Fire Down Below

Chapter One

Alayna sat at the table in the smoke filled room, watching her 3 best friends laughing and carrying on over their third or fourth round of drinks. She herself, was still nursing number one, forcing herself to swallow past the burning sensation left behind by whatever concoction Maria had handed her.

"Come on girl, bottoms up!" The dark haired woman of Hispanic descent said as she elbowed her in the side.

Alayna cut her eyes at her friend. Her small frame, although toned from daily workouts, was not used to the poking and prodding that normally occurred when the group rendezvoused, and she rubbed the spot gingerly.

Maria's nearly black eyes raked over her companion. She really was a beautiful woman, if she would just stop hiding behind her books and writings. Her long gentle waves of dark brown curls, bright blue-green eyes, and the curves of a goddess were enough to make any man swoon, if they knew they were there. She kept them covered with too large blouses and pants that had no shape to them at all. It was nearly impossible to convince the blonde to leave her house in her current wardrobe, a fitted tank top that showed off her luscious cleavage and jeans that hugged her body in all the right places. It was nearly painful to watch her stumble down the sidewalk in the heels she'd begged not to wear, but it brought the otherwise casual outfit to a new level of sexy.

"It's about time you finally come out with us!" Kate, a pale redhead shouted over the music and threw back a shot of what she guessed was tequila. "How long have we been trying to drag you out of that cave of an apartment?"

Alayna smiled. "Not long enough!"

Truth was, she'd actually wanted to venture out on the weekend excursions she heard about on Monday mornings. She wanted to be more a part of the group than she was, but between writing and work, she never had the time. Deadlines kept creeping up on her and the school had called her in more often than normal, leaving her little time to do much else. It was only after her friends had showed up at her door, barging in to raid her closet and dress her, then dragged her out, did she finally agree to come. She wasn't sorry that she did. It was actually fun hanging out with them.

Another round of drinks was brought to the table and a small glass of clear liquid was set before.

"Come on! Down it!" The third member of their party, Tonya, said and pushed it toward her.

Eyeing the drink suspiciously, she grabbed the shot glass, hesitated a moment, but reluctantly tossed it back. The liquid scorched her throat and burned every surface of her insides as it traveled down her throat and lit a fire in her belly. She grimaced and shook her head, trying to rid the awful taste from her mouth.

"Oh my god! What was that?" She asked, wiping her mouth.

"Vodka!" They all howled in laughter.

"Ugh! It's revolting!"

How could anyone enjoy such a thing in their mouth, was beyond her.

It wasn't long and the reason become apparent.The unease and nervousness she felt in the pit of her stomach leaving home, slowly began to fade, and she found herself wanting another.

And another.

And another.

Soon, she was laughing and free of her inhibitions like the rest.

Alayna's head was swooning slightly, but she was still perfectly sober enough to see the odd glances and hushed whispers passing around the group. She didn't know what was going on, but she had the feeling it somehow involved her.

"Alright girls." Kate announced standing. "I thinks it's time we get headed home."

The girls all followed suit, and in response to her questioning look, Kate leaned forward to whisper her reasoning.