"Class of '15" read the banner Zoey found herself staring at for the past... how long had it been now? Maybe it had been long enough to politely excuse herself. She checked the time on her phone. Not even an hour had passed since she arrived at her high school gymnasium for the class reunion. She rolled her eyes and instead proceeded to stare at the beams in the ceiling. Why had she even bothered coming? She'd debated with herself about it all week. She had nothing else going on... and it'd be good to at least show her face. But she didn't care for anyone that would be there. Just like when she'd attended the school back in '15.
Zoey examined the room of faces she hadn't seen in seven years. Many of them looked the same as the day she left that dump. The phrase 'peaked in high school' came to mind. Sure, the girl hadn't updated her wardrobe much. She'd clung to the alt girl fashion. But now it was more in style, she leaned into it, no longer ashamed of her visual choices. In addition to her tongue bar -- which she was able to keep hidden from cruelty-fueled bullies -- she'd chosen some more visible piercings after graduation. Her face now bore 2 nose studs, one on each side, and 2 thin rings in her bottom lip. She also recently got a bridge piercing on her left ear. The black metal bar matched her other piercings. She loved each and every one of them.
On her examination her eyes stopped mid-scan, landing on the only exception in the crowd. He was only really recognisable from his chair. The past seven years had done wonders for Dominic. Though his chair-bound body seemed largely unchanged, his face had matured. Teenage acne had cleared, in its place -- a newly formed sense of confidence. The time away from this place -- filled with its angst, ego and hormones -- allowed the boy once seen as the school cripple, to morph into a man. Of course, he still didn't have true independence, but with the acceptance and clarity that came with age... he was owning it. A neat moustache and well-maintained chin beard aged his face to be that of a handsome mid-twenties adult.
Zoey was grateful to see a fellow outcast. She wondered if she should say hi to him... It's not like they ever hung out, but there was a sense of kinship among rejects. She smoothed down her pleated tartan skirt, suddenly nervous. She folded her arms over her large chest, then put them back to her sides. Not sure what to do with her hands, Zoey fiddled with the clasps of her suspenders that attached to her skirt. Then her booted feet started walking for her. "Dominic," she said when she got to him and his nurse. She gave a purple-painted smile to the professional-looking woman at his side.
Behind his glasses, his dark blue eyes looked up to meet her green ones. After a moment, recognition sparked in them. Zoey had been that emo kid who couldn't afford to shop at Hot Topic. When they'd attended high school, she hadn't quite nailed the 'look'. She'd been awkward and overweight. Seven years on and Zoey had finally created herself. Having lost most of the unflattering chub or grown into it, she was left with wondrous curves and an ass and thighs you could bounce a quarter off. Her generous proportions were fitted into a beautiful outfit which was a cross between new style e-girl and classic grudge.
Dominic was all about it. Trying not to be too obvious with his staring, he quickly checked her out. She was about 5'4", pale-skinned with purple-dyed hair. It came down to her shoulders, was wavy with 2 buns on either side of her head and some straightened bangs that framed her face. Her makeup consisted of lipstick that matched her hair, some heavy black eyeliner, purple and pink eye shadow and darkly shaded eyebrows. The colours matched with those of her outfit -- black combat boots, a pink and black striped knee-high sock on one leg, a purple and black one on the other. Through both the fishnet tights and netted undershirt, he spied tattoos he couldn't quite depict.
Attention back to her stunning green eyes that sparkled like flicks of emerald, Dominic initiated simple small talk, "hey Zoey, how've you been?"
From there they proceeded to catch up, forgetting about rekindling with anyone else. After making Zoey laugh for the third time a thought came to mind that made her scorn herself. She began her train of thought with 'this is so weird -- how normal he is'. Immediately she identified how unfair that was. Of course he was normal! Just because he's paralysed doesn't make him a monster! He'd graduated with her, gone to college -- had a life just like her. Really, they weren't much different. In fact, it occurred to her that she was rather enjoying their conversation. More so than the average person she'd conversed with lately. He was funny and witty and really quite charming.
Time flew in comparison to when Zoey was by herself at the event. So much so, that she was genuinely disappointed when Dominic's nurse quietly told him it was about time they headed home. Whether it was the guilt for her initial thoughts, or the enjoyment of bonding -- most likely a combination of both -- Zoey was eager to see Dom again. With some uncertainty she plucked up the courage to ask, "i-if I give you my number... a-are you able to text?"
With a smile that lit up his face, Dominic replied, "yeah I can, and I'd love to." He was not at all offended by her question as she had worried it would. A visual look of relief washed over Zoey as the nurse produced Dom's phone so she could program in her number. She smiled like a giddy school girl and they parted ways.
That evening, Zoey failed to acknowledge how long she'd been staring down at the black rectangle in her clammy hands. She almost jumped when the screen lit up and a tune chimed. Dominic had texted her. She quickly saved his number before replying, taking a moment to regain the confidence she was suddenly lacking. When she pulled herself together, they texted all night.
