“Not even Caleb?” Emma asked, patting something on my face that smelt like strawberries. Summer handed me another drink.
“Caleb is fine,” I said and took a big sip of the sweet but burning liquid. It tasted like cherries, but had a weird aftertaste to it. My head was feeling well-buzzed after one cup, and although Emma scolded me for having another drink, Summer gave me a can of beer.
“You look like a doll!”
True to their words, they had changed up my appearance with the magic of makeup and curling iron. My green eyes were lined with kohl and the smoky makeup made them look brighter. I had dabbed blush on my cheeks and applied plum red lipstick that made my lips full. With dark soft waves brushing my back, I looked ready for war.
Both of them cooed when I stood up from the stool feeling well cared for. I could always count on them for cheering me.
Emma handed me a gloss while Summer whistled, looking at me. “You should be thankful we haven’t hired any strippers like last time.”
My face flamed thinking about Summer’s eighteenth birthday party. “I’m ready.” I took a deep breath and smiled at both of them. “Let’s get this party started!”
27
TRUTH OR DARE?
MIA
“Chug, chug, chug!” Everyone chanted as I kept swallowing the beer, my hand clenching on the can when I pulled away, laughing with the crowd of tipsy classmates. Others were already swimming in the pool, lounging on the chair aka making out under the shade, or playing ping-pong, or truth or dare.
Not to mention the constant supply of alcohol and burgers. Emma sure knew how to host a party.
“I never knew you had it in you, Mia,” Aaron chuckled, leaning closer. “Ditch the clothes. Everyone is already half-naked.”
Looking around, most of them were flaunting their bodies in shorts, bikinis or swimming trunks. Aaron tugged off his shirt, flaunting his muscled body, grinning at me.
“Come on, birthday girl.”
“Fine, fine,” I muttered, biting my lip and crossing my arms. Before I could remove the loose top I was wearing, I looked across the backyard towards the open glass doors where James was standing.
I knew he was invited, but I didn’t think he would actually come to a silly birthday party after fighting with me.
I couldn’t make out his face from the distance so I didn’t know what he was thinking, but I could feel his burning gaze on me.
Fuck him. I removed my top and unzipped my denim shorts to let them pool around my ankles. I shivered, more so because of the feeling of being watched than the breeze caressing my bare skin.
Aaron let out a wolf whistle, making my face feel hot. Holding my hand, he dragged me to the pool. He didn’t wait for an answer before lifting me in his arms and diving into the cool water. I let out a squeal and clutched him when I was swallowed by the cold, coming up for air and angrily splashing water on his laughing face.Thank god the makeup was waterproof.
The burn on my neck returned, but I ignored it.What if James was right? What if I should be with a guy my age?Maybe someone like Aaron, and,with time, the silly crush on James might disappear.
It wouldn’t hurt to try,would it?
* * *
I don’t knowhow much time had passed except that the sun had already set and everyone around me was drunk and happy. Emma’s mom, Dorothy, had called her once without giving us any attention. We were used to her mother being cold, and I was relieved to see Em smiling when she came back, which was a rare sight after talking to her mother.
“Come on, truth or dare!” Most of us were in the pool and instead of playing the usual truth or dare, we were taking turns and I was excited because it was my turn next.
“Truth.”
I snorted when Claire chose the truth, and gulped down the drink in my hand. I wasn’t completely shit faced yet, but I was very, very tipsy with my body swaying as the cold water lapped at my body lazily. I felt like jumping off the cliff or going to hibernate. Or skinny dip.
I giggled to myself, ignoring Claire glaring at me.
“If you could fuck someone from our faculty, who would it be and why?”
I scoffed at the silly question one guy asked. Of course, they’d ask the most boring and horny question.