The Promise

Chapter 2: The Arrival

It was late into the second night when we finally arrived at the apartment we shared. Too exhausted to speak, we all slowly make our way up the stairs. Wordlessly Kate opens the door and we all file in and head to our rooms. Not bothering to get undressed, I collapse onto the bed, falling asleep instantly.

I rub my eyes open, blinking at the light coming from the living room. I glance at my clock and read the time. 12:03pm. I snap awake, realizing I had overslept. After a fruitless effort to straighten out my rumpled clothes, I run out my door to come face to face with the welcome party. My two besties had already showered and gotten dressed. I must have looked like I had a hangover. My clothes were rumpled and full of wrinkles, my dirty blonde hair looked like I had put it through the spi spin cycle of the washing machine and then dried it in the dryer. Managing a smile, I motion to the bathroom and slip into it quickly.

Feeling better, I step out of the shower, my hair blowdried and combed out and my clothes were fresh and clean. As I step out into the livingroom, I am relieved to find the smiles of relief instead of shoked and frightened faces. Scanning the crowd, I try to look at who is there. All of our parents are here. There are some good friends, like my little sister Hayley and Kate's guy friends . Thats when I spot... them. Gavin, Mitch, and Kyle. They had been all of our friends for a long time. May had always liked Gavin, like a lot. And I didnt blame her. He was handsom, witty, great persinality, and had money. To be honest, I liked him at one point, but not anymore. I look up to hear someone call my name and I join in.

Eventually it was just Kate, Kyle, May, Gavin, Mitch, and me. Basically we were all sitting on couches, talking about whatever. Thats when Kyle suggest we play spin the bottle. Everyone else nodds, exchanging exited glances. I however, did not find this a very appealing idea.

"Or..." I but in, trying to sound convincing "We could watch a movie!" The others look at me for a second, then continue on with exited squabble over rules, guidelines, etc. I just sigh and roll my eyes. College kids...

Eventually everyone (exept me) reaches an agreement. The guys sit one one side and girls on the other, and after each round we change places to make a variety. The kiss must be atleast 10 seconds long. No refusals. Once that was established, we all got into our places, including me, who was quite unwilling. I wasn't going to tell them that I had never had my first kiss, even at 21 years old. The other all had, so this was nothing to them. Since we were all at least of age, Kate brought out a beer for each of us. Alchahol. Great. Another thing I was uncomfortable with. You see, in college, I had been more of the study type. Every night my friends went to parties and I stayed at the dorm and got homework done early.

"Ravyn, why don't you go first?" Kate says with a smile, and, before I can refuse, she shoves the bottle at me. Holding my breath, I put it in the middle and spin it, watching it go round and round. My heart stops as it does. It is pointing at Gavin, and he has a smile on his face. I am unable to move as he grabs me by the chin gently and slowly leans in. At the very last second I flinch and break away, shaking my head. Mumbling that I was sorry I get up and go to my room quickly, my heart beating wildly. I collapse on my bed, hiding my face in the sheets and trying to remove the supried and sad expression Gavin had when I left.