College Chronicles Ep. 15 Pt. 02

"Jess! My friend is Riley. Say hi Ry! Isn't she cute?"

She put me on the spot, and I awkwardly waved at them, intensely aware of the eyes on me, Jake's and more. He didn't seem bothered at all.

"She better than cute. But can she play?"

He gave me a playful smile, and I couldn't help but mirror it, my nerves loosening slightly. His attention was something I'd secretly desired throughout high school-- it wasn't a problem that I was getting it a very different way than expected.

"Oh she's great. Just wait."

Cindy was defiant, and it took me a second to realize what she was doing. When I did, I turned and grabbed her arm, pulling her ear to my mouth.

"I... I haven't played before!"

She rolled her eyes and pushed my hand away, squaring up with the table and beginning to set a pyramid of red solo cups as Jake did the same across from us.

"Better figure it out!"

She was right, as she finished the pyramid and a boy appeared from no where to pour beer into each cup. Then someone else pressed something into my hand; looking belatedly, I found a pair of delicate ping pong balls in my palm. T

Cindy was in my ear again, a softer tact than the original lack of sympathy.

"Don't worry babe, it's just a game... Take a couple, practice."

Hesitantly, I followed her instructions. My first attempt was a nightmare of coordination; I basically pushed the ball, instead of throwing it. It fell maybe a foot away from me, bouncing the rest of the way across the table.

"No, not like that... Arc it!"

Cindy gave a mock demonstration, pretending to shoot a ping pong ball like one might a basketball, but with one hand. I watched, thought, then lined up again, took a pair of practice snaps with my wrist, then released for real. Better than the first attempt, with the arc Cindy had said. But my aim was still off, the ball falling into Jake's outstretched hand well past the edge of the table.

"Aww shit, this gon' be a short."

He spoke loudly, trash talking with bravado for the whole room. I wanted to respond, was trying to think of something to say... then Cindy upped the ante.

"Hell yeah it is! Losers have to let the winners take a body shot!"

That sent my eyes wide, my head swinging to her to make sure I'd heard right. I had, and Cindy wore a smug little smirk, knowing exactly what she was doing to me and everyone else at the party.

"Damn, it's like that? Aight, we on, let's do this. Shoot for first."

A cheer went up around us, and Cindy and Jake suddenly became very intense, staring at each other across the table. Not looking, both raised their arms and shot; both tapped off rims of cups, but Jake's fell into one of our back cups, while Cindy's missed to one side.

The crowd around us put up another cheer as Jake shrugged and gave a 'no-big-deal' look. People were keen to see Cindy lose, see us give a body shot... I didn't even know what that meant! But it wasn't the time to ask.

Cindy rolled the sunk ball back across the table, and the game began. Jake's hand cocked back and launched the ball smoothly through the air to fall perfectly in our foremost cup. The crowd cheered as the second ball left Brad's hand, bounced once and dropped into a back row cup, spurring yet another celebration around us as our opponents did a complex and exaggerated handshake, before turning back with wide smiles on their faces.

I was quick to grab the front cup, fish the ball out of it, down the beer quickly, never breaking eye contact with Jake. Fuck him, he wasn't shit compared to Jaxx. When I lowered the beer, I couldn't stop a small, feminine gasp, something between a burp and a hiccup, which my hand flew to shyly cover. Jake saw, since he was watching me, but it was so small and sudden that no one else did. I felt a little heat, the slightest of blushes, but again the knowledge that he wasn't Jaxx neutered his threat, gave me some measure of control. Then I brought my eyes up, and I saw for the first time the intoxicating moment of a boy falling in love with me. Or maybe falling in lust. I don't know how I knew, but just something... Something about the way his eyes flickered, how his brow creased and his stance wavered as he shifted before me, head dipping away...

I knew, and he knew, and he knew I knew. And all of a sudden I had more confidence than ever. I didn't know what I wanted exactly, but I knew I would take it when I got the chance.

So without hesitation, without coordinating with Cindy, I cocked my hand, flicked my wrist, and served the ball directly into the foremost cup of their pyramid. Cindy followed, sinking the central cup of the pyramid, and onlookers cheered for us, equal opportunity enthusiasts.

