Starting Point (girlxgirl)

Chapter 7

Riley had a good feeling as they got out of the uber and walked into the small club where the show was being held. The music was already blaring, and there seemed to be around two hundred people packed into the first floor of the venue. Riley and Mya made their way closer to the stage as Willa went to sweet talk the bar tender into giving her a few beers. Matt and Hunter's band was on stage, playing a sad kind of rock song, heavy on the guitar and vocals. Riley didn't hate what she was hearing but made a mental note not to tell Hunter. It was surprisingly like a combination of all the songs that Hunter had suggested Riley listen to earlier this week which made Riley giggle to herself. Willa caught up to the other two girls and handed them each a beer as they danced to the music.

After "Blythe's" set was over, and Riley had two more beers, the girls walked to the back of the stage where there was a small room secluded from the rest of the club. Another band had taken the stage, and Riley was somewhat desperate to talk to Hunter. As they walked into the back room, the band was posing together for a picture. Riley could only see the back of the photographer's head, but she was tall with purple-tipped dirty-blonde hair. She was wearing a yellow flowy dress with a black mock neck underneath and white converse. Matt waved at the girls to come in, and the photographer turned around to look at the girls.

She was the most beautiful person Riley had ever seen; she had blue eyes, tan skin, and as she smiled at the girls, Riley got instant butterflies. Holy shit, what is going on? Riley silently thought to herself, confused at why she couldn't manage to move her feet because she was too busy staring at the photographer chick. It's just the alcohol, snap out of it.

Hunter walked over to Riley and put her arm around her shoulder leading her over to the photographer. "So, you made it after all. What'd you think?" Hunter turned, looking somewhat eager to hear Riley's opinion.

"Um, good, it was good." Riley managed to get out, her mind still focused on the blonde standing just a few feet in front of her. Hunter seemed to notice that Riley's attention wasn't on the conversation at hand and sighed.

"Riley, this is Callie, she's our age and is studying photography at NYU." Hunter took her arm off of Riley's shoulder which disappointed Riley, but she didn't fixate on the idea because her mind was going a million miles a minute thinking about what to say to the gorgeous girl standing in front of her.

"Nice to meet you, Rylie! I love your sweater." Callie slung her camera across her body and grabbed Riley's arm admiring the forest green men's sweater she had stolen from Willa's closet earlier that night.

"Thanks, um its actually my roommates." Rylie nodded toward Willa who seemed deep in conversation with Matt and Mya.

"Well, it looks really good on you." Callie smiled and Riley immediately thought she was going to pass out. What was is about this girl that had her so nervous? The only other time she remembered feeling this way was when her childhood crush, Oliver Wells, had asked her to homecoming senior year. Riley couldn't have a crush on a girl, that wasn't who she was. But she had never even let herself think about that either, growing up Riley had only had a crush on Oliver, deciding boys were too distracting and not really feeling like she was missing anything. She made out with a few boys at overnight soccer camp through the summers, but never really experienced romance. It's just the alcohol, Riley kept telling herself.

It turned out Callie was from New Hampshire and had been roommates with Hunter last year, the two girls inseparable from their first night together, well that's what Callie thought anyway.

"I actually hated you a first," It was later into the night back at Hunter and Matt's apartment, the booze causing everyone to spill all. The place wasn't as crowded as last time Riley had been there, but there were still probably a solid twenty people there. Mya and Matt were nowhere to be seen, Willa was talking to some guys in the kitchen, and Hunter, Callie, and Riley were sitting on the couch.

"No way! We did practically everything together those first two weeks, and you're trying to tell me you couldn't stand me?" Callie leaned over Riley to get closer to Hunter's face, placing her hand on Riley's thigh, the warmth driving her insane.

"Yes! I hated how nice you were, because I couldn't stop hanging out with you because I didn't have a reason. You were so selfless, and I had no other friends, so I had no option to stick with you. But now I realize that you aren't just a boring, nice girl.; you have great taste in music, and you know how to have a good time. Plus, I like the free pictures." Hunter teased and Callie leaned back. "I'm gonna run to the bathroom really quick. Don't move, either of you." Hunter got up and pointed to both of the girls before she left.

Callie turned to Riley and looked her in the eyes. "I want to know more about the Mysterious Riley. Hunter talks about you a lot, but I never knew what to expect." Rylie was shocked, she had hung only out with Hunter once.

"Oh well, this is me." Riley chuckled and looked down at herself and back up to Callie before taking another swig of her beer. "I'm just a washed-up soccer player from California dying to get back on the field, but I'm trying to make the most of my life while I'm here."

Callie smiled and it made Riley's stomach turn to jelly. "Well, I'm sure glad you're here, Riley the soccer player from California. How has your night been, are Hunter and I too much?" Callie joked.

"It's been great. You guys are great." Riley shook her head and drank a little bit more beer trying to remember exactly how much alcohol she had consumed through the course of the night. "If I'm being honest, I had hoped to make out with someone tonight, but guess it just wasn't in the cards."

Callie started laughing and looked at Riley. "I can help with that," she said completely serious. Riley looked around to see if Callie had a guy friend, she'd be willing to set her up with when suddenly she felt a hand turn her cheek. She was looking right at Callie who's face seemed to be moving toward her own in slow motion. Riley closed her eyes as she felt Callie's warm mouth meet her own, blood rushing through her face, her heartbeat pounding like a thunderstorm in her head. Callie tasted like strawberries, and her lips were so incredibly soft. Riley wasn't sure how long they kissed for; it could have been thirty seconds or five minutes, but she did know that she was disappointed when it ended.

"Better?" Callie smiled and looked at Riley.

"Um yes. Thank you?" Riley asked it like it was a question.

"I kiss my friends all the time, not a big deal at all." Callie turned away and waved as hunter was making her way back toward them. Friends, Riley was confused. That didn't feel like a platonic kiss to her, but she was so intoxicated that she wasn't sure what was real and what was the alcohol getting to her.

Not wanting to talk to Hunter or think about the incredible kiss she just had, Riley decided she it was time to leave. She said an abrupt goodbye to Callie and Hunter and walked into the kitchen to tell Willa she wanted to leave. Willa was understanding, and just as she had set her drink down, Mya approached the two, her hair in a state of disarray. Rylie and Willa looked at each other and giggled as the three girls walked out the door and back to their dorm.