Fragment of Us

eeling about the p

morning, and Nick had already mentioned wanting to h

rthur's shoulder as they left class that afternoon. "You've be

I don't know, Tyler

ling his eyes. "You're not attached a

ed. "It's no

n't want to come, I won't force you. But I just th

h assignments lately, and he couldn't remem

lled about it, but it wasn't l

relented. "But I'm

ed. "That's

place Arthur normally avoided-loud music, dim lights, and a

ppeared into the crowd, leaving Art

g at his phone. There

Home

ated before

rty with Tyler.

passed befor

Tyler

ration. He could already imag

just a party.

't reply

nd through his hair. Maybe h

ed another drink," a

l, dark-haired, with an easy s

is head. "I'm

coaxed. "One drin

en decided one mo

of music, flashing ligh

point, the guy-his drinking buddy for the night-had sta

rthur had said at one p

d. "Cool. We can just b

reasonable eno

morning light filtered through unfamiliar

. A strange room. Clothes scattered on the floor.

no

ugh him. His heart pounded as he scrambled to check himself-his sh

o remember. But his mind was a haze

hone

nightstand, his hands shak

We'r

omach twist

uneven bursts as he scro

he sa

ot

ughing, the guy's hand on his waist. And then a final one, the wor

ntire body

ne so tightly his knuckles turned white. "Th

ck, but it went str

ike he was go

o his feet. The guy in the bed stirred

g," he

turned. "What hap

elax, nothing happened. You pa

ly, relief and horro

?" Arthur demanded,

runk. Someone said to bring y

eart pound

the party. Seemed real interested in

stomach

d him here. No idea how t

ck was

s phone again, ty

I don't know what happ

age woul

hed as he realized-N

is throat as he tried calli

mbled into the street, the weight

done thi

he suppose