Author's Notes: Hello there, dear lovely readers! This is your ever suffering Editor here with yet another apology to all you folks who have been waiting so patiently for another update of this story.
Due to a combination of real life issues (mostly work and COVID-19 related) I have been absolutely swamped and unable to give this story the attention it both requires and deserves. Rest assured there is a rather SIZEABLE backlog of chapters already finished thanks to Rufus T. Serenity! So don't think for a minute that this story has been abandoned or that it has gone ignored since the last update was posted. I will try and get these to you in a more timely manner in the future (as work is finally starting to calm down a bit).
A more detailed explanation for the delay would be as follows: Working a full time and part time job. Covering for three other employees on top of my own position at said full time job. Working three solid months of back to back double shifts. Three weeks of COVID nearly put me and my family in the hospital, four weeks of quarantine, four funerals, and eighteen solid MONTHS of working without a single day off including holidays!
So please, please dear readers, I beg of you to take just one moment of your time to reflect on the consequences of your actions, of your choices, and your decisions. If it hasn't become clear to you yet, that is the underlying theme of this entire story, and has been since the very start. I personally consider myself lucky, but even doing everything I could to stay safe and minimize risk to myself and others, the thoughtless and selfish actions, choices and decisions of others have had a very real impact on me, just as they have had on others. Just as is the case for the characters in this story, as it was with the people who inspired them.
Last, but not least, I'll let everyone in on a little hint for those paying close attention to the timeline of this story. The date of the 'house/dorm warming party' should look very familiar. Perhaps a quick dive into the past will explain a few things in better detail after reading this chapter? Maybe a few characters' actions will make more sense? Yes? No? Maybe? Either way let us know what you think if you can figure out the connection.
Hey, Rufus here now. I don't have too much to say but I did want to remind you of something given how long it's been since this story was last updated. This chapter is a flashback chapter that has Sammy recounting her housewarming party to Gwen. This might seem like pointless fluff but it's actually setting up a lot of big things for later.
Without further adieu, we proudly present the thirty-third chapter of "Unbreakable Red Silken Thread" : Chance: Unexpected Encounters Part III
Saturday, October 25th 2014 (5:45 PM)
Sammy looked terrible. She knew it, and the dorm's bedroom mirror did nothing to hide it.
The proof was obvious and unmistakable. She had thought the white knee length skirt, yellow long sleeve shirt and white hairband could overpower her natural ugliness enough to make people not notice. Yet again, she couldn't salvage what most wouldn't even think about, let alone struggle with.
What was she thinking!? Moving out of her house? She wasn't ready for that!
The mirror so cruelly but neutrally showcased her internal terror by reflecting every full-body twitch and neurotic attempt to smooth out her skirt, as if that was all it would take to cover over her repulsiveness.
A wave of trembling overtook her slender, lissome form, just as she felt something behind her. A pair of soft yet powerful arms embraced her, enveloping the shivering blonde within their owner's gentle warmth. "It's okay, Sammy," a voice with that wonderfully thick accent cooed with effortless ease. "I know it's not easy for ya but ya need to not worry so much. Everythin'll be right as rain."
Sammy began to quiver and bit her lip. "Do—do you really think so, Jazz?"
Jasmine was quiet for a moment. Then she nodded her head, briefly burying the ebony spade of her chin deeper into the golden soil that was her girlfriend's blonde hair. After doing so, Jasmine started to run her mighty, large hands up and down Sammy's lithe stomach and around her hips before pulling her closer and increasing the forcefulness of her fondling.
As much as Jasmine had loved Sammy before, she could admit to herself that those feelings were nothing compared to how she felt about the meek blonde now. Being able, and encouraged to touch Sammy as much as she wanted and in any way she wanted was a dream come true. And that same sentiment applied to seeing the look on Sammy's face in the mirror right now, one of happiness, peace and pleasure. It was the single hottest thing Sammy could do while still fully clothed in her mind. Hell, if it weren't for the soon to be starting party, Jasmine would have carried her to their bed and started ravaging her at this very moment!
Controlling herself, as much as she hated doing so, the Aussie's voice filled the otherwise empty air. "It's no drama, Sammy. For all their shortcomings 'n flaws, Cody and 'Eather 'ave yet to break any promises they've made."
Sammy didn't answer for over a minute, eating up the affection she was getting from her lover. Every touch was a physical thank you for the blonde mustering up the courage to advance their relationship, and she always wanted to cherish them as much as possible. She soaked up her girlfriend's attention, and wanted to remain within it as a withered plant in the first rainstorm of the season. Eventually, however, the blonde compelled herself to speak. "D-do you mean that you think they are good people now, Jazz?"
That caused Jasmine to snort and laugh. "Ell no," she said, "they are still a couple'a perverts with no control ova their libidos." At seeing Sammy frowning through the mirror, the Aussie amended, "But they are an 'onest pair of perverts with absolutely no control ova their libidos."
That elicited a small giggle from Sammy.
A part of Jasmine wanted to continue holding and groping her love but she decided against it. The more she did, the less control she would have over herself. So she released her smaller girlfriend and took a step back. Sammy used this newly found space to turn around and get a better look at her Australian Amazon of a paramour. Gone were Jasmine's usual choice of a vest and khaki shorts. In their place were a pair of black hip hugger jeans and a tight fitting black tank top, with said tank top having a bolt of lightning running diagonally across the front of her bust line. Sammy's eyes widened at the very appealing sight of her girlfriend in such revealing (compared to normal) attire. "Wh-where…did you get those clothes!?" She asked with difficulty, fighting against her own arousal, "I've never seen those before."
The Aussie took another step back, showing a slight blush on her warm chocolate face. Holding her arms out to her sides, she asked, "Do ya like it? 'Eather picked it out when we went shoppin' a few days back." Then, the towering girl turned away from Sammy, presenting her back. When she did so, Sammy's face turned crimson and she felt the tiniest bit of moisture in her undergarments. This was mainly, but not entirely because of Jasmine's clearly visible and extremely attractive backside. But it was also because of the raven-haired ponytail that was pulled away, most likely while she was noticing Jasmine's ass. Or more accurately, it was because of what was revealed to be on the back of the shirt without the ponytail blocking it.
In large bold print it read, 'The Thunder From Down Under!'
When the realization that it had to have been a coincidence settled in, that there was no way Jasmine would have told Heather something so personal, Sammy couldn't help herself as she started laughing. With the recent turn of events, the meek cheerleader found herself laughing a lot more often, and that only increased when Jasmine turned back to face her, with a glowing red face. Even more appealing to Sammy was the shy smile that was stretched over the heated flesh. Sammy nodded in approval before saying, "I love it, Jazz! It looks so good on you!"
Jasmine's smile became a little less shy as a soft silence filled the air. The Aussie was about a hare's breath from doing Sammy right then and there when they heard a knocking at their door. Feeling both a little thankful but far more spiteful, Jasmine said, "Thanks Sweetie. I love hearin' ya say things like that." After settling for a soft kiss on Sammy's cheek, she went to answer the door, with the smaller girl in toe.
The duo left the bedroom and walked right into the living room. Jasmine and Sammy's dorm was similar to Heather and Cody's, having a mostly identical layout, but with a few differences, such as only having one bedroom rather than two, and their bathroom lacking a shower. The living room had a much smaller TV and the couch was old and a bit worn, thanks to it being given to the pair by Jasmine's parents. They gladly gave it to them, claiming it was a good excuse to finally get a new one. Besides, they also reasoned, they thought it was their oldest daughter's turn to 'inherit it'. Instead of some heavy-duty table in the kitchen area, there was a simple fold out card table with a few fold up chairs set out. In the end the dorm matched what most would expect from a college student's dorm, a bit on the cheap side but not lacking anything essential.
Jasmine got the door while Sammy fretted, feeling her insecurities bubbling up at the thought of letting people who she had only met a few times into her and Jasmine's new home. Her fears weakened slightly when she saw that it was Cody and Heather who had arrived first. The Tech Geek was carrying a large, heavy cooler that he was clearly struggling with. Without a second thought, Jasmine took the cooler and hefted it up onto her shoulder with no trouble at all, leaving the young man momentarily flummoxed. Sammy smiled at that, it being a small yet obvious show of how strong Jasmine was. That remained the case as Cody thanked her girlfriend, but Jasmine just brushed it off.
