Dammit, dammit, dammit. This was a problem, indeed. Taking an unsteady step forward, Morgan squinted as he tried to make out the stairs in front of him. They were there, but they kept on moving. Hell, the whole house kept on moving. Why was the house moving? The house should not have been moving. Houses didn't move. They stayed stationary.
Unless they were on a truck. Was he on a truck?
No, he was in a house.
Morgan Dragosavich grasped the railing like a lifeline as the house rocked to-and-fro with the ferocity of an ocean liner in a windstorm.
Wow, he was drunk.
((Morgan Dragosavich continued from The Red Sweater Conundrum))
He honestly wasn't sure what had done it. Morgan took the steps one at a time, carefully sashaying his way down the staircase. Where did this staircase even lead? He wasn't sure - it was in front of him, so the heck with it, he was going. Squinting his eyes to try and keep the swaying under control, he shook his head. How had it gone? He'd gotten to the party. Said hello to Claude at the door - talk about the last people he'd expected to be working security here, wow - and had gone into the kitchen. He'd only had a beer or two there, right? Maybe it had been three?
Huh. Morgan couldn't remember. Blinking his eyes a few times, he made it down the staircase, and threw the door in front of him open. The night air rushed in from outside. Outside? Okay, this was good. Very good. Good good good. Grasping the door as a lifeline, he stumbled outside, and found himself on the grass near the side of the house. Okay, great, this was as good a place as any. Nobody seemed to be around, and - wow, he took a step forward and almost tumbled to the ground - maybe he could regain his balance while he was at it.
"Oh maaaan."
Taking a few more steps forward, Morgan pitched forward again, this time his knee hitting the soft grass and sending the rest of him perilously close to being pitched out on the ground. This couldn't all be alcohol, could it? Maybe there was an earthquake going on. But just out here, just in this part of the yard? An incredibly localized earthquake?
Nope. That wasn't it. Pulling himself to his feet, Morgan felt himself stumbling to the right, and took up a position at the side wall of the house, his palms spread across the brick. For a moment, he felt himself stabilize. Okay, this was good. He blinked a few times. Had it been the shots?
The shots - it all flooded back to him. That would've done it. Someone had dared him into a shot-taking contest. He'd won, of course.
But really, had he? Morgan squinted at the side of the house, only a foot away from his face. He closed his eyes and let his forehead sag onto the cool brick. No, this very much felt like a loss. The world continued to spin around him. He opened his eyes and looked up - closing his eyes made everything spin a bit more.
"It's okay, house. I gotchu. I'll holdja up."
Yes, Morgan was talking to a house. But he'd stay here, for now. Fight through the spins, and hey - he couldn't leave his old pal - the house - out to dry.
"What a party, am I right?"
Evidently, the house wasn't in a talking mood.
You Spin Me Right Round Baby, Right Round
#Swiftball; open
[Regina Petrov Continued From In Vino Veritas]
Regina was annoyed. She just didn’t understand why everyone had to resort to childish nonsense when they were about to graduate high school. All of that should be behind them by now, after all they were about to be adults. The alcohol probably didn’t help the situation, but still, how could they expect to get by in life if their first instinct is to hit someone or cause an incident. That wasn’t how the real world worked, right? It couldn’t be. Regina made her way through the spacious house, excusing herself as she pushed through the crowd of students. She found herself at the side door finally, and sighed in relief. She knew this house was huge, but it felt like getting around it took forever. How could someone actually live in a place like this? It seemed insane. Regina pushed through the side door and finally made it outside. She took in a deep breath and sighed as she felt the cool night air fill her lungs. As crazy as it was inside, at least she could decompress a bit out here.
At least that’s what she would have done if not for the boy a few steps away from her leaning forehead first against the side of the house.
