The A-Game (new version)

Chapter 6.

"You should be proud."

     "Sorry I took so long," Kevin's breathless voice came from behind me. In his hand, he held one can of beer, and a glass of Cider. He handed the cider to me and kept the can for himself.

    "I'll leave you two alone," Sage said. With that, she dipped under the water and swam elsewhere. I was alone.

     "I hope you don't mind if I have a beer. Usually I only have one at a party like this. I haven't had one yet, so this would be that one." that one. that one. that one. He would be the one. the one. the one.

    "Nope. It's fine." I gulped, and took a smooth, warm, swig of the cider. It tasted bitter to me. It had lost its sweetness. This would be the last think I'd drink as a virgin. Why did it get under my skin in such a way? I didn't want Cider ruined for me. If I was going to have the last drink before the untimely demise of my physical innocence, than I would drink to it with something I hated anyway. "May...I have a sip, actually?" I asked. Kevin handed the can of beer over with no reluctance, seeming to stare in awe as I took one deep, single chug. It tasted horrible. A single, dark streak of bitter ran down my tongue and burned a hole in my throat. I gagged, resisting the urge to drink more Cider in order to wash it down. I was not going to ruin Cider for me. Kevin chuckled lightly. Despite my fear, and the bitter taste on my tongue, his laughter was the most beautiful sound I had ever heard.

    "It's...not for everyone." Kevin took the can into his hands and downed the rest of the beer. He took long, steady, gulps, and didn't gag once. I half marveled at how he could stomach such an atrocious brew. "I have to apologize," Kevin said, looking at me bashfully before he continued. "Next to Sage, I hardly noticed you at all until tonight. It's a... deep regret of mine that I haven't caught your name. I've asked everyone at this party, and no one knows. You've always just been the girl next to...,"

    "Misty."

    "No, not Misty. Sage. You've always been the girl next to Sage." He looked at me, and I became lost in him: his curly blonde hair, those dazzling blue eyes, his smile and the single dimple in his cheek. I noticed for the first time, his costume. He was dressed as a police officer. I laughed.

   "No, my name is Misty. It's nice to meet you." I held out my hand for him to shake. Kevin took it and seemed to mistake the end of my sentence as a pause for him to give his name.

   "Kevin," he said.

   "I know. Everyone knows you."

   "Yeah, being quarterback does that to you, doesn't it?" In that moment, I loved how he wasn't purposefully modest about it. He owned up to it.

   "So, how did I catch your attention tonight, next to Sage and her get up?" Kevin paused and chuckled.

    "Well first of all, you are like- the only person out of costume, and second of all, it's really unusual of Sage to bring an eleven year old to a party with fifteen and sixteen year olds." When I realized he was referring to me, I felt my face prickle with shame. I had been adamant about letting Sage put make up on me.

     "You've already shoved me in this get up," I had said.

     "Fine. If you want to look like a kid," Sage had said.

    "Actually," I said, clearing my throat. "I'm thirteen." When I turned to face Kevin his face looked caked in shame.

     "Oh God, I'm so sorry." His voice was a whisper.

    "Don't be," I shrugged him off. "It happens all the time." That was true. There had always been a quality that left me looking younger than everyone else. It wasn't that I was extremely skinny or short. I was of average height, and reasonable weight. I had just always looked younger. It was a family trait. My brother had it, and so did my big, burly Dad.