The moon is shimmering over the lake as we all sitting back, reminiscing. Everyone is laughing and joking about who was the worst kisser and the easiest lay. Our class reunion banquet was yesterday, and we have all decided to come and hang out at the lake before everyone heads back to their perspective lives. It feels like high school all over again.
All of the white kids decided at the last minute not to come and we have all broken off into our cliques to sit around and drink and joke. Our clique, famous for wild parties and late night, is the only one left. Everyone else has headed out for the night.
Donna stands up and clears her throat to get everyone's attention. "Hey, y'all remember how we all used to play Truth or Dare?"
We all start to laugh hard, tears rolling down our faces. The last time we played Truth or Dare Donna had to lick a part in Shaun's head, just like out of "School Daze." Rae stops giggling long enough to comment, "Girl, I am surprised you had a tongue left or enough guts to remind us. That boy had so much dandruff, I thought he had gray hair."
That was enough to send us all into fresh peals of laughter. Donna laughs along with us. "OK, yeah, but Jai had to lick William's lips."
At the time he was going with Shay and I thought there was going to be a fight. Fresh laughter emerges. I pipe up for myself. "Yeah, OK, I licked him. But if you remember, I ended up dating him for quite a while."
Shay isn't there to hear that, thank goodness, but you are, watching to see if I am going to add anything else. I remember looking into your eyes before I slowly traced your lips with my tongue. I couldn't hear anything that anyone said, because my heart was beating so fast. We were only 15 and I had never kissed a boy, let alone, traced his lips with my tongue. I remember hearing your breath quicken and there was a flash of emotion, I wasn't sure what, in your eyes. I was sure it was repulsion because my wet, soft tongue was tickling your lips while you just stood there.
I blink my eyes to come back from my memory and you come to sit down beside me. You are the only one at this shindig that I haven't spoken to yet.
You clink your half full bottle of Smirnoff Ice against my almost full one. "Earth to Jai. Earth to Jai," you say.
I smile. "Hey William, how you been?"
It has been almost 8 years since we spoke. We broke off our friendship on really bad terms and I didn't think you would feel it would be cool for us to speak.
We are sitting on top of a picnic table, and you lean back, resting with your arms out behind you. You smile back.
"I have been fine, girl. How you been?"
When you ask that, there is so much I want to tell you about but I censor myself as soon as the thoughts start to flood me.
"I been fine," I respond.
I can tell that the people around us have kinda quieted down, waiting to see if we are going to put on a show, because of the bad blood between us.
You hop up off the table and motion for me to get up. "Let's go for a walk."
I can hear our friends whispering behind us as we head away from the group and closer to the lake. I hear Curtis yell out, "Hey man, we all see her leave with you. Don't throw her into the lake. We don't want to be witnesses to a crime."
Everyone laughs at that as well as they start to gather up their things to get ready to head out. We come up on a log sitting off to the side of the shore and you have a seat. You offer me a portion of it, but I figure as bad as our last blow up was, I want to be standing for our talk. You chuckle and assure me that you aren't going to hurt me, as long as I don't start throwing rocks or sticks at you.
That brings a smile to my face. The last time we spoke, I threw everything I could put my hands on, even a bible, at you. As I remember the stunned look on your face as the bible clipped the side of your head, I smile a bigger smile.
You rear back in mock fear. "Hey, girl, don't be gettin no ideas."
I finally smile my full smile at you. "No worries, man, I tell you. My aim has gotten better over the years, but now I only use it for good."
Curtis yells down to us that they are all about to leave. I start towards the rest of the group and you lay a hand on my arm to stop me. I look back at you in askance and you ask me to take a ride around the lake with you.
This is the same lake that we used to ride around as teenagers and find out of the way spots to make out.
You see me thinking and assure me that you just want to talk. I say okay and we head to your car. You open the door of your Cougar and I slide down inside.
When you get in the other side, I comment that I am not used to riding so close to the ground, because I have a truck.