Episode 12 - Dance Challenge At The Frat House

Something about the frat party tonight made me happy. Honestly, I didn’t know why I was so excited. Maybe this had to do with the fact that this was my first frat party. Either way, I wanted it to go well.

This was why I had gone to Galaxy’s closet for something fancy. I had gotten a red skimpy gown with a sweetheart neckline. Once again, I took YouTube tutorials for my makeup. Had no absolute idea of how to do that, without any help.

I also removed the bun from my red hair Whitney preyed upon, letting it fall. As l combed the dyed hair, my mind wandered to numerous things.

What if I looked weird tonight?

With my red hair, hopefully this turned out to be right.

“Breathe in, Phoebe. You’re going to be fine,” I told myself, as I highlighted the stairs, in a silver high heels I had brought from the confines of my little closet.

As I threaded the stairs, I could hear some low-key chattering from down stairs. I walked in the parlour, which was surprisingly dark. I reached for the light switch, turning on the light.

I gasped out immediately. It was my parents, both sitting on the sofa.

“Gosh! Mum, dad, you totally scared me!” I let out, with a hand on my chest in fright. Why didn’t they switch on the light like normal people did?

“Sorry about that, dear. Your dad and I were just having some important conversation.” Mum said, with a smile.

“You look beautiful, dear.” Dad called out. He approached me, with a hand on my cheek.

“Thanks, dad.” I replied him.

“My little girl is now all grown up now.” Mum said, with a little kiss on my forehead. The moment they both sat on the chair, I began to head outside.

“Be home safe, there’s something important we’d like to talk to you about,” Mum stated, with a warm expression on her features. She tucked her raven hair, slowly behind her ears, before gently patting my shoulders

“I’ll get going now, then.” I said to them both. I pecked mum’s cheeks.

“Bye mum, bye dad,” I said, doing the same to dad before walking out the door.

“Don’t stay out too late!” Dad called out, saying. I gave a thumbs up, before closing the door behind me. As I threaded the concrete floor outside, my mind drifted to multiple things, once more.

My hair.

My dress.

Asher, and lastly, my parents.

What did they have to tell me?

…

Cole was already waiting just opposite my house. This was because he was trying to be careful. The last time he packed next to my house, a group of toddlers, accidentally hit his car’s glass.

That cost a huge damage he had to pay for, without his parents knowing. I remembered emptying my piggy bank so he didn’t get in trouble.

“Hey,” I said, as I entered his old rickety car.

“Hey, best friend,” he said, before driving off.

We got to the frat house few moments later. It was all thanks to Cole we didn’t have to be on a look out. Lilith was also coming with a friend, so she shared him a g****e map.

Just as we stepped out, a cold breeze wheezed past my face. I tucked a hair behind my ears as my stilettos clicked the floor.

“Thanks for tonight,” I said, in reference to the outfit he had suggested I wore in a video call, we previously had earlier.

“You’re welcome.”

“How do I look? Tell me Roxanne wouldn’t be able to take her eyes off me tonight.” he said.

“Cocky much?” I retorted, with an eye roll.

“Not fair…” he trailed out.

“At least tell me how I look.” he said.

“Perfect, Cole. You look perfect.” I muttered, before we entered the house.

…

“Ready?” Cole called out, with a hand stretched out. I slowly smiled at him, taking his hand. No Candle No Light by Zayn Malik boomed the frat house. Teenagers were all around, getting wasted.

Games were being played, lovers made out, stunts were also being performed and jeered upon.

We walked together, till we were in the heart of the party, right in the midst of everyone.

There was something me and Cole had in common.

Dancing.

We have always loved dancing right from when we were little. And, we weren’t in any way, ashamed to dance. Thus, we moved together on the dance floor.

He did numerous spins with his feet while I wiggled my waist, swaying them in support. We didn’t stop until we were the ones leading the whole dance floor.

Singing along to the song, we all moved our body to the tune of the music. And, just as I did dance, the disco ball reflected on a particular part of the house.

My eyes caught a gaze of Asher. It was something so swift, as I did spin. He was at a darkened corner of the frat house, with some of his male friends around. Just from where they stood, curls of smoke whooshed past the air.

Goose pimples formed on my skin, which left me breathless that instant. I paused right on my spot, wondering what was with that look. While everybody danced, a throbbing headache hit my forehead.

“Phoebe, common!” Cole called me out of my daze. That made me recover that instant. I knew what he indeed meant. The DJ had played our favourite song and our most favourite part was soon approaching.

I instantly moved a shoulder stylishly, then the other. Suddenly, Whitney showed up in the dancing floor with her minions. They flaunted some dance moves which immediately got jeers from the crowd.

Just at the end of their supposed move, they gave us a green light that they wanted a dance battle.

“Is she really challenging us to one of our most loved song?” Cole whispered to me.

“Let’s show her who rocks this song better,” I answered him, with a mischievous smirk.

The frat house kids immediately spread out, to give us some space. They all cheered loudly at the moves the Queen bee had just given, with her minions.

The DJ switched the music to our favourites of all time, this time around. It was Money by Leikeli47. Cole gave me a supportive glance, as we brazened up to do the moves, we had rehearsed practically everyday at the fun house.