The meek blonde stopped smiling however when she felt an arm around her from behind. Releasing a startled squeak, Sammy realized, both due to the size of the arm around her and who was visible in-front of her, that the culprit had to be Heather.
Thankful as both she and Jasmine were for Heather's help, there were times, like this one, that Sammy was forced to push away the ever present reminders of how...similar Heather was to Amy. Not on purpose, either on her part or the Asian's, but there were times she did little things, unconscious things that Amy had for as long as she had known her twin. Sneaking up on people, touching them, leaning into them, and brushing against them, among other habits that all implied an ignorance or even a deliberate disrespect of the boundaries or opinions of others.
Looking to her side proved her correct.
Sammy noticed out of the corner of her eye that Cody and Jasmine had their attention drawn to her by her squeak. Cody shook his head while smirking, Jasmine was frowning but didn't look too pissed, yet.
Of course her girlfriend had picked up on those same similarities...
Heather ignored both, her smirk growing as she pulled the blonde into a one arm hug and rested her head against the shorter girl's shoulder. "Congratulations on taking your 'first step,' Sammy," she commented.
Confused, Sammy asked with a blank look, "What do you mean by that?"
The former Queen Bee rolled her eyes playfully before elaborating. "Your first step to being your own person, of course. Moving out from your parent's place, striking it out on your own, your first taste of freedom, your—" Heather stopped when she noticed that her words were starting to make Sammy visibly nervous. Releasing the blonde she quickly made her way over to Jasmine.
Before the meek cheerleader could feel disappointment drag her down, Sammy saw Cody approaching her with a smile on his face. Seeing that made her feel a little better, mainly because of how adorably funny she thought that gap in his teeth was. Sammy offered a smile in return, one that she knew must have looked more forced and painful than his.
He paid it no mind though as he offered his hand. Sammy accepted it, and the two shook. "Well, would you look at that," he started, before pulling the blonde into a quick hug. If anyone else but Jasmine had done that, Sammy would have freaked out. But Cody was someone she truly trusted. His behavior the day she and Jasmine had their first time together sexually was all the proof she required. The Good Twin knew of Cody's perverted side, obviously, but she was pleased to note he never acted that way around her. Not sure if she was right, Sammy believed he treated her like a little sister. Warm. Loving. Supportive. Not above a little teasing or crossing mild lines of conduct. Then again, she was just guessing. She had no true frame of reference.
"Sammy, you've gotta loosen up a little," he whispered while slightly shaking her shoulders. "You don't need to worry about tonight. Everything's going to be fine."
Saturday, October 25th (6:30 PM)
Sammy was blushing red and swallowing nervously, at seeing so many people in her and Jasmine's new dorm. She wasn't used to larger crowds, despite it just being eleven people. She knew it was silly; after all, almost everyone invited were friends of Cody and Heather, thus people that Sammy knew she could trust. But she still felt so nervous anyway. Soon after Cody and Heather had arrived came Jo and Brick, who had brought an assortment of drinks (soda from Brick, beer and liquor from Jo). A little after them came Shawn and Cameron, who along with Zoey and Dawn paid for the pizzas and Chinese food that was ordered. The last to arrive was a young woman Sammy had never seen before, who didn't bring anything. Said young woman appeared to be Asian, and was wearing a pair of sweatpants, a dark blue shirt and windbreaker.
She also seemed a bit lost, even compared to Sammy.
There were eleven people in her new dorm. Outside of her classes, both before and at this campus, the blonde had rarely been in a room with a number of people in the double digits. So, after initial introductions were made, she had just kind of gone off to a corner and kept to herself. That had been what she used to do whenever at a party in the past, because Amy had told her to unless she was called over to endure some new humiliation. Outside of the odd glance in her direction, no one bothered her. Well, aside from one person.
Early on, Jasmine had come by to make sure her girlfriend was doing okay. Sammy gave a partial lie when she said that she was, but would need some time to prepare herself before talking to any strangers, even ones that their friends had vouched for. Looking a little sad but nodding knowingly at that, the Aussie left her saying to come by whenever she felt ready. And if Sammy needed any help, she'd be there in a heartbeat.
While Sammy recognized most of the people, having seen them in the past, she had never actually talked to them. Well, with the exception of Dawn once or twice before, she thought, maybe...though it was very difficult to tell for sure. But regardless of that, she still felt out of place as she watched Cameron, Brick, Zoey and Cody talking and laughing off to one side as they were eating pizza or from various takeout boxes. Jo and Heather were in the kitchen talking to themselves, having finished eating, sharing a laugh and drinking a beer each. Shawn meanwhile was talking to Jasmine, asking quite a few questions about her time in the Outback. Dawn was nowhere to be seen, but Sammy got the impression she was around somewhere. Despite only interacting with the Moonchild once or twice for brief periods, the meek cheerleader, for all of her lack of social interaction, knew that Dawn was very...
Unique.
Sammy's teal colored gaze then turned towards someone else, the young Asian woman she saw enter her new home last, the only one she had never seen before and who was currently sitting off by herself. Frankly, she looked a little out of place. The blonde was no stranger to feeling alone, or of feeling like an outsider. Even when someone came over to talk to her, that feeling didn't leave the other petite woman. Sammy observed as Cameron had come over to talk. The blonde was too far away to pick up the words they were saying but their body language told the whole tale. Thanks to the Hell that living with Amy had been, Sammy had learned how to read people from across a room. She saw two people who were trying to establish a dialogue but discovered they couldn't find any common ground sufficient enough to allow them to overcome the initial hurdles. It was almost painful to watch, and sadly familiar.
In particular because though she hadn't spoken with Cameron yet, Cody had explained to her about his background. Honestly, of all of Cody's friends, the Afro-Canadian was the one she wanted to get to know the most. He seemed the least threatening person of the bunch. Not only did he seem very cute and absolutely precious, but she also found something of a kinship with him. Apparently they were both meek people who had suffered long periods of isolation due to the actions and choices of a family member. Even though the context was entirely different, maybe they could find some common ground over that? Maybe she could make a friend who might, possibly, truly understand her torment?
Any thoughts of that nature were put on hold as she watched Cameron leave the sitting woman. One didn't require Sammy's people reading experience to know he was devastated by his failure. The only thing that helped Sammy not drown in his sorrow was that his friends seemed to notice too and instantly swarmed him to help him feel better.
She liked that. She liked that a lot. It made her smile warmly. But that smile turned into a frown as she realized that the sitting woman had a similar look, and no one was coming to help her. It seemed that the short Asian woman truly was an outsider to this group.
Seeing the subtly sad sight, Sammy remembered something that Heather had told her not too long ago, a piece of advice about how to be a good host. Fighting against the nervousness prickling under her skin, she approached the stranger. Sammy made a mental note to talk to Cameron at some point about what she had just seen. Making her way there, though hard, she produced a smile that was convincing enough.
At least she hoped.
When she was within conversation distance of the stranger, not thinking to sit down, Sammy meekly offered, "H—Hi…" Her hand was waving back and forth out of reflex. She then put her hand down, hoping she hadn't come across as too pathetic. "I—I'm Sammy. I just wan—wanted to, uh, thank you for coming to my housewarming party."
The woman's black eyes regarded her for a moment. "Hello Sammy," she answered, with a light voice befitting her tiny stature, even shorter than Sammy. Though that was hard to make out at this exact moment since she remained seated. "I'm Sky," she offered with a small smile. The gesture seemed sincere, but there was something off about it, Sammy considered, a passive sadness gently but firmly tugging against the upturned lip.
Old doubts crept into Sammy's mind. 'But maybe I'm wrong? Maybe that's how most people smile? The only person I've ever seen smile is Jasmine…and she's my girlfriend! I shouldn't expect everyone to smile like they love someone…I've just met this person! God, I'm so vain and stupid for assuming everyone would! Stupid, stupid, stupid!'
Not noticing the bitter scolding happening within Sammy's skull, Sky looked around the dorm. "Thanks for inviting me, I have to admit that I've never been to a housewarming party for a dorm before."
That brought Sammy out of her despair, blushing a bit. "It was Heather's idea," she said.