Regina took a beat and stared at the boy. She knew him, Morgan Dragosavich. They’d had a class or two together, and she was pretty sure his mom was one of her mom’s friends. She could hardly keep track of them all if she were being honest. If she shared anything with her mother, it was definitely her social skills. Regina took a step closer to the boy and leaned down a bit to peer at his face. Oh yeah, he was stone cold drunk. Her lips curled into a small smile. Well, at least he wasn’t doing anything too silly.
“Hey…” She started softly. “Morgan, hey, it’s Regina.” she softly placed her hand on the small of his back and rubbed comfortingly.
“You okay over here? You wanna lean somewhere more comfortable, maybe?”
Regina was annoyed. She just didn’t understand why everyone had to resort to childish nonsense when they were about to graduate high school. All of that should be behind them by now, after all they were about to be adults. The alcohol probably didn’t help the situation, but still, how could they expect to get by in life if their first instinct is to hit someone or cause an incident. That wasn’t how the real world worked, right? It couldn’t be. Regina made her way through the spacious house, excusing herself as she pushed through the crowd of students. She found herself at the side door finally, and sighed in relief. She knew this house was huge, but it felt like getting around it took forever. How could someone actually live in a place like this? It seemed insane. Regina pushed through the side door and finally made it outside. She took in a deep breath and sighed as she felt the cool night air fill her lungs. As crazy as it was inside, at least she could decompress a bit out here.
At least that’s what she would have done if not for the boy a few steps away from her leaning forehead first against the side of the house.
Regina took a beat and stared at the boy. She knew him, Morgan Dragosavich. They’d had a class or two together, and she was pretty sure his mom was one of her mom’s friends. She could hardly keep track of them all if she were being honest. If she shared anything with her mother, it was definitely her social skills. Regina took a step closer to the boy and leaned down a bit to peer at his face. Oh yeah, he was stone cold drunk. Her lips curled into a small smile. Well, at least he wasn’t doing anything too silly.
“Hey…” She started softly. “Morgan, hey, it’s Regina.” she softly placed her hand on the small of his back and rubbed comfortingly.
“You okay over here? You wanna lean somewhere more comfortable, maybe?”
[Declyn continued from Engraver]
Declyn put his phone back into his pocket, a cup in his other hand, after he ended the call which turned out to be nothing important but it had kept vibrating and he wouldn’t leave it at that so he wanted to call back. It was difficult enough to find a quiet enough place.
How long had it been since he had arrived? An hour? No. More? It certainly felt like more but he wasn’t sure because time seemed to take a different path at parties. No one cared until it was too late and then they went off like a scared fly. Declyn had spent most of that time in the basement with Drew on the dancefloor, milling around with the crowd and making the occasional smalltalk with people, some whose names he didn’t know. Others were busy. He had seen Camilla for a brief second before she disappeared around the corner behind someone with red locks. Or Lorenzo and Kayden making moves at each other. Things had gotten heated. On his way here, he had noticed that everyone seemed to be scattered around the house with drama stirring here and there because of course there was and it was no surprise if you were familiar with your classmates. But hey, party. There were free drinks everywhere and possibly drugs going around but drugs weren’t his thing. Combine these two and bad things will go down. Though, some may not even need that much.
The beat of the music hadn’t left his body quite yet, but the fresh air? It felt so good. He hadn’t noticed just how bad it had gotten down there. His ears were thanking him too. He took a deep, quiet breath through his nose before he turned around (whoa, he felt a little bit of a wobble there) and started to walk back towards the door, only to notice two figures who hadn’t been there before.
“Gina! Hey.” He smiled slightly. He mainly knew her through Adonis and well, he could only say good things about her. He didn’t recognize figure number two until he got closer. Ah, science guy.... guy, science class. Morgan. Declyn’s face showed concern.
“Everything alright here?”
Declyn put his phone back into his pocket, a cup in his other hand, after he ended the call which turned out to be nothing important but it had kept vibrating and he wouldn’t leave it at that so he wanted to call back. It was difficult enough to find a quiet enough place.
