Chapter 2: Girls Only!

Continued from chapter 1:

As I walk back in balancing the tray of drinks, popcorn, and candy, the girls all cheer and applaud.

“Yay, refreshments!”

Mia grabs her Truly and takes a big theatrical swallow, some dribbling down her chin. She giggles and wipes it away with the back of her hand. Brooklyn snatches up a handful of mini candy bars, unwrapping one and popping it into her mouth.

“Mmm, you sure know how to treat a girl right, Ero,” she mumbles around the chocolate, giving you a playful wink.

Erica reaches for her drink, her fingers brushing against yours as she takes it.

“Thank you so much, you're a lifesaver!”

She takes a sip, then turns to Bianca with a grin.

“Your boyfriend here is pretty useful to have around, B.” Bianca rolls her eyes and grins.

“Not my boyfriend, Erica, just a boy who happens to be my best friend in the world. But yes, Ero can be very helpful.”

Chapter 2:

We settle in, eating snacks and drinking. I ask the girls about their majors, sorority life, and why they are single on Valentine's Day. They ask me about Notre Dame, hockey—which is my full-ride ticket to Notre Dame—and my non-existent relationship status.

Only Avonlea remains silent, staring at me with those mesmerizing dark brown eyes, until I can feel warmth rushing up my neck and face. Her expression is curious and mischievous at the same time.

As the conversation flows, the girls open up about their experiences at K-State and the sorority life of a Pi Beta Phi. Mia is studying fashion design, Brooklyn is pre-med, Erica is an English major aspiring to be a writer, and Bianca is double majoring in business and psychology. They share funny stories and inside jokes about sorority life.

When the topic turns to relationship statuses, Mia sighs dramatically.

“Ugh, dating in college is the worst. All the good guys are taken or too busy with sports and video games.”

Brooklyn nods in agreement.

“Same. I'm focusing on my studies anyway. No time for distractions.”

Erica blushes slightly.

“I may have had a crush on someone, but he didn't reciprocate. So I'm enjoying being single for now.”

Bianca smiles sympathetically at her sister.

A second episode of "Are You Afraid of the Dark?" ends, and there is a lull in the conversation. We sit there in silence for a moment, enjoying the warmth of the fire with the snow howling outside, and growing warmer and more uninhibited the more we drink. I am on my second voda mixer, and feeling very relaxed.

The crackling of the fireplace fills the comfortable silence as the girls finish off their drinks, the **** starting to lower inhibitions. Mia suddenly sits up straighter, her eyes sparkling with an idea.

“Soooo, since it IS an anti-Valentine's party after all...”

She glances around at the others conspiratorially.

“What do you say we play a little game to really get things going? Something kinky and fun to celebrate being single!”

Brooklyn grins wickedly.

“Ooh, I like the sound of that. What did you have in mind, Mia?”

Erica leans forward eagerly, always up for a good time. Even Avonlea seems intrigued, her dark brown eyes flashing with anticipation. They all turn to look at me expectantly, waiting to see if I’m on board with whatever mischief Mia has planned for the evening ahead.

“I'm down. The night is young. What do you have in mind?”

Mia claps her hands excitedly.

“Oh goody, Ero's game too! Okay, here's the plan—I just picked up a pretty spicy game called 'Naughty or Nice' from that new erotic coffee shop in town. I think we'll have a lot of fun with that one. The rules are simple—”

Avonlea cuts her off.

“Pause.”

All of the girls freeze in place, looking curiously at Avonlea. Avonlea starts,

“Bianca, girls, this has gone far enough. I was led to believe this was a sisters-only anti-Valentine's Day pajama party, and while I'm sure Ero is the best guy friend a girl can have..."

She pauses.

“Ero is NOT a sister, and he's not even wearing pajamas. The silence that follows is like a bomb has detonated. The girls look from Avonlea to me, and slowly begin to smile...”

Mia gasps in mock outrage, placing a hand on her hip.

“Avonlea's right, Bianca! This is supposed to be a girls-only affair. Can't have you breaking the sacred no-boys-allowed rule on our special day!”

Brooklyn nods solemnly, fighting back a grin.

“Yeah B, you know the drill. Bros aren't welcome at our pajama parties. It's in the sorority bylaws.”

Erica stifles a giggle behind her hand. All eyes turn to Bianca, who looks torn between amusement and panic.

“Guys, come on! Ero's different, he's practically family. Surely we can make an exception just this once?”

Avonlea holds up a hand imperiously, cutting off further debate.

“Not so fast, missy. Rules are rules.”

I try to make a case.

“Avonlea, I am sorry. I can go. B, we can catch up tomorrow. You're right, I'm not a sister, and I'm not wearing pajamas or lingerie or anything that you all agreed to.”

“I'm the odd duckling here. You girls are beautiful, and I wish you could make an exception and let me stay, but if rules are rules, I wish you a great anti-Valentine's Day, and safe travels back to college.” I stand to leave...

Just as you start to stand up, Avonlea suddenly bursts out laughing.

“Gotcha! Oh man, you should've seen your face.”

The other girls dissolve into giggles, unable to keep up the charade any longer. Mia wipes a tear of mirth from her eye.

“That was priceless, Ero! You actually thought we were serious.”

Brooklyn high-fives Avonlea.

“Nice one, sis. Had him totally convinced.”

Erica smiles at you warmly.

“We're just messing with you, silly. Of course, you can stay!”

Bianca grins sheepishly.

“Sorry about that, Ero. I swear they're usually not this mean to my guests.”

Avonlea stands up and saunters over to you, a mischievous glint in her dark eyes.

My relief is palpable. Avonlea's ability to lead me into a trap to knock me down a notch makes me respect her a little. She is incredibly hot, and I start to develop a little bit of a crush. I smile back at her.

“What, Avonlea?”

Avonlea smirks, circling me slowly like a predator stalking its prey.

“But since you are an unknown quantity...”

She stops in front of me, invading my personal space.

“How about a little challenge to earn your right to stay at our party?”

To be continued in chapter 3...