The back to school mixer that took place a week after AIASF’s semester began would be Frankie’s very first party to attend, and she hadn’t been sure of what to expect. If she were to base her expectations off of what she had seen in movies, then she could look forward to a lot of drinking, some and some drugs, none of which she herself had ever dabbled in. But she didn’t have to do that; Theo had gone to the mixer the year before, and when Frankie finally asked her about it she assured her that, while there was some drinking involved, AIASF’s mixers were tame for the most part, and very casual. With this in mind it was easier for Frankie to get ready for the party, taking a little time to get dressed in jeans and a long sleeved shirt, letting her hair frame her face in a mane of loose curls. She was just slipping her feet into a pair of flats when a knock sounded on her door, catching her attention, she crossed the room in a few strides and opened her door, finding Noa Alexander standing on the other side. She was a freshman and a resident of the Second House, like Frankie was; they had first met when Noa had come to her door in search of shower caps for her hair, and again in Algebra class, and had been friendly ever since. Her curvy frame was dressed for the mixer as well in jeans and a white shirt under a flowing sleeveless cardigan comprised of several different shades of blue; her own dark curls were pulled up and out of her beautiful, caramel colored face in a high, neat bun. Noa smiled as Frankie opened the door, waving a little bit.   “Are you ready to go?” she inquired.   “Yeah, I think so,” Frankie responded, turning from her. “Just give me a minute.” She left Noa at the door while she hurried around the small interior of her room, gathering her phone and other small necessities before returning to her. “Alright, let’s go.”   “I wonder what this will be like,” Noa mused as they ventured onto the elevator and downstairs together. “I’ve been to one party over my entire high school career, and I did not enjoy myself.”   “Well, my sister says it’s pretty laidback, so I think it’ll be okay.”   “It’s gotta be tame, if they’re letting the freshmen come.” Frankie laughed, shaking her head.   “Right.” They reached the first floor and stepped off of the elevator together, heading for the exit; Noa groaned as they walked, catching Frankie’s attention.   “I hope that isn’t there…” she muttered. Frankie frowned curiously.   “What ?” Noa sighed.   “This guy I work with at Safeway,” she responded with a shake of her head. “He’s such a jerk; the last thing I need is to run into him tonight.”   “Well, let’s not put it in the universe then,” Frankie said positively. “We’ll have a good, -free time.” Noa laughed a little.   “Alright; sounds good to me.”   According to Theo, the location of the mixer changed each year between the houses, and this year belonged to the Third House; Frankie and Noa stepped out of their dorm building and followed the throngs of people making their way down the street to the Third House, where the party was already in full swing. It took up the e