Chapter Text
—Okay class, take out your philosophy books and fill out the eleventh chapter-
The most boring class of them all. He dreaded it not because it was difficult or because the teacher was a jerk (she was actually really nice) but because her subject was absolutely sleep-inducing, like a lullaby.
One of the taller students decided to do a cartwheel against the door interrupting the teacher with a loud thud.
—MISTER ANDREW! WHAT IN THE WORLD ARE YOU DOING? —the teacher picked out a piece of paper and started taking notes.
When the students got tired enough; their minds not being able to take the silence any longer, wild things like gymnastics performed by non-gymnastics took place. The rest of the time, the classroom was filled with banter and controversial opinions the teacher would always agree with as if she was not listening at all (she never did).
Students who actually paid attention either fell into the chaos and started talking and bickering or got on their phones and tuned out of that hellhole, which is what Eugene was doing as he scrolled mindlessly through instagram.
—He is going to be one of them jumpy guys at the circus! —one of Andrew’s friends laughed as the one and only who had been leaning against the door with his feet in the air fell on his knees with another more cracking thud— oh shit.
—LANGUAGE! And OH won’t you look at that! —the teacher stood up from her seat and approached the boy on the ground who picked himself up hurriedly and painfully with an almost maniac giggle and a red face in embarrassment.
His attention span had gotten so much worse he had already clicked on and off 3 other apps before finally, the bell rang, and he clicked goodbye to the stupid penguin tycoon game he wouldn’t pick up until next month if he really got bored enough.
A stampede of students rushed out excitedly. The best thing about Thursdays was the feeling of Friday being so close and the fact that the last class was perfect to do absolutely anything, release some remaining energy or get some shuteye. He almost rushed along the kids outside with those same eyes of thrill until he saw the devil himself leaning on the doorframe.
—Hey, Lilly, make sure to bring the pastries you told me about —Eugene despised overhearing, but he couldn’t help it. Elmer was leaning on the doorframe talking to this so-called Lilly.
This auburn-haired boy with light eyes was the reminder about tomorrow’s little event.
—The brownies? —Lilly said nonchalantly, which earned her a soft shove.
—Shut up! —the party boy whisper-shouted— you bitch wanna get the teacher on us or what??
—Call me that again and I’ll hang your fingers around like christmas lights… you gonna pass Eugene? —funny enough, it seemed the boy in the red hoodie had been noticed by this girl who apparently did know his name and he blamed himself not paying much attention in class. Her voice had turned much softer and lively when she talked to him too.
—Uh- yup! Yes I am gonna do… that —he tried to fake a smile even with the internal panic going inside his head because he probably sounded so incredibly stupid.
—Go ahead —she waved goodbye to him as she stepped away from the doorframe.
See, teens are forced to make life-changing decisions so early on in their lives, just for them to regret their choices and mourn about the good portion of their young adult years; what is the point of this torturous system an absolute maniac invented about having your life screwed up by a little, insecure teenager version of yourself who just graduated from high school and believes they can continue with the party while also studying to be a doctor? Sometimes it’s not such a long-term decision, for example:
To pick or not to pick the cigarette your acquaintance is offering, or the mysterious liquid in the red cup, or to roll with the music and the rhythm of the first and last party you’ve gotten invited to this year, because you feel you are wasting your last years before either getting a girl pregnant or go to college… maybe both? Or neither.
We can conclude that a lot of times, it boils down to being an adult’s fault. Of the ones in power who want you to suffer to achieve a sustainable way of living, whether they had to climb through those same struggles or got a vip pass.
On this very particular Friday he could really use a car, but he didn’t want to come off as demanding to his dad who did the best he could to provide for him.
So he frantically dials his friend group as he skips steps on his way home to get changed, almost tripping on air, but luckily not falling and getting the chance to wave hi to Linda who was arranging some beautiful lavender inside the shop. Some of the strays actually stared at him curiously from below the benches as if they could smell the beads of sweat collecting on his forehead.
He finally let out a deep sigh, stopping in his tracks to catch his breath, when Luke responded to the call.
—Heyy Eugene… still out there huh? —he could hear shuffling, as if Luke was messing with a pile of clothes right over the microphone.
—I need a ride —the boy with glasses responded miserably, in a voice that came out smaller than expected, to which Oliver, who had just joined the call, awed.
—Aw ‘gene! Don’t even sweat it! My dad is letting me borrow his car —the blond said, twinkling noises coming from his end of the call— Joy is our designated driver by the way!
—WHAT!? —Joy had just joined the call as Oliver spoke— but I got my license like… a week ago! You are far more experienced, not to mention that if we crash IT’S NOT MY CAR! —Joy’s usually profound and soothing voice squeaked as she turned her camera on too to sneer at her friend.
When Eugene finally reached his room, he simply pointed his camera at the ceiling, even though it wasn’t turned on (but you are never too cautious), as he picked what clothes to wear.
—I already bet my ass on a little competition with the party boy soooooo, unless you want us dead…
—Damn it! Why can’t we just call an Uber? Us three can fucking split the amount and EVERYONE can drink! —Luke blew up already sick of his friends bickering and turned his camera on too, revealing the dude himself and a half eaten cookie in his free hand.
—Dude! I already spent my allowance on a new outfit for this thing, I need to stretch ten dollars until next month!—Joy sank onto her seat and rolled her eyes.
—We’ll figure that out later I guess, I’ll pick you guys up at 5, THANKS FOR SACRIFICING YOURSELF JOY!! —Oliver did not even let the girl oppose or yell back at him as he clicked off the call, leaving the blue haired girl with a little tick in her eyebrow and a burning scowl. She clicked off too with grumbling curses.
Silence filled the call for a mere instant.
—Ah… these two are like, a married straight couple of cranky old people… —Eugene couldn’t help but giggle at Luke’s comment, he agreed— oh jeez… sorry for blasting your eardrums Eugene-
—I am used to it at this point —the aforementioned grinned, putting on a washed out striped green sweater and picking his earphones— good cookie?
—Too good, but sooo bad it didn’t last longer —the tanned boy responded, interrupted by the horn of a car— that’s gotta be Oli, see you later! I am so looking forward to seeing you by the way! —Luke flashed the most charming smirk to the boy in the other end of the call and finally ended it; little did he know he left said boy with his mind spinning just a little, because why the heck did he feel a little tickle through his bloodstream (and a warmth in his face) at such silly comment and goofy smile he witnessed every bloody day?
—This is gonna be so much fun! I’ve always wanted to attend one of these parties! —Joy smiled, with her eyes stuck to the road ahead.
Elmer’s home was quite pretty. Eugene would call it a mansion actually.
There was a gate that led to the front yard with neatly trimmed bushes. Cars started to accumulate along the fence and the sidewalk. With a house like that, the amount of people that were entering the fancy rich-american looking two-story mansion made perfect sense, but it also made him a little insecure, so the boy in glasses held his phone tighter and shrank in his seat just a little.
Oliver carefully parked the car along the sidewalk. Not too close, but not too far away. He pulled the stick shift onto P and pulled up the hand brake.
Joy finished her makeup on the passenger’s seat, smacking glittery lip gloss and fixing her skirt before hopping out of the passenger seat. Oliver fidgeted with his matching bracelet as he also checked his face in the mirror. Luke emerged from the back seat in the basketball team’s hoodie, even though Joy begged him not to wear it and try something different, although she did convince Eugene to try something other than his worn red hoodie, and to wear the green sweater that she had gifted to him a few Christmases ago.
