Chapter 4: Drunk Confessions and Snapchats

When I woke up, I was in the guest room at Lauren’s place.

I slid off the bed, clutching my head in agony.

—Why can’t I ever black out when I’m drunk?!

Sober, I immediately recognized the "bar guy" as the same dude who’d refused my free PS5.

Remembering how dumb I must’ve looked trying to hit on him, my toes curled so hard I could dig a Barbie Dreamhouse.

And I distinctly recalled him scanning my Snapchat QR code at Lauren’s suggestion and my drunken pestering.

He even paused when my profile popped up.

Probably shocked by my ridiculous username: "AA—Professional Heartbreaker Locksmith for 20 Years."

"Sorry for bothering you last night."

I typed the most formal apology, then got stuck, unable to think of a good excuse for my drunken antics, so I kept it polite:

"If you don’t mind, can I treat you to a meal?"

"Of course! If you do mind, feel free to delete me!"

"Sorry, sorry, sorry, I’ve just been through a lot lately, so I get a little crazy when I drink..."

...

He didn’t reply for a long time, so I left the chat and, by chance, saw a message from "Sam" from last night.

"Be careful both online and offline. Stay safe."

"Watch out for scams."

?

Did Sam switch to working for the campus safety office?

"Thanks?" Not sure what he meant, I thanked him anyway. "I will...?"

"No problem." Sam replied quickly. At the same time, Ryan messaged:

"No need for dinner."

"And no need to delete me."

I was still puzzling over Ryan’s meaning when Lauren’s teasing voice rang out: "Little drunk, you’re awake?"

"Lauren! Ugh, I embarrassed myself to death..."

"Don’t die, or you’ll miss tonight’s mixer." She tried to drag me out of bed. "It’s a rare on-campus event at Silver Heights, you’re not going?"

"I don’t want to see any guys, ugh..."

Going to the bar was just post-breakup revenge. Once was enough—I wasn’t about to do it again.

"Really not going?"

"Really not."

Lauren gave up and cozied up beside me: "Then I’m not going either. I’ll stay with you."

I shot back: "You’re just afraid your boyfriend will get jealous."

"Hey, don’t call me out..." She shook my arm, whining. "Come on, let’s eat breakfast. You still need to get those student council materials, remember?"

The smell of food finally hit me: "You’re the best, Laur."

"If I wasn’t, how would I take care of my dear Brookie?" She nudged me. "Don’t dawdle—I just asked Senior Elise for you. She said she doesn’t have the materials."

"Chase Miller came to get them a couple days ago. She didn’t know you were the contact, so she gave them to him."

Her previously confident voice turned hesitant: "So, are you..."

"Can she get them back for me..." I tried to wriggle out of it.

No luck. Fate was against me.

"She said she’ll be off campus for the next couple days, so you’ll have to wait."

A couple days?

By then, the council would probably fire me for missing the deadline.

So fate left me only one option: after dumping hot food on the jerk, I had to ask him for the materials.

Honestly, I felt a little guilty at first.

But I wasn’t the one who did wrong. Besides, getting the materials was official business—nothing to feel guilty about!

With that, I shook my head and told Lauren, "I’ll go find Chase later."

As long as I’m not embarrassed, he’s the one who’ll feel awkward.

I added Chase’s main Messenger account.