When we arrived at the party, Addison immediately sought out the football team, leaving us behind in favor of flirting with the quarterback. “Looks like it’s just you and me V,” I announced, casually tossing my arm around her shoulders and giving her a quick squeeze. “Once again you have been stuck with me.”
Last year, a comment like that would have sent a flush all the way up her cheeks and left her retreating into her shell but this year, as our friendship continued to grow, she was slowly becoming less skittish around me. Sometimes, she even dared to be bold and flirt with me just a tiny bit, although, those moments were short-lived and did leave her blushing.
I flirted with Vanessa and Addison right back. It was all in good fun and didn’t really mean anything. They were attractive females and the attention from them made me feel cared for.
Vanessa’s gaze slid over to my arm, still snaked around her neck and I could feel her tense up. I gave her a small smile as I removed it off of her. “Sorry.” I had to remember that she wasn’t like Addison, who was constantly nuzzling up to me. Vanessa didn’t do contact.
She pointed at the bonfire where several students were already gathered around talking. “Do you want to go check it out?” She made her way over to the flickering flames by the edge of the cliff and found a fallen log to sit down on.
I sat beside her and looked out at the lights glimmering in the distance from the nearby town, sighing. “I wish civilization didn’t have to ruin nature. Imagine how many stars we would be able to see right now if it weren’t for things like that.” I gestured towards our view.
She looked at it, a wistful smile curling up her lips. “I don’t know. I think it’s kind of pretty. It reminds me of New York.”
Grimacing, I shook my head. “You mean to tell me you actually like New York? I’m sorry but yuck! The traffic, the noise, the overpopulation. No, thank you.”
She let out a small laugh. “Well, you’ll really love this then. NYU is my dream school.”
I turned to look at her, my eyebrows shooting up. “Really?” She had never mentioned her affinity for the city before.
She had a sheepish expression on her face as she shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t know. It just all seems so exciting to me. I’m attracted to the mystery.” Suddenly, a flush colored her cheeks and I wondered what she had said that she found to be so embarrassing. She cleared her throat. “What about you? Where would you like to go to college?”
I gave her a look. Was she being serious? “V, I’m not sure if you’re aware of my grades and all the Saturday detentions I have racked up because I just love being there so much but I’m not exactly going to be wooed by any schools in the near future.”
“Don’t sell yourself short, Matt. There’s still plenty of time to turn things around. I could tutor if you want.”
I smirked at her. It was adorable of her to offer but I liked to think I still had some pride and didn’t want to risk mortifying myself in front of her as I struggled through geometry. I patted her head. “As much as I appreciate the chance of having private lessons from the class brainiac, I’m afraid I must pass. It might ruin my reputation as most likely to be a delinquent if I start earning A’s now.”
She ran her palms down her skirt as she lowered her gaze to the ground, nudging at the dirt with her boot. “Well, if you change your mind it would be of no bother to me at all.”
“Thanks.” Not knowing what else to say, I flicked one of her waves as I often did when she started getting nervous on me but the move startled her so much, she nearly fell off the log as she shook.
I caught her by the arm before she could tumble backwards and her cheeks turned a shade of crimson. Her eyes growing wide, she stared at me for a few seconds before bolting up. “Um, I’m going to check on Addison and make sure she’s alright. Actually, I should probably be checking on the quarterback. I’m sure Addie’s probably flirted him into a corner by now.” She scurried off, leaving me staring at her in confusion and wondering what the hell had just happened.
***
Vanessa
Stupid, stupid, stupid, I thought as I ran and hid behind some trees. Once again, I had made a complete fool of myself around Matt. I covered my face with my hands as I recalled nearly taking a spill off the log.
Ugh, I was such a klutz! That was probably why he had refused my offer to tutor him. No doubt he was too embarrassed to be seen studying in the library with the class nerd. A guy like him was far too cool to ever be caught dead getting science lessons in his spare time from a girl with frizzy hair and a crooked smile. I poked my head out from behind the tree, spying on him as he quietly stared into the flames and swooned for him all over again. He was so gorgeous in his leather jacket and I nearly drooled as he ran his fingers through his hair. My eyes shifted to his ears. I was never really attracted to piercings on a guy before but on him, it drove me wild.
It wasn’t fair. Why couldn’t I be beautiful and confident like Addison was? A girl like her would have no problems being able to capture his attention if she wanted. I scoffed, realizing that she probably already had. Crossing my arms, I slumped against the oak tree as I recalled how he had so casually slung his arm around her shoulder as they had walked. When they spoke to each other, their words bounced off each other so effortlessly as if it were second nature to them.