Comically huge palm trees adorned both sides of the dual doors. The vibrations in their skulls and the floor became more and more apparent as they approached the mansion itself, which made Eugene start to regret his decision. What about noise complaints? Having to engage and bribe the corrupt policemen; or maybe it’s the crave of adrenaline and the possible problems you might have with the law, how this excitement runs through your whole body and makes you tingly in the fingertips because your parents would’ve definitely grounded you by now.
It’s not like they were against loud music, really. Oliver adored blasting music on the stoplights and he had quite a good taste; they’d roll the windows down and sing their hearts out without a care in the world whenever the blond got to borrow (without asking) the family truck for a quick trip around the block on a Friday evening. But it’s much, much different when it’s just all bass and no meaningful, catchy lyrics but rather insults and suggestive innuendos, surrounded by strangers who are waiting for a misstep to make you next week’s rodeo clown.
Either way, their usual volume was no match for what was ringing at Elmer’s place.
Eugene didn’t register the boy addressing him in the doorway before Luke tapped his shoulder. Who was this again? He seemed vaguely familiar…
—Umm… I was saying you may come in man, don’t just stand there! Eugene, right? —this boy was for sure sporty, distracting arm muscles and a winning smile giving it away.
—Oh- of course… —his doubtful voice revealed to Luke that he had no idea who the boy who did know his name was, and he felt awful.
—Eugene, this is Ralph, he is a part of the school’s basketball team and a pretty close friend of Elmer —Ralph made an exaggerated bow and laughed along with Luke.
It clicked. Eugene had seen this boy a few times when he kept Luke company during his basketball practices, and that’s why this dude makes Luke seem like a smurf he thought.
—Ralph, this is Eugene, but I think you already knew that, he is one of my best friends.
His insides did an uncomfortable summersault; he almost felt like throwing up at the last two words that came out of Luke’s mouth, or maybe it was Ralph’s pretty eyes staring down at him in a deep green shade, he blinked slowly and smiled weakly.
The pale boy cursed his insides for making him feel so jiggly and high. It was absurd. The party hadn’t even started.
Ralph opened the door wider for them, and they were finally met with the living room, where teenagers piled and bantered. To be honest, it seemed like the comfiest place to relax if it weren’t for the fact that the couches were right in front of one of the stereos that was causing the floor to tremble.
He figured up the stairs were the bedrooms, maybe an office or two. Towards their left was a corridor that led to the makeshift party room (shelves and furniture along the walls that had been obviously moved out of the way) with multiple dollar store disco balls hanging from the ceiling, balloons, confetti, and even more stereos. The ones in that room weren’t so loud, but it was all 2000’s hits of pop music that none of them liked. Small groups all over the room with a red cup in their hands.
On the way to the dance floor was the gorgeous kitchen, where a kid or two rummaged for snacks on the fridge or expensive alcohol that Elmer’s family collected like the rich people they were. Eugene noticed at the end of the party room was a sliding room that led towards the backyard and a glowing blue blur that was most likely a pool.
Ralph waved goodbye to Luke and quickly disappeared among the crowd.
—If you guys are going to drink you should at least have something in your stomach. —Joy suggested, turning for the kitchen, successfully shooing the random who was trying to summon food in the fridge.
—Okay, I need to be prepared to destroy Elmer in his own game, he promised me fifty if I win. —Oliver said with confidence, trailing behind Joy.
—I already ate, you wanna explore this labyrinth ‘gene? —Luke suggested— if anything happens we’ll just text Joy or something.
—Uh… —Eugene thought for a minute before he noticed the mischief in Luke’s expression, he actually hadn’t eaten in a little while, but it didn’t take a genius to figure out Luke was trying to leave them alone, so he agreed— alright.
When they were at a good distance, Luke nudged him soft and playful:
—You get me! —he giggled. Eugene couldn’t help but laugh along.
—Of course, you silly goose.
The two boys continued walking through the corridor. Rows and rows of mysterious doors. Out of curiosity, Luke opened one and saw rows of comfy chairs and a projector hanging from the ceiling. It looked like a miniature version of the movie’s VIP section. The fact that it was dead empty made both boys a little confused, as it seemed the perfect, secluded place to do drugs or hug very tightly. But the carpeted floor and the beautiful red velvet chairs were quite pretty…
—Wow… —the boy in the basketball jacket gaped.
They finally made it to the party room. Full of strange faces, at least for Eugene’s blind eyes; Luke rolled his at the music and dragged Eugene outside, while greeting one or two people that he did recognize.
The contrast of noise was very pleasing. Outside, the music barely rang in the background allowing the crickets’ concert to fill the evening. They sat on the patio chairs in front of the pool, a few more people were sitting on the border of the pool and another few were on the gazebo that was a bit further away from the water. They were obviously in the gazebo because it was closer to the bar where a lady was preparing drinks, but that lady looked more like a 12-year old kid judging from the smoke that came out with every sip of her vape.
Eugene’s attention drifted from the glowing blue pool to the bar. He had considered the idea of drinking before, but this was also the first party he had attended where he actually had the chance to try them. It was always a family member’s birthday party with uncles and their gross beers, or a restaurant where it was obviously illegal.
—Have you ever gotten drunk? —he asked curiously, hoping it wouldn’t be a bad memory being revived. Luke was obviously more popular than him and he was invited to the jock’s parties all the time. He had obviously tried drinking before. To his surprise, Luke hunched up and giggled.
—Ummm… well- not really —Luke replied— I’ve tried wine before but that was really fucking gross and it didn’t even get me tipsy, and, errrr one of my friends offered me soda with a little vodka, something along the lines of starting to drink with something diluted, but that didn’t really get me drunk either, you?
Well, that was surprising.
—Never even tried it —he retorted, his eyes still on the bar— I was offered beer at a cousin’s birthday party but the smell got me nauseous.
—Shit… but I get it, that’s like one of the worst possible drinks to start wi-
—Hey guys! —an unfamiliar voice sang, Luke jumped in his seat and Eugene yelped.
—What the hell Kevin? Don’t sneak up on people like that! —Luke complained with his hands in the air. This stranger was none other than a class clown that shared art and english with Eugene —wait, why do you smell like that?
—Whad’ya mean bro? —he slurred out, and giggled, the cups in his hands rattled and the mysterious liquid splashed— just here to warn you guys, do NOT drink the punch in the kitchen, I saw this dude piss on it…
—Dude, they have that like expensive smoked honey ham in here! —Joy’s eyes glimmered as she glanced hungrily at the turkey slices in the fridge, disguised inside a gray plastic bag.
The duo had started looking around the kitchen for supplies to survive the night. It was barely nine p.m. and the voices in the halls promised something exciting was happening at midnight. Some said a truck full of clowns or people in disco outfits would pull up to animate the party further; others said it was all a trap of Elmer’s and that he wanted the police to catch most of them and to get them in trouble for underaged drinking.
In hindsight, it was silly: everyone knew the party thrower was afraid of clowns to death and that if he were to call the police, they would definitely investigate the home and get him in trouble with the police and his parents for not only hosting a rave without permission but also for providing the private bars for the rejoice of underaged individuals.
—You are the only person ever to get excited over ham. —Oliver said flatly while rummaging through the cupboards. There were only disposable plates and a dead cockroach, until he checked under a cup and he found five bucks he swiftly pocketed.
—If you are done being a dick I can get you a sandwich so you don’t wake up tomorrow wanting to off your own head —Joy started grabbing all of the ingredients as if it were her own house.
Suddenly a few people entered the room, a boy from the school’s band, with a cheerleader hanging onto his shoulders for dear life. Their giggling was so loud and their movements so careless that Joy figured they were either high or drunk: maybe both?
—Oh, sorry to interrupt! —the girl laughed— have you guys seen the punch? —then proceeded to smack her lips on the guy’s collarbone. Joy cringed at the sight.
