The scar that remained on my neck made it harder to forget. But once we made it over that hump of fear and lust took over our bodies, we fell into what we both craved. The sex became desperate, rough, crude. Amazing.
We hadn’t had as much time as we’d wanted because of finals and preparing for graduation. Kevin’s parents made him visit the other colleges, despite him having already accepted the University of Cincinnati. The excitement we both felt when we’d locked in our future together sent tingles down my spine. Knowing I was going to dive into the crazy life of college with my best friend by my side eased some of the fear. He’d asked me if I ever turned down Vanderbilt or let my dad know. I told him I continued to ignore my dad’s phone calls and anything to do with Tennessee. My future was in Cincinnati and that was my focus.
But we did it. We’d gone to prom together like we should’ve done every year since we’d met. Kevin had survived the brief meeting he’d had with my dad when my father had actually made the full drive to Cincinnati. We survived everything the year handed us, and were rewarded with an end-of-the-year party held at Isaac’s as usual. His laid-back parents and central location made it the perfect place. Walking into the party felt so much the same as it had the first time and yet so different. We all looked older, more mature, and yet we were the same carefree kids enjoying the last moments before college.
“Maybe I could fuck you in the bathroom a little later,” Kevin leaned in behind me and whispered in my ear. That was a brave offering he made considering the opportunities to get caught, but the danger was also tempting. That he was willing to do it for me, despite his fears, warmed the center of my chest.
We stood in the kitchen grabbing drinks, watching the crowd of people mingle with each other. Some sat at the table laughing at memories and stories. One couple made out in the corner as another couple looked to be on the brink of arguing.
And me, I had the best guy in the room behind me whispering all the dirty words I wanted to hear. I spun and looked up in his eyes with a smile on my face. “Maybe,” I hedged. “But first you have to dance with me.” Holding his gaze, I downed the rest of my beer and tossed the cup aside. He did the same and then followed me as I backed into the living room, bumping people along the way. Seeing Gwen, Isaac, Chloe, Sean, and Josh dancing in the middle of the room, I moved toward them and joined in.
I danced, jumped, grinded, and swayed to every song that came on. We danced with everyone and no one. We danced until our sides stitched from the exertion, panting and sweating from all the bodies rubbing together creating more heat than the house could possibly cool. There was a feeling of finality as I looked around, smiling and knowing it might be the last time I would see some of these people. Chloe was heading to New York. Isaac decided to follow Gwen to Chicago. Only a few would remain and even then, it would be different. Life was changing, and we were changing with it.
When we finally wore ourselves out, Kevin and I stumbled to the kitchen and followed our water up with more beer. It wasn’t long before the party began to die down and our group was one of the few that remained. Since the house had felt so warm, we made our way outside to take in the fresh air on the back patio.
“Let’s play Never Have I Ever,” Gwen suggested excitedly.
“I’m down,” Isaac agreed. He would have agreed even if Gwen had suggested we all jumped off a bridge. Everyone else decided to play along too so we started our game.
“I’ll go first.” Josh jumped in. “Let’s do one so everyone has to drink on the first round. Start the game off right.” He pinched his lips and looked up at the stars sparkling in the night sky. “Okay. Never have I ever dated someone sitting here.”
We all grumbled, but brought our cups to our lips.
“Never have I ever done drugs,” Isaac shouted out.
Chloe shrugged and drank from her cup before mumbling “Prudes.”
“Never have I ever streaked,” Sean said. All the guys laughed and drank.
“What are you all laughing at?” I asked nudging Kevin.
He shook his head. “Hell of a year at soccer camp.” The guys raised their cups again in salute before taking another drink. The girls rolled our eyes and moved on.
Gwen smirked and pointedly looked at Jane and Chloe. “Never have I ever kissed a girl.”