Soap Opera Sunday - College Three

Part One is here. Part Two is here.

I wasn't sure what to think of the date. Did not kissing me mean that he wasn't attracted to me? But why drive two hours to go on a date with someone you don't find attractive? Or maybe he realized on the date that he didn't find me attractive? I was so confused that I called my best friend, even though it was late. She was asleep, but her little brother was eager to counsel me. And even though I'd known K. since he was in middle school, AND he was still in high school, I told him the whole saga anyway.

Keith's interpretation was that John liked me a lot, though if he didn't kiss me on the next date something odd was going on. I liked that interpretation and hung up happy. John called a few times to talk, then he asked me out again. To his fraternity formal. Which was being held at a ski resort in Vermont. I said yes. After hanging up, though, I realized that I'd just agreed to spend a night in Vermont with a fraternity. And that I only knew one person in the fraternity. That one person being someone I'd gone on exactly one date with. I called my best friend immediately.

She called a friend of hers who went to Dartmouth. I waited anxiously. When she called back, she was so excited. Our old classmate had explained that the fraternity in question was filled with the nicest guys on campus, that my date was a wonderful guy and that she had been to the same formal the year before. She even said that if I felt weird for even a minute to call her and I could sleep at her sorority.

So, fears of gang rape assuaged, all I had to worry about was finding a dress. And making small talk with a bunch of people I didn't know. And appropriate sleepwear. And whether John would kiss me. No problem.

John and two of his friends drove down to pick me up. The ride to Dartmouth was fun and not half as awkward as I'd feared. I got a brief tour of the campus (can we just say beautiful?) and then it was time to get ready to go to the formal. John went into his bathroom (uh, yeah, turns out he had the best room in the frat house and his own half-bath because he was the president of the fraternity. Which felt a little awkward because I'd spent some time making Greek jokes. Ooops.) and dressed quickly. Then he went out into the hall with his friends while I got ready.

The drive to the resort was actually pretty short. We arrived at our chalet (which we were sharing with six other couples) and I tried not to be TOO impressed. It's not that I hadn't stayed in lovely hotels before, but never without my parents. I tried to remain cool. Even when John calmly put our bags into one of the bedrooms. Though I did notice that it had twin beds. I took a deep breath as we all assembled in the living area.

There was a huge dining room table and it was COVERED with booze and mixers. I think there were fifty bottles of liquor on it. And I'd already seen a keg in the kitchen. I counted the people present. Fourteen. I asked John if the rest of the fraternity would be coming over for an afterparty or something. Nope. Everyone had their own set-up in their own chalet.

Now, it's not like I was any stranger to drinking. I'd been going to booze laden parties since I was 14. But I'd never seen that much liquor for so few people in my entire life. But I let them make me a cocktail anyway (not only did they seem to like lots of booze, they sure knew their cocktails - it was tasty and something I'd never had before. They all seemed to be able to make any cocktails - it was like hanging out with a bunch of bartenders instead of pre-med students).

After the cocktail hour we went up to the resort dining room for dinner and dancing. There were roses for all the girls, as well as commemorative glasses - it was like a prom. But with lots more alcohol.

John and I slow danced for a while. I had still not been kissed and the cocktails emboldened me. I leaned back and looked at him. I tried to convey a "Come, Hither" look but I probably just looked dizzy.

Finally, he leaned in.

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