Chapter Text
The whistle blows, signaling yet another win for the Yellowjackets. The teammates clash with each other in a blur of hugs and high-fives.
“Great job girls!” Coach Scott yells from the sidelines, “See you on Monday for practice!”
That's their cue for the team to head into the locker rooms, leaving their cheers and high-fives behind, focusing more on the sweat running down their bodies.
“Nice job today, Lottie.” Natalie says as they walk into the locker rooms.
“Thanks, you too.”
“I didn't do anything to help, honestly.”
“Being there was enough.”
The players all find themselves peeling off their sticky clothes and getting under the hot water of the showers, washing their victory away.
Everyone shakes their wet hair out and quickly gets dressed, grabbing their things to head out the door.
“Hang on guys,” Taissa speaks up, “How about we all celebrate with a party at my place tonight? My parents are out of town.”
“I'm 100% down.” Van says beside her girlfriend.
“Totally!” Jackie says while Shauna, Laura Lee, and Natalie nod in agreement.
“Alright then. I'll supply the booze and snacks, you guys just need to invite everyone you know.” Taissa says winking.
“Come on, let's go. We need to find outfits for tonight!” Jackie says to Shauna, walking out the door with everyone following close behind until it's just Natalie and Lottie left.
“Are you coming to the party?” Natalie asks Lottie as she gets her bag out of her locker.
“Why wouldn't I be?”
“You didn't show any signs you were coming.”
“Yeah, I am.”
“Okay. Great.”
There was a beat of silence before Lottie realized what Natalie might ask next.
“Nat, don't even think about it.”
“Think about what?”
“You know...bringing drugs? Tai would kill you.”
“Oh, go fuck yourself, Lottie.” Natalie says while slamming the locker shut and storming out the door.
“Jesus, okay.” Lottie murmurs under her breath, following Natalie out.
****
Taissa sets out bowls of chips and salsa around the kitchen, while Van helps by bringing up boomboxes and flashy lights from the basement. Van also helped supply the alcohol. She and Taissa stole it from Van's mom but nobody has to know that. It's not like her mom would notice anyways. The couple finishes setting up Taissa's house just as the first people arrive.
Jackie makes her grand entrance, shouting
“We're here!” while coming in the door.
Jeff trails next to her, Shauna following close behind them like a lost puppy.
“Shauna!” Van shouts, waving her over
“Hey, Van.”
“Weren't they broken up earlier today?”
“Jeff and Jackie? Yeah. Jackie invited him to the party and that meant they were still dating in Jeff's mind and Jackie figured that was perfectly fine.”
Shauna sighs, grabbing her arm with her hand, and goes to go find wherever they wandered off to. Presumably outside, as that's where Shauna heads first.
“That man is delusional.” Van says while turning to Taissa.
“Well, Jackie took him back again, so that means she is too.”
“Are you new here? Thought that was established years ago.”
Taissa hits Van's shoulder and laughs.
“Hey, I don't know what you've seen, but the way Shauna looks at Jackie is suspicious. It's sad Jackie can't see it.”
“You are aware not everyone is gay, yeah?”
“No shit. But even if Jackie doesn't feel that way toward Shauna, Shauna has to feel something for Jackie.”
“I don't know.”
“Come on, you've never thought about it? The way Shauna gets all quiet when Jeff is around? The way she smiles at Jackie?”
“I mean, I have, and I wouldn't be surprised but I'd rather just wait to hear it from Shauna herself.”
“Yeah, I get that.”
“I'm going to go greet some more of the arriving guests.”
Taissa squeezes Van's hand and goes off to welcome Laura Lee and Lottie, who come in together.
“Hey, guys! I'm surprised your parents let you come, Laura Lee.” Taissa exclaims.
“I had to convince them there would be no alcohol. I didn't think they'd fall for it to be honest.”
“Yeah, I didn't think they would've either.” Lottie mumbles.
Laura Lee rolls her eyes and Taissa chuckles. Behind them, Mari and Akilah arrive along with friends and partners of the players.
Van sets out the boomboxes and lights in the backyard, turning the music up and lights on while Taissa invites everybody in. Everyone slowly makes their way outside, gathering in the backyard. Taissa quickly grabs the packs of beer and shuts the patio door behind her.
****
An hour late, Natalie finally shows up, stumbling into the house. She finds Lottie sitting at the kitchen counter with a beer bottle in her hands. Natalie makes her way over and goes to lean against the other side of the counter.
“Why're you in here? Isn't the party outside?” Natalie asks.
“It's a shitshow out there. Are you seriously already drunk?” Lottie responds.
“Maybe just a tad tipsy.” Natalie says and pinches her fingers together.
“And yet you got so offended when I told you not to bring any drugs. I think I was justified.”
“Yeah, I was offended because I wasn't even thinking of it at the time. I just wanted to know if you were coming or not.”
“Oh,” Lottie says, “Well, did you?”
“Did I what?”
“Bring any drugs.”
“Fucking hell, no, Lottie!”
“Damn it.”
“We just got here.”
“No, you just got here. I've been here for like an hour.”
“That boring, huh?”
“Well, Laura Lee refuses to drink with me, which is fine because I love her to death, I do, but parties aren't fun without drinking buddies. Did you invite your goth friends? Maybe they'll bring some.”
“No, I didn't invite them this time.”
“Are you trying to ruin my mood more? Why the hell didn't you invite them?”
“You said not to bring drugs and they would've even if I told them not to.”
“I'm regretting that now.”
“I can tell. Listen, at the last party, I found some vodka and shit in the pantry. Are you in?”
“Oh hell yeah. I'm going to need something stronger than beer if I'm going to be here for a few more hours.”
“Okay, come on.”
With an eager grin, Natalie grabs Lottie's hand and leads her into the depths of Taissa's pantry. Natalie drops Lottie's hand to navigate through stacks of cans, clearing a path to the hidden treasure trove of bottles.
“Behold.” Natalie declares, unscrewing the caps and passing a bottle to Lottie.
“Cheers.” Lottie says and clinks their bottles together.
They both take a long sip at the same time and Lottie sighs as she removes hers from her lips.
“What?” Natalie asks, giggling
“I haven't had an actual good drink in so long.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. I drank my parents dry and they haven't noticed yet.”
Natalie laughs and they both swig their bottles again. Footsteps come from outside the door, heading straight for the pantry.
“Shit!” Natalie hisses, grabbing both their bottles and hiding them on the shelf behind them.
“Lottie, kiss me.”
“What?! Are you serious?”
“You were right; Taissa would've killed me if I brought drugs. I don't want to imagine what she'll do if she finds us drinking her parent's expensive ass alcohol.”
“Why do I have to kiss you?”
“Whoever walks in won't ask why we're in here.”
“Nat, I... I'm not sure if I can-” Lottie starts to protest.
Feet shuffle and the door starts to creak open.
“Damn it, Lottie!”
Natalie grabs Lottie's neck with both hands and pulls her down till their lips connect. Lottie's hands find their way to Natalie's hips, going along with it and deepening the kiss.
The steps stop in their tracks as the door creaks all the way open.
“Holy shit.” Taissa says, her voice booming throughout the tiny room.