Chapter One
"One Shot dowwwn" Casper roared in victory as he drained his third glass of tequila.I sat asking myself for the umpteenth time, why I had decided to come.
Let me backtrack
Casper and I have been friends practically joined to the hip since forever. We did things together and even applied for the same college, though different disciplines but under the same faculty. We shared almost the same likes and interests, but you see, ever since we moved into our apartment with Jerry and Finn our new room buddies, well Casper has been on the loose. And this Friday night, after several failed attempts to get me to join them to party, they finally decided that violence was the only solution. So, tied and bundled in the back of a Camry, I was dumped in this hormone-driven chaotic hell house, which we can more calmly call a club.
I took the time to scan the bar. It was a dimly lit bar on the outskirts of town, the lively sounds of laughter, clinking glasses, and rock music filled the air. The place was a popular hangout for the rebellious souls who sought refuge from a world that often overlooked them. I felt out of place sporting a plaid shirt and messy hair,
"C'mon Alex, you've been scowling since we got here. Relax and live life abit" Jerry cooed
"Yeah. Your a handsome dude and I just saw some girls checking you out" Finn threw a wink
"Hahaha, Alex will rather jump from a building than see a girl " Casper jested
I rolled my eyes
"Does it mean you're gay,? We could try out something..."
"The point is" Jerry interrupted, untangling Finn's hands from me "You need to live a little, alright. I don't care who you want to f**k. But you are only young once."
"So your advice is: I should involve myself in habits that can potentially and surely kill me young, because of a caveman's advice".
They blinked.
Jerry shook his head in disbelief, " You can't take the nerd out of this one. But Atleast drink up" he poured tequila in a shot glass and pushed it to me.
I eyed the drink.
I could simply say No and forever be seen as a wimp in the eyes of them all. Different jest names swiveled through my head of all I have been called through my schooling years, even my parents were actually wondering if there was a problem.
I was always a very independent young man and I always never had a reason to be under peer pressure of any sort.
But tonight I suddenly felt the need to feel among;
It's just for this night, a tiny voice whispered.
Before the rational part of my brain could say Jack
I picked up the glass and threw it down to the amazement of those around me.
The cold liquid awoke a trail of burning sensation down my throat that brought tears to my eyes. I winced from the feeling and the claps on my back as they cheered.
" Someone just became a man"
"That was some deep ish" I croaked as the harsh sensation was gradually replaced with a warm tingled vibe.
"Yeah, you will get used to it. Another for the young Man"
"If it isn't Jerry Fletcher. "
"Holy s**t! Marc. Where have you been, Man? So go to see you" Jerry shoulder clapped Marc the typical heartthrob .
" You know, doing the usual," he flashed a mischievous grin.
" Marc, meet my guys-Finn, Casper and Alex."
I nodded and proceeded to look down blinking as I tried to steady myself.
" I have my group at the other end, chilling. You guys should definitely come and chill. We have booze and the ladies"
"Yo, Man. We will be there shortly. Let us tidy a bit here"
Marc sauntered to his squad with two bottles in his hand. He went past two hefty security into a secluded corner .
Definitely VIP
"Jerry, you did not mention exactly how popular you are " Casper
"Right now, I really want to be done", Finn pleaded.
"Follow me guys," he said, tailing Marc to the table where they sat with five others.
" Yo, Jerry; guys meet my good friend Jerry and his friends Finn, Casper and urm... Alex" I scanned around till my eyes landed on a red-haired donning a black leather jacket and a short leather skirt. She was giving off the whole baddie vibe and an attitude that dared anyone to challenge her.
"These are Mia, Shane, Cleo, Jack, and Jess."
I caught the stare of Jess the red-haired, we held each other's gaze before she smirked. A blush spread over my face.
so what fun thing should we do?" a cute petite piped.
"Truth and Dare"
"Great!" Casper shot up too fast and slumped back
"For every truth and dare mentioned, it has to go with a glass"
Rounds of approval passed through.
