The Game I Forgot

It was a warm summer evening, and the air in the college building seemed to buzz with anticipation. Outside, the sky was painted in rich shades of orange and purple as the sun set behind the gentle hills. Inside, however, a different kind of energy hung in the air. It was game night—a game that had been quietly brewing in the hallways and the minds of the girls for weeks. But me? I had completely forgotten about it.

It was all Kathrin’s fault. My cousin was a whirlwind of energy and laughter when she arrived from the U.S. She brought with her that American confidence, so different from the quiet restraint most people here displayed. You couldn’t miss her—fiery red hair tumbling wildly over her shoulders and a smile that lit up any room. Ever since she showed up at my place, she’d turned my life upside down. She dragged me from one café to the next, planned trips, and her relentless enthusiasm left me no space to even think about the game.

But tonight, as we collapsed onto my bed, exhausted from shopping and loaded with iced coffee, it hit me like a bolt of lightning: the room key. The boy.

I sat up abruptly. "Oh my God."

Kathrin raised an eyebrow and looked up from her phone. "What’s up?"

"The game," I stammered, my thoughts racing. "I... I completely forgot that I... that I was supposed to..."

Kathrin’s face lit up. "Ah! The game! You mean that crazy college ritual you told me about?"

I nodded frantically. "Yes, exactly that! My friends gave my room key to some guy, and I don’t even know who it is. Tonight..." I trailed off, suddenly realizing I had no idea how to finish that sentence.

Kathrin laughed. "Wow, they really do things differently here than in America. So, tonight you’re expecting someone, and you have no idea who he is? That’s wild."

"It’s kind of crazy, isn’t it?" I laughed nervously. Suddenly, my room felt smaller, the walls closing in, and my heart started beating faster. Somewhere in the building, a boy was wandering around—my boy for the night—and I had no clue who he was or when he’d show up. A strange fluttering sensation stirred in my stomach, a mix of excitement and fear. What if it was someone I barely knew? Or worse, someone I didn’t like?

Kathrin put her phone down and sat up. "So, what are you going to do? I mean, you can’t just... run away."

"No, running away isn’t an option," I muttered. "That would be... rude. And embarrassing. Besides, I’m curious."

"Of course you are," she laughed. "So, what’s the plan? You’re going to stay here and wait for your mystery visitor?"

I sighed and fell back onto the bed. "Yeah, that’s pretty much the plan. I don’t have much of a choice. And it was my idea to join in on this game."

Kathrin looked at me thoughtfully before lying down beside me and pulling the blanket over us. "Okay, how about I stay until he shows up? I want to see how you react."

"Kathrin!" I groaned, playfully hitting her arm. "This isn’t a play!"

"Oh, come on. I’m your cousin! It’s only fair."

Before I could respond, there was a soft knock at the door. My heart skipped a beat. Was it time already? I hadn’t really let the thought sink in, but now that it was happening, I wasn’t sure if I was ready.

"That could be him," I whispered, and Kathrin’s eyes lit up with curiosity.

"Oh my God, open the door!"

I stood up slowly, the blood rushing in my ears. My hand trembled slightly as I reached for the door handle. For a moment, I paused, wondering what would happen next. But before I could think too much, I opened the door—and there he was.

He looked like he had just stepped out of a dream. Tall, with tousled dark hair and a mischievous smile on his lips. His eyes sparkled in the dim light of the hallway, and for a moment, I forgot where I was. It was as if the world had suddenly shrunk, focused entirely on this one moment between us.

"Hey," he said softly, his voice deep and husky. "I think you’re expecting me."

I swallowed. Nervousness bubbled up inside me, but at the same time, a tingle of excitement pushed aside my uncertainty. Kathrin, still lying on the bed behind me, let out a quiet giggle, and I felt my cheeks heat up.

"Um, yeah. I think... I think so," I managed to say, opening the door a little wider. "Come in."

He stepped across the threshold and quietly closed the door behind him. The room suddenly felt filled with his presence, as if he took up all the space. My heartbeat quickened, and the air felt heavier, thicker, like just before a summer storm.

"So, what happens now?" Kathrin asked bluntly, grinning at the both of us.

I just shook my head, unable to find an answer.