Charlottesville - 31st October 1988
"Elizabeth Adams! Would you hurry up? We're going to be really late."
Elizabeth looked at herself in the floor length mirror and shook her head. "No! I am NOT wearing this. I'm not going." She plonked herself on the end of her bed and mumbled to herself "I'd rather be studying anyway."
"If we don't get there soon all the cute guys will be taken and I really need to get laid tonight - This dry spell is lasting way too long. Be a team player Adams - And can you please let me in." Elizabeth's roommate Sasha wasn't one to take no for an answer and it had taken her over a fortnight of incessant nagging to get Elizabeth to agree to not only go out on Halloween, but to dress up too. She was not letting her back out now.
Elizabeth wrenched the dorm room door open and scowled at her roommate, pulling her quickly into the room and slamming the door. "Firstly, five weeks does not constitute a dry spell Sasha. And secondly, you cannot expect me to go outside in this!" She wildly gestured to the costume that had been picked out for her. "It's not happening."
She'd had to pour herself into the tightest black catsuit which showed every curve, and she could barely stand in Sasha's stilettos. "And why catwoman for god sake? Aren't you supposed to dress like a witch or a ghost or something less — Trampy?"
Sasha's mouth dropped open as she assessed Elizabeth "Holy shit girl! You are gorgeous! I mean— Wow." She circled her friend, checking her out "You look incredible! Hell, if I don't score tonight can I do you instead?"
"SASHA!" A blush crept across Elizabeth's cheeks.
Sasha shrugged her shoulders "What? It's a compliment. Do you even realise how sexy you are? Come on Elizabeth! I really want you to come with me. You never go out and it will do you good! Everyone who's anyone is gonna be there. You might even meet someone."
Elizabeth sighed "I don't have time for a relationship nor am I interested in one. I need to study."
"Who said anything about a relationship? I'm not asking you to fall in love and move to the suburbs. You just need to have sex. You're wound so tight you're ready to snap. All you do is study and it's not healthy."
"There is more to life that sex you know! We're at college, not a holiday resort. I have a plan and I fully intend to stick to it."
Sasha laughed "But this is what college is all about! I'm just living the dream. Now stop complaining and put your mask on, we have to go."
It seemed like the whole of UVA had decided to celebrate Halloween in spectacular style. There were crowds of people everywhere and it was making Elizabeth feel extremely self conscious. She was actually quite pleased she had the mask and ears to shield her a little, although she would much prefer to be in her sweats, eating ramen and catching up on her reading.
A couple of hours in, Elizabeth was over the evening already. Her feet were killing her, she'd been hit on and gawped at excessively and the crappy beer and shots that followed were starting to make her feel rather fuzzy. She wasn't much of a drinker and couldn't hold her liquor all that well, which her annoying roommate found particularly amusing. She seemed to be on a personal crusade to get Elizabeth drunk and laid at every given opportunity and it was tiresome. She really liked Sasha but it all got a bit much at times.
The sheer volume of people packed into a small space and the almost non existent lighting coupled with the alcohol induced fog in her brain was making Elizabeth feel uneasy and claustrophobic. She was weaving through the crowd, unable to see more than a few yards ahead of her, trying to find her way to the exit when Sasha grabbed her arm.
"And where do you think you're going? The night is still young my friend."
"I'm going home so I can get out of this god awful costume and into my sweats which is what I wanted to do all along. I am never letting you talk me into this shit again."
Sasha laughed, "Well, at least take someone home with you who can help you out of that catsuit."
"Urghhh you're unbelievable." The roll of her eyes conveyed her disdain perfectly. "Don't make too much noise when or should I say if you come in - And don't bring anyone back with you! I really don't want to hear you going at it again - I still haven't recovered from the last time."
"I'm not letting you go. It's time for you to live a little Lizzie."
"Don't call me that. You know I hate it."
"I'm trying to help you Elizabeth. You're so up your own arse all the time - I bet you've never done anything wild in your whole life."
"I've done plenty of wild things Sasha, I just don't feel the need to brag about them!"
"Look around you Lizzie! There are hot guys everywhere! And wearing that -" She looked her up and down again "You could snag anyone you want."
Elizabeth let out an exasperated sigh "I don't want to snag anyone. I just want to get the hell out of here."
Sasha grinned "We need to loosen you up a bit! Come with me." She grabbed Elizabeth by the arm and dragged her towards the bowl or rather dubious looking punch. She filled two cups and held one out. "Drink up."
"Not a chance in hell."
"Jesus - Stop being such a prude! I know there's a little minx in there desperate to break free - I just have to coax her out of you."
Elizabeth shook her head "You don't listen to a single word I say to you - Do you?!"
"Nope! Now get that down you."
Elizabeth chugged the orange liquid and grimaced "What the fuck is in that?"
"Who cares? Fill them up."
Elizabeth managed another two cupfuls before she started feeling dizzy and nauseous.
"I think I need to go now."
"You're so boring Lizzie - But if you're that determined to be such a spoilsport then I'll let you go - but only if you kiss someone first."
"You're kidding - Right?"
"I never joke about such things! It's your ticket outta here honey."
The room was definitely starting to spin and Elizabeth feared this was an argument she wasn't equipped to win at that moment "Soooo, I just gotta kiss someone and you'll let me go?"
"Yep! Just one hot and steamy kiss and you're free to go."
Elizabeth smirked "And it can be anyone I choose?"
"Anyone at all."
"Alright then." Elizabeth took one more mouthful of puch, grabbed Sasha by the back of the neck and kissed her hard, sweeping her tongue into her mouth for good measure.
When she finally pulled away, Sasha looked utterly dumbfounded "Jesus Lizzie - what did you - that was - what was that?"
Elizabeth was swaying a little on her heels and had a lopsided grin plastered on her face "I've finally managed to render you speechless Sasha! It's a miracle. Now can I go?"
Sasha's expression turned from stunned to devious in seconds. "I'm afraid I don't count - Although damn girl, that was hot." She glanced at the people in close proximity and pointed "Kiss the guy dressed as superman exactly like you just kissed me - And then you can go."
"You just torture me for fun, don't you?."
"I just don't want you to regret all the things you didn't do - You're young, beautiful and you need a little fun in your life."
"I have fun Sasha."
Sasha laughed "Organising your sock drawer on a Friday night does not constitute having fun Lizzie. Nor does having your nose stuck in a book every waking moment. I'm talking real fun. The kind of fun your parents wouldn't want you to have."
Elizabeth's eyes widened and Sasha grimaced "Awwww shit - I didn't mean — I'm sorry Elizabeth - I'm drunk and clearly an asshole - You can go and I promise not to bring anyone back with me."
Elizabeth took a breath and closed her eyes. Ever since her parents died, she had pushed herself harder and harder to achieve everything she thought would make them proud. But she would never know if they were proud of her or not, just like she would never know if they were disappointed - So what did it matter anymore.
"What the hell - It's not like I have anyone who cares what I do anymore."
With a shrug of her shoulders she sauntered through the crowd until she was standing toe to toe with superman. He was taller than her, even with her wearing heels and he looked cute enough, not that it mattered. One steamy kiss was her ticket out of there and the quicker she got it over with, the quicker she could leave.
She looked over her shoulder at Sasha who was watching with great anticipation and shouted "This guy?"
Sasha nodded enthusiastically "Oh yes - That guy."
She turned back to superman, flashed him a smile and laid her hand flat on his chest "I'm sorry."
He looked somewhat confused. "What for?"
"For what I'm about to do." Before he had a chance to respond, her other hand found the back of his neck and she pressed her lips to his.