-will edit header in tonight-

---

Splash

Splash

Splash

Slap!

“Augh, fu-“

“Your dive was too shallow, your streamline was inconsistent and your flip was sloppy. You were perfect the last time I came a couple of weeks ago. What happened Cass?”

Frustration was bubbling in the pit of Cassian’s gut as he climbed out of the pool. A sigh forcibly broke between his tightened lips and one of his hands pushed through his wet hair with the same care. A thousand and one reasons popped into his head at the posed question, what happened?

Fuck.

“A lot.” His voice was a low grumble, muffled by the towel he rubbed over his face and then vigorously against his dark locks. Cassian wasn’t one to get into his issues, especially not with another person, but the burning stare he felt on his back had his usually obstinate disposition melting away. “Fine. Where do I begin?”

“How about from the beginning, and make it quick we have 5 miles to run.”



“I bet that asshole is already jumping into bed with the ' love of his life’.” The thick Australian accent was not without the tonnes of built up annoyance from arriving at his own apartment and seeing not a single trace of his ”best friend” there. Which wouldn’t usually be an issue, but Cassian was really only attending this stupid party later because of Blake, or rather to avoid hearing the nagging from Blake.

But no that asshole jumped at the first chance to get his dick wet, and god knows if those two were even going to make it out tonight.

So despite being in a pisspour mood, a summons from his favorite redhead (really the only one he knew), had him dressed for the night and promptly arriving at her sorority. Where he currently hid from her “sisters” in the safety of her room glowering up at the ceiling from his position laid out across her bed.

“Junie are you taking all that time getting ready to finally seduce lover boy? Or are you still playing the coy game?”

In her walk-in closet, Juniper stood there, examining her thin frame, in front of her body mirror. Gingerly placing the chain of her long necklace down her chest, she smiled to herself in an impish manner. Her lips were covered with a matte “naughty nude” and her deep blue eyes, which really didn’t need much, were enhanced with mascara, white shimmer on her underlid, as well as her tear duct, and faint brown to pink undertones on her lid, giving her shape more definition. Overall, an elegant, soft glam look.

If there was one thing she knew how to do, it was dressing accordingly, where she could be both lady-like and sensual. Every situation required an outfit, especially if the situation had a goal she wanted to meet. Growing up surrounded by gorgeous, beautiful models, it was only natural Junie would pick up a thing or two, especially the art of being tantalizing, but not too much, where it was obvious she was trying to draw in someone. Where the eyes wonder but it still allowed enough mystery for the imagination. For the Great Bash, she would wear an outfit that was typical Junie fashion. There was something about bohemian dresses that made her feel so free and with such light fabric, it wouldn’t take much for someone to feel what it was covering. Two can play the slut game, Jasper.

Frankly, if it wasn't for her twin giving her a pep talk before Cass came barging into her room, running from the thirsty girls of Delta Nu, she probably would’ve continued to toy with her heart’s desire for another semester:


Her twin truly knew her better than anyone and it honestly sucked that they went to two different schools. For what? So Rosie could find herself? God, sometimes it was awful being the most talented one out of her sisters. Being a Macmillan woman was challenging, yes, but ultimately rewarding. They held themselves to higher standards than the average rich girl, strategically built themselves up to be strong, beautiful, and smart, so they could stand alone, without their family name, though it would add to their family’s success regardless if they wanted it to or not, and lastly, they would be a force to be reckoned with — a presence worth remembering.

With Cassian’s complaining, Junie Baby rolled her eyes and exited her closet, finally, to showcase her bombshell physique and her complementary outfit. “Cassi, honey. You know me so well.” A lady does not kiss and tell, so she’d leave it to her friend’s imagination on whether she was going to fuck with Ty, or fuck Ty. Slowly twirling in front of him, she gave an ‘innocent’ grin, “How do I look?” She already knew the answer but he knew she liked her ego stroked, as she did for him.

A low whistle accompanied the redhead’s entrance as the now standing man took in the appearance of the boho chic outfit she showed off, twirling enough to get the hem of her dress to spin with her, hadn’t been any short he would have seen her ass. Looks like Blake wasn’t going to be his only friend getting some tonight, so why was he going to this party again?

