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 to get in my panties.

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

my libido, if my time

occupying space in that

with Jase might be a bit unconventional. That I

me out

true. You’re in uncharted territory here. Jase isn’t exactly known for keeping

stomach do a little flip? Sheesh. I need to pull myself together if I’m supposed to

then my ass will fall out

up the front walkway and wait at the door to be let in. Unlike the last time, there’s a bouncer manning the door. I recognize him as Jase’s friend Trey, but considering he’s only looking at my chest, I doubt he

untraditional, but Trey isn’t budging, not even as Madison launches in to a tirade about sexism and equal rights.

enforce them.” Trey smiles at Madison. “Hot

coffee shop and fish it from the tiny handbag Madison secured to my wrist. “Guys, let me call Jase. He’ll

coming from inside. It rings several

“Whistle? Is that you?”

the idiotic nickname. “Yeah, it’s Avery. We’re here, but

a couple of

to exchange a few terse words with Trey. Trey barks something back in response, and Jase’s eyes flash to Noah. Ever the drama queen, Noah cocks a hand

in,” Jase says, then turns to me. “Find me later,” he calls before disappearing back through the sea of bodies.

* * *

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 room. My ass has been grabbed at least half a dozen times and beer spilled down the front of my corset twice. I want to leave. But first I want

real conversation, so I sway next to Madison, trying to ignore the way

hand. “Jase’s looking at you like he wants to taste

spit out my drink and break into a coughing fit, sputtering and gasping for air. “God, Madison.”

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 people –

chest, caressing my hips, my bare 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

intervention and making me wear this outfit, and offer up a silent prayer of gratitude for Victoria’s Secret and the corset hoisting the girls up for

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

plotting to bring us together. And though I’ve wanted to see him since I first got here, now I suddenly need a minute. It was sweet of him to make sure we got into the

my mouth

leading the way. He keeps my hand tightly locked in his 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

with him? I came to his stupid party, even dressed the part. Why does he look like someone murdered his puppy? He doesn’t say a word, but his firm hand curls around my hip as he guides me toward the attic.