Dawn to Dark

by Halston James

  When Dee announced we’d be attending a fraternity party, she went on to explain how it was initiation week and several of the groups would be throwing parties to entice the new students to join. These students would be able to go from house to house before pledging themselves to the one they felt would fit them the best.

  The explanation described how the Greek recruitment system worked, but I tuned her out. The information didn’t pertain to me since I had no intention of pledging, ever.

  Destiney linked her arm with mine and dragged me along until we reached the last house on the right. It wasn’t anything overly fancy, yet you could tell it was a well-maintained home. Two wooden Greek letters, the meaning of them unclear, were brightly painted on the front of the place.

  Music could be heard pumping throughout, the beat catchy but unknown to me.

  My nerves were getting the best of me, and if it wasn’t for Dee’s grip, I would have bolted as soon as possible. Instead, she put her arm behind my back and gently coerced my feet to carry me farther into the party.

  Claustrophobic was the only way to describe the way I felt as I walked through the door.

  Bodies were packed together like sardines, barely allowing someone to pass. Sweat, alcohol, and various perfumes created a smorgasbord of unsavory scents.

  When we finally reached the kitchen, our supposed destination, I sucked in a lungful of air not tainted by body odor. Very few people occupied the space, though it hosted an assortment of beverages for the partygoers.

  Still clinging to Dee, I allowed her to drag me over to the keg and even accepted the Solo cup of stale beer she offered me. Pretending to drink the foul liquid, my eyes secretly took in the people nearest to me.

  They didn’t seem as intense as the ones we’d seen outside or even while walking through the house. Almost a more laid-back vibe could be felt within the kitchen, at least that’s how it felt since it was where the alcohol was stored. I assumed it would be chaotic with everyone coming in to get a drink.

  That illusion was broken when a girl came stumbling and crashing into the plastic table set up in the middle of the room and then proceeded to yell at the top of her lungs.

  “Royce Channing has arrived!”

  The name was vaguely familiar, and by the time I figured out why, it was too late. I’d already been spotted.

  3

  Royce

  These parties had become tiring. Four years of this stuff started to wear on a guy. I dreaded the nights I was forced to put on a fake smile and let these morons believe I thought their shit didn’t stink. That their games were fun.

  I was here for one reason and one reason only.

  To play soccer.

  The fraternity was a step in the right direction, a necessary evil I had to dedicate myself to help secure the future I wanted.

  This was the last year I had to suffer through, but it would also be the hardest. Somehow, I had been nominated as president of this dreadful place, and in such a position, I was held to a higher accountability.

  While a sophomore and junior, I was lucky and able to participate in some of the tamer options of initiation week. That wasn’t the case as president. Granted, I was in charge of dishing out to the lower classmen, but the opposite happened for me. Existing members would rally together, taking votes on what I would need to do to show my commitment.

  Being the president of the fraternity was a prestigious honor, something that would look good on a resume if soccer didn’t pan out for me. That didn’t mean it was something I wanted, but I was stuck now. I guessed I could be removed if members thought I wasn’t performing well enough for the position. However, it wasn’t in me to not give one hundred percent.

  Pushing back the grimace wanting to take over my face, I plastered on my trademark smirk and shoved my way inside the frat house. The difference in the air was instantly noticeable, and I fought the urge to turn around and walk away. Instead, allowing the girls to paw at my chest and fist bumped the dudes who forced their small talk on me.

  No one here knew the real me, or even cared to understand more. As long as I kept winning for their team, I was a God.

  I thought it had a lot to do with my Texas roots. While I grew up in a wealthy family, I was taught the value of a dollar and had to work for anything I wanted. My parents didn’t allow me to become a spoiled little rich kid, unlike the majority of the kids here. They seemed to flaunt their money around, throwing it in the faces of those around them less fortunate. I didn’t do such things, but I also didn’t speak up against them. Somehow, my personality changed drastically when I came to school. The people who acted like that back in Texas stayed clear of me because I didn’t tolerate it, didn’t want anything to do with it.

  How had I changed so much?

  Bright blue eyes flickered through my mind before I shook the ridiculous thoughts invading me. Something about her made my differences seem so much worse. I only saw the girl for a moment, but something had happened, and now I couldn’t stop thinking about her. Fantasizing about a different life. One that would never be obtainable in this school, especially with these people.

  It felt like eons passed when only a few minutes had gone by.

  Somehow, I was shuffled toward the kitchen, the designated spot for alcohol. Before fully inside, a girl in a barely-there skirt and a see-through shirt stopped me. She pressed her impressive rack against my chest while trailing her hand across my shoulders. I let her fawn over me, knowing it was expected but dreading every moment of it. Her perfume clogged my senses, some overpowering floral concoction probably advertised to entice all the boys to your yard. A sneeze worked its way into my system, and I excused myself from the clingy girl—who I thought was named Brittany—from my path and continued inside to get a beer.

  Or something to help me pass the night away in a blissful daze.