Why couldn’t I have that kind of chemistry with him? I didn’t want to believe that he had feelings for her but moments like that led me to question it and then there was the kiss. I knew it wasn’t her fault and couldn’t be mad at her for how it had happened but I still envied that she got to feel what it was like to have his lips pressed up against hers while I was only left imagining it.
It was towards the end of freshman year and Addison was hosting a birthday party at her house. She stood up on the tattered plaid couch in the furnished basement as she held up a bottle. “Ok everyone, who wants to play spin the bottle,” she announced. Of course, she would suggest a game like that.
Most of the crowd stood around awkwardly before a few guys exchanged grins amongst themselves, figuring it couldn’t hurt to try and score a kiss with the prettiest girl in the freshman class. She frowned at the females cowered in the corner who were making no moves to join. “Come on, V,” she said grabbing my arm. “You’re doing this with me.”
I pulled back on her hand as she dragged me across the floor. “Addie, I don’t want to,” I whined.
She pouted. “It’s my birthday. You have to. Besides,” she whispered. ”there’s a chance you could get Matt.” Ha! Wasn’t that wishful thinking? However, it was enough to convince me and I reluctantly agreed.
She yanked on Matt’s arm next. “You too. Sit.” He made a face. “Oh, definitely not. I don’t think so.” He made a move to leave but she grabbed him by his jacket, steering him off to the side and gesturing her arms wildly as she spoke to him. She held up her fist and kissed it before turning to look at me. She pointed in my direction and he followed her gaze. My heart started to race as I could only imagine what she was saying to him. Finally, he rolled his eyes in an exaggerated manner and sulked over to the circle before plopping down. She smiled smugly.
His decision to join prompted several other girls to rush over and Addison, satisfied that she had enough people, started the game. She handed the bottle to the blonde-haired boy to her left and the kissing festivities were soon underway. When it was Matt’s turn to spin, he hesitated before flicking his wrist to send the glass in motion. I held my breath as I watched in anticipation of where it would land.
When it finally stopped, it was nowhere near close to me and my heart sank. Audible disappointed sighs sounded from the circle and I raised my gaze to see who the lucky female was. My jaw dropped as I found myself looking into the face of my best friend. Her eyes widened as she flicked her sights over to me, mouthing a quick, “I’m sorry.” She quickly scooted over so that the bottle was no longer pointed at her. “That’s cheating, Addie,” somebody called out.
Matt’s face was expressionless as he stared at her and it killed me not to know what he was thinking. At last, Addison blew out a breath before crawling over to him. “If you think for one second that I’m going to enjoy this, you are dead wrong.” My heart nearly broke into two as I watched her plant her lips on my crush. The rule was they had to kiss for five seconds and it was safe to say that it was the longest five seconds of my life.
Finally, she pulled away as he wiped his mouth with the sleeve of his sweatshirt. “Gross, Addison. I think you got your lipstick on me.” Right then and there, half the circle made a mental note to steer clear of coloring their lips in red.
When it was my turn, my spirits perked up slightly as I figured I still had my shot of getting to kiss Matt. However, it just wasn’t in the cards for me. Alex Banks grinned widely at me, his unbrushed teeth showing as the bottle chose him. I grimaced, feeling bile rise in my throat. He gestured with his finger for me to come closer. “Come here, sugar. Let me make your day.”
I glanced over at Matt to find him covering his mouth with his fist, trying to stifle a laugh. Kissing him would have made my day. I sighed, before resigning myself to having my first kiss with a guy that was definitely not the stuff that dreams were made of.
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When I felt like enough time had passed for the humiliation of what had happened with Matt to subside a bit, I meandered back over to the fire. A red head that I didn’t recognize was sitting about two inches away from him on the log and leaning in close as she spoke in a hushed tone.
She glared at me as I sat down beside him and he nodded his head in response to something she had just said. “Yea,” he replied weakly before turning to look at me. “Help,” he mouthed and I tried not to smile, suddenly feeling giddy that he had no interest in talking to her.
I tucked my hair behind my ear before clearing my throat. “Um, Matt, Addison’s been looking for you. Something about you having her breath mints.”
“Of course.” He glanced over at the redhead. “Excuse me. I need to go find my friend,” he said, patting his pockets. “I’m the designated holder of all things essential. I’m afraid skirts just don’t allow room for functionality.” He rolled his eyes. “Women’s fashion. Am I right?”
He hopped off the log, disappearing into the crowd and I didn’t see him again for another couple of hours. By then, I could feel my eyelids starting to grow heavy and the thought of my bed became quite enticing.
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