I was having a secret affair with Evander, the man every woman on campus coveted. Whenever we could steal a moment, we'd meet in the small storage room at the natatorium. He would always bury his face in my neck, declaring his love for my scent and especially my blonde hair.

Looking at myself in the mirror, my once straight black hair was now golden curls. My fitted camisole revealed my toned midriff, and my denim shorts accentuated my curves, framing a shapely silhouette.

Tonight marked Evander’s coming-of-age celebration. He had given me a small bottle of perfume, pleading to host the party at my apartment. "Baby, do you think a bottle of perfume is enough? When are you going to make our relationship public?" I asked.

“I plan to announce it on a special party. Just wait a little longer...” he replied.

A special party? Just as I was about to inquire further, his phone rang. Glancing at the caller, he headed towards the door. “I have to go,” he said, planting a light kiss on my lips. “Remember to get the drinks ready. I’ve invited a lot of people.”

The whole campus was coming to Evan's party tonight. Such a special night seemed like the perfect time to go public. He must be planning a surprise for me.

I dressed in matching set of red lingerie, confident that tonight would mark our first time of making love. With the bed adorned in rose petals and soft, ambient bedside lighting, I was ready to shed my virginity.

“Oh my God, baby, you look gorgeous!” my best friend Daria exclaimed with wide eyes when I opened the door. “Those guys won’t regret coming tonight!”

I felt a bit self-conscious, not about my outfit but my makeup. Unsure if Evander would like the dramatic eyeliner and bright red lips. But Daria, the campus’s fashionista, assured me I looked great. After all, she designed the cheerleading outfits.

Soon, the guests Evander invited flooded into the apartment. The place buzzed with chatter and laughter.

Every guy who walked in greeted both Daria and me. Daria, being the social butterfly, quickly mingled with everyone.

I sat quietly on the sofa, holding a glass of wine, waiting for the man of the hour. The door opened again, and Evander walked in. “Hey! Guys! Welcome to my party!” he announced. He wore a fitted suit that matched my color scheme, almost like a couple's outfit.

I smiled in satisfaction, expecting him to come over and hold my hand, announcing to everyone that I was his girlfriend. The apartment grew even louder as everyone crowded towards him.

I kept my eyes on him, but he didn’t look at me. Instead, he walked straight to the bar to open the champagne. He moved around, drinking with different people, but never came near me.

I took out my phone and sent him a message: “I’m on the sofa, didn’t you see me?”

The message went through, and I even heard Evan’s phone beep.

He glanced at it, and then quickly turned off the screen, continuing his conversation as if it were an inconsequential spam message.

Feeling a bit annoyed, I pushed through the crowd, raising my glass to join in the toast. When I looked back, Evan was even further away.

I lost count of how many drinks I had. My hands started to feel weak, my whole body light, except for my heavy head.

"Zoe?" I heard Daria call my name, patting my face. I wished it was Evander, but he was busy celebrating his perfect pool shot with a cue stick in hand.

"Hey, guys! Let’s get the real party started!" Evander excitedly called out, pulling out a sizable bag of ecstasy. He must have spent all his money on this, which is why he couldn't afford to rent an apartment.

Leaning back on the sofa, I closed my eyes, too exhausted to join their revelry. The vibration from the speakers woke me up, and I felt my stomach churning. I quickly made my way through the crowd to the bathroom.

Leaning over the sink, I vomited, then looked up and was startled by my reflection.

I didn’t remember much after getting drunk, but the tear stains on my face showed I had cried. My black eyeliner was smeared, and most of my lipstick was gone. I looked awful.

"Hey, girl, just go demand an explanation," I encouraged myself in the mirror, heading back to the living room to find Evan.

But he wasn’t by the pool table or drinking anymore.

"Hey, Zoe, maybe you'd like to be my dance partner and have a little chat?" A curly-haired man approached, his gaze wandering over my body.

I regained some clarity and took a step back. "Where's Evander?"

"He's drunk and said he needed a room to rest," the man shrugged, glancing toward the bedroom.

The bedroom? Could he have discovered the surprise I had prepared?