"I can imagine that," Sky lightly laughed. "I've had a few run-ins with 'Hurricane Heather' recently, and she can be…uh…quite persuasive," the raven-haired young woman noticed the blonde's confusion and a soft pink blush covered her cheeks. "Uh, well, you see…" she began to explain, "a few days ago I was minding my own business, enjoying my lunch, when out of nowhere this tiny little terror who makes me look tall grabbed me by the shoulder and dragged me over to her table. I knew of Heather of course. Everyone does. And I'd seen her around a few times, but I'd never actually talked to her. And before I could ask what the hell she was doing, she told me to come here to this party. When I asked why or what she meant, her only response was something about there being too many guys and she would, and I quote, 'choke to death on all the testosterone'. End quote."
Sammy couldn't help but giggle. She was worried it was impolite to do so, but she couldn't help it. She could only hope that she hadn't ruined one of her only attempts at conversing with someone who wasn't her family, Jasmine, Jasmine's family, Cody, or Heather. "Th—that sounds like Heather all right," she said. "Uh…did anything happen after that?"
"Yeah, and that's when it really started getting weird," Sky continued, "I was sitting there, still trying to figure out what was up, when she started asking me all these random questions."
"What kinds of questions?" Sammy asked, happy she had actually asked a question herself.
"All kinds of stuff, pretty much anything and everything. What kinds of foods would I like; if I was in a relationship; my preferences, my hobbies, etcetera, etcetera…" she released a confused chuckle, "Honestly, it felt like a job interview combined with an interrogation."
"Well…uh…the fact that you are here says you…uh…got the job…right?" Sammy asked, uneasily, terrified that she had messed up her attempt at being clever.
Her fear was quelled, for now, when Sky once again gave a small laugh. "True enough, I suppose." Sammy sported a warmer and larger smile at that. Sky then added, "Listen, not to be rude or anything, but do you have any idea what that was all about? I'm guessing you're at least friends with her, right?"
The question was asked in a normal voice, but Sammy bristled, grasping enough about human interactions to know that her occasionally bossy friend had crossed several lines. "Well…I—I don't really know…honest!" she said that with more volume than she would have preferred. She realized this and giggled embarrassedly before recomposing herself. "What I mean is, it could be any number of things… Heather might have just been telling you the truth. Uh…about wanting another girl to talk to here…I mean," motioning to Cody, Cameron, Brick, and Shawn who were off to a corner talking and laughing together, then to Jo who was opening another beer for Heather (a bottle cap top, that was not a twist top) so the excuse more than held water. Then Sammy thought of something. "What, uh, what did Heather ask the other people sitting at the table?"
"Nothing," Sky stated. "In fact," she gestured with her arm, "most of them are here." She noted Sammy's confusion. "Yeah…small world, isn't it? The only people here who weren't there that day were you, the tall black girl, the little blonde in the sweater, and the scary one in the hoodie."
"'The scary one in the hoodie?'" Sammy parroted absentmindedly, acting as if tasting the words, trying to decode what that meant. Then she got it. "You mean Jo?" she asked, pointing at the Jockette as she crushed a beer can against her forehead. Sky nodded. "Yeah, that makes sense…I guess," Sammy explained. "From what I've heard Jo is one of her…uh…closer friends."
Sky raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean 'from what you've heard,' Sammy?"
Sammy frowned, as much in deep thought as it was in ever ratcheting nervousness. "W-well…I've only really known Heather for like a week," she admitted, noticing Sky's surprise. It was difficult but she didn't allow that to derail her. "But—but my…uh, friend Jasmine—she's the tall black girl—has known her since before classes started this year. And…um, well…now I met her." Sammy was relieved to see Sky nod in understanding. "I—I'm thankful to have met her though. Sh...She's the only reason we have a dorm now."
The petite Asian gave the taller yet thinner blonde a curious look. "Is Heather some kinda random-do-gooder that goes around helping people?" Sky asked in sincere confusion.
"That is far from the case," a squeaky voice chimed in, as Dawn somehow appeared behind Sky, while Sammy had been looking in that direction, without seeing her appear. Both Sammy and Sky shouted in surprise as the shortest among a trio of young vertically lacking women had just come seemingly from out of nowhere. The others turned to see if something was amiss, but then returned to their previous activities when they saw Dawn was there. The situation that had just occurred was obvious to all of them. "I apologize for startling the both of you. It was not my intention," Dawn said, before turning to face Sammy in particular.
The taller blonde felt increasingly uncomfortable as the Moonchild's blue-grey eyes stared at her. For a second their eyes locked onto each other and a shudder passed through her. She didn't feel any colder or feel any sense of shame, but something about those eyes was palpable. The Aura Reader had the power to unintentionally unnerve people used to conversing with others, so her effect on someone like Sammy was considerably stronger. Those eyes seemed like they cut through all of a person's natural defenses and delusions to see the 'true them,' in all its unflatteringly and unwaveringly honest horror. Most people felt uncomfortable with that. And yet, there was a paradoxical magnetism to those eyes. They seemed to beg one to acknowledge and confront their failings, so they could be addressed and improved. To some people, that notion was even more unsettling than her seeing their true selves.
Dawn appeared to be unaware of that, because she continued as if nothing was occurring. "Congratulations Sammy," she added, smiling warmly. Sammy really appreciated that. "I wish you and Jasmine the best. I hope your futures are filled with happiness and joy."
An odd look grew on Sky's face. Turning to Sammy, she asked, "What does that mean?"
Sammy found her body moving on its own accord, as she felt panic spike within her. Acting before she could think, for now not caring if it was embarrassing, she pulled the lighter blonde into a sudden hug. It was the only way she could think of to derail this unwanted conversational path. The Good Cheerleader was reasonably sure that Dawn was unaware of the precise nature of her and Jasmine's relationship, but she couldn't be sure. Those eyes, so off-putting yet alluring, had hinted at that possibility. She held the hug for a few long moments, determined to smother any revealing of her secret. When the fear of being exposed passed, she felt fresh discomfiture claw into her again. With her voice the softest it had been, she thanked Dawn as she released the Moonchild.
The Good Cheerleader turned to Sky, who was staring at her with renewed confusion. Neither of them acknowledged how the Aura Reader was no longer standing next to Sammy. Instead, the petite Asian was wordlessly asking what had just happened.
Mere moments ago, Sammy would have felt powerless and pathetic under such a banal expression. But it was not so at this particular moment. The fear of being exposed as a lesbian had overshadowed her fear of embarrassing herself. Finding her voice to be firmer as a result, Sammy attempted the art of improvised explanation, something she had witnessed both Heather and her sister use to great effect on many occasions. After all, the only thing more distracting than the truth, was another truth. "Uh…Ja-Jasmine and I are…um, uh…very close friends, and—and we've both lived with our parents all our lives. We have, uh, never been on our own before."
The blue-eyed blonde paused; as she had a moment of clarity telling her she would need to say more. That excuse would be insufficient to explain such an impassioned reaction. Most college kids were in a similar situation after all. Heck, Sky herself probably was.
Sammy didn't want to reveal more, however.
The scars of her family were still fresh. But for Jasmine, she would do anything.
Rather than lie, Sammy continued, drawing from the many years she had watched her sister explain away everything from mysterious fires to missing credit cards. "My—my family…uh—well, you see…my home wasn't exactly…a, um, loving one...and Jazz has—she's looked out for me, and helped me a lot over the years to...get away," she made sure to stress the last two words as much as possible even as her face pinched at having to reveal something so painful and personal to a complete stranger. It didn't take much acting talent or exaggeration.
For Jasmine, she would do anything, and could do anything.
As painful as it had been, it seemed like Sammy's efforts were worth the cost, as Sky appeared to experience an 'O' moment and her face reflected this unraveling of knowledge with lips just as circular. Wiping that stunned expression away, Sky donned a soft, sad smile of understanding. "Well," she began, "I wish the same thing for you, Sammy. I hope things will be better for you now."
Sammy beamed. Support from others was still something of a novelty, so every little expression of hope for her future made the blonde feel so lucky and blessed. "They already are!" she said, with a bit more cheerful volume than most would have deemed necessary. The warm fuzzy feeling softly ebbed its way out of Sammy, and as it did, a new revelation emerged; this whole conversation had been about her and not Sky. It had been one-sided, all about her! Chiding herself, though not as harshly as before, Sammy asked, "What—what about you, uh, Sky? What are, um…what are you like?"
