Euro Tripped

by Sally Bryan

  Dan rushed to bring his hands up. “No, no, it’s Truth or Dare and you failed the truth part so now you have to do this. There’s literally no other way. You and Arwen will snog the face off each other, as sure as this night will turn to day, it’s happening.”

  I appealed to my so-called man for backup. “Gabe?”

  He exhaled and showed his palms, looking a strange contradiction between defeat and exhilaration. “You probably should just do it.”

  “Ugh. Men!” And I’d never thought my boyfriend was one of those types. Or maybe he’d just become even more subservient to his sidekick than I’d originally thought.

  Of course, I was fully aware that all throughout this exchange, I’d not once looked at the girl. Indeed, I’d tried extra hard not to look at her. But now she was being conspicuous by her silence and so I had to swivel slightly to appeal to her for help.

  But Arwen was just leaning back on her hands, taking it all in her Oz stride, a slight amused expression on her angelic face whilst the rest of us bickered. “It’s just a kiss,” she actually said, straight-faced and all, “and it’ll clearly make this pervert’s whole life complete.” How could she joke about this?

  I whipped around on Gabe. “And you, Dan’s wing boy, you really want to see your girlfriend kissing another person?”

  Dan quickly interjected, “girl, kissing another girl,” and he was absolutely shining.

  “Gabe?”

  His eyes flicked from Dan to me. “It’s ok, Freya.”

  “See.” Dan urged, bringing out his phone.

  “And you’re most certainly not filming it, you super perv,” I said a little too reactively and regretted it because at that Dan almost jumped up and squealed.

  “So you’ve agreed!” He clapped his hands and beamed at Arwen and even she seemed to take it as my agreeing.

  She was turned into me now and shuffled a few inches closer, her eyes locked on mine as she tucked a few loose strands of blonde behind her ear.

  I had absolutely no idea what had happened but suddenly all eyes were on me, including Arwen’s, especially Arwen’s.

  “It’s just a kiss and it’ll shut him up,” she said, her voice so soft and dainty compared to his.

  “But…” I began and stopped, not able to think of anything else that hadn’t already been said. Of course, I could just flat out refuse. I was in a relationship and had always been completely monogamous, save for the occasional glance at one or two hot lecturers. But like Arwen said, “it is just a kiss.”

  Dan sizzled at my verbal acceptance, Gabe leaned further forward and Arwen simply remained where she was, her weight placed over one arm and waiting for me to complete the small remaining distance between us.

  Yes, she was cute for a girl. I’d noticed that the very first time I ever saw her, right before she exploded on me. But I’d noticed it the same way I’d notice a cute dog; good for getting attention and lots of fun but you wouldn’t want to take a bath with it.

  I swallowed and used my hands to assist in shuffling closer, trying to avoid eye contact. “I suppose…” I made a small coughing sound and touched my neck, “I reckon best no tongues.”

  “No tongues.” She agreed in a sweet voice.

  There was a small, high-pitched mewing sound, only just audible that had to have come from Dan, though it could just have easily been Gabe, I couldn’t tell either way because I was still looking down, from where the tips of her red and blue braids with their small wooden beads were resting on the grass. They’d all gone quiet, not wanting to breathe lest it proved sufficient to change my mind - And I still couldn’t believe I was even considering this.

  I glanced up then back down again, briefly glimpsing Arwen, looking all neutral like she was in the line at the post office. Maybe this was no big deal.

  I reminded myself of the vow I’d committed to in Carcassonne, to make this trip one of living to the utmost of my means, so I could return to the UK and a lifetime of work, toil and drudgery knowing I’d at least had that one summer where I’d gone out of my way to have as many wild experiences as I could. I’d always have this summer. I hadn’t known at the time that making such a vow would include kissing Arwen, another girl. It was a far shout from eating cow brain.

  That’s right, just think of cow brain.

  Not that kissing Arwen could possibly arouse me but then she already most certainly had aroused me with her massage.

  Ok, just stop stalling and get it over with.

  I shuffled the rest of the way, stopping when my knee bumped hers. “Sorry.”

