"Why did you drag me here, Gabby?" I shouted at my older sister, over the pounding music. Equally as loud, she shouted back.
"You don't get out of the house enough, Vivian. I am going to get you a drink. I'll be right back, relax, have some fun." She disappeared around the corner, leaving me by myself, awkwardly standing in a semi-crowded living room.
Maybe Gabby was right, I am a complete introvert, but this is not my idea of getting out and having fun. I have never been one for parties, but it made my sister happy to include me. I looked around to see who was all here, noticing some other girls from the collegiate volleyball team, a handful of band kids, and some other people I didn't know. Maybe I would eventually work up the courage to talk to one of them, but for right now I was comfortable in my small corner. Gabby returned with two plastic cups, handing one to me.
"What's this?" I asked, alarmed. I haven't drank alcohol before. What kind of effect would it have on me?
"Don't worry, Viv. It's just orange juice and vodka. It's called a screwdriver, try it. It might help you calm your nerves." Gabby advised me. I took her word for it, taking first a sip then a gulp.
The tightness in my chest faded and replaced itself with a warm, cozy feeling. I smiled at my sister, to which she laughed.
"See, I told you. Come on, they are playing Seven Minutes in Heaven in the basement. Let's put our names in!" After taking another swig of my drink, I followed my sister through a hallway and down a flight of stairs. The more I drank, the more I felt at ease. I was starting to enjoy myself, slightly nodding my head to the beat of the music.
When we reached the bottom of the stairs, I saw more familiar faces. It was comforting to be around people that I knew. Kaitlynn was writing names on paper, putting them all in the same bowl. I elbowed Gabby, confused.
"I know I don't get out much, but aren't there supposed to be two bowls, one for guys and one for girls?" She chuckled.
"Usually, yes. But it mixes things up even more when it is possible that two guys or two girls could be drawn together. It makes things more fun." I nodded in response while Gabby had Kaitlynn put our names in the bowl before heading over to sit on the floor, against the wall.
I don't know why I wanted to play this game. I have never even been kissed, let alone for seven minutes. What would I do? Besides, what if I get drawn with some creep? I looked around, surveying the other people playing. One face, however, made my heart stop. Tori Young.
Tori is the star hitter for our volleyball team, one of the most popular girls at the university. She is absolutely perfect, with long, muscular legs, curvy hips, and a confident attitude that is welcoming. Any time I am around her, I swoon. Tori is the person who first made me think about being with a girl, intimately. Not that I could share it with anyone, or I would be considered a freak. She doesn't feel the same way, anyway. Not only is she two years older than me, I am pretty sure she is 100% straight. Still, a girl can dream. Gabby came to sit next to me, breaking my train of thought.
"Are you ready, Vivian? I am so excited." I smiled weakly back at her.
"Gab- if I get drawn, I wouldn't know what to do, I-" Gabby cut me off quickly.
"Don't worry about it, if you do end up kissing your person, just go with the flow. You'll be okay." I took another drink from the solo cup and took a deep breath. The volume of the music lowered as Kaitlynn reached into the bowl to pick the first two names.
"James Corey and Hailey Sharpe." Now, those were two names I didnt recognize. The two rose from their spots on the floor, slowly walking toward the small, half bathroom. I caught a glimpse of poor Hailey, her face was red as a tomato. I instantly felt sorry for her. After the two entered the bathroom, James set a timer on his phone and the door was closed. While they were in the bathroom, I opened my phone and read through the discover section of Snapchat to pass the time.
Seven minutes later, the door opened. Out came an even redder faced Hailey, followed by James who looked equally mortified. Kaitlynn moved her hand around in the bowl, mixing up the names once again. I was getting more and more anxious about the possibility of my name getting called, I didn't know what to do. I took another sip of my drink in anticipation. Maybe my name wouldn't get called. I could go home, unembarrassed with my dignity intact. Finally, two names were pulled out of the bowl.
"Vivian Webster" I looked up from my phone, wanting to make sure I heard right. Gabbe looked at me and nodded, meaning I was indeed picked. Kaitlynn looked at the other piece of paper for a second and smiled.
"And, for our first same sex couple tonight... Tori Young." I opened my eyes wide and looked around the room to see that Tori has already stood up. Gabby nudged me, smirking. I wanted to slap her in the face. I shakily got up before chugging the rest of my drink. I was going to need the confidence in that room, no matter what happened. Slowly, I followed Tori, who was setting a timer on her phone. Once we were both inside, I closed the door, counting the tiles on the ground to pass the time.
"I know you have been staring at me in Volleyball" Tori said, breaking the silence. Mortified, I opened my mouth to speak but couldn't get any words out.
"Shh... it's okay, I don't mind. It actually kind of makes me happy that someone appreciates my body that much." Tori walked closer, backing me against the door.
"You know, it is hard to come across lesbians in a small campus town like this." I nodded quickly, a strange, tingly feeling spreading across my body. I couldn't put a name to it, but I liked it. Tori was now so close, I was pinned against the door by her body.
"But anyway, we only have six-and-a-half minutes left and I want to enjoy every moment of it." She grabbed my wrists and held them above my head, looking down at me with a certain, impassioned look in her eyes. It was intimidating, giving she towered over my 5'0 body by almost a foot. Then, she did something I never would have expected her to do. She kissed me. Tori Young kissed me. I was nervous, never having kissed someone before, but I melted into her touch and, before long, started matching her movements with my own lips.
