*Author’s Note: Although limited, this story includes some themes of non-consent. If you’re uncomfortable reading stories that feature it, please skip this one.
“Hell-fucking-yeah!” I shouted as I burst through the front door of the apartment I shared with my friend Stephanie. I’d just finished my last exam of the semester. In a few short days, I’d be home for winter break, leaving the crushing blow of an awful stretch of exams behind me. I had no one to blame but myself. Too many late nights partying finally caught up with me in the end.
I should’ve known when I crashed and burned during midterms, but I didn’t make a serious effort to buckle down until it was already too late. “Oh well. It’s not the end of the world,” I sighed as I flung my bookbag into the backside of the living room couch. It was just my second year–I still had five more semesters to right the ship. One…a couple…a few bad exams weren’t going to ruin my mood. I put it all out of my mind as I walked through the apartment. “Hey, Stephanie! Are you here?” Who was I kidding? Of course she was. She rarely left our apartment for anything besides class.
“Yeah, I’m here,” she called out.
Her bedroom door was slightly ajar. I eased it open with the back of my hand and leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, as I watched Stephanie sitting in a chair in front of her full-length mirror. I’d forgotten all about her evening plans.
Her floor lamp sent a soft glow of light across her features that highlighted the delicate sweep of her cheekbones and the arch of her brow. And with each stroke of eyeliner, she made a steady transformation from nerdy, awkward, studious girl into someone that might, with a passing glance, almost pass for one of the girls over at Tri-Delta. When she really put forth the effort, she embodied “nerd beauty” to the fullest. It was a pity she usually went to class in frumpy sweatsuits with her thick-framed glasses perched over her makeup-less face and her hair in a messy bun.
“Well, look at you. Brent is in for a treat tonight.”
Stephanie smiled at me in the mirror. “I sure hope so. It feels like it’s been ages since we went out.”
By my count, it had been ages. Weeks at least.
As Stephanie reached for her compact, I looked around at the clutter surrounding her. Textbooks lay open on her desk, pages marked with colorful sticky notes, while crumpled lecture notes spilled from a nearby backpack. It was amazing how her world revolved around those pages filled with equations and theories, yet here she was, completely engrossed in selecting the right shade of lipstick.
She had been a real project. We’d only ended up as roommates after my plans with one of my friends fell through when she decided not to come back to school this semester. Against my better judgment, I’d agreed to move in with Stephanie after learning through a friend of a friend that her own roommate had transferred just before the semester. When I met her, she was a mousy, walking fashion disaster in thick-framed glasses. Over the course of the semester, I’d pulled back the layers to reveal a beautiful swan. But more often than not, she preferred her sweatsuits to stilettos.
“Okay, what next?” Stephanie muttered to herself, getting up and going to her closet. She furrowed her brow as she rifled through the clothes on hangers. Each piece of clothing she pulled out made me cringe–an oversized sweater, a tailored blouse, a skirt that I swore I’d told her to throw out.
“Maybe something a bit more… daring?” I suggested.
“Ah, how about this?” Stephanie finally exclaimed, holding up a fitted dress that I remembered helping her shop for a few weeks ago. She had few curves to speak of, but the ones she did have were accentuated by the royal blue material.
I nodded. “Yeah, that’ll do,” I said, smiling and clicking my tongue. Stephanie smiled, and I felt an overwhelming sense of pride as she put it on. If this had been September, she would’ve worn the sweater for sure.
“Do you really think he’ll like it?” she asked as she smoothed out the dress.
“He’s going to love it,” I said genuinely. “Although…he’ll probably love what’s underneath it even more.” She hadn’t slept with him yet. She told me they’d met near the end of the prior spring semester and talked all through the summer. They went out a lot at the beginning of the fall semester but less as Stephanie’s classes picked up. She denied being in love, but I could tell she was pretty damn close.
Stephanie’s cheeks started turning pink almost immediately, the subtle pink contrasting beautifully with her porcelain skin. She tried unsuccessfully to suppress a grin. “Okay then, this is it!” she declared, giving her reflection another look in the mirror. She stepped back from it, her eyes shining bright, and turned to me, now perched on the edge of her bed, legs crossed and arms resting on my knees like a fashion show judge.
“Alright, now let’s make you really shine!” I jumped up and ran to my room. I flung open the closet door and pulled out a fındıkzade escort handful of accessories. I returned to Stephanie’s room with my arms full like I’d just ripped off a pirate’s treasure chest. I held up a pair of sparkling earrings and looked at myself in the mirror, tilting my head as I examined them against the light. “How about these? They’ll bring out your eyes.”
