Twisted

by N. L. Greene

  Anyway, James asked us to stick around for a minute to smoke a joint with them before we went. I hesitated this time. Anytime we had smoked so far had been when we were at Mel’s house and staying there. I had never left the house after we’d gotten high, and definitely not while I was still high. I was paranoid that someone would be able to take one look at me and be able to tell what we’d been doing. And I definitely didn’t want to make a fool of myself in front of other people like I knew I’d done when it was just our silly little group.

  “Come on Nat, don’t be stuck up!” Mel teased me, but I could see that she was serious. I hadn’t even said anything, but she already knew what I was thinking and was set to keep me from doing it. She hated it when my conscience started to take over and stopped me from doing something I knew I shouldn’t. It happened a lot actually, but Mel would always be there to stop it from taking over. She would usually do that by accusing me of being stuck up, or saying that I thought I was better than everyone else. I didn’t think that way at all, and it always got me to give in because I couldn’t stand the thought of everyone else thinking I was pretentious. Rationally I knew somewhere in the back of my head that she was manipulating me, but the thought of someone thinking badly of me overshadowed that.

  “Yeah, Nat! Come on! Everyone’s doing it!” Ray said in a teasing tone. I knew he was making fun of Mel more than he was of me. He’d even pulled me aside once and told me that I shouldn’t let her bully me around, but I’d just waved off his concern. Mel wasn’t a bully! She was my best friend, and she only wanted me to relax and have fun. From then on Ray would make comments like that to help me loosen up. It always worked.

  I shrugged and plopped down on the couch next to him. “Okay, if you insist!” I told him with a bright smile.

  “Whoo-hoo! That’s my girl!” he yelled, while high-fiving me. I giggled and glanced over at Mel, who was glaring daggers at me. She wouldn’t admit it, but I knew that she liked Ray and couldn’t stand it when he acted flirty with me. I couldn’t give away our secret and tell her why he did it though, and that it was totally innocent. So I just rolled my eyes and turned to take the joint from Ray.

  By the time we were done the room was full of smoke, my stomach was growling and I couldn’t walk straight. But I was laughing my ass off and having the best time ever, and I was so ready to party. I informed everyone of this, which earned a lot of laughter, but got the ball rolling. Ash and Mel peeled themselves up from their seats, we said our goodbyes, and took off.

  As we drove down the street with the music playing, I started to get nervous. I knew I would know some of the people at the party, but Ash was actually the one who was invited and most of the kids there would be juniors, seniors, and even older. Thinking about all the older, pretty girls and the older, hotter guys started to make me feel a little intimidated. As if Ash could sense my unease, she lit up a cigarette, tossed the pack back to me, and then cranked the radio up. All three of us laughed and sang as we made our way to the party. By the time we pulled up to a house I had never seen before in a neighborhood I had never been to before, my nerves were calm and my mood was hopeful. We stepped out of the car and I could immediately hear the bumping bass from the stereo inside the house. I felt my heart rate accelerate to match the beat of the bass, and my blood began to hum with excitement. I checked my hair and makeup in the side mirror of the car before Mel locked her arm with mine; Ash doing the same on the other side of me, and we confidently strutted to the front door together.

  There were a couple of guys outside on the front porch smoking, but they moved to the side just enough to let us by; making sure that we had to break apart and brush their bodies as we did. There were a couple of whispered words, things like “Nice”, Hey baby”, “What’s your name?”, and “Damn,” but I didn’t even know which one of us they were talking to. Ash and Mel didn’t seem to care either, because neither one of them hesitated or acknowledged the guys as we made our way through the front door. I followed closely behind, following their lead.