Cassian’s usual composed mask was traded in for a comfortable smirk, “Hot.” The response was simple at first as he made his way to the door of the room letting out a dramatic sigh, “I’d fall in love with you if I didn’t already know how much of a hand full you are, Baby.” There was a playful lilt to his tone as the smirk melted into a smile almost entirely saved for Junie’s eyes only, “Seems like Rosie talked some sense into you…” he nodded pursing his lips slightly as he twisted the knob on the door, “So, how are we playing it tonight?”


Without an ounce of doubt, Junie was playing for keeps. He should know better than to ask how they were playing ‘it’ tonight. She played to win. Without any losses, obviously. Give it your all, or don’t give it at all. Every action she made up until this point had precise intention, and sure, she was taking her sweet time with Ty, not like he was difficult or anything, but she absolutely had to make sure things were right. That he was right. That there was no misstep and no mistake. Everything needed to be perfect.

Tonight would be special, she could feel it in the air. There might be a chance her and Cass acted like they had something casual going on, she was always a little too friendly with him, to perhaps make a little someone jealous, but ultimately she didn’t want to hold her friend back from having a good time. If the night separated them, so be it. He needed to loosen up, relax, maybe find someone pretty to flirt with. He did seem a bit tense, maybe stressed about life or something, so the sooner he lost all inhibitions, the better.

As they walked through the woods, to get to Meadow Lake, Junie grabbed onto Cass’ arm to keep herself from tripping over a branch or rock or both. Her choice in heeled boots was not necessarily made for hiking. While they walked, she quickly went to check her phone, realizing that it had been left on silent their entire ride there. She smiled to herself when she read a message from Mona, her basically sister, saying she arrived. The message was sent nine minutes ago. Not too bad of a time difference. Once she sent quick emojis to her best friend — kissy face, lipstick, kitty paw — she put her phone back in her white wicker minaudiere bag.

Aside from the trek, Junie’s eyes were still set on the prize, “If Jasper tries to start something with me, you should definitely take care of that.” If not to take out yesterday’s trash, then to find an easy lay.

Cassian’s snort was followed by a chuckle as he helped the wobbly princess make her way through the rocky trail. Despite the flat bottoms of his sneakers giving him a more stable foundation, he still proceeded with caution lest he scuff his pristine shoes, or brush into something and stain his light wash jeans.

Being put together was practically coded in his DNA. Not that he particularly cared about the party, hell he’d much rather be getting a head start on his algorithm homework or studying his performance in his past swim meets. But with friends like his, and the “importance” of this party, coming was non-negotiable, and if he was coming, he was going to put the effort in.

“No promises there princess, I might find myself… preoccupied.” Cassian’s conspiratorial tone was paired with a playful wink. Before Junie had the opportunity to question him, it appeared.

The “Hawk’s Nest”, already bustling with bodies coming in and out of the front doors, people drinking and laughing on the lawn and the sounds of fast tempo club hits booming in the background.

The party inside was in full-swing as the pair entered behind a couple of other small groups. A low whistle sounded from Cassian at the sheer amount of alcohol that was stationed around the room filling up several different tables. A group of familiar faces hanging around one of those tables caught his eye, though specifically only one of the girls, “Found your best friend.”

When Cass pointed out Jasper, and of course the others around her, Nate, and her actual best friend, Ramona, Junie rolled her eyes in disgust, but she knew before she could go prowling, and talk to the lone wolf by himself, she had to give her Sugar some love. “Mm, what a delight.” She sarcastly grumbled.

Not one to waste time, she dismissed her friend, by leaving his side. “Cassie, honey.” She looked up at him and gleamed, hoping he could find some fun tonight and forget all his worries, “I’ll leave you to it.” With fire in her eyes, she let go of his arm and strutted toward the group, with a delicate smile plastered on her face. Giving all her attention first to the most important person there, Mona, she hurriedly crashed into her bestie from behind and gave her a kiss on the cheek, “Hey girl heyyyy.” Quickly though, she whispered into her friend’s ear, as they embraced, “I’d love to stay, but it’s time to get what’s mine.”

Freeing Mona from her clutches, she brought her attention to the other two, “Nate.” She batted her eyes sweetly and gave a respectable nod as her form of greeting, making sure there was just enough pause before she looked at Ty’s sister. “Jasper.” After letting her gaze rest on the other girl’s face for a moment too long, she looked at the drink table behind them and eagerly giggled, “Looks like that leaves the whiskey for me.”