“Those are beautiful, but…maybe they’re too much for me?” Stephanie asked, wringing her hands together. She hated drawing attention to herself.
“No way! Trust me, they’re perfect.” I walked over and lifted her arm and dropped them into her hand. I returned to the bed and picked up a slim, delicate bracelet. “And here,” I said, tossing it to her, “this will help set them off.”
Stephanie managed to snag the bracelet out of the air with her free hand. She sat the earrings on the corner of her desk and slipped the bracelet onto her wrist. Her face almost appeared to melt. “Thank you so much!”
“That’s what friends are for.” I stepped back to admire her evolving look. “Now, let’s see what else we can add to make this perfect.” I mixed and matched accessories until I felt like her look was complete. “Looking good,” I said, giving her two thumbs up. “He won’t be able to keep his hands off you.” A blush crept across Stephanie’s cheeks again. “You deserve this girl. You’ve been working hard. You need a break. Have you two been talking much?” But I already knew the answer.
“Not really,” Stephanie admitted, biting her lip as she glanced nervously at the scattered textbooks on her desk. “I’ve been so buried that I haven’t really had much time for anything else.” A frown formed on her face that made my heart ache especially when I thought about all the early mornings I came back to the apartment reeking of alcohol and a good time while she was packing up to go to class. “And I miss him so much.”
“Well, tonight’s your chance to turn the page.” I smirked at my unintentional pun. “You might even get a chance to refresh your memory about what a cock feels like.”
Stephanie’s head snapped around, and her face grew pink all over again. “You are so bad!” She laughed as she went back to adjusting her dress.
Beethoven’s 9th Symphony began blaring from her cell phone on her desk. She walked over and picked it up, glancing at the display. “Hi, Brent,” she said, giggling.
I got up and left the room to give her some privacy. My journey carried me to the kitchen to do something about my grumbling stomach.
Cereal? Pop tarts?
I opened the cabinet and confirmed we had enough pancake mix if I decided on that. I had no idea why I was suddenly so in the mood for breakfast food.
“Hey, umm…Kayla,” Stephanie said, suddenly appearing behind me. She was holding her phone at her side, tapping it nervously against her hip.
“What’s up?”
“Do you…would you be willing to go on a double date? One of Brent’s friends just broke up with his girlfriend and Brent wants him to go out so he can take his mind off it.”
I wasn’t thrilled with the idea. I was planning on starting to pack and ordering Chinese and binging Netflix. The last thing I wanted to do was go out with a random jerk going through end-of-semester pussy-withdrawal. But I knew how much Stephanie wanted and needed to go out with Brent tonight and I could see how desperately she wanted me to go. “Sure, fine…,” I sighed.
Stephanie jumped. “Great! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!” She went skipping back around the corner.
I stood stewing and staring at the space on the floor she had just occupied. “Pop tarts it is.” I didn’t have time for anything else. Now, I had my own outfit to pick out, makeup to do, and a shower to take.
“Alright, ready to go?” I said as I emerged from my room.
With a deep breath, Stephanie nodded, her confidence straining to reach the surface. Her posture had shifted from even just a little while ago. She was falling back into her shell. She smoothed down the front of her dress and gave me a half-smile. “Yeah, I’m ready.”
I walked over to her and took her hand. “Stephanie, Brent is dying to see you. I promise. And he’s going to love the way you look. You’re gorgeous!”
Her smile broadened as she nudged her eyeglasses up the bridge of her nose. “Really?”
“Yes, really.” I offered her another reassuring smile. “Now, let’s make sure you have everything,” I said, grabbing her purse from the nearby chair and handing it to her. “Keys? Phone?”
“Check, check.” Stephanie smiled, her nerves seeming to ease.
With one last glance at our appearances in the mirror, we stepped out. I turned the key in the lock, the soft click echoing in the quiet hallway. We walked outside side by side, our heels clicking against the pavement.
“Do you think Brent will really like my outfit?” Stephanie asked, eyeing the borrowed bracelet. There was still a hint of uncertainty in her tone.
“Yes! You look amazing!”
“Thanks, I just… I hope he doesn’t bayrampaşa escort think I’m too much,” she said, biting her lip.