I don't know what was happening, but somehow, bolstered by swelling confidence, the cheers of the crowd, Cindy's presence, and a healthy heaping of beginner's luck, I didn't miss again. We shot back and forth, with Cindy missing some, the boys missing some, and all of my shots going in perfectly as if guided by some divine hand. After three in a row, the crowd started muttering, and Jake had to jokingly take the sting out of being down.

"Yooo, this bitch be hustlin'!"

Then I sunk another, and they came back around from suspicion to genuine awe. Public opinion had swung my way, and the crowd was fully on our side, with a mass of onlookers gathered directly behind me to clasp my shoulders and pat my back with every hit.

Despite my success, Jake was really good, and so the final round commenced with one cup on each side. Cindy's shot fell errant, and so it was all up to me, sink a shot or give Jake and Brad the opportunity to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.

I knew as soon as it left my hand that the ball's course was true, and feeling myself, I spun and stuck my hands up in the air, striking a flamboyant pose as I called it, waiting for crowd noise to confirm what I already knew.

"Game, bitches!"

It was a pretty great moment, and the crowd knew it too, going wild around me. Cindy was first to make contact, rewarding me with a big kiss that left me a little dizzy. When she pulled away, I was swamped by more compliments, more smiling faces singing my praises. It was the first time I was the big hero, and I loved the feeling; all eyes on me.

When the hubbub had settled down, Jake still stood across the table, clapping slowly, eyes on me. I took a few seconds before meeting his gaze; smoothing my skirt, playing with my hair, looking at Cindy and shooting her a wink. I think that really surprised her-- she took a bit before making herself know in the ensuing conversation.

"Aight, that was pretty good."

"I know! So how about those shots?"

The words rolled from my mouth with an unfamiliar confidence, my voice clear and smooth, ringing like a bell through the sensory chaos of a bumping house party. I smirked at him, trying my best to channel Jaxx's infuriating superiority. It must not have worked, as he smiled lightly back.

"Sure, sure, but I want a re-match first."

"Oh yeah? We'll kick your ass any day!"

Maybe pride cometh before the fall, but I wasn't concerned about any sort of hubris, just riding the wave of good feelings I'd never had before. Jake had a twist ready to throw me.

"You might... So let's switch partners. You come here, let's see how play at this angle."

"That's not really a re-match, though..."

Cindy finally spoke up, with an overly genuine tone I should have known spelled danger. I half turned, off-balance by his unexpected turn from bravado, and found Cindy watching me with a wry smile. Jake was already responding, and I swivelled back to him, distressed at how quickly I'd lost control.

"Eh, 'sall good. Riley and I are gonna run this shit."

"Oh fuck off dude, you got the good one!"

Brad next to him piped up, upset at being saddled with Cindy after her lackluster performance. But she was having none of it.

"Shut up, BRAD! Get over here."

Her tone was no nonsense, like she was already tired of the conversation. When I turned to the words, she was already looking at me, and gave me a wink of her own as she pushed me around the side of the table.

"Have fun..."

It was barely a whisper in the party noise, but it reverberated in my head. What was she up to? How was she still in control, losing a bet at a party in a town she'd never been to before? I was in awe of her, but there wasn't time to express it.

Then I was around the table, nearly bumping into Jake's athletic form. He was smaller than I remembered him, not as tall or built as Jaxx. But that didn't mean he wasn't impressive standing over me, his dark skin shining with sweat, muscles well-defined and flexing. We both faltered for a second, unable to find words. Then we laughed softly, breaking the awkward tension.

"Ready to win?"

"Fuck yeah!"

Unfortunately, that wasn't meant to be. My beginner's luck had worn off, and even cursed Jake's skill; We didn't make a shot between us, and in less than five minutes we'd drunk a pyramid of beer and laughed the whole time. It didn't help that we spent most of the time flirting and giggling, Jake moving closer and closer, becoming more handsy as our pyramid shrunk. We didn't even mind being booed away from the table, especially by Cindy and Brad across from us, reveling in the demonstrative win. Jake waved a hand at their taunts dismissively, and then his arm slipped around my waist, and he pulled me close. It was forward, but not overly aggressive; losing together had formed a quick bond.

"Fuck this shit. Let's dance, yeah?"

I giggled in his grasp, squirmed a little, just to test how tight he was holding me. Then I looked up, rested my hands on his chest, gave him big, puppy dog eyes.

"Let me tell my friend?"

