A Touch Of Sin [BxB] - Chapter 50: Chapter 50

"You want me to wear what now?"
"A sheet."
"Why on earth would I go to a party wearing only a sheet?" Jake asks in bewilderment.
I laugh. "Because that's the theme. It's a toga party."
"I don't get it."
"It's just something they do. You're coming."
He huffs, sitting back in his chair. "Fine. But I'm wearing shorts underneath."
"You can wear shorts underneath," I confirm.
As it's the first official week of uni, our campus is throwing another meet-and-greet party, which is themed this time. Jake, Bec, Spud and myself are situated in our small living room.
"The things I do for you," Jake mutters, staring down at the sheet I have laid out before him.
Bec giggles. "Have you never heard of a toga party before?"
"Clearly not."
I frown at his tone. Jake must have realised how he sounded as he quickly made a joke. When I first met him, he wouldn't have cared enough to have done that.
We finish our pre-drinks, stacking our empty bottles into a neat pile. The air is cool as we walk and do one final check to make sure the sheet is hiding everything it's supposed to.
Every person we see is also dressed like us and soon Jake doesn't find it all so weird. Him and Spud walk together and I take the chance to check in with Bec to see how she is doing with everything.
"I love having such a quiet space to study. My house was always so noisy," she explains. "Even the library, it's filled with people but it's so silent. I love it."
"That's great," I smile at her. "How were your first classes?"
"Really good. The work load expected of us is a bit daunting but once I get myself into a routine, I'll be fine."
"I know what you mean. Forty hours a week we're meant to focus on studying and that's not even including attending classes," I shake my head. "And then they throw us these cool parties and expect us to still put in those forty hours of study."
Bec laughs. "Yeah, not going to happen."
Clumps of people have migrated near the pool. It's much the same set-up to the first welcome party, simply trade clothes for sheets.
Jake loops arm with me and pulls me close to him. "Spud has some party favours back at the room, if you're interested."
"Huh?" I ask.
"You know, party favours," he emphasises the words.
I look to Jake to read his expression. "I'm good. Thanks."
We both stare at each other for a moment before he nods and lets go of his hold on me. I feel confused – I've never been interested in that type of thing. Jake walks back to Spud without another word and the two begin talking quietly. I frown at them, wondering what the hell is going on.
"Hey!" a voice to my left says and I reluctantly drag my eyes from them. "I think I'm in your intro to communication class. I'm Lena." The girl is absolutely stunning – beautiful dark skin with flowing black hair framing her face. She smiles at me, revealing two rows of very straight, white teeth.
"Oh hey," I smile back. "I'm Callum."
"Nice outfit," she grins. "Wanted to break from the traditional white, too?"
As a group, we were all wearing maroon coloured sheets, whereas most people were in the standard white. Lena, on the other hand, was wearing a dark grey sheet.
"Thought we would try and be different," I reply, before taking a swig of my beer. "Where are you from?"
"Sydney originally, but I've been here and there for the past couple years. Hoping to stay in one place for now. That's my brother," she points out and I do a double-take. The boy looks pretty similar to Lena, considering I'm assuming they're twins. They have the same features except he appears to be a bit taller. "He's in the same class."
"Oh cool."
"What about you?"
"A small town from nowhere that no one knows," I laugh.
"Try me."
"Alwood."
"Okay, never heard of it," she laughs.
"Most haven't." I steal a glance back to where Jake and Spud were standing to find that they're no longer there. Bec is standing with another girl, chatting, but it appears Jake and Spud have left.
"Sorry Lena, I have to duck back to my room for a bit. It was nice to meet you."
"You too, Callum," she smiles. "Come find me when you come back."
The flirtatious smile she offers me makes me realise her intentions. I begin rushing back to my room. I'm just near the door, when I hear footsteps behind me.
"Where are you off to in a hurry?"
I groan. "Rhett, please don't follow me."
"You're not worried about that roommate of yours alone with your boyfriend, are you?"
"Stay out of it."
"So, you are?"
I whirl around to face him. "Stop stalking me, stop assuming you know what's going on and leave me the fuck alone!"
My teeth clench when I see how handsome Rhett looks.
Rhett's face softens and he takes a step towards me. "Hey, I'm sorry. You're obviously upset. I shouldn't have said that."
The door to my room opens and I hear Jake's laughter before I see him.
"What the fuck?" he exclaims. "How come every time I turn around, you're here?"
I turn my back to Rhett and stare at Jake, trying to find some sort of evidence that he's done what I think he has.
"What did you just do?" I question Jake.
"Yeah, Jake?" Rhett steps beside me and I side-eye a glare at him.
"Rhett, not that this has anything to do with you, but we are on totally different pages here," I snap at him.
"Why are you here?" Jake growls at him.
"I haven't said anything because I thought Callum should be the one to but fuck it, if you're treating him like this, sneaking around with his roommate or whatever the hell you're doing, then I don't care anymore. Callum and I made out – more than once – when we were overseas. It was just on the one night but it happened."
It feels like a weight has been dropped onto my chest.
"Oh shit," I hear Spud say.
"Like I'd believe anything that comes out of your fucking mouth," Jake spits at Rhett, his fists curling by his sides.
Jake finally moves his eyes from Rhett's. His face drops when he sees mine.
"No," his voice drops. "No, this... this can't be true."
"It is," Rhett replies.
"Okay mate, time for you to get out of here," Spud steps up, grabbing Rhett by the arm and dragging him from us. I barely pay any mind to them as I'm watching my boyfriend's heart break right in front of me.
"I've wanted to tell you... I tried..." I splutter pathetically, hot tears burning at my eyes. "I didn't know how. I didn't want to ruin anything we had..."
"I fucking knew it," he breathes, his voice quivering with each word. "I knew something had to have happened. You were gone so long... with him..."
"It was the worst mistake I've ever made. We were drunk – which is no excuse – and I–"
"Save it, Callum," Jake glowers at me and I flinch at his use of my full name. "You're fucking pathetic. To let that happen and then to not tell me for so long. I moved here to be with you, you piece of shit!" he fists his hair, the skin on his face reddening. "You've been by my side, talking to me about our future, when you've known you fucking ruined it all!"
I'm a sobbing mess. I can't breathe. I can no longer see. My body heaves with each word he throws at me.
"And by the way, I didn't do anything. I came back here to take a piss and Spud grabbed his stuff. Not that you probably believe it, with the look you gave me when I came out," Jake shakes his head at me. "I'm done. Fuck this."
"Jake!" I cry, reaching out for him.
He recoils from me.
"You know how I felt about him and you, you lied to me over and over saying nothing was there. This is the worst thing you could have done to me."
I fall to my knees as he walks from me. I've never felt this kind of pain before. I wrap my arms around my head and let out a scream.