The words make my stomach twist with nerves.
But I’m not about to admit it out loud.
Especially not with Trevor right beside me.
Drew cheers at my response.
But next to me, I can feel the anxiety radiating off Trevor.
He probably doesn’t think I can handle this.
Tilla
Every time Drew or I sink a cup…
Tilla
One of you has to remove an article of clothing.
She licks her lips at Trevor.
I shrug, trying to look casual.
Martha
Sounds easy enough.
Did my voice just squeak?
As Drew and Tilla finish setting up their cups…
Trevor puts a hand on my arm.
Trevor
I don’t think this is such a good idea.
I swing angry eyes his way.
Martha
Playing strip beer pong?
Martha
Or me coming to this party in the first place?
Trevor
That’s not what I mean.
Trevor
It’s not that I don’t want you here…
Trevor
Or that I think you don’t belong…
He pauses to rub a hand over his mouth.
Trevor
You’re a sweet girl, Martha.
Trevor
And most of the people here are not.
Trevor
I don’t want you to get hurt.
It’s a nice sentiment in theory.
But it only makes me more upset.
Martha
I’m 21 years old. Just like you, Trevor.
Martha
I’m not some delicate flower.
Martha
And if anyone has hurt me here, it’s you!
I didn’t mean to blurt that last part out.
Trevor’s chest expands as he sucks in sharp breath.
Luckily, Drew interrupts before he can finish.
Drew
Trevor, let’s faceoff?
He tosses a ping pong ball to our side of the table.
Trevor catches the ball easily and sets up against Drew.
But when they both throw the ball…
It’s Trevor’s that goes into the cup.
Drew just shrugs good-naturedly.
Drew
That’s what I get for going against the quarterback.
Drew tosses another ball to our side of the table…
His voice is a heated whisper in my ear.
Trevor
How did I hurt you??
Martha
I’m trying to concentrate.
But I also really am trying to concentrate.
I’ve never thrown a ping pong ball into a cup in my life.
I awkwardly aim and then toss it into the air.
And to my utter surprise…
The ball sinks into the cup.
Trevor blinks once, his lips twitching with the ghost of a smile.
He sets up, and with much more skill…
Sinks his own ball into a cup.
Drew
Looks like you two make a good team.
I expect Tilla to be upset…
We all watch as she slowly shimmies out of her shorts…
Leaving her in just a bathing suit.
A bathing suit that’s 10 times sexier than mine.
I try not to let it bring down my confidence…
But with the way I’m already feeling, it’s hard.
The balls are thrown back our way…
But Trevor stops me this time.
Trevor
Martha, please answer me.
Trevor
How did I hurt you?
I stare at him incredulously.
I scoff, and then lower my voice so only he can hear me.
Martha
Trevor, you literally said “no thanks…”
Martha
And ran out of my room when I asked you to…to…
Martha
Ugh, I can’t even say it.
Tilla interrupts before Trevor can respond.
Tilla
It’s your turn. Hurry up!
Tilla
I don’t have all day!
Thankful for the interruption, I shoot the ball quickly.
It’s Drew’s turn to take something off…
And he takes full advantage of the situation.
He pulls his shirt over his head in slow motion.
But he stares at me the whole time.
And yeah, though his body is kind of a masterpiece…
I can barely suppress an eye-roll.
Drew
Hope you guys are ready to get naked!
He flexes before he shoots.
Which makes the fact that he misses even more hilarious.
Before I can make a move…
Trevor whips off his t-shirt.
I want to stare at each and every one of his muscles on display…
But I’m too mad to even look at him.
It’s our turn again, so Trevor shoots.
But I can tell he’s not into it.
And for the first time, he misses.
Tilla sneers at me as she sets up for her next shot.
Which means that I have to pay the price.
It’s my turn to take off an article of clothing.
I can hear Trevor breathing hard beside me.
But he barely looks my way.
Thankfully, Drew misses his shot…
But after Trevor and I both miss, Drew makes his next one.
Trevor bends down to take off his shoes.
I look down at my bare feet.
Ugh, why did I take off my sandals?
Trevor, clearly upset and not into the game…
When he turns from the table to look at me…
I can tell he’s bursting to say something.
There’s a look in his eye I haven’t seen before.
That when I shoot my next shot…
The ball flies over the table and rolls into the pool.
Tilla laughs especially loud.
But Drew holds up his hands.
Drew
No big deal, Martha. Don’t worry.
After he takes off, Tilla gets distracted by a friend…
And Trevor takes full advantage of our moment of privacy.
He steps closer, so we're inches away.
Trevor
Martha, when I left you like that last week…
Trevor
That was me trying NOT to hurt you.
I hold up a hand to interrupt him.
Martha
Can we not talk about this anymore?
Martha
Living through it once was embarrassing enough.
Martha
I got your message loud and clear the first time.
Martha
You’re not into me.
Trevor looks at me as if I’m the crazy one.
Trevor
You think I’m not into you??
Martha
What else am I supposed to think?!
Trevor
It’s not that I didn’t WANT to!
Trevor
I really, REALLY wanted to.
And it raises the hair on the back of my neck.
Trevor
Listen, the truth is I think you deserve better.
Trevor
I’m just some guy with a reputation for one-night-stands.
I put my hands on my hips.
Martha
You don’t get to make that decision for me.
I can almost see his temper rise.
Trevor
But, after getting to know you last weekend…
Trevor
I care about you now.
Trevor
I worry about what happens to you.
Martha
Well, I’m giving you an out.
Martha
You don’t have to worry about me anymore.
He blows out a ragged breath…
And drags his hands through his hair.
Trevor
I don’t WANT an out.
And point a finger in his chest.
I prod his muscles with each statement I make.
Martha
You don’t want an out.
Martha
You don’t want to sleep with me.
Martha
So what DO you want?!
Trevor stands up to his full height.
His face more intense than I’ve ever seen it.
I get right back in his face.
Martha
You turned me down.
Trevor
How many times do I have to tell you!
Trevor
I didn’t sleep with you because—
Martha
Save your breath, Trevor.
Martha
Because I already know why.
Martha
You think I’m awkward and weird.
Trevor
That’s not it at all!
Martha
Am I too studious then?
Martha
Were you worried everyone would find out you slept with a nerd!?
Trevor
No! I like that about you! I—
Martha
Is it because I’m—
Trevor
IT’S BECAUSE YOU’RE A VIRGIN!