"Yeah. Meet you over at the stairs."

He let go of me while gesturing, and I pushed off, not breaking eye contact until other people came between us. I had him right where I wanted.

It wasn't hard to find Cindy, the comfortable center of attention of a big group of people. She was in a very animated conversation with a group of guys, miming throwing something on the floor, and had to wait to grab her attention and pull her away.

"Jake wants... I want to go dance. Come with?"

"Nah, I'm gonna stay down here here."

She saw my face fall, and caught me before I went far.

"But you go!"

I hesitated, a little scared to go on my own, and she read my mind again.

"Oh, don't worryyy, you'll be fine! You're doing so well, and that Jake guy... He's a sweetheart. I can tell."

I was still dubious, but her seal of approval helped. She grabbed my hand and squeezed, and the contact helped a little more.

"Just tell me before you go anywhere else with him, naughty little slut!"

Before I could protest or make an excuse or question what she meant, she turned back to her group. I debated tapping her shoulder, asking for clarity... But decided against it. Sam needed clarity, Sami needed to ask questions; Riley would do what she wanted.

So I ran back across the basement to where Jake stood plain among the crowd. I knew he was watching me closely as I made my way to him, could feel his desire through air; but I played it cool. I was in control, HE wanted ME.

"All good?"

The question seemed sincere, even though his eyes lingered on my ass and legs as he asked it.

"Yup, let's goo!"

I didn't show that I noticed, and ran a few steps ahead of him so I could go up the stairs first, making special efforts to shake my butt and roll my hips in that feminine way everyone loves. I didn't check, but I imagined him in lock-step, watching my sashay with unabashed desire. I was so distracted by my efforts and imagination that I almost fell off the side of the stairs, swaying dangerously in my tall heels; but he was paying close attention, catching and steadying me before I could go more than an inch.

"Woahh, watch it!"

Set on my feet again, I spun to see his concerned look, and found it funny; it was only a short drop, and nothing could hurt me anyway. I was high on drugs and drinks and life and desire, feeling bulletproof, immortal. I leaped backwards up the remaining stairs, giggling at his obvious concern when I wobbled again at the top of the stairs. I managed to keep my balance though, and gave him my best plaintive, impatient, little girl look and voice.

"Come on stupid, let's dance!"

"Ay, the fuck?"

His expression of concern shifted immediately to a dark smile of desire, and he came running up the stairs after my light insult, his hands mock clutching after me as I shrieked and ran off, leading him towards the dance hallway.

I had to stop when I hit the barricade of grooving bodies, bulging out from being stuffed between close walls. I spun to find Jake advancing slowly, that smile melting a little; more foolish and love-struck than dark. It sent a tremor through my insides, a tingle that electrified my nerves, put me on the balls of my feet.

He stepped up, really close, and his arms lifted, like he was going to grab me. I pre-empted him, knowing I had an advantage, unwilling to give it up. My hand flickered out to grab some of the slack fabric of his t-shirt, and then I let myself fall backwards. I wanted to pull him with me into the crowd, and it worked even better than I'd hoped; like magic, people parted behind me, and he let me pull him along, providing base and counterweight for my graceful, extended fall.

Then we were in the middle of the floor, and I tugged myself fully vertical with the hold on his shirt. I paused for a moment, both hands flat on his chest, pretending to smooth the ruffled fabric but actually feeling his strapping pecs. My dainty hands and clean fingernails looked GOOD, juxtaposed against the clean white of his t.

I caught myself straying, getting distracted, and I turned with a flourish, flipping my hair in his face and segueing into dancing. I pushed back without looking, trusting that I had him locked to me; and of course he was. No guy would walk away from me that night.

With a boy to dance on, it was easier to stay centered. Especially with a boy like Jake; he was as close to a Jaxx as you could find in my hometown, relatively static amid the rotating dancers. But he moved for me, grinding forward, his hands on my hips with a light touch but a tension that showed how he wanted to squeeze. I loved it, and even more when my bumping and grinding against his crotch provoked the snake that was source of his nickname, beginning to stiffen in his jeans.

I was more than curious, but I knew I needed to control myself. So I stepped away, wiggling my hips, doing a fancy step or two, showing off the flairs Cindy had taught me and giving him a second to cool down. Then I spun on my heel, and saw it hadn't worked; the cool down, at least. My moves had worked perfectly, pulled his lustful attention to my abs and waist and legs. It took waving my hands in seductive patterns to really pull his eyes up, and by then it was too late.