She knew she had a long way to go before mastering the ancient art of conversation.
"Oh, I'm just a nobody," Sky brushed off with a dismissive wave of her hand.
Sammy crossed her arms and shook her head, feeling some genuine annoyance, to her shock. After she dug up a very unpleasant part of her past, this girl couldn't be bothered to offer anything? "N—no, you got to—uh, you gotta tell me something about yourself too!" she said forcefully, trying to convey confidence. Almost instantly though, she backpedaled by softly adding, "You—you know…only if you want to…"
She knew she had a really, REALLY long way to go before mastering the ancient art of basic conversation.
And she was even more inept at expressing her discontent. Though she had kept her temper in check, so that counted for something.
"Not much to say, really," Sky said, though her reply didn't seem as automatic this time. "I'm just your run of the mill college senior. Not much to write home about."
"I—I don't think so," Sammy forced herself to say. She was having a thought, an opinion, and she wanted to share it. Jasmine and Heather had said that's what you should do when you have those. What Sammy wanted to do mattered as much as what anyone else did. "If—if you are here, then you aren't run of the mill, Sky. You're cool. Special."
A short and thick eyebrow was raised over an ebony eye as Sky regarded Sammy. The blonde had to resist the impulse to start shaking or feel like she was being judged. There was silence between the two before the shorter yet older young woman asked, "Why do you say that, Sammy?"
Sammy swallowed. "Well…you are here. A—and you said Heather asked you to come, right?" Sky nodded. "I—I don't always like what Heather says…or does…" A brief flash of the former Queen Bee trying to exploit Jazz and her before Cody stepped in manifested. She repressed it, and hoped the pause it had created wasn't too awkward. "But—but I do think that she's got a keen eye. She's a good judge of character. So—so if you are here…yo—you know, that must mean that there's more to you than you think."
The other woman didn't know how to respond to that, the look on her face was pure disbelief. Disbelief, Sammy noted, not flat out disagreement. That encouraged her to continue.
"Jazz is—I mean," Sammy resumed, "I've known Jazz for most of my life, since the second grade, actually. So I—I know how kind and strong she is." The Good Twin fought against a telling blush. Partially to distract herself from that, she twisted around while still standing there and searched the room for another person. "And that girl over there, Jo," she added pointing to the Jockette, "I don't know much about her, but I do know that she's in charge of this dormitory and holds a lot of power." She turned back to face Sky, as she pointed at the raven-haired girl. "If you're here with them, Heather sees you as just as important. That's why she spoke to you that day…I think."
Sky stared at Sammy with a conflicted look on her lovely yet somehow sorrowful face. As the seconds ticked on, the Good Cheerleader became quite convinced she had failed to persuade Sky. She didn't exactly look convinced after all. 'Why would she!?' Sammy snapped at herself. 'She doesn't know who those people are because I've barely told her anything! She doesn't have the same experiences that I do. Why can't I ever do anything right!?'
"Now I'm actually curious," Sky said eventually, "Why do you think that is?"
The taller of the two young women was too stunned for a few moments to fully respond. She hadn't been a complete failure! Only a partial failure! Before she could wallow in how sad that was and how poorly that reflected on her, the blue-eyed college student focused on the question itself. "I don't know," Sammy admitted, "But it's gotta be one of three things. You either have a connection to something or you yourself are someone that Heather needs, wants, or likes."
That took Sky back a bit. It wasn't exactly what one would imagine being said. However, this time Sammy didn't feel any sense of failure. That's what her observations of Heather said to her, and Jasmine's own thoughts usually backed up that analysis.
"I fail to see how that could be the case," Sky said, "I've got no real friends here, and I'm not even from Canada. I'm just a senior who doesn't do social networking. It's not like I'm rich or anything."
Sammy shook her head, realizing her mistake. She bit back her typical self-flagellation. "When I said it was something she needs, wants or likes," she explained, "I didn't mean money or other people. Heather and Cody are charismatic enough, and as for money, well…Cody's well off and Heather's loaded. They don't think of or care too much about money."
Sky didn't look swayed, and Sammy chalked that up to her inabilities, as she usually did. Even so, she wanted to help put Sky's fears to rest about her only other friends.
Sammy searched her mind for things she could share about the couple in question to broaden Sky's knowledge of them. The first thing she thought was what she had most often either heard from the couple themselves or from Jasmine, their sex life. It took just enough time for an embarrassed blush to faintly color her cheeks before she shot that down.
'Stupid, stupid, stupid!' She scolded inwardly, 'Why would you tell her that!? You don't want to scare her off. This poor girl's already said she doesn't really have friends. How is it that you can't relate to that…you of all people!? Do you have any social skills whatsoever!? Oh, wait, you don't! Of course you don't!'
"They are a bit…odd," Sammy forced herself to concede, "but they are very interesting, and really helpful!" She added with an attempt at false cheer she hoped worked. Despite what she knew to be true, the few people who she trusted had said she was really cute. Maybe that would help? "They helped Jazz and me get this place and move in, after all, because Jazz helped them sort everything out with their dorm and showed them around town."
Sky was left mindful but undecided. But that sorrowful overtone wasn't quite so heavy at least.
Sammy knew she would have to settle for a half-victory. Half was better than nothing, and it was the closest thing to a victory she had ever had before, so that in of itself was a victory, maybe?
But before the two could continue, a loud piercing whistle caught everyone's attention.
"Gather around everyone!" Heather called out, with the fingers that had ushered the ear shattering whistle still near her lips. "We're gonna be playing a little game in celebration of Jasmine and Sammy's new dorm. Everyone, and I do mean everyone, gather around the card table!"
Sky and Sammy looked at each other with curious expressions, but approached the table regardless. Then they saw Jo setting out shot glasses and putting a bottle of liquor at the center of the table.
And all of a sudden her and Jasmine's feelings of trusting Heather's judgment weakened a bit.
"'Old on now, 'Eather!" Jasmine protested. "I don't wanna 'ave people throwin' up in our new dorm!"
Heather waved it off, while adding, "Don't worry, it's not going to be one of those drinking games. Besides I doubt anyone here other than you or me or Jo could handle the ones you're thinking of, Jazz. No, the game I have in mind is going to be a fun one, and probably morbidly embarrassing," she said with relish and a flash of sadism accompanied by a fitting grin, "We're going to be playing 'Never Have I Ever.'"
Heather, Jo and Zoey were smiling.
Brick and Cody were groaning.
Dawn was missing.
Everyone else looked confused, not understanding what that actually meant.
Biting the bullet that several of them were feeling, Cameron asked what exactly 'Never Have I Ever' was.
Heather and Jo face-palmed. Then the former Queen Bee groaned, and pinched the bridge of her nose before speaking, "Alright, I guess we should go over the ground rules." Jo started dividing out five glasses in front of each person before pouring in a shot's worth into each. "This is kind of like Truth or Dare, but there aren't any dares. Someone, who will be me first, naturally, will say, 'Never have I ever' followed by something that they have never done before. If anyone has done it, they have to take a shot, and tell everyone about it. If no one has done it, then the person who 'Never Evered' has to take a shot instead. That keeps anyone from coming up with random crap no one would ever have done."
"So…how do you win this game?" Shawn asked.
"Everyone has to hold up one hand, with all five fingers while playing. Each time you take a shot, you put down a finger," Heather started to explain. "Oh, and before I forget, you can't 'Never Evered' something that someone else has, or something that is too similar to something anyone else has. And if by some miracle someone comes up with something that everyone else has to take a shot for, that person gets to go again. I doubt that'll happen but it's still part of the game. Anyways, the last person to still have any of their fingers up and any shot glasses filled is the winner."
"I don't know, 'Eather," Jasmine said, sounding a bit worried. "This still sounds a lil'—"
"Jazz, we're only playing five shots," Heather assured her. "So it shouldn't be that bad. Nobody has classes tomorrow, and nobody drove here, so nobody has to drive anywhere after the party ends. But just to be on the safe side, Brick already has everyone's car keys, and we brought a trashcan in case someone is that weak of a tea totter," The former Queen Bee explained before pointing to said trashcan of shame, next to which Brick was holding up a metal thermos, which he gave a good shaking to confirm that yes, everyone's keys were out of their hands for the night.