How long had it been since he had arrived? An hour? No. More? It certainly felt like more but he wasn’t sure because time seemed to take a different path at parties. No one cared until it was too late and then they went off like a scared fly. Declyn had spent most of that time in the basement with Drew on the dancefloor, milling around with the crowd and making the occasional smalltalk with people, some whose names he didn’t know. Others were busy. He had seen Camilla for a brief second before she disappeared around the corner behind someone with red locks. Or Lorenzo and Kayden making moves at each other. Things had gotten heated. On his way here, he had noticed that everyone seemed to be scattered around the house with drama stirring here and there because of course there was and it was no surprise if you were familiar with your classmates. But hey, party. There were free drinks everywhere and possibly drugs going around but drugs weren’t his thing. Combine these two and bad things will go down. Though, some may not even need that much.
The beat of the music hadn’t left his body quite yet, but the fresh air? It felt so good. He hadn’t noticed just how bad it had gotten down there. His ears were thanking him too. He took a deep, quiet breath through his nose before he turned around (whoa, he felt a little bit of a wobble there) and started to walk back towards the door, only to notice two figures who hadn’t been there before.
“Gina! Hey.” He smiled slightly. He mainly knew her through Adonis and well, he could only say good things about her. He didn’t recognize figure number two until he got closer. Ah, science guy.... guy, science class. Morgan. Declyn’s face showed concern.
“Everything alright here?”
Suddenly, he was being touched. That was sweet of the house to give his back a little bit of a rub as he did his best to hold it up. It even asked him if he was okay. Looking to his right, Morgan almost jumped from a start. Holy crap - that wasn't the house at all, that was Regina. He knew Regina! She sounded concerned, which was nice. He'd known Regina for a long time - their moms knew each other, or something. Morgan squinted as he racked his brain. He couldn't remember specifically, but whatever. Nodding, he pushed forward against the brick, feeling the rough contoured edges around his fingers.
"Nah Gina, I'm good. Really. Just... tryin' to hold the house up, you know? There's so many people inside, it needs all the help it can get." He shot her a weak grin.
"What's even better, is that the longer I stand here, the less I feel the spins." Morgan frowned. "And noooobody likes the spins!"
Someone else popped down the stairs to join their little gathering; Morgan's eyes now adjusted to the darkness, he identified them as Declyn. He didn't know Declyn outside of science class, but he knew that green hair anywhere. He pushed against the wall a little bit more.
"Great party, right?"
Morgan loosened his fingers from the pushing position and stood up straight. The spins overtook him and he stumbled, putting one hand against the wall to brace himself. Weakly, he looked at the two, and shrugged.
"I don't remember who it was that I did all those shots with, but," he steadied himself, and his bravado fell, "honestly, they're probably doing better than I am right now. Or not, they could be out cold."
Glancing at Regina, he nodded at her.
"Y'know what? You're right. Maybe it's time to lay down. This grass seems awfully comfy."
With that, Morgan took a step back from the wall and let himself tumble back onto the grass with a sigh, looking up at the clear Tennessee sky. His mouth continued to ramble, words slurred together.
"It's kind of a shame we don't see more stars, am I right? Light pollution. It'll get ya!"
"Nah Gina, I'm good. Really. Just... tryin' to hold the house up, you know? There's so many people inside, it needs all the help it can get." He shot her a weak grin.
"What's even better, is that the longer I stand here, the less I feel the spins." Morgan frowned. "And noooobody likes the spins!"
Someone else popped down the stairs to join their little gathering; Morgan's eyes now adjusted to the darkness, he identified them as Declyn. He didn't know Declyn outside of science class, but he knew that green hair anywhere. He pushed against the wall a little bit more.
"Great party, right?"
Morgan loosened his fingers from the pushing position and stood up straight. The spins overtook him and he stumbled, putting one hand against the wall to brace himself. Weakly, he looked at the two, and shrugged.
"I don't remember who it was that I did all those shots with, but," he steadied himself, and his bravado fell, "honestly, they're probably doing better than I am right now. Or not, they could be out cold."
