A Drunken Kiss

Henry had gone out for a night with his friends, stopping at a hotel bar to drink and unwind. Ironically, it was the same hotel where Kate’s birthday party was being held. Surrounded by people, he couldn’t shake the feeling of being completely alone. These so-called "friends" weren’t the kind he could truly rely on. They only remembered him when they needed money or an excuse to party at a luxurious venue. And yet, here he was, sitting with them, offering fake laughter, pretending to enjoy their company.

Sitting there, his mind wandered. The conversations became a blur as he struggled to focus on anything other than the suffocating noise in the room. The air felt thick with their chatter, and Henry couldn’t stand it anymore. Excusing himself, he pushed his way through the group, slipping out of the room into the hotel hallway.

The cool air hit him like a wave, providing the relief he desperately needed. He leaned against the wall, letting the silence of the hallway settle over him. For a moment, he was alone, lost in thought.

As his mind wandered, he couldn't shake the thought of Lily. He remembered how she had been so excited about her best friend's birthday party, how vibrant and full of life she seemed, so different from the hollow conversations of his friends. He envied that—having friends who cared about you, who filled your life with joy. Unlike the people in his life who only cared about his status and wealth, Lily had something real, something genuine in her friendships.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the hotel, Kate’s birthday party was in full swing. The game had started, and the bottle spun round and round, landing on one person after another. Some took truth, others took a dare. As the bottle made its way around the group, Lily felt the growing unease in her chest. She wasn’t sure if it was the alcohol or the game itself, but she just couldn’t shake the feeling of being cornered.

When it came her turn, she hesitated before reluctantly choosing "Truth." Kate, ever the mischievous one, insisted on asking the dreaded question: “Is there anyone at the company that you like?”

Lily’s face flushed. She couldn’t deny the truth. The answer was obvious, even if it made her uncomfortable. She was attracted to Henry. The mere thought of it made her stomach twist. Instead of answering, she quickly reached for a shot, hoping it would numb the rising heat in her cheeks.

Kate and the others teased her, the room erupting with playful chants. Lily’s anxiety grew, but she knew she had to do something to escape the awkward situation. She spun the bottle quickly, hoping to pass the spotlight to someone else. The game continued, everyone laughing, drinking, and enjoying the night.

However, the bottle landed on her again. This time, Lily didn’t have the luxury of choosing "Truth" again. According to the rules they had made, she had to pick "Dare." The others eagerly awaited her response, and when her friend called out a dare, it took her breath away.

“Go kiss the first man you see outside.”

The room erupted with cheers and chants of “Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!” Lily stood there, frozen, her mind racing. She refused to let herself get caught in this ridiculous dare. “That’s absurd!” she said, trying to dismiss the idea. “I’m not doing that.”

Another shot followed, and soon enough, the alcohol took its toll. Lily’s vision blurred, and she felt the drunken fog wrap around her thoughts. Kate, not one to let up, teased her further, asking if she was saving her first kiss for her boyfriend or the guy she liked at the company. Lily’s face flushed even deeper, and she stammered, “I need to use the washroom.”

She rushed out of the room, desperate to get away from the teasing. She stumbled her way down the hallway toward the restroom, her mind foggy from the alcohol. After washing her face and realizing how drunk she had become, she decided to text Kate that she would be leaving soon.

But as she stepped out of the bathroom and walked toward the exit, something—or rather, someone—stopped her in her tracks.

She saw a familiar figure at the end of the hallway. It was Henry. But as her blurry, intoxicated mind tried to make sense of it, she thought she was seeing things. The alcohol was messing with her vision, making everything feel surreal. Her heart raced, and the frustration of the night bubbled up in her chest. She had just been teased relentlessly by her friends about the guy she liked at the company, and here he was—right in front of her.

She stood frozen in place, staring at him. Henry was on the phone, but as soon as he saw her, he cut the call and looked at her with a confused expression.

"Miss Lily, are you okay?" he asked, concern flashing in his eyes.

Lily, drunk and frustrated, snapped. “Shush. Don’t say my name. Why are you following me? Leave me alone!”

Henry, now more puzzled than ever, tried to reassure her. "I'm not following you, I’m here with my friends."

Lily stumbled toward him, pointing a finger accusingly. “You met me in the elevator. Then in the morning, in my dream. And now you’re here. Stop lying.”

Henry’s brow furrowed as he tilted his head slightly, his voice teasing, “You saw me in your dream?”

Lily, too intoxicated to care about how strange it all sounded, leaned closer. “Yes, I did. And what’s the problem with that?” She took another step toward him, their faces now inches apart, her breath shallow. "Do you know how close we were in the dream?"

The world around them seemed to fade as they locked eyes. The air between them was charged with something neither could deny. Lily felt the urge to close the distance, and before she could stop herself, her lips found his in a kiss.

Henry stood frozen, shocked by her sudden boldness. His mind was blank, and he couldn’t process what had just happened. He wanted to react, to pull her close, but his body remained still, caught in the moment. Lily, however, felt something different—something she had never expected. The kiss was so much better than anything she had imagined in her dream.

Just as Henry began to gather himself, moving toward her, Lily pulled away, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Don’t follow me anymore," she said softly, her voice shaky with the mixture of emotions swirling inside her.

Without another word, she turned and walked away, leaving Henry standing there, completely stunned.

As the door closed behind her, Henry was left frozen in place, his heart pounding in his chest. What just happened?

[ TO BE CONTINUED ;).........]

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