"Here you are!" Sera looked up as Kathleen stumbled toward her. Beer splashed out of her cup, splattering onto the ground. "Whatcha doing out here?"

"Just getting some air."

"Hmm, it does feel nice. Having fun?"

"Yeah, you?"

"Of course, but I got to show you something."

"Now?"

"Yup, get up!" She began to pull on Sera's arm, spilling more of her drink onto her hand and down her arm. "Come on Sera!"

"Can't it wait?" Sera protested, not ready to go plunging back into the house.

"No way! Come on!"

She jerked one more time and Sera reluctantly climbed to her feet. "This had better be good," she mumbled, wiping absently at the back of her skirt.

"Oh, it is." Kathleen hurried back toward the house, tugging Sera behind her. "They're having fun!" she cried as they passed the couple by the wall. "Get a room!"

Sera laughed and climbed the stairs to the door. She plunged back into the house, allowing Kathleen to drag her toward the dance floor. The music pounded around her, vibrating the floor of the house, and hammering into her head. She instantly wished that she were back outside where it was peaceful and cool.

"Look!" Kathleen yelled.

Sera looked around the crowded mass. "Where!" she yelled back.

"Over there!" Kathleen pointed.

Sera looked at the group of girls gathered in the back, but she saw nothing unusual about them. She was about to give up, thinking that Kathleen was losing it, when she spotted Michelle. She was standing amongst the group, a sweet smile on her normally cool face.

Sera was briefly perplexed by Michelle's actions. She was never so openly flirtatious, or seemingly carefree. Then the group parted to reveal a young man in their midst. He was leaning casually against the wall, his arms crossed over his chest as he smiled at the girls surrounding him. He was by far the most gorgeous man that she had ever seen. Her heart began to pound rapidly in her chest as everything around her seemed to freeze. The noise was gone; the room seemed to cease moving. He became the only thing that she could see, the only thing that she could feel.

She had the overwhelming urge to cross the room to him, but she couldn't seem to get her legs to move. They were riveted to the floor where she stood in shock. Gradually, the girls surrounding him began to come back into focus. The music filtered back into her startled mind, and the room once again swarmed with people. She looked at the girls in amazement as they flirted outrageously, and overtly grazed against him with their bodies. He could have his pick of any of them, even Michelle, who was usually too condescending to even think about picking a guy up at a party. Sera glanced back at Kathleen, who was wearing the same starry-eyed expression that she was certain had been on her own face just seconds before.

She looked back to find the strange guy raptly staring at her. She was unable to break free of his intense gaze as his eyes locked on hers. The room seemed to disappear again as he smiled and bowed his head to her. She swallowed heavily, and managed a small smile in return before the group enveloped him once again. Sera felt as if she had just broken free of a trance. She took a startled step back, bumping roughly into the doorjamb. Kathleen turned to her and grasped her arm in a bruising grip.

"Isn't he hot?" she cried.

"Who is he?" Sera managed around the lump in her throat.

"I don't know. He just transferred here this semester. I can't get close enough to talk to him and find out anything."

Sera looked back at the group surrounding him, blocking him from view. She felt a startling sense of loss that completely confused her. She didn't know anything about him, not even his name. She was acting like a silly fool. She was acting like one of the girls crowding around him.

She definitely wasn't acting like herself.

"Come on," Kathleen said, her voice filled with determination.

"What, where?" Sera gasped as Kathleen dragged her toward the dance floor.

She didn't have time to offer more of a protest as Kathleen plunged into the crowd. "Dance!" Kathleen called happily above the noise.

Sera stared dazedly at her before realizing that she looked like a foolish, wooden statue among the swaying bodies. She began to move to the music, but her mind remained on the group in the corner. And the man. She was so focused on her own thoughts, and pondering over the strange sense of loss she had felt, that she didn't realize Kathleen was angling them toward the group until they were only feet away.

When she did realize it, she began to move away, ignoring Kathleen's agitated glances. She moved to the center of the floor, mingling back in with the larger group. She'd be damned if she was going to turn into some groupie, and latch onto some guy that she didn't even know. He was gorgeous, but she would not degrade herself that way.

Kathleen stared up at her. "I'll be back!" she yelled above the music.

Sera nodded and mingled in with a group of girls from her dorm. They smiled warmly at her, and Danielle, another good friend of hers, playfully bumped her hip as she laughed happily. "Did you see the new guy?" she asked eagerly.

