The waiter appeared with a bottle of wine and offered it to Christopher for approval. As if he were an expert wine taster, he sniffed, swirled, and sipped before nodding his consent. Then, without question, everyone at the table was poured their own glass.
I was so nervous about getting arrested for underage drinking that I only took
a small, polite sip. Thomas and Bea seemed unaware that the legal drinking age
was twenty-one and drank theirs quickly.
Sensing my fear, Christopher whispered, “This is a private event. No one is
watching. You can drink your wine and enjoy your meal. I would never do anything to hurt you, Caitlyn.”
He handed me my drink and held his own up. “To my new friends and a night of memories.”
After dinner, I was feeling a bit buzzed. I snuggled in the limo next to Christopher, where we talked about our plans for the next year. Christopher had
decided to go to school in New York while the rest of us were going to stay in
San Diego. I had dreams of being an author one day, or an English professor, and
Christopher would follow in his father’s footsteps.
As the limo approached the school, Christopher pulled out a bottle of
champagne. When he popped the cork, he sent a stream of alcohol that soaked Bea’s shoes.
“God, I’m a doofus,” Christopher apologized. Digging through the mini
fridge, he grabbed two bottles of water and offered them to Thomas. “Hey, man,
why don’t you help her rinse off her shoes? If she reeks of booze, they won’t let you in.”
“I’ll help,” I said and started to follow.
Christopher grabbed my wrist gently. “At least have a toast to our night with
me before we go in,” he suggested. “I always feel more relaxed after a little bubbly.”
Thomas had the situation under control, and I wanted to spend more time with Christopher, so I agreed. I dreamt of him kissing me all week. This might be the perfect moment, I realized as he handed me a glass.
“To us.”
The bubbling liquid tickled my nose as I took a small drink.
Christopher leaned in close and twisted my bracelet. “I’m glad you still like
my gift. I worried that it wouldn’t be your taste.”
Surprised, I gasped. “You were the one?”
“Is that okay with you, Caitlyn?” he whispered in my ear.
“Yes, but why didn’t you tell me?” I asked.
“I like the surprise,” he said seductively.
Then, my hopes came true because he kissed me. Gently at first, and then deeper, more intoxicating. My mind was moving too fast. I had thoughts of being
his girlfriend, of changing my college plans to be closer to him. Like a silly schoolgirl, I thought, this must be what love feels like.
Our passion was interrupted by the door flinging open, and Thomas
shouting, “All cleaned up. Let’s dance.”
Christopher groaned but said, “Just a second, and we’ll join you.”
Thomas smirked at me and closed the door again.
Christopher poured us another glass of champagne, and though he drank his
quickly, I only sipped a bit.
Eyeing my drink, he said, “Looks like you’re done. We better head in or Thomas will waste all of his good moves out here.”
I laughed as I saw my friends dancing on the lawn to the music emitting from the school.
The gym was decorated in silver. It had a science fiction feel to it. We walked
