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Nic texted me their address and offered to pick me up. I insisted on walking myself though. Their house is just right off campus and I don’t want to start relying on them too much.
I’m following the GPS on my phone when I finally see their house. It looks nice, especially for being right by campus. It’s pretty big too, they probably all have their own rooms.
My nerves start to get the best of me as I walk up to the door, maybe I shouldn’t be hanging out with five guys alone. Actually, maybe four, Jeremy never said he would be joining us.
Before I can chicken out, Jay opens the door and gives me the biggest, most reassuring smile.
“Hey Aly Kat, long time no see. Come on in!”
I hop up the stairs and Jay pulls me into a hug. It feels so good to be surrounded by him. He smells like earth, almost like he spends all his time in a forest surrounded by grass and trees, it’s so unique.
“Good to see you too Jay.” I give him a small smile, I’m feeling shy all of the sudden. We haven’t hung out just the five or six of us alone yet. We’ve always been in public.
“Hey guys Aly is here!” Nic yells while he goes straight in for a hug too. I guess now that we are officially friends we are breaking that touch barrier.
Kiran slides into the room and pulls me right from Nic’s arms into his own giving me a big squeeze. Then he smoothly passes me off to Ajax who gives me a sweet, sheepish hug.
They point to the living room where they’ve set up games, chips and drinks. It’s cute they put this much effort in.
“This looks great you guys, what are we going to play first?”
“How about a game of BS?” Kiran asks.
I nod and Jay asks, “do you want some wine Aly Kat?”
It looks like they remembered me telling them my favorite drink was white wine last time we studied.
“Yes please!”
Jeremy comes downstairs and gives me a slight head nod of acknowledgment. “So what are we playing?” He grabs himself a cup and pours some whiskey.
“BS!” Kiran answers while shuffling the cards.
“Well that hardly seems fair,” Jeremy adds.
“What do you mean?” I ask. I don’t get what wouldn’t be fair.
Jeremy hesitates and Nic jumps in at the last second to save him from answering, “just that we’ve known each other for a while, that’s all.”
Oh, I guess that makes sense but the way they’re all looking around makes me feel like I’m missing something.
“Come sit here Aly!” Kiran points to the spot next to him on the couch and I go join him. Jay plops down right next to me.
“So we usually play this as a drinking game, you good with that Aly?” Jay asks.
Smiling, I respond, “for sure.”
* * *
I regret agreeing to a drinking game now that I see how good they are at BS. Somehow they know every time I’m lying, usually Jay or Kiran. Despite me clearly being the worst, the guys have kept up with me and are also clearly feeling their drinks.
“Okay, I quit! You guys are too good, new game!” I finally admit defeat.
“Haha okay then what next?” Nic asks the group.
“How about truth or dare?” suggests Kiran wagging his eyebrows up and down.
“Okay then you’re up first bro, truth or dare?” asks Jay.