—There’s punch? —Oliver looked around the room, squinting his eyes.
—It’s right in front of you? —Said Joy raising an eyebrow. Oliver looked back to the counter in front of him and there it was— you should get your eyes checked.
—Sorry it’s just I am soooo drunk I gotta like water it down before my dad comes to pick me up-
—And that’s how you prepare a nice and fancy cocktail —Kevin added the final touch to his beverage by submerging a cherry and topping with a straw.
Kevin had led them to the bar. The 12 year old Lisa was apparently an acquaintance of Kevin’s and seemed pretty interested in whatever the class clown was preparing.
—I am starting to doubt your barista skills. —Luke panned, crossing his arms and resisting a snicker.
Eugene approached his nose to the glass and his eyes stung immediately. The liquid was so colorful and had such a nice appearance, but it reeked of pure alcohol. The thing is, Kevin claimed to be pretty skilled and to know his alcohol, but everyone knew he was just pouring from the bottles with the prettiest looking liquids inside or the more aesthetically appealing names.
The girl let out a guffaw and claimed that he had no idea what he was doing, and she tried to prepare a drink of her own instead to compete, but although her movements seemed more precise and confident, it seemed to both of the sober boys that she also had no idea what she was doing either (confidence goes a long way on convincing people though.)
They started talking about their plans for the future when she finished mixing and poured the pinkish drink on her own glass.
—Voila! Now I say our judges decide who is the best barista! —she pointed an open palm to Eugene and Luke, who let out a sigh and gulped respectively.
—Uhh… I am not sure about this…
—Hey, I won’t force you, but tonight is the night we have some fun! Remember Joy is gonna drive and I think getting drunk with you is simply fitting to a night like this. —Luke didn’t mean to sound so cheesy, but it worked wonders for Eugene’s face that started turning pink.— We’ll take care of eachother, whadiya say?
—Umm… fine… I trust you-
Luke lifted Kevin’s drink and Eugene Lisa’s.
—For our friendship!
—…for our friendship.
Clink!
—TRUTH, last kiss on thetipofyouu lips, really his! —Oliver’s awful singing voice rang through the entire bedroom.
Oliver and Joy had joined a few other casual friends to a little karaoke in the guest bedroom, where a medium-sized TV and a plastic toy microphone was more than enough to have the teens dancing and screaming and singing loudly like there was no tomorrow. Joy took a hit of the blunt they had been passing around. She was sitting on the bed seeing the others jumping up and down until she remembered she was supposed to drive them all home, and she muttered curses to herself, counting the bills on her wallet to see if she could afford an uber for them.
—…so when the-TRUTH is O-O-O-OUT IS O-O-OUT we’re just be-GINNING! —Oliver turned to stare straight and Joy, even over all the other kids that were surrounding and yelling around him. Her heart skipped a beat and her airway shrunk for a reason unbeknownst to her before Oliver turned back to the screen and kept on his singing, and dread filled her guts as she laid back down on the mattress, product of the stupid thought that had quickly passed through her brain, but the way his eyes seemed to bore into hers almost made her think that he was about to run into her arms-
And then there was another girl she refused to acknowledge dancing with him as they sang, and it was stupid, but she felt her chest heave. Joy took one last hit before coughing and passing it to the girl that was sitting by her on the bed, and she raised an eyebrow, pulling the roll onto her lips.
—You are so whipped for that blondie, aren’t you? —the stranger intruded, and Joy grunted in response. —I’ve been there, but if you keep it to yourself they get a girlfriend and forget ‘bout yerr sorry ass.
Joy turned to the stranger with knotted eyebrows, how dare she meddle in her personal business and assume she was in love with her best friend? They were just that. Friends. And she wanted it to stay that way, she definitely didn’t want his hands over hers and to share an umbrella under the rain or to have strawberry cake on a sunny Sunday at the park right by his side, that’d just be silly and awkward, because they were just friends. Only this time, her gut twisted and she felt even sicker than before.
—I think I am gonna puke.
—Girl, I saw the way he was looking at you, he wants you. —the girl’s hazel eyes and bronze skin were sort of hypnotizing, even over the loud instrumentals filling the room, and the reassurance felt like it calmed her guts but planted butterflies in her pancreas. —You just gotta make him open his eyes.
—I don’t know about that. —Joy started to toy with the fabric of her skirt before the girl perked up.
—You wanna make him jealous? —She suggested in a flirtatious tone, and warmth settled on Joy’s gut. She very much knew what the meaning of that phrase was, and she wasn’t sure if it was the weed or the adrenaline of the party, but she actually considered the idea. The girl didn’t hear a no for a response and winked.
—Uh… okay.
The girl offered Joy some help to sit up and held her shoulders experimentally, and the blue-haired trailed wavering hands to the arches of the other’s waist.
—Oh, wait for it… —the girl stole a quick glimpse of the crowd near the TV and caught the exact moment where Oliver’s eyes settled into Joy’s, and despite being high himself, he scrunched his eyebrows and stopped jumping dead. —He is looking at you, it’s working!
—I don’t… know about this, I don’t want to send him the wrong message or make him hurt-
—I get you. —the girl reassured, and her lidded eyes in the high she was experiencing were very much inviting Joy in. —May I kiss you?
Joy’s heartbeat quickened, and her mouth held open. From the corner of her eye, she could see Oliver was back to staring at the TV and back to dancing with that scoundrel and her blood boiled. Maybe she wasn’t that interesting to him as she thought. Maybe he wouldn’t care if she was interested in somebody else. Maybe she decided to do something rash. Maybe she tilted her head to slot her lips against the stranger’s own. A kiss sprinkled in heartbreak and the bliss of weed. Her mind fluttered and the world spun and her stomach twisted even more, and when she pulled back to catch her breath Oliver’s figure was gone and the door was cracked open.
—Oh no, Oliver! —she yelled after him, which was stupid considering the instrumentals were still ringing and the music was even louder outside, so there was no way the boy could hear her. She untangled herself from the stranger and chased after the boy, but there was no sign of his golden hair, not to mention that standing up so fast gave her an awful headache.— Fuuuuuuuuuuck.
—…and then, she dragged me all the way from the field to the nurse’s office! —Luke exclaimed from his place on the gazebo’s concrete floor.
A small crowd of curious teenagers had gathered around a tipsy jock to listen to his exaggerated stories. It was an embarrassing story for a sober Luke, but a comical one for a more loose version of himself. One of the kids brought up a video that spread around last year of Luke looking sick and crumbly being dragged through the entire school by a blue-haired girl, with Eugene skipping behind and apologizing to those who were pushed around by Joy. Oliver had been the man behind the camera. One thing led to the other and one of the random people around suggested they turned the group into a truth or dare game.
—Like, I appreciate that she cares but god! It was humiliating! —he laughed, and the kids around him followed, Eugene tried to match their energy but he felt a little too dizzy to actually listen to what his friend was saying, he was way too distracted with the way the lanterns on the yard highlighted the little clouds of breath that slipped from his mouth whenever he spoke, and the crickets that told him little tales of military butterflies going to war against a battalion of beetles behind his ears. Luke shrugged and spun the bottle; Eugene spaced out for a few more minutes leaning back on the wooden poles of the gazebo.
—Eugene, truth, or dare? —a boy asked him, successfully pulling him out of his trance.
—Huh! Umm… yes? —he didn’t want to admit that he hadn’t been listening to a word they were saying.
—Dare it is, I dare you to take off your sweater until you get dared again! —the boy pumped his gloved hands in the air and Eugene gasped, dumbfounded, thinking that he was mishearing. Everyone let out ooooohs and Luke’s smile fell. That was enough to sober the jock well enough to react apparently.