  Several of the frat brothers littered the area, doling out alcohol to willing girls and guys trying to act cool. None of them caught my attention because my eyes sought out the only person worth noticing. The girl who’d collided with me stood looking uncomfortable and out of place. The urge to rush to her side slid through me, but I stood still. My eyes refused to leave her curvaceous figure.

  When her bright irises crashed into mine, I knew my world was forever changed.

  Cody walked up beside me, following my line of sight. To me, the girl seemed like an angel descending from Heaven. Though, I didn’t think that was how Cody saw her, but he was able to easily discern where my focus had strayed.

  He had been there the day we collided while playing in the quad, watched how my demeanor changed drastically after that fateful meeting. Cody had even questioned me about it, why I seemed to pull away from the group after watching her walk away. I didn’t answer him, instead trying to brush it off as nothing.

  Apparently, I hadn’t done a good enough job if his whispered words to me were an attestation. They left me hollow, realizing this year would be harder than I could have ever imagined.

  “She’s your challenge. Get her to sleep with you and then dump her publicly.”

  My mouth opened to argue with him, to let him know he wasn’t the deciding factor, but I knew it was in vain. The others would have agreed, so I did what I did best. Faked it.

  Turning my head toward him, I let my lip curl into a cruel smirk and sauntered over to the poor girl who’d just become a victim of a ridiculous hazing ritual. A girl I actually wanted to be myself with but knew would never happen now.

  I needed a stiff drink.

  4

  Arabella

  My body tensed when he walked closer, positioning his own body in my personal space. A hint of cologne wafted into my senses, momentarily distracting me from the chaos around me.

  It was a woodsy scent, not too overpowering, but with a more calming effect. It reminded me of times with my father long ago, and I had to bite the inside of my cheek to bring myself back to reality.

  “Well hello, little one. Fancy
seeing you here.”

  There was an underlying edge to his tone, some infliction that had me suspecting he didn’t necessarily mean this in a friendly way. I had no idea what gave me that impression, but I pushed it aside, chalking it up to my uneasiness from being at the party.

  “Hello again,” I responded, trying to be friendly but not enough to keep him here. I wanted him to lose interest and stake his claim on someone else.

  The numerous eyes focused on us were overwhelming and intimidating.

  Luckily, I was spared from making further conversation when the drunk and stumbling girl from earlier sidled up to him. She began to pull at his shirt, and I took that as my cue to get the hell out of there.

  Heaven forbid I be labeled as a boyfriend stealer… or whatever you called what was going on there.

  I pushed my way through the horde of people and headed outside, needing the fresh air to calm the anxiety I could feel building. I found a little nook, away from peering eyes and just rested against the siding, catching a moment alone.

  The world fell away, and I basked in the quietness. I could still hear the people milling about, but it was like I was in a bubble, everything else muted. The minutes passed, unsure how long I had been there, but eventually my haven was invaded.

  The stranger seemed like they were trying to get away as well because they didn’t spot me until they were on top of me, almost literally.

  “I’m sorry,” a familiar voice spoke. “I didn’t realize anyone else was here.”

  The moment the light hit my face, I saw his eyes widen in recognition. A hesitant smile overcame his lips, a completely different look than what he’d shown before.

  “I see you’ve found my hiding spot.”

  The words were whispered as he settled across from me.

  “I can leave if you need the space,” I said while making the motion to head out.

  His hand latched onto my wrist, “Wait!” The emotion I could hear layering his voice had me turning back to look at him. “It’s big enough for two. I’ll share. Maybe we could get to know each other?”

  No doubt the dubious look on my face was what prompted the next words out of his mouth.

  “Just to talk. Seriously. You aren’t like most of the girls I know. I’d like to find out why.”

  Uncertain, I took in the scene outside the hidden cover. No one seemed to notice we were there, too busy indulging in their debauchery.

  Girls were strutting around in clothes barely covering their bodies while trying to gain the attention of any of the random guys around them. Some of the guys had already gotten the girl and were rewarding them for their performance. Others were partaking in the free alcohol, either through a drinking game or chugging it.

  None of it seemed appealing to me and I wondered how Dee convinced me to come to such an event. I could see why she liked it, but this screamed that it wasn’t for me. Maybe that was the reason she’d brought me, to show me how college students actually behaved, though the lesson was lost on me. I couldn’t see the appeal of drinking so much that you blacked out. Or grinding your body up against a random stranger in front of a bunch of other random strangers. I was content to sit alone in my room.

  Looking back at the guy who had taken a sudden interest in me, I questioned why he would rather be hidden away than enjoying the party with his friends.

  Decision made, I leaned back against the wall.

  “No questions about family or where we’re from and you’ve got yourself a deal.”

  “I can work with that. Let’s start with something easy. I’m Royce Channing. What’s your name?”

  I paused a moment before answering, my name bringing painful memories to the forefront of my mind. It always surprised me how easily something could affect me and at the oddest times.

  “Arabella.”

  Noticing my hesitancy to answer such a simple question, Royce was gentler when he spoke next.

  “That’s a beautiful name. Does it have a special meaning?”

  Nodding, but not wanting to go into detail, I answered then added a look, letting him know not to push the issue.

