Chapter Text
The Princess & The Pirate — Steve Randle
SUMMARY — A girl who is usually just a book obsessed introvert, and has never attended a party before, decides that Halloween night is her time to start. Not only does she have to learn what a fraternity party is all about, but the guy who her friends always tease her about, might just be in attendance.
WARNINGS — Adult themes. Profanity.
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It wasn't that I disliked parties, or any other social function to be exact, it was that I wasn't really the type to go to these things. It was true that perhaps I needed to get out more, that was something I already knew. In all honesty, I much rather curl up with a good book. And that’s why my closest friends, Cherry and Marcia, forced me to attend the annual Halloween party at the Sigma Alpha fraternity house.
I stood clueless in the closet of Marcia’s bedroom, staring aimlessly at the bright colours, feathers and sparkles that adorned her wardrobe. She is currently in the middle of a Fine Arts degree, specialising in musical theatre, so she has a lot of costumes laying around. Perfect for this exact occasion.
“I can’t believe you’re finally coming out with us. It's been a long time coming.” Cherry lounged upon the armchair, twisting a cigarette holder between her lips. Her costume was inspired by a 1920s burlesque showgirl.
“Well if I can ever find a costume!” I threw my arms up in a defeated attitude, it all seemed so hopeless. I hated the way everything looked on me, and I was much too indecisive for my own good.
“What about this one?” Marica held up a bridal gown covered in fake blood, “You’ve already said no to six other costumes, perhaps this killer bride one has sparked something inside of you?”
I tilted my head to the side, this wasn’t something I particularly wanted to wear. However, I was on very thin ice. We have been here for over an hour now. I knew my friends were trying to be supportive, but even they had limits. If being fashionably late was graded, I would be on the honor roll.
Fortunately for us all, my eyes caught the sleeve of another costume, and I wandered over to it. I touched the fabric between my fingertips, “What about this one?” I asked, “It looks quite interesting.”
“Oh, that one?” Marcia eyes Cherry, as they both share a relieved look, “It’s a noble gown from my Cinderella play. It’s from the ballroom scene, I was just a background character for that one.”
“It’s perfect!” I smiled, “I’ve found my one!”
Marcia helped me try it on, and it fit perfectly. Like a glove. I sat down at the vanity, and allowed Cherry to brush my hair out, as I stared at my own reflection in the mirror, doubts swirled in my mind about the party.
“Aren’t you just so excited for your first college party?” Marcia asked as she fastened the fish net to her mermaid tail.
“Not particularly.” I replied, with only the truth. I wasn’t sure what I would be walking into at this party or what I was going to do there. I was uninformed when it came to these things. The only parties I knew about were the ones I read about in novels.
"And possibly meet a boy?" Cherry cooed, with Marcia sharing a girlish giggle with her. It was known that I didn’t exactly date. The only kiss I’ve ever had was in my freshmen year of college with a boy named Vern. That was three whole years ago. I was tutoring him and he lunged at me. Well his lips lunged at me.
"I don't need to meet a boy." I reminded them over my shoulder, "I'm just trying to focus on my studies, not worry about what some guy thinks of my smile, or the way my hips look.”
“Whatever you say.” Cherry muttered with doubt, “Sometimes even girls like you enjoy some male attention.”
On our arrival to the fraternity house, I was thinking about how I had somehow managed to avoid all these parties for the past three years, and all of high school. It wasn’t until my friends finally pulled me into this one, that I had realised the level of my avoidance.
I followed them both through the purple hue of colour that spilled out of the front entrance. It had an archway of skulls, which I found quite crafty.
“The music is so loud!” I tried to scream over the sound of the thumping bass in the foyer of the house. There are people everywhere. All in different costumes. I could barely tell who was who.
“That’s a good thing!” Cherry yelled back to me, her eyes already ready to search the party for her next victim, I mean one night stand.
"Oh look who is here, your boyfriend!" Marica hummed, as we all turned to see the guy that I had accidentally found naked behind a rose bush at the start of the school year. He was near the fireplace, chatting it up with some friends.
I tried to forget exactly what happened, but that was easier said than done. I had to help him out which was extremely embarrassing for me. I wish I had just ignored him, but that wasn’t like me. I had no idea that lending him my jacket once would result in my friends teasing me about him until the end of time.
"Shut up!” I pushed my hair behind my ear, "I don't even know him…”
“But you want to.” Cherry nudged me with her elbow, “I asked Kathy Lawson who he was, because she knows everyone. His name is Steve Randle, a senior.”