—It’s like five degrees Celsius out of here, what the fuck dude? —Luke grunted to the emo-looking fellow who had thrown the dare around.
—The hell you mean? You guys made me lick a trash bag! If he doesn’t want to do the dare then he can say so himself or go for a double dare. —the kid defended himself, crossing his arms, but he was very much regretting it when Luke’s eyebrows dipped further and he tightened his fists.
—Guys, guys, calm dooooown. —Kevin stepped off from the railing where he was seated and he slapped an arm in front of Luke.— It is a pretty weird dare, Eric, but it’s not really against the rules.
—W-what’s the double dare… —Eugene asked doubtfully, cringing internally because his friend Luke had to stand up for him since he was too stupid to answer. Luke gave Eric a warning scowl.
—Um… you… tell us the weirdest dream you’ve… ever had? —Eric suggested avoiding Luke’s eyes. He let out a sigh of relief when the aforementioned relaxed his expression and turned back to Eugene. Everyone’s eyes were on his round glasses.
Luke swore that the new question was much easier to Eugene than taking off his clothes, but to a teenager with very bright and lucid dreams that he could manipulate to his will, it was much more embarrassing. For the standards of a hormonal teen, he barely qualified, but that didn’t erase those times were he dreamed of a certain somebody and gazing at the stars in an abandoned pier, where they would remain with their limbs tangled for hours and he could sink into the aroma of his sweat and his ten-in-one shampoo. Where said person would praise him until his brain turned into mush. It was either that or the absurd dreams he could vaguely remember about seeing his own body laying on his own bed and going around the city stabbing dark humanoid figures; then going back to his laying corpse to rest drenched in ghost blood. Eugene looked around at all the eyes staring him down with eagerness and convinced himself that they were all too drunk to even remember whatever he would do or say that night, and if anything, he had enough blackmail for everyone.
The jock was ready to listen to his friend say something silly and support him. Luke imagined he was in Eugene’s skin and came up with his best lie, until he saw him putting his phone to the side, taking a red cup with one hand, the end of his sweater with the other. The eyes of curiosity and prying around the boy turned into shock, including Luke’s, whose mouth hung open and whose face started to flush.
—Hey, you know you don’t have to do the… dare right? —Luke wasn’t a stuttering guy, but he struggled to talk with the tingles on his skin.— We can just get outta here.— he winced when the boy next to him drank the cup of spiked soda in one swig, and he used both of his hands to taunt the woven garment.
—It’s okay, Luke, we’ve spit on Death’s face before, this can’t possibly be… worse… —And with a sudden spring of confidence and the burning on his throat, he finally put the fabric over his head and dropped it on his legs. He immediately felt the freezing night air and crossed his arms shamefully. He had a sleeveless white shirt underneath but he still felt exposed. Everyone around him started to cheer and Luke had to shake a weird thought before he started to cheer for him too..
—That was soooo cool dude! —Kevin encouraged him, and Eugene blushed. He wasn’t sure if it was because of how the striking cold was eating him alive or because of how powerful and fearless he felt. He allowed himself to smile too.
—Yayy!! —Eugene pumped a fist into the air but returned to his crossed arms instantly. He was shivering, but none of the other drunk kids seemed to realize.— Let’s end this. I am- going t-to turn into a popsicle-
Eugene spun the bottle with jittering hands and it landed on Stacy, a girl who he shared art class with. Stacy’s eyes glimmered and she smiled widely, thinking Eugene would probably go easy on her considering he was known for being quiet and closed off. She asked for a dare and got herself ready to quack or do some pushups before Eugene’s expression turned devilish.
—I dare you to kiss the hottest person here. —Eugene said nonchalantly, and everyone else gasped and giggled. It was a timeless, classic dare. Stacy gulped, her face fell; Luke was so drunk on the high of his shorter friend’s confidence spark, that he didn’t even register what the dare was until Stacy stared straight into his eyes and messed with her nails.
—Just to clarify… It’s not like- too deep, but you are the most attractive person in here to my standards, okay? —the crowd turned into a giggling mess and someone pulled out their cellphone to take a picture.
It was dark, so you could barely make out the faces of the ones in the photo, not to mention that the cameraman was completely wasted, but it was clear that a girl was kissing a startled boy from the basketball team, because his hoodie was clear enough. Thanks to the blue glow of the pool, one could also notice that the faces around were filled with smiles and amusement, all the faces but a sad little boy’s whose eyes were turned into little sparkling crystals. And just as sudden as it all occurred, they were back to playing the game as if nothing ever happened, except for Luke who stood surprised in embarrassment as he reassured Stacy that he was flattered and that she didn’t have to apologize to him; oh she should apologize to somebody else who was holding in the sting on his eyes.
Eugene started to feel unusually numb on his fingertips and he stood up to try and catch his breath, though standing up so suddenly caused him to topple backwards. He held onto the railing for dear life and Elmer’s house seemed to rock ever so slightly on his field of vision. He heard Luke say something, and he wasn’t sure about what it was, but the shivering boy responded by saying that he would get another soda. Being in his silent and cold room dreaming of a boy that would never see him the way he did sounded like Heaven. The noises from inside the home suddenly halted, replaced with yelling. Eugene thought of the worst possible scenario before Eric squeaked.
—Guys, guys, I think Elmer is going to announce something! —he clapped his hands and ran inside, with everyone skipping behind him. Everyone but Eugene and Luke.
—Are you okay, dude? —Luke asked before Eugene started to put his sweater back on and he turned away.— We could hang back from the crowd and say happy birthday to Elmer personally later-
—No! —Eugene sprung.— I don’t wanna… disappoint Elmer- he is your friend and I want to make a good impression. —Eugene slurred, although he sounded confident in his head. When he tried to let go of the railing and follow, his mind wobbled, and before he knew it, he had a soft, warm body surrounding him, and for a moment he thought that it was all a dream.
—Dude, you are not okay, let’s get you hydrated first. May I help you put your sweater back on and carry you inside? —The fact that he asked had Eugene’s knees crumbling, and little did the jock know that the main cause of his friend’s ragdoll-ish state was caused by Luke’s cologne, and not entirely on the booze, and that he was just making his drunkenness worse. He was worried about the way Eugene’s gaze seemed to drift off and the low temperature of his body, it sobered him up. He waited for a little okay from Eugene before helping him put his sweater back on, and he crouched to let the smaller boy on Luke’s back. His legs felt silly too, but he managed to walk just fine.
The boys passed through the room where the main party was taking place, a few people were starting to gather around the decorative cake, and coming with larger cakes with simpler designs were some of Elmer’s closest friends. Luke could care less about that. He headed straight for the drinks and he grabbed a bottle of water from one of the bright orange coolers. He headed upstairs and into a guest bedroom; he let Eugene down on the mattress, his back propped up on a few pillows.
—Here, drink… —Luke mumbled in concern, uncapping the bottle and putting it to Eugene’s mouth.
The boy in round glasses was blushing furiously, he imagined what it’d be like if it were Luke’s slim fingers instead of the water bottle teasing his bottom lip; he took it in his hands and chugged it to swallow away the weird train of thought. It severely contrasted Luke’s panicked state. Guilt ate the taller boy from inside, consuming his fluttering guts and making him feel like garbage. If he hadn’t convinced Eugene to drink, none of this would’ve happened, he probably would’ve refused the dare and made a more rational decision. He was smart kid who had saved his life, both of their lives, and Luke had fucked with his braincells in return. This was all his fault.
—I am- I just… I feel s-so sorry, man. —Luke’s voice wavered.— I shouldn’t have forced you t-to drink a-and- now you can barely stand up! —he covered his own face with his hands to avoid Eugene’s reaction; he thought that if he weren’t so drunk he’d probably formulate a more coherent apology.
