That every girl on campus wants Drew Longhorn…
Drew
You’re lookin’ good today.
He looks the same as he always does.
Huh. I actually do feel something for him…
He pulls out the chair across from me…
And sits down at my table.
Then he flashes his infamous smile.
Drew
So, uhh…what are you doing here?
I look down at my sandwich…
He doesn’t catch my sarcasm.
Did I seriously have a crush on this guy?
Drew
So why’d you leave the party early last weekend?
Drew
Things were just getting good between us.
I resist the urge to roll my eyes.
Clearly, he doesn’t remember putting his tongue down Tilla’s throat.
Martha
I had to um…study.
Martha
I better get to class.
But he puts a hand on my arm to stop me.
Drew
Whoa there, what’s the rush?
Drew
I wanted to ask you something.
Drew
You got any plans tomorrow?
I narrow my eyes with suspicion.
The Wet Party is the most exclusive pool party on campus.
Only the most popular students get invited.
And it sounds like I just got in.
I clear my throat to hide my surprise.
Martha
Um, maybe…what time?
He reaches in his pocket and pulls out a ticket.
His smile widens in challenge as he holds it out.
A part of me wants to decline.
A wild party like this isn’t exactly my scene.
But then I think about everything that happened last weekend…
And I know I’m up for his challenge.
Martha
Can I bring a friend?
Drew
Is your friend a girl?
He grins wider still, then pulls out a second ticket.
Drew
Then the more the merrier.
Drew
But there’s one rule…
Drew
Hot bathing suits only.
Drew
None of that conservative crap.
Did he just eye my outfit?!
I nod, hiding my reaction.
I lean forward to grab the tickets…
Because there’s one thing I need to know first.
Martha
Um…do you know if Trevor is going?
Drew’s quiet for a moment.
His gaze is uncharacteristically shrewd as it scans my face.
Drew
I heard he had other plans.
I reach out and grab the tickets eagerly.
I pull a velvet thong bikini from the rack…
And hold it up to assess myself in the store mirror.
This is certainly sexy enough.
But can a girl like me really pull it off?
My best friend’s whispered hiss interrupts my thoughts.
Deb
You can’t seriously expect me to go to this party!
Martha
I think it’ll be fun.
She gives me an incredulous look.
It makes her glasses slip down her nose.
Deb
Since when do you consider skivvy pool parties fun?
Deb
Seriously, those things are straight up meat markets.
Deb
Usually on weekends, I can barely tear you away from your science books!
Martha
I just feel like doing something different, okay?
She can tell I’m hiding something.
Deb
What’s this really about, Martha?
Deb
You’ve been acting weird all week.
Deb
Does this have anything to do with Trevor Holt?
I blow out a long breath.
But I haven’t wanted to say anything out loud.
Deciding I need to tell her the whole truth…
I gather my courage and finally meet her gaze.
Martha
You know how I told you about our kiss that night?
Martha
Trevor turned me down.
Martha
I asked him to…you know…
But Deb, apparently, doesn’t have the same problem.
Deb
You asked him to take your virginity?!
Martha
Ew! I didn’t say it like that!
Martha
I asked him if he wanted to sleep with me!
Martha
And then…he turned me down.
This time, her glasses fall off her face.
I finger the strings of another bikini.
Martha
We went into my room.
Martha
We talked for hours…
I rub a hand over my face.
Trying not to let my humiliation take hold.
Martha
And then that was it.
Martha
I put sex on the table…
Deb
But…Trevor NEVER runs from sex!
Deb
He’s the guy with a “one-night stand” box!
Martha
I know his reputation!
Martha
You don’t have to remind me.
I put my head in my hands.
Martha
He’d been so nice to me that night, Deb.
I groan, dragging my hands down my face.
Martha
Oh god, I really put myself out there…
Martha
When I told him that I wanted him.
I squeeze my eyes shut in embarrassment.
Martha
And now…I haven’t heard from him since!
I can’t even look at Deb.
But I sneak a peek at her face.
She’s regarding me in silence.
I know she’s just as shocked as I was…
But her pity makes me feel defensive.
Martha
Whatever. I’m over it!
Martha
It was probably for the best.
Martha
I don’t even know what I was thinking.
Martha
He doesn’t sleep with girls like me.
Then she pulls me into a hug.
Deb
It’s his loss, Martha.
Deb
Forget him. Seriously.
Deb
Let’s go to this party.
I give her a small smile.
Deb
We’re going to have a blast at the party of the year.
Deb
You don’t need some stupid football player to do that.
Then she pulls the bikini I’ve been eyeing from the rack.
Deb
It’s totally your color.
I knew the Wet Party was going to be wild…
But as we step through the doors and into the backyard of the frat house…
I realize it’s not just wild…
Shirtless guys are guzzling beer.
Girls in bright bikinis of every color sprinkle the lawn.
There’s pure, unadulterated chaos everywhere I look.
A grin spreads across my face.
This is exactly what I need.
A chance to have fun and be someone new.
Deb
Dorothy, we’re not in Kansas anymore.
But my words get stuck when I look to the left.
The boy that isn’t supposed to be here.
My breath leaves my body in a whoosh.
He looks just as good as I remember.
Strong arms corded with muscle.
And bright, piercing blue eyes.
My heart starts galloping in my chest.
I don’t want to see Trevor…
I swear, I don’t want to see Trevor…
But I can’t seem to look away.
