Excited chatter filled the room as Uno cards were shuffled out. I leaned against the wall and smiled as I watched them all enjoy each other's company, throwing insults and smack talk around like it was nothing.

I couldn't be part of that. My presence would make everyone feel awkward.

"Get your ass over here," Eli called from the couch. The rest of the players paused their chatter to stare at me for holding up the game.

My hands raised up in defense, "I'm not playing," I peered at the crowded couch.

"I wasn't asking." Eli glared at me, giving up his seat between Alex and Michael for me.

Defeated, I shuffled over to the seat. Eli took a seat on the arm rest. I leaned back, causing the two men to shift beside me. Marcus began handing out cards to everyone.

"Okay for the newcomer," Marcus tipped his head to me. "I'm gonna explain the rules."

The rules were mostly standard, except for a few things. Draw 2 cards made the person next to you take a shot. Wild cards allowed you to dare the person beside you. Draw 4 cards meant someone had to take a shot and do a dare.

"Elle, you don't wanna sit next to me?" Alex mused from his seat.

"Ew, I don't want to sit on that casting couch." Elaine said incredulously.

Everyone laughed but I was visibly shaken. I removed everywhere my skin touched the couch as if it was burning me. Slowly I slid off the couch. "Nah why do you know what that is?" Marcus pointed at me as I settled on the ground.

"I-I..." Stuttering, my mind went blank as I searched for any excuse.

"Oh, you a freak," Alex laughed from beside me. Soon everyone joined in, my cheeks turned pink.

"Here I was thinking you innocent as hell," Elijah shook his head in mock shame. "Let me find out you're actually a freak." He rubbed his hands together menacingly as Alex nudged his arm.

Covering my face with my hands I squeaked, "Can we continue with the game, please?"

Because Marcus dealt the cards, the person to the left of him would go first: Elle. The first roundabout was normal, until it came back to her. An evil smirk grew on her face as she slammed down her wild card.

"Eli, I dare you to kiss Verona." Bewildered, my gaze jumped from Elaine to Elijah. He bit back a grin as he stared at her.

"You're so annoying," He mouthed to her, but Elaine simply shrugged. She leaned back on her hands as she waited for the show to begin.

My shoulders slumped as I thought of what transpired the previous week. Eli doesn't want this. "Ah can we do something else?" I raised my hand timidly. "I'll drink on his behalf."

Elaine raised her eyebrow, clearly irked that I was interfering. "He kisses you or you drink five fireball shots." Tilting her head to the side, she was confident that she'd get what she wanted.

"Okay, that's fine." I shrugged and reached forward to grab a shot glass.

Immediately, the room blew up in protest. Michael grabbed my arm and firmly said, "No."

"Damn bro she'd rather die than kiss you," Marcus snickered, causing everyone to laugh.

I looked over to Eli who rolled his eyes. "Just do it so we can move on." He groaned as he stood up.

Reluctantly, I pushed myself off the ground. Swiftly, he grabbed my arms and pushed his lips against mine. I could barely keep up as his tongue glided across my bottom lip.

All I could think about was the last thing I ate. If his tongue touches mine, will he taste the Oreos I snuck while he was talking to his friends? What if he calls me out in front of everyone? I opened my mouth, and curled my tongue back.

Eli tentatively explored my mouth, but when he found nothing, his tongue retreated. He nibbled on his my lip twice, before finally pulling away. I stepped backward. The room had gone silent.

"Well? How was it?" I leaned over to look at Elaine, after she asked the question, but she wasn't speaking to me.

"It needs some work." He shook his head, chuckling as he took his place at the arm rest of the couch again.

It was an inoffensive answer, somewhat. My technique was a bit on the rusty side. I didn't get that much practice in that department. "I didn't feel much." He added quietly as Alex questioned him further.

I shrugged and bit back a laugh, "I mean," I sat down as I collected my thoughts. "He's not wrong. I haven't kissed anyone since like the first grade."

"You could've kept that to yourself," Elaine laughed.

"I knew I felt some cobwebs in there," Eli mumbled, but it was loud enough for everyone to hear. Everyone else joined in, making me redden.

"That was out of pocket." Alex said as he ruffled my hair in sympathy. I laughed quietly as I buried my head in between my legs.

"You not about to let this dusty nigga talk crazy to you," Marcus exclaimed from the other side of the table. "Fight back!"

"Nah, he got it." I resigned quietly, staring straight ahead at my cards.

After a few more minutes of laughter at my expense, the game continued. I kept my head down to avoid anyone's eyes. I was able to get Michael to take a shot, but he still managed to be the first person to get out.

A girl named Alicia dared Marcus to moan as loud as possible. Which he complied without hesitation.