—Luke… c’mere. —Eugene sighed and extended his arms, and Luke didn’t think twice before dropping to his level and hugging him tightly, resting his face on Eugene’s belly. His sweater smelled of clean laundry and he sunk his nose in it to keep himself from breaking down.— I love you, Luke.
—I love you too, bro. —the little nickname at the end made a certain somebody’s heart pang.
—HEYYY DOODADS! HOPE YOU ARE HAVING A WONDERFUL NIGHT! —The room exploded in screaming and cheers.— This has been an awesome 18th birthday and I just want to thank everyone for coming, and for all the gifts! —Elmer gestured at the pile of colored boxes on the corner of the room. Everyone cheered and jumped around, again.
—Where are you… you little creep. —Joy’s eyes drifted from one corner of the room to the other. The living room turned ballroom turned party place was filled with screeching kids of all types of hair, in all the colors of the rainbow, but none quite looked like her friend’s golden bird’s nest. There was no hint of Eugene and Luke either, god knows where they were in such a big house, but it was reassuring, because she figured they actually stuck together unlike Oliver and her. She furrowed her brows and continued looking around.
—There’s still an hour left ‘till midnight! As my birthday is technically tomorrow, SO I hope you can aaaaaaaall join me to the basement where I have a little something planned out! — Elmer dropped his microphone on the floor, making the stereos around the room bang. Everyone winced and followed after the birthday boy.
The blue-haired girl was thinking about where she could find her friend, until she remembered he had mentioned something about a competition with Elmer himself. Her eyes lit up as she trailed behind the crowd as well, but there was also a sense of dread that was starting to settle in. She had a bad omen. What if Oliver didn’t want to see her? Not that she had done anything wrong: technically, they were NOT in a relationship and Joy’s one-sided crush didn’t count. Was he offended because she hadn’t joined his dancing and singing? But that wouldn’t make any sense, Oliver knew she wasn’t the type of person to dance in public. Was he mad because he thought she hadn’t opened up to him about her sexuality? Was he against it? That made even less sense to her! Oliver was the type of person who would be completely supportive and show you how much you are worth! She toyed anxiously with the friendship bracelet on her wrist; it had Oliver’s name with beads along other shades of orange.
That’s one of the things she loved the most about him. He’d never judge her even when she committed mistakes. He’d be the type of man who would support her in starting a coke empire. Joy shuddered. She was so whipped for a white boy, it was embarrassing; she couldn’t help but reminisce on Oliver’s 7th grade outfit for the dance. He had his hair ruffled in all directions, a cute tie, and had brought Joy a rose from his garden. She knew it was probably his mom who had told him to give her the flower, but the gesture and his adorable smile was forever tattooed on her brain. Joy promised herself that she’d never let that smile drop as she opened the door to the basement.
The room downstairs was tidy and fancy. It felt cozier too. It’d be nicer if the music wasn’t so loud. There were two ping-pong tables, a foosball table, and a pool table right in the middle of the room; other miscellaneous sitting furniture scattered in the corners, with an absurd carpeted floor with an arcade-like print. She was amazed. Lilly was handing out brownies and she skipped over to take one.
—Hey Lilly! —Joy waved at the girl. They shared a few classes and would occasionally banter in English class— Can I have one?
—Joy! How’s it going? Just so you know, these aren’t normal brownies… —Joy raised an eyebrow before connecting the dots. —Have you ever tried one before?
—Umm… not really, —Joy pulled her hand back, a little embarrassed.
—Well, I think we should find your little friend first. I saw him pass by not so long ago so he should be around here, I believe he is gonna have a drinking comp with Elmer… —Lilly turned to the back of the room— he should be around… that group of people, they’re preparing the shots. These could take a little while to make you feel woozy but you should be with a trusted friend that can take care of you just in case, yknow?
—Yeah… I’ll go find him, thanks Lilly… —Joy scratched the back of her head when the other girl winked in return. She restarted her search and followed the direction that Lilly had pointed with her busy hands. The dread was starting to kick back in.
Then, a miracle happened. She spotted his messy hair. His back was turned to her, and she recognized his outfit and his build. The weed, the happiness of finding him, and the dread all combining into a sickening medley in her skipping heartbeat. Joy traipsed to the boy and patted his shoulder. Oliver turned with wide eyes before he noticed it was Joy, and his eyes were instantly a shade darker, which she noticed because she had known him for the longest time. He stood and didn’t say thing, so she cut the weird silence.
—Oliver… why did you leave so suddenly? —he seemed caught off-guard, truth is he had been cooking a lie in case she showed up and it was time to let it out.
—I… didn’t want to be late for the game, so I left. —he said blandly.
—But- why didn’t you say anything?
—You seemed… busy. —he turned fully to her and avoided her eyes.
—Busy? I was left all alone with a bunch of strangers and a girl whose name I didn’t even catch, man! We were supposed to stick together… —the relief of finding him was melting into a puddle.
—Yeah right, together means getting high with random ass girls and kissing them? —Oliver grumbled between his teeth, still avoiding her eyes.
—Why do you even care about that? Like you hadn’t been ignoring me? You were aaall happy dancing with those friends of yours and you left me in a corner, and then you ditched me, AGAIN! —She stuck a finger on his chest, and it seemed harder and harder to breathe. Her body was numb. Her vision was so tunneled that she didn’t realize they had a little audience.
—But I do care about you! GOD! I thought I knew you but I clearly do not. I never go around kissing people like that a-and I AM SORRY if you felt ignored, but you pull this front of being all superior and shit, and then you go around doing stuff like that?! —Oliver burst. And Joy’s expressive face turned completely blank; she was livid. The look of disgust on Oliver’s eyes made no sense to her. That was not the boy she had met all those years ago. Why did he give a damn? He should be happy for her, right? He should be happy that she got her first kiss before graduating, no?
—Apparently, I do not know you as well as I thought I did, either. You ditched me twice and treated me like trash when I’ve been looking for you ALL NIGHT! —she haphazardly, in between shaky breaths and blurry eyes, took off her matching bracelet and threw it forcefully onto the floor. She barely caught the way Oliver’s expression of distaste fell before she turned around without turning back. She stomped her way upstairs.
—Tough shit dude. —A voice from behind Oliver said, and he turned to Andrew’s little sympathetic eyes, with the face of a puppy who had just been yelled at himself. — That’s what my ex did with our matching rings, but maybe you can still fix things with her. —Oliver’s flushed face was apparent. He closed his eyes and let out a ragged exhale before letting his gaze drop to the beads on the floor and sniffling. —Actually, scratch that, there’s no way she’ll look your way after this.
…
—UHHH ANYWAY! —Elmer’s voice boomed in the room. He looked just as uncomfortable as everybody else.— PUT YALLS HANDS TOGETHER FOR THE SPIDER-MAN AND THE SPACEMAN!! —the lights turned off and were replaced with more disco-like rays, and the aforementioned characters entered the basement. The crowd resumed their screaming.
The crickets carried on their singing as two boys struggled upstairs. At this point, Luke had completely forgotten about the party and he simply wished he wouldn’t stumble upon something obscene or disturbing upstairs. Eugene was still sick on the way Luke would make it more and more evident that all they’d ever be is friends. He would use little friendly nicknames and friendzone him, constantly, and thinking back on it made his guts do another nauseous pirouette. Oh, if only…
They opened a door that led to a guest (presumably) bedroom.
Eugene laid on the bed, dragging Luke down with him.
He slurred out the tune of a familiar song, not letting go of Luke, who was starting to get cramped from the uncomfortable position he was in.