“Trust me, you’re perfect just the way you are. With or without the dress, with or without the jewelry. And if he doesn’t appreciate that, he’s not worth your time. There are thousands of other guys on campus that would climb over each other for a chance to spend an evening with you.” I smiled even as I momentarily reflected on the fact that it was me who insisted on the dress she was wearing and then topped it off with additional features. I just wanted this to work for her. She was such a nice girl and deserved a nice guy. Brent wasn’t my cup of tea, but he was a nice guy.
As we approached the corner where we’d planned to meet Brent and his friend, an anticipatory flutter built in my stomach. I was excited for Stephanie, but I buzzed with curiosity about his friend. What would he be like? Would he be cute? Maybe we’d hit it off. Maybe I’d invite him back to our apartment to watch the Netflix I’d been planning to watch…or maybe we’d not watch it.
“Okay, just remember,” I said, holding up a finger, “we stick together, no matter what. We’re going out together, we come back together.”
“Got it, wingwoman.” Stephanie saluted and then laughed. “And if you get hooked by Brent’s friend, I’ll be there to rescue you!”
“Deal!” I giggled, nudging her playfully. We both shared a laugh as we rounded the final corner.
As we approached the restaurant, I could almost feel the excitement pouring off Stephanie. “There he is!” she shouted as Brent appeared on the corner outside the restaurant with a slightly taller, more attractive guy that I assumed was his friend.
I adjusted my hair, taking a steadying breath as I followed Stephanie toward Brent.
He greeted us with a wide smile. “Hey, ladies! You look amazing!”
Before we could respond, he gestured to the man beside him. “This is my friend Scott.”
As Scott turned toward us, I felt an unexpected flush of heat. He had an easy smile and a wide, confident stance. He extended his hand, and when I took it, it was both strong and gentle. “It’s nice to meet you, Kayla,” he said. His voice was warm and had a tinge of an accent. Midwest maybe?
“Nice to meet you too,” I replied, trying to match his casual charm. Scott’s gaze lingered a long moment, and I couldn’t help but return his smile.
With Brent leading the way, we walked into the restaurant. The smell of spices and grilled meats flooded my nose and immediately reminded me that all I’d had to eat for the past few hours was two strawberry pop tarts
.
“Wow, it’s packed in here!” Stephanie exclaimed, glancing around.
A woman in a white button-up shirt and black slacks ushered us to a cozy corner table. The din of nearby conversations and the clatter of dishes, glasses, and silverware blended together. I settled into my seat and glanced across the table at Scott and was slightly taken aback to find that he was looking back at me.
“Hope you’re ready for some great food,” Brent said as he slid into his chair across from Stephanie.
As the waiter placed a basket of warm bread on the table, I leaned in slightly, my elbows resting on the table as I focused my gaze on Scott. I was not one to be intimidated by attractiveness alone. There was a lull in the conversation as the rest of the table reviewed their menus.
“What’s your go-to karaoke song?” I asked Scott, tilting my head playfully.
With barely a moment of thought, he responded. “Definitely ‘Dream On.’ It’s a classic,” he said with a grin. “It really lets me show off my vocal range…and everyone else’s patience.”
I laughed. “I can totally picture it–you screaming out that last set of high-pitched ‘dream on’ while we all cover our ears and pray you don’t shatter any glass.”
“Hey, I embrace the shatter! It’s like a superpower,” he replied, his voice smooth like the butter he was spreading over his bread.
“Superpower, huh? I would’ve picked something better. Like flying.”
“Or x-ray vision,” he replied, making a show of scanning his eyes over my body.
There was an undeniable spark in our playful exchange and it wasn’t just my imagination. Next to us, Brent started pouring a glass of wine for Stephanie, who sat with a bemused smile, her eyebrows raised in mock protest. “Really, Brent? Our food isn’t even here yet.”
“Just one to get you going,” he insisted, his tone light yet persuasive. “We need to keep the good vibes flowing. It’s practically a rule for a night out.” He looked to Scott for encouragement who looked to me. I shrugged.
“Fine, fine,” Stephanie relented, giggling as she accepted the glass. As the deep red liquid filled her glass, Brent’s attention never wavered from her. He leaned in closer, whispering something that made her erupt into a fit of laughter, her cheeks flushing pinker with every sip.
“See? You’re already loosening up,” Brent said, nudging the back arnavutköy escort of her hand affectionately.
I felt like I was on the verge of starvation when our food arrived. Steam curled up from it, and I pictured myself being pulled forward by the nose like a cartoon character. My grilled salmon glistening beside a mound of seasoned rice and roasted vegetables looked almost too beautiful to touch.