Everyone looked around then, some nervous, others excited, a few sporting wolfish grins.
Sammy noticed Heather looking everyone over, before she started things off by saying, "Never have I ever been arrested."
Jo scowled and took a shot, after which she slammed the glass down and lowered a finger. "Took a swing at a cop who pulled me over," she cited, noticing the other's looks.
Despite that, no one had been too shocked to hear that the brash Jockette had been on the wrong side of the law. The same could not be said when the next person took their first shot and slammed their glass down with a sharp gag.
Zoey then started coughing before asking, "What the hell is this stuff Jo! Gasoline!?"
No one answered the Indie Chick; instead they merely stared at her like she was a satyr. Noticing that all the pairs of eyes in the room were on her, Zoey blushed crimson before explaining, "I-I, uh…I streaked at my senior homecoming game…" Her blush only increased when no one said anything or took their eyes off the meek and shy seeming redhead. "It-it was a stupid dare…" she weakly amended.
For the longest time, no one said or did anything, until Heather elbowed Cody after noticing his particularly entranced stare. The Tech Geek offered an unapologetic look. He then coughed, catching everyone's attention, and flashed Heather a smirk. With a twinkle in his teal eyes, he started his turn. "Never have I ever gotten a speeding ticket."
A mighty groan came from the group, as no fewer than four people each took a shot. With scowls etched onto their faces, both Heather and Jo took their shots in near unison, and Zoey followed suit right behind them. Once again, as the alcohol burned her throat, the redhead slammed her glass down and started to cough like she was exorcising a lung. "Seriously, what the hell are you making us drink, Heather!? Show me that damn bottle!" she complained.
Instead of answering Zoey's question, Heather harshly stated, "Somebody made me late for class one morning because they got a little too grabby in the shower!" While speaking, her grey glare never left her grinning boyfriend.
In all the confusion, no one had noticed that Jasmine had also taken a shot. That was, until she gave out a wallop and while being wide-eyed started pounding on her chest. When the powers of speech returned to the Aussie, she simply croaked, "It was an emergency."
With her scowl remaining in place, Jo glared at Cody and Heather before she stated, "Traitors!" Noticing the looks sent her way, she added, "It wasn't even my fuckin' fault! There weren't any speed limit signs on the entire street."
"Broken speedometer." Zoey offered.
Shawn surprised everyone by taking a hit himself, and after almost passing out, meekly offered, "Overslept and was late to class."
Once everyone finished coughing and regaining their composure, all gazes turned to the person standing at Cody's left.
Jasmine.
Everyone grew quiet, and watched, listening carefully as the Aussie was taking her time, appearing to be deep in thought. Between how...sheltered a life she had lived, and just how much of everyone's dirty laundry she was aware of, they all knew this could turn out bad. Once her mind was made up, she crossed her arms and smirked.
"Never have I ever had sex with a guy," she proclaimed proudly, her smirk only growing in power.
A series of loud groans, bitter curses, and calls of boo filled the new apartment directed at the Aussie, who not only appeared to be unfazed, but also kind of seemed to enjoy getting this reaction, or more specifically, from those who were giving it.
Heather, Jo, and Zoey all took shots. Nobody questioned or bothered with Heather or Jo, but more than a few were surprised by Zoey taking a shot, struggling to imagine such a sweet, shy girl doing anything remotely lewd, let alone sexual. When the redhead saw this she gaped. "What?" she asked, sounding more than a little offended. "I do have a sex life."
"I would have lost that bet." Heather said, mostly to herself, though Cody and Jo both nodded in agreement.
Sammy found that it was now her turn, and once again she found herself surging with nervousness and worry. Her brain was struggling to think of something that would be a good idea, and eventually, despite her stomach still churning, Sammy finally eeked out, "N-ne-never…never have I ever…uh…played a video game…"
Everyone's jaws dropped at that. None of them could have imagined sweet, shy, innocent little Sammy dropping an atom bomb of that magnitude given her present company. Almost everyone immediately took a shot after recovering from their shock.
Heather swore, taking hers, and bitterly said, "Fuck you Cody, and fuck your nerd hobbies!"
Cody let out a series of coughs and strained chuckles at Heather after taking his. By the time he could speak again, he turned to Sammy with a thumbs up and wide grin. "Gamer for life."
When she could speak again after taking her shot, forcing it down with several strong hits to her chest, Jasmine explained, "Three older brothers."
Jo smirked and laughed with her arms crossed, knowing she was safe this round. That only increased when Brick took his first shot. He only uttered one cough after doing so though and kept his composure, despite his cheeks turning slightly pink. After that, he offered up, "Same as Cody, gamer."
Zoey took another shot, and as she was starting to curse the universe for her lack of luck, she propped herself with one hand on Brick's shoulder before proclaiming, "Lousy date took me to a fucking bowling alley!"
Cameron took his first shot, and almost instantly passed out from his first sampling of alcohol. He would have fallen if not for him being caught by Shawn and Sky. Supported between the arms of his roommate and his secret crush, the former Bubble Boy laughed. It took some time for his voice to return. "Nerd gamer," he eventually replied.
When Cameron was able to stand on his own, Shawn took his shot, and slammed his glass down as the burning sensation flooded his throat before saying "Gamer nerd" between coughs.
But, few if any noticed Shawn's reaction, mainly because they were so focused on Sky taking her first shot. The tiny Asian girl who was not Heather pounded on her chest several times, but didn't cough. Noticing the looks pointed her way, she offered up, "Month of bed rest. Got bored."
Heather looked at the Good Cheerleader with a smirk. "Well done, Sammy," she congratulated. "You almost got a second shot." The Queen Bee noticed Sammy's confusion. "If Jo and Dawn had taken shots, everyone but you would have 'Evered.' It's rare to even get that close to one."
Sammy blushed, but felt a rush of excitement at seeing the various looks of approval from the others at making such a good call.
Everyone's gazes then shifted to the next person at the table, Jo. Everyone was a little worried when they saw the Jockette giving the matter the same level of thought and concentration that Jasmine and Sammy had, a finger hovering near her lips, clearly wanting to think of a good choice. Her purple eyes turned to Heather as a scary smirk appeared. "Never have I ever fucked a girl."
The former Queen Bee glared at the grinning Jockette as she took her fourth shot and slammed the empty glass down on the table harder than she had the previous three. She was more than half tempted to say that shouldn't be allowed because it was too similar to Jasmine's choice, but knew better than to try it. After all, most people only had one or the other, if any at all. "That's a low blow against me for being bisexual," she grumbled bitterly.
"No mercy in love and war," Jo said with a casual shoulder shrug, and her grin intact.
Cody took his shot next, but unable to say anything for a fit of coughs from two shots in a row, he simply gestured with a thumb towards Heather.
Brick followed suit, but unlike Cody he didn't erupt into a succession of coughs from two consecutive shots in a row. Instead, he wrapped an arm around Jo. "Don't regret it for a minute," he proudly proclaimed. Despite her best efforts, Jo lightly blushed, and the Jockette was quite thankful for the next development, which ensured no one noticed her brief lapse of vulnerability.
Zoey took another shot before muttering several soft curses under her breath, at both the stinging assault of the alcohol, and the knowledge that she was out before the first round had ended, not even getting a chance to go herself. She was too embittered to even notice the collective shock on everyone's faces, sans Dawn, Jo and Brick. Giving their disbelief no acknowledgement, the pouting redhead pointed to Heather with a frown, "So just because I don't go strutting around like a peacock every Monday morning and bragging to anyone that'll listen everyone thinks I'm some shut in virgin?"
"Most of them are freshmen, so they weren't here back when you used to throw all those parties Zoey," Brick offered, trying to keep the peace.
"Yeah he's right," Jo added. "Besides, you've been pretty tame this year. I was actually looking forward to a repeat of last year's 'body paint clothes day'," She grinned, throwing more gas on the fire.
