Two for One

The summer crowd had thinned to the slimmest of pickings, leaving only a few kids who hadn’t returned home to mooch off the parents. There was a week left before the onslaught of college students would return to the apartments for fall semester. I only had two roommates during the summer months, but as the first day of school approached, our apartment started filling up again. As students slowly trickled in, filling up the empty spaces summer had created, I made it my business to spend an hour a day in pursuit of “fresh meat”.

Lindsey, one of my summer roomies stormed in one day with a look of excitement on her face.

“Oh my gosh! There is this apartment full of the hottest guys ever! And a few of them are totally into ncmos!” I had learned earlier that summer about “noncommittal make out sessions” and couldn’t wait to try them out. One of my favorite pastimes, second only to checking out guys, was making out with them. If they were hot and not into relationships, then heck, all the better for me.

I grabbed her shoulders playfully, and we jumped up and down like little kids. I was very enthusiastic at the prospect of meeting up with these guys, and to see just how serious they were about being “noncommittal”.

“They are making the rounds right now, introducing themselves to all the girl’s apartments. I told them to come over here too. I raced back to tell you, to make sure you weren’t hanging out in your underwear.”

I rushed to my room to throw some clothes on and sling my hair back in a ponytail. Sure enough, ten minutes later there was a knock at the door. I squealed a little and my heart started thumping. I ran a hand over my hair and down my ponytail to shake off the few jitters I had. I threw open the door and with a huge, stupid grin on my face looked out.

“Hey, is Lindsey here? She said this is where we could find her.” A guy with rusty brown hair and green eyes followed me into the living room, scanning the apartment apparently looking for her.

“Yeah, she’ll be out in a second. I’m Andie, by the way.” I stuck my hand out like a dummy intending to shake, but retracted it a second later feeling like an idiot.

The guy with the rusty brown hair winked and sat down on the couch. “I’m Brian and this is Sam.” He pointed to his friend who had also sat down, arms rested along the back of the couch. They both slouched into the saggy cushions.

“Well, we are just doing the rounds, you know, meeting everyone.” He smiled broadly.

“Yeah, I do that on occasion.” I said beaming at them.

“On occasion, what are you talking about? That is your favorite pastime!” Lindsey skipped out of her room and jumped over the back of the couch to land in between the two boys. I stood there looking at them, then turned to leave. The guys had come to hang with Lindsey, and all I really wanted to do at this point was size them up, see if they would be worth my time and effort.

“Anyhow,” I said casually as I headed down the hall, “let me know if you want to, you know, get to know each other better.”

Sam spoke up then, “Hey Andie, why don’t you come over to our apartment sometime.”

“Sure,” I said, and left the room.

A week later I found myself walking up the three flights of stairs to the boy’s apartment. Most of the windows I passed were glowing brightly. I imagined they were full of students being studious. I knocked softly and entered after a loud voice hollered, “Come in!”

Sam was lying on the couch flipping through channels. He craned his neck around to see whom he had just admitted.

“Hey,” I said. “Where’s Brian? I told him I would come read him a bedtime story.” I held up the Dr. Seuss book and shrugged. Sam pointed down the hall and turned back to the television.

I found Brian sitting up in bed working on some homework. “You made it!” he seemed glad to see me. “ What did you bring?” He threw his schoolbook on the floor and scooted over to make room for me.

“Green Eggs and Ham.” I sat down, opened the book and read. Brian rested his arm across my shoulder and played with a strand of my hair. When I finished, he reached over and placed the book on the blanket. I turned my head to look at him and he pulled my face towards his. His breath was sweet, (probably from the pre-bedtime brushing) and our lips moved rhythmically together for some time.

He pulled away. “Thanks for the story. Make sure to come again.”

“Sure,” I said. I clambered off his bed a little weak in the knees. When I reached the living room I noticed the TV was no longer casting its bluish light on the walls. I glanced at the couch and saw Sam. He reached his hand out towards me.

“You’re leaving without saying goodnight?” He grabbed my hand and pulled me in front of him. His soft hands gripped my face, and I didn’t resist. He pulled me towards him and I climbed onto his lap and wrapped my arms around his neck. His lips were soft and pliant against mine. I melted against his chest and returned the kisses passionately, forgetting completely about my wobbly knees from before. Eventually I pulled away and ran a finger down his cheek. I traced the contours of his lips and he shivered a little as a crooked smile played at the corners of his mouth.

“I better get going. It’s late.” I stood up, wavering just a little and walked to the door. I decided not to look back. I wanted to leave it just like that, with me ending it on my terms. I stepped outside and the cool night air washed over me. I skipped lightly down the stairs and whistled happily all the way home.