Sera rolled her eyes. Was every girl in this room infatuated with him? He was good looking, yes, but couldn't they see that they were all making fools of themselves? There were other guys at this party. "Yeah," she mumbled.

Danielle grinned as she tossed back her long brunette hair. Her hazel eyes were twinkling merrily as she bumped Sera again. "Are you going to talk to him?"

Sera took a step back. "No."

Danielle shook her head before spinning in a circle. Her brown hair twirled around her as she stopped before Sera, beaming from ear to ear. She was a pretty girl with a small, pointy nose, high cheekbones, and a dimpled chin. She was built like a dancer, small, lithe, and graceful.

The fast-paced dance music was cut off as a slow song came on. Sera saw her opportunity to make an exit as couples started to fill the floor. She moved with Danielle toward the door, but found herself unexpectedly blocked off. Frowning in aggravation, she tilted her head up to see who it was that belonged to the body she had walked into, and was now firmly blocking her way.

She froze as her gaze locked onto a set of brilliant green eyes. Eyes so clear and mesmerizing that she was certain no emerald could have compared. Her heart flip-flopped as she gazed at the man before her. The room seemed to disappear again as her entire body reacted to his presence.

It was him.

"Sorry," she managed to say around the sudden lump in her throat.

He smiled; his face and eyes lit up with it. "It was my fault. I was trying to stop you."

"Stop me?"

"Would you like to dance?"

Sera blinked in surprise. She didn't want to dance, she wanted to flee as quickly as possible, but her feet wouldn't move. Instead, without meaning to, she found herself nodding her agreement. He held his hand out to her as a small smile curved his full mouth.

Her gaze traveled to his elegant fingers as his hand clasped around hers. She felt an unexpected bolt of electricity rip through her. She started as her eyes shot back to his. He was staring at her with a mixture of curiosity and amazement. She felt as if he had ripped her skin away and was staring straight into her soul. She felt completely vulnerable, bared to him, but no matter how much she disliked the feeling of vulnerability overtaking her, she couldn't tear her gaze from his.

Then he turned from her. Sera blinked dazedly as the intimate contact was broken. A shiver swept up her spine, but she managed to keep herself from revealing it to him. He led her to the center of the floor and turned to wrap his arms around her waist. Sera found herself staring at a broad chest as she rested her hands against it. She could feel the bunching of thick muscles, and radiating heat in her fingers.

Another shudder, this one of desire, rippled through her. Desire was not something that she experienced; it was something that she feared. She had to bite her lip to keep another shiver repressed as she tilted her head to look up at him.

She took in every inch of his perfectly sculptured face. His eyes were the brilliant color of new sprung leaves. They seemed to glow with an inner light, and they radiated a magnetism that was completely entrancing. His eyelashes were long, thick, and black as they shadowed the planes of his chiseled cheekbones. His nose was straight and narrow. His lips were a deep, blood red, the lower lip slightly fuller than the upper.

Suddenly she longed, in a way that she never had with anyone else, to kiss him. She had to know what his lips tasted like. What they felt like.

Her hands trailed along his chest. She could feel every detail of his ridged muscles beneath his black shirt. His broad shoulders seemed to block out the rest of the room as he spun her around the floor. He was at least six feet tall, a good six inches taller than her, and she had to tilt her head back to look at him. His hair was black, a pure, raven black that was cut short, but waved around his gorgeous face.

He smiled as she hesitantly met his penetrating gaze again. She couldn't imagine why he was choosing to dance with her when he could have any girl here. "What's your name?" he asked. He didn't seem to raise his voice, but she was able to hear him clearly.

"Sera."

"Sera, that's unusual."

"You don't know my full name," she said with a playful grin, unable to believe that she was actually flirting with him. She never flirted; she never even danced with guys. She kept to herself; as a matter of fact she went out of her way to avoid guys altogether. It was easier that way, less upsetting. But now, she found herself unable to stop doing either.

He grinned at her and shifted his hold as he pulled her closer. "What would that be?" he asked; his voice was deep and husky. It sent chills of pleasure down her spine.

"Serendipity Hill."

He broke into a grin as he chuckled. "Well now isn't that perfect. Sera, I think my meeting you was serendipitous."

She laughed and shrugged. "Who knows, maybe. What's your name?"

"Liam Byrne."

"Nice to meet you," she said as the music ended.

She felt a sense of loss as his arms fell away from her. "Would you like to go somewhere else?" he inquired.