Almost everyone was looking at the redhead with renewed interest now, which earned another laugh from Jo, and Zoey flipped her off in turn before nearly lunging over the table to grab the now unguarded bottle. "You swore never to bring that up again!" The redhead bitterly snapped.
Jo hadn't been the only one thankful for Zoey's little display. Sammy was even more relieved as her mind and conscience waged war with one another. So deep were her thoughts, that she couldn't even hear the argument that had erupted next to her.
"Hold on, wait a second, is this...this is Fireball cinnamon whiskey!?" Zoey shouted.
Sammy noticed Jasmine hadn't taken a shot after discreetly peeking in her direction, though the Aussie had turned beet red. Sammy almost reached for her glass but forced herself to stop. She simply wasn't ready to reveal her secret to anyone other than Cody and Heather. But that didn't stop her from feeling horrible for both lying and cheating when everyone else had admitted to their own deeds. The couple in the know looked at her, likely picking up on her anxiety, and each offered a subtle nod of understanding. That did help Sammy, a little, but she still felt guilty all the same.
Her mind drifted back to the pleasant memories of that morning, when Jasmine woke her as she had taken to doing every morning since they had moved in together. Thighs clenched together, phantom touches running over and around them, gently spreading her open to the unskilled but dedicated tongue of her lover.
"If this feels like lightnin', let me hear yoah thundah Sammy!"
Blinking away the pleasant memory, she heard a voice in the back of her mind, one that sounded suspiciously like Heather calling out to her over the voices around the table.
"Yeah, so what?" Heather shrugged off dismissively.
"So what?" Zoey balked. "It might as well be paint thinner! This shit is sixty six proof!"
"It's good stuff."
"It's literally flammable, Heather!"
"Not her fault you only drink Long Island Iced Tea and margaritas, Zoey." Jo butted in.
"Well excuse me for preferring drinks that don't cause BLINDNESS!"
Difficult as it was, the voice in Sammy's mind tuned out everything and everyone else as one by one her and Jasmine's sexual adventures played out across her mind with growing vividness, every gentle squeeze, each instance of fingers tracing and exploring, and every lapping of Jasmine's searing tongue...
'Have I even...touched Jazz?' she asked herself. Of course she had touched Jasmine plenty recently, and even more since they became roommates. But every time they had had sex so far she had been the recipient. "No, not the recipient," she realized, but rather, the focus. Jasmine had showered her with affection, physically, mentally, and emotionally as the sun shined down on every living thing. But what had she ever done in return? What had she given Jasmine for all of her loving effort?
Meanwhile, oblivious of Sammy's growing internal conflict, Cody's gaze shifted to Cameron and Shawn, who were both looking at their glasses quite glum, sagging in despair and completely oblivious of the growing argument. The Tech Geek instantly understood why. "In this game, it just means you have a better chance of winning," he explained to them. The pair looked slightly more at ease, but truthfully not very much.
Next up was Brick, who was scratching his chin in thought, before snapping his fingers. "Never have I ever had a cast before'," he stated, his calm but firm voice bringing the others bickering to a halt. When the Cadet saw everyone looking at him funny, he elaborated. "You know, like you get when you break your arm or your leg?" He was pleased that everyone seemed to get exactly what he had meant.
Some, a little more than others.
Heather was practically cackling as Cody turned beet red before taking his hit, then shouting, "Damn you Chris Mclean!" He noticed a few people looking at him in confusion, and remembered that not everyone knew about his time on Total Drama. "Full body cast after getting mauled by a bear," he explained matter-of-factly.
This only caused the questioning looks to intensify.
And Heather's laughter grew even louder.
But any further questions were swiftly silenced as they noticed Sammy taking her first shot of the entire game. She reacted to it about as well as Cameron had, coughing like a failing engine and staggering as the alcohol bum-rushed her system. Jasmine responded by giving the meek blonde a few good but restrained blows to the back. After the Good Cheerleader was able to compose herself, she eked out, "Fell down stairs. Broken ankle."
Again, Jo smirked. That grin only increased as three more people took shots in rapid succession.
Dawn surprised the gathered group by taking a shot herself, and also by being the first and so far only person not to react in any way. As though the drink hadn't fazed her in the slightest, she set the glass down and smiled. When she spoke, her squeaky voice was equally unaffected by the strong libation. "Fell out of a tree and injured my neck."
Shawn took another shot as well, and after pounding on his chest, cited, "Dropped a pipe on my foot and broke it."
Sky was the last to take a drink this round, and when her breath was caught, she quickly fired off, "Training accident. Ruptured disc."
Compared to Sky's other answers, this one was more morose, for reasons unknown.
Any desire to probe further was brought to a halt by the next person in the circle, Zoey, grumbling under her breath. The Indie Chick crossed her arms and spat out at no one in particular, "Didn't even get a turn."
"Heather," Dawn began, "would it be possible for Zoey to take my place for this round, so she can get at least one turn in?"
Both the former Queen Bee and the Jockette shouted "No!" at the same exact time. "There ain't no way on God's green earth we're gonna allow someone who's already out to get a turn!" Jo explained. "Who knows what kinda stuff someone like that could throw at us!"
Zoey blushed and looked away. No one noticed however because they focused on Dawn tapping her chin in thought. After a few moments, she settled on her choice. "Never have I ever flown in an airplane."
That got a universal groan, and a pair of vengeful thumbs up from Zoey.
Cody and Heather turned to each other, raised their glasses, and performed an improvised toast. "Fuck you Chris Mclean!" With that, they tinked their glasses together then took their shots, slamming the glasses down in unison. That helped the mild sting Heather felt from being eliminated from the game before the first round was over, but only so much.
No matter the context, Heather always played to win.
Always.
Jasmine took a shot, by now accustomed to the acidic burn, though in no way finding pleasure from it. "Moved from Australia."
Brick followed suit. "Shipped off to and from military school."
Sky was the fifth person for the round, taking her third shot. "Competitive acrobatics."
All eyes now turned to Cameron, and the other competitors' collective heart rate slightly skyrocketed. The former Bubble Boy was easily the smartest of the group, and most of those remaining didn't want to imagine what kinds of things he could come up with considering that his extremely sheltered life before now meant so many commonplace things were up for grabs. To everyone's dread, Cameron pondered his answer for nearly a minute. When he made his choice, he grinned.
He turned his gaze to Cody in particular, feeling a little guilty for this. "Never have I ever had a driver's license."
That got a number of curses, namely from Cody, who was now out of the game. Jasmine, Jo, Brick, Shawn, and Sky all followed suit and took their respective shots.
Cameron grinned ear to ear, pleased with such a successful tactical strike in this game. "Oh boy!" he said happily. "And since everyone took a shot, I get another turn! So…"
"Ah, ah, ah," Heather said while wagging her finger. "Not so fast, Bubble Boy, you forgot someone," she added, as that same finger was now pointed to Sammy, who hadn't taken a shot. She waved embarrassedly, not sure what else she should do in that situation. Cameron's smile deflated at that, though he took it in stride.
Sammy was impossible to hate.
Next up it was Shawn's turn, and the Zombie Conspiracy Nut was surveying the remaining players as if they were a horde of the undead. He was determined to come up with something good, something to knock everyone else down a peg. He tried to determine a commonality between them that would be the most likely to hit the most people at once. His frantic mind had been looking for something grand, but it soon settled on something simple, a fact that should have been obvious from the start.
There were only two guys left, but there were still five girls in the game. He grinned after realizing this key detail, and struck.
"Never have I ever worn a dress," he said with crossed arms and a cocky grin present.
The paranoid young man had expected a powerful utterance of woe from the five women. But his shock was twofold. None of them bemoaned his precision strike, and Jasmine was actually grinning. He knew that the Aussie wouldn't be taking a shot here.
Though the other four still did, putting them all one step closer to defeat, or in the case of one of them, simply defeated. Sammy, Dawn, Sky, and Jo all took their shots.
That last of whom roared in anger as she briefly considered tackling Shawn for not only being the one who eliminated her, but to eliminate her with that kind of a hit. To Jo that was unforgivable.
The paranoid college student attempted to retract into his clothing like a turtle when he saw the trembling glass in her hand cracking under the force of her grip. "Fucking senior portrait!" the violent seeming tomboy barked with gusto.
