ERIN
I just stood quietly in a corner of the room, surrounded by pulsating music and a sea of bodies moving to the rhythm. The party was in full swing, but I found solace in my little corner, sipping from my red cup filled with alcohol.
As I observed everyone dancing on the dancefloor, I couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation. I was waiting for my two friends, Charles and Miles, to arrive. We had planned this night out for weeks, eager to escape the monotony of everyday life. Yet, as time ticked by, I grew increasingly worried about their absence.
Feeling a slight buzz from the alcohol, I decided to check my phone for any messages. I unlocked the screen and glanced at the new group chat we had created just for tonight's adventure. Nothing. Not a single message from either of them. Frustration gnawed at me, and I was about to type out a furious message when a voice broke through my thoughts.
I looked up, surprised to find Jacob standing before me. His intense gaze locked onto mine, and it was as if the chaos around us faded into the background. Jacob is not my friend, he's an asshole and he's a bully but still, he possessed an enigmatic charm that drew people in, and now he focused all that attention squarely on me.
"Hey," he said, his voice dropping to a low, melodic tone. 
"Seriously, Jacob? Even here?" I grumbled, unable to contain my frustration any longer. "When are you going to stop bothering me?"
"Anyway, bye!" I told him as I rolled my eyes and flipped my hair at him. I was about to leave when he suddenly grabbed my arm to make me stop.
My heart pounded against my chest as his touch sent a chill down my spine. I turned to face him, my annoyance quickly fading into curiosity. His piercing eyes bore into mine, filled with urgency and a hint of desperation.
"Wait! Please don't leave," he said, so I looked at him, raising an eyebrow. His hair was disheveled, and his eyes were filled with desperation.
"Who said I was leaving?" I blurted out, my voice laced with irritation. "I haven't even enjoyed the party yet! Tsk!" I crossed my arms, shooting a sharp glare at him, waiting for an explanation.
What does he want from me? My mind is racing with confusion and apprehension. It had been weeks since he first approached me. I took a deep breath, trying to steady my nerves, and finally, I decided to confront him.
"What is it you need from me, Jacob? What do you want?" I calmly asked him, but he still didn't say a word and just looked me in the eyes. The intensity of his gaze sent a shiver down my spine. It was as if he were searching for something deep within me, something I wasn't even aware of myself.
"If you won't say anything, can you just at least let me go? Because I still have to find my friends," I pleaded, hoping that reason would penetrate his seemingly unhinged mind. To my surprise, Jacob released his grip on my hand, a fleeting expression of pain crossing his face. Relief washed over me, and I held my hand close, soothing the ache that lingered from his tight grasp. I waited for him to speak and offer an explanation for his bizarre behavior, but his lips remained sealed.
I'm losing my patience with this man.
I rolled my eyes, my frustration with him simmering just beneath the surface. Jacob's acting weird these days. Determined to forget our encounter, I turned my back on him and ventured deeper into the bustling party.
Navigating through the dimly lit room filled with laughter and animated conversations, I searched for the familiar faces of my friends. The blaring music and the sea of people made it a challenge, but I wasn't about to give up. After a couple of minutes of scanning the crowd, my eyes finally landed on two people gathered near the minibar.
Relief washed over me as I spotted their familiar figures, their smiles and gestures of excitement beckoning me to join them. I pushed through the crowd, my heart skipping a beat with anticipation. As I approached, my friends Miles and Charles turned their heads, sensing my presence. Their eyes lit up upon seeing me, and with unspoken understanding, they immediately approached me and enveloped me in a tight, comforting hug.
"I'm so sorry it took me so long to find you guys," I apologized to them, my voice trembling with relief. The two guys standing before me, their faces masked by shadows, simply smiled in response.
"Erin, it's alright, and we're sorry too that we didn't text you or even call you; our phones ran out of battery," Charles said, his voice full of sincerity. At that moment, both of them held out their phones, showing me the empty screens as proof.
