. You know, once I make my own trip back.”

  Meredith winked before she stumbled a bit. Which made me smile.

  “A bit too much there?”

  She snickered. “Never. Not at parties like this. Oh, my gosh. I’m so glad you made it out. Have you seen Kristie? She’s here with Kayla.”

  “Who?” Allison asked.

  I peeked over at her. “Two other girls I had lunch with.”

  Allison smiled. “Hey! See? You’re making friends already. Where are they? I’d love to meet them.”

  “Kristie! Kayla! Over here!”

  Meredith’s voice boomed across the kitchen and the two blondes bounded out from the corner. We all hugged and I introduced Allison to the group. And before I knew it, we were diving into conversations about the party and the guys and how good the drinks were. Allison was like a unicorn, the only person at the party not drinking. And while the girls were pretty drunk, it helped me to forget about lunch. About what we all talked about.

  Until I found Clint staring at me from the beer pong table.

  20

  Clinton

  “Yeah! Another one!”

  I clapped my hand against Mike’s as the guys on the other end of the table had to chug. Again. While I enjoyed a rousing night of getting drunk, it didn’t appeal to me right now. It was clear I’d have to keep my eye on Rae. Which I did. From my perch at the game. Allison kept pulling people over to introduce to Rae. Boys and girls alike. And while I didn’t like the way some of the guys lingered around them, they eventually dissipated.

  Eventually the dynamic duo were surrounded by three drunk, stumbling idiots.

  I nudged Mike. “Any idea who they are?”

  “Yeah! Got one! Wait, what?”

  I nodded. “Over there with Rae and Ally. Who are they?”

  Michael shrugged. “Who cares? They’re having a good time and--yeah!--so are we. You gonna pay attention or what?”

  “Chug! Chug! Chug!” the guys at the other side of the table chanted as their drunken horse of a buddy slammed back yet another beer. He stumbled into the table, almost knocking it over as Mike and I caught it. How in the world had I considered this fun? Everyone was acting like a bunch of children. I sighed as I helped get the table set back up. Readying myself for a rematch.

  But, when I looked over at the little girl’s huddle, I noticed they were gone.

  “Hey. Hey, Mike.”

  “What?”

  “Where did the girls go?”

  I looked over at him and saw him rubber-necking around the room.

  “I don’t know. Did you see where they went?”

  I shook my head. “Nope. I’m gonna go find them.”

  I left the beer pong table and went on the hunt. Rae didn’t need to be walking around here with Ally without someone at their side. She’d had way too much to drink already, and Allison didn’t know how to navigate parties like this. Mike followed hot on my heels as we pushed our way through the crowded house. The smell of pot slowly began wafting through the air.

  We need to get out of here.

  The last thing Rae needed was to be caught at a party where there was both underaged drinking and marijuana. Yes, I get it. This was California. But she’d ruin her chances at this school if she was caught in a place like this. Especially by the police.

  No. I had to look out for my girl.

  “Let’s try the back porch,” Mike said.

  I nodded. “Good plan. They aren’t out here anywhere.”

  We walked around the house and found a wooden gate hanging open. I heard the splashing of water and an in-ground pool quickly came into view. Girls giggled and boys stood around them, ogling their bodies clad in bikinis. Red cups had been discarded in corners. I saw two wallets and a damn cell phone just sitting in the grass. I shook my head. How the hell had I done this with my life? And in high school, no less.

  Mike slapped my chest. “There they are.”

  I lifted my eyes and heat shot up my spine. What the fuck was Rae doing with a group of guys? I saw Ally standing next to her, clinging tightly to her arm as Rae laughed. Her head fell back and I saw those boys eyeing her. One of them was standing much too close. I saw those three other girls gathered around them. All of them, huddled around the edge of the pool.

  “Cannonball!”

  Some asshole ran off the diving board and curled up his legs. He splashed everyone standing at the edge of the pool and it made Rae roar with laughter. Her face lit up as she looked over at Ally, who was laughing her ass off, too.

  It’s nothing, Clint. Just your girl having a good time with her best friend.

  But I felt a stir of jealousy erupt in my gut.

  Even though I tried stuffing it down, it sat there. Churning. Blending. Igniting a fire in my chest. That was the old Clint. Not the new Clint. I wouldn’t smother Rae tonight. She was enjoying herself, and after all the shit she had to put up with, she deserved a chance to unwind. A chance to let loose. A chance to be free.

  But, at the expense of her getting arrested?

  “Wait a second. Is that--?”

  I looked over and saw Mike narrowing his eyes.

  “What is it?” I asked.

  He snickered. “Allison’s holding a red cup.”

  My head whipped back over. “What now?”

  One of the guys moved out of the way and I saw it. Ally, with one arm wrapped around Rae’s, and her free hand holding a fucking red Solo cup. My jaw dropped open. I watched Mike lunge, headed straight for the two of them. I saw his nostrils flaring. I reached for his arm and held him back. I stood in front of him, holding my hands against his chest.