Sammy attempted to explain herself but she had a pretty bad coughing fit that lingered for a few minutes. It was silently agreed they didn't need to inquire about the specifics of such a mundane reveal.
This was helped by a fifth person taking a shot after all, one who was not only a guy, but the manliest guy of the gathered sample size. "Lost a bet," was Brick's only reply, as Jo grumbled too much to laugh at her boyfriend. Everyone knew to leave her be for now, and that was part of the reason Brick didn't complain too much as being out that same round for the same thing his girlfriend had been eliminated for.
Dawn sighed; again taking the shot without any evidence it affected her. "I like dresses."
Sky looked especially bitter as she stared at her empty glass, the fifth and last of hers. "Grandmother made one for me when I was little. Had to wear it for her."
With Sky out, not able to offer anything like Zoey had before her, it was Jasmine's turn once again. The towering young woman looked up for a moment before proclaiming, "Never have I ever been an only child."
Dawn took a shot, at the same time both Cameron and Shawn did. The former Bubble Boy nearly collapsed while the booze seemed to slam against his brain like a tidal wave. He was too out of it to even realize that he was basically hugging Sky for support, who had caught him before he could hit the ground, predicting something like that would happen.
"Is that a fair question, Heather?" Zoey asked, who was handling her drinks very well despite her earlier complaints.
The former Queen Bee pondered her answer for a few moments, like Zoey it didn't seem like the alcohol had anywhere nearly as much of an effect on her as she had been letting on. "Technically, it's iffy, but since Jasmine and Sammy both have older siblings it's true for both of them. So it's at least fair."
Now it was Sammy's second round. But a few of the guests were worried if she would even be able to go on. She had only consumed two drinks but for someone who hadn't had a drop of alcohol before today, and who was so small, it could be quite overwhelming.
The trashcan had discreetly been placed next to her at the start of the game for a reason.
As for Sammy herself, she was having a difficult time focusing on much of anything. But as often happens, those whose minds are being lulled by the gentle currents of intoxication, the Good Twin's mind started to go to some naughty places. This wasn't helped by the earlier musings she had been having on her and Jasmine's bedroom activities. She was getting horny, and she knew it. The only thing stopping her from acting on that desire was the fact that she couldn't focus long enough to do so. But that did give her an idea for a question, one that made her face turn bright crimson. After a few stumbling and rambling attempts, she whispered her choice into Jasmine's ear. The redness of her face only increased as her secret girlfriend responded, "Go on, Sammy. It's no drama," The ebony giantess nudged. "It'll be worth it. It's a good one. Say what ya wanna say."
Shaky and stuttering from the combination of whiskey, sexual arousal, and shame, Sammy opened fire at her unsuspecting fellow competitors. "Ne—never—oh, never I—I, oh, hoo hoo—ever looked at a—ha ha—at porno! Haha!"
Heather and Jo literally broke out into fits of laughter and were jumping with glee as yet another bombshell from the blonde who didn't quite qualify for that label hit home. Zoey soon joined them with gusto at seeing how red Cameron and Shawn's faces had turned.
They were even redder than Sammy was.
Jasmine took a shot, and was now out as well. Sammy looked guilty, until the Aussie smiled and winked at her. "It was totally worth it." They stared at each other in a way that said with no words that they were going to be going at it savagely once everyone else left tonight.
Cameron and Shawn both took their shots, with Sky preemptively putting her hands on the black-skinned boy's back keeping him upright. A few caught the fact that a small, fragile smile had graced her lips before she swiftly forced it back down. Good thing she had, since Shawn was too focused on how he was now out to notice. "Dammit, I was so close too!" he grumbled.
Dawn turned to face Heather amid the cheering and consoling of the others. "Does it have to have been intentional?" she asked.
The former Queen Bee thought about it, then turned to Jo, who nodded, before giving the expected answer. "As long as you saw the porno, it counts."
In reply, the Moonchild took a shot, not reacting with any degree of bitterness or sorrow to how she was the third person out this round.
"Damnit!" Zoey exclaimed with sorrow as she leapt to her feet and hugged her blonde roommate and friend. "I'm so sorry, Dawn! It's all my fault!"
"It's no trouble, Zoey," Dawn assured her, her calm matching the redhead's franticness, "It's only a game. What truly matters is the joy I had while playing, not the final result."
Looking more at ease, Zoey only then noticed the number of looks her outburst had earned. As her face made a valiant attempt to match the color of her hair, she explained, "I forgot to change the channel before turning the TV off and Dawn turned it on the next morning."
"Jeeze Zoey, I had no idea you were so wild," Heather teased with a smirk.
Raising an eyebrow worthy of Heather, Zoey wasted no time in firing back, "What can I say, you never asked."
Heather simply laughed, making her way over to the redhead and throwing her arm over her shoulder, pulling her close as they both chuckled.
The pair of attractive young ladies were of course keenly aware of just how many eyes were suddenly on them as their eyes met before glancing around either side in a blink.
Zoey smirked, and Heather grinned as in unison their arms shifted and moved to the others neck and hip, enveloping and pulling them to one another. Time slowed as their bodies grew nearer, and nearer. Thighs brushed against one another, small firm breasts pressed into a larger perky pair, lips parted as they leaned in, eyes closed, only to dart off at the last second, with Zoey pivoting to Heather's side.
"Seriously guys?" Zoey started with a snort.
"We're not that drunk," Heather finished, the pair laughing at the stunned looks on most of the others' faces.
Most, but not all.
Cody actually managed to look bored. He could tell when Heather was genuinely up to something, and when she was just messing around. "Heather, play nice," he warned playfully as his girlfriend and the redhead disentangled themselves from each other.
Likewise Dawn simply gave Zoey a raised eyebrow, earning her a playful pout from her longtime friend.
After the smoke cleared from that little number, everyone realized the new nature of the battlefield. There were only two people left in the game.
Cameron and Sammy.
They both were having difficulty not only standing still, but also simply standing period at this point. The atmosphere should have felt like the buildup to the finale of a classic Spaghetti Western, but neither could maintain the laser-focused stares required to qualify.
Cameron had two shots left to Sammy's three.
Before anyone could speak so much as a word, everyone started moving to 'their side', to (literally) support whoever it was they were hoping would win. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the lines were split by sex, with the girls—Jasmine, Heather, Jo, Zoey, Dawn, and Sky—all huddled behind Sammy. However, it was noted by some that Sky hadn't left Cameron's corner until she got an elbow nudge from Heather and bowed to the unspoken plea for feminine fellowship. By process of elimination, this meant that Cameron's corner was a sausage fest with Cody, Brick, and Shawn.
Both sides chanted for their chosen champion.
It was Cameron's turn, and despite being a point behind it didn't take him long to come up with another devastating choice. "Never—uh, woo, ahoo—never I—I ever thrown a…a housewarming party! Ha!" he said with rarely felt confidence, even with the hold of the alcohol making him feel silly.
Sammy blushed while her chorus of supporters booed the former Bubble Boy. After a few minor misses, and sloshes of the shot glass (requiring two refills), the Good Twin managed to get the bulk of a shot down her throat.
Now both were standing (barely) at two naught three each.
Getting tipsy to the point where Jasmine and Heather had to place their hands on her shoulders for balance, Sammy swayed and giggled to herself while it took her a few moments to realize it was her turn again. "Ne—never have—hahaha—I ever…uh…ever worn box—boxers before!" She laughed. "I've never worn a Mike Tyson before! Hahahahaha!"
Cameron laughed just as hard, though no one could tell if it was because of Sammy getting him or him being in a similar drunken state. Either way, he took his fourth shot, with Brick and Shawn occupying Sky's former role of keeping their champion on his feet.
Now Cameron was down a shot to Sammy's two.
The former Bubble Boy found it difficult to think by this point, but he realized something after the tenth or so time of looking back and forth between his remaining glasses and Sammy's. At this rate, he was done for. Even if he got Sammy to take another shot, she would do the same, ending the match in her favor. So attrition was out, he needed something else.
Then, amidst the fogginess that was swelling up within his skull, Cameron had a moment of clarity. "Hey…hey wait—wait a minute…I just thought of something!" He exclaimed.
"Oh?" Cody asked, who could handle his liquor far better than his friend could. "What's up, Cam?"
