Buddies in a Bedroom

Months passed and Demitri and Becca slowly got more competative. Demitri started running and eventually took over Becca's spot as track team captain. That would have caused a rip in most friendships, but in return Becca started helping him relax a bit more by starting a book club. It was more for Kendra's sake, but Demitri would be lying if he said he didn't enjoy an excuse to spend more time with his friends.

Every Friday after school, Kendra, Steve, and Kyle would join them for book club. They each took turns picking the book, but as usual Becca and Demitri were the only two that actually cared. While they had written summaries and detailed notes about the book, the others brought blank paper most the time so they could catch just enough facts to make it seem like they read it.

It was a bit frustrating, but it gave them an excuse to hang out. This was an issue considering it was their last year of highschool together, and they all desperately want to remain friends. It felt as if their time together was fleeting fast, so every weekend they would get together for "book club."

It was Friday and Kendra was hosting the last book club before finals. Her parents were in Malibu, so she could have Steve over. Normally that was never allowed; her parents were strict when it came to Steve.

Demitri and Becca were the last to arrive. Normally the other three are already hanging out. Demitri and Becca always had an after school activity or unfinished work to do first. They arrived at Kendra's house and knocked on the door. Kendra answered and invited them both in.

They entered the living room and Kendra sat on the couch with Steve. Kyle came back from the kitchen with an energy drink in his hand.

"Dude, have you ever slept?" Steve asked, concerned.

"I'll sleep when I'm out of juice." Kyle said and started chugging the beverage out of spite for his own brain. He crushed the can between his hands and threw it at Steve. Steve moved out of the flying object's path, making it hit Kendra.

"Ow! What the fuck, Steve?!" Kendra said, holding her head where the can hit her.

"I'm sorry babe, Kyle doesn't know how to aim!" Steve said and got off the couch, picking up the can off the floor and winding it back as if to pitch it at Kyle. Kyle ran and Steve chased. Kendra rolled her eyes and took out her phone to make sure the can didnt leave a mark.

Becca and Demitri started taking out their notebooks and revised novels, avoiding the usual drama the other three seem to always cause. Kyle then came sprinting by and grabbed Becca's notebook, blocking the can that Steve hurled back at him. energy drink splattered on her notes and she got up and smacked Kyle, taking them back.

"Shit, sorry. I didn't know it would spray like that." Kyle said as Becca desperately dried her notebook with her sweater sleeve, but they were already wrecked. She sighed heavily.

"It's fine. This is the last time I'll need the notebook anyways." She said, making everyone slightly sadder. This was the last time Kyle will destroy Becca's notes, and the last time that Steve chucks an empty energy drink at Kyle. All of them were thinking it, but none of them wanted to.

"I was hoping we could all skip book club. I want to spend time with my friends properly." Kendra said. Steve smiled and sat back down, wrapping an arm around her shoulders.

"I'm down for anything." Steve said, making Kendra smile. Kyle took out another energy drink and sat on the floor.

"Ya'll know I never partake in book club." Kyle said.

"OOO par-take. That's a fancy word." Steve teased. Kyle rolled his eyes and told Steve to shut up.

Everyone looked at Becca and Demitri, the two who actually care. The two looked at each other, interacting mentally to figure out the best way to respond. Demitri didn't want to hurt anyone, but cared more about what Becca thought. Becca took a breath and smiled encouragingly at Demitri as if to say 'trust me.'

"What would we do instead?" Becca asked Kendra.

"Well, I do know how to unlock the liquor cabinet." Kendra said with a smirk. Steve and Kyle looked excited, but Demitri and Becca were not really into killing their brain cells.

"I don't know." Becca said, rubbing her arms in discomfort. 

"Please Becky? I want to have some fun memories with you before finals." Kendra begged. Becca thought about it, but was still uncertain.

"You know, I read something that said like.. alcohol only kills the dumb brain cells." Kyle encouraged. Demitri put a hand on Becca's shoulder.

It was that moment of miscommunication that judged the night. When Demitri put his hand on Becca's shoulder, he was trying to subtlely say 'we should go.' He didn't like that all the pressure is on Becca and he was more than happy to drive her away from this place when she was ready. But sadly when Becca felt that hand on her shoulder, she thought she felt Demitri putting presure on her. That small amount of accidental pressure was enough to mold her morals.