Sera nervously licked her lips; her gaze flitted around the crowded room. "Where?"

Liam was thrown off by her sudden hesitation and distress. His mind went from wonderful, lust filled thoughts of the bedroom, to making her feel safe and secure. "For a walk. It's hot and loud in here. Too loud to talk, and I would like to get to know you better."

She stared at him in disbelief, and then, to her astonishment, she found herself nodding in agreement as the music blared again. He took hold of her hand and led her off the crowded dance floor. She numbly followed behind, unable to believe that she had agreed to leave with him. What was the matter with her? She knew better than to do this, knew better than to allow this to happen, but she couldn't stop herself.

She caught the envious glances tossed her way as they moved through the thick crowd. Suddenly, Michelle stepped in front of her.

"Where are you going?" she demanded, her eyes chillingly cold.

Sera pulled on Liam's hand, stopping him in the midst of the crowd. He turned back to her, a frown marring his forehead. His eyes traveled to Michelle and his frown deepened. "I don't know yet," Sera answered.

"This is very unlike you Sera," she said coldly. "I've never known you to leave a party with someone, has Kathleen finally succeeded in making you a slut?"

Sera's face flamed red with embarrassment. Michelle was supposed to be one of her best friends, why was she attacking her like this?

"That is uncalled for," Liam growled, taking a step closer to her.

Michelle's eyes blazed with vehemence as they landed upon him. Sera found herself trapped between them, her face on fire. She had no idea how to get away from either one of them, but she desperately wanted to bolt from this awkward situation. "Well Michelle, it is like you to be a bitch." Kathleen appeared at Sera's side, her jaw clenched angrily as she leveled Michelle with a fierce look. "Even I, who am well aware of how much of a bitch you can be, am astounded by this new level."

Michelle's eyes settled on Kathleen. They burned with an intense hatred unlike anything Sera had seen before. A chill shuddered through Sera in the face of that hatred. Kathleen seemed not to notice it as she grabbed hold of Sera's arm and steered her away. She found herself pulling Liam behind her through the crowd as Kathleen plunged onward. They made their way outside where Kathleen released her arm, slid to the bottom step, and hugged her middle as she burst out laughing.

"Did... you... see... her... face?" she managed to wheeze out. "That was great!"

"Kathleen..." Sera started.

"Oh I know, she's a friend of yours," Kathleen waved a hand in dismissal as she sobered up. "But I love putting her in her place. Besides, I don't know how you can consider that stuck up bitch a friend."

"She's your friend?" Liam inquired.

"Yes."

"Good friends you have," he commented dryly.

"Hey!" Kathleen protested. "I'm a very good friend. By the way, my name is Kathleen, and you are...?"

"Liam."

"Nice to meet you Liam."

"You too, Kathleen."

Kathleen climbed to her feet and absently brushed at her wrinkled skirt. "I'm going to head back to the room; are you coming with me Sera?"

"I'll be there in a little bit."

Kathleen's gaze darted nervously to Liam. "Are you sure you're going to be all right?"

Sera smiled reassuringly at her. Regardless of Kathleen's carefree demeanor, Sera knew that Kathleen worried about her. "I'll be fine. Why are you heading back so early?"

"I've had my share of entertainment, alcohol, leering guys, and bitches for the night," she said with a huge grin. "I'll see you later." She hopped off the stairs and skipped down the sidewalk. "Don't do anything I wouldn't do!" she called over her shoulder, "Which is nothing!"

Sera could hear her laughing all the way down the street. She turned back to Liam, who was watching Kathleen's disappearing figure. "She seems like fun," he commented dryly.

"She is. Lots of fun, and my best friend."

"I don't know you, or your friends very well, but I would suggest rethinking at least one of them."

Sera turned and headed down the sidewalk, kicking at a few loose stones. "Michelle is a little funny about some things," she admitted.

"I must have missed her sense of humor."

She laughed and turned to walk backward in front of him. "She doesn't have one, but she's a good person, once you get to know her. She's just used to getting whatever she wants."

"And what did she want that she didn't get?"

Sera looked away, a blush stained her cheeks as a wave of shyness swept her. "She wanted you," she mumbled, unable to meet his eyes.

"And she always gets what she wants?"

Sera looked up at him, expecting him to be laughing at her. Instead, his face was expressionless, and his eyes were cold and remote. Sera stopped walking. He halted before her, his eyes focused upon her, but remained distant. "Yes," she said carefully. "Michelle always gets what she sets her mind to. She's beautiful, and smart, and not easily denied."