  The music was much louder in the house than it was outside, probably so it could be heard over the massive amount of people. I didn’t think I had ever seen that many people crammed into one place all at the same time before. The outer edge of the crowd was full of people standing and talking, making out, or watching the group of people in the middle of the room. The people in the middle were dancing, or at least that’s what I thought they were doing, but there were so many people it was hard to tell. It looked more like a bunch of bodies grinding and writhing against and around each other. I followed along behind my friends, but stopped when I saw a few girls dancing just on the edge of the dance floor, completely surrounded by guys. The girls were the only ones dancing, and there wasn’t an inch of space between their bodies as they ground into each other. The two girls in the middle even had their faces almost touching. I looked at the guys and saw the hope and lust in their eyes; those eyes glued to the girls’ faces so they wouldn’t miss a thing. I shook my head and kept moving. Those girls would be kissing before the night was over, just to get attention from the guys. I didn’t understand it. Didn’t they know that those guys only paid attention to them because of the way they were acting? As soon as they got what they wanted, they weren’t going to have any reason for those girls anymore. I simply gave a mental shrug because they weren’t my friends and therefore, weren’t my problem. I turned my attention back to my girls and continued to follow along behind them.

  We walked into the kitchen where there was a keg set up in the center, and a long line of kids standing behind it. As we got closer I could see the back of the guy manning it; taking money, marking hands to show that they had paid, and then handing them filled Solo cups of beer. I glanced at Ash and Mel in a slight panic because I hadn’t brought any money, but I wasn’t really a beer drinker anyway. I started to open my mouth to tell Mel I was cool, but she narrowed her eyes and shot me the look that I knew all too well. She would be supremely pissed at me if I didn’t drink with her and Ash. “I don’t have any money,” I told her instead; shouting over the loud music so she could hear me, and hoping that would be enough to get me off the hook.

  I should have known better. She gave me a calculating look. “Don’t worry about it. Ash knows him.” She gestured with her chin toward Ash and I saw that she was standing close to the guy, whispering in his ear. Then he turned toward me and I saw him for the first time.

  Chapter 11

  He had to have been at least a Senior, or maybe even older. There was a little bit of stubble on his chin, which told me that he was definitely already shaving his face. His hair was black and a little wavy; just brushing the tops of his ears. Standing next to Ash, I could see that he was easily a foot taller than her, so probably six feet or so, and from his build he looked like he played sports. He was tall and thin, but obviously muscular under his dark jeans and fitted white t-shirt. And his perfectly sun-kissed skin hinted to a mixed heritage somewhere in his background. As I took him in, he smiled at something Ash said, and then turned his eyes on first Mel, then me. His eyes were piercing and his lips turned up into a mischievous smile, showing perfect white teeth. This guy was totally H-O-T!

  He nodded his head at me and I smiled nervously back at him before he leaned down to whisper something in Ash’s ear; his eyes never leaving mine. She glanced at me again with a small smile, before nodding her head back at him. I felt myself growing more nervous. I knew they were talking about us - well, I guess me more so than Mel - and I didn’t know if I liked it. The guy was totally hot, like way hotter than I had ever seen before, and for some reason the idea of him noticing me made me skittish. Why would he be talking about me?

  Ash walked over to Mel, told her something in her ear, and then came to my side. I glanced at Mel, who had that weird look on her face again. It was the same look I’d seen before, but had always gotten too distracted to ask her about what it was she was thinking. I knew I didn’t like that look, though. It was almost
as if she was mad at me, but I knew I hadn’t done anything to make her upset. I opened my mouth to ask her about it, but I got distracted again when Ash leaned in to me and talked in my ear. “That’s Miguel. He’s says if we each give him a kiss on the cheek, he’ll cover our beers for the night.”

  Pulling back, I looked at her in surprise. “Really? Why would he do that?” I asked in confusion. I could see him doing it for Ash since he knew her, but why me and Mel? And all he got was a kiss on the cheek in return? I raised a skeptical eyebrow at her.

  She shrugged. “I don’t know. I actually think he just wants a kiss from you, but he didn’t want to insult me and Mel.” She chuckled and winked at me. “He asked about you and if you were here with anyone.”

  I felt my eyes grow big before glancing over at Miguel. His eyes were fixed on me and there was a small, roguish smile on his lips. He winked, but then turned away when someone stepped up for a beer. I quickly looked back at Ash. “Are you fucking with me?” I asked in sudden suspicion. There was no way this hot ass guy wanted me over Mel and Ash!

