Chapter 2: Building Tension
A few drinks later, they began playing would you rather.
Jenny asked, 'Would you rather watch Netflix all day or go skiing?'
“Netflix. Hands down. I want to watch serial killers not serially freeze my bollocks off.”
Charlie joked, raising his glass.
Jenny rolled her eyes playfully, her laughter echoing through the cozy living room. “Are you serious? Not even if it meant a getaway somewhere hot, like Hawaii?”
Charlie scoffed, shaking his head vehemently. “Nah, too much work. I’d rather just chill in a nice warm bed with pizza and Netflix.”
Jenny smirked, swirling the ice cubes in her drink.
“Well, I guess we're both big fans of Netflix and chilling then, huh?” She teased, setting down her glass and fixing him with a mischievous glance.
Charlie grinned, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “You could say that,” he replied, shifting closer in his seat.
“Although I haven’t watched Netflix in…well, ages. But I could definitely use a break from reality.”
Jenny nodded sympathetically, taking another sip of her wine. “Me too,” she confided, a wistful note entering her voice. “These days, my brain needs a rest.”
Her confession hung heavy in the air, stirring feelings of longing and connection between two friends who had drifted apart over the years. Suddenly, the room seemed smaller; the fire crackled louder, and their breaths intensified.
Jenny cleared her throat, the taste of red wine lingering on her tongue. "Well, if we're sticking to Netflix and chilling, let's watch something truly captivating," she suggested, her eyes sparking.
Charlie smirked, his gaze locked on her. "What did you have in mind?" he asked, his voice low and sultry.
Jenny blushed, her pulse quickening. "Something spicy, maybe," she stammered, her voice dropping to a whisper.
“There’s a documentary on BDSM?!” Jenny laughed , pouring herself another glass of wine.
“Why not? We might learn something new.“ said Charlie.
“Hey, I don’t wanna be the guy who breaks the mood here. But I gotta ask: How do you plan on watching BDSM documentaries without getting too, uh…”
Jenny burst out laughing, her eyes twinkling with excitement. “Let’s just say that I’ve prepared myself for surprises tonight,” she hinted, winking suggestively.
Charlie swallowed hard, his throat suddenly parched. “Okay, whatever you say, I’ll just pretend that’s not terrifying.” he muttered, his voice quivering slightly.
“Don’t worry… I’m not going to murder you” Jenny stared.
“Are you sure?” Charlie hesitated. “I am a long way from home.”
“No murder. Only wine.”
“Alright” charlie said, jokingly relieved. “Hit play.”
Jenny commanded confidently, adjusting the volume knob on the TV remote.
The screen flickered to life, revealing a montage of black leather and chains. A husky male voice narrated the history of BDSM, describing fetishes and fantasies with clinical precision.
Charlie bit his lip, his heart pounding against his chest. He wanted to turn off the TV and retreat to his old safe space. Instead, he forced himself to focus on the visuals, hoping to distract himself from the sexual tension building inside of him. He didn’t want to do anything stupid. He really respected Jenny and didn’t want to make an arse of himself.
Jenny was a beautiful girl, and he didn’t want to ruin their friendship.
However, it was clear that he was attracted to her and she was no stranger to his presence either. The fact that she invited him over for drinks alone implied that she trusted him, or perhaps she also felt a certain attraction. He quickly dismissed this. Friends invite friends for drinks. That’s all, he thought to himself.
Just focus on the documentary. No need to think about anything else. Just zone out and enjoy the show. Besides, he was pretty sure that Jenny was enjoying the movie as much as he was. There was nothing wrong with letting his mind wander every now and then. Right?
Jenny, meanwhile, kept looking at the screen, her imagination flooding with ideas. Bad ideas she thought. Ideas she needed to keep to herself. Bad ideas that brew long and heavy in her mind, making her heart race faster than the speed of sound. Her palms started sweating, and Jenny found herself unconsciously touching her lips with her fingertips. She couldn't help feeling guilty for having these thoughts about her friend.
"Ugh, what was I thinking?" Jenny muttered under her breath, her eyes fixed on the television screen.
