This is the first part of a new series, setting the scene and introducing the characters. It's fairly gentle and more suited to those who like the slow burn and build up rather than the raunchy stuff. I hope you enjoy it and I'd love to hear feedback as this is a new type of story for me. Biggalute x
I've always had a mathematical brain, even as a child I was happier working out sums in my brain rather than on paper. I think that's why when, one long boring summer, an elderly neighbour taught me how to play backgammon, I took to it straight away. It's a fast moving game of probabilities, the luck of the dice being a great leveler.
My neighbour spoke of it in revered tones, telling me it was the game of the kings, its history going back 5000 years to ancient Persia. I liked listening to my neighbour but was too busy concentrating on where to move my pieces, or stones as he called them, to take in all the history.
That summer came to an end and unfortunately my neighbour died suddenly, a few months later. My parents would often pop round and spend time with his wife and invite her to ours for meals. One time she brought his backgammon set with her, saying he'd want me to have it. It was a kind gesture and meant a lot to me. I'll always have fond memories of that summer and of my neighbour.
I didn't have anyone to play with and the backgammon set ended up almost forgotten, in a cupboard gathering dust. Then last summer I was packing boxes to take to Uni with me when my mum handed me the backgammon set, "Why don't you take this with you, you might find someone who can play."
I sat down on my bed and opened it up, it must have been four or five years since I'd seen it and had forgotten how beautiful it was, the points beautifully inlaid and the box solid and adorned with carvings. I was overcome with memories and found myself unconsciously rolling the dice until my mum asked me what I wanted for supper and I snapped out of it.
I was fairly shy and a little nervous moving away from home for the first time. I needn't have worried, the university put all new students in purpose built accommodation, four bedroomed apartments with your own en-suite and a shared kitchen and living room. My flat mates were Peter, Josie and Kim and they all seemed really nice, all in the same boat as me in being away from home for the first time.
Josie seemed the most confident and forward, allocating a shelf each in the fridge and suggesting that we should draw up a rota for cleaning the common areas of the apartment. She also told me and Peter that she expected us to clean the toilet and put the toilet seat down after we'd used it. I don't know what looks where on our faces but Kim whispered "Don't worry, I bet her bites worse than her bark." A delightful impish grin on her lips as she said it.
After we'd all unpacked, Josie was organizing us again, saying we should all go to the student bar for a drink and to get to know each other better. I hadn't been to many pubs but was use to drink, my father being an avid home brewer, insisting that I try whatever his latest concoction was. He was a decent man but didn't show a lot of emotion except when he'd had a drink, taking the opportunity for man to man talks and reminiscing. I'd sit there listening, supping away at the strong ale and nodding occasionally.
The student bar was bright and a bit garish, lots of posters adverting different student societies or bands I hadn't heard of who would be playing concerts that term. We got our drinks and followed Josie to a table in the corner, "Better to people watch." We just smiled and followed.
Josie was at it again, "Why don't we all tell three things about ourselves, it's a good way of getting to know each other. I'll go first." Peter seemed to be following her every word but myself and Kim shared a knowing smile, as if to say I don't think we could stop you.
We'd only just met but I found myself quite liking Josie, she was pushy but I think her heart was in the right place. If I'm honest the fact that she was also pretty and buxom, her boobs bouncing a bit as she animatedly told us about herself, probably influenced my opinion. She told us what course she was studying and that she was the oldest of three girls, helping to bring up and organize her younger sisters as both her parents worked. As I was smiling and thinking this explained a lot, Josie stopped talking and took a large swallow of her beer, nearly half a pint by the looks of it. She looked at us as if deciding what to say, her cheeks reddening, "My third thing is that I went to an all girls school and now that I'm at university I want to meet lots of boys and shag a lot."
If I'd had beer in my mouth I think I would have spat it out, the three of us sat there with our mouths open, genuinely shocked as Josie sat with a satisfied grin on her face. Kim was the first to speak, "Good on you girl, with your face and tits you should have a no shortage of offers."
Both the girls giggled at this before Josie said, "I don't really like my big bum, I wish it was as small and tight as yours."
We'd only had one pint each but the mood and conversation were certainly hotting up, Kim saying she preferred Josie's bum, because it was 'More slappable'. This brought more giggles, me and Peter joining in this time.
Josie spoke again, "Before we go on I mean no offense but I won't be shagging any of you lot, you don't shit on your own doorstep as my mum always says."
We all feigned disappointment and then it was decided it was Peter's turn to tell us about himself. He told us where he was from and what he was studying and that he was really didn't know how much or who he wanted to shag. I liked his sense of humour and thought we'd get on well.
We got another round of drinks in and were all in good spirits, tongues loosening even more. Kim told us that she was an only child and that her parents were old hippies and very laid back and that at one point she'd considered joining the army as an officer but that that was probably her way of rebelling, longing for a bit of discipline and order. We were all listening and thinking about this when Josie said, "But what about shagging?"
After we stopped laughing Kim said "I thought I'd mentioned a bit of discipline." A big, gorgeous 'gotcha' smile crossing her face as she looked at our shocked expressions.
I don't know what I thought my first day at uni would be like but it wasn't this. I was fairly innocent and inexperienced when it came to the opposite sex, having been more interested in playing rugby than chasing girls, but was really enjoying these people and this conversation. It was my turn to share and I decided I'd try and be funny, summoning my most somber voice I said, AA style "My name is Dave and I'm a student."
Josie and Peter looked at me blankly, waiting for me to continue, only Kim smiling and getting my not very funny sense of humour, saying, "Welcome Dave."
Still Peter and Josie looked blankly and maybe it was the drink kicking in but I felt a bond between me and Kim, her smile widening and her eyes twinkling as I attempted to carry on. I admitted that I was fairly inexperienced but that I hoped to put that right in the very near future.
"Good answer." Josie said, or rather slurred a bit. We were on our third drink and I felt ok, the others looked a little glassy eyed, Josie feeling the effects most of all. We chatted and laughed some more, sharing stories and jokes, a really nice evening.
I was coming back from the toilet and considering buying anther round when Kim passed me going the other way. She stopped me and put her hand on my arm, "Do you think we should get Josie back, maybe get a carry out on the way if we feel like it."
A carry out is a colloquial term for take away alcohol and I thought it was a great idea. We got some beers and a bottle of white wine, Josie hiccupping and complaining that the beer was too gassy.