"Nah, it's fine; just pour me a drink and party!" I happily told them, and they both laughed and immediately filled my red cup with vodka. The music was blaring, filling the air with upbeat rhythms that matched the pulsating energy in the room. The room buzzed with excitement as people mingled, danced, and shared laughter. I took a sip from my cup, feeling the warmth of the alcohol spread through my body, easing away the week's stresses. It was the perfect way to unwind and let go for a few hours.
We just drank a drink concoction of fruity flavors and a hint of mischief. The music pulsed through our veins as we swayed to the rhythm, feeling the energy of the crowd surrounding us. It was a night of celebration, of letting go and embracing the unknown.
As we danced in the middle of the dance floor, the colorful lights illuminating the room, I couldn't help but wonder if this was our first experience at a party like this. It felt like we were dipping our toes into a world of endless possibilities, bursting with laughter and exhilaration.
Tyler, our charismatic friend, had invited us to this gathering, promising it would be a night we'd never forget. And he was right. We joined his group of friends, a diverse mix of personalities, each radiating their charm and charisma.
The night carried us from one game to another, starting with a daring round of shot-roulette. The table was laden with mini glasses filled with various liquors, waiting to determine our fate. The roulette wheel spun, the ball teasingly bouncing between the numbers. The click and clack of anticipation filled the room until it landed on my number. Everyone erupted with cheers, urging me to pick my shot.
I raised my cup with a mixture of apprehension and excitement. I took a deep breath, trusting fate to guide me, and downed the contents in one swift motion. My face scrunched up with disgust, and sheepishly I admitted, "Gin, I should've known."
Laughter erupted from the group as I refilled my cup. The game was off to a spirited start. One by one, we took turns experiencing a range of flavors that ranged from sweet and fruity to bitter and pungent. Some successfully guessed right on their first try, their pride gleaming in their eyes. Others, like Clark himself, took more guesses than expected, prompting fits of laughter with each incorrect answer.
And then there was Miles; with each shot he took, his guesses became increasingly outrageous. "Chocolate syrup mixed with pickle juice!" he proclaimed at one point, earning him a chorus of laughter from our group.
As the game progressed, the chatter grew louder, laughter filled the air, and the bonds between friends tightened. The room buzzed with an atmosphere of camaraderie and intoxicating mirth. It seemed that regardless of the outcome, they were all winners in the game of friendship.
Amidst the revelry, I realized something about Clark: I had lost count of how many shots he had consumed. The room swayed slightly, and I realized that the liquid courage was taking its toll. The thrill of the game had blurred the lines between sobriety and intoxication.
But it didn't matter. At that moment, all that mattered was the joy shared among the group. Miles, his cheeks flushed and eyes sparkling drank more than anyone else. His guesses were constantly off, but he remained unfazed, simply enjoying the game and the company around us. 
We moved on to beer pong, with laughter and friendly banter filling the air. The room buzzes with excitement as our group gathers around the table. The air is thick with the mingling scents of beer and vodka, creating an intoxicating atmosphere. The anticipation builds as we prepare to engage in one of the most beloved team-drinking games of all time.
The table is set, with two sets of cups forming pyramids at each end. Each cup holds a concoction of beer and vodka, creating a colorful array of liquid temptations. The rules are simple: land a ping pong ball in an opponent's cup, and they must drink whatever drink is inside. Easy to understand yet challenging to master.
Miles, Tyler, and the rest of our team take our positions, fueled by our competitive spirits. Our team is determined to dominate the beer pong battleground, but little do we know the impending rollercoaster ride we are about to embark upon. On the other team, Charles and Klaus, our formidable opponents, possess impeccable accuracy when it comes to shooting ping-pong balls. Their reputation precedes them, leaving our team eager and anxious.
The game begins, and it is a back-and-forth battle. The ping pong balls soar through the air with precision, landing in cups and forcing our team to consume a variety of drinks. The game takes an unexpected twist as the opponents' shots become more strategic. They intentionally aim for certain cups, causing a nauseating whirlwind of different drinks to be consumed.
