"Look, honey, I promised we'd go on a double date with them. We can't back out now."
"I know, I know. She's just, well, she's just a little weird."
Paul looked at his girlfriend and sighed. She had a point, like usual. He couldn't fault her for it, he'd thought the same thing. Ryan never was really big into dating the "normal" ones, but this one, well she was on a whole different level. "Look, I know she's weird in class, but who knows? Maybe in person outside of the class she's normal."
Paul watched as his girlfriend Jamie rolled her eyes and spun on her heels, clicking across the wooden floor towards the door. He couldn't help but stare at the way her hips swayed lusciously back and forth and then chided himself. After tonight, he doubted he'd hear the end of it for a while.
No you're not going to hit that tonight so get your looks in now-
"Hey Paul, this is your friend we're going to see, you wanna be late?"
"Alright, alright already I'm coming let me grab my coat." Paul walked over and grabbed his coat and threw it over his shoulders and grabbed the keys from the desk next to the door. When he turned back around Jamie threw her arms around his neck and kissed him. He returned the kiss and smiled. She leaned forward some more and playfully licked his ear causing shivers to run up Paul's spine.
"I don't mind if you stare babe." She whispered, "Mostly because unless I get really drunk tonight, all you're going to get is to look at it." She smiled a wicked smile as she backed away and adjusted the front of her dress, causing her ample breasts to jostle and display even more cleavage.
Oh I hate when you play this game Jamie.
Paul thought as he shook his head and opened the door for her gesturing to the hallway.
Ryan this better be worth it.
***
"I'm so glad you guys decided to come back here to my place. I have plenty of room for you all to crash if you want."
"It's fine really," Paul said as he adjusted his arm under Jamie's shoulder, "We're not really in any shape to drive home anyways."
"Who are you kidding, I'm soooo sober right meow."
"Nice try Jamie," Ryan said from in front of them, "but it's been a long time since I've seen you this sloshed."
"I'm not drunk." Jamie said, her face turning into a pout. As if on cue she missed a step on the sidewalk and nearly pitched forward, except Paul caught her and kept her balance.
I'll never understand why women who know they're going to get drunk insist on wearing heels.
"Aww it's ok Jamie, I'm pretty buzzed too." Brianna said turning to face them now walking backwards. "Those were some strong drinks fur shure."
At least she didn't have any tequila.
Paul thought as he watched Ryan turn into the next apartment building.
If the tequila came out, I'd be carrying her home in one arm and probably her clothes in another.
He helped his inebriated girlfriend up the stairs and watched as both Ryan and Brianna shared a quick kiss and then Ryan gestured for him to follow them down the hallway.
"Hey man, you want anything to drink." Ryan said as Paul lowered Jamie onto the large leather couch in the living room.
"Don't be rude Ry. Girls first!" Brianna said from the kitchen. Paul saw a flurry of red hair and Brianna's face suddenly appeared with a handle of tequila in one hand and a handle of rum in the other. "What's your preference Jamie?"
"TEQUILA!" She yelled, giggling afterwards, and Paul covered his face with his hands.
Here we go.
"Alright now that that's settled, whatcha drinking Paul?"
"I'll have a rum and coke, if you don't mind Brianna."
"Oh please, call me Bri."
"Ok Bri." Paul said as he watched the mousy girl walk towards the other room and begin mixing some drinks. Then he felt a tap on his shoulder and saw that Ryan was motioning him over to a corner for a more private conversation.
"So what do you think Paul?"
"About?"
"Bri. I mean what do you think?"
"I mean she's really nice. Obviously she cares about you-"
"But," Ryan cut in, "you think she's weird."
"Was it that obvious?" Paul said sighing. "Look man she's nice, and definitely has that nerd look going for her that I know you like. But even you have to admit that she comes off a little...well off."
"Look man, you're my best friend so I appreciate your opinion. But I can't date the super hot chicks that you can."
"Look man, you know I keep telling you all you have to do is ask-"
"But you look the part man." Ryan said shaking his head and Paul looked at his friend from high school. Ryan had the tall athletic build that was typical for marathon runners like him. Lean where he needed to be, but definitely had the muscle to back up his constant training he had to do to stay on the team. But he had a point. That's all there really was to him from the outside, a tall, lanky, quiet guy who definitely could use a confidence boost. And Paul then thought back to himself. Almost as tall, muscular, where Ryan had gone into running, Paul had gone the rout of water polo.
And yes Ryan, many girls are superficial, but I don't keep Jamie around because of how I look.
"Look, Paul I'm sorry man. Let's just forget about this conversation and have some drinks. I certainly don't have enough alcohol in me yet."
Paul wanted to reach out for his friend and stop him, but a call came from the kitchen, "Hey guys drinks are coming!"
"Let me help you with that Bri." Ryan said as he walked into the kitchen.
Paul watched, sighed, and went to sit on the couch next to Jamie who then threw her arms around his neck and gave him a huge kiss on the cheek. "Hey baaaabe."
"I thought you weren't going to drink tonight Jamie?"
"How could I not? She offered to pay."
"Doesn't mean you have to take advantage of her."
"Are you mad at me?"
"No, I'm not. I just...I just want you to take it easy. I'm drunk, you're drunk and we'll probably have to stay here tonight so try to be nice."
"I've been nothing but nice!" Jamie said appalled. "I mean, I know she's a nerd and all that, but she seems cool enough outside of class."
"Well I'm glad you think so." Brianna said as she walked into the room carrying a box, while Ryan followed with the drinks. Both Paul and Jamie whipped around sporting looks of small children caught passing notes in class. Brianna smiled a disarming smile, "I know I'm not nearly as pretty as you Jamie, and that sometimes I might come off as a little weird, but I just haven't really been able to express myself as well as I would like."
Paul reached out and took the two drinks Ryan was offering for himself and Jamie and watched as the Ryan and Brianna sat down on the couch opposite them. It was then he was struck by the contrast in the two couples as he was sure Ryan was as well. Where Jamie was dressed to kill in a tight fitting red dress that showed off all her curves and complimented her raven black hair, Brianna was wearing a simple blouse and skirt that looked like something she would wear anytime.
Well if she wore stuff like that on a daily basis people probably wouldn't think her weird.
Paul found himself thinking. Where Jamie had curves, Brianna's body showed hints of curves.
"So what's this?"
"Ya Bri what's that? I've never seen it before."
"Oh, I thought that since we were all going to be here for a little bit we could play a game. One of my friends played it once and then lent it to me. She said it was awesome and that it made for a great drinking game."
"Really, well then I'm in." Jamie said taking another long gulp from her glass.
"Well, I don't think it's a drinking game per say, but definitely it's more fun drunk."
"What's it called?"
"Arguments and Alterations."
"Hmm, never heard of it." Paul said looking at the box. "But I'm game. How do we play?"
"Well, I'll open it up and see if we've got instructions," Bri said as she reached for the box and removed the cover. She slid a small piece of paper out from on top of the folded game board and began reading:
"Thank you for purchasing
Arguments & Alterations
. The game must be played with a minimum of 3 people with no maximum. There are no game pieces in this box, but a photo of every person should be taken at the start of the game using the camera provided. This photo will act as your game token. Once turn order is decided players roll the die and travel along the board and performing the action listed on the space. The game ends when one player reaches the space marked "FINISH" and we hope you enjoy
Arguments & Alterations
."
"That's it?" Paul asked skeptical.
"Yep, looks that way." Bri said as she handed the sheet over to Paul. The words were a little fuzzy to read because of the alcohol, but he had to admit they were pretty straightforward instructions.