With a mission on her mind, she didn’t care to make conversation, Junie quickly grabbed the whiskey bottle on the back of the table and two cups. There was no need for ice; she was sure Ty would prefer it neat. The stronger, the better. Just like her daddy. Turning on her heel, her gorgeous red hair tossing in the air, Junie sauntered to the man she was so hopelessly craving, leaving some of her perfumed scent behind (it was a smell that danced between floral and fruity, extremely feminine and lady-like).

Approaching the man, standing by his lonesome self as far as she was concerned, even with the crowd growing bigger and bigger by the second, she beamed, her hands full with a bottle and two empty plastic cups, “Hi stranger,” she eased her way in front of him, breaking the distance, “Care for a drink? Perhaps, over there.” She gestured her head back outside, ideally hoping to go to the edge of the lake, “Where it’s a little quieter.” Part of her wanted to drop the poise and lady act, showing her sister that getting Ty was not hard at all. Part of her wanted to offer her body right then and there, regardless of onlookers. But she knew, all good things come to those who wait. At least for now, while the party had yet to truly begin.

It was frustrating.

This was no way for a superstar to travel. On foot. Through the middle of a bunch of woods and brush and natural bullshit.

It was a damn good thing looking this spectacular was effortless. Otherwise Jade Scott would be downright mad.

Prepping for the Great Bash should have been a joyous undertaking. One where all her sisters would come together and celebrate the beginning of the new school year by getting pre-drunk off whatever the heck they wanted now that there were 21-year-olds among the group, followed by piecing together outfits and then heading to whatever secluded location the Bash was destined to happen in.

That didn't happen. Jade's day was all soccer. No planning time or socializing time or alcohol-buying time. Just soccer. Coach Lilly was merciless today. It was the first day back! It was supposed to be just an easing into the season! Nope. Apparently last year's second-round exit was still weighing on Coach's mind. It wasn't Jade's fault that Brittney let in three goals against freaking Hofstra! So why was she getting punished for it? Any other day, she would be fine with it, but not today. So Jade wasn't able to get back to the house until 6pm and she immediately needed to shower.

By the time she did that and made her solo run to the corner store to pick up some booze, the house was pretty quiet. It was disappointing. Jade hated to drink alone. What was the point of that? Besides, her dad had been pretty clear that only alcoholics drink alone. She wasn't that. So now she was trying to find the Bash lot sober. An easier task, but now far more annoying the more she had to bash branches with her arms. At least her outfit was probably the best thing she could be wearing for both trail blazing and stylish partying. Aside from the decision to wear the shorts that ended mid-thigh. She wanted to show off the legs, not have them be nicked and scraped all to shit.

Still, she could hear the music. She could see the glow. She was close.

Finally, the Golden Girl gashed her way into the clearing, where it was clear everything was in full swing already. There was booze provided, which would be fine for what she needed to start reaching the levels of her peers. It appeared there was a massive trough with various smaller bottles of beer and coolers, and then a table that was loaded with hard liquor. That was what Jade wanted. Everyone knows that vodka is the lowest-carb alcohol, so it was the clear option to drink without adding unnecessary beer weight.

Miss Scott strutted to the table and claimed a bottle of Absolut for herself. She scanned for some suitable mix and spotted a jug of cranberry juice. Diet of course. That would also be hers. The Queen of the Pitch deserves her choice of beverage, after all. Fishing a cup with her pinkie, Jade made her way towards the lone cabin on the lake, choosing to prepare her drinks in seclusion. It made sense given the day she had.

Two fingers of vodka, drowned in juice to make it red. It matched the cup perfectly. A sip confirmed the mix was done perfectly as well. At least things were start going her way now. It was about time.

Jade marched over to the window, cup in hand as she surveyed the Bash unfolding on the lakeside. There was sure to be pong out there, as well as other competitions that she could dominate. Other people she could dominate. Things boded well. The Golden Girl took a long pull from her cup. "Let the game begin," she said to herself.

Two hours and twenty minutes.

That’s how long it took for the prince of Meadow University to reach his final decision on whether he was attending “The Great Bash” or not this year. Not an individual against parties, he wasn’t a huge fan of putting himself in places where shit could hit the fan at any given moment. Parties, especially ragers like this one, were ripe with the right ingredients (alcohol and drugs) for disaster, and while Leo enjoyed a good dramatic story or two, he had a reputation to uphold. Which is why he settled on attending, to remain at the top of pecking order meant to attend functions he’d much rather not.