"I—I—Sammy had to drink to the—uh, the whatdoya—oh yeah, the dorm party thing, right?" The usually well-spoken Afro-Canadian stumbled in his shot-induced stupor.
"Yeah, she did. So?"
"And she and me-haha, she-me—tshi! Haha, 'disappointment in the cooking of the duck meat,' indeed! But that isn't even a real word!" Cameron spaced out, thinking to one of his favorite YouTube videos. Cody understood the reference so he wasn't too freaked out or surprised by its random inclusion. "Any—anyway, we are the—uh, the only two people still in, right?" [1]
"Yeah, you guys are. So?"
"So—so…I—I—everyone who is playing but isn't me took a shot! So I should have gotten to go again, right!? Hahahaha!"
The Tech Geek stared at his clearly drunk friend before his eyes widened in understanding. Truthfully, he didn't know if that rule still applied when you got down to the final two. But why let a little thing like truth or the rules or a basic logical mindset get in the way of a good laugh—and ensuring that your side wins?
"I think he's right, Heather! Cam should have gotten to go again!" Cody shouted out.
Various girls, mainly Heather and Jasmine, refuted that idea to the best of their abilities. However, to the shock of everyone, Sammy actually spoke up. "N—no…uh, no, no…its—fi—*hiccup*…it's fine! Let—letya—let him go again! If—if I get I 'Never I have I…uh, I mean, if I have to do it, I'll take two shots at once! Double trouble! Haha! Twinning isn't everything!"
"Are you sure Sammy?" Heather interjected. "That means if Cam wins this round he wins the game. You know that, right?"
The Good Twin looked at Heather with a glassy stare, even as a wide smile spread across her lips. "Oh, I—*cough*…uh, I know that. But—but I wanna…I wanna do it!" She exclaimed despite herself. She felt this made things fair after she didn't take that shot when the question about sleeping with a girl came up. Even if she lost, she would have a clear conscience. "You're one of my best friends!" The blonde said with dazed out joy while patting Heather's face. She didn't notice the mild flinch from the former Queen Bee due to her head shooting back with a few drunken chuckled-snorts. "You're good people! Hahaha!"
Heather rose an eyebrow before shrugging her shoulders, then turned back to the boys. "Okay, guys. She agrees! Next person to lose takes all their shots and is out!"
Grinning ear to ear, Cameron felt something he rarely ever did, in control. Powerful. "You—you gonna—gonna lose, Sammy Whammy Bammy Jammy! *Snort* All I'll do is win—win—win no matter what! 'Cuz I'll never get enough! Hahahahaha!"
Feeling the full effects of the alcohol in her system, Sammy shook her head wildly, so much so that a few of the less smashed people not playing feared her head might come off her neck. Cheeks red, flushed by the booze in her blood and the thoughts of Jasmine looking like a fertility goddess, she fought her way through that to respond "No—no, no. I—I gotta—I gotta just as—*hiccup*…I've got just as much a shot as you do! Haha!"
"Nope, you got two shots! Which are gonna—gonna be takin' right now!" Cameron declared. He swallowed, and took a deep breath, not wanting to stutter or pause at this. "Never have I ever shopped for girl's clothes before!"
Cameron crossed his arms and did the best smug look his addled body could pull off. Once again the girls side became a chorus of booing hecklers. The alcohol aided with their zeal as even Sky joined in this time.
But soon enough another sound filled the air and beat back the booing into submission. It was Sammy, who had been lightly giggling before it morphed into a pleasant sounding but intense female version of the chaotic cackling that the Joker was usually known for. Even as she kept laughing, Sammy raised her two glasses, looking at them with a critical eye, before turning her attention to the former Bubble Boy who didn't understand what she was doing.
"Neither have I~!" Sammy shouted with gusto before it devolved into another bout of laughter. The others had to wait until it was over before they got further clarification. "My—*giggle*—my sister and mom—they—they always went and bought all the clothes. Not me! Never ever me! Hahahahaha! I just did the washing! Twinning is winning!"
Stunned and floored, Cameron's head sagged in defeat. With a little help from Cody and Brick guiding his hand, he took his loss like a champ and downed his last shot, fighting the urge to vomit.
His vision got blurry but he was able to make out the form of Sky as he fell onto her like a crash test dummy hit by a Mack truck.
Sammy, in a display of sportsmanship, with Jasmine's help, downed her last two shots as well.
The meekest two people in the dorm shared a good laugh before they both faded to black.
So, that was this chapter! As always, we hope you liked it!
Given how long it's taken to get this chapter out to you guys and gals, I'm not gonna have much in these author's notes. I just want to ask what you thought of the character interactions and what the game revealed about our main cast of secondary characters. In particular, what did you think of the stuff involving Sammy, Sky, or Zoey.
For those of you who are obsessive and critical enough to check this kind of shit, like me, here are the results and progression of the Never Have I Ever in this chapter.
First, here are the rounds, who's round it was, and what their choices were:
Round 1: Heather: "Never have I ever been arrested."
Round 2: Cody: "Never have I ever gotten a speeding ticket."
Round 3: Jasmine: "Never have I ever had sex with a guy."
Round 4: Sammy: "Never have I ever played a video game."
Round 5: Jo: "Never have I ever fucked a girl."
Round 6: Brick: "Never have I ever had a cast."
Round 7: Dawn: "Never have I ever flown in an airplane."
Round 8: Cameron: "Never have I ever gotten my driver's license."
Round 9: Shawn: "Never have I ever worn a dress."
Round 10: Jasmine: "Never have I ever been an only child."
Round 11: Sammy: "Never have I ever seen a porno."
Round 12: Cameron: "Never have I ever had a dorm warming party."
Round 13: Sammy: "Never have I ever worn boxers."
Round 14: Cameron: "Never have I ever shopped for girl's clothing."
And now to further show my OCD, here's the chart I used to make sure I didn't lose track of the progression of this game, exactly as it was in all its rough glory! Lol. The Roman numerals represent the shot the character took with the connected choice. And they are in the order the character was standing at during the game.
Heather: I (speeding ticket), II (sex with a guy), III (video game), IV (sex with a girl), V (flown in a airplane). (HEATHER IS OUT BY ROUND SEVEN)
Cody: I (video game), II (sex with a girl), III (had a cast), IV (flown in a airplane), V (driver's license). (CODY IS OUT BY ROUND EIGHT)
Jasmine: I (speeding ticket), II (video game), III (flown in an airplane), IV (driver's license), V (porno). (JASMINE IS OUT BY ROUND ELEVEN).
Sammy: I (had a cast), II (wore a dress), III (house warming party). (WINS!)
Jo: I (been arrested), II (speeding ticket), III (sex with a guy), IV (driver's license), V (wore a dress). (JO IS OUT BY ROUND NINE)
Brick: I (video game), II (sex with a girl), III (flown in a airplane), IV (driver's license), V (wore a dress). (BRICK IS OUT BY ROUND NINE)
Zoey: I (been arrested), II (speeding ticket), III (sex with a guy), IV (video game), V (sex with a girl). (ZOEY IS OUT BY ROUND FIVE)
Dawn: I (had a cast), II (driver's license), III (wore a dress), IV (only child), V (porno). (DAWN IS OUT BY ROUND ELEVEN)
Cameron: I (video game), II (only child), III (porno), IV (boxers), V (shopped for girl's clothes). (CAMERON IS OUT BY ROUND FOURTEEN)
Shawn: I (speeding ticket), II (video game), III (had a cast), IV (driver's license), V (porno). (SHAWN IS OUT BY ROUND ELEVEN)
Sky: I (video game), II (had a cast), III (flown in an airplane), IV (driver's license), V (wore a dress). (SKY IS OUT BY ROUND NINE)
[1] This rambling from Cameron is a joke from the RedLetterMedia video review of "Star Wars Episode 3: Revenge of the Sith." Highly recommended viewing, the same goes for any of their other Star Wars prequel reviews if you haven't seen them.
I don't have much more to add so I'm just gonna conclude this chapter by saying we will try to get the next chapter out to you guys as soon as we can! The next one will have us return to Cody and Heather at Lindsay and Tyler's apartment. Get ready for some cute hotness! ;)
Until next time, please read, review, favor, follow, and spread the word!