Disclaimer:  In first chapter.

Chapter 20

Debbie stood beside Sarah as they waited with the other students to congratulate the football players on winning their championship.  It was a close game, but in the end they pulled it out.  Even though Josh had a somewhat decent game, Debbie knew there was something plaguing Josh’s thoughts as she watched him walk away from his parents before the game started.  He had such a tense, angry look when he took the field.

The first half of the game, Josh messed up on plays.  He fumbled the ball twice, luckily he recovered them both times, he missed Eli and the other receivers when he threw the ball, and he even threw an interception that was ran back for a touchdown.  After that play, when he walked off the field, he was greeted with boos from the stands.  When he walked over to the bench, he took his helmet off, throwing it to the ground and then kicking it as he plopped down angrily on the bench. 

Debbie was about to walk over to see what the problem was when Eli walked over and sat beside Josh.  Reaching down, Eli grabbed Josh’s helmet and threw it on his lap.  Josh glared at Eli, but Eli remained the picture of calm.

“Don’t throw my helmet on my lap again, got it?” Josh snarled.

Standing up, Eli looked over at Josh.  “I’m glad you’re angry, but instead of letting it beat you up inside, how bout you take it out on the field, as say the other team.”

Standing up also, Josh slid his helmet back on, taking a step closer to Eli so they were standing toe to toe.  “Don’t tell me what to do.  I’m the captain of this team, not you, so shut up and mind your own damn business,” said Josh furiously as he used his index finger to drive his point home, poking Eli in the forehead.

Eli quickly reached up and grabbed his finger, threatening to bend it back.  “Listen here, the only reason I haven’t broken your finger yet, is because I’m your friend, but let this be a warning, you do that again and so help me a broken finger will be the least of your worries,” replied Eli in a low, threatening voice.  Pushing his hand away, Eli continued, “Now, why don’t you grow up and get over your little family drama.  Everyone has problems within their families, but do you see us having little pity parties out here—no, because we know when we step on the field we leave our problems on the sidelines.   If we don’t, they’ll bog us down, so speaking as a friend, get over yourself and start acting like a captain, and lead your team to victory.”  With that, Eli ran back onto the field, leaving a stunned Josh to ponder his words.

Well, soon after that, the old Josh slowly started making his appearance.  Plays were being executed to perfection.  He threw two touchdown passes to Eli, which the last one happened to be the winning pass that won the game.

When the game was over, Debbie was afraid that Josh wouldn’t let Eli off the hook so easily, but as they made their way to the locker rooms, they were their old selves as they talked and joked with each other, their previous incident completely forgotten.  So, here she was now waiting outside in the cool, autumn air, with Sarah.

Glancing over at Sarah, Debbie asked, “So, how did you finagle your way out of your grounding tonight?”

A mischievous smile graced Sarah’s lips.  “Well, I just told my parents the truth.”

“And what was that?”

“I just told them that tonight we’re going to the victory party at Mama Mia’s Pizzeria, which is partially true,” Sarah answered slyly.

Groaning, Debbie shook her head.  “Why don’t I like the sound of that?”

“C’mon Deb, we can have some real fun tonight,” Sarah replied cheerfully. 

Folding her arms across her chest to ward off the cold, Debbie asked, “So what did you have in mind?”

Reaching out, Sarah grabbed Debbie’s elbow, steering her away from the other students.  Once they were out of earshot, Sarah said, “Listen, Brad called me this morning.  I told my Mom that it was you, so if she asks, just go along with it…”

“Sarah…”  Debbie interrupted, knowing this was going to lead to disaster with whatever Sarah had in mind.

“Sshh, listen now,” Sarah paused for a few seconds looking around, when she was satisfied that no one was near she continued.  “Well, Brad told me that his frat house is having a party tonight, and he wanted us to come.”

