%{
name[Connor]: My name is...
}
The Miami sun blazed down on my head. It was three in the afternoon and I was already sloshed, nearly tripping over my feet as Trent slung his arm over my shoulder and told me about our next destination: a beachside motel commandeered by a group of spring breakers. That, he said, was where the party was really at. Forget the overpriced mojitos the Ocean Drive bars hawked; this place had free booze for all. As we were both college students, the prospect of free alcohol was enough to get us amped up with an energy no amount of caffeine could match. Our sandals slapped the hot pavement as we ran. Soon we reached the motel, its beige walls bright under the sunlight. We pushed through the front doors and headed for the pool. As we walked, the sounds of raucous partying grew louder, bass beats thrumming the walls from every direction.
"Fuckin' shit man, we're here! We're here!" Trent shouted, slapping me on the shoulders.
"Dude, calm down, we're not even at the pool yet," I said.
"Yeah, 'cause you're walking at such a glacial pace man," Trent said, pushing me forwards. "Come on, let's go."
Other partygoers, acquaintances we met earlier in the trip, followed us. The door to the pool was propped open by a brick, and as we opened it my heart pounded, matching the beat that throbbed through the walls. An ocean breeze blew, carrying the scent of salt water, though it was soon overpowered by chlorine, sweat, and sunscreen. For a moment the sun shone so bright it blinded me, and my head reeled. Trent and the others beelined straight for the bar. I took in the sight before me.
The pool was full of spring breakers laughing and dancing to the club beats playing from speakers mounted around the edge. The girls wore skimpy bikinis, their bodies gleaming with sweat under the scorching sun. The guys were shirtless, hands high in the air as beer sloshed out of their Solo cups. All of them looked happy, carefree, drunk off their asses. The balconies of the motel were no different, thronged by partiers who drank with careless abandon. The pool chairs were pushed aside to make room for the DJ and a makeshift dance floor that was already packed full with people. Beach balls bounced from pool to dance floor and back again. Everywhere I looked I saw immaculately tan bodies grinding together.
Then, someone tapped me on the shoulder. I turned and saw a girl, her skin bronzed by the sun, holding two plastic shot cups. She wore a light beach cardigan over her bikini top, which strained to cover her ample breasts. My eyes traced their way down to her taut midriff, ending at a neon bikini bottom, revealing a pair of long, shapely legs. Her wavy blonde hair tumbled past her shoulders, catching the rays of sunshine. There was something about her smile that made my stomach flutter, and she had a mischievous look in her eyes as she gazed up at me. She grinned and said, "Hey, you look lost."
"Oh, nah," I said, feeling my lips pull in a smile as I fumbled in my swim shorts for my sunglasses. "Just got here. You?"
She laughed, flashing white teeth against tanned skin. "Me too. Where are your friends?"
I cast my gaze around. There were a ton of people by the bar, but I could just about make out Trent's red Hawaiian shirt amongst the crowd. "By the bar."
The girl's eyes flicked over to the bar momentarily before returning to me. Her hazel eyes were strikingly intent, her gaze almost piercing as it locked onto mine, though the easy smile on her face took away some of its intensity. "Cool," she said lightly. "Let me introduce myself. I'm Skye. What's your name?"
"${name}," I said. I leaned against the wall, the rough surface pressing against my arm. "How about you? Where are your friends at?"
"Oh, around," she said, gesturing vaguely at the pool. "I was supposed to take shots with one, but she ran off with some guy. Hate to take a shot all by myself, so," she glanced up at me, her eyelashes dark, "I was wondering if you'd be willing to help a girl out."
Far be it from me to deny taking a drink when offered. I took the cup from her hand, and her fingers lingered in mine. "My pleasure."
"Down to roll, too?" Skye asked slyly, producing two pink pills that I recognized as Pink Supremes: in other words, molly.
I typically rolled with friends, all of whom told me that alcohol mixed with molly harshed the high and obliterated memory. "Isn't molly an upper and alcohol a downer?"
Skye smirked. "Shots with E never hurt anybody. I'm sure your body can handle it." She placed a hand on my chest, feeling me through the thin fabric of my shirt. "Besides, it's spring break. Let loose. Have fun. Live in the moment."
I looked into her deep hazel eyes and felt my inhibitions leave me. She was right: it was spring break, and if she was generous enough to offer, I didn't mind rolling off her dime. I chuckled, shaking my head. "All right. Why not?"
"Awesome," she said, handing me the pill. I popped it, swallowing it with a swig of water. Skye raised her shot and we toasted to Miami. The tequila burned down my throat. I coughed, not expecting it to pack such a punch.
Skye grinned, patting me on the back. "You okay, ${name}? Want to take a dip in the pool?" Her fingers trailed down my back as she leaned in, and distracted by the view I almost didn't catch her next words. She spoke with her lips by my ear, her hot breath ghosting across my skin. "Or maybe you can show me a good time up on the balconies."
Her voice was soft, seductive. I stared up at the packed balconies: partiers shouted, holding drinks aloft in the air; couples made out, hands roaming boldly over suntanned bodies; girls danced, their eyes closed as they swayed their hips to the libidinous music. I felt my heart pound, a flush spreading through my body as Skye skimmed her fingers under my shirt, drawing circles round my chest before lowering to tease the band of my swim shorts