Jessica always hated these parties, they were clearly just guises. I mean do people not really understand that the only thing "theme" parties have in common is that they are all excuses to get girls to dress down without having to feel ashamed. Jessica had a great group of friends, and none of them were risqué but they still participated in these events for the sake of socializing. So here she was, at another frat party themed, beach time in December.
It was really quite ridiculous, about 50 people stuffed into a small house with a heated pool and hot tub in the back all trying to get belligerently drunk. One always has to look on the bright side though; Jessica always did enjoy these events more than she thought. She was a little buzzed and had bumped into some people from some of her classes. The girl from her Methodology class, Melanie, was really nice and they had agreed that they would their group project together, that was some relief for Jessica because she literally knew no one in that class. It was always fun to be out with her friends though, even though she was always worried one of them might get out of hand and she would have to play baby sitter, so far so good.
Jessica had her bikini on underneath her swim cover; at least she was trying to be a good sport. She would never be as brazen as some of the girls who were just walking around the house in their swimsuits with no self-respect as guys ogled them and flirted with them in styles reminiscent of 1950s sexual politics.
After going to the fridge for another beer, Jessica met back up with two of her friends and they began having a regular conversation. By total happenstance, without any before thought, Jessica drifted her gaze away from the conversation and her eyes just seemed to fixate on a man across the room; she couldn't explain it but she just couldn't seem to take her eyes away. He was a good looking guy, obviously fit but definitely not some meat head. This was someone who obviously cared more about health than bulking up. There was something about his demeanor and mannerisms though that seemed to interest her. She couldn't describe the emotion she was feeling, excitement, curiosity, lust? He was dressed appropriately too, wearing swim trunks and a nice T-shirt, just single colored obviously from a quality store though. Jessica had no idea how long she was staring at him but she quickly realized she was when he turned his head and looked right back at her.
When he saw her his gaze froze her in place. The expression on his face was pleasant and very warming but it clearly was exuding to her that he knew she had been staring. Jessica didn't know what to do. Should she look past him and pretend she was looking at something else, turn back to her friends, smile? She felt like she was in a time vacuum, it couldn't have been a second before all those thoughts ran through her head. He ended up acting first; he gave a big smile and gave a kind of head nod before returning to the conversation with his friends. This made Jessica smile as a wave of heat rushed over her. She was embarrassed and probably knew she was turning red but was glad she could look away now and return to her friends.
"Hey fine ladies! Haven't seen you before! What are you doing outside? This is a summer party, let's go outside and jump in the pool! I'm sure everyone will love it, we are starting a volleyball game!" After Jessica found the source of this annoying diatribe, a drunken guy who just charged into her group's conversation, she again remembered why she hated these things. What a tool, why do guys have to act like this.
"We are fine, thank you." Chimed Jessica's friend Ashley.
"You don't have to be so coy, but if you girls are interested come on out and just ask for Tyler." Tyler said before he departed their circle. Thank God thought Jessica, if I could just survive one of these parties without some idiot always hitting on us like we are all here just to have one night stands.
"Oh Josh I haven't seen you forever! I didn't know you would be here!" Ashley yelled a little too loudly considering when Jessica turned her head and saw Josh, a mutual friend, he was about three feet away.
"Oh hey girls I didn't know you were coming either. I am here with Ben and Micah, we just got here. What are you up to?"
"Oh nothing really, just hanging out." It seemed as though Ashley would be talking for the group.
"Well cool it is really great to see you, we are actually friends with the guy who owns this place and he just opened up the hot tub for us, we are going to play Apples to Apples, you guys should come on out."
"Oh I love that game! We should go Jessica! What do you think Sarah?"
"I love that game too, let me just grab another drink and I will meet you out there!" Sarah said as she turned toward the kitchen. Jessica loved this game too and was excited to see some old friends.
"I'm going to go with Sarah but we will meet you out there. Just give us a couple of minutes!"
Jessica and Sarah went to the kitchen and grabbed to frozen margaritas from the fridge, both their favorites. Maybe this would turn out to be a great night. Jessica knew the point of parties was to meet new people, and she had a good time with Melanie, but she always liked it better when she was surrounded by people she knew and loved.
Jessica though the water was hot but it felt great considering she just peeled of her only layer of clothing, a swim cover, in the 45 degree Oklahoma night. She slipped into the water and was leaning against the edge of the tub with drink in hand and loving it. The game went as she had expected, excellent. In only a few minutes people were laughing hysterically, taking in more libations, and brining up old times, it was great.
"Wonderful! " Ben said as he was looking at his cell phone. "Tiffany is being crazy again, I am sorry guys but I have to go take care of this. It was fun though, see you soon."
"I know I shouldn't say this man, but you ever really thought hard about this relationship? "Josh directed at Ben.
"Oh my God Josh be nice!" Ashley said in horror.
"No he is right." Ben said half-heartedly "She needs me though and I feel terrible, I got to go though guys, see you later."
"Jerk" Ashley snipped at Josh before gulping down the last of her drink. "Well looks like I need a refill, I will be right back as well."
The group quickly went from six to four and there was a little bit of a lull in the conversation. In reality Ben and Ashley were the big talkers. Everyone was chit chatting awaiting Ashley's return when Micah diverged his gaze from the group, lifted his hands up in the air, and shouted, "Mathew, man I have been looking for you all night! Why don't you jump in hang out for a bit?"
Jessica couldn't see Mathew because Micah was sitting across from her and looking over her shoulder. To Jessica's left there was a large gap in the hot tub. Ashley had been right beside her before going to the kitchen and to her left was Ben before he left. Sitting left of Ben was Micah and to Mica's left was Josh and to his left was Sarah completing the circle with Jessica being between her two girlfriends. It wasn't planned that way but it just seemed to be the way it was.
Jessica felt a disturbance in the water to her left so she turned her head to ask Ashley if she was planning on going to Tulsa for the whole Christmas break or stay in town. Before even turning her head she began to speak, "So Ashley, what are your..." She cut of mid-sentence when her head had completed the turn and she realized she was not staring at Ashley but directly at her mystery man from earlier, presumably Mathew. Once again she was stuck in awkward silence and beginning to redden. She didn't even know why, this was such a stupid thing to be embarrassed about but it was almost as if he had an aura about him. Once again he broke her gaze but this time it was by extending his hand and saying,
"Hello, my name is Mathew. I live here and I believe we have Managing for Organizational Effectiveness together." Jessica knew it! There had to have been something about this guy that had her so infatuated. She couldn't believe she didn't recognize him before, they were in class together! She always thought he had very poignant things to say, and he always had something to say! It was his mannerisms again and it was all coming clear. In class she noticed he wasn't the kind of guy who just talked to be heard, or was trying to get credit. He always seemed to wait till a discussion was near its ending point, then he would enter it and bring up a new point, taking the problem in a new direction, or illuminating something that may seem trivial but had much deeper impact than the rest of the class was discussing. It was impressive to say the least and somewhat sexy.
Sexy?