Glancing at Regina, he nodded at her.
"Y'know what? You're right. Maybe it's time to lay down. This grass seems awfully comfy."
With that, Morgan took a step back from the wall and let himself tumble back onto the grass with a sigh, looking up at the clear Tennessee sky. His mouth continued to ramble, words slurred together.
"It's kind of a shame we don't see more stars, am I right? Light pollution. It'll get ya!"
Regina giggled at Morgan’s reasoning. Holding up the house, huh? Well she supposed someone had to worry about it with all the nonsense going on. She continued to rub his back soothingly, just in case he needed to vomit. It wouldn’t be her first time figuratively holding someone’s hair back. She figured she could stay out here with him for a while until he began to feel better, no sense bothering anyone else inside, let alone one of the hosts. This was one of the main reasons Gina even liked to come to these parties. Part of it was socializing, of course, but another was making sure everyone was okay and nothing too bad happened. Regina opened up her mouth to say something to the boy, but was cut off by someone calling out to her and joining them on the side of the house.
It was Declyn. A friend of Adonis’. She smiled at his approach. He was a sweet boy, even if Adonis was a bit… overly attached to him at times she’d noticed. But that had nothing to do with Declyn and everything to do with Adonis, so it was neither here nor there.
“Hey, Declyn!” She greeted. “Yeah we’re okay, Morgan’s just had a bit too much. He’ll be okay.”
At least that was what she thought. Morgan’s actions seemed to imply he was still in the weeds a bit. He stood up suddenly, and Regina kept her hands on him to try and steady him. He seemed to settle, and they looked her dead in the eyes and agreed it was time to lie down. She sighed and smiled, but let out a shocked squeak ads he proceeded to drop himself backwards onto the grass. She put a hand over her heart to calm herself, but then he started to mumble about stars and she figured he was fine. She looked over to Declyn with a small smile and shrugged her shoulders.
“See? He’s great.”
She then walked over to Morgan and plopped herself down on the grass beside him, putting her hand on his forehead to make sure he wasn’t burning up from some drug or something. No fever, but he sure was sweating heavily. She wiped her hand on her pants and sighed. Well, she supposed she was gonna be out here for a while. If he fell asleep she could at least roll him on his side so he didn’t drown himself. Till then, or a time when he was sober enough to move, she figured she’d relax out here with him.
“Mind if I join you?” She grinned at him. "Yeah, the stars sure look nice tonight." She looked over to Declyn and patted the grass beside her.
“Wanna join? It’s free parking.”
It was Declyn. A friend of Adonis’. She smiled at his approach. He was a sweet boy, even if Adonis was a bit… overly attached to him at times she’d noticed. But that had nothing to do with Declyn and everything to do with Adonis, so it was neither here nor there.
“Hey, Declyn!” She greeted. “Yeah we’re okay, Morgan’s just had a bit too much. He’ll be okay.”
At least that was what she thought. Morgan’s actions seemed to imply he was still in the weeds a bit. He stood up suddenly, and Regina kept her hands on him to try and steady him. He seemed to settle, and they looked her dead in the eyes and agreed it was time to lie down. She sighed and smiled, but let out a shocked squeak ads he proceeded to drop himself backwards onto the grass. She put a hand over her heart to calm herself, but then he started to mumble about stars and she figured he was fine. She looked over to Declyn with a small smile and shrugged her shoulders.
“See? He’s great.”
She then walked over to Morgan and plopped herself down on the grass beside him, putting her hand on his forehead to make sure he wasn’t burning up from some drug or something. No fever, but he sure was sweating heavily. She wiped her hand on her pants and sighed. Well, she supposed she was gonna be out here for a while. If he fell asleep she could at least roll him on his side so he didn’t drown himself. Till then, or a time when he was sober enough to move, she figured she’d relax out here with him.
