2

When I went back home I laid in my bed and replayed the game, jotting down notes as much as I could to make up for my lack of attention, but my thoughts continued to drift to Donny and Mick. There was something about them that was ethereal and unique. I don't know if it was just because everyone else had placed them on a pedestal that they seemed to glow, but they stood out from the rest of the crowd. I had never seen them in person before, only seen pictures and posters of them around campus. They were like celebrities around the school and now, after seeing them in action, I had a better understanding of why. They held the power to transform people's emotions and their talent on the football field was evident. Even I as a layperson could tell that they had something the other players did not, and rumors of them being scouted by NFL teams were not unfounded. I began to write the report but it turned into me waxing lyrical about the two of them, so I stopped and decided to leave it until later, when I could recall more of the match. Then my phone rang. It was Jennifer.

“So how was it?” she asked.

“Actually it was okay, better than I expected. I don't think I'd want to do it regularly though but it was interesting to experience something new. I even got excited to a party.”

“Oh really? You should totally go! It'd be good to have an insider at a party to get all the gossip.”

“I'm not going to a party just to be your mole. Anyway, it's not like I'm going to go. I wouldn't know anyone there. And parties aren't really my thing.”

“Have you actually ever been to one the whole time you've been here?”

“Of course I have!” I think, I wasn't really sure to be honest. I knew I'd at least been invited to some and if I had gone to any I wouldn't have stayed for very long.

“Mmhmm,” Jennifer didn't sound convinced, “Well if you want my opinion then you should definitely go, it's not good for you to have your head in books all the time. The real world is where inspiration lies and if you want to be a writer that's where you're going to have to live.”

I knew she was right. I still wasn't sure if I actually wanted to pursue writing as a career but my stories had been lacking some punch recently, and although I had a lot of ideas I hadn't been able to develop them fully. I ended the call and wrestled with myself about whether to go or not, and as the hours passed I flip-flopped between the two possibilities. My mind was alive with all the potential outcomes, most of which were negative and ended with me being either humiliated or just reminded of why I never went out in the first place, but I told myself that being around people was a good way to research behavior for stories. I rummaged around my closet and managed to find something reasonable to wear hidden in the back, which must have been a gift as I didn't remember ever buying it. I had a wash and applied a light touch of makeup on my face, then I left for the party.

As I approached I felt anxious. I had no idea who invited me, and was worried that people would see me as an intruder. I almost turned back, but I kept telling myself to keep going, and soon enough I was at the door. I knocked but there was no response. I heard music and figured that it was blocking out the noise, so I tried the handle and the door opened. The place was dark and crammed with people, who were all in the middle of conversations. Some of them were dancing to the music. Everyone had a drink in their hand. I nodded to a few people but they didn't pay any attention to me. It seemed like anyone could walk in, but I still didn't feel like I belonged. I made my way through the house and to calm myself I thought of different ideas, like an article about the party culture at the college.

Someone knocked into me and spilled their drink on my dress. He slurred an apology then moved away. I saw some faces I recognized but nobody that I felt comfortable enough to go and talk to. I found my way to the kitchen, and someone offered me a drink. I took it and tasted it, but it made me gag. I didn't know how anyone could guzzle down that stuff all night. I stayed hemmed in the corner, people moving in front of me. Soon I was deafened by the chants that had been heard at the game, yet now seemed out of place. Then I was met with the icy stare of Astrid, the head cheerleader.

“Didn't know you'd started coming to parties? Thinking about trying out for the cheer squad again?” she said, then laughed, joined by her cronies who all tittered by her side.” Hope you're a bit more graceful than last time, and more flexible. We like people who can actually touch their toes.”

I scowled and tried to think of a witty retort but I wasn't in my element and my mind was distracted by all the noise. There were people all around me and I couldn't escape.

“What are you even doing here? You're not one of us, maybe we should try and make an example of you,” she said, with a wicked glint in her eye. They seemed to move around me threateningly ready to strike, and I didn't know what to say.

“I invited her,” deep voice said, “I thought it would be nice to have a member of the press here to show how respectable we are even when we're enjoying ourselves,” he said. I looked up at the towering hulk that was Donny. Muscles stretched his shirt and he was even more impressive this close in the flesh than he was in the distance on the football field. He tugged at my arm and pulled me away, all the while Astrid shot daggers at me. He led me through the kitchen to outside, which was mostly empty. The air was cool and I was intoxicated by his presence.

“Thanks for that,” I said, still slightly puzzled by why he helped me.

“No worries, you've gotta watch out for Astrid, she's a mean one.”

“You can say that again. I didn't know you knew who I was though.”

“I don't really, but I did see you today. Usually Ricky is there but you're an improvement on him. I'm Donny,” he said with an easy smile and a warm handshake. Butterflies fluttered in my stomach as our skin met.

“I think everyone on campus knows who you are,” I said, “I'm Mindy.”