  “What the fuck is she doing? She’s never had a damn drink in her life!”

  I leveled my eyes with his. “It could just be water, dude. You don’t know what’s in that cup.”

  “Clint, have you seen one drop of water around this shithole?”

  I sighed. “Okay, but we go up there calmly. We aren’t here to police them. Just keep them safe.”

  “Yeah, and my girl--who hasn’t ever had alcohol--is drinking some fucking cinnamon concoction from hell. Get out of my way.”

  “Mike!”

  He shoved me out of the way and stormed up to the girls with me right behind him. The guys in the group turned around with grins on their faces as their gazes ran up and down our bodies. My stare found Rae and her smile dropped. Ally looked at Mike and her jaw fell open. He walked up to her and peered into her cup as I went to stand beside Rae. And when a look of shock dripped over Mike’s eyes, I sighed.

  Ally shook her head. “It’s just a bit of wine. It really isn’t anything. I tried a sip of Mom’s once.”

  Mike took her glass. “How many have you had?”

  Ally balked. “What? That’s my first one. I’m not some lush.”

  Rae slipped in between them. “What the hell’s wrong? She’s jus
t having a drink.”

  Mike snickered. “Yeah. And you’ve had one too many. Come on. We’re going to the hotel.”

  Ally shook her head. “I want to stay, though. We made some new friends. See?”

  I looked over at the girls, who seemed to be grinning. They had these ‘I told you so’ faces on and their arms were crossed over their chests.

  What the hell had they been talking about over here?

  “Clint, do something.”

  Rae motioned over toward Mike, but all I did was shrug.

  “He’s right. I think things are getting a little out of hand here.”

  Rae scoffed. “Are you serious right now?”

  Ally sighed. “Come on. Just a little more time.”

  Mike shook his head. “We’re going back to the hotel. Now.”

  I nodded. “I think that’s a good idea.”

  Rae glowered. “Oh, sure you do. You get to party, but I don’t. You get to get it out of your system, but I don’t. Because then who would take care of you? Right?”

  I blinked. “We need to get you some water and some food.”

  Then, some asshole I didn’t recognize stepped in on behalf of our girlfriends.

  “Come on, guys. Your girls are having a good time. I’m Lance. This is Chris and DeShawn. The two blondes are Kristie and Kayla. Meredith’s the one with the bow in her hair. Why don’t you guys stay and have a drink? I promise, we don’t bite.”

  I felt Mike seething with anger. I peeked over at him and saw his nostrils flaring. And when I saw he wasn’t going to give in, I nodded, not giving him a chance to respond.

  “Sounds like a plan,” I said.

  Rae sighed with relief, but Ally kept glancing over at her boyfriend. Mike stood tight at her side, claiming what was his in front of the guys. I knew all too well about that game. And he’d figure out at some point that it was a game that never worked. Eventually, Ally would feel smothered. And she’d either talk with him about it or leave.

  Then again, I felt myself hovering around Rae, too.

  “Clint, back off a bit, would you? I can barely breathe.”

  “Honey, seriously. Your elbow’s in my ribcage.”

  “Clint, just--there. Like that.”

  Every time I tried to touch her, she shrugged me off. Every time I tried to offer her something, she waved her hand in the air. Like she was trying to shoo away a needless fly. I didn’t like this. Not one bit. The alcohol seemed to change Rae, and not for the better. I understood that road all too well. I didn’t want her to make the same mistakes I did.

  And yet, as she dragged Ally off for another drink, I saw her making those mistakes.

  I was helpless to stop her from ruining herself tonight.

  “Come on, man. Is this really their scene?”

  Mike’s voice pulled me from my trance and I sighed.

  “I mean, Ally’s having a new experience. Rae’s getting the lay of the land when it comes to college. What can we really do?”

  He snickered. “The hell are you talking about? You always know what to do. Rae’s never been like this around you. How do you fix it?”

  I shrugged. “Like you said, she’s never been like this around me. I don’t know how to fix it. I’m not really sure there’s anything to fix.”

  “You’re right. There isn’t.”

  I looked over at where the tinny sound came from and I saw one of the blondes walking up to us.

  “Kayla?”

  She shook her head. “Kristie. You really should lay off the two of them.”

  Mike jumped in. “Or what?”

  I glared at him. “Dude, take a breath.”

  Kristie snickered. “You know, this kind of behavior is the exact reason why good girls like them dump their boyfriends before coming to college.”

  I paused. “Excuse me?”

  She smiled. “You heard me. Coming to this party. Getting angry that they’re drinking. Getting jealous of other guys watching them. That kind of behavior gets you dumped, gentlemen.”

  Mike shook his head. “My girlfriend and I are going to the same college. She’d never do that to me.”

  The girl giggled. “Do you even hear how stupid you sound right now?”

  I stepped in. “You can tuck in that language with my boy here.”

