I sat in front of my desktop with my head buzzing from what had just taken place. I tried launching up the game that had previously captured my attention so avidly, but found that my head was somewhere else, and I quickly tabbed out to browse the internet. After several aimless minutes, I picked up my phone and sent Beverly a text.
"Hey. Want to go get food later and do the den again?"
I sent the text and returned to my aimless browsing, my mind roiling with images of all the depraved things I wanted to do to and with Beverly. Thankfully, I didn't have to wait long before the reply arrived.
"I have a date with some girlfriends... its Tiff's 18th bday." The text was accompanied by a frown emoji which helped alleviate my immediate disappointment. Before I could respond, Beverly sent another text.
"Tomorrow instead? I think Mom + Dad are leaving in the afternoon."
My stomach did a somersault, and I quickly tapped out a reply. Before I could send it, I heard a knock on my door, and Beverly let herself into my room. She was wearing pink leggings and a white t-shirt that would have been loose on anyone but her. She had her hair braided in two tight French braids that fell over her shoulders. She had her laptop pressed to her chest and though she seemed a little unsure, she made her way over to my bed and sat down on it, putting her computer down next to her.
"Hey!"
"Hey you. I was about to text you back, did you want to go to Di Napoli's? tomorrow?"
Beverly smiled and my heart skipped a beat.
"Sounds good! Sorry I couldn't make it tonight."
I smiled back and shrugged.
"You had plans! I totally understand."
"Do you mind if I hang out here til I have to go? I don't want to just barge in but I missed you."
She seemed unsure of how I would react to her being in my personal space. It wasn't something that happened very often, though not for any particular reason other than the fact we respected each other's boundaries when we weren't being obnoxious.
"Not at all. Call me crazy but I was already beginning to miss you too."
We laughed together, dispelling any awkward energy or tension and hung out, chatting about this or that while I finally felt the urge to play my game. Beverly, who usually showed very little interest in such things, perked up when I launched the game client and asked me to explain certain aspects or nuances of the game. After a little while I paused it on my pc and turned to Beverly.
"You know we could play together if you wanted?"
Beverly balked at the suggestion.
"I'd have no idea how to even start! And you're so much better than me, you'd beat me without even trying!"
Laughing, I explained that we could work together and not against each other, and that I could help teach her if she was interested.
"I'm not even that good, I restart characters all the time. No pressure, I only ask because you're so curious all of the sudden."
It was Beverly's turn to laugh, and she twirled one of her braids absentmindedly.
"I get why you've been so absorbed by it lately. It looks pretty interesting. Maybe not tonight, but soon when we've got time to kill. I've got to get ready soon anyways."
I glanced at the clock and realized we had been chatting for hours. It was indeed getting late.
"If you leave your laptop here I can install it for you! No pressure though, we can do this any time."
Beverly considered this, and then cracked one of her trademark sultry rogue grins.
"Let me just clear my browser history and it's all yours."
I felt myself flush and before I could stop myself I foolishly asked why.
"You're not the only one that watches fucked up porn in this house J."
She gave me a wink and then got up and stretched, leaving the laptop on the foot of my bed. I cracked it open and started leafing through her files.
"Only partially kidding. Have a look if you want to. There's nothing there I wouldn't want you to see anyways. It's really just Mom and Dad that would freak."
"Haha alright I think I catch your drift. Also, I never asked, what are you actually up to tonight? Seems late to hang out."
Beverly shrugged.
"Jessica invited some of the other girls from the soccer team over for a slumber party. I might stay the night if Tiff wants to as well. Why do you look so bummed? I thought you'd be drooling at the thought of us in our nighties."
Beverly's friends were all quite attractive, and in the past my mind would have been racing, imagining all those beautiful bodies in one place.
"To be honest I really just want you all to myself."
I shrugged noncommittally and continued looking through her computer. I opened her web browser and hovered the mouse over the browser history button.
"Also you're joking if you think I'm imagining all of you dressed all skimpy like. That illusion was broken years ago. Girls are gross."
Beverly laughed and nodded knowingly.
"What? A bunch of girls in sweatpants and no makeup is not good enough for you?"
I rolled my eyes.
"You're kidding if you think all of you need makeup to look good, especially you for that matter. Or that sweat pants are a bad look for ya'll. But nah, you're half right, only you are good enough for me. You're too good for me. I'm out of my league with you."
I stood up, and closed the distance between us. Beverly pretended to swoon as I swept her into my arms.
"You're too kind loverboy."