I scanned everyone and my eyes rested on the same red-haired sitting opposite me, muscled arm slung across her shoulder, this time blue eyes stared straight at me. I held her studious gaze for the longest while before averting. I heard her scuff.
" Mia, Who did you bang in the science lab on Prom" the mia a blonde studied her drink before c*****g her head towards Jerry "Wasn't it great Jer,"
Two persons away I heard Jerry choke on his drink. Rounds of oohs and laughter rang. " why did you decide to tell us now?"
"After trying to get it out of ya, all this while" a guy I picked up as Shane added
"The thing is, I am well over him. And he is a douchebag" It stirred another round of laughter. I looked at Jerry who shook his head in humor, giving a cocky I don't care to look but there was the faintest flash of hurt.
"Cleo, Truth or Dare?"
She rolled her eyes in mock annoyance "You know it guys? Dare"
" You've got two options: call your dad and tell him you are in a club or get live streamed on i********: dancing on the pole"
"Geez, Jer..."
Cleo glared in thought, in minutes she tossed her phone to Finn" Let's do this" She pulled off her jacket and ran to the pole at the left corner of the bar.
"Go Cleo, Go Cleo " they chanted. I watched in keen surprise and anticipation as she hopped on the pole and twirled on it, going up and down. Maybe it was the way she moved or the alcohol I couldn't tell, I watched enthralled by the movement within minutes she was down and running to the table.
"Gosh you nailed it Cleo" She shrugged with a smirk before taking her seat."So we get I with the Gammeee" Marc drawled.
"Hey nerd"
Only when I saw multiple stares did I realize that I was the one being called.
"Truth or Dare"
"Truth"
Howls of approval passed round
"You've got three questions. What is the naughtiness thing you have had to do ?" an easy-going brunette by Marc asked
" in regards to..." I managed to say through the numb effect of the alcohol.
" you know, relationship, s*x"
Silence hung heavy as everyone.
"None" I replied curtly draining my glass
"c'mon, don't feel shy..."
"I haven't done any"
Suddenly the atmosphere felt uneasy. " you are the ideal Nerd" Shane joked
I just shrugged.
"Okay... So.."
" Have you ever watched Porn" Fred a blonde jock quipped? " Hey, don't look at me like that! Every dude gets to look at Porn"
"Porn is a waste of time and brain cell. I have better things to do" The effect of the alcohol allowed the words to spill without stopping.
Someone scoffed "What are you a monk"
"What is the point of Porn if I could do it, isn't the real deal better"
Hoots passed around" Someone is getting bold. I love this nerd"
"All alright, smarty pants..."
"Have you had s*x?" Mia blurted raising a well pruned eyelash.
Sex I thought.
I had a thousand replies go through my head with a thousand scenarios, but one thing was certain I wasn't about to go further and look like the total numbsock. It was one thing to be a nerd and another to be the guy who has never had s*x which everyone will assume to be an incapability to land a girl.
"Dare" I deflected
Disappointed sighs passed through.
' A dare" Mia scoffed in unbelief
" Yes, I would go with a dare" a c*****g smile graced my mouth.
I saw her eyes shift from unbelief to silent admiration.
"Okay, this has been fifty shades tense. I dare you to make out with anyone here for 2 minutes straight"
In my drunken haze, I scanned the room full of friends and strangers.
"What! C'mon, that is too easy, our nerd has been quite bold so let's make it a tad bit challenging. I dare you to make out with Jess for 2 minutes"
"Are you trying to get the guy killed" Jerry blurted.
The back and forth faded away as I tried to steady myself.
Will I be able to do it?
Would I chicken out?
How bad could things possibly be now?
Most of all, would I regret this?
My rational hare brain fought through the details but I quickly threw another shot down my throat for confidence and got up. My gaze set on the one person that has caught my attention all evening.
I heard the cheers but only as a distant sound. Her eyes challenged me and a smirk rested on her plump lips which invited me. I hesitated
Will I be able to?
There is only one way to know... A thought whispered
Before I could stop my lips fell on hers and that was when the fire