He considered asking Eugene to let go, but the embrace felt so nice, he’d hate breaking it. So, he let the rest of his body onto the bed, laying his head on the smaller’s chest, slotting himself between his legs.
It was heavenly, when Eugene let his hand onto the jock’s head and curled his fingers onto his messy, brown hair. His nails scratching his scalp in circular motions his body tensed in surprise before melting completely. It was adorable, when Luke let out muffled sounds of delight into Eugene’s sweater. It caught Luke off-guard, when he pictured a future with his friend by his side, all wrinkled like raisins, listening to his breathing and feeling the warmth of his body. It was mind-wrecking, when Eugene let his nails downwards and onto his nape, and Luke felt his whole nervous system twitch.
He could easily get used to this. He felt Eugene’s trail down to his upper back and something pressing on his head. His friend had given him a chaste kiss, but it felt natural, even though the only time he had “kissed Eugene” was a bit, playing like a popstar, where he blew the crowd kisses. This time it didn’t feel like a joke. His mind was buzzing and his limbs were tingly.
—Ughhh I can smell your naaaasty alcohol breath from here… —Eugene said onto Luke’s hair.
—Are you shurr that’s not yrr’ own? —Luke said into the fabric.
—Uhh… not re-eallyy… —he quipped in an innocent façade.
—There’s only one way to find out… —Luke smiled, untangling his body from Eugene’s and towering over him.
And if he were conscious enough, he would have never crossed such a boundary, but then something else on the back of his mind reassured: you are not gonna remember anything tomorrow! So make it worthwhile! And he fulfilled the wish of the boy in glasses to use the thumb of his free hand to part his lips. Eugene gasped and tensed, and his face turned somehow even pinker, because fucking hell, I could be a prophet he thought.
So what if it was a little out of character for Eugene to use his hands to cup both sides of Luke’s face and draw him closer to his own face, until he could feel the smell of alcohol from Luke’s mouth and the warmth of his breathing. Not that we was any better, but maybe even worse. Eugene’s throat stung and his mind rung in soothing musical notes to let himself go for once and make one of his literal fantasies come true. He could picture on the backs of his consciousness, little scenarios where kissing his long-time crush could be the most awkward, weird experience in the world. Where their inexperience in meshing lips with other people would be evident, and he would keep a bad memento for the rest of his life. But his senses were so blocked out it didn’t seem to matter.
Luke let Eugene tilt his face ever so slightly. He searched for any hints of distress behind his round glasses, while said boy’s heart quickened.
And finally, Eugene guided the taller’s lips to his own and kissed him, and he swore his heart was about to spring out of his chest and run in circles around the room. Luke tensed, but he relaxed into his lips and closed his eyes almost instantly, letting his stomach do somersaults without putting much mind to it. His lips were sweet in a way your one true love’s mouth is. It tasted like the gum he had been chewing on their way to the party and the alcohol they had been consuming. A sickeningly hypnotizing combination. The little muffled sounds the jock was making sent were music to his ears.
Then, they parted their lips and gasped for air. Eugene had never seen Luke blushing like that, ever, and if that’s what he looked like with his caramel skin, then he feared for what he looked like himself with his pale, glassy skin. He felt a tear rolling down his face, and another, and a dam started pouring out of his eyes, and an immense sense of dread took over in a blink.
—Eugene? What happened?! Did I hurt you? —oh, his concerned voice and his even more troubled eyes made Eugene break into sobs.
It was the last fourth of rationality left in his cooked brain. He had realized he had just kissed his best friend and that nothing would ever be the same. They were drunk and got carried away by their instincts, but Luke’s affection didn’t mean the same thing for the lovestruck boy in big, round glasses. The jock was absolutely petrified about hurting him, again. He winced, thinking that Eugene probably regretted kissing him back and that he was about to kick him out of his life. Farther than an intrusive thought, suspecting you had fallen for someone who sees you as family hurts and stings like a thousand wasps; and lastly, he felt like a complete wimp for making Luke so concerned twice that night.
—Did I hurt you?
—Will w-we remember any of-of this tomorrow? —hiccuped Eugene, between sniffles, running his hand through Luke’s hair.
—I- I am not sure, what you mean…
—I love you, Luke, and I’d hate to lose you-
—Hey, I love you too, and I’d do anything to protect y-
—-But y-you don’t mean it the way I do…
Luke’s breath hitched. He gently took his hands to Eugene’s damp face and used his thumbs to wipe some of the tears that were collecting. He took the boy’s glasses, before setting them on the nightstand. He noticed Eugene’s crying was coming to a halt when it was reduced to hiccups and sniffles. And when the smaller finally opened his shiny eyes and stared up, his heart shook. The no-longer-Glasses’ hair was disheveled and it was sticking slightly to his forehead.
—I am not really good with my words… but I can show you how much I do indeed love you… the way you do. —Luke said softly, and if he weren’t so drunk, he’d kick his own ass for sounding so corny.
Luke pecked his lips. A quick experimental kiss which was thankfully reciprocated followed by the smaller’s hands guiding him back down, and another, much deeper and longer than the last. Luke took advantage of their little air breaks to mutter I love yous. And he returned to their kissing, parting his lips experimentally. When the shorter complied, he used his tongue to taste him further. Eugene squeaked in surprise, and Luke fell all the more intoxicated. Suddenly, he thought of two wrinkly raisins staring at the sun set behind the silhouette of the city curled into one another with hot chocolate in their hands. He felt like the happiest man alive, and he wanted that happiness to stay with him for the rest of his life.
Joy slipped back upstairs, avoiding meddling strangers who tried to stop her to pry, with her blurry vision and made it to the living room’s bathroom before breaking down into wails and tears.
The look of hatred on Oliver’s face was burned into her memory like an old TV. Joy kept thinking and rethinking and overthinking about what she could’ve possibly done to make him so mad. Her mind was a medley and she regretted taking the blunt from that one girl, she regretted kissing her, because apparently her supposedly supportive best friend supported everyone except her; she regretted offering him to go to that stupid kitchen, because maybe he was mad at her silence or lackluster responses; she regretted putting on a nice outfit, because anytime she’d see that stupid skirt hanging on her closet, she’d run to the bathroom and puke; she regretted convincing them to go to that stupid party, because the could be just about anywhere else in town: the movies, the bowling alley, or just driving around in Oliver’s (not borrowed) car with their loud music and the shotgun seat all hers to contemplate him; but the thing she regretted most was thinking this could be her chance to hint at her deeply buried feelings for him.
Oh, that hurt the most of all.
She could care less about how loud her crying could be. Anyone bothered by it can get her free pass to hell. She wanted to go back home and bury herself until someone came by and found her rotting corpse.
Oliver, on the other hand, was chugging an entire beer bottle completely surrounded by yelling teenagers. Not that the bottle in his hands or all those strangers were actually relevant to him at the moment. He was obviously more concentrated on winning the bet he had made with Elmer, the Spiderman on the left corner of his eye that was breakdancing without getting nauseous and the space man on the right corner whose suit shined in so many indescribable colors. He was definitely not thinking about
CHUG
blue strands of the prettiest hair,
CHUG
and how they matched her blueish eyes ethereally.
CHUG
His throat was stinging, like he was drinking lava, and he wasn’t sure if the alcohol was entirely the culprit for that.
A tone so emotional on a girl he had known for such a long time. She was usually more collected, and it was pretty rare to see her show so much emotion, especially in public. Then again, he had very much said a bunch of nonsense. He kept replaying the nasty things he had said to her in his brain, a broken record, as a sort of punishment. Apparently he was crazier before drinking, isn’t it meant to be the complete opposite?