"OH MY GOD YES!" I was happy to have the attention off of me as everyone began to ridicule Marcus. "Like y'all don't do the same in the party every night." He told off his friends as they did not hide their bewilderment.

Elaine had keeled over from laughter on the ground. "Don't laugh, it's your turn." Marcus sneered and put down a draw 4. "You better get your fireball shot and sit your ass on Michael's lap."

"No, Eli's got that for me." She slammed down another draw 4. "Right, bro?"

"Imagine?" He scoffed, sliding his draw 4 onto the table. "You got me fucked up."

I held my breath as I waited for Alex's next move. "Yo Verona, I'm sorry." He placed his card down onto the pile. I stared at my cards, laughing to myself in disbelief.

"You don't need to look, I know you don't have it." Elaine called as she crawled into her seat. I glared at her, only making her giggle loudly.

Alex began pouring the fireball into the shot glasses, but stopped at two. "Let's not kill her guys," Handing one to me he continued, "Max is two."

I nodded and downed them both. The taste wasn't horrible compared to other drinks I've had, but its effects were almost instant. I pushed myself up, shakily. My legs felt like jello, and Michael was quick to notice.

He stood and grabbed my arm, to keep me from falling over. "Aw she's a lightweight," He laughed softly as he guided me to sit on the couch.

I giggled and clenched my thighs. I couldn't make a fool of myself. Once Michael sat down next to me, I shoved my cards into my pocket and crawled into his lap.

He sat up and wrapped his hands around my waist as he adjusted us. "Am I too heavy?" I turned and whispered.

"Nah, I'm just getting comfortable," He grinned and moved me to sit on one leg. "We're gonna be here for a while."

I looked over at Eli, but he was busy chatting with Elle. Biting my lip, I turned my gaze back to my cards. All 21 of them.

As my turn passed, Michael noticed my exasperated demeanor. "Let me see if I can help you," He said as he tugged on my top. "Give them to me, I'll organize them for you."

He leaned forward, his stubble brushing my arm. I looked down at him as he gazed at my cards, "Cheater," Alex and Elle coughed.

My head snapped in their direction. I fixed my posture, ready to respond but Michael piped up, "It's not cheating if I don't tell her what to do. I'm just organizing her cards." He shrugged as he took the cards from me.

"Thank you," I blushed and kept my eyes forward. Once he gave them back to me, I realized I could be out of the game quickly. However, I was quickly distracted as Michael began to play with the hem of my shirt.

"You have a loose string," He commented as he noticed me stiffen. "It's bothering me, sorry."

I put down a stack of four cards, trying my best to keep my head in the game. How many times could one "accidentally" graze another person's back?

Michael pulled me backwards again, after I managed to put down three cards at a time, reversing the direction. It was becoming increasingly difficult to concentrate as the tingle from his hands on my waist became more noticeable.

I leaned back slightly but I quickly remembered that I was drunk. My body crashed into his face. "Ow," He laughed as I broke out into uncontrollable giggles.

Michael pushed me to sit up with all of his strength. I caught the eye of Eli as I glanced around the room. His expression was blank.

I felt heat creep up my neck as I cleared my throat. I was making a fool of myself. My smile tightened and I contained my laughter for the rest of the game. Michael must have received some sort of signal from Eli, because he kept to himself.

The game was going normally for a while until Alex dared me, yet again. "I dare you to tell us what kind of porn you watch,"

"Come on," I whined. "This is like my third dare."

"I'm curious," Alex shrugged as everyone nodded in agreement.

I rearranged my cards over and over as I thought of what to say.

"Just say amateur or something so we can move on," Eli muttered to himself.

"I actually like rough fucking." I murmured quietly. My cheeks were already hot from the alcohol. A dash of embarrassment wouldn't kill me.

"It's always the quiet ones," Michael chuckled from behind me.

"I been knew Verona was a freak," Marcus claimed. "She just had that look in her eye from jump," Everyone started to laugh again, heightening my shame. I looked over at Eli who was biting back a smile while shaking his head.

I needed this game to be over ASAP.

After some mild gloating from Alicia and Alex for getting out next, I was finally able to leave the game. Thankfully, the game ended quickly with Marcus being the only person left.

"Loser," The group chanted for a few seconds. Elaine passed him a shot of Jack Daniels. Groaning, he swiped it from her hand and downed it.

I felt a hand on my thigh causing me to turn my attention away. "You can get off now, if you want."

"Right, sorry." I slid back over to the couch.

Michael turned to look at me, "You good?" A simple nod on my end would suffice. "You tryna smoke?"

Some already began to gather their belongings while other brought out grinders and papers. "I've never smoked before," I admitted shyly.

"Let's change that tonight."