Liam's gaze searched her small, delicate face. He hadn't been wrong in his assumption earlier; her eyes were spectacular. They were a swirling combination of sapphire blue and vivid purple. The violet mingled with the blue in such a way that it was almost impossible to discern one color from the other. He could become lost in those beguiling eyes if he wasn't careful.

Which he always was. He couldn't allow himself to become involved with someone, or to get attached. But, he found himself becoming intrigued with her. If he wasn't careful, he might actually find himself liking her. That was something that he couldn't do, wasn't capable of doing. He needed to stay aloof, and distant from her.

"I see," he finally replied.

She searched his face for the reason that he was suddenly so detached, but he remained impassive. "Why does that make you angry?"

He smiled as he took hold of her hand and began to walk again. "It doesn't make me angry. I just don't like it when people assume things."

"Assume things?"

"She assumed that she would always get what she wanted, and so did you."

"I'm not assuming anything," she retorted. "That's the way it's always been."

"Well, it isn't now."

"Besides, she won't give up. She never does."

"So?"

Sera looked down at the sidewalk. "You never know what the future holds."

"Wouldn't I have a say in it?" he asked, his voice tinged with ire.

"Yes," she said. "I didn't mean to upset you."

He squeezed her hand. "I know you didn't, but I don't want Michelle, and I think that's why she was so mad at you."

"Why?"

He smiled down at her as he led her across the street. It was then that Sera realized they had left the campus and were heading into town. The streets were packed with cars. People, mostly college students, were milling around outside the bars smoking cigarettes. Music filled the air as they passed by the crammed bars and groups of people on the street. She couldn't help but smile as she noticed the envious glances of the women they passed.

They turned a corner and left the noise of the bars and restaurants behind for the closed shops. "She knew that I had my eye on someone else."

"And who would that be?" she asked.

"Some blond who wouldn't talk to me." Sera was pleased by the teasing glint in his eyes.

She laughed as she cast him a smile. "Who could with the swarm that you had around you?"

He stopped walking, tugging on her hand to halt her. She stopped before him, tilting her chin up to gaze into his amazing green eyes. "I found a way to talk to you," he said huskily.

His voice sent shivers down her spine. His intense stare caused her to bite nervously on her bottom lip as his hand came up to caress her cheek. "There wasn't a swarm of people around me," she said as she relished in the feel of his touch against her skin.

"No," he whispered. "Just a bunch of leering guys who were too scared to talk to you."

Sera burst into laughter. "Oh, I don't think so."

His hand froze on her face as he stared at her doubtfully. "Didn't you notice them?"

Sera looked at him in confusion and took a step back. His hand fell from her face. A sense of loss enveloped her as the contact was broken. "Notice who?" she asked.

He stared at her with the relentless intensity that she was beginning to grow accustomed to. Her eyebrows rose inquiringly as she tried to discern what he was searching for, but she had no idea why he was looking at her like that. He gently placed his hand on her face and drew her closer. Her heart began to pound eagerly as she rested her hands against his chest. The air seemed to crackle with electricity as his thumb brushed over her cheek.

She stared into his green eyes as they burned into hers. She was completely useless against the magnetic pull that was drawing her in. She closed her eyes as his lips brushed against hers; they sent a shower of sparks and heat throughout her body.

Her mouth opened and his tongue delved heatedly into it. His hands thrust into her hair as he kissed her hungrily. Her whole body was on fire as she clutched at his back to pull him closer. He eased her against the cool cement of a store wall as his firm body pressed against hers. Her knees turned to Jell-O as his hands leisurely caressed the exposed skin of her stomach.

Suddenly, the loud burst of a horn ripped into her daze. She jumped as her mind cleared of its passion-induced haze. With frightening clarity she realized that she was alone, in an alley, with a man that she didn't know. A man that was strong enough to do whatever he wanted to her.

Apprehension surged through her and she pushed frantically at his solid chest. Needing him to get away from her; needing to breathe. He pulled away from her, his eyes a darker, passion clouded green. She took a shuddery breath as she tried to stop the shaking in her legs, and the pounding of her heart that no longer had anything to do with desire. Her eyes pleaded with him not to harm her as her hands slid away from his chest to clutch at the cool cement of the wall behind her.

"I'm not going to hurt you."