He rawdogged the rest of the bottle and slammed it on the table, leaning on it, using one hand to keep himself stable and the other to pump a fist in the air. Everyone roared and screamed his name, a thundering applause rang against his eardrums. But he didn’t feel victorious in the slightest.
Elmer finished right after Oliver, making him the loser. Elmer felt his brain swivel before he noticed he had lost, and although he was a little disappointed that he had lost a bet, he jumped along the crowd and congratulated him.
Except Oliver didn’t even feel a rush or the will to celebrate. He didn’t even want to rub the win on Elmer’s face.
Everything looked patchy, and it seemed like the pool table had grown extra legs. His hands seemed so far away and the faces of his fellow classmates were an unrecognizable medley. Before he knew it, he felt his legs carry (or stumble) him away from the table and away from the crowd as he felt his stomach start to give up and push everything right from where it came from. The people around suddenly stopped their cheering and started to whisper to each other instead.
He swallowed it all back and groaned more nonsense when he saw familiar patches of color approach and he felt extra support guiding him towards the other end of the room. He yearned for a pretty blue-haired girl to be the one holding him on his feet. When his vision was able to settle, he saw Lilly.
—Dude, are you okay? —she used her arm to support him and guide him towards the bathroom. —ugh. Of course you are not, you almost fell on your face back there.
Except the blond boy could barely hear what the girl was saying, almost as if his eardrums were underwater, and before he could register anything, he was puking out the contents of his stomach in the toilet, with Lilly wincing and facing away.
—Ewwww… gross.
And then Oliver fell back on the wall and his lips quivered. Yes. It was gross. The way he has treated his best friend was the most disgusting thing imaginable. If he hadn’t already emptied his stomach, he would puke again. He was a beast and she was so, so beautiful and understanding, and he had perfectly wiped that gorgeous twinkle in her eye. And as he hiccuped and sobbed into his knees, he wondered in what world she would be able to forgive him for being such an unsupportive asshole.
It was so easy to stay behind and take care of Joy. For fucks sake, she wasn’t in the most rational state! Someone could’ve taken advantage of her- and he simply left her behind because he couldn’t stand watching Joy kiss another person. Another person who wasn’t him. But why would he be so jealous? He was so convinced that Joy was his friend, and that she would always be there, but that train of thought alone made him realize how selfish he was, and an awful friend. Who cares if she gets in a relationship, and who cares if it’s with Oliver or not, she deserves his full support, and she shouldn’t be slapped on the face with his stupid unrequited love from when they were in middle school.
As Oliver crumbled into a pile of tears on the bathroom floor, Lilly winced, and she pulled out her phone with the full intent of searching up what to do to help a person in such a condition, but her eyes drifted to a notification with an embedded video.
She clicked on it, and it was a short fragment of their argument, and although the videographer had extremely shaky hands, you could almost pinpoint the instant Oliver knew he fucked up. It zoomed in on Joy as she disappeared among other people without turning back.
She let out a long sigh as she crouched to his level. He was sobbing into his hands now.
—Oliver! You can cry all you want, or be a man and listen to me. —he hiccuped and smushed his eyes trying to focus on her face, but it all looked too blurry.
She let out a deep sigh.
—Let me start with a simple question, are you homophobic or fucking in love with her?
His breathing hitched as he heard the last few words. And he barely managed to respond with his raspy throat.
—I-I am not homophobic, at all-
—Then what the fuck happened back there?!
—I DON’T KNOW! I was a fucking dumbass!! When she kissed that other girl… my stomach felt so weird and I just wanted to get out of there- and then she came back but I was so upset that she didn’t trust me or something-
—What?! Oh my goodness. —she pinched the bridge of her nose and grumbled.— you were jealous. That’s the story, and that’s what YOU are gonna tell her like ASAP before it’s too late. Now get the hell out of here. As far as I know you two aren’t even a thing, so she must be confused as balls right now!
—I was such a jerk-
—Well, that settles it, if I were Joy I would never talk to your ass after being humiliated like that. —Oliver sniffled, she furrowed her brows and continued talking before he had a chance to break into another fit.— This time you’ll be straight up, direct, no ramblings, no running around the bushes, understood?
—I’ll… tell her how I feel! And how I acted that way because I was jealous… but what if… things are never the same?
—Dude, things don’t ever stay the same, like, ever ever, and I think you just got yourself past the turning point, the least you can do is go and make things right with that poor girl. Now, Scram! And be DIRECT!
—YEAH! I’ll do that! —Oliver wiped tears off his eyes and splashed his face with water before running (or rather stumbling) out of the bathroom.
—Finally. —Lilly rolled her eyes before taking out a small plastic bag and her credit card.
The living room’s floor was vibrating with the partying downstairs, and once again, Luke and Eugene found themselves on the calmer side of the storm.
There were a few teenagers on the couches, while others danced in circles as if the rug was a ballroom. The vibe was fueled by the classical music on the stereo.
A pair on the couch was cuddling very tightly as they drifted into the dream world, right next to them was another person with a bottle in their hands, and they drank straight from it while looking at the present and the future at the same time. Another person was on the floor in front of the couch dancing from the waist up, barely moving. The rest were on the rug spinning in circles.
Eugene’s hair was sticking in all directions, and his drowsy eyes and his wobbly smile matched Luke’s, as they held each other and danced like a classy couple in gowns. Holding each other’s hands as if two wobbly supports canceled out.
—This is so nice, I am so glad you bribed me to come…
—Those twenty were very much worth it. —he tried to wink but he ended up closing both of his eyes, and they giggled lowly.
—I wonder how Joy and Oli are doing right now. —Eugene whispered.
—They’re probably married by now. —Luke reassured.— I am just waiting for them to announce it in the group chat-
—HOW COULD HE DO THAT TO ME?! I HATE HIM!— Joy wailed.
She was huddled inside the theater room, sitting in a circle with two other people she didn’t know whatsoever. There was so much smoke that it was making her eyes tear up even more, and her voice scratched against her throat as she continued venting.
—I HOPE I NEVER. SEE HIM. AGAIN. —Joy screamed while ripping a blunt from one of the stranger’s hands, taking a deep breath and coughing out even more smoke in small puffs.
—Duuuuude! Don’t just snatch it like that. —a low voice reprimanded. The boy in question crossed his arms and tried to pout, but he felt like the muscles of his face weren’t listening to his brain at all.
—You are right. I am sorry... see? I DO know how to apologize! —the blue-haired girl leaned back and mumbled curses, letting whatever she was smoking take over her nervous system.
—Can we stop talking about… uhh.. whatever you were saying? —the other person quipped, sounding even more out of his senses than the aforementioned.
—No! I am too angry… about… ermm…
—Girl… you wanna see something? —the boy turned his gaze to Joy, who shrugged.
The boy proceeded to very slowly sit straight. He took the blunt from Joy’s shivering fingers and brought it to his lips. He motioned the third person in the room to get closer with his hand. They seemed to communicate telepathically as he approached his face to the first boy and he caught his lips as soon as he took his off the blunt. The girl stared in disbelief. It almost felt like there was a single functioning being in her brain and it was a minuscule fly, flying in circles. She stared as they basically made out and the smoke came out of the second boy’s mouth.
—And thAt’s shotgunning! —the boy who had received the smoke responded, after leaning back down.
—Keeevin, you should seriously tell me what chapsticks you using cuz maaan... —the first boy mocked after a small chuckle, wiping his mouth with his wrist teasingly.
—Wowww…. —Joy stared with a dumb smile, following the blunt with her eyes. She couldn’t give less of a fuck about their smooching, all she wanted was to block her brain enough to stop thinking about him.
—Fuck you. —the other boy responded. Kevin took the blunt from his hand.