  “That’s ok.” And how could she be so composed at a time like this?

  I was shaking, I was actually shaking, despite being well beyond the tipsy point and I took the weight off my arm lest my elbow buckle, which shifted my position and forced me to meet Arwen’s eyes.

  Oh God, but she was close, inches away, the nearby flames reflecting in her eyes, the sweet scent of Aloe Vera mixed with peach and grass strong in her proximity.

  I’d seen lesbian kisses on those silly TV shows and the girls involved always seemed to be overly enjoying it, grabbing the other’s face and running their hands over each others’ body. Instinctively, my hand probed forward, just to have something to touch, to anchor around, for balance as much as anything else but I lost my nerve on the way and my hand sort of just flopped, grazing her thigh before finding its way back into my lap where it awkwardly remained.

  I could feel the boys’ eyes burning into me, into us, but the only sounds were Arwen’s breathing and the occasional crackle of the fire.

  I tilted my head to the right and she followed my lead, after all, this was my dare and it would be by far the wildest thing I’d done in my entire life, or was likely to ever do.

  I leaned slowly forwards, briefly catching her gaze before my eyes dropped to her lips, wide, narrow, red.

  And then our lips touched.

  It was just a tap at first because I pulled back, I wasn’t sure why, perhaps I was expecting something unpleasant, like how you check a panhandle to see if it’s hot before wrapping your hand fully around the steel but after a second I tilted forwards again and our lips connected fully.

  Both our mouths were closed, almost like how you’d kiss your aunt, no tongues remember, and it was exceptionally light but that was because neither of us were in a position to pull the other closer but then she adjusted herself, forcing me to do the same and I felt her hand slowly glide up my back to nestle in my hair. The pressure increased but only a little and now it almost felt like the sort of platonic kiss you’d give a male friend, still closed mouthed and I don’t know why I did it, I could have copped out and denied the boys their little moment and rode out the minute with a minimal level of enthusiasm but instead I opened my mouth, just a little and the response from her was a little extra added pressure. Perhaps I didn’t want her to feel insulted by my lack of passion, or to think I was a cold fish because I wasn’t and I opened my mouth further, fully aware my hands were resting uselessly in my lap. For a second, I opened my eyes and found hers closed and the sides of her mouth turned up. Her mouth closed around my top lip and I felt her ever so gently pinch, suck and pull. She moved closer again but did it by arching her lower back, which pushed her chest, neck and head forwards and she opened her mouth a little more and it became clear she was now the one leading me, perhaps even enjoying it?

  But I had to admit, it wasn’t altogether unpleasant. Strange, yes, and certainly a heck of a lot more gentle than Gabe, with no scratches from his five o’clock shadow and dryer too, with no spittle running down the side of my face, which was a common occurrence with him.

  Almost together, we inhaled deeply through our noses and her hand clutched tighter around a large clump of my hair. I found myself increasing the tempo and heard a hum from her. Her tongue flicked across my teeth and then I was surprised as I felt the backs of her fingers lightly graze my jawline.

  My hands were still on my lap and although both were t
rembling, one had been unconsciously stroking the inside of my thigh but for how long? Her knee was pressing against mine but other than that it was only our lips and her hands making contact but then we both inhaled again and I couldn’t stop my hand from stroking her knee and then it was floating up to glance lightly off her ribcage and settling on the back of her neck. It meant a more comfortable position for us both and she rewarded me with a barely noticeable tremble before increasing her speed and applying even more pressure to my lips.

  In contrast to before, we were now kissing fully open-mouthed and our heads had started moving in slow, tiny circles from her to me as we transferred the pressure from her lips to mine and back again, finding a rhythm. I hummed from somewhere deep within my chest and then it was more out of curiosity than anything else, or perhaps I was caught up in the moment, or maybe I was enjoying it a little more than I wanted to admit, but I probed forwards with my tongue. It didn’t have to search far because I discovered hers already lingering in my mouth’s entrance and, remembering the rule I’d made, sharply retracted it. But why? They’d already touched and it wasn’t like there could be any more or less of Arwen’s saliva in my mouth and so my tongue reached forwards again and this time they connected properly before commencing an enjoyable rhythm of tangling with the other.