Our team valiantly tries to maintain our composure. Each successful shot against us takes us deeper into the abyss of intoxication. Laughter and camaraderie fill the room, but underneath it all, a lingering realization dawns upon our team. The combination of beer and vodka swirls within our systems, hindering our coordination and impairing our judgment.
It becomes evident that our noble quest for victory is slipping away. Miles and Tyler exchange glances, their eyes tired and their movements sluggish. Despite their best efforts, the relentless onslaught of potent drinks takes its toll, rendering them unable to keep up with Charles and Klaus.
In the end, the opposing team emerges triumphant, their victory celebrated with cheers and laughter. Our team graciously accepts our defeat, albeit with a tinge of disappointment. However, we soon realized that it didn't matter if the shot missed or if we triumphantly sunk the ball into the last cup; it was the shared experience that mattered. The camaraderie grew stronger with every round, forging connections and creating memories that would outlast the night.
As the group moved on to the next game, the atmosphere became more lively, and the energy in the room surged. Everyone was eager to see what secrets would be unearthed during the game of Never Have I Ever. The players gathered in a circle, each holding their drink, ready to confess their deepest, darkest secrets. But something caught my attention: Tyler and Miles are nowhere to be found. I shrugged, getting rid of the thought.
The game began with a simple rule: each person would say something they had never done before, and those who had done it would take a sip from their drink. The revelations flew fast and furious. Some were harmless like never having been on a roller coaster, while others were more scandalous like never having cheated on a partner.
As the game progressed, the secrets grew more daring and provocative. Laughter filled the air, and friendships were tested as the group discovered new sides of each other.
"Never Have I Ever had sex with anyone." Jessica's confession hung in the air, immediately capturing the attention of the entire group gathered around the table. Everyone raised their drinks to their lips, sharing in a chorus of laughter and playful banter. Everyone, that is, except for Jessica, Clark, and me.
The group's teasing gazes shifted our way, and in that moment, Clark and I felt an invisible barrier between us and the rest of the room. As I met Jessica's eyes, I could see an undeniable mix of shame and discomfort, and my confusion grew. Why was being a virgin such a big deal to others?
As the laughter subsided, Sarah, one of the more outspoken members of the group, couldn't resist chiming in. "Oh, come on, Jessica! You mean to tell us you've never experienced the joys of the flesh?"
"Not for long," Jessica, always the center of attention, had unveiled a pack of condoms, leading to a mixture of excitement and curiosity.
The room erupted in cheers and laughter as Jessica proudly displayed her newfound acquisition. However, amidst the cheers, I noticed Clark's sudden change in demeanor. He bit his lower lip, and his fist clenched tightly. It was clear to me that he understood the implications behind Jessica's display, and he struggled to hide his rising anger.
I could hardly believe what I was witnessing. Jessica, with her sly smile and subtle glances in Tyler's direction a while ago, seemed intent on making a bold move. Her clinging toward Tyler earlier in the evening now made sense. She was planning to have an intimate encounter with none other than him.
The game continued, with laughter echoing through the room. The air buzzed with a mix of excitement and anticipation. Everyone had already shared embarrassing secrets and hilarious anecdotes. Now, it was Clark's turn to unveil a hidden aspect of his life.
He cleared his throat, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Never have I ever kissed someone," he declared, a sly smile curling on his lips as he took a sip from his cup, joining in the laughter that erupted from the others.
I watched as my friends, one by one, giggled, indicating they had indeed kissed someone. Their gazes turned towards me and Clark, curiosity burning in their eyes.
I took a deep breath, suddenly aware of the intensity of the moment. The truth was that I hadn't kissed anyone either. In a world where intimacy seemed to be the norm, I had always felt like an outsider, unable to experience what others considered a simple act of connection.
I hesitated, my mind racing with conflicting emotions. Should I conform and pretend to have kissed someone just for the sake of fitting in? Or should I be honest and risk exposing my vulnerability to ridicule?
As I contemplated my decision, my eyes locked with Clark's. There was an unspoken understanding between us, a connection forged through years of being an acquaintance. Clark was always there, sending me annoying messages every morning and night. Sensing my hesitation, Clark put his cup down and spoke with a gentle smile. 