I had closed on him, and he found my doe-eyes at full blast, my best sexy pout. I had another surreal moment of watching him melt, feeling every muscle in his body strain as the sheer force of the primal desire I inspired collided with the deeply coded rules of civilization. There was a charming innocence in his eyes, wide and awe-filled. It was really a compliment of the highest order; the coolest guy from my highschool, totally under my spell.

I couldn't help myself; I kissed him, standing on tiptoe to reach. After a second he took over, wrapping arms around and lifting me off my feet, and I moaned into his mouth as the timid first kiss turned to a more passionate, raw exchange. His snake was rubbing against me, stiffening by the second, and I clung to him, my moan leading to more groans and gasps. Maybe I wasn't as in control as I thought.

He abruptly broke away, and it was probably a good thing, but his expression nearly made me laugh, would have if I wasn't equally dazed delirious by horniness.

"Fuckin'... Wow... Who... Who the fuck ARE you?"

That really did make me laugh, which I wrangled down to a giggle. Then I wiggled in his arms, reminding him to drop me. I landed on stilettoed feet lightly; I was starting to get good at the whole thing. But I still needed Cindy for most important parts... like at that moment, helping me understand what I was starting to suspect I wanted, but didn't know if I could or should pursue.

"I... I need to ask my friend... Come with me?"

He didn't say anything, just nodded. I grabbed one of his hands and pulled him towards the basement with purpose. Cindy would help; she would know what I wanted, and she would tell me if I could have it.

The party downstairs had really kicked to life, air even thicker with smoke, music clashing with the dance hallways's thumping bass drifting down the stairs. Even halfway down I could spot Cindy, her dark red hair shining through the smoke, the center of attention back at one of the pong tables.

It was harder to fight through the press than before, but I pulled Jake in front of me and used his bigger body and louder voice as a battering ram. It was kind of fun actually, pushing and prodding his hard body along for my purposes; for once user, not used.

When we reached Cin, it was hard to gain her attention, shouting her nom de guerre to no effect. After a minute I had to leave Jake and slither through the crowd to get behind her, where I could tap a beautiful shoulder. She spun, and with a half second of eye contact I felt her read, comprehend, and diagnose my internal thoughts, unravel the puzzle in my head.

"Where is he?"

I gestured towards my chaperone, and she spun and beckoned with one graceful finger, pulling him through the crowd with that normal, supernatural control of everything around her.

I had no idea what to expect, but even with that I was surprised when, distance closed, Cindy pulled his head down and locked her lips on his in a long, sensuous kiss. I went from surprise to shock to horror to fear to anger-- was she trying to take him from me? But no need to worry; as soon as I thought it she broke away, and I couldn't help but laugh at how helpless and dazed he looked.

She didn't stop moving though, winding around him so her hand was under his chin and her face was next to his ear. She pointed him to look the same way she was; directly at me. I blushed a little under their combined attention, then a little more when Cindy began to whisper in his ear. His expression was inscrutable, but it wavered when she hit a word particularly hard. Then he nodded a few times vehemently, before she gracefully pushed off.

Then she repeated her process, pulling me closer with a beckoning finger before almost knocking me off my feet with an embrace, her soft lips opening my mouth and rough tongue dominating me. She must have left the same expression on my face as Jake's; when she pulled away to my ear, her hand on my chin forced me to look at his sympathetic, patient smile. But her hot, husky voice in my ear erased all my concrete thoughts, centered on my the pulsing, burning need inside me.

"Pretty little slut... He wants you SO badd... Go suck his dick."

Then she grabbed my hand; I thought to hold it, but instead she stretched something around my wrist. When I looked down, I saw it was a little black hair tie. The dumb look I brought back up was dashed by her gleeful, almost evil grin.

"You'll need that... have fun!"

It was exactly what I wanted. Her permission; reassurance that being a little slut was okay, making him want me was okay, wanting him back was more than okay. I'd known without being able to admit that I wanted his cock... But when Cindy put it in words she released the floodgate of my pent up desire. She gave me another long, head-spinning kiss, then shoved me directly into his chest and waiting arms. With a playful wave, she disappeared into the party.