Consent (2 page)

             
They pulled into the dorm parking lot and he pulled Jenny close, not kissing her but just holding on tightly. She could feel his heart race, pounding against her face as she leaned into his chest. It’s difficult to keep a feeling like that inside for so long, fearing that a four letter word can ruin months of preparing. The truck wasn’t right for sex, but an “I love you” can be said anywhere.

             
Jenny finally wriggled free from his hug and kissed him. “So I’ll see you at the Halloween party tomorrow night?”

             
He kissed her again. “Yeah, what are you being?”

             
“Me and my friends are being V for Vendetta, capes, hats, and all.”

             
“Then how will I find you?”

             
“Well, you love me, don’t you? Oh, and I have a special present for you if you find               me.”

             
He smiled. “Like?”

             
“Like, it’s a surprise, but I’d come prepared,” she said with a smirk and hopped out of the truck and back towards her room.

             
As Nick drove away, the music was a bit to loud and his voice was slightly off pitch, but that boy was happy. A smile was plastered across his face that carried into the next night. He looked like a damn fool but love has a way of turning even the most cynical into a remnant of what they once were.

              Halloween night brought the annual costume parties, the perfect excuse for the undercover sluts to make an appearance and the hopeless guys to find a rare chance to close the deal. There was always a buzz around the parties, both literal and metaphorical, always a curiosity about what the sexy night will bring.

             
Nick and his friends pulled up to the party, dressed as six packs of beer and each clutching a half empty 24 pack. With his mind swimming in alcohol, Nick could only think of one thing. Finally, after months of waiting and hoping, it was going to happen tonight. He walked into the house, where the music was blaring and the strobes were flashing, and began his search. He counted over 10 different people wearing the V for Vendetta masks and cloaks, some of them doing their best to get his attention, others clearly trying to avoid him. Her friends knew and she wanted to make a game out of it.

             
He walked up to one girl near Jenny’s height and grabbed her by the waist, causing her to spin around and look up at him. She was covered head to toe in black garb, other than the white, smiling mask with blush filled cheeks. The girl cocked her head to the side, waiting for him to make a move.

             
“Jenny?” The girl moved closer, putting her hand on his chest. He leaned in, but something was wrong. She wasn’t wearing the right Chanel No. 5 perfume, the one he’d bought for her two weeks ago at Nordstrom’s.

             
He leaned in close, putting his lips near her ears. “Nice try.”

             
Nick’s search continued throughout the night until, finally, a mask walked up behind Nick and ran her hand down his back.

             
She spoke through the mask, “Looked like you’d never find me, so I had to come rescue you myself.”

             
Nick felt chills run down his back from her light touch and said, “Well, you never told me half the party was going to look like you.”

             
“Babe, nobody can look like me.”

             
She grabbed him by the hand and pulled him up the stairs, towards a quiet bedroom, the smell of her perfume filling his nostrils and sending memories flashing through his brain. The excitement and the alcohol began to take over as he kissed her neck.

             
The two lovers crashed onto the bed as Nick pulled off his shirt and Budweiser boxers. They didn’t even have a button. He smiled to himself. Easy access. Yes, tonight was definitely his night.

             
Mary looked up at the familiar sight of a naked Nick from behind her mask and smiled to herself as well, even through the thick choking layer of Jenny’s perfume. She’d put far too much on to make sure he wouldn’t miss the scent.

             
He reached for her mask but she slapped away his hand. “A little role playing never hurt anyone.”

             
Nick didn’t argue since she let him pull away her cloak. The darkness covered the differences and highlighted her similarities to Jenny. He was nearly shaking from the anticipation.

             
“I love you. You’re ready for this, you’re sure?”

             
Under the blankets, under the blackness and surrounding noise, she let her mask slide off.

             
“Yes.”             

             
Such a dangerous word.