“Us?” Debbie questioned.  “Oh yeah, I’m sure Brad is just dying to have me tag along with you,” she commented sarcastically.  From the moment she met Brad, Debbie couldn’t stand him.  He was smug an arrogant, thinking that all the ‘little people’ should bow down to him because he came from a family of wealth.  The only thing that Brad loved was himself.  She couldn’t understand why Sarah kept deluding herself that Brad loved her, because he didn’t.  Even she knew Brad was only after one thing when it came down to Sarah, and that was getting her into bed, but there was something else about him that always gave Debbie the creeps whenever he looked at any female, including herself.  If one looked closely, you could almost see the hatred burning in his green eyes.  Thinking this only made Debbie shiver more.

“C’mon Debbie, cut him some slack,” defended Sarah.  “I wish everyone would stop judging him before they actually got to know him.  He really is a good guy.”

“I’m sorry, Sarah, but there’s something about him I just don’t like.”

Debbie could see Sarah was starting to get irritated.  “Why are you being so judgmental?  You know, I get this same crap from my brother and parents, now I’m getting this from you.”  She paused an added, “I thought you were my friend.”

Debbie looked away, starting to feel ashamed at what she said, turning back to Sarah she commented, “I’m still your friend, Sarah.  I just don’t want to see you get hurt, that’s all.”

Sarah’s face slowly brightened up.  “You mean that?”

Debbie gave her a puzzled look, “Of course I do.”

“Good, then you’ll come with me to Brad’s party?” she asked hopefully. 

“I…”

Sarah put her hand up, interrupting her.  “Wait, before you say anything, you have to know something.  Before my parents left the game, I told my father I would be staying the night at your house…”

“Sarah!” Debbie exclaimed.

“Wait, just listen, okay?”

“Fine,” Debbie grumbled, knowing this was going to blow up in their faces before the night was over.  “So, I’m guessing I’m you’re cover story in case your parents get a little inquisitive about tonight, huh?

Sarah smiled brightly.  “Now you’re getting it.”

“I don’t like this one bit, Sarah.  The next time you pull something like this again I won’t follow through,” Debbie warned.

“Fine, now let’s go find my brother and hitch a ride to the victory party.  Brad should be waiting to pick us up there.”  As Sarah walked back over to the group of students, Debbie knew things were only going to get worse before they got better.

XXXXXX

She was in hell, plain and simple, Debbie thought to herself as she sat on the couch by a couple making out.  “God, get a room already,” she grumbled as she got up to look for Sarah.

She hated this.  Never in her life had she felt so out of place like she was here.  Brad’s frat brothers were womanizing, arrogant pricks.  As she made her way to the kitchen, she found Sarah stumbling around, downing Jell-O shots that Brad and his friends were giving her, laughing at the way she was acting.  Debbie was just about to pull Sarah away when someone caught her wrist, pulling her forcefully back.

“Hey baby, where’s the fire,” one of Brad’s frat brothers slurred out.  Once he got control of his equilibrium, a sleazy smile spread across his face.  Keeping his hand firmly around Debbie’s wrist he added, “Aren’t you a young little thing.”  Debbie thought she was going to vomit right there.  The guy reeked of booze, smoke, and God only knows what else.  His smile getting broader, he leaned more closely to Debbie’s ear.  “I bet a young little thing like you is a wildcat in bed.”

Debbie was appalled.  “Let go of me,” she demanded through clenched teeth, as she tried to wiggle herself free.

“Baby, calm down.  Don’t try to fight this…this…” he couldn’t finish his sentence as he had a laughing fit.  Through the laughter he added, “…pent up sexual tension.”  Looking at her with lust filled eyes; he slowly raked his eyes over her body, licking his lips as he went, smiling to himself.

All of a sudden, Debbie felt violated.  She wanted to get away from this guy, this house, from this college as far away as possible.  “I’m not your ‘baby,’ got that?”  With that, she ripped her arm away, hoping to make a break for it, however the sleazebag wouldn’t leave her alone as she felt his arms wrap around her waist, pulling her closer to him.

“Now baby…that wasn’t nice.”  Hearing him chuckling behind her, Debbie began to panic as she tried to pry herself loose.  She froze when she felt his mouth beside her ear.  “Ah, I see I have a little spitfire.  Good…I like it when a girl fights back…turns me on even more,” he whispered in her ear.