It was a mostly unassuming Thursday afternoon. Zoey could be found in her room, in front of a mirror, on the fourth set of clothes she was trying on. Around her were strewn the disregarded outfits she deemed not good enough for the evening planned. She was meeting Dominic for... what was it exactly? A date? A friendly get-together? It wasn't the clearest. At some point during their days of texting, the suggestion of drinks was mentioned. Her outfit, therefore, had to be somewhat casual whilst still showing effort had been put into it. Like she often did, Zoey had got into her own head about it, overthinking and stressing over the most minuscule of things -- like how to style her hair. After much tinkering, she kept it the same as the reunion -- recognisable and effective.
The outfit she settled on consisted of a baggy shirt under black denim short overalls. It was scheduled to be a warm night so she left her legs bare. This left her black-inked illustrations on both her arms and legs visible. The solid lines of the geometrical animals contrasted with her pale skin. Then on her feet over some colourful socks, she laced up a pair of chunky purple Doc Martin boots. The eager girl was ready a whole hour early.
At the bar they chose to meet, Zoey didn't have to wait long. There was an awkward moment while she was still on her own when she felt the eyes of a burly man on her. When he strode across the room -- presumably to talk to her -- Zoey shamefully hid in the ladies' room in order to avoid being hit on by the beefcake. Ten minutes later, with comers and goers giving her dirty looks, Zoey poked her head out and scanned the room. Captain Steroids was chatting up some other hapless girl, leaving Zoey in the clear. She walked back to the bar to witness the momentary frown on Dom's face morph into a bright smile.
"Thought you bailed on me!" he teased, but there was evident relief in his expression. His ever-present nurse shared his solace. Dominic had been so looking forward to this night that if Zoey didn't show -- which he guiltily thought could be the case -- it would crush him. Despite his growth and acceptance of his condition, there was still the odd nagging sense of never being good enough -- he'd always be less desirable than fit and able men.
"Wouldn't dream of it!" Zoey replied, a little breathless. Neither of them knew the eagerness of one another. Dominic's self-consciousness melted away as quickly as it had bubbled up.
The nurse introduced herself as Amy and the two women shook hands. "Let me get the first round, what will y'all be having?" Zoey looked from Dominic to Amy with a smile that could launch a thousand ships.
Dom was grateful for his nurse's immediate response as he found himself momentarily speechless, "nothing for me, dear, can't be drinking on the job you see," she gave them a wink. Zoey responded with a sympathetic smile. Dom looked down sheepishly.
Trying not to let the mood slip, Zoey turned her full attention to Dominic, "what's your poison, Dom?" The glint in her eyes revealed her intentions, Dom smiled gratefully, immediately cheered up by her impressive optimism.
"Jack and Coke, please," he said, polite and still smiling with hints of admiration.
"Gotcha! Oh, barkeep!" she called, then instantly cringed at herself when the bartender gave her a weird look. Visibly shrinking in on herself, she asked in a more reserved manner, "two JD and cokes please..."
With their order -- the first of a few -- the pair settled at the end of the bar so Dom's chair wasn't in the way. Zoey sat on the stool next to him, Amy a few seats over with her water. With clear hesitancy, she gave them some space, still within earshot if they needed something. Zoey reassured her she was more than happy to help Dom with taking sips from his drink. She silently blessed the creation of straws -- especially when they both became a bit tipsy and it took Zoey a few attempts to swing the straw into his mouth.
As the night went on, the alcohol loosened them up. Zoey gradually became more daring with her questions about his disability. Being quadriplegic, Dominic had no feeling or ability to contort anything from the neck down. Being the inquisitive type with her usual shyness pacified, Zoey found herself asking, "are you able to have sex?"
They both blushed at the question. Dominic opened his mouth, closed it in order to blush harder then proceeded to say, "I... mm, in theory, yes... I, well, I haven't actually -- you know..." if he could, Dominic would have fidgetted, "b-but there's nothing stopping me really.."
"So..." Zoey leaned closer, hungry for information, "you can feel something in..." she bit her lip, the shyness coming back in order to prevent her from saying the word. Instead, she pointed at his crotch.
With a surge of confidence at Zoey's interest in him, Dom beamed, "no, it's all mental -- like how you can get turned on just by visual stimulation?" Zoey was nodding, inching closer, "the only physical sensation is in my face which is uh... pretty sensitive..." he gave her a coy smile, almost like an invitation. She accepted. With a nail-polished finger, Zoey stroked the length of his cheek. Eyes locked with hers, Dom let out a shaky breath. Then he asked without missing another beat, "do you want to come back to mine?"
He realised not a moment after the words left his mouth that the answer was going to be no. Why would a beautiful girl like her want to spend any more time with him? What could he give her that any other better-equipped man couldn't? What -
