Partially inspired by my own time at university, this is the story of two friends who embark on a series of increasingly daring adventures. Any comments or feedback are much appreciated, hope you enjoy!
*****
Chapter One -- The Beginning
'Come on Jay this is ridiculous, this has gone way too far.'
Holly stood outside wrapped in a fluffy white dressing gown, shivering slightly and shifting her weight from side to side in an attempt to keep her bare feet warm. Her flat mate Jericho just laughed as he pointed his phone at his uneasy friend.
'Rules are rules Holly, you knew what you were getting yourself into. So, you ready?'
'No.'
Holly hugged herself and continued to peer into the darkness, anxiously looking for any signs of life. Even though it was one in the morning in the middle of December there were still a few groups of students heading back to their accommodation blocks, as well as the occasional campus security van driving around. Her quick nervous breathes turned to fog as they touched the cold night air and her teeth were beginning to chatter.
'There's still too many people.'
'No there aren't, coward,' Jericho was still grinning. 'And you're going to freeze to death soon so let's go.' He walked backwards away from the doorway and into the night, keeping the camera trained on her as he went. 'Come on!'
'Someone will see! Then they'll call security, or the police, I'll get caught, probably kicked out of uni -'
'No you won't, you're going to be absolutely fine. Now move'.
'I hate you.' Scowling, Holly took a deep breath and glared upwards at the sky. 'Ahhh fine!' With that she quickly ripped off her robe, threw it to the side and sprinted straight past Jericho. He immediately turned and followed in hot pursuit trying, with some difficulty, to keep her in frame.
'Slow down man, I can't keep up!' Even with no shoes Holly was already pulling away and disappearing into the gloom. 'Wait for me!'
'Are you crazy? No way,' Holly glanced back furiously. 'You're not the one who's naked!'
***
Things had started three months earlier when Jericho decided to take a quick afternoon shower. It was his first week at university and so far everything was going ok. The lectures weren't too boring yet, the assignments were doable and his flat seemed really nice. There were twelve of them sharing a kitchen and the communal bathroom, and although a couple of people seemed happier chilling alone in their rooms the rest of them were pretty social. They were all planning to go out again that evening to one of the nearby clubs, so Jericho decided to freshen up before the pre-drinks got going.
Two of the cubicles were already in use when he entered and he could recognise one of the girls' voices humming a tune to herself as she washed. After stripping off Jericho tilted his head back under the hot water and entered a little world of his own, daydreaming peacefully until he heard someone else come into the bathroom. He sighed, reached for his shower gel and proceeded to lather himself up, scrubbing his lean body from head to toe. Next he let the water cascade over himself as he rinsed the suds off with his hands, and that was the precise moment the door to his stall was suddenly barged open.
'Shit! Oh my god, sorry!'
Jericho instinctively covered himself, wincing as he did so, and looked up just in time to see a girl quickly turn away and rush out of the bathroom. He pushed the door shut again whilst cursing the flimsy latch, finished his shower, and after covering up in a t-shirt and towel hurried back to his room. As he got changed he bemoaned his bad luck and wondered what the hell his intruder had been thinking. He'd only caught a glimpse but he was almost sure it was his flat mate Holly, and that she had got more than a glimpse of him. They'd spoken a few times, he knew she did maths and was from London, but other than that he didn't know her that well. She was part the group going out tonight though, so now that would be awkward he grumbled to himself, annoyed at the situation. Ah well he thought, checking his appearance in the mirror, nothing to be done now, let's just try and have a good night. Grabbing a bottle of vodka from his shelf he headed out into the corridor to meet the others.
***
A few hours later and Jericho was absolutely finished. Another flat mate Jessica was slumped against his shoulder, drunkenly arguing with Diego about something unimportant as their taxi carried them back to campus. It had been a great night though, despite Jericho's early embarrassment. A few drinking games in the kitchen had got everyone in the party mood, and it was hard to be that uncomfortable around Holly because she seemed to be completely ignoring him, not even making eye contact once. There were plenty of others to have fun with though, especially when they met up with another flat from their block to go into town together. His memories of the club were pretty hazy. He remembered a lot of shots, some slurred conversations in the smoking area, and a bit of music and dancing. The girls had all been looking particularly attractive as they cavorted together under the lights, and the guys looked on longingly. Nothing particularly exciting happened though and now they were all heading home, slightly worse for wear.
'Come on sleepy, we're here.' Jessica nudged him awake and they all clambered out as Diego unlocked the flat's door. Everyone trudged up the stairs to their floor and they began to say their goodbyes. 'Night everyone, let's do this again soon! Love you all.'
'Night guys!' As they all swayed down the corridor everyone peeled off into their separate rooms. Jericho's was the last one down, but he walked past straight to the kitchen in desperate need of some water. Standing at the sink he poured himself several glasses before resting against the counter and checking his phone.
As he scrolled through his messages the door opened and glancing up he saw Holly slipping in. She smiled. 'Hi. You feeling ok?'
She hadn't said a word to him at the club or in the taxi back so Jericho was a bit thrown.
'Uh yeah, bit of a headache but I'll be fine. Had some water.'
'Good, good.'
She walked over and leant against the fridge across from him, her hands behind her back. 'Fun place wasn't it? I'd be down to go back soon.'
'Yeah, definitely.' Jericho smiled back and wondered where this was going. 'You feeling ok too?'
'Yeah fine. Still a bit tipsy but like you said, just needed some water.'
'Yeah.' Jericho was still feeling shy around her and he looked back down at his phone.
'So listen.' Holly bit her lip. 'About earlier...'
'Oh no don't worry, I'm sure -'
'No no it was my fault, I wanted to say sorry! I was in a rush and stupidly didn't notice which shower was in use, and I guess those locks are pretty weak.'
