The Exchange

Chapter 2- Tequila, Tender Talks and Trollied Teens

As Sasha and Cass walked to the party the sky above them darkened and a crescent moon slowly emerged. The street lamps started to flicker on, lighting the road in front of them and creating shadows that stretched out across the pavements.

Cass puckered her mouth as she checked her lipgloss in a portable mirror. Swiping a finger across her lower lip she nodded, satisfied with her appearance. Placing it back in her bag she pulled out a flask filled with liquid and chucked it to Sasha.

"Have some, Sash", Cass winked, "It's peach schnapps."

Sasha unscrewed the top before taking a long swig. It was sweet but not unpleasant and made her fingers sticky. She took another sip before passing it back, "Thanks".

"So", Cass drawled, opening the flask to take her own gulp, "You got your eye on anyone tonight? I think Daniel is going to be there".

"Daniel?", Sasha spluttered, half-laughing, "Why would I care?"

Cass rolled her eyes, "You know he wants to get with you babe. Stop acting so oblivious all the time".

Sasha let out a long groan, "Yeah, he wants to fuck me. That's all."

She knew that she was very inexperienced with guys (I mean compared to all her friends she could be considered a saint) but she also didn't want to chuck herself into bed with first person that glanced in her direction.

Still she hated thinking of herself as a child who knew nothing. She felt naive and silly and stuck out like a sore thumb at sleepovers where everyone recounted their crazy sexual escapades. Plus boys seemed like a lot of work- her friends were always going on about their "stupid fucking asshole boyfriends" who kept on breaking their hearts.

And her mother (her absolute role model), who had been with her through thick and thin, was a strong, independent woman. Being on your own didn't have to be such a terrible thing! Sasha had learned how to be by herself, one of the most important lessons in life.

"So!", Cass said in a high voice, pulling Sasha from her thoughts, "What's so bad about sex? It's natural honey, believe me. You're gunna do it some time. Look, doesn't have to be with Daniel and I'm not even saying you have to sleep with anyone but loosen up. You haven't kissed someone in like 6 months Sash."

Sasha giggled in response, "Oh, so look whose been keeping tally of my lip locking!"

"Aren't I just such a devoted friend?!", Cass mimed placing her hand on her heart before they both broke down in laughter. She handed Sasha the flask for the second time and placed an arm around her shoulder.

"But seriously", she began, "you're an amazing person and you're going to meet someone. I promise. And I bet you and your future boyfriend will be like the biggest power couple ever!"

"Mmm, I just hope it's soon", Sasha sighed, taking another swig from the flask and savouring the syrupy liquer run down her throat.

As they reached the front door of the party Cass quickly grabbed Sasha's hand to pull her back.

"Listen, no matter how drunk I get do not let me go home with any guy okay? I'm spending the night with you."

Sasha smiled, reaching out to pull Cass into a hug, "Of course not".

Giving her a quick squeeze back, Cass turned to open the door before throwing back her head and shouting, "Now lets get fucked up!!!!"

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The house was packed. As Sasha looked around she noticed various familiar faces from college but couldn't locate Polly amongst the crowd. Cass stood next to her also scanning the room.