Quarterback 's Kiss Made Me A Target On Campus

The thumping bass from the party pulsed through my bones as Lily dragged me up the porch steps of the sprawling off-campus house. Her grip on my wrist was surprisingly strong for someone so petite.

"Just one hour, Clara, I promise," Lily chirped, her eyes glittering with excitement. "You can hide in the corner the whole time if you want. Just don't make me go alone!"

I dug my heels into the wooden steps. "Lily, you know I hate these things. Why can't we just watch that movie we planned?"

"Because we're in college, and you can't spend every weekend watching indie films with me!" She turned to face me, hands on her hips. The glow from the string lights around the porch made her look like a determined fairy. "Clara Hayes, you're nineteen years old. You need to live a little."

The mention of my name sent a flutter of panic through me. In a crowd this size, someone might actually notice I existed. That was the last thing I wanted.

"What if people talk to me?" I whispered, voicing my deepest fear.

"Then you talk back," Lily said with exaggerated patience. "It's called a conversation. You've had them before."

I knew she meant well. Lily had been my roommate since freshman year, and she'd been trying to drag me out of my shell for two years now. But the memory of Ryan Mitchell's laughter echoing through the cafeteria as he rejected my prom invitation still burned fresh in my mind.

"Just one hour," Lily repeated, her voice softening as she squeezed my hand. "You can be my moral support. There are supposed to be cute guys from the literature department coming."

I sighed, knowing I was defeated. "Fine. One hour."

The inside of the house was a nightmare of movement and noise. Bodies swayed to the music in every corner, red solo cups littered every surface, and the combined smell of cheap beer and too much perfume made my head swim. I immediately regretted my decision to come.

"There's the kitchen," Lily pointed. "Want a drink?"

I shook my head violently. "No, thanks. I'll just—" I looked around desperately for an escape route. "I need to use the bathroom."

Lily's eyes narrowed with suspicion. "Don't try to hide in there all night."

"I won't," I lied, already planning to do exactly that.

I weaved through the crowd, keeping my eyes down to avoid making eye contact with anyone. The bathroom was at the end of a long hallway, and I could see light spilling from under the door. Occupied. Perfect excuse to wait—and hide—for a while.

I leaned against the wall, trying to make myself invisible as I always did. The vibrations from the music traveled up through the floorboards beneath my feet.

"Hey, everyone!" A voice suddenly boomed over the music. "We're starting a game of spin the bottle in the living room. Everyone's invited!"

My stomach dropped. Spin the bottle? No, no, no. I needed to