Shame flooded her face as she looked down at her feet. "I better get back," she finally managed to say.

"All right."

Sera blinked as he took her hand. Dread blazed through her and she stiffened involuntarily. However, when he didn't make another move toward her, some of the dread dissipated. She knew many men would have been irritated by her refusal, by her sudden hot and cold. Yet Liam seemed to take it all in stride as they walked toward the college.

It perplexed her, and she couldn't stop herself from casting wary glances his way. Not only did he make her melt just by touching her, but he also seemed to be a decent person. It was too good to be true, there had to be something wrong with him.

Liam tried to puzzle out the mystery that was Sera. He had finally seen what it was that Mike had been talking about. There had been so much trepidation and pleading in her eyes, that it had actually constricted his heart. She had instantly reminded him of a frightened, trapped animal, and he had understood why Mike had said to leave her be.

It was obvious that she had been hurt in the past. But how bad it had been, he didn't know. His hand involuntarily tensed around hers as the thought of anyone mistreating her sent a flash of burning anger through him. What was the matter with him? He didn't know this girl from Eve; he shouldn't give a rat's ass about what had happened to her in the past.

He chanced a glance at her as she walked along; her golden head was bent as she studied the sidewalk. He frowned thoughtfully as he realized that for some strange reason, he did give a rat's ass. He clenched his jaw as he turned to study the campus. She was the type of person that he could truly come to like, and that was a chance that he couldn't take.

They passed the party, which had begun to slow down. There was a scattering of people sleeping on the lawn, while others were spilling out the doors. The music was still going, but it wasn't as loud anymore. "Hey Liam!" someone yelled drunkenly from the stonewall. "You get some man?"

Liam was surprised by the deep blush that instantly stained her cheeks. He was certain that he had never seen anyone turn that red, that fast. He squeezed her hand for reassurance. "I see that you've made some friends since you've been here," she said.

"I've never met him."

"It's Jason Riggs."

"He's an asshole."

"If you think so now, wait till you get to know him," she told him.

"Sounds like you like him," he commented dryly.

"Not at all, but you learn to deal with him."

"Has he ever done anything to you?"

Her face burned even hotter as she recalled some of the rude comments that he'd made to her in the past. "No, just stupid comments, petty stuff really."

He could tell by her tone that it wasn't just petty stuff to her. He glanced over his shoulder to see if he could still spot Jason, but the frat house was well behind them. He would have a talk with Jason later to make sure that he didn't bother her again. His frown deepened as he realized that he actually felt protective of this girl. Jesus, he needed to get away from her, now.

They turned a corner and her dorm came into view. Disappointment filled her as she realized the night was ending already. Shaking her head to clear her conflicting emotions, she tugged upon his hand.

"This is my dorm," she said, stopping in front of it.

"I'll walk you to your room."

She stared at him as she tried to figure him out. Was he just being polite, or did he expect something to happen once they were at her room? But Kathleen had said that she would be there, so he couldn't be expecting anything. Sera thoughtfully chewed on her bottom lip. She was still busy trying to figure him out when they entered the building.

Liam was just as startled as she was. He'd planned to leave her at the door to the building, and go back to the party. There were probably some girls still lingering about who would be more than happy to spend the night with him. Instead, he found himself unwilling to leave her until he knew that she was safely in her room.

"Do you live on campus?" she asked.

"At the Omega house."

"I don't picture you as a frat guy."

"It's better than living in a dorm. More freedom."

"I guess."

She stopped in front of her door and turned to face him. "Do you want to come in? Kathleen is probably still up." In fact she knew that Kathleen was still up, waiting to hear about everything that had happened.

"All right."

She opened the door and stepped aside to let him in. Kathleen was sitting on her bed, a beer in hand as she talked happily with Danielle. They both froze, their mouths gaping as they entered. "Hi," Kathleen finally managed to stammer out.

"Hey," Sera said. "What are you guys up to?"

"Nothing," Danielle answered, her eyes latched onto Liam.

"Beer?" Kathleen asked.

"Isn't it against the rules for you to have alcohol in the dorm rooms?" Liam asked teasingly.

"It's also against the rules for you to be here," she replied happily.

He smiled at her as she dug beneath her bed to pull out a cooler. Liam grabbed two beers from it, popped the top on one, and handed it to Sera. "How do you like this school so far?" Danielle asked unusually shy and hesitant.

"I'm, having a good time, so far."

