The War God Alpha's Arranged Bride (Evelyn and Alexander) novel Chapter 303

**Steps Along Forgotten Roads**
**By Sophia Reed**
**Chapter 303: Frat Party**

**Judy’s POV**

What on earth am I doing? Honestly, I can’t shake the feeling that this is one of the most regrettable decisions I’ve ever made. Yet, there was a promise I made to Nan, and I was determined to stick to it. We were going to this party together, come hell or high water.

As we approached the school, I turned to Leroy, who had been kind enough to give me a ride. “Thanks for the lift, Leroy,” I said, trying to sound more grateful than I felt.

He shrugged, his eyes focused on the road ahead. “It’s my job,” he replied matter-of-factly. “You don’t need to thank me.”

I gave a nonchalant shrug in response, though deep down I appreciated his kindness.

“But still,” I murmured, almost to myself.

A grin broke across his face as he glanced at me through the rearview mirror. “If you need me to pick you up early, just give me a shout,” he offered. “I know how these parties can get, and I wouldn’t hold it against you if you wanted to leave early.”

His thoughtfulness warmed my heart, and I nodded, feeling a swell of gratitude. As he parked the car, I thanked him one last time before stepping out and heading toward the student lounge, where I had promised to meet Nan. We had planned to walk to the party together, but now I found myself anxiously scanning the area for her familiar figure.

When I didn’t spot her right away, I decided to wait. I perched on the staircase, ignoring the dirt that might have smudged my dress, and I continued to wait, though it felt like an eternity. I checked my phone, frowning at the time; wasn’t it supposed to be 8? It was creeping closer to 9, and a gnawing worry began to settle in my stomach.

Had she gone to the party without me?

Just as I was about to rise and make my way to the frat house solo, I heard my name being called.

“Judy!” I turned to see Nan rushing toward me, her black dress flowing around her as she moved. She looked stunning; the dress was short, hugging her curves and showcasing her long legs and the graceful curve of her neckline. I couldn’t help but feel a pang of envy at how effortlessly beautiful she always seemed.

As she drew closer, I noticed her eyes were slightly puffy and red.

Had she been crying?

“Are you alright?” I asked, my concern bubbling to the surface as she finally reached me.

She offered me a smile, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Yeah,” she said, her voice a little breathless. “Sorry for the delay. I was running behind schedule. Had to shop for this dress and ended up taking longer than I expected.”

I nodded, draping my arm through hers, trying to offer some comfort. “No worries at all,” I assured her. “Let’s just get this over with.”

A laugh escaped her lips, and for a moment, the tension seemed to lift. “That’s the spirit,” she replied, her smile returning, albeit faintly.

Side by side, we made our way to the frat house. The atmosphere was electric, filled with noise and laughter, and the crowd spilled out from the house into the night. The weather was pleasant, so it made sense that so many people were congregating outside.

As we approached the entrance, the music thumped loudly, and I felt a dull ache begin to form in my head.

We navigated through the throngs of people, Nan keeping a firm grip on my arm as she greeted a few guys she recognized. I felt their eyes on her, their gazes heavy with desire, and an uneasy feeling washed over me. I made a mental note to keep a close watch on her tonight; I didn’t trust these frat boys, especially not with my best friend.

“Let’s grab some beer!” she exclaimed, her excitement palpable.

I wrinkled my nose in distaste. “Ugh, I hate beer,” I muttered, feeling a wave of reluctance wash over me.

“It’s a frat party, Judy. They don’t serve much else,” she countered, her tone playful yet insistent.

With a resigned sigh, I followed her into the house, and we soon found ourselves in the kitchen. Coolers were lined up, filled to the brim with various brands of beer. Nan eagerly grabbed a can and handed another to me.

As we cracked them open, she raised her can in a toast. “To our first frat party!” she cheered, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

I couldn’t help but laugh, clinking my can against hers. We took a sip, and I nearly choked on the bitter flavor. Beer was definitely not my drink of choice, but perhaps I could learn to tolerate it for the sake of the night.

The living room was even louder, a chaotic dance floor filled with people already inebriated. Girls were grinding against the frat boys, and the sight was both amusing and slightly alarming.

Nan and I exchanged glances and burst into laughter at the ridiculousness of it all, our silly mock dances drawing a few amused looks from those around us. It felt liberating to let loose with my best friend, especially since she matched my goofy energy so perfectly.

As we continued to sip our beers, I noticed that the taste was becoming less offensive with each gulp. Maybe this night wouldn’t be so terrible after all. Nan finished her beer first and grabbed another, her cheeks already flushed from the alcohol. I could only imagine how tipsy she would be after her second drink.

“Beer bong outside!” one of the frat boys shouted, and the crowd erupted in cheers, rushing toward the back patio. Nan tugged on my arm, pulling me along with her.

We joined the throng around the beer bong table, and I was surprised when Nan volunteered to be a partner for one of the guys.

“Nan, you’ve never played before!” I exclaimed, my voice a mix of disbelief and concern.

She laughed, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “So what? There’s a first time for everything!”

With a burst of energy, she rushed toward the towering frat boy, high-fiving him enthusiastically. His expression shifted as he looked her up and down, clearly appreciating what he saw. He gestured for her to go first.

Her initial attempt to hit the cup failed, and the crowd erupted in laughter, including Nan herself. The opposing team scored on their first try, and Nan was forced to down her drink in one go. I watched in shock as she chugged the entire cup, my heart racing at the sight.

The game continued; Nan managed to score a couple of hits, but for the most part, she was losing miserably. The guy on her team didn’t seem to mind, reveling in the spectacle of her bouncing around, clearly enjoying the show.

By the end of the game, it was evident that Nan was completely wasted. I could feel the effects of my second beer, but I was still relatively coherent compared to her. She could barely walk straight, her words slurred and jumbled together.

The guy on her team placed a hand on her lower back, guiding her away while whispering something into her ear. A frown creased my brow as I followed closely behind, grabbing Nan’s hand to pull her back toward me.

“Hey!” the guy protested, clearly annoyed.

“Take a hike,” I shot back, pulling Nan firmly away from him.

I couldn’t quite decipher what she was mumbling, but it sounded like she was trying to protest as I dragged her away.

“You need to lighten up!” the guy called after us. “It’s just a party!”

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