Ellie and Ryan suggested going to the party house. The party house was a big house rented out by six or seven guys on the opposite end of campus near Greek Street. They charged a cover and made you pay for premium alcohol, but unlike the fraternities, there was no list to get in, so it was a good mix of Greeks and non-Greeks at any one time. The only downside, of course, was that you had to pay for decent liquor or be content with drinking really watered-down keg beer. I hadn’t been to the party house since freshman year, first semester, but emboldened by the large friendly crowd in my apartment, I capitulated. Bo looked worriedly at me. “She’s stronger than any of us,” Ellie assured Bo, and I blushed as he nodded his agreement. Bo reached over and kissed me on the forehead. “It’ll be all good, Sunshine.” I’m not sure if he was reassuring himself or me. Ellie beamed at Bo’s endearment for me, like she was my proud mother.