" I mean... one drink can't kill me." Becca said. Being the bit of pressure Demitri needed.

"Yeah... I guess." Demitri said and looked away from Becca. She was always the strong one, how had she given up so easily? If Becca wants to drink, Demitri would be sure she is okay. Becca's main fear was what Demitri must think of her trying booze.

Kendra unlocked the cupboard and grabbed a cheap bottle from the shelf. She poured some into five glasses and everyone took one. Becca and Demitri looked nervously at each other before Kendra held out her glass.

"To lasting friendship." Kendra said and Steve and Kyle both raised and clinked Kendra's glass. The other two hesitated then slowly raised their glasses and drank at the same time as the others. They both felt a burning in their throats as the sour-bitter liquid confused their tastebuds. they swallowed and coughed a bit, laughing at each other.

They were all one drink in before they started playing dumb sleepover games to pass the time. First it was hide and seek, then it was never have i ever, which got them drunk enough to start playing truth or dare.

"Kyle!" Steve yelled. Kyle was half through a sip of energy drink and vodka.

"Truth." He said after. Steve wrinkled his nose.

"Nevermind. who wants a dare?" He asked and Becca's hand shot up. She wasn't nearly as wasted as the others because she really hasn't done anything too exciting. While they took shots for skateboard tricks they've done and relationships they've been in, Becca sat quietly.

This was Becca's game. She loved dares and her friends were pretty good at giving them. She would usually go through with every dare, and had a pretty hot streak going.

"Becky the daredevil!" Steve chanted excitedly. That was her name, and she was proud of it. Steve looked at Becca and Demitri, smirking. He then whispered something into Kendra's ear. Kendra laughed and Becca started regretting her choice.

"I dare you to do seven minutes in heaven with Demitri." Steve challenged. Kyle hyped the dare up, laughing at them both. Becca looked at Demitri as if asking him permission. Demitri was red as ever. He knows why Steve did it; he told the boys he has a massive crush on Becca. He just wanted finals to be over so that hopefully they could just go their separate ways and he would never be embarassed.

"I can only do that if he wants to." Becca said, making Demitri sweat more. Now he wishes that he tried to do more things in his life. Maybe then he would be drunk enough to do it.

"He wants to, right Demitri?" Kyle asked, smiling. Demitri looked in his cup and started drinking more. After, he took a breath and looked at Becca.

"Can't let Becky lose her dare streak." Demitri said and Becca rubbed her arms. Kendra smiled and stood up, pulling Becca to her feet while Demitri stood on his own. Kendra started leading the two to her bedroom. Demitri looked back at the guys and they both gave him two thumbs up. He felt like throwing up or passing out or a terrible combination of the two.

Becca cleared her mind and stepped into the room with no hesitation. She was nervous; she never had a boyfriend before and now her best friend is gonna be expected to kiss her at the least. She took a breath as Demitri stepped in the room, locking the door behind him.

They stood in silence for a bit, then both sat on the bed. It was awkward, but they needed to stay put for seven minutes.

"I'm sorry, I know you hate dares like this." Becca said and brought her knees to her chest. Demitri shook his head.

"No, it's fine, but... what are we gonna tell the others?" Demitri asked. Becca shrugged.

"I don't know. We tell them we kissed?" Becca said and Demitri nodded.

"I've never had my first kiss." Demitri said. Becca raised her eyebrows.

"Me neither." She said. They looked at each other for a long time. The tension was there, but neither person moved. Both of them were expecting the other to do something. Finally Demitri shifted closer and Becca lowered her knees. they were directly next to each other, staring in the same direction.

"Could I..." Demitri started asking then stopped when he realized that Becca is too perfect to accept that her first kiss is her best friend. Then she put a hand on the side of his face and turned him to look at her. She pressed her lips against his and for a moment the room around them didn't matter.

Nothing mattered. The people outside were barely audible, the taste of vodka was becoming normal to them, and finally the world felt right. Then they pulled back, looking at each other.

"How's that?" Becca asked and Demitri nodded. she smiled and then they heard a couple knocks at the door signafiying that seven minutes was now gone. Demitri didn't answer, he was still too shocked at what just happened. Becca smiled and left the room. Demitri ran a finger accross his own lips, feeling a hint of her lipgloss still there. He smiled and got up, proudly leaving the empty bedroom.