My cheeks were already flushed with a shade of deep maroon, but I didn’t want them to know that they had gotten to me, “I’m going to go get a drink!” I said, before leaving them behind.
I weaved into the living room, through all the dancing people until I found the food table. I stared at the punch bowl with the red liquid and gummy eyeballs swirling around, trying to contemplate if I should take a cup or leave it.
“I wouldn’t drink any of that. It’s just a bunch of stuff mixed together, very gross, if you ask me.” I turned around to see Steve Randle in a pirate costume.
“Well, I didn’t ask you.” I shoot back defensively. I knew if I were a little mean, he would get the hint, and maybe my friends wouldn’t tease me about him anymore.
“Oh wow, I didn’t realise that you would still be mad at me for… what exactly?” his dark eyebrow perked up, waiting for my answer. I wish I had a pair of tweezers to pull all the stray hairs from them.
“So, let me get this straight, it doesn’t bother you that I found you completely naked by a rose bush?” I asked, my arms crossed.
“It doesn’t, princess. This is college, stuff like that happens all the time.” he chuckled, only I didn’t find it funny in the least.
“Don’t call me princess.” I seethed.
“Alright princess.” Steve breathed softly, as he leaned over the table and took a bottle of liquor, and poured it into his red plastic cup.
Another guy walked right up to us and cut in front of Steve.
“Do you want to go somewhere and talk a little?” he asked, “I already struck out once with your friend over there.”
I looked behind him to Cherry, and she waved, having sent him over to us. I was confused about what she wanted, Steve to hook up with me or any random guy at this party?
“Sure!” I smiled, as he took my hand into his own. I was just glad to be rid of Steve Randle.
Before I could even follow him towards the staircase Steve grabbed my arm, "You can't go with him." he whispered harshly, trying to pull me away, “He’s got a really bad reputation. You don’t want to mess around with someone like Jenson.”
"I'll take my chances with him." I shot back stubbornly.
“Yeah dude, let her make her own choices.” Jenson tries to lead me away from Steve again.
“I’m not particularly interested in what you have to say.” Steve stopped us as we were half way up the staircase, "She's not going up there with you."
My frustration was beginning to boil over but before I could even say anything, another person entered the conversation. It was a blonde girl in a cat costume, she approached at the bottom of the bannister.
“What do you think you’re doing!?” her voice viciously snarled in my direction, “That’s my boyfriend!”
I was at a total loss for words. I looked towards Jenson, but he was looking at her.
“Babe, this isn’t what it looks like.” he attempts to defuse the situation, but before I can even piece together what was happening, the girl throws her drink at me. Suddenly, I am dripping from head to toe in the sticky, red punch. I just blinked at both of them.
“Wh–re!” she stomped away in a huff. Jenson took one last look at me, but didn't do much, he only shrugged his shoulders before going after her.
I was so utterly mortified, and completely humiliated. All I wanted to do was hide. Steve could read me well, and felt bad for everything that happened, so he led me away from the party without a word, and upstairs to his bedroom.
He pushed the door open, there is a strange kind of intimacy to his bedroom. The lights are low, illuminating. A comfort that I wasn't sure I was allowed to feel.
"I'm so embarrassed!" I cried into my hands, on the edge of his bed. He settled down next to me, "I never done anything like this before in my life!”
"You don't have to pretend to be someone you're not." he muttered, only I kept sobbing.
“I’m not like my friends…” I sniffled, feeling sorry for myself, “...I can’t attend parties. I’m just not social enough for it… It’s clear that I just need to stay home from now onwards…”
“You’re way too harsh on yourself. We all do stupid things in college.” he leaned down, picking up a t-shirt from the carpet, “Don’t worry, it’s clean.”
“Thank you.” I sighed, wiping my tears with it. I felt awfully guilty for just how poorly I treated him earlier in the night, when all he was doing was being so thoughtful and kind to me.
I slipped out of the dress as he watched me. I knew he was without even looking back. The t-shirt was shorter than expected, and I pulled it down to my knees, only for it to snap back up to my thighs. I settle back beside him, shivering from the chill in the air.
There is a change in heat, as he touches my cheek, and he lightly presses his stomach against mine, and kisses me, wholeheartedly. It’s lengthy, and yet so steady, with his large hands moving onto my waist. I clutched onto his shirt with a death grip, hoping that I wouldn't completely swoon, and fall off the bed.
Without warning, Cherry and Marcia burst through the bedroom door. Both stunned, and frozen as Steve’s lips part from mine. I looked down at my bare knees, completely smitten and glowing. It turns out that college parties aren't so bad after all.