Free No Regrets by Roxy Queen Page A

university does have the major -related courses I need and Elton didn’t. But there was this thing and…” I trail off, already embarrassed.
    “What happened?” Tricia asks.
    I pick at my bedspread and fight a wave of nausea that I’m not sure is from the night before or from spilling this story. Probably both.
    “Basically I made a raging fool of myse lf in front of the whole school,” I confess. “Tyler and I were at this frat party and I did the same thing. Weed plus alcohol and it fucks with my head. I hardly remember anything but someone caught me on video.”
    Josh squeezes my hand. “Doing what?”
    “Well, first I got on the top of the fraternity house bar and did my best Coyote Ugly impression. After that I sang Sweet Child of Mine, including an air guitar solo with some girl I don’t know. Tyler tried to get me down and I flipped him off a couple of times. The grand finale was when I slipped and fell, landing on my face, ass up.”
    They both stare at me, mouths hanging.
    “Oh and I had on a dress and nothing on underneath.”
    Tricia slaps a hand over her still gaping mouth. “No.”
    “Yep, I flashed my ass and vag for everyone on campus to see. It was what the kids call, ‘Epic’.” I use my fingers to make air quotes.
    Josh shakes his head. “And this was on video?”
    I nod, feeling the tightness in my chest. “Some asshat loaded it on Youtube and sent it around campus. I got called into my advisor’s office and referred to an addiction program. The frat was put on probation for serving alcohol to a minor. My small school community became microscopic. Everyone knew me and recognized me.”
    “Oh no. Did you just play it off? Like no big deal?” Josh asks. He could totally do this. He’s confident and adorable and men and women would pay to see him in his underpants.
    “I started having panic attacks. Everything seemed so close. I couldn’t handle walking across campus and everyone knowing who I was and laughing at me, even if it was just in fun. My life was a mess. The professors knew about it. My parents were called out of concern. The frat was pissed at me for getting them in trouble,” I explain. “Tyler and I broke up. I wouldn’t go out and he got pissed that I got so freaking depressed about it. The whole thing was a disaster and I just moved back here.”
    “Oh honey.” Tricia wraps me in a hug. “Why didn’t you tell us?”
    “ Because I didn’t want anyone else to know. I just wanted one place where I felt safe. The school did get the video pulled, thank god, but only because it made them look bad.”  Tears well in my eyes and I wipe them away with the back of my hand “Now I’ve done it again. Embarrassed the crap out of myself, this time at a bigger school.” I drop my hands into my face. “This is why I didn’t want to push the thing with Henry or break out of my shell. Look what happens when I do!”
    “Look,” Josh says, sitting up. “This school is way bigger and no one will care about a puking girl in an Avengers suit. You’re going to have to suck this one up because you can’t hide forever.  Also, no more weed and drinks. Pick one or the other.”
    “Seriously,” I agree. “I’ve learned my lesson. And stupid Tate. Bailing on me like that. I have the worst judgment with guys.”
    “To be fair he called here about fifteen times last night. He feels really bad,” Tricia says.
    “Ugh,” I groan, slumping into Josh’s side. “I’m pretty pissed he bailed on me. He swore he wouldn’t and then it sounds like I embarrassed the crap out of myself with Henry.”
    Josh pulls me into a tight hug but recoils after a couple seconds. “Honey, I love you and we’ll get through this but you have got to take a shower because oh my god you’re nasty.”
    I open an eye and glare at Josh. “ The only way I’ll get out of bed and clean up is if we can go get waffles.”
    “Done.”
    *
    That afternoon , I slide a piece of paper under Henry’s