  “Um, NO! Why would I do that to you, and why the hell are you so surprised? You are fuckin’ hot, Nat! Why don’t you know that already?” She shook her head at me as if were the one messing with her.

  I opened my mouth to argue with her, but right then Mel stepped up with a disgruntled look on her face and interrupted us. “Come on! Can we get on with this already? I need a fucking beer,” she said haughtily, and then pulled Ash away by her arm before either of us could respond.

  They both walked over to Miguel, where already a small line had formed. They got behind two guys waiting for a beer, and I saw Ash whisper something to Mel that looked suspiciously like she was fussing at her. I just moved behind them, unsure of what to do. I couldn’t focus on them or what they were talking about; I was more absorbed in Miguel. I had never had a guy ask for a kiss in exchange for a beer. It seemed weird to me, because it wasn’t like he was getting anything substantial out of the deal. I was also completely confused about the fact that he was more interested in me than in either of my friends. No one had ever picked me over them before, and certainly not someone as hot as he was, not to mention older too. I mean, Miguel was like, the cutest guy I had ever seen. For real.

  Thankfully Miguel was quick with distributing the beers, and Mel and Ash were walking up to him before I knew it; which ultimately gave me less time to freak out about what was about to happen. I watched as they both leaned up and kissed him on the cheek, and I noticed that his eyes were on me the whole time. My stomach rolled and my heart pounded. His eyes were a dark blue, almost black, surrounded by thick eyelashes that made his eyes appear even darker, more mysterious, and sexy as hell. I couldn’t pull my gaze from his, and he didn’t seem to want to pull his from mine either. Mel and Ash stepped back, put their hands out for Miguel to put a black X on them to indicate they had paid for their beer, and then he handed them both a red cup filled to the top with frothy beer. They both turned around and Ash winked and whispered, “You’re up!” as she walked by. I swallowed hard.

  I took a tentative step up and moved over to Miguel’s side. My head only reached his shoulder, so I had to look up at him to see his face. He looked down at me and smiled before taking a step closer to me. Our bodies were just brushing against each other, and my stomach started to flutter out of control. He was so big and overpowering, standing this close to me. But before I had time to process his closeness, he placed his hand on the small of my back and pulled me even closer as he lowered his face toward mine. I reached my arm up to steady myself on his shoulder, and embarrassingly, my knees were so weak that I felt like I might fall. Butterflies were dancing in my stomach as I closed my eyes and turned my head to place a kiss on his cheek. Just as I felt the heat of his skin about to touch my lips, he turned his face and his lips touched mine. My eyes sprang open in surprise, and I found myself staring into the deep blue depths of Miguel’s. They were soft and kind, but so intense. I didn’t know why he wanted to kiss me, but I decided I was going to take full advantage of it. I felt a boldness I had never experienced before and made myself relax into his arms, and then felt his answering smile on my lips when I did. His hand on the small of my back turned to fire as he pulled me impossibly closer, forcing me to move onto the tips of my toes and sink my fingers deeper into his shoulder. He didn’t hesitate to press his lips more firmly onto mine.

  His lips were so soft and gentle, not demanding or harsh, and it made me completely comfortable in his embrace. My eyes fluttered shut and I allowed my body to sink further into his. I felt the tip of his tongue trace my bottom lip and gasped, which caused my own lips to part for him. His tongue slipped just inside my mouth, grazing the tops of my teeth. My body shuddered and Miguel groaned softly as he pulled me around so that the front of my body was flush against the front of his hard body. My hands started to rise of their own accord, both reaching around his neck to pull him closer to me, wanting more of his kiss, when I heard someone clear their throat really loudly behind us.

  The fog that had surrounded us began to dissipate, allowing the loud thumping of the music and the shouting and laughing of all the people around us to come crashing back into focus. I felt my cheeks heat in embarrassment over being so caught up in the kiss that I had completely forgotten we were surrounded by probably a hundred people, all of whom could clearly see what we had been doing. I couldn’t believe I had just done that! I knew that Mel would never let me live it down. It was a slutty thing to do, and I knew she would never understand the feelings Miguel had stirred up in me, even if I had just met him.