Debbie could feel her eyes building up with unshed tears.  She had to do something.  Her eyes looked around frantically, hoping to find some type of weapon to use.  When her eyes fell on a table nearby, she smiled inwardly to herself; she just hoped she was fast enough.  Taking a few deep, calming breaths, she quickly brought her foot up, slamming it down hard on the guy’s foot.  The guy yelped out in pain, letting her go.  Taking the advantage, Debbie grabbed the empty beer bottle from the table, slamming it against the guy’s head, knocking him out within seconds.  Debbie quickly looked around, hoping none of his buddies noticed.  No one came charging at her, it seemed the blaring music covered up the sound of the bottle shattering. 

Letting out a huge sigh of relief, Debbie walked back to the kitchen, but stopped when she saw that the only occupants in the room were three of Brad’s friends.  Sarah and Brad were nowhere to be seen.  Before any of them noticed her, she slid behind the wall, listening to them.

“Well, it looks like Brad is going to have some fun tonight,” one of the guys commented.

While the other two chuckled, the third one remained silent for a moment before asking, “What do you mean by that?”

“You’re kidding, right?”

“Hey dude, lay off.  He’s still just a wet, behind the ear freshman,” the second guy commented through his laughter.”  Turning to their freshman brother, the guy continued, “Well, let’s just say that Brad added a little spice to Sarah’s drinks tonight.”

There was a pause, before the freshman guy realized what they were talking about, “Hold on, are you telling me he slipped his own girlfriend a roofie.”

From behind the wall, Debbie was stunned by what she heard.  She would never dream Brad would stoop that low. 

“Well, Brad is the ladies man, you know,” the first guy replied matter-of-factly.  “And in case you ever need help in that department, freshman, Brad’s the man to go to.  You wouldn’t believe all the little drugs he has within his grasp.”

“Why would he do that for?  If he ever got caught, we could all get in trouble,” the freshman said with concern.  “I don’t want him jeopardizing my full ride here.”

“Don’t worry newbie.  Brad’s been at this for years, and has yet to get caught,” said the second guy, trying to calm the younger man down.

“But…but these women are being raped…”

“No, they’re not,” the first guy interjected harshly.  “All these drugs do is relax them a bit.”

“Yeah, but…”

“Listen newbie; don’t worry about it, okay?  Besides we have a party to get to.”  Hearing the shuffling of feet, Debbie quickly scurried away.  She had to find Sarah before it was too late, but she knew she would also need help—and a ride to get out of here.  She dug her cell phone out as she made her way up the stairs, looking for Sarah.

She knew she couldn’t dial either of their parents; they would flip out if they knew where they were, so that left only one person.  Josh.  Hitting the speed dial for Josh’s cell number, she waited on the phone while calling Sarah’s name out.  After the fourth ring, she got an answer.

“Josh?”

“Yeah?”

“It’s Debbie.  Now, before you go off the deep end, you need to listen.”

“What’s wrong, Deb,” Josh asked with concern.

Letting out a heavy sigh she went ahead.  “Josh, we’re at a frat party hosted by Brad’s fraternity.  I need you to get here as quick as you can.  Your sister’s in trouble.  We’re at…”  Before Debbie could finish, her phone went dead due to a dead battery.  “Great, just what I need,” she mumbled to herself as she put her phone back into her pocket.  Debbie just hoped Josh knew where they were.

Walking over to the door on her left, she closed her eyes and opened the door.  She was surprised to see only Sarah in room.  She was lying on the bed, obviously passed out.  Walking quickly over to the bed, Debbie sat on the edge, trying to wake up Sarah.  “Sarah, wake up, c’mon wake up.  We have to get out of here,” she whispered out worriedly, shaking Sarah’s shoulders in the process.  While trying to get her friend’s attention, she didn’t hear the other person slip into the room.  When the door slammed shut, Debbie jumped, startled by the noise.  Turning, Debbie blanched at who she saw.

Blocking the only way out, Brad asked angrily, “What are you doing here, Debbie?”

XXXXX

To Be Continued….