The restaurant is nice, but it’s not too fancy, which is good because I did not dress for fancy. Alex was right though, Justin is wearing ripped skinny jeans and a navy blue long sleeve with white shoes. He did dress nicer than I imagined; however, I also believe that anything he wears will look good and fit the occasion.
I had ordered chicken parmesan and Justin ordered spaghetti and now we are just sitting waiting for our food. Justin and I had a lot to talk about and we got to know each other pretty well, at least the basic things.
“So do you remember more from last night?”
I shrug and take a sip of my drink, “Most of it came back, but some I’m still questioning if that really happened?”
“Like what? Maybe I can help you out?”
I blush, thinking of how I think Harry had kissed my shoulder, “Um. I think I remember kissing Alex, but she didn’t say anything.”
“Oh that definitely happened, but it was because of the game. Anything else?”
“I don’t know if you can help me with the others unless you saw me after the game.”
He shrugs, “Honestly, I bet what you’re thinking happened, probably happened. Maybe it might be a little off because your mind wasn’t in the right state, but the main thing you remember most likely took place. Was it bad?”
Shaking my head I quickly say, “No, I just remember someone yelling.”
“Oh. Hmm. It was loud, so I don’t think I can help you there. Especially since we were most likely on different floors.” I nod, but before I could reply our food is served and I dig in.
“This is amazing. Chicken Parmesan is one of my favorites.”
“Yeah, I may or may not have asked Alex what you liked. But, this place was all my idea.”
I smile at this, “Aw. That’s sweet. It’s really good. I wish I could cook, but I’m not the best. I get that from my mom.”
He laughs, “Your mom can’t cook either?”
“Nope. My dad, on the other hand, he makes a mean cook.”
“Interesting” Justin smiles and I take another bite out of my delicious meal.

---

After dinner, Justin dropped me off and walked me to the front door, but he only gave me a kiss on the cheek. We said our goodbyes and as soon as I walked into the house someone shouted, “Kennedy’s home!”
I hear people running down the stairs and see Alex and Tanner racing to me. Before I get a word out Alex grabs my wrist and pulls me back up the way she just came with Tanner trailing behind me, “We need to talk.”
“What’s going on?” I ask, trying to cover up the fact that I’m a little out of breath from running up the stairs.
I’m pushed into Tanner’s room trying to catch my footing before sitting on her bed. Alex pulls up her desk chair and Tanner sits down beside me and gives me a reassuring smile, “How was it?”
“It was fun. He’s a great guy and we got to know each other more.”
“That’s good.” Tanner looks at Alex and back to me, “So. Do you like him?”
“Um. I don’t know if I’m even looking for a relationship right now. I’m, hopefully, going to be starting nursing school in the spring, and that’s already going to take up a lot of my time. I don’t need to worry about another person too.”
Tanner nods and it’s Alex’s turn to speak, “Yeah. I get that, do what you think is best for you.” She pauses and bites her lip, a nervous habit of hers, before changing the subject, “Have you spoken to Harry?”
I give her a questioning look, “Why do I need to speak to Harry?” Now Alex turns to Tanner and they seem to be having a silent conversation, “What’s going on?”
Alex sighs, “It’s. Um. Just something went down at the party last night, and I thought he would have told you.”
“Oh. I remember. It’s not a big deal.”
Alex’s eyebrows bunch together as she asks, “Are you sure?”
“Yeah. It was just a game.” I see Tanner’s jaw drop and Alex’s eyes grow, “What?”
“No. I mean-” Alex stops, “It’s not a game, Ken.”
“Alex. It was just a kiss. ‘Drunk Jenga’ was the name of the game, it’s not a big deal.”
“Oh my god,” Tanner mutters as she rubs her forehead.
Alex leans back in her chair and groans, “Kennedy. I’m not talking about the damn game. Screw the kiss. You’re my best friend. Do you remember what happened after the game? How did you feel this morning?”
“Um. Harry brought me up to his room and I showered and I think went to sleep. It’s a little fuzzy. But this morning I felt a little strange, but I just assumed it was because of all the alcohol and the fact that I didn’t know where I was.”
Alex nods, “It’s because someone put something in your drink.”
“What?” I glance back and forth between them and see they aren’t smiling. It’s not a joke, “Wh-who? How do you know that?”
“I got a call from Zayn while you were out on your date, saying that Justin told him to look into something. It was about you. I guess you told him how you were feeling today and he got suspicious. But that’s not everything.” I nod, urging her to go on, “I guess after the shower, you ended up walking down the hallway and some guy handed you a drink. You were already pretty drunk, so I’m not surprised you took a drink from a stranger. I guess Harry found you and ended up throwing the drink in that douche bags face. He put you back in bed and I guess got into it with that guy.”
“Wh-what?” My hand is covering my mouth and Tanner embraces me in a hug, “That could have been so bad. Did he touch me?”
Tanner quiets me down and rubs my back while Alex answers my question, “Zayn spoke to Harry. He said that he didn’t think the guy had the chance. You only had taken a couple drinks so I don’t think he tried to make a move on you yet.”
“What’s going to happen? What Fraternity was he in?”
She sighs, “He was a Gamma. Since Louis is the president, he’s kicking him out and reporting him. Harry did a number on him, but I don’t think he will speak.”
“Harry hurt him?” They stay silent and I pull away from Tanner, “Why did Harry or Justin not tell me?”
“Justin probably just found out, like you. Harry, well. I think he wanted to, but that’s something you need to ask him. I don’t have the answer to that one.” I nod and stand up. I need to get out of here.
“I’m going to go shower. Goodnight.”
“Love you, Ken.” I give a small smile and exit the room. I walk past a few doors before entering my own room and look at myself in the mirror. I know I’m lucky for Harry coming at the right time, but it’s just scary to think about what could have happened. I’ve always heard about things like this, but I guess I never thought it would happen to me. I never imagined that I would one day be a target.
My phone vibrates and I see a text from Harry. I open it and read all of the ones he sent me earlier. At least now I know that he wanted to tell me.
1833 From Harry: Hey, we just got done cleaning the house, can we meet up?
1944 From Harry: Kenny? I really need to talk to you.
2029 From Harry: I stopped by your house to see if you were home, they said you were on a date. Can you text me when you get back?
2213 From Harry: I’m outside. Please come talk to me.
I read the last message and set my phone on the dresser, rushing down the stairs and to the front door. I open it and see Harry’s back facing me as he’s sitting on the steps with his head in his hands.
“Harry?” he turns around and quickly stands up, wrapping me in his arms. Once I feel his warmth around me, the tears begin to fall.
“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry, Kennedy.” He holds the back of my head with one hand while the other is rubbing my back.
Harry continues to hold me while I cry but once I am able to speak I reassure him, “It wasn’t your fault, Harry.”
“Yes, it was. I was supposed to be watching you, but I thought I had more time. I just needed to use the loo and when I came back you were gone. Then I saw that prick-”
“I’m fine. Nothing else happened. You found me.” I pull back and place my hand on his cheek, his eyes are watery and I can tell he’s trying not to let the tears fall. I grab his hand, loosening his grip on around me and look at his knuckles. They were bruised and he had little cuts here and there, “Did you clean it?”
He laughs lightening the mood, “You’re such a nursing major, but yes. I did.” I hug him again and muffle a thank you, “You don’t need to thank me.”
“I want to.” He smiles down at me and I feel him place a kiss on my head. I give him one last squeeze before pulling away, “Can you tell me what happened?”
He nods and leads me to the steps to sit down.