  As if sensing my embarrassment, Miguel leaned down to whisper in my ear. “Don’t worry about it baby, everyone’s way too busy to notice us.” His warm breath tickled my ear, and the sound of his deep voice caused my body to shiver again and heat up. Miguel’s hand tightened on my back again when he felt it, and then he groaned in my ear. “You’re killing me with those shivers, baby.” He kissed the shell of my ear and I started to get lost again, swept up in the feel of his hands and mouth on me. But there was another throat clearing from behind me, followed by Mel’s voice.

  “Um, hello? We got shit to do, Nat. Come on. You can see your new boyfriend later or whatever.” I could tell she was irritated, but her words still embarrassed me. I didn’t even know the guy, so I shouldn’t have been making out with him in the first place…but I surely didn’t want him to think that I already thought he was my boyfriend.

  Miguel chuckled as he let go of me, and I glanced up coyly to see him smiling down at me. Did he think I was a slut? “Give me your hand, sweetheart, so I can mark you as paid.” He winked as he teased me, but I could see that he wasn’t being an ass, he was just being funny. I placed my hand out for him to mark and saw that it was slightly shaking. I started to pull it away in embarrassment, but Miguel took it quickly and softly, rubbing his thumb over the top before writing a big black X on it. He squeezed it once before he let go and handed me a full cup of beer. I quickly took a huge gulp, which caused Miguel to laugh again. “Slow down, baby! You’ll be drunk off your ass if you don’t pace yourself.”

  I tried to hold back the grimace at the horrible taste and smiled. “Sorry, and umm…thanks.” I held the cup up to show what I was thanking him for. I didn’t want him to think I was thanking him for the kiss, even though it was amazing.

  He chuckled as if he knew what I was really thinking. “Anytime baby.” He glanced over my head, probably at the line that was forming behind me. “So, Nat…I’ll see you in a little bit?” he asked, and my heart picked up speed again. He wanted to see me later? Even after he had already kissed me? Yay!

  “Sure,” I said timidly, while trying to contain my excitement. He smiled at me again as I stepped away from him. I turned toward Ash and Mel who were both staring at me; Ash with a huge grin on her face, and Mel with a scowl. I stuck my tongue out at both of them before smiling.

  “Slut,” Mel said to me as I approached them.
It was just one small word, but I knew she wasn’t teasing.

  My head jerked up and the smile left my face. I felt my cheeks heat again, but this time it was in anger. “You’re the one who told me I needed to stop being so uptight and stop acting like a prude!” I accused her.

  “Yeah, well, I didn’t say to fuck the first guy you met in front of everyone!” she yelled back at me. Luckily it was so loud that I knew no one else could hear, because her words stung and my mortification grew even worse. Is that what everyone else would think? I looked over at Ash for help.

  She didn’t hesitate to take her cue. “Jesus, Mel, lighten up! She didn’t do anything that either of us wouldn’t have done in the same situation! I mean, did you see him? He’s fuckin’ hot, and he was totally into her. You’re just jealous that he didn’t want you!” She smiled smugly at Mel and then threw her arm over my shoulder, not giving Mel a chance to respond. “Don’t worry about it, Nat. No one even noticed, and I didn’t think you looked like a slut at all. It was actually kind of sweet. Miguel seemed really into you.”

  I looked at her hopefully and instantly hated how vulnerable and confused I felt. Mel was always encouraging me to hang out with guys more; telling me that having your virginity wasn’t a big deal, and that I needed to stop acting like I thought I was ‘too good’ for the guys that did approach me. Then the one time I finally gave in to my urges and kissed a really cute guy, she acted like I’d committed some sort of social crime! I honestly didn’t know what to do anymore.

  Ash squeezed my arm again and lifted the hand that held my cup of beer to my face. “Don’t worry about it Nat, seriously. Drink up and let’s have some fun!”

  I glanced at Mel, who was still scowling, but then Ash just shot her a glare and Mel rolled her eyes. “Whatever,” she said, and then tipped her cup back and finished her beer off. She took the cup from her lips and burped. We all started laughing and just like that, things were better.