  Our breathing increased in tempo as I pulled her harder into me and then there was a clink of glass and a cheer and suddenly, almost devastatingly, Dan was howling with approval.

  “Fuuuuuuccckkk! Yeah!” The noise was awful.

  Arwen and I pulled away as I felt my heart thumping so hard through my chest I thought it was trying to get out. Somewhere to my side, there was the slap of skin on skin, a high five perhaps, as the howling continued but in truth, I barely noticed any of it. My sight had partially blurred, probably due to a crazy concoction of alcohol and something else?

  But I was aware of Arwen because I just couldn’t bring myself to look away, her heaving chest, the flames in my periphery as her eyes burned into my own. I could hear her breathing, panting almost, and watch as she rubbed her lips together and brought a hand up to touch her mouth.

  And what could she see? That I was still taking deep breaths? That I couldn’t take my eyes from hers? That I was shaking? That I was terrified?

  “Oh, fuck yeah!” Dan howled again. “Didn’t I tell you, Gay Boy?”

  “Aye. Yeah, that was interesting, I’ll say that.” Gabe sounded quite shaken.

  I felt Dan’s hand on my shoulder, wrenching me from the moment I was still sharing with Arwen. “I know we only agreed one minute but you looked so into it, I just couldn’t bring myself to interrupt.”

  My chin tilted upwards, to where the oaf was looming over me, beer bottle in hand. “How long?”

  He snickered and bounced several times on his toes. “Three minutes twenty-five seconds.”

  “And you’d probably have carried on longer if we hadn’t interrupted,” Gabe slurred, matter of fact.

  “Oh yeah.” Dan seemed to dance around to Arwen’s side, sitting and placing his forearms on her shoulder. “Don’t mind us, ladies but I must confess, I feel it almost prudent to retire to the trees for a few solitary moments of privacy.” He blew out air and Arwen turned away from him.

  I rolled my eyes and wanted to suggest he did just that but was too shaken in the moment to say much at all. Come morning and sobriety, I’d have some introspection to do, all right. That’s if I wake and even believe what had happened tonight, which couldn’t be guaranteed.

  Dan stretched his arms over his head and yawned. “Tomorrow, the beach.”

  For a noticeable while, there was silence as Dan looked to his amigo with raised eyebrows.

  My eyes tracked from the oaf to Gabe, who stood, hands in pockets with an almost half asleep, dopey expression.

  Dan coughed, “I said, tomorrow, the beach.”

  Gabe perked and shook away the brain freeze. “Ah,” then rushed over to me, draping his arm over my shoulders, “I think it’s late enough and we’ve a long drive ahead tomorrow, so let’s call it a night, I think.”

  Dan nodded and I turned to Gabe with narrowed eyes as he pulled me in the direction of the camper.

  And then my legs were moving as I heard from behind in a masculine voice, “goodnight, you two lovebirds,” as I imagined him winking.

  Gabe opened the camper door and before steering me inside, I managed to glance over my shoulder, to see Dan sitting beside Arwen at the fire, the tent and its opened flaps waiting just behind.

  The door was closed behind us and Gabe flicked on the lamp, turning to face me. “Well, it’s been quite a night, hasn’t it.” He croaked, loosening the top button of his shirt and glaring at me with fire in his eyes. “Not sure I’m into it as much as he is but it was something worth seeing once, right?”

  “Right.” I’d turned away to squint through the window, trying to see what was happening out there but the angle was no good and my line of sight cut off too early. Damned parking.

  Gabe approached from behind, his shirt half undone and closed the curtains. “You know what he’s like. Can’t be having those two peeping in.”

  I stepped away and caught his eye. “That was code, wasn’t it?”

  “Huh?” Another button undone.

  I folded my arms across my chest. “When he said, ‘tomorrow, the beach.’ That was your code to drag me off to bed so he could be alone with Arwen.”

  He exhaled and nodded, kicked off a flip flop. “So? Where’s the crime?”

  “What are you, his procurer?”

