Who knows what keeps high school "couples" together really, but in the case of Lily and myself, common interest in being tied up was one big reason. Lily wasn't much to look at at 15, a little pudgy with great light brown hair, but a sweet smile, and a great sense of humor. If people want, I can detail the birthday party where we both learned that we were into tying up at the same time. But for this time I'd like to tell the story of the Halloween that started off our time together and set us out on the one-upsmanship that came to characterize a lot of our time together.
We were both sophomores, about that time when you like Halloween but want to be too cool to show it. Well, Lily and I were also into drama (drama geeks both of us, another bond) so we made a friendly wager -- whoever got a better part in that Winter's show would pick the loser's halloween costume and boss that person around. Knowing us, some tying would be involved and that didn't even need to be said. Our school was putting on Godspell, so I figured I had really good odds. And I was right! Lily didn't get Mary Magdalene, which is the only female role of note. So I got to decide her costume!
I spent a couple excited weeks going back and forth, being very mysterious with Lily, until late afternoon on Halloween. I was going to make her a tightly wrapped mummy when I came into another idea. At my house, Lily smiled a bit, standing in some pink underwear. She let me blindfold her as I prepared the costume to make sure she didn't try to chicken out. And frankly so I didn't either.
I chose one of those stupid "jailbird" costumes you can find anywhere, basically a short pink and black striped dress with little black wings and a little matching hat. It was kind of short on her which I appreciated of course. After I pretty much had it on her, you can guess what the final touch was...that's right. Even though Lily had no idea what she was wearing, she probably got a clue when I tremblingly clipped on the handcuffs I'd spray painted to match the dress around her ankles. Taking off the blindfold, I turned red at my own boldness as she pulled and tugged. No safety latch. "They're the real deal, huh?"
I nodded, stammering, ready she'd call it quits, but she just smiled and shrugged. "Hey, I lost right?" As a final touch, I tied to keyring around a string I'd picked out on the back of her costume. Now her keys wouldn't get lost, but she'd be helpless. Anyone could free her...but her self.
We were going to a party at my friend's house a few blocks over. My costume was typical dumb teenage -- a set of devil horns and a red sweatshirt I think. On the way though, I felt mischevious. I took out a plastic bag and smiled.
She stopped on the sidewalk. "What?"
"I want you to ring the doorbell of that blue house and say trick or treat."
"Are you serious?"
I just smiled, surprised I was pushing the idea. "You lost, right?"
So klacking in her little heels, Lily walked up to the door, and at an age much too old, asked "trick or treat" to the housewife who answered the door. The woman smiled, and dropped a mini candy bar into the bag, tenderly held by Lily.
Well, it was too much fun not to do again. It was driving my crazy to see her mince up, hands trapped in front, and often struggle to ring the doorbell. One person even commented on how she'd "Really gone to town" with the costume. We arrived at the party with her still cuffed, and a great story to tell. Some of us made her bob for apples while still cuffed, and Lily was a great sport about it. I did let her out about halfway through, and she promised revenge.
And boy did she get it. But that story is for another day....