8. Rejected Kiss
1057 Words
CHAPTER EIGHT
They were both dressed casually in blue jeans shorts and checked button-down shirts, complete with white sneakers. The only difference in their clothing was the color of the shirts; while Meredith’s was jungle green checked, Vivian’s was red checked.
“You made it,” Justin commented, an appreciative smile on his face as he hugged Vivian.
“How could I miss such an awesome party?” she wiggled her eyebrows mischievously.
“Well suit yourselves,” he ushered them in.
By the time the clock struck eleven-thirty more than half the number of students in the room were already passed out. Some on the floor, others on the front yard and others even on the stairs of the large, exquisite mansion. Red plastic cups littered the floor and that was definitely vomit on the bottom stair. Meredith cringed at the sight but she also felt quite sorry for whoever was going to clean up the mess.
“Great, so what do we do now?” Vivian asked as they sat on one of the couches. They were careful not to get drunk.
“Find someone sober enough to make out with,” Meredith joked.
“You always say that every single time but you never do anything about it. The most fun you have ever had in a party was sit down and watch drunk teenagers make out. Sometimes I wonder why you even come to the parties in the first place if you are not even big on fun,” Vivian suddenly voiced taking Meredith by surprise.
“I always have fun. I drink and dance. So that should count as fun,” she defended herself though deep down she knew Vivian was right.
“Fine. Let’s join the truth or dare game,” Vivian dared her.
“No way. Remember sixth grade when they dared me to kiss a pig? Or in seventh grade when they made me kiss Andrew? That guy who was always picking his nose? I’m not doing that again,” Meredith cringed at the memory.
“You see? You are no fun,” Vivian accused.
“Hey, you want to join us outside? We are playing TOD and you both look sober enough to join us,” Justin suggested appearing from seemingly out of nowhere.
“I will join you. My friend here isn’t really into fun,’ Vivian stood up.
“You know what? Let’s go ace this game then,” Determined to prove that she loves fun too, Meredith led the way out of the house.
There was a fire a few paces away and beside it was a small group of students seating in a circle. As soon as they saw Justin, they paved way and they all sat down. As Meredith's eyes scanned the face, she was shocked to see Ace seated directly opposite her. Maybe his presence explained the inexplicable bad feeling that had grown in her get earlier. Her heart began racing as fear built up in her throat, almost choking her. His gaze was on her, his infamous smirk growing as she tried to breathe normally.
“I suppose there is room for one more person in your group?” Everyone turned to find Brian standing. Brian? What was he doing here? None of the girls had spotted him at the party but then again so had Ace until they stepped out of the house.
“Come on, join us,” he sat between Justin and Jackson, another popular, rich guy in eleventh grade.
“And this game just got more fun,” Ace muttered in a low voice but Meredith heard him. One thing was clear; she didn’t like the bad feeling growing intense in the stomach. She could feel her stomach wall contract in dread.
“Truth or dare Meredith?” Justin asked. Apparently she had been too focused on Ace to realize the game had already started.
“What?” she questioned, shaking off the undeniable dread.
“Truth or dare. Take your pick,” Justin stated impatiently.
“Truth,” she said without a second thought.
The game went around and so far, nothing really bad had happened. She was beginning to think that her mind had been just working overtime.
“My turn,” Ace suddenly said and for some reason, Meredith was scared of what he would do. Apparently she wasn’t the only one as Brian felt his own heartbeat increase.
“Brian, Truth or dare,” Brian knew if he said truth Ace would ask something to do with Meredith and right now he was not in the mood.
“Dare,” he answered after thinking it through.
“Great choice brother. Kiss Meredith,” a few gasps filled the already quiet night, save for the music playing inside the house.
“What?” Brian could not believe his eyes but as he thought over his brother’s words, he realized it was a trap.
“I said kiss Meredith,”
“Um…It's pretty late and I need to take care of something really crucial, so if you will excuse me,” Brian stood up suddenly, and walked away from the circle, all this time avoiding Meredith’s gaze.
“Don’t be such a party pooper, Brian,” Jackson shouted as everybody else chuckled, well except for Meredith.
“I think I’m just going to go too,” Meredith stood up while fighting the tears that were threatening to fall from her eyes.
“Meredith,” Vivian called after her.
“Hey, the party is not yet over,” Justin called after Vivian.
“Sorry, Justin. Maybe some other time,” She shouted back while running after her best friend.
She found her leaning against the trunk of Vivian’s Volvo, her legs crossed.
“Maybe it’s my breath. Hey, does my breath smell?” She asked as soon as Vivian had driven out of the compound.
“Nothing is wrong with you Meredith. Perhaps he just had somewhere to be so urgently,” Vivian said.
“Or he was avoiding to kiss me,”
“Stop beating yourself about it, Meredith. He is not worth it,”
- Writer