"You have to watch out for some of the people," Kathleen said. "They can be funny." Her eyes settled on Sera. "It takes some people longer to realize that than others."

Liam looked over at her, his gaze just as intense as Kathleen's was. "I figured that," he said.

A muffled knock on the door made them all jump. "Crap," Danielle said, ditching her beer under the bed. Sera grabbed Liam's can and shoved both of them into her desk drawer. It was bad enough there was a man in their room, but being caught with alcohol would surely get them expelled.

Heart hammering, she walked over to the door and cracked it a little. Michelle stood outside, her long auburn hair spilled around her beautiful face. "Can I come in?" she asked.

Sera stepped back, a knot of anxiety formed in her stomach. She wasn't in the mood for an intense encounter. Michelle swept into the room and froze when she spotted Liam sitting elegantly on Sera's bed, beers back in hand. He stared back at her with open disdain before standing and walking over to hand Sera her beer. He managed a small smile for her as he casually leaned against the wall, his shoulder brushing against hers as he crossed his legs before him.

She didn't quite understand what was going on, but she knew that he was trying to tell her, and everyone in the room, something. Michelle's dark eyes were filled with resentment as she stared at him. "Hello everyone," Michelle greeted coldly.

"Hey," Danielle said nervously. "What's up?"

"I just came to apologize for what I said earlier." The apology was meant for Sera but Michelle's eyes remained locked on Liam.

Sera shifted uncomfortably as Liam stood straighter. She still didn't understand what was going on, but she could feel anger radiating from him. He took a swig of beer and stepped away to place it on her desk before heading back to rest his hands upon her shoulders.

"I'd better get going," he said.

"All right."

Unbelievable disappointment welled up inside of her. She barely knew him, and yet she felt as if something would be missing when he left. She took a deep breath in an attempt to get her irrational emotions under control. She hadn't had that much to drink, but maybe the alcohol was affecting her.

"I'll see you tomorrow."

He leaned down and kissed her tenderly. Warmth instantly spread through her whole body. She had to clench her hand around her beer in order to keep herself from grabbing him, and deepening the kiss. When he pulled away from her, there was a wealth of confusion in his eyes.

Liam studied her attentively. He hadn't meant to tell her that he would see her tomorrow. He'd planned to walk out of this room, and never see her again. She was too dangerous. She made him feel things that he had never felt before. Things that he wasn't supposed to feel, wasn't allowed to feel.

Yet, he found himself wanting to protect her, shelter her, and to ease the distress that he had seen in her eyes earlier. He craved her with an intensity that was even now hardening him. She was the most delectable, entrancing woman that he had ever met.

Sera managed to nod a response before he turned away from her. He brushed by Michelle, not even looking at her as he opened the door. "Nice to meet you guys," he said to Kathleen and Danielle, pointedly ignoring Michelle.

"Bye," they said in unison.

He shut the door behind him, and they all remained silent for a few seconds. "Oh my God," Danielle gushed. "He is so hot."

"You had better spill!" Kathleen said, excitedly bouncing on her bed.

"Oh yes!" Danielle cried. "Where did you guys go? How was that kiss?"

Sera stared at them before she turned to Michelle. She was nonchalantly leaning against the door, but the set of her jaw belied her cool composure. "I'd better go too," she said as she stepped away from the wall. "I'll see you later, and I am sorry about earlier."

"It's all right," Sera replied dully.

Michelle swung the door open and closed it loudly behind her. "What is her problem?" Danielle asked.

"Bet you ten she tries to catch up with him." Kathleen scrambled off her bed and raced to the window.

"Kathleen..." Sera started.

"Never seen her walk that fast before," Kathleen commented.

Sera was unable to resist looking. Michelle was hurrying down the front walk, Liam just ahead of her. He suddenly turned around as Michelle walked over to him. Sera's heart began to speed up as they stood together beneath the street light.

"That bitch!" Kathleen cried, angrily slamming her hands on the sill. "That rotten bitch!"

"I can't believe it," Danielle whispered.

Sera felt as if someone had socked her in the stomach as the two continued to talk. She could barely even breathe. "Well if he wants her..." she barely choked out.

"Screw that!" Kathleen snapped.

Michelle reached out to touch Liam's shoulder flirtatiously, but he took a step back from her. Sera watched in amazement as he turned and walked away from her. Michelle stood for a moment before turning and walking the other way. "Good for him," Kathleen muttered. "I knew I liked him for a reason!"

