Something Different
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Fantasy love is much better than reality love. Never doing it is very exciting. The most exciting attractions are between two opposites that never meet.
― Andy Warhol
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But what happens when those opposites meet and the line between fantasy and reality blurs? Do you give in to those dark desires or listen to your rational thoughts?
**Chapter 1: Something Different**
**Megan**
This is our last Halloween together before we all split off to different parts of the country. I am off to Baylor in Texas to pursue medicine. My best friend Tom is off to Penn State in Pennsylvania to get his law degree, and his girlfriend Tammy is going to Michigan to the University of Michigan in order to become a dentist. Lastly, my boyfriend Tony is going to MIT in Massachusetts to become a master engineer. I knew that this day would come when we met freshman year of college and we revealed our majors over drinks at a club that we had snuck into. We will inevitably lose touch over the years because I have yet to keep a long-term friend, but I hope that we can at least try.
“This will be a blast because we haven’t done anything this crazy in years,” Tom says excitedly as he holds up a brochure for a traveling carnival, which includes a small circus act.
“How is going to a carnival crazy?”
An impishly mischievous grin spreads across his face, “This isn’t an ordinary carnival because no children are allowed after dark.”
“Just what do you mean by that?”
His grin widens to mimic that of a Cheshire Cat, “We can explore our deepest desires there. You told me that you wanted to try BDSM, but didn’t know if Tony would. At the carnival, it will be the perfect time to ask, don’t you think?”
I shrugged because I was nervous about the whole thing. Something doesn’t feel right about this carnival. Soon I learned just what that is..
**Tom**
I can feel Megan’s nervousness, but she needs to let loose. All of us going off to graduate schools in different parts of the country is taking its toll on us all. We need this last adventure together to test our bond and to test ourselves, too. I, like Megan, don’t want to lose touch with our friends, but it almost seems inevitable, so we might as well have one last hoorah together. What better place than an adults-only carnival where no one will know us?
Stumbling upon this brochure equipped with four free tickets almost seemed too good to be true, but I have learned to never dismiss good fortune, and this screams good fortune to me. I look over at my girlfriend, Tammy. She and I have been inseparable since we met. I had a thing for Megan, but once I kissed Tammy, I knew the difference between love and attraction. I was attracted to Megan, but I am in love with Tammy. I even have a ring in my pocket for her, but I am unsure if I am going to ask her to marry me or not because I don’t think it would be fair to make her wait until after graduate school. However, there is the selfish part of me that wants her for myself and to make her come to Pennsylvania with me. Maybe after this Halloween carnival, I will know what to do.
**Tammy**
Tom has been acting strangely these past few months. I know that the deadline for us to leave to go to our graduate schools is quickly approaching, but I can’t help but wonder if there is something or someone else. I sigh because I know that most couples break up when distance becomes an issue. Maybe I should just call things off now, but there’s a problem with that…I love him. I used to think that he and Megan had a thing for each other because of how close they were, but Megan started dating Tony, so all of my anxiety about that stopped. However, that anxiety has returned. Is it because we are all leaving soon, or is it because of something else?
**Tony**
I don’t know why they have all been so depressed lately. We are all going to pursue our dream careers. What is there not to be excited about? Yet, here they are all with their heads down, pining for each other when none of us has left yet. I honestly don’t see what the big deal is. We are adults, and none of us is married off. We should be enjoying everything that life has to offer. I, for one, am excited to see what this kinky carnival is all about. If Megan isn’t up for exploring our options, then I will ditch her. Tom and Tammy can babysit her because I intend to get my freak on. After all, this will be my only chance before I have to devote myself to my studies.
