The music and noise of the partygoers grew louder as we got closer to the house. I wanted to take my mind off the party, so I reached for something I knew McKenzie would care about: Tanner.
"So you mentioned the NFL? Does Tanner really have a chance of being drafted?" I asked. I knew enough football to know that making it to the NFL was every college football player's dream.
"Yes! He is probably going to go into the draft. That's where they get picked by one of the teams to play for them—" she started to explain.
"I know what the draft is," I cut her off with a laugh. “But you really think it’ll happen?”
"I hope so. I know it's his dream. At least for now," she said.
"What does he want to do after football?" I asked, assuming that everyone had a plan after sports.
"He was talking law school with Nathan, and then joining his dad's firm. I'm pretty sure that's his backup plan," she said. "But I could be wrong."
“I see. Looks like you don't do a lot oftalkingwhen you're alone?" I asked with a nudge and a sly smile.
"Of course wetalk," McKenzie said and rolled her eyes. "We talk about football, and we talk about the past and stuff. But we don't really talk about the future. We're both just trying to live in the moment. We're both seniors. He's the starting linebacker on the football team and I'm pre-law..." her voice trailed off. "I think a part of us knows that the "real world" is out there and coming soon, so we're just having fun while we can, you know?"
"I get that," I said as we walked across the street and into the party.
We were at the Alpha Chi house, a two-story, light-gray house with big Greek letters above the door. Most of the guys were wearing some sort of collared shirt or their football jerseys. Most of the girls, on the other hand, were wearing little to no clothing, despite the fall chill. Most of them dressed like McKenzie. Dressed to kill. While I looked like I had forgotten I was going to a party.
"Okay, he said they're in the living room. I think it's this way." She grabbed my hand and pulled me through the open front door. The house opened up to a large foyer with a staircase leading up to a balcony. She pulled me to the right and into a cramped room full of yelling boys. Right in the middle of them, leading the yelling and chanting, was Tanner. He was towering over them with a cup raised high when he caught a glimpse of McKenzie.
"Kenz! You're here!" His attention shifted to us as we walked in the door. All eyes stopped to look at us, and then the crowd seemed to part a bit.
"Baby!" McKenzie shouted as she ran over to Tanner. She jumped into his open arms and wrapped her long legs around his waist as they greeted each other with a kiss.
Kenz and Tanner’s lip lock was met with cheers from all the guys. The girls, however, looked on longingly or scowled in jealousy at them. I just smiled as they continued to put on a show for their adoring fans.
When they came up for air, McKenzie did her best to look sheepish when she noticed that everyone was watching them. Tanner, however, kept one hand in McKenzie's jean pocket while looking around and smiling. He seemed to be relishing in the moment.
As the perfect couple continued to hold onto each other and chat with other guests, I took the opportunity to slip away from the crowd and find somewhere quiet to sit. I was not naïve enough to expect silence at a frat party, but I was hoping for something a little less noisy… somewhere.
I walked down the hall to explore a bit. The hallways were long, with mostly closed white doors. Partiers were lined up along one wall next to a door that I assumed was the bathroom. I resolved not to drink anything at this party because that line was going nowhere fast.
I got a bit curious and started to open some of the doors to see what an actual frat house looked like. I opened the door on a couple half-naked and on top of each other in a mostly dark room. They didn't even seem to notice my presence, so I was able to close the door quickly and quietly. I decided I had explored enough hidden rooms and that I would return to the living room. At least there, everyone was fully clothed. For now, anyway.
Not much had changed. I took a long look around the room, which was painted tan with brown furniture and green accents. I assumed that the couches were dark to hide stains that may occur during a frat party, and they seemed to be doing the job well. That, or they had an amazing maid to clean up regularly.
I went to the back corner to sit on one of the dark, oversized chairs. It looked like the safest place in the room to get away from the crowd and still be able to keep an eye on my surroundings. I definitely didn't want someone to be able to sneak up behind me. I didn’t want anyone to get the idea that I was there to meet people. For good measure, I grabbed one of the green pillows off the floor and stuffed it under my right arm and stuck my feet out to the left of me. Then, I was taking uptake whole seat.
I pulled out my phone and instinctively opened up my Kindle app. McKenzie wouldn’t let me bring my hardcover book to a party, but at least I could try to read one online. I was usually pretty good at tuning out the noise around me, but figured that this would be my biggest test yet.
I checked on McKenzie. She was perfectly fine and seemed to be in her element. She had her right hand on Tanner's back and a cup in her left, as she told a thrilling story to a small cluster of people. Honestly, she would make an amazing wife to a professional football player if she wanted it. She had the looks, the charisma, and the brains to back it all up. She could wow a crowd on her own or take a step back to let her partner shine, and always knew what the moment called for.
As for me, I couldn't even imagine standing in the middle of so many people, much less being the center of attention. I would much rather be where I was, at the back of the room. Or better yet, back at my dorm room by myself.
I smiled at McKenzie again. I really was happy for her. She was exactly where she was supposed to be. I returned to the Kindle app and and settled in for what I knew would be a long, loud night.
9
Nathan
I broughtmy beer to my lips and took another gulp.
The party was going pretty well. Even Elizabeth seemed to enjoy herself. Or at least I thought so. The entire house buzzed and dozens of people were drinking and laughing and dancing. A loud, hip-hop song blared from the stereo at the front of the living room, a rhythmic thumping pulsed through the entire building, punctuated by auto-tuned lyrics.
I noticed Tanner and McKenzie out of the corner of my eye. His arm was wrapped around her. They drank beer and talked to a group of people, though I couldn’t make out what they were saying. Kenz looked pretty damn tipsy, swaying slightly to the music and giggling just a little too loudly at Tanner's jokes. He was keeping a watchful eye on her. He pulled her a bit closer and kissed her on the cheek as she grinned and leaned into him.
