6 Years Ago
“I’m freezing my tits off! Fuck!” I stammer between my chattering teeth. This red mini dress is barely covering anything.
“Suck it up, Maggie,” Amanda, my team captain, says. She’s rocking a bright green dress with a deep v-cut, showing off her modest cleavage. “You look hot as fuck. Nice to see you out of oversized t-shirts and leggings for a change.” She swats my ass as she leads our team to the bar entrance.
I shimmy side to side, struggling to keep the hem of my dress below my ass. Curses to my genetics for giving me such a fat butt, combined with the longest legs imaginable. Every dress becomes a mini dress.
“You’ll warm up after we have the first round. There’s no coat check at this bar. Besides, youdolook hot. Tonight’s gonna be fun. Alumni weekend is always a blast. The alumni buy us drinks, the food is good, and we get to let loose after an amazing season,” Becca, ajunior, and my closest friend, says. She’s a big reason we were undefeated this season with her deadly serve.
I focus on not tripping in the heels the girls helped me pick out. I do like the way I look tonight. I’ve never been the girliest of girls, much to my mother’s dismay. I should send her a selfie to document this rare moment in our family’s history.
“Hey, Becca! Smile!” I hold up my phone and Becca smushes her face against mine, her shiny brown hair twining with my pin-straight black hair. I love standing next to Becca. She’s about the same height as I am. Even growing up playing volleyball in the middle of nowhere Ohio, I was always the tallest on my high school and club teams. She flings her arms around my neck, hugging me close.
I hold my phone up and snap a shot of us being total goobers. Becca inspects the photo, and smiles in approval.
“That red lipstick is popping, Maggie. You look like a total bombshell. I bet the bouncer won’t even ask you for an ID because of how hot you look,” she says as we continue to the bar entrance.
I reach into my small red purse and fidget with my fake ID. Jacky and I got them before we left for college. He suggested some type of cheesy twin tattoo. I love tattoos on other people. But I don’t think they’re for me. My phone starts buzzing in my hand and my family chat has blown up.
Mom: You look GORGEOUS!
Dad: Regretting not giving you pepper spray. Be safe.
Maggie: Always, Dad! I’m with my team and our alumni tonight. Safety in numbers.
Jacky: Out on the town without me? Didn’t think I’d want to be dancing with hot volleyball players, sis?
Maggie: Volleyball players only, bro! We still on for our Sunday breakfast tomorrow?
Jacky: Definitely! I’m sure you’ll need the coffee for that morning hangover
Mom: No drinking, Margaret!
Dad: It’s college, hun. She’s entitled to some fun. Just be safe, Bruiser.
I put my phone back in my clutch. My fake ID passes easily with the bouncer. Walking into the bar, I’m greeted by blaring music, and a big sign above the party that says, “Alumni Weekend 2019!”
“Woooo! Let’s dance!” Amanda leads us to the empty dance floor. Our team booked the bar for the night, so it’s just us and the alumni here.
I don’t know how many songs I’ve danced to; my feet are numb. Becca suggested a couple of lemon drop shots to help us dull the pain from our shoes. We’ve been dancing with each other the whole time, and I’m having so much fun.
“Who’s your friend, Becca?” A tall guy with light brown hair stands in front of us. He’s holding a beer bottle, and he looks like he’s in his mid-twenties. Even in my heels, he’s an inch or two taller than I am.
Becca rolls her eyes and sips her drink. “Brian, this Maggie. Maggie, this is Brian. He’s an alum. He was on the men’s team and graduated a couple of years ago. Maggie is our best recruit. She’s unstoppable in front of the net,” she says, swinging her arm around my shoulder.
“I don’t doubt that for a minute. You look like you’d level anyone into the floor,” Brian says, raising his brows at me.
I’m not a virgin, but guys don’t usually flirt with me. I’m so tall and I’ve quickly learned college guys don’t like feeling emasculated by taller girls. It’s fine. I’ve been so focused on volleyball these first few months of college. But, if alumni Brian wants to dance with me tonight, I won’t say no.
“Well, we were dancing. So, if ya don’t mind,” Becca starts, reaching for my hand to tug my back to the dance floor.
Brian reaches out and grabs my other hand, threading his long fingers through mine. My cheeks immediately blush.
“Star freshman deserve a drink from alumni,” he says. He’s smooth. And cute. Okay, hot. He’s hot. I can tell he probably blocked and played aggressively when he was on the team. He nods his head towards the bar, and a lock of his sleek hair falls over his hazel eyes.Swoon.
“Just one drink,” I say, smiling from ear to ear, letting go of Becca’s hand.
“Maggie…” Becca whispers to me as Brian leads me to the bar. I look over my shoulder and her lips are pursed in an angry pout.
