Page 5 of Little Broken Pieces
Asshole.
He excuses himself as some of his douchebag friends call him over to where they’re standing.
I make it a point to look around once more, paying close attention this time. This house is full of snobs, dressed as if they belong at a country club instead of a party. I get that I’m the one judging right now but I must stick out like a sore thumb. Not only because of my outfit of choice but also because I don’t look like these people. The darker compilation of my skin against all the lighter ones in this room is duly noted. This house is probably owned by some spoiled rich kids. Daddy bought them a house, how nice. Life must be really nice when you have daddy’s money and daddy’s love. Something I will never have.
Cora and I can barely afford the apartment we share. There is a third bedroom, but we haven’t had the heart to rent it out. Cecille would have stayed in there. I mean, technically I can afford it, I just don’t want to depend on that money, so I pretend I don’t have it and live my life like any other college kid.
I want to smack one of the Google things off the wall and make these rich pricks pay. I hope they make some genius mad, and he hacks all their high-tech smart house bullshit. I’m always assuming the worst of people, so I make sure to protect myself. Fight or flight, another stupid fucking trauma response. It takes me a minute to realize Cora is talking to me again. I didn’t hear one word she said.
“What did you say? Sorry, I was inside my head again.”
“What did you think of Edward?” Curiosity fills her eyes.
I give herthe look.
“I hate him, Cora.” Well, that came out a little harsher than I intended but whatever.
“Alex, you don’t even know him.” I feel bad that I’ve upset her, but I’m not going to sugarcoat it, she knows me better than that.
I scoff, “I don’t need to know him. His vibe is off and that tells me everything I need to know.”
“You and your fucking vibes. I knew you weren’t going to like him once he called you Alexandrea. I told him not to.”
“Even more of a reason not to like the idiot. He doesn’t listen to my best friend. Besides, you know my vibes are always right. Mark my words.”
We see him making his way back over, bringing different douchebag friends with him this time. What fun.
Two of them are staring at us with such anticipation, that I’m glaring right the fuck back, not breaking eye contact at all. Both of their eyes rake my body up and down, moving to Cora’s body and back to mine. The dark-haired one licks his lips and I smile a bit, still not breaking eye contact. I have zeroed in on him. He caught my attention first. Probably because he looks like an asshole and I’m a sucker for a bad boy. He is at least 6 feet tall and well-dressed, but not in the way the rest of the guys are. His style is more relaxed. He’s wearing dark wash Levi jeans and a black button-up with a crisp white t-shirt underneath. He has his sleeves rolled up, displaying all his tattoos. They are colorful and traditional, which issosexy because it isn’t the norm anymore. The icing on the cake is his classic black and white Vans. Yup, he has my complete undivided attention.
I’m suddenly so grateful Cora made me meet her at the mall because I know I look like a badass bitch in this dress.
Cora whispers in my ear, “The guy in the black button-up looks like he is undressing you with his eyes.”
“Great, maybe he can actually undress me later.”
She nearly spits out the sip she just took of her drink, and we giggle.
The guys finally reach us after being stopped several times by girls in the crowd and Edward begins to introduce them. Here we go.
“Ladies, this is Aaron, Eli, and X. Fellas, this is Cora and her best friend Alex.”
He looks over at me and smirks. I want to actually slap him for acting like a little bit of a dick, but I let him slide because I want to bang his friend. God, I’m such a slut. Oh well. No shame in my game.
Edward speaks loudly, interrupting my thoughts. Clearly, he is already buzzing. “Has anyone seen Kohen?” he asks.
The guys all look at each other and then back at Edward.
X speaks up first. “He said he was on his way an hour ago.” He's making serious eye contact with me. He runs his tongue across his bottom lip and I bite mine in response. Damn, he’s sexy.
“He told me he wasn’t going to head here until he heard the house was packed,” I hear another guy say, but all I can focus on is X. His smile, his vibe.
I'm brought back to reality when I hear my best friend's voice.
“He probably won't be here at all then because it's already midnight, babe.”
“Who are you talking about Cora?” I ask, still staring at X.
I'm curious because I love his name. I'm a sucker for a sexy name. Since his name was mentioned, everyone seems excited. You can feel the rise in the energy around the room. It’s at this moment that I realize everyone is looking at me like I grew another head.