Heidi grabbed Claire’s hand and walked into the living room. There was a DJ playing some trap remix and people were crowding the room. Heidi pulled Claire through the throng of people and out the slider door.

“Hey, Kevin!” Heidi yelled once the door was shut. “What the hell is wrong with you?”

Claire felt a blush heat her cheeks as a short, stocky guy peeled away from the girl he had pushed up against the deck’s railing. He had slightly mussed brown hair and an exasperated expression on his face. The girl looked like she wanted to crawl under a table and hide.

“Oh hey Heidi, it’s been a while. What’s new with you?” Kevin gave Heidi a charming smile. “I’m kind of busy at the moment, maybe you can make an appointment?” His voice dripped sarcasm.

“Like hell you're busy,” Heidi shoved him. “We need to talk.”

“Then talk,” he ran his hand through his hair and sent his date an apologetic look.

“First of all, where do you get off telling people I have an STD, you know I don’t. Second of all, you don’t talk to me, and third of all, you have the nerve to bring this… this… what are you like 13?” Heidi pauses to ask the girl a question.

“I’m 18,” the girl looks like she wants to crawl out of her skin.

“She’s barely 18!” Heidi yells. Claire looks around and realizes that everyone else went inside.

“Alright, that’s enough. I told one guy I thought you gave me something and he passed it around. I did try to talk to you but you avoided me, and she’s in my geology class, I don’t hang around high schools like a creep,” Kevin sighed. “And I’m clean, I got tested the other day.” He turned bright red and went inside mumbling something about needing a drink.

Heidi just stood there so Claire offered her hand to the girl, “Hi, I’m Claire. And you are?”

The girl laughed and shook her hand, “nice to meet you, Claire, I’m Ginger.”

Heidi smiled shyly, “Hey I’m sorry about that. I’m Heidi.”

“It’s ok, he tasted like Frito’s anyway.” They all laughed and went inside.

Half an hour and two shots later, Heidi was dancing with some guy and Claire was sitting at the counter talking to Ginger about their first week on campus. Heidi came stumbling over to them.

“Heyyy, you should come dance with me,” her words were slurred and Claire knew she was close to either throwing up or passing out or both.

“Alright, time to get you home,” Claire hopped down from the counter and gave Heidi’s shoulder a squeeze. “It was nice to meet you, Ginger.”

“You too, good luck with… all that.” she motioned towards Heidi.

Claire giggled and guided Heidi back to their dorm.