Fire and Silk

Six Years Ago - Grayson’s POV I walk down the stairs of my best friend’s house and join the group in the basement. It’s his and his sister’s seventeenth birthday and they’re having a party at their house while their mom is out at the casino. I throw myself down on the couch, sneaking a glance over at Jai, the birthday girl, she’s giggling while some random guy from school flirts with her. I’ve known the Richards since we were kids, and have been best friends with Troy since 4th grade. His sister was always around as they share that weird twin connection, though looking at them you wouldn’t know they were related let alone twins. Troy is the mirror image of his father, the late Mr. Richards, his brown hair falls shaggily over his brown eyes and his physique is fitting for a football player. Jai is more delicate though, I can’t seem to stop watching as she pushes a strand of her fiery red hair back behind her ear, her pink lips moving animatedly with the conversation she’s having, as if feeling my eyes she suddenly cast her green eyes my direction while c*****g an eyebrow, “What?” she mouths my way, I just smirk and shrug sending her a knowing look while nodding my head towards the guy she’s talking to. She just rolls her eyes and returns to her conversation. I look over as Troy plops down next to me holding an empty beer bottle, “Hey Grayson, we’re gonna play spin the bottle, wanna join?” Jai’s voice suddenly rings out, “I wanna play!” I laugh as Troy’s face contorts in disgust, “Could you not subject me to that on my birthday, please?” Jai jumps up and snatches the bottle out of his hand, “It’s my birthday too and I want to play.” I shrug my shoulders at Troy before we stand up and walk over to the circle that has formed. Taking a seat I look around at the mess of high schoolers in the confined space. There’s been a bit too much alcohol consumption and I’m really hoping that we’re able to sleep it off since the homecoming game is tomorrow night and most of the people here are on the football team or cheer squad. How can they expect their quarterback to lead them to victory if they’re all passed out? I know I’m good, but they could at least have reasonable expectations. The game makes its way around the circle and I watch as everyone kisses without a second thought, some pecks some a bit more, but all equally willing and eager. Alcohol has that effect on your inhibitions. As I take my turn I watch as it stops on Jai and suddenly feel a bit nervous. I watch as her cheeks turn an adorable pink before she leans willingly toward me. I push down any hesitation about kissing my best friend’s sister and touch my lips to hers. The sudden rush from the taste of her sweet lips is enough to both sober me up and send me sky high. Her soft lips move against mine and if we weren’t in front of dozens of our classmates my hands would gladly be running over her. I hear a throat clear and Jai pulls away sliding back into her spot with a playful smile on her lips as I glance over to see Troy glaring at me. “I think that’s quite enough,” he mutters and I just shake my head. As the game continues I glance over at Jai again meeting her eyes for just a second. She surprises me when she winks before turning to whisper to the girl next to her and I find my mind unable to concentrate on anything but the taste of her lips. A couple hours later I come out of the bathroom to see most of the party goers are leaving. I walk back downstairs to see Jai and Troy starting to clean up the mess of plastic cups, beer bottles, and plates scattered around the room. “Hey, is it cool if I crash here tonight?” I ask not feeling real sure about driving home and knowing my parents won’t care. “Sure,” they both say, not even bothering to look up. I grab a trash bag and begin helping them clean just like they did for me 3 months ago when my birthday party became a free-for-all food fight. Suddenly Jai begins giggling clearly having had a bit too much to drink, “I can’t believe out of everyone you were my first kiss.” Her giggling fit continues as Troy and I stare at her. Really? I was her first kiss? Troy rolls his eyes, “Don’t get any ideas Jailyn,” Jai stops giggling at the sound of her name, “best friends and sisters are both off limits.” I look at Troy, “Dude I would never, you know that. It was an innocent kiss during spin the bottle chill.” I notice a strange look come over Jai’s face, but it’s gone before I can further analyze its meaning. “Yeah, it meant nothing,” Jai mutters, causing my heart to clench, nothing? Wait, what am I thinking? She’s off limits, and she’s Jai, my friend, nothing more.