"Well, it seems I'm not alone then. Cheers to those who haven't, because the right person and the right moment are worth waiting for," he said, and then I gulped down the vodka.
"OMG! Guys, how about we change the game? Truth or dare!" Jessica suggested with a hint of mischief in her eyes as she glanced between me and Tyler, and again, everyone agreed. Emily, Alexa, and Jon exchanged uncertain glances, but they trusted Jessica's ability to infuse excitement into any ordinary gathering.
Emily, always hesitant about Jessica's wild ideas, spoke up. "Are you sure about this, Jess? Last time we played truth or dare, it didn't end well."
Jessica dismissed Emily's concerns with a wave of her hand. "Oh, come on, Emily! We're all friends here, and it'll be fun. Besides, it's just a game. What could go wrong?"
"Excuse me for a minute; I feel sick," I said, my voice quivering, and I hurriedly made my way toward the restroom. My heart thudded loudly in my chest, echoing my nervousness and growing anxiety. I could hear their laughter trailing behind me, intensifying the uncomfortable situation.
As I entered the comfort room, I took a deep breath, desperately attempting to calm my racing thoughts. The sound of running water from the sinks provided some solace, drowning out any lingering laughter ringing in my ears. I glanced at my reflection in the mirror.
My hair was slightly disheveled, my glittered dress wrinkled, and my eyes were weary from the weight of embarrassment. I splashed some cold water on my face, hoping it would wash away the shame that clung to me like a heavy cloak. But no matter how much water I doused myself with, the feeling refused to dissipate.
I could still hear their laughter echoing through the corridors, reminding me of how out of place and awkward I felt. Were they laughing at me? Whispering behind my back? As irrational as it seemed, the thought gnawed at my already frayed nerves.
As I stared at my reflection I felt that something was not right. I couldn't shake the images that had suddenly intruded upon my thoughts and memories of Clark from a while ago. Suddenly, those memories transformed into vivid images- Clark's piercing eyes, glistening with mischief, as he kept stealing glances at me. The emotions that swirled within those depths, the unspoken connection we shared there was something else, something darker, hidden beneath the surface. In a fraction of a second, my mind captured an image of Clark gently biting his lip, a gesture that seemed innocent at first, but in that quick moment, I detected a hint of something else unknown desire, a hidden longing.
I shook my head forcefully, trying to banish the thought. These revelations felt inappropriate, even wrong. They tainted the purity of our acquaintanceship, casting a new light on our shared memories. Fear gripped me as I wondered if I had missed something or if there was an underlying truth that had eluded me all these years.
"What is wrong with me? Am I drunk?" I murmured before I splashed water on my face once more, feeling the cool droplets cascade down my skin. My heart raced with confusion and uncertainty. I tried to rationalize the images, to dismiss them as mere figments of an overactive imagination. But they clung to my thoughts stubbornly, unwilling to vanish like a fading dream.
I was about to leave the room, but before I could, the door swung open, and my heart skipped a beat. Standing before me was a familiar face-Clark. We locked eyes, and his deep blue orbs filled with an intensity I had never seen before. A mix of surprise and confusion washed over me, leaving me momentarily frozen in place.
Then, before I could even comprehend what was happening, Clark stepped forward, his hands reaching out to cradle my cheeks. Startled, I opened my mouth to speak, but no words escaped my lips. Time seemed to stand still as his soft touch sent shivers down my spine.
In that bewildering moment, Clark pressed his lips against mine, and my world transformed. My mind raced to make sense of the unexpected gesture, but my body seemed to instinctively respond. I closed my eyes, succumbing to the whirlwind of emotions that now engulfed me.
The kiss was tender yet urgent, consuming us both. It was as if we had been silently yearning for this connection, waiting for the perfect moment to bridge the gap between us. The warmth of his touch, the taste of his lips-it was all so undeniable, leaving no room for doubt.
But as the haze lifted, reality came crashing back. Thoughts flooded my mind, questioning the consequences of this impulsive act. I pulled away, my eyes wide with shock, breaking the spell that had momentarily enveloped us.