“Mind if I join you?” She grinned at him. "Yeah, the stars sure look nice tonight." She looked over to Declyn and patted the grass beside her.
“Wanna join? It’s free parking.”
Declyn eyed the door for a moment at Morgan’s mention of the person he had done the shots with, trying to gauge the situation. Oh no. He hoped they weren’t doing worse and if so, he hoped they had someone like Regina by their side. Declyn wasn’t big on drinking but still enjoyed a couple of drinks and the small rush it gave him. You either know how to hold your liquor or don’t, or you don’t care and are more than engaged in the activity, accepting the death of approximately 11.564 brain cells. (Or that’s what the majority thought. They’re not dying in droves. They’re just not able to communicate with one another as well as they might when you’re sober.)
Fortunately, the other billions of brain cells are there for the rescue.
The sound of Morgan plopping onto the grass and Regina’s squeak brought Declyn’s attention back to them. He took a small sip from his cup—a fruity mix he couldn’t identify—rubbing the plastic rim with his thumb when he moved it from his lips.
“He’s not wrong about light pollution.”
He grinned back at Regina and followed her invitation. It didn’t sound bad at all and his legs could use some rest. He tugged on the back pocket of his ripped jeans with his free hand before he seated himself beside her. “Where were you when I needed free parking two hours ago?—”
And there went the fruity stuff.
A soft “ah” and “sorry” to no one in particular, or the grass, escaped his mouth and his cheeks flushed slightly. It was only a matter of time really until he would lose his grip on the cup after he had positioned it right next to him. He quickly tilted the now empty cup up and held onto it with a tight grip before he realized it was okay to loosen it now. It didn’t matter but he felt bad for possibly ruining the small patch of plants and quickly promised in his mind that he would make up for it in the gardening club. Declyn scooted closer to the girl, carefully, to avoid the spot, sitting in a position where his legs were crossed before he allowed his back to hit the ground.
Morgan was not wrong indeed.
“Hey, have you guys seen the post going around about there being a green moon today? It’s obviously a joke but... Imagine how pretty that would be.”
Fortunately, the other billions of brain cells are there for the rescue.
The sound of Morgan plopping onto the grass and Regina’s squeak brought Declyn’s attention back to them. He took a small sip from his cup—a fruity mix he couldn’t identify—rubbing the plastic rim with his thumb when he moved it from his lips.
“He’s not wrong about light pollution.”
He grinned back at Regina and followed her invitation. It didn’t sound bad at all and his legs could use some rest. He tugged on the back pocket of his ripped jeans with his free hand before he seated himself beside her. “Where were you when I needed free parking two hours ago?—”
And there went the fruity stuff.
A soft “ah” and “sorry” to no one in particular, or the grass, escaped his mouth and his cheeks flushed slightly. It was only a matter of time really until he would lose his grip on the cup after he had positioned it right next to him. He quickly tilted the now empty cup up and held onto it with a tight grip before he realized it was okay to loosen it now. It didn’t matter but he felt bad for possibly ruining the small patch of plants and quickly promised in his mind that he would make up for it in the gardening club. Declyn scooted closer to the girl, carefully, to avoid the spot, sitting in a position where his legs were crossed before he allowed his back to hit the ground.
Morgan was not wrong indeed.
“Hey, have you guys seen the post going around about there being a green moon today? It’s obviously a joke but... Imagine how pretty that would be.”
Head leaning back against the cool grass, Morgan's eyes scanned the sky for the moon. The stars weren't as visible as they may have been were they further out into the countryside, but the moon was bright. It wasn't a full moon - that would have been a funny little cliche - but enough of it was visible that he lackadaisically pointed at it, letting his hand fall back down to the grass.
"A green moon? Duuuude." Morgan stretched the syllables out, pondering that thought for a moment. Declyn was right. It would look pretty.
"That'd be some real Northern Lights-lookin' shit." He squinted at the sky. "That'd be so cool. But I dunno what..."
He closed his eyes for a moment, warding off dizziness. Composing himself, he tried to jump back onto his train of thought.
