Misjudged by Sarah Elizabeth

refill.
    “You’ve had that bad a day?” H e asks me, and I say nothing, but let out a grumble in reply. “I’ll take that as a yes!”
    “Why wouldn’t you go to the show? You’re studying the arts, right?” Brandon’s face and the tone of his voice are both serious as he shoots me a questioning look.
    “I have my reasons,” I mutter, and I think the rest of the guys know not to push me on the subject, so they keep quiet, too.
    While Neil pours me another drink, I risk a glance over towards Brandon, and see him watching me as he starts playing the guitar again. He averts his eyes as soon we make eye contact. I’m sure he’s aware I know of his relationship status now.
    After we all have a few more shots and a couple of beers, the atmosphere has become much more relaxed, and I’m even finding it more comfortable to be around him.
    “Oh, I love this one!” There she goes again. I laugh at Alyssa’s delight as she bobs her head to the rhythm, “I wish I could play!”
    “I could teach you if you want,” Brandon suggests and I see her screwing her face up at the mere thought of it. I don’t know why, but I’m feeling frustrated by how they’re so friendly towards each other, and then inwardly curse myself for being overly dramatic. They don’t have any reason not to be. I guess it’s because I want to be the one having a comfortable and easygoing conversation with him. Oh, hell.
    “Not with these nails, babe ! Besides, I’m all fingers and thumbs when it comes to stuff like that!” She waves her hands up in the air as she wiggles her fingers out in front of her.
    I seriously wish I hadn’t taken a sip of my beer at that precise moment, because the amount I just spluttered out of my mouth and all over myself at her remark, has gained everyone’s attention.
    “Are you okay ?” Ryan jumps up and grabs me a couple of tissues from the coffee table. “What? You don’t think she would be any good at it?”
    “Fingers and thumbs!” Alyssa bursts out laughing as she catches onto why I reacted in that way. “ ’Mr. Operation Orgasm’! We still need to find out who he is!”
    I notice Brandon’s head snap up, and feel my cheeks warming when I see a tiny smile playing over his lips, and for a split second, a sparkle bounces around in his eyes. Why can't he be that same guy from Friday, instead of the womanizing man whore that he so obviously is?
    “ ’Mr. Operation Orgasm’?” He’s looking at me with raised eyebrows, and I notice a trace of amusement in his tone. “This sounds interesting.”
    “He’s the first guy she’s ever let touch her, and I swear she’s been all dreamy eyed over him since Friday!” Alyssa begins to explain , and I feel my whole face turning a bright shade of crimson. “I can’t wait to find out who this guy is!”
    “Alyssa!” I spit out as I try to stop her from saying anymore. “Just leave it,” I hiss as I jump up from the couch and head towards my room.
    “What’s the harm? It’s not as though we know who he is!” She calls after me with a giggle, and I swear that if I hadn’t of decided to walk away, I would’ve been tempted to throw something at her.
    It’s al most eleven, so I decide to change into my pajamas and climb into bed, to avoid any further humiliation. If it wasn’t enough to be feeling embarrassed from his rejection on Saturday night, and to learn he was playing me from the beginning, now I’m feeling completely mortified.
    Granted, if the things we did at the ball hadn’t been so intimate, and if he hadn’t of made me feel so special, I probably wouldn’t be so upset about the whole thing. I shouldn’t be mad at Alyssa, it’s not as though she purposely went out of her way to humiliate me. Brandon and I are the only two who know what happened at the ball, and I think it’s best if it stays that way.
     
     

4.
    Non-existent.
     
    Mixing alcoholic beverages is never a smart idea, especially when I have class early in the