UVA 1988
Elizabeth Adams had never considered herself to be a particularly promiscuous person. Sure, she liked to have fun but one night stands had never really been her thing - until now it seemed! As she opened her eyes and tried to focus, the pounding in her head making it rather difficult, she glanced sideways and fixed her gaze on the naked guy laying next to her — Oh shit! She lifted the covers and looked down at herself - Completely Naked! She desperately tried to scramble her thoughts into some kind of coherent order…
A few Hours Earlier
"It's not often I come across someone as geeky as me at one of these things."
She looked up and furrowed her brow at the tall, rather awkward looking guy standing before her.
"Excuse me?" Was her response.
"Your nose is buried in a book while everyone else is rapidly getting wasted and hooking up — It's weird."
"Oh! So now I'm geeky and weird — good to know! You can leave now." She looked back down at her book and hoped he would get the message.
"I didn't mean it in an offensive way - Quite the opposite actually! I'm glad you're alone." He was rambling and becoming rather annoying.
"Do you not have anything else to do besides insulting me?"
"Oh - I'm not trying to insult you — I was just —- I wanted to — Can I get you a drink?" His tone was light and friendly with a hint of shyness.
She sighed and closed her book "That depends. Are you going to leave me alone at any point?"
"I was hoping we could talk. And don't worry, I have no interest in sleeping with you."
She couldn't help the deep laugh that escaped her "So now I'm geeky, weird and apparently un-fuckable — I think I'm going to need more than one drink."
He hurried off and came back clutching 2 cups. He handed her one and smiled "I'm Henry — Henry McCord."
She took a sip of the warm, rather vile beer "Is that two Henry's or just the one?"
"I don't follow?" He looked rather confused.
"You introduced yourself as Henry Henry McCord..."
"Ohhhhh -" He chuckled "It's just the one Henry. And you are?" He sat down next to her, still wearing the same goofy smile.
"Elizabeth Adams."
"So Elizabeth Adams — Why are you sat in the midst of a raucous party, with your noise in a book? Can't you do that in your room?"
"You really are a charmer aren't you Henry! If you must know, I promised to come along with my roommate Becky. But she seems to be devouring that guy over there so I may just head back. It's been — Interesting."
She downed her beer and stood up to leave.
"Elizabeth, Have another drink — You're already out! And you can't leave me sitting here alone."
Elizabeth rolled her eyes and sat back down, unable to hide the tiny hint of a smirk as Henry's grin widened.
As the beers continued to flow, Henry was rather stunned by her intellect. With the way she was arguing with him he was sure she was a Law student.
"What kind of law do you want to practice?"
"What makes you think I'm studying Law?" She tilted her head and looked at him, rather perplexed by his assumption.
"Because you clearly like to argue. Perfect profession for you I'd say."
"You really are a complete dick Henry McCord." She shrugged her jacket on and picked up her book, shooting him daggers. "And for the record Henry — I have zero interest in sleeping with you either."
She walked out of the building and headed for her dorm. As the cool air hit her, so did the effects of the copious amounts of crappy beer and her balance seemed a little off kilter.
Henry chased after her and she groaned as he appeared next to her "Go on then. Tell me - what are you studying?"
"Do you ever take a hint? Why are you following me?"
"Because you're drunk, actually, I think I am too — and you shouldn't be out alone."
"Math."
"Huh?"
"I'm a Math major."
"Oh — really? I'd stick to Law."
They walked along in silence until Henry decided to be bold.
"So Elizabeth — Do you fancy a game of scrabble?"
The small snort that escaped her turned rapidly into a full belly laugh as his words hung in the air around her. "Well, I've never heard it called that before."
"You've never heard of scrabble? — Really?"
Elizabeth tilted her head as best she could with everything starting to sway and narrowed her eyes at him. "Of course I've heard of scrabble you dimwit — Just never as a euphemism for getting into my knickers."
Henry took a few seconds to realise what she'd said and then looked visibly horrified.
"Oh shit — No — I didn't mean — Did you think I meant sex?"
"Didn't you?"
"No, not in any way! The thought never crossed my mind — God no."
Elizabeth screwed up her faced and stared at him with indignation "Well thanks for making me feel even less desirable than I ever thought possible — Goodnight Henry." She stumbled a few steps before Henry caught her by the arm.
"Hey Elizabeth — I didn't mean to offend you and for the record, I find you incredibly attractive. It's just — I genuinely meant scrabble —You seem like you'd be a real challenge is all and I like to be challenged."
"You have no idea."
"Is that a yes? — I have it at my apartment — The scrabble I mean."
Elizabeth had no idea why she was even considering this but she couldn't quite say no. Henry was peaking her interest in more ways than one and the buzz of the alcohol was making her feel somewhat bolder than usual.
As they stumbled into his apartment, she looked around at all the books.
"Jeez Henry — You really are a geek, aren't you!" She laughed again and moved closer to him.
"I'm afraid so." He flashed her a shy smile. "I've never been any different — It's my superpower."
He was standing there holding the scrabble board and she couldn't help herself — Without thinking, her lips crashed into his as she pulled him to the floor.
The next Morning
Elizabeth cringed as she remembered her actions. She never did things like this, and she wasn't even attracted to him. She scanned the room again and tried to remember where her clothes were, sliding out of the bed with the sheet still wrapped around her body.
"Hi." He said, rather sheepishly.
"Oh — Hi." Damn it.
"Well — That was something." He looked embarrassed but was still smiling at her.
"Uh — Yeah — Definitely something."
"Do you want to go and get some breakfast?" He stood up and she couldn't seem to prise her eyes away from his body, especially one particular part of him.
"Oh god! Can you put some clothes on? I don't need to see — that." She waved her hand in his general direction and finally averted her gaze.
Henry laughed and pulled his boxers on "You didn't say that last night."
"Urghhh, can you not — Do you know where my clothes are?" She could feel the heat rising up her neck.
He retrieved her bra and panties from the floor and handed them to her.
"And my actual clothes?" Her face was now turning crimson and she wanted the ground to swallow her up whole.
"I'll go and see what I can find. You did quite the striptease last night." Henry looked her over and then went in search of the missing clothing.
She quickly put her underwear on as he was out of the room and wrapped herself back in the sheet. Trying to preserve the last fragments of her modesty.
"I think these belong to you." He passed her jeans and sweater to her and just stood there, looking at her.
"Do you mind — I'd like to get dressed?"
"Wow! You were not this shy last night Elizabeth! You really know what you're doing." He chuckled at the memory.
"Oh god — Please stop talking."
"Is that a no to breakfast?"
"Definitely no." The words came out so quickly she felt the need to follow them up with a "But thanks."
He left the room as she dressed and gathered up her shoes and jacket, handing them to her as she emerged from his bedroom. She shifted uneasily and then mustered the courage to say what needed to be said.
"Look — Henry — It wasn't my intention for that to happen and I'm sorry but I'm really not interested in you at all." Her eyes focussed on a small patch of carpet in front of her as she couldn't meet his eyes "I'm Sorry." She blurted out the words in a rush and then waited agonisingly for his response.
Silence filled the room and seemed to stretch for an eternity before Henry finally spoke "Oh — Ok — Good to know I guess. Well, if you ever need a book buddy at a party, let me know." He opened the front door and gestured towards the hallway.
" It was good meeting you Elizabeth Adams. And please never stop arguing — Your points are so valid."
Elizabeth smiled awkwardly and rushed out of his apartment, sitting on a bench outside to put her shoes on, hoping that she would never, ever bump into him again.