We dove into our meals, my own hunger seeming to almost be contagious. “Kayla, you absolutely have to try this!” Stephanie exclaimed, as she pushed her plate toward me. I took a bite of the creamy risotto, savoring the rich flavor.
“Delicious! Maybe I should’ve gotten that,” I said. From the corner of my eye, I caught Scott watching me intently.
“Here, let me get a bite of that,” he teased, leaning closer. For a moment, Brent and Stephanie faded away, and it was just me and him.
“Sure, but only if I get to try yours too,” I laughed. We swapped bites, each tasting the other’s dish while exchanging teasing complaints about the unfairness of having to share something so good.
“Sharing is caring,” Scott said with a laugh.
“Do you do a lot of…uhh…sharing?” I responded.
“When it’s so good that I can’t keep it all to myself? Sometimes.”
“Sounds messy,” I replied.
“Only if you don’t swallow,” Scott said, looking entirely too pleased with his innuendo.
“Ok, ok, gross. Earmuffs,” Stephanie said, chiming in with laughter and reminding me that Scott and I weren’t at our own private table.
As the evening wore on, my chemistry with Scott continued to build. At one point, our knees brushed beneath the table, sending warmth up my leg and beneath the hem of my dress. It had seemed accidental at the time, but then it happened again. And again. Each time it happened, I couldn’t help but steal glances at Scott who gazed back with an assuredness that almost seemed to say, “Yeah, I’m knee-fucking you. And you like it.”
“Come on, Steph, just one more!” Brent urged, his voice a teasing lilt. “You can’t let us drink alone, right?”
I watched as Stephanie’s cheeks flushed a deeper shade of pink, the wine already swirling through her veins. She giggled softly, swaying slightly in her seat as she raised her glass to her lips again. “Okay, last one,” Stephanie replied, her words slightly slurred. She was definitely a lightweight. She’d only had one.
“That’s the spirit!” Brent grinned, pouring another generous splash into her glass. His smile was bright, but there was an eerie insistence behind it that made me uneasy. I exchanged a look with Scott, who furrowed his brow ever so slightly as he observed Stephanie with concern.
“Maybe we should slow down a bit,” I interjected gently. But Stephanie waved me off.
“Don’t worry about me! I can handle it!” Stephanie declared, raising her glass high.
“To new friends!” Brent toasted, as he clinked his glass with Stephanie’s, mine, and Scott’s. As she took another long sip, he said, “We should go dancing. Let’s go to ‘Live.'”
I was eager to spend more time with Scott, but it was Stephanie’s night. I turned to her for direction.
“Sounds fun!” she said, almost bouncing in her seat.
“Alright, let’s do it!” I said.
“Absolutely,” Scott added, his eyes drifting to me and making my pulse race. As we rose from the table, Scott stepped closer, extending his arm toward me. I put my hand in his, immediately feeling the heat. He scratched my wrist with his long fingers and sent a shiver up my spine. This was going to be a Netflix night for sure.
‘Live’ was a vibrant nightclub not far from the restaurant and was barely a five-minute Lyft ride.
The wait to get inside was much quicker than I expected, and we got in after just a few minutes. As we walked in, a kaleidoscope of color and sound filled every space. The club pulsed with the life of neon strobe lights overhead and music that bounced off the walls, ceiling, and floor. The crowd on the dance floor swirled around itself, their silhouettes dancing in time with the electrifying music. Laughter and shouts competed with the beats. Scott’s hand settled on my back, guiding me through the crowd. It pulled at us as Scott pushed us forward.
We reached the dance floor, and the moment we began to move, it felt like everything around us fell into slow-motion. I swayed to the rhythm, my body instinctively finding its groove as Scott tried to mirror my movements, and our hips brushed against each other.
“Nice,” Scott said, eyeing my body while leaning closer so I could hear him over the music. His breath caressed my ear, making my skin prickly hot.
“Thanks! You’re not bad yourself,” I responded, spinning away for a moment before returning to him, our bodies whirling together again. Alive. Untamed. Unrestrained.
Something in my mind pulled my consciousness away from him and made me scan the room. Across the room on the edge of the floor, I saw Brent handing Stephanie a drink. She accepted it with an unsteady grin and took several sips. I kept my eyes trained on her as Brent urged her to take a few more before leading her onto the dance floor. Stephanie’s movements were loose and unsteady. She stumbled slightly as she danced, leaning against Brent for support. He wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her closer and rubbing his hand up her back and then down to the curve of her ass.