  “It means answered prayer.”

  My father had always told me that was how my mother referred to me before she died. I was her answered prayer from God. They’d been trying to have kids for several years, most ending in miscarriages, before they were able to carry me to term. He always said the day I was born was the happiest day of both their lives. Now, it was a painful reminder that they were both gone.

  Shaking myself from my melancholy, I prompted the next question.

  We spent the night laughing, joking, and generally having a great time. All while sequestered away in the hidden nook. Before I knew it, my phone vibrated in my back pocket—something Destiney had bought me from the local Wal-Mart for occasions such as this. It was nothing fancy, but it allowed me to talk and text. Taking it out, I saw it was Dee asking where I was.

  I hadn’t wanted the night to end just yet, and judging by the look on Royce’s face, neither had he.

  “Here, let me see that.”

  He grabbed my phone and messed with it for a moment. The next second, I heard a ding from his pocket. Pulling his phone out of it, he did something with it before handing mine back to me.

  “There, now we have each other’s number. I expect you to use it.” The words were delivered with a look that I assumed meant I’d better do as he said.

  An odd sensation heated my core before I felt the blush on my cheeks. Unsure what was happening, I quickly stood, stuttered out a goodbye, and rushed away. It was only when I’d put some distance between us that I began to cool and analyze my feelings.

  Was that what a crush felt like?

  That same giddy, uncontrollable feeling washed over me and a giggle slipped from my lips.

  Covering my mouth with my fingertips, I looked around, making sure no one saw me acting like a crazy person.

  My gaze landed on Dee who was looking unkempt and adjusting her skirt. Wrinkling my nose, I shook off my judgment and greeted her with a smile. Dee’s choices were her own, and maybe I didn’t always agree with them, they were hers. She was the one who had to live with them.

  Without a word, she hooked her arm through mine just like earlier and we made our way back toward the dorms. Knowing I didn’t want to hear how her night went, she didn’t question me about mine. Instead, she looked me over; satisfied nothing horrendous happened to me, she walked silently beside me.

  5

  Royce

  The following weeks passed in a blur. Between soccer, the fraternity, and my class schedule, I barely had time to myself, much less for anyone else. But Arabella was always there in the back of my mind.

  Her wide, blue eyes held an innocence not many girls her age still possessed, but also secrets. Dark secrets if her jumpiness alluded to anything.

  I found myself wanting to protect her from the harshness of life, the scary situations of college. While she may have seemed frail, I knew she was anything but. Her strength made appearances when we were talking that night; her back would straighten, and her voice would develop a harsher tone. She was never mean about the things she was passionate about but did make her view known.

  Hatred at myself ate at me. For drawing attention to her. For putting her in sight of my brothers.

  The only two times I had seen her, my emotions gave me away. I stared too long. Acted too different. All things that painted a target on her back for the guys to pick apart and analyze for their sinister and stupid games.

  Many times, I’d found myself scrolling through my phone and stopping at her name, wanting to text her, but always finding a reason not to.

  I made a promise to myself that if she sent me a message first, I would respond and tell her the truth. Everything. To hell with the consequences.

  My fraternity brother Cody, someone I had once considered a friend and the one who initiated the challenge, barged into my room and plopped down on my bed. At first,
he didn’t say anything, so I ignored him and continued working on my homework. Eventually, he grunted as he sat up, positioning his elbows on his knees and his head on his fisted hands.

  He sat staring at me for a long moment before uttering the words I’d wished he had forgotten.

  “Have you made any progress with that chick from the party?”

  Now would have been the time for me to speak up, to let him know I didn’t want to participate in this ridiculous game of theirs. We were the seniors, we could have made up our own rules. However, that was not what I did. I chickened out when I took in Cody’s expression. A cruelty lingered behind his eyes that I’d never noticed before. I was afraid what he would do if I backed out. Not for myself but for Arabella. She was a target now, and as long as I was the one shooting, she would be safe.

  “No, I haven’t really had time lately. I was going to text her later today.”

  Mentally, I berated myself. For four years, I’d played my part. Acted the way I needed to make it in this place. I had earned my right as president, yet my tongue felt heavy in my mouth and my confidence shriveled up.

  I wasn’t even sure what would happen if I declined the challenge. Obviously, I wouldn’t be president, but what else could they do? Kick me out?

  “Good. I told the others about your challenge. They thought the best time would be at the Winter Formal. Ample amount of time to woo her and the optimal location to crush her.”

  My fists clenched together, but I buried the instinct to deck him, knowing it wouldn’t help my case. Everyone who lived in the Greek houses would be at that party. The people she would soon become friends with if I did as I was challenged.

  “What if she isn’t interested in me?”

  The question sounded dumb as soon as I uttered it, but not for the same reason as Cody laughed. I knew he thought it was stupid because of the number of girls I had fawning over me-that it shouldn’t even be a thought that she wasn’t interested in me. She didn’t seem like the type of girl to go for a jock. She had an intelligence to her that spoke of higher standards than some meathead who wasn’t brave enough to stand up to someone he once considered a friend.