The Impact of You

Avery

I stand before the full-length mirror in my dorm, Madison and Noah grinning like idiots at my reflection. “I can’t believe I’m doing this. I’m going to get arrested wearing this in public.”

Madison rolls her eyes. “First, it’s not public; we’ll be in the Delta Sig house. And second, it’s a pimps and hoes party. You won’t get in if you’re not dressed the part.”

Of course Jase had left out that vital little piece of information when he challenged me to attend. Madison and Noah were game for going and had filled me in on the party’s infamous theme. They helped with my outfit: a black corset top that I am spilling out of – keeping me on constant nipple patrol – and a tiny pair of black boy shorts that show off generous portions of butt cheeks. Awesome. My main problem, though, is that the girls are on full display. Good Lord.

“That’s a lot of boobage,” I say, attempting to tuck them further into the corset.

Madison slaps my hands. “Don’t you dare. You’re one of the few girls who can actually pull this outfit off.”

“Tell that to my jiggly ass.” I make a point of looking behind me, like it’s somehow offended me.

“Asses are supposed to jingle. Shush.” To demonstrate, she grabs a fistful of my behind and gives it a gentle squeeze. “Damn girl, I want to skin you and wear you.”

A giggle escapes despite my nerves. “That’s a really disturbing visual.”

Madison and Noah, ever creative, are doing a role-reversal thing. Madison is wearing a leather jacket, black pants, pimp cap with a feather and several heavy gold chains. Noah, her ho, dons only a pair of bedazzled briefs and a glittery bare chest. It’s actually hilarious, despite the fact that I’m having a panic attack.

I tug the little shorts lower on my hips. I’m willing to show an inch of stomach if it means my butt is contained.

Noah laces up his red running shoes that happen to look ridiculously adorable with his sparkly briefs. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy we’re doing this. But why are we going to the Delta Sig party tonight?” he asks.

I hadn’t exactly told them about the whole Jase thing, but now might be time to come clean. “Jase invited me. We’ve been hanging out a little. Plus, I’m trying this new fun, carefree side like you guys have always wanted.”

“Avery 2.0. Nice.” Noah nods.

Madison’s head whips in my direction. “What do you mean you’ve been hanging out with Jase-the-manwhore-Owens?” Of course that’s the piece of information she zones in on. She adds a few more gold chains to her outfit. “Girls don’t just hang out with him. If said hanging out involves getting in a good mattress workout, then yeah…” She waves her hand in my general direction. “But this…not so much.”

“God. Madison, those romance novels have corrupted your brain. Guys and girls can just hang out.”

Her eyebrows dart toward the ceiling. “So he hasn’t tried anything?”

I shake my head. “Nope.” Is that so strange?

“Nothing? Not even like accidently brushing your boob with his arm?”

sole mission is

looks at me like I’ve grown a second head. “Then what

my libido, if my time with Jase is any indication. “A guy

occupying space

quiet, unwilling to acknowledge, even to myself, that my friendship with Jase might be a bit unconventional. That I might want a tiny bit more. Of all the guys to be interested in…Dumb, Avery,

me out here?” Madison

babe. It’s true. You’re in uncharted territory here. Jase isn’t exactly known for keeping his dick

whips it out whenever, wherever? And why does the thought of him handling himself make my stomach do a little flip? Sheesh. I need to pull myself together if I’m supposed to face Jase in this…outfit. Who am I kidding? Outfit is too generous a term for this. A few scraps of fabric covering the

to fall on my ass. And then

around the side of the house, and I see that my outfit isn’t so outlandish after all. It’s like each girl took it upon herself to reveal her inner slut tonight. It’s disheartening, but since I have no room to talk, I huff my exposed ass up the front walkway and

but Trey isn’t budging, not even as Madison launches in to a tirade about sexism

make the rules; I just enforce them.” Trey smiles at

his number into my phone at the coffee shop and fish it from the tiny handbag Madison secured to my wrist.

porch, distancing myself from the dull-roar coming from inside. It rings

“Whistle? Is that you?”

it’s Avery. We’re here, but

in the back removing a couple of over-drunk assholes. Don’t leave. I’ll be

Jase’s eyes

says, then turns to me. “Find me later,” he calls before

* * *

know that. I hate how aware I’ve become of his presence in a matter of a few short days. I nurse a cup of beer, mostly to keep Madison and Noah off my back, and stand with them in the crowded living

Madison, trying to ignore the way these heels pinch my

my hand. “Jase’s looking at you like he

nearly spit out my drink and break into a coughing fit, sputtering

holy shit, it’s like all the air’s been sucked from the room. Jase looks incredibly sexy in his black tailored suit and he’s looking at me. Just me. In a crowded room full of

thighs, taking in my sky-high black heels before slowly gliding up to meet my eyes once again. My heart jumps inside my chest, breaking into an all-out sprint, as

gratitude for Victoria’s Secret and the corset hoisting the girls up for display. I’ve never felt so wanted in my entire life. So beautiful and desirable.

looks like he’s going to eat you alive. Go talk to him.” He gives me a gentle shove in Jase’s direction and

got here, now I suddenly need a minute. It was sweet of him to make sure we got into the party

question, my mouth

until we reach the door to the stairwell. He produces a set of keys, unlocks it, then guides me up, keeping his hand at the small of my back as I ascend

heck is wrong with him? I came to his stupid party, even dressed the part. Why does he look like someone murdered