She noticed that Charlie had stiffened beside her, his jawline rigid and muscles tense. She could practically see the wheels turning in his head, contemplating the possibilities of the evening's events. Jenny wished she could read his mind. Was he feeling the same thing she was? Were they both harboring desires for each other? She hoped not. She couldn't bear the thought of destroying their friendship over lust and infatuation.
"You alright?" Charlie blinked, as if waking from a trance.
he asked, his voice sounding far away. "I'm sorry, but I'm just tired of watching stuff on the screen," Jenny confessed, shifting in her seat. "How about we switch to something more interactive?"
Charlie's heart skipped a beat. His eyes met Jenny's, and he saw a glint of mischief in her gaze. "Like what?" he asked, his voice cracking slightly.
Jenny shrugged nonchalantly, her voice dropping to a whisper.
"Maybe a game of Truth or Dare?" she challenged, her eyes flashing defiantly.
Charlie's heart raced, his mind swimming with a thousand different scenarios. He paused, his fingers brushing against the worn wood of the coffee table. "Sure, why not?" he managed, forcing a laugh to disguise his mounting apprehension.
They sat cross-legged on the floor, their knees knocking against each other. The fire crackled softly, casting a warm glow on their faces. Their bodies radiated heat, mingling with the warmth of the flames.
He had butterflies in his stomach, and his heartbeat thrummed loudly in his ears.
“Truth or dare?” Jenny asked. "Truth," he declared, hoping that fate would spare him a dangerous dare.
"Are you brave enough to answer this truthfully?"
Charlie nodded, swallowing hard. "I guess so," he mumbled, his gaze fixed on the glowing embers of the fire. Suddenly, he was filled with a sense of dread.
He took a deep breath and addressed Jenny. "So, what is the question?" His voice steady despite the turmoil churning in his gut. He tried to maintain composure, but his face betrayed the uncertainty coursing through his veins.
She paused, considering. “Are you a pervert?” Jenny asked, her tone icy cold but eyes full of fire. She clutched a card with both hands and held it tightly. Charlie knew she was trying to hold back her desire to rip it to shreds. She looked ready to explode. He eyed her suspiciously, weighing whether he should take her bait. He decided not to give her the satisfaction and turned to stare at the fire once more.
"Yes" he answered casually, feigning indifference. "But not with everybody. Somebody really has to light me on fire…"
“Like how?” Jenny asked
“I think you’re only allowed to ask one question” Charlie laughed.
Jenny looked offended, her mouth open wide. “Not that you don’t deserve answers to your questions.” He said. “But consider it a tease, and you can get more.”
Jenny sighed heavily, her anger evaporating instantly. “Fine” she relented, her voice dropping an octave. “Let’s keep playing”
“So, Truth or Dare?” he prompted,
“Truth” Jenny said.
“Have you ever fantasized about me?” Charlie asked.
Jenny swallowed hard, hrr eyes darting nervously around the room. “Never,” she lied, her voice cracking slightly.
Charlie frowned, her eyes narrowing suspiciously. “Then why are you acting so weird?” he pressed, her voice rising. “This whole evening feels odd to me. You seem nervous, and you keep avoiding eye contact. Why is that?" Charlie questioned. "I promise I won't tell anyone.”
“You’re so fucking confusing!” Jenny snapped. “This was a mistake, this whole day was a mistake. I think… I think you should leave.”
Charlie stared ahead, unsure of what he did wrong but even he knew deep down she was right. This was strange and otherworldly. “Fine I’ll leave. I’m sorry. Can I ask before I go, why am I confusing?”
Charlie asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Jenny hesitated, her heart throbbing painfully in her chest. She opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out. After several seconds of agonizing silence, she blurted out, “I don’t know, Charlie.”
Charlie's gaze lingered on her, his eyes brimming with sadness. "Look, I understand if you're uncomfortable," he said softly. "I’m not fully comfortable either. I’ll leave now."
Charlie offered, gathering his coat from the armchair.
"Wait." Jenny exhaled sharply, reaching out to grasp his wrist. "Stay."
Charlie paused, surprise rippling across his features. "Really?"
She nodded slowly, her grip tightening. "Yes. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked you to leave." She released his wrist, shuffling uneasily.
“I’m going to go. I’m sorry.” The door closed behind him. He was gone. That night she messaged him, and he told her he got home safe and thanked her for the drinks and the roof. He apologised and didn’t reply to anything else.