  He ignored me and strutted closer to slip the dress strap from my shoulder. “Shush, now, it’s been so long. Let’s get you out of these clothes.” His lips were on my neck and I pulled away, tugging the strap back into place.

  “Anyway, I’m on my period. I’m sorry, I should have told you but it’s not happening tonight.” I spoke as sternly as I could, holding his eyes all serious.

  His eyes darted up and I knew what he was thinking. “Bit early, ain’t it? Hmm, you might be right.” He came forth again whilst trying to remove his arm from a sleeve and only succeeding in getting it stuck. “Look, just this once, I don’t care. I want you now.”

  I maintained the same position and tapped my foot on the floor. “Gabe, I already told you, it’s not happening tonight.”

  There was a crack of wood, which made me jump, and then Gabe let out a cry as he crumpled to the bed holding his foot. “Fuck sake.”

  After a second, I figured out that in his frustrated anger, he’d kicked the storage unit with nothing covering his foot. The door was now hanging from its lower hinge, exposing the wine and beer within.

  I turned away and covered my face. “Gabe? Don’t … please … I …” I began to sob, heard a commotion outside, quietened to listen then restarted when he spoke.

  “Shit, Freya, I’m so sorry,” the bed springs squeaked from his weight, “I didn’t mean to upset you … fucking hell, my bloody foot.”

  I sniffed, hunched my posture and shuffled to face him. “Let’s just sleep, shall we.”

  Chapter Five

  Barcelona

  I jabbed the camper door open with my foot, being careful not to spill any of the tea I brought out in two mugs, the steam visible in the crisp July Catalonian morning air.

  Dan was asleep on the grass in a space between our camper and the fire, a towel half screwed up and covering one leg, his brown leather man bag acting as a pillow, beside which was splatted a large cowpat.

  I studied him as he lay there. It was the first time I’d seen him with his hair unbound and now it was spread out across the grass in a fan of long brown. His top lip was turned up and a crust of yellow had formed on the lower part of his cheek. He grunted, scratched his head and I nudged him with my foot.

  “Morning, Dan The Man, you get any action last night?” I smirked, proud of that one. “Or did you retire to the trees?”

  His reaction was a slow stirring and I waited
for him to open his eyes. “My balls are so blue right now.”

  I strangled the urge to scold him with hot tea and instead crouched to leave the mug beside his head, sidestepping and turning toward the tent.

  “Freya…” he croaked and when I turned back he was sitting up trying to work some feeling into his neck, “you don’t um … you don’t remember anything embarrassing from last night, do you?”

  “Embarrassing? What in particular are you referring to?” I knew exactly what he meant but couldn’t resist playing.

  He regarded me with uncertainty and I could tell his brain was far too smushed right now to be doing any kind of thinking on this level. “You know?” And he nodded as though it was obvious.

  I hummed for his benefit. “Do you mean getting kicked out of bed or showing your true feelings?”

  He shifted away. “Never mind.” Because that answered his question. “Well, at least Gay Boy got some action last night.”

  “Of course, Dan.” I humoured him and continued toward the tent, unzipping the flap and poking my head inside. “Good morning, Arwen.”

  She was awake because she scrunched her eyes tightly closed. “Daylight … it hurts.” There was a sweet smell within the small confines of the tent. She was still inside the sleeping bag and her curled up shape looked so snug through the material.

  “I have tea.”

  “Tea?” There was a rustling sound and a squeaking of the rubber mattress as she sat up and took the mug. “Thanks, one sugar?”

  I nodded, “a lucky guess.”

  “You British and your tea.” She sipped at the fluid and made a small appreciative hum. “What a night that was; singing, dancing, eating, drinking.” She drew the last one out and if I’d been slightly trepidatious about speaking to her this morning, perhaps with good reason considering it was only last night we’d had our tongues down each others’ throats, she didn’t seem bothered about it at all as she sat there, slightly slumped and fanning out her hair as the braids made small whipping sounds through the air. Indeed, I’d wanted to get this out of the way immediately, to avoid the inevitable awkwardness that would only exacerbate the more it was stretched out. I needn’t have worried. “We got any more of those sausages?”