“That's a pretty name. I've never seen you at one of these parties before.”

“I mostly keep to myself.”

“Are you having a good time?”

“It's getting better,” I said, smiling shyly. His eyes twinkled and all the regrets faded away. I never thought I went for the macho type of man but there was something about him that spoke to me, and it was impossible not to be attracted to him. He was about to say something else when someone called him from the kitchen, then everyone else did, a thousand voices all acting as one. He looked at me apologetically.

“I'll come and find you later Mindy,” he said. I liked the way his name sounded on his lips.

I was left outside. The air was warm. I didn't much feel like going back inside as I didn't want to run into Astrid again, so I looked around the garden. The pool was lit up in the middle and on the other side I saw a figure standing by himself. As I looked closer I could see that it was Mick, and I wondered why he was alone. Since nobody else was outside I walked over to him and coughed to announce my presence. He turned, and smiled at me.

“Beautiful night,” he said. I agreed. He asked me my name. I told him. He didn't offer me his, assuming that I already knew. He drew in a deep breath and raised his arms over his head, gazing down into the bright blue water. I followed his gaze.

“What are you looking at?”

“I was just thinking about how perfect the surface is, how calm it is, but the moment we jump in its all chaos. I'm also thinking that I may be a little drunk.”

“Maybe. You earned it though, you played well today.”

“Thanks, you were at the game?”

“Yeah, I was reporting on it. Ricky is sick.”

“Oh yeah, what did you think?”

“It was fun I guess, sports aren't really my thing.”

“What is?”

“I like reading, and writing.”

“I don't have the patience to read a book. I get distracted too easily. I always need to be doing something.”

“Why aren't you inside with the others?” I said. I could have ranted at him for not enjoying reading as I always hated it when people said they didn't have patience to read. Reading is one of the fundamental aspects of human existence! But my mind was cast into a haze by the beauty of his sculpted body, and I didn't think I could form logical arguments.

Mick shrugged. “I'll go in later. Parties are fine but I like to mix it up. The night is still young, and I'd rather be outside right now. You feel like going for a swim?”

“I don't have a costume,” I said, self-conscious of my body anyway, and I didn't want to let all my imperfections show against his surely flawless physique. He only offered a mischievous smile in response and whipped off his clothes. I don't understand how he did it so fast but before I knew it he was standing there in his boxers.

It was hard not to let my eyes drop to his perfectly toned physique, the rippling muscles, the powerful thighs, his wavy blonde hair slipping over one side of his face. I was shocked. Never had I been in this type of situation before, and I felt my arms wrap around my body in fear and shame. My throat ran dry and I shrank in front of him.

“Is something wrong?” he asked. He had an immaculate smile and I wondered how many girls would have traded everything they had to trade places with me. All I needed to do was jump in but I was frozen to the spot.

“I've just never done anything like this before,” I mumbled.

“It's okay, it's just fun. Really when you think about it there's no difference between a bikini and a bra. You might even like it. And if you don't you can always jump out again. You can swim, right?”

I nodded, and there was something about him that made me feel adventurous. I wanted to be the kind of girl that he found attractive, and I didn't want this party to be a waste of time. I'd probably never even see him again after this night so what was the harm in having a little bit of a laugh?

“Okay, but you have to turn around,” I said, and made sure that nobody else was watching as I peeled away my dress and stepped out of it. I tapped him on the shoulder and he turned around, looking at me as though I was beautiful. It must have been the darkness of the night clouding his sight. He smiled, and then fell back, making a big splash as the water enveloped his body. He shook his head and laughed heartily, beckoning me in. I dipped my toe in. The water was warm, but I was still reticent to take the plunge. Mick cajoled me and began to dance in the water, then said he was going to hold his breath under water until I jumped in! I urged him not to but soon all I saw was the blurred shape of his body underneath the surface. I chewed my lip, not believing that he would actually go through with it, but he didn't come up and I was left with no choice but to dive in.

I felt the water burst as it wrapped around me and I gasped for breath as I broke through the surface. Mick then rose and laughed. The water seemed to draw us together and our bodies were below the surface. His eyes danced with delight.

“See, that wasn't so hard, was it?” he said. I bit my lower lip and shook my head. This was a guy who was larger than life, and he was with me. I had met both of them and they had such magnetic personalities that it felt good just to be near them. The water lapped against us and we didn't say much, but there was an erotic energy passing between us. The whole situation felt intimate and if we hadn't been rudely interrupted by other people running and jumping into the pool I am sure we would have kissed, at least that's how the scenario played out later. Mick was pulled into the crowd and I was left alone again at the end of the pool. I climbed out, wet, and got back into my dress.

I went back inside to try and find Donny but he was nowhere to be found and my little sojourn into the world of the popular was over. It had been nice while it lasted but the feeling had been brief. As I walked home I let my mind linger on the two men, skipping between them as they were both gorgeous, and I couldn't get either of them off my mind as I crawled into bed.