—D’you wanna try it? —Kevin asked with a supposed devious smile, and his stupid lidded eyes were piercing through Joy’s.— Not as something weird, just a quick smoke exchange between friends.
—Uhh… okay… —Joy mumbled, propping herself up with her shivering palms on the carpeted floor.
First, her eyes followed the blunt as Kevin took a hit, then, they drifted the other boy who had a remote in his hands but was trying to use it as a smartphone. Then she turned her attention back to Kevin and took his face on her hands. He closed the connection between their faces and pressed his lips against hers before parting his mouth open and blowing the smoke into hers. She could almost feel the butterflies in her stomach as she closed her eyes except whatever she was smoking had her so buzzed that she could barely register when she breathed in the smoke and when their lips parted. She blinked. She sighed. She opened her eyes to the two boys passing the blunt to one another and giggling and she had no idea how she even ended up lying down on her back on the floor, but the way the time seemed to blend in was simply perfect to let her thoughts turn into mush.
She was having the time of her life drifting into other planes before she heard the faint sound of a door opening, and she could barely make out the shape of a person in front of her extending his hands to him and pulling her to sit back up. Then her eyes focused on his stupid face and she wanted to barf.
—J-Joy? Are you listening to me?
—Fuck… he sounds so fucking sad… fuck him.— Joy thought while avoiding his sad eyes.
—Do you even know these people? —he motioned to the other boys who were entirely in their own world.— IT REEKS in here. Let’s get out of here and talk.
Joy grumbled as she felt arms under her knees and shoulders pulling her up. Everything blended to the cold island of the kitchen where Oliver dropped her, and she laid down across the marble where a family probably kneaded dough before. She chuckled imagining herself as dough, being kneaded by a skilled personal chef with a very good pay and a passion for kneading dough. Then, she would get lathered with tomato sauce and blocks of cheese, dipped into an oven more expensive than both of her kidneys combined, and cooked evenly. She almost felt the warmth running through her body, even though the kitchen was freezing.
—I am too fucking… drunk for this. —Oliver let out in between breaths. He felt unusually tired after carrying Joy to the kitchen even though he had great physical condition, but then again, he could barely remember how much alcohol he had consumed (and later barfed) that night.
—And I am waaaay too high to listen to your bullshitting right now. —Joy slapped her arms to avoid looking at Oliver’s stupid face as he leaned on the counter and dropped to the floor.
—I just wanna say I am sorry. And… I’ll apologize a thousand times because. I was being weird. —His voice has muffled by his own hands on his face as he groaned from the growing headache on the back of his head.
—You somehow surpassed your usual insanity… I may or may not forgive you when I am back from being pizza.
—Pizza? Oh man. We are missing on the fucking pizza.
—Fuck the pizza man. I haven’t seen ‘Gene and Luke in like… ages! —Joy sprung from her laying position and her world blended again, so she had to lie back down.
—I bet Luke-s still being a bitch and hasn’t made a move on Eugene yet. They’re probably like… 6 feet apart or something like that-
The party had moved back upstairs and out in the cold, or rather, the birthday boy and some of his closest friends, among them was Ralph who chased after Elmer with a forced smile and evident concern in his eyes, contrasting against the birthday boy’s gloopy smile and careless demeanor. It was obvious to any conscious individual that one of them was extremely drunk and the other one wasn’t.
Eugene and Luke were ogling each other when they caught the two other boys skipping outside, and they followed to hopefully get to talk to Elmer since they hadn’t been able to catch him all night. They held hands as they reached the glass door that led outside, except Elmer’s friends were looking up and Elmer was nowhere to be seen.
—…RE GONNA GET FUCKING HURT! —Ralph’s voice rang when Eugene and Luke opened the door, and they immediately turned to follow Ralph’s eyes quizzically. Then their mouths dried.
—I FEEL ALIVE! —Elmer screamed. He was standing on the roof.
Not only was the gable roof extremely inconvenient and a recipe to falling (not that roofs were made to stand on them) but the clay tiles almost seemed to stutter whenever Elmer shifted his feet. He was holding onto the chimney.
—Are you crazy?! —Luke ran to Ralph’s side— you are gonna turn into PURÉE!!
—Uh, what are you, my parents? Don’t tell me what to do casanova.
—WHAT are you even talking about?!
—That girl you were kissing earlier, yeah, I literally have the picture. —Elmer
—Uhhh… WHAT? —Luke flushed.
—FORGET THAT! —Ralph yelled, cutting Luke’s spiraling thoughts.— Please, you could get seriously fucked up!!
—Naaah wait guys, let me show you the photo… —Elmer let go of the chimney to grab the cellphone on his back pocket, until he lost balance and fell on his butt, and he slid down a little before stabilizing himself again.
His stomach fell when he felt gravity pull on him to the ground, and it was enough to sober him up enough to let out a high-pitched not-so-manly scream.
The people who were already outside were shocked, worried, expectant to whatever was going to happen next, and some phones were pointing upwards too. There were more people coming outside, and there was more whispering and more gasping and more eyes on Elmer as he fell silent on the shock from almost falling and the alcohol weighing on his thoughts.
Joy and Oliver noticed more and more teenagers passing by the kitchen and they followed hesitantly. They spotted Eugene and Luke and soon found out what was happening.
—Oh my gosh! It’s been so long, guys! —Eugene smiled at the two before Elmer let out another scream and his eyes widened.
Elmer was sliding closer and closer to the edge. Everyone gasped again, and suddenly, a police siren joined the commotion too. Before they knew it, there were cops at the entrance of the house and they had invited themselves into the backyard.
The smarter kids were vanishing, but some of the more courageous ones still remained with their red cups on display.
Another siren approached, and soon, there were firefighters joining Elmer’s party with a ladder.
—Are you KIDS under the age of twenty-one? —The cop asked airly.
This question made most of the teenagers tense up, except for an evidently sober Ralph, who was panicking and whining to the officer about how he had lost sight of his friend for a few seconds and he had somehow managed to get on the roof. Luke, Eugene, Joy, and Oliver stared at each other with long faces before scurrying away from sight and jumping off the fence to the street, taking advantage of Ralph distracting the officer. Joy had scraped her knee because of how dizzy she felt, Oliver had almost fallen on his face, Luke struggled to locate himself to find the way to their car, and Eugene could barely stand on his own feet, but they finally had the time to catch a breath.
—Umm… —Oliver stared at Joy for a split second before turning to Eugene and Luke, whose eyes were wide (they were expecting a significant update on their relationship.)
—Yeeees? —Luke stretched his neck to the other two.
—This was the worst night ever. —Joy deadpanned, before taking her phone out and scrunching her eyes when the bright screen lit up.— Fuck- I can’t drive, I am sorry- I’ll pay us an uber-
—Needaride guys? —a girl’s voice suggested, they turned to the sound of a car’s engine on the street. It was Lilly wearing a scowl and rocking a beat up Pathfinder.
—Yeah! If that’s okay with you… —Oliver gave her a double thumbs up and he was the first one to get in the car when Lilly motioned them to come in.
—Just don’t try to recline the chairs, they get jammed, and don’t even bother with the seatbelts, they get jammed too.
There were already two other strangers in the car, teenagers they could recognize from school but didn’t really know he names of. They were packed like sardines in the back seat as another girl in the passenger’s seat stuffed a CD into the radio and turned up an uknown jazz song.
—Just a little something to get us to chill out —the girl turned her head to the backseat, she stared directly into Joy and Oliver.— heh- especially you too.
Joy muffled a groan and Oliver shrunk in his seat. Eugene and Luke looked at each other even more confused.
—Did something happen? —Luke quipped.
—Oh, you are in for a treat. —Lilly said, chuckling at Luke from the rear-view mirror.