"This is your friend?" Meredith asked, looking just as surprised as me. Ethan nodded. Josh looked at Meredith and then at me, probably longer or maybe the drinks have led to me overthinking.

"Do you know him?" Ethan asked. Meredith and I shared a look and I was a little scared that she might tell about my drawing. The drawing was safe in our dorm.

"I took a substitution class a few weeks back" Josh replied, grinning at us. Meredith recovered quickly, probably because she has a boyfriend. I smiled nervously, a little relieved that he wasn't really stoic. 

Ethan and Josh ordered a drink before we settled on a table, a little away from the chaos. And soon it was revealed the table had been reserved for us by Ethan. Ethan wins the good boyfriend test. No wonder Meredith was this smitten.

The drink passed down my throat easily and I found myself enjoying, adding something whenever I could.

"He looks so much hotter when he is this close, right?" Meredith's words were slurred. I nodded as I giggled. Great. I was drunk.

"So Harley, why do you want to be a doc?" Ethan asked, and Josh nudged Ethan.

"Where I used to live, many people would be alive if they had been treated properly" I whispered, lost in the memory. Mrs. Sawyer, a sweet lady who used to babysit me when my mom went to work. She had cancer. 

"Woah" I said suddenly, almost losing my balance. Josh was there at a second, his hands on my waist as I put most of my weight on him.

"Easy"' he whispered. I looked at him with wide eyes, grinning crookedly, and enjoying his warmth more than I should.

"Someone is a lightweight" Ethan teased. I tried to glare at him and failed. Ethan's hand was around Meredith's waist who looked just as wasted.

"It's my first time drinking" I revealed, earning an incredulous look from all the three. I coughed and closed my mouth, lest I puke.

"You are getting sick. Come with me" Ethan insisted, as he maneuvered me through the crowd. His arms tightened around me. I giggled, snuggling against him. A part of me was aware of this but I had no control over my body. 

Ethan and Meredith were in their own love bubble that they didn't care to bother with us. We slipped into one of the staff only restrooms. It was cooler and I was able to breathe more easily.

"Thanks" was the only word I said before I found one of the stalls to puke my gut out. Half an hour later, I was somewhat sober enough to walk. My cheeks had a permanent flush due to embarrassment.

Even that wasn't enough to stop me from leaning against Josh, my body enjoying his warmth.

"You look so hot" I whispered like it was a deadly secret. "I still have that picture of you"

"What picture?" he asked slowly.

"The one I drew" I confessed. I lost sense of any coherent thought. It took me several seconds to realize my mistake. My hands made it's way to his hair. His hair was soft and thick.

"Don't you drink?" I asked, closing the distance. My eyes landed on his lips. I mentally chided myself even as I stared longer.

"Nah" he replied. My eyes were locked on his, admiring those green orbs which seem so bright in the dim light. 

I swallowed down the urge to do something incredibly stupid, like kissing him. Instead, I smiled gently, placing my head on his chest before I remembered no more.

***

Josh's hands explored Harley's hair, as she swayed lightly to do the music. She looked so innocent even in that not so innocent dress. He had a hard time resisting her charms. 

Even as he reached his friend's dorm, the one he used to live in during his freshman year, he didn't let her out of his sights.

His mind was reeling from what she told. Did she draw a picture of him? He found it hard to believe but the way she became self-conscious seconds later only confirmed she wasn't lying.

He offered to take her to his room. Not that he didn't trust his friends, except he felt protective over her.

*****

Early in the morning, I groaned, my head so heavy and painful. My eyes blurred, on opening. Why was it so bright?

With a startle I realized the walls were darker and the room bigger than my dorm room. I was on my knees in an instant, even as my head pounded in protest. I was dizzy but I had more concerning issues.

I looked around, my gaze transfixed on a picture. There was something beguiling about it. Something sensual in the stroke of the brush. When I heard the door opening, a shirtless Josh exited the bathroom, grinning at me.

I was looking at him with wide eyes, staring at his chest. The guy must workout. 

"Rise and shine, princess"  he teased. He handed me some water from his nightstand. I thanked him hastily before gulping it down. 

"For someone's first time drinking, you aren't as sick as I thought you would be" Josh remarked, watching me.

"Don't jinx it" I warned, scowling at him. He chuckled, raising his hands in surrender. For some unknown reasons, I felt comfortable around him and I wasn't a blubbering mess. 

"What time is it?" I asked

"12:30" he replied. I looked at him in disbelief. And I thought this was early. I took a good look at his room, noticing some familiar books on the table.

"Is this your room?" I asked, looking at him curiously. He looked awkward as he nodded. Behind me was a small rounded wall clock and sure enough, it was 12:30 in the afternoon. Facing the closet was the bathroom. I had been so enthralled by the pictures that I hadn't noticed the flat screen television in front of me.

"Are you okay?" Josh asked, still looking awkward. Maybe girls didn't stay around for this long. I nodded, rubbing my hands against my temple. I felt better than I did a few minutes ago. 

"Is this your room?" I asked, staring at the way how his shirt seemed to hug his physique. Shit. I should look away but I couldn't.

"Ethan and I rented it when college started but I have another dorm inside the college as the year is winding up" he explained, looking away.

"Thank you for taking care of me yesterday" I said earnestly. He grinned.

"It was my pleasure" he said, holding out his hands. I took it and followed him out. Meredith winked at me when I caught her gaze. She was settled on Ethan's lap with no care in the world. I wished I could be like her.

A couple of hours later, we were back to our dorms. I got away from the lovebirds, giving them some space. If they thought I hadn't noticed the googly eyes, they were sorely mistaken.

Yesterday went better than I expected. I was still in disbelief. He had left before breakfast and didn't talk to me which chafed but I decided to look past that. The guy had other things to do anyway. Him, being friendly shouldn't be taken seriously but I couldn't help it.

I couldn't help the small grin that stayed the whole day. College really wasn't bad and for the first time I was excited about what tomorrow might hold.

******

And finally, the girl actually meets the guy fr. Not bad, I hope? 

Tune in for the next chapter.

Goodbye for now ;)