  She ran her gaze down my body. “Then listen closely. If you try to check your girls all the time on their actions, they’re going to start hiding things from you. It’s only natural. They’ll do what they want, but they won’t include you. College is to let them fly freely. To help people experience things. You want to be there for that? Then enjoy it with them. But if you don’t…” She looked between us and giggled. And with those words, she turned around and left.

  “If we don’t, what?” Mike asked.

  I sighed. “If we don’t, they’ll dump our asses. That’s what she means.”

  21

  Raelynn

  “Follow me,” I whispered.

  Allison craned her neck back. “Where are we going? Should we tell the guys?”

  I rolled my eyes. “Do you really want to check in with Michael every step of every day that you take? Because that’s what he’s making you do right now. And I know you’re uncomfortable.”

  “I--I mean--I’ve just never seen Michael like that before.”

  I snickered. “Well, it’s called ‘jealousy.’ And he’ll get over it. Or he won’t, and he’ll turn into an insecure little dick.”

  “You think he’d really do that?”

  “I think he’s doing it now. What do you think?”

  I stopped in the middle of the living room dance floor and stared down my best friend. The boys were trying to ruin this night for us, but I wasn’t having any of it. Allison was finally having her first drink! Just some wine, but I was proud of her. Finally, she felt comfortable enough to have new experiences. Make new friends. Branch out and try things and step out of her comfort zone a little bit. I was beyond proud of her. I mean, it wasn’t like she was chugging back bottles without any regard for herself.

  Just a damn glass of wine.

  “I think we should go back and find them,” she said.

  I grabbed her arm. “Oh, no you don’t. You're staying with me.”

  Allison sighed. “But what if he’s upset? Or not doing well?”

  I smiled. “Then he’s got his buddy. Clint. We’re here to have fun. I want to celebrate my best friend’s first drink.”

  She blushed. “I’ve had some of my mother’s wine before.”

  “But this isn’t your mother’s wine. This is your wine. Come on. Let’s go out onto the porch. I need some room to breathe, don’t you?”

  I tugged her through the gyrating bodies of the living room before we stumbled out onto the porch. The smell of weed hung heavily in the air and it turned my head. There was smoke pouring around the corner. Allison started coughing softly as I moved away from her.

  “Where are you going, Rae?”

  I furrowed my brow. “Just to check things out. You wanna come, or are you staying?”

  I looked back, watching as she shook her head. “No, thank you. I’m staying behind.”

  “Suit yourself!”

  I found my way around the corner and saw Kayla sitting with Meredith. They smiled up at me before Meredith patted the seat on the porch swing next to her. A couple of guys I didn’t recognize leaned against the porch railing. One of them had a joint in his hand, and he inhaled deeply. Holding his breath. Staring straight at me before puffing the smoke back out.

  And slapping me in the face with it.

  “Want some?” he asked.

  Meredith grinned. “It’s the good kind. Just one puff will relax you.”

  Kayla giggled. “And by the sounds of it, you do need to relax a little bit. Did you shake off your entourage?”

  I shook my head. “What?”

  Meredith lowered her voice. “The boy that keeps ruining your evening? Did you shake him?”

  Kay
la snorted. “See why girls dump their boyfriends before college? They all do that. They all get possessive and weird and clingy. Happened to me. Happened to Mere. It’ll happen to you.”

  The guy handed me the joint. “Try it. Take it in slowly, hold, then let it out.”

  I looked down at what looked like a large turd. I wrinkled my nose at it, the smell already getting to me. But I wanted to fit in. I wanted to make friends. I wanted to fucking relax. I looked around, making sure Clint wasn’t anywhere to be seen. Then I saw down next to ‘Mere.’

  She patted my back. “There you go. The first hit’s gonna be rough. Just work through it. Force your lungs to take it all in.”

  I nodded as the guy handed me the rolled-up joint. I sighed as I held it to my lips, tentatively sucking on it. The smoke filled my lungs and I already felt my body working against it. My throat jumped as I opened my lungs, forcing the smoke to go in.

  “That’s it.”

  “Hold it.”

  “One, two, three.”

  “Now, let it out and do it again. Quickly. Come on, come on.”

  I let out the smoke and quickly took another puff. Only this time, it went down a little smoother. I sucked a bit more down for good measure, then held my breath as I handed it off to Meredith. She smiled at me before taking a puff, and I felt the world slowly tilting around me. I felt lighter than air. Relaxed, and full of happiness.

  And as I let out the smoke, the guys in front of me clapped.

  “Ten seconds. Good one.”

  “You want in on another round?”

  I nodded. “Oh, hell yeah.”

  I sank back into the porch swing with Meredith. She threw her leg over my lap as my head fell back. The joint came back around to me and I lifted my head long enough to take a long drag of it. My lungs filled with the smoke and I battled to keep it down. I let myself fall away from my own mind. I didn’t think about anything. Not my mother. Not orientation. Not Allison, or Michael, or Clint. Not home, or my money issues. Nothing, except the fact that it felt like my body was floating around in the air.