We started with a robotic dance. It was a similar one we had imitated from Tiktok dance challenges. After a brief moment, Cole switched with some good stunts he was good at. I did a few reverse spins before ending it with a split.

The whole lot of teens around cheered louder at us. It was so obvious that we did win the challenge. Whitney folded her hands, with a snarl on her face, before walking away angrily with her minions.

A smile carved on my lips that minute.

Someone corked a wine. It dripped down appealingly. This drew the attention of others too. Thus, more wine corks were heard. People jeered and slowly, my eyes caught the face of the initial person who uncorked the wine.

It was Roxanne.

She looked so alive and pretty, in her ever-glowing natural brown skin. Her curly hair was plaited with some delicate strands, just made a unique fringe on her forehead. She was clothed in an off-shoulder vintage dress, with side slits.

“Honestly, you two killed it! That dance was a hit,” she told both of us on spot.

“We did?” I said.

“Never would have thought we’d ever do that.” Cole stated, with a funny look on his face.

“Off course you did, you left the Queen bee herself so furious.” she whispered to us.

“Come along now, you too.” she said, dragging out hands along.

“Urr… where are we going?” I asked.

“Don’t tell me this is a kidnap plan. You’re never going to succeed cause I’m good at escaping,” My best friend weirdly let out. She giggled at his words, instantly.

“Jeez, no one’s kidnapping anyone. This is obviously a party, guys. Let’s go have some fun!” she answered sunnily. We both followed her. Although, I felt a little uncomfortable, especially after that cold glare from Asher, but I didn’t want Cole to feel disappointed.

He obviously wanted to hang out with the girl he liked. Thus, I certainly didn’t want to spoil that for him.

Roxanne pulled us to a shot table. It was a game in which golf balls were thrown into a cup at a minimal distance.

“Nahh, I don’t drink.” I objected, the instant it was my turn.

“Well, there is a first for everything.” Roxanne commented.

“Drink it, drink it, drink it! Drink it…” The chants went on by the teens around that instant. Yet I was still reluctant. Cole nudged me for a brief second.

“Common, Phoebe.” he said.

“Maybe this is our chance to become famous.” he whispered. I inhaled, with a tight expression on my features. My hands shakily reached for the red plastic cup.

“Okay, here we go.” I muttered. I poured the entire contents in my throat that minute. My face wore a frown at the taste of it. They began jeering again, as we carried on with the game.

As the game did went on, more and more shots were drunk. I threw some balls, so did Cole and Roxanne did too. In a way, this was fun. I certainly wasn’t going to lie to myself about that.

A sense of déjà vu instantly hit the moment my head began to feel light. Suddenly, everything begun to blur. I slapped my cheeks a bit to bring me to reality. Cole and Roxanne’s face came into picture that minute.

“C-COMM-OOONN…LET’SSS GGOO SKKINNY DIIPPINGG!” A voice exclaimed. Cole pulled my hand, dragging me along, with Roxanne. My best friend settled me on a nearby chair.

“Stay here, Phoebe… I promise I won’t be gone for long.” he said. He knew I certainly couldn’t swim that’s why he was being cautious. I sulked, sitting down with a frown on my face.

A whole lot of teens dived in the water. I pouted at the swimming pool, knowing they were having a lot of fun.

“Not fair…not fair…” I grumbled to myself. My hands reached for my clothes that instant. I untangled the rope, unsure of what I was doing. Whatever was in that drink, sure made me unable to control myself.

I mean, what was I even doing?

I stood up, totally ripping away the cloth from my body. I shoved it at a side, walking towards the pool. My legs dragged on the slippery floor, as I did move.

What are you doing, Phoebe?

My sub consciousness told me.

You sure can’t swim.

“I want to have fun too,” I replied, talking to myself. Just as I reached the edge of the pool, I slapped my cheeks hard, with an urge to focus. That brought me to a realization that I was putting my life on a risk.

Nice, Phoebe.

I thought, taking a step back. Just as I moved to take another step, someone ran hurriedly past me, hitting my shoulders.

“AHH!!” I screamed instantly, as I went off balance. My entire body landed in the water immediately. As I sank in, my eyes were wide open. Everything around me was blue and that brought me to a conclusion.

I was in a pool.

And, I couldn’t swim.

It only meant one thing.

“I-a-m d-r-o-w-n-i-n-g—" I attempted to say but couldn’t as the water filled my entire mouth. My legs and hands fought to try to swim, but still nothing. No matter how much I tried, nothing was working.

I pushed more, unable to breathe. Suddenly, a wave of dizziness hit my body. It slowly begun to feel like I was passing out. A hand encamped around my waist. I felt it lift me to the surface.

The next thing I felt was a hand on my chest. A familiar lip came in contact with mine. I choked out some water, opening my eyes. Hordes of faces were all around. I gasped in terror when a hand lifted me.

I was placed on a broad shoulder. Still feeling dizzy, I didn’t even know who it was that was carrying me. Whoever it was, why was he carrying me like bag of grain?

My hands wiggled helplessly, landing on a hard surface. My eyes bolted at the realization that I was upside down to some shapely male lower part, just at the back.

“That’s a nice butt down there.”

Last words, I remembered saying before passing out.