My heart raced at the thought of our first time finally happening. Imagining myself beneath Evan, his breath hot against my skin, I felt my legs grow weak. Dear God, I was about to ascend to heaven.

I quietly walked towards my bedroom, but the closer I got, the deeper my frown grew. Clearly, I could hear the sounds of a man and a woman enjoying themselves. What was Evander doing in my bedroom?

No, I shook my head. This couldn’t be my Evander. I knew how conservative he was. He was probably just watching an adult movie.

I continued towards the bedroom, but when I reached the door, I stopped in my tracks. My eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.

Daria, my best friend, was laying face down on the bed as Evander thrust into her.

“Yes, Evander, yes,” Daria gasped, ”Harder, Harder.”

She screamed out loud as he dug deeper into her ass as he obeyed her.

“Yes! Yes!” she cried out.

I wanted to turn and run. I wanted to cry, scream, shout. But I didn't. I was numb, lifeless. I stood at the door, staring at my friend and my boyfriend, watching them satisfy their most carnal desires right in front of me.

My heart broke into a hundred pieces when Evander shouted “I'm coming.” Daria wiggled her hips until she reached her climax, then she fell forward onto the bed.

“Thanks, baby,” Evander said as he patted Daria's ass, then crawled onto the bed next to her.” You sure are a superb one, always knowing how to satisfy a man.”

“How do I compare to Zoe?” She giggled, curling up in his arms.

“Come on,” he scoffed.” You know I've never slept with her.”

“Is that why you like her?” Daria pouted, drawing circles on his chest with her fingers.” Because she's a virgin?”

I realized they were talking about me.

"I dated her because of you," he murmured, kissing her gently. "You know that. You never gave me a chance before."

Daria giggled. "You're so bad."

The more they talked, the more my anger peaked.

"Damn it, you should respect some fucking boundaries!" I shouted at Daria.

"Zoe!" Evander was the first to react, scrambling off the bed. "It's not what you think, I... we..."

"And you, this bullshit relationship is over!" I snapped, my voice shaking with rage. "I've had enough of your excuses, you jerk!" I yelled, recalling how Evander always insisted I bring Daria along on our dates. He had used me as a stepping stone to win her over from the start.

"Zoe, Evander and I were just a one-night thing," Daria said smugly. "Aren't we best friends?"

"How could I be your friend when all you do is covet what’s mine?" I retorted coldly.

"Yours?" Daria laughed, stepping closer. " Evander was mine from the start. He was always after me. Don't be that petty. If it weren't for me, how would Evander ever notice you?" "

Daria taunted, attempting to approach me, but my left hand moved involuntarily.

Daria's head jerked sharply to the side from the impact, and she stumbled backwards, looking at me in shock.

"Daria, sweetheart," Evan rushed to her side. "Are you okay?"

"No," she sobbed, leaning into his embrace.

"Zoe, enough!" Evander grabbed my wrist, roaring. His eyes burned with anger as he looked at me. "How could you hurt Daria like that?"

"Fuck you, you asshole!" I felt sick to my stomach, wrenching my hand free from his grip. "Take your whore and get out, you piece of shit."

It was my apartment, but I didn't want to stay another second. I stormed out, only to find it pouring rain outside. The temporary hair dye I used was washed away by the rain, staining my white tank top yellow, and my makeup was a mess.

Anger clouded my mind as I stood in the rain, and I rushed into the nearest bar.

People stared at me, but I didn't care as I walked straight to the bar counter. "A whiskey."

My phone kept buzzing with incoming messages, which I ignored.

A deep voice beside me spoke up, "Such strong liquor doesn't suit a girl like you. Perhaps you should choose something milder, just a suggestion."

I turned to look, feeling a sense of familiarity, and my shock turned to disbelief.

The man had short, golden curls meticulously styled, deep-set eyes, a prominent nose, and a defined jawline. His physique was evident even through his white shirt.

This was Orion, whom Daria had pursued for years, the captain of the campus swim team, the campus's star, every girl's dream boy.

He was more popular than Evander, but he's too flirtatious to be approached.