"... there would have to be some really funky stuff in the atmosphere to make the moon turn green." Morgan grinned, a silly thought having come into mind. "Though if it is made of cheese like they say, maybe it just went bad!"
Giggling on the ground, he closed his eyes once more as his inertia failed him. The waves of intoxication washed over him repeatedly, and he counted his lucky stars that he was firmly on the cool, flat ground.
"A green moon? Duuuude." Morgan stretched the syllables out, pondering that thought for a moment. Declyn was right. It would look pretty.
"That'd be some real Northern Lights-lookin' shit." He squinted at the sky. "That'd be so cool. But I dunno what..."
He closed his eyes for a moment, warding off dizziness. Composing himself, he tried to jump back onto his train of thought.
"... there would have to be some really funky stuff in the atmosphere to make the moon turn green." Morgan grinned, a silly thought having come into mind. "Though if it is made of cheese like they say, maybe it just went bad!"
Giggling on the ground, he closed his eyes once more as his inertia failed him. The waves of intoxication washed over him repeatedly, and he counted his lucky stars that he was firmly on the cool, flat ground.
Regina chuckled at Declyn’s joke as he sat beside her, and then had to put her hand over her mouth to stifle her giggles when he accidentally knocked over his cup, spilling his drink all over the grass. She didn’t mean to laugh, but it was a bit funny. Declyn scooted a bit closer to her, no doubt to escape the wet patch, and Regina scooted herself over some to give him more room. Declyn too flopped back onto the group to look at the stars, and Regina smiled. When in Rome, right? She let herself fall back with a sigh, and stared up at the sky with a sense of wonder. It was funny. Inside everyone was having a crazy time filled with booze, drugs, and loud music, but just outside those walls the three of them had found a small patch of calm paradise. The contrast really was astounding. Yeah, this moment wouldn’t last very long no doubt, and eventually they’d have to return to the wildness of the party, but right now she just wanted to enjoy the night air and the stars above.
Declyn mentioned a post saying there would be a green moon tonight, and Gina smiled at the thought. Morgan’s arm reached out towards the sky and he laughed about how cool a green moon would be. Regina had to agree, that really would be an impressive sight. Odd, for sure, but impressive nonetheless. Morgan continued to ramble for a bit, and Regina listened with a smile. He made a comment on how the moon was made of cheese and quickly descended into a fit of giggles, and Regina couldn’t help but to laugh along with him. He might have been stone cold drunk, but he was still pretty entertaining.
“A moldy cheese moon, huh? That’d be something to see.” She laughed again and sighed contentedly.
“Wow, it’s so comfortable out here. I almost don’t want to go back inside.” She said drearily.
She turned her head to look at Morgan. He had his eyes closed now, but still looked pretty out of it. She then turned to look at Declyn.
“Plus our good friend Morgan here still needs to recover a bit.” She grinned at the green-haired boy.
“Though there are worse thing than to be stuck outside on a beautiful night, right?” She turned to look at Morgan again.
“You feeling any better, sweetie?”
Declyn mentioned a post saying there would be a green moon tonight, and Gina smiled at the thought. Morgan’s arm reached out towards the sky and he laughed about how cool a green moon would be. Regina had to agree, that really would be an impressive sight. Odd, for sure, but impressive nonetheless. Morgan continued to ramble for a bit, and Regina listened with a smile. He made a comment on how the moon was made of cheese and quickly descended into a fit of giggles, and Regina couldn’t help but to laugh along with him. He might have been stone cold drunk, but he was still pretty entertaining.
“A moldy cheese moon, huh? That’d be something to see.” She laughed again and sighed contentedly.
“Wow, it’s so comfortable out here. I almost don’t want to go back inside.” She said drearily.
She turned her head to look at Morgan. He had his eyes closed now, but still looked pretty out of it. She then turned to look at Declyn.
