07 - layers

33 3 0
                                    

At Vivienne's place, the team gathered to celebrate the start of a new football season. The gathering at felt electric, with laughter and music filling the air. Jenna stood at the edge of the living room, clutching her drink, her heart racing as she caught glimpses of Vivienne weaving through the crowd, effortlessly charming everyone around her.

As the night progressed, Jenna felt increasingly aware of Vivienne's intent gaze. Each time their eyes met, a rush of warmth spread through her, mixing excitement with uncertainty. She was drawn to Vivienne's boldness but couldn't shake the feeling that there was more beneath the surface.

Later in the evening, as the group settled into a game of "Truth or Dare," the atmosphere shifted. Jenna could feel the anticipation building, everyone leaning in closer, eager for juicy revelations. Laughter erupted as one of Vivienne's friends dared another to reveal her most embarrassing moment. The group erupted in giggles when she confessed to a disastrous crush from middle school.

Then it was Jenna's turn. When she was called, Vivienne leaned in with a mischievous smile. "I dare you to kiss someone in this room," she said, her voice dripping with playful challenge.

Laughter erupted again, but Jenna's cheeks burned. She glanced around, heart pounding. The thought of kissing someone, anyone, sent a wave of panic through her. Just as she was about to decline, Vivienne added, "Come on, Jenna! Live a little!"

Caught in the moment, Jenna felt her resolve wavering. "Okay, fine," she said, her voice shaky. "But only a peck!"

As she turned to face the room, a playful push from Vivienne sent her stumbling toward the nearest person, who happened to be a guy named Mark. With a nervous laugh, Jenna leaned in and gave him a quick peck on the cheek, sending the group into another fit of laughter. The playful atmosphere brought a smile to her face, but it didn't erase the tension simmering just below the surface.

After a few more rounds, Jenna noticed that Vivienne was keeping the game lively, throwing in daring challenges that pushed everyone's boundaries. One girl was dared to dance on the coffee table, and another had to call her ex and sing "I Will Survive." The energy was infectious, but Jenna felt a growing need for air, a weight of emotions pressing down on her.

When it came time for Jenna's next turn, she hesitated. "Truth," she declared, hoping to keep things light.

Vivienne smirked, leaning closer. "What's the most daring thing you've ever done?"

Jenna's mind raced. "Um... I guess I used to sneak out a lot in high school... to meet friends at a concert... and stuff..." she answered.

"Sneaking out? Boring!" Vivienne teased, her tone playful yet challenging. "I dare you to do something truly wild tonight."

Jenna felt a wave of frustration. "I'm not here to be wild. Can we just... I don't know, play a different game?"

Vivienne's smile faded slightly, replaced by a flicker of surprise. "Sure, if that's what you want."

The energy shifted, and Jenna excused herself, needing a break. She slipped out onto the balcony, the cool night air washing over her, offering a moment of clarity amidst the chaos.

Leaning against the railing, she tried to gather her thoughts, the laughter and music fading into the background. She felt conflicted—drawn to Vivienne but also overwhelmed by the push and pull of their interactions.

Just then, Jenna overheard two girls from the party chatting nearby, their voices low but distinct. "I still can't believe what Vivienne went through with her mother's boyfriend. It's heartbreaking," one of them said.

Jenna's heart raced at the mention of Vivienne's past. She leaned in slightly, trying to catch more of the conversation without being noticed.

"Yeah, it was really bad, all the abuse she went through. And it took her so long to escape that situation," the other girl replied, her voice filled with sympathy. "She's come so far, but it's still hard for her to trust people."

Jenna's breath hitched, the weight of the revelation settling over her. So Vivienne has a dark past. It explained so much about Vivienne's need for control and her playful yet guarded demeanor.

Feeling the ache of compassion, Jenna stepped back, her mind swirling with thoughts. Hearing about this ignited a deep desire in Jenna to learn more about Vivienne's story, to understand the complexities behind her confidence and charm.

As she turned to head back inside, a new determination filled her. She wanted to reach out, to uncover the layers that made Vivienne who she was. Jenna felt a surge of urgency—she needed to know more.

Off the Pitch - vivianne miedema Where stories live. Discover now