Switch Girl Ch. 01-02

Part 1:

I walked through town, on my way to meet up with Pearly at the Grand Bar and Hotel. I was excited, a little nervous. I walked slowly and "browsed" in storefronts without registering the t-shirts and caps for sell. A car passed on the main street; some friends honked and waved as they drove, startling me from my anxious thoughts of sex. "Hi, hi" I waved. I wondered if they could see the ribs and lace of the corset I wore under my fleece.

My backpack contents rattled slightly; the small metal ching of a handcuff touching the rings of a strap-on harness or the small bottle of lubricant falling into the bottle of Chardonnay. I continued walking past 2 older ladies, also window shopping. Even though they were oblivious to me, I thrilled they might hear.

"Hey Tori". My friends Mike and Charlotte were standing beneath the Grand Bar's marquee. "What are you up to tonight?"

Hmm "Hiya!! Well, I am meeting someone here actually. What's up with you guys?" I noticed a slight sweaty sheen on my palms, and wiped my hands on my jeans.

"You are?! Can you come have a drink with us first?" Charlotte touched my wrist tenderly, and smiled. I think she may already be buzzing. "Where are you heading?" she asked.

"Right here, Char. So, yes I can have a a quick, wee drink with you first. But then I have to dash." My Chardonnay bottle clanged like a wind chime in my backpack.

I followed them inside the aging bar and we took a seat along the wall. 2 young men played pool on the freshly felted table, and a 30something couple had drinks at the bar. The 1 bartender looked a bit bored, watching local cricket on a wide screen above the juke box. But the place was deserted otherwise.

"Who are you meeting, Tori? A guy?" Mike plopped onto a bar stool across from me, placing a tequila and beer in front of me.

"Yeah, what's in your backpack?" Charlotte chimed in before swigging back her tequila.

I took a deep breath with a smile, then quickly shot the tequila back. The heat scorching my throat, my eyes watered slightly. "I'm meeting a guy here. I met him online. He is from Christchurch."

"What? What are you talking about?" Mike was clearly flustered, his thick brows furrowed as he pointed his finger at me.

"Ah, guys! I'm fine. I am meeting him here. I will give you the room number. I will be fine." I fingered with my beer mug.

"Room number?" Charlotte looked more awake now. "What the hell? No way! Christchurch is dodgy."

Mike shook his head, continued to look at me sternly. "You don't know him. I don't feel right about that."

I sighed. "Yes, I don't really like the whole deal either. But I have little choice." I paused to drink, gather my thoughts. I put up a hand to stop them from further protests. I lowered my voice a bit, "Look, I am into a bit of BDSM." Pause again to let that sink in. "And, it is really difficult to find partners who also like what I am into. Frankly, it scares most people."

"What is BDSM?" Charlotte cocked her head. "Is it like S