“Plus our good friend Morgan here still needs to recover a bit.” She grinned at the green-haired boy.
“Though there are worse thing than to be stuck outside on a beautiful night, right?” She turned to look at Morgan again.
“You feeling any better, sweetie?”
Declyn let out a small gasp at the mention of the Northern Lights.
“I’d love to see them.” He threw in as a comment. “One day.” Like shape-shifting apparitions dancing across the stars, it would truly be an experience you’d probably never forget. It required the right timing though, location and meteorological conditions, sprinkled with some luck and patience to maximize the encounter. This molecular magic existed and it was almost hard to believe when seeing the photos. Declyn was no photographer, but he figured if they were to have a life’s shot list, capturing the Northern Lights would be on it.
He laughed along with the two when Morgan went on about a cheesy moon going bad.
“Well, the idea behind it is, since it’s April 20th today, 4/20—..... You get it. But I like your version more.”
Declyn was enjoying the peaceful minutes with one hand behind his head and his other resting on his stomach. He smiled at Regina when she turned towards him and replied with a “yeah” before he followed her gaze to Morgan, lifting his head just a little to get a better view.
“If you need anything, a jacket or blanket or....” He trailed off when he felt the dull vibration of an incoming text message in his pocket. His hand slipped from behind his head to his phone and he held it up. It was from Cecil:
So I’m at a party? Now what.
What? Wait. He’s here? What kind of question was that? Knowing him, Declyn knew it was genuine and he sat up, focusing on the text for a moment. He had been trying to get Cecil to join him on a nightly adventure and now he was actually here and reaching out. With a little concern and more excitement, he was biting his lower lip to suppress a small smirk, trying to relax before he looked at Regina and Morgan.
“Is it okay if I leave you two here?” The boy stood up and dusted his back and bottom off. “Friend in need. You guys stay safe, okay?”
He waved his phone at them and then he hurried towards the door to get to wherever said friend was.
[Declyn continued in Just Dance]
“I’d love to see them.” He threw in as a comment. “One day.” Like shape-shifting apparitions dancing across the stars, it would truly be an experience you’d probably never forget. It required the right timing though, location and meteorological conditions, sprinkled with some luck and patience to maximize the encounter. This molecular magic existed and it was almost hard to believe when seeing the photos. Declyn was no photographer, but he figured if they were to have a life’s shot list, capturing the Northern Lights would be on it.
He laughed along with the two when Morgan went on about a cheesy moon going bad.
“Well, the idea behind it is, since it’s April 20th today, 4/20—..... You get it. But I like your version more.”
Declyn was enjoying the peaceful minutes with one hand behind his head and his other resting on his stomach. He smiled at Regina when she turned towards him and replied with a “yeah” before he followed her gaze to Morgan, lifting his head just a little to get a better view.
“If you need anything, a jacket or blanket or....” He trailed off when he felt the dull vibration of an incoming text message in his pocket. His hand slipped from behind his head to his phone and he held it up. It was from Cecil:
So I’m at a party? Now what.
What? Wait. He’s here? What kind of question was that? Knowing him, Declyn knew it was genuine and he sat up, focusing on the text for a moment. He had been trying to get Cecil to join him on a nightly adventure and now he was actually here and reaching out. With a little concern and more excitement, he was biting his lower lip to suppress a small smirk, trying to relax before he looked at Regina and Morgan.
“Is it okay if I leave you two here?” The boy stood up and dusted his back and bottom off. “Friend in need. You guys stay safe, okay?”
He waved his phone at them and then he hurried towards the door to get to wherever said friend was.
[Declyn continued in Just Dance]
Squinting at the night sky, Morgan raised his hand, balled into a fist with his thumb extended. He gave a big thumbs-up to all of it - was he okay, was the party good, was it fine to leave them here? All of it. It was all good.
"Have fun," he called to the departing Declyn, staying stationary in his newfound place amongst the grass and the dandelions. Everything was still spinning; less so now, but he could still tell that his equilibrium was askew. For Regina, he simply waited as Declyn's telltale footsteps faded away before he addressed her question with his words rather than just a gesture.