With his decision signed, sealed and delivered Leo moved on to his next dilemma, choosing an outfit. Usually he could rely on the help of any number of his friends, in fact he had many who had just the eye for fashion. But due to his constant back and forth in attending the Bash he had encouraged them to go on without him, not wanting to hold them up from their fun while he battled indecision. Obviously that worked out great for him. Another hour was spent storming in and out of his bathroom from his room, trying numerous combinations of shirts with jeans, patterns with solids, and even tried to spice up his life combining different patterns together in one outfit. The Chanda of the clock ticked on as Leon rampaged through his apartment, his frustrations with fashion leading to the frequent shot of tequila and ultimately to a casual, neutral palette of grays.

A number of shots later (he wasn’t keeping track) and fully dressed Leon was out the door and ducking into the backseat of an Uber. Already his phone was buzzing with text messages and snapchats of the wild party taking place in the heart of the wilderness. The party through the lens of the phone camera was unreal, whoever was hosting this year had pulled zero punches and even Leon, who initially wasn’t interested in the party, found himself eager to join in on the festivities.

Once the Uber dropped him off it was all fun times for Leon there on out. Any more shots of tequila and he would have gotten himself lost in the forest, but quickly and mostly without any issues (save for a few stumbles and trips over exposed tree roots) he exited the dense tree line and came upon the party of his life, only an hour or so late, and questionably fashionable.

But fuck it, who cared that much when it’d most likely end up on the floor during a private after party later.

As his roommates seemed to fan out amidst the growing party on the lakeshore, Kieran was content to let the party come to him. He quickly confiscated one of the provided bottles of Jameson for his own person business, no cup needed. A true son of the Rock took his pulls where he could get them, and left nary a dirty dish in sight for the host to clean. Besides, you can cap a bottle and keep the flies from getting into the booze. No need for extra protein getting in and ruining a good game of drink. Settling in at a random picnic table, the left winger took a long sip from the bottle and set it back down on the outdoor furniture.

Kieran was studying the party with an athlete's eye, looking for a target much like he looked for a weak spot in a goalie's movements. It was tough to pick out people even with the light provided by the mysterious host. However, no one could miss the neon blur that was quick to emerge from the corner of his vision. He had enough time open up his stance in preparation thanks to the excited cry of his favorite girl at Meadow University.

"KIKI!" A blur of blonde hair and technicolor piping suddenly landed in his lap before stabilizing in the form of Miss Charlotte Diedrikson. Not that Kieran would ever call her that to her face. No, they had a strictly nickname relationship at this point, the Lottie to his Kiki.

“How’s my favorite viking doing? Did you miss me, K-Bear?”

Lottie was much better at the nickname game than Kieran was. Dieder didn't carry the same amount of affection that it felt like it should. Still, the Canadian had a couple that he could turn to. "Of course I missed my little munchkin! How could I not? Especially with the neon outfit you're rocking tonight! I like it!"

For all the time they had spent together, it was a great relief to Kieran that things never seemed to get too serious. Lottie was an athlete like himself. She knew the work that had to be put in to maintain both athletic and academic superiority. That's why Kieran was more than happy to keep things casual with the tennis star the way they had been since they started hooking up. It suited him just fine.

Still, Kieran wasn't going to let the balance book on kisses be outweighed against him. He planted a quick peck on Lottie's cheek, light enough to not smudge any makeup she might have on for tonight's festivities. "And of course I'm doing better now that you're here! But hey, enough about me! You just get here? Are you set for drink? Or are you good to split the Jameson with me?

Kieran was tempted to ask where her roommate was. It was a well-known fact that where Lottie Diedrikson went, Joey Hart wouldn't be too far behind. The Canadian appreciated that kind of closeness between roomies. It was something he was proud to share with Mac and Eli, even given their wildly-different backgrounds. For two girls who seemed to have a lot in common, it made sense that they would have the same kind of bond. But still, that didn't make either of them their roommates' keeper. Surely MacKenna and Elliot found other things to do at the Bash. Joey would as well. So he let that thought slip as he basked in the feeling of his primary squeeze getting cozy on his lap.