---

Harry’s POV

I open the door to my room and notice the shower’s off and that the bathroom light is off. I quickly walk over and knock on the door, “Kennedy?” I don’t hear a response so I slowly open the door and turn on the light to reveal that it’s empty. “Shit!”
I bust out of my room and am storming down the hallway looking for Kennedy.
“Hey, Harry! Come have a drink!” I see Jared and stop.
“Mate, have you seen a small brunette, with blue eyes? She should just be wearing a t-shirt.”
“Hm. Yeah, I think I have. It was hard to miss her, all the guys were eyeing her. She went down the south wing. She yours?” I ignore his question and push through the crowded hallway.
Once I take a right down the hall, I see her. She’s swaying more than she was and the guy she’s with is looking at her like a piece of meat. I feel the blood boil in my veins and before I know it I am pulling her away from him before he can put his hands on her. He glares up at me, “What the fuck man! She’s mine for tonight!”
“Piss off. What’d you do, put something in the drink and give it to her?” I look down at her and you can tell she’s not here right now. I grab the drink out of her hands and she has no reaction. I pull her close to me and throw the drink at the guy earning a scream from him, “You’re done. Get the fuck out.”
“I live here!” He wipes his eyes and snarls at me.
“Not anymore. Get out or I’ll make you leave.” I turn and pick up Kennedy. The cup was still pretty full, so at least I know she didn’t get the full effect of the drug, but she got enough. I place her on my bed and cover her up, the drug taking it’s effect and putting her to sleep.
I leave my room, making sure to lock it and I see the prick making his way to me, “Who the hell do you think you are, to kick me out?” He steps and tries to take a swing at me but I dodge it and retaliate with a punch to his gut.
He curls over and I take it as my chance to knee him in the face, causing him to fall down. I jump on him and proceed to punch him in the face, but then someone pulls me back. “Harry calm down!”
It’s Niall. “Don’t tell me to calm down! THAT ASS-WIPE DRUGGED KENNEDY!” Niall gasps and lets me go. He points to two freshmen and has them pick up the guy and take him outside.
“Where is she?” Niall asks as I fix my shirt.
“She’s in my room. I told him to leave, but he came at me.”
“Looks a bit more than just self-defense, lad. You don’t have a scratch on ya, besides your knuckles.”
“Not my fault he’s a pissy fighter,” I huff.
“Go back to Kennedy. I’ll let Louis know what went on.” I nod and head back to my room.

---

Kennedy's POV

I breathe a sigh of relief, knowing the guy didn't have a chance to do anything else to me and I squeeze Harry's hand, “Thank you for telling me everything and for doing what you did. I appreciate it.” He shakes his head but before he rejects my gratitude I add, “I need to get to bed, early class tomorrow.”
Harry looks at me with sad eyes, but he nods in understanding, “Okay. Goodnight Kenny.” I say goodbye, but he makes sure I'm safely inside before turning to walk to his Range Rover.
I take a shower and once I’m done I find myself in front of Tanner’s door. Before I had the chance to knock her door opens.
“Ken? What are you doing here? I thought you were going to sleep?” I don’t need to say a word as she pulls me into her room, leading me to her bed. “It’s okay. I wouldn’t want to sleep alone either. I’ll be right back. Just need to use the bathroom.”
“Thank you, T.”
“Of course. Get some sleep.” She closes her door when she leaves, but I don’t fall asleep until I hear her come back in, reassuring me that I’m no longer alone.

Notes