Sera turned away from the window and sat on her bed. "I can't believe her," Danielle declared. "She's got a set of balls."

"No, she's just a back stabbing bitch! Now I hope you realize what she is." Sera stared up at Kathleen in confusion. "She's not worth being upset over."

Sera blinked and shook her head. "I'm not upset about her."

"Then what's the matter?"

"I don't know, I guess I'm just confused."

"About what?" Danielle asked, sitting next to her, and handing Sera her beer.

Sera took a long swallow and began to twirl the beer in her hand. "I don't know what just happened."

"What do you mean?" Kathleen demanded, hands on her hips.

Sera stood and walked back to the window. The street was empty now. "I don't know. I just don't know."

"Sera," Danielle said. "You're not making any sense."

"I've never met anyone like him," she murmured. "No one has ever made me feel that way. He looks at me, and I melt. He touches me, and shivers run up and down my spine. He kisses me, and the whole world disappears, and I feel... well I don't know how to explain what I feel. All I know is that I feel more for him in the past hour than anyone I've ever met. How is that possible?"

"I don't know, maybe it's the alcohol," Kathleen joked.

Sera put her beer down. "Maybe you're right, but I don't think so."

"That's a good thing," Danielle said forcefully. "Why are you questioning it?"

"I don't know; have you ever felt like that?"

"No."

"Then there's Michelle..."

"Don't tell me you're concerned about that tramp!" Kathleen cried.

"No, it's not that. I just don't understand what in the world he could want with me, when he could have her?"

Danielle and Kathleen's mouths dropped open. "Because he has good taste," Kathleen answered dryly. "It's obvious to the rest of us what Michelle is; you're the one that refuses to see it."

"I see it now," Sera whispered.

But too late. She always saw things too late. She had truly thought that Michelle was her friend; she had trusted her. But, after everything that had happened tonight, she knew that her trust had been misplaced, yet again. Just like it always was.

And now there was Liam. She didn't know what to make of him, or the way that he made her feel. She hated feeling this way, it only led to suffering. She found herself torn between wanting to see him again, and hoping that she never would. She closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around herself as her body trembled with her torn emotions.

***

Liam walked back into the frat house. The music had been turned down; the lights were dimmed to give the house a more romantic vibe. Although, how anyone could feel romantic in the jumbled mess of garbage, and the stench of beer, he didn't know. However, some people obviously did. He could hear more than one couple having sex in the dance room, and knew that the thumps over his head weren't drunks falling down.

"Hey, how'd it go?"

Liam turned as Mike came strolling in from the back room with a cute brunette tucked under his arm. She grinned up at Liam drunkenly as she leaned heavily against Mike's side. Jack and Doug followed behind him; a redhead was under Jack's arm, and a brunette under Doug's. "Fine," he replied absently.

Mike flashed a drunken smirk as he leaned against the banister. "Told you so."

Liam scowled at him. "Told him what?" Jack asked happily.

"About Sera."

"Oh," Jack replied, his forehead furrowed. "You shouldn't have even bothered to try, she doesn't give it up."

"I didn't try!" Liam barked. "And don't talk about her like that."

He was even more astonished than they were by the hostility in his voice, and the sudden tension that filled him. Mike lifted a blond brow questioningly, but didn't say anything. Jack and Doug both stared at him with expressions of shock.

"Well," Doug was the first to recover. "There are some girls back there who are more than willing."

The brunette giggled as she wrapped her arm around Doug's waist. Liam couldn't help the sneer of revulsion that curled his upper lip. He looked away from her, his gaze traveled down the hall to the back living room. He could hear voices coming from there, most of them female. For a minute he was tempted. He was still partially erect from his time with Sera and he wouldn't mind having someone relieve him.

Growing hard again just at the thought of Sera, he took a step toward them, and then stopped. He suddenly realized that he wasn't in the mood for one of those girls, that he didn't want them. Frowning, and suddenly very annoyed, he turned back around and headed for the stairs. His emotions were a rioting mess that he couldn't even begin to fathom right now.

"Where ya going?" Jack slurred.

"To bed," he muttered.

"Are you serious man? There are plenty of girls back there!"

"Hey," Mike snatched hold of Liam's arm before he could escape. "You all right?"

Liam's jaw clenched as he gazed at his friend. Mike's eyes searched his face in bewilderment. "No," Liam responded as he pulled his arm free. "I'm not."

He turned away and stalked up the stairs.