"I'm good, really. Gotta stop forgetting I'm not a giant when it comes to drinking." He hesitated. "Or ever. I'm really not huge. I don't even lift!" Again, he broke out into laughter. The joke wasn't that funny, but his intoxicated brain loved it.
As he stared up into the night sky, Morgan wondered how long it would take for his body to regain its balance. The few times he'd gone and done this kind of thing, it had usually ended with him hunched over a toilet, puking his brains out. Odds were it would be the same outcome for him tonight, but that was fine, he'd accounted for it. Besides, at the moment, the spinning wasn't that bad. He'd fought the spins off before, and by gosh, he'd do it again.
"This doesn't feel like your scene, what with all the drinking and carrying on," he offhandedly remarked to Regina, surprising himself more than anything.
"Have fun," he called to the departing Declyn, staying stationary in his newfound place amongst the grass and the dandelions. Everything was still spinning; less so now, but he could still tell that his equilibrium was askew. For Regina, he simply waited as Declyn's telltale footsteps faded away before he addressed her question with his words rather than just a gesture.
"I'm good, really. Gotta stop forgetting I'm not a giant when it comes to drinking." He hesitated. "Or ever. I'm really not huge. I don't even lift!" Again, he broke out into laughter. The joke wasn't that funny, but his intoxicated brain loved it.
As he stared up into the night sky, Morgan wondered how long it would take for his body to regain its balance. The few times he'd gone and done this kind of thing, it had usually ended with him hunched over a toilet, puking his brains out. Odds were it would be the same outcome for him tonight, but that was fine, he'd accounted for it. Besides, at the moment, the spinning wasn't that bad. He'd fought the spins off before, and by gosh, he'd do it again.
"This doesn't feel like your scene, what with all the drinking and carrying on," he offhandedly remarked to Regina, surprising himself more than anything.
Regina chuckled at Morgan’s half-baked thumbs up to signify that he was okay. Well at least he still had his sense of humor, more than could be said for the last group of alcohol-fueled classmates she’d happened upon. And if anything, as the time passed he seemed to be getting more and more lucid and aware. That was a positive. Declyn began to ask whether she needed a jacket or a blanket, but she shook her head in the negative. It was sweet of him to ask, but honestly the breeze out here felt good, and she had been much too warm inside. She figured she should thank him for the offer anyway, but all of a sudden he stood, asking if it was okay to leave the two of them outside as he had to go help a friend. Regina smiled happily at the pastel-headed boy.
“Don’t worry about us, we’re fine. You go on ahead!” She waved him off and watched as he disappeared back into the house.
Now it was just Morgan and herself, but that was alright, even as trashed as he was, Morgan still made for fine company after all. Besides, she felt it was best if he rested out here for a bit longer before diving headfirst back into the wild party antics. Honestly, as selfish as it sounded, she needed just as much a break as he did, and she’d barely been there for an hour so far. Morgan spoke up again, assuring her that he was doing good, even if he’d overestimated his drinking capacity. She was glad he was at least making more sense now. Even if his jokes were still a bit cringy. Then he asked her basically what she was doing at the party, as it didn’t seem like her type of thing. She couldn’t lie, it was a valid question.
“You’re not wrong. I’m not big on drinking or anything.” She smiled and turned her head to look at him.
“But, y’know… It makes me really happy when I see everyone having such a good time and laughing with each other. Sure, there’s arguments and the like, but for the most part everyone is just having fun and letting go.” She sighed happily and grinned really big at him.
“Seeing everyone being themselves and just trying to have a good time… Those are the kind of memories I want to have of high school forever.”
“Don’t worry about us, we’re fine. You go on ahead!” She waved him off and watched as he disappeared back into the house.
Now it was just Morgan and herself, but that was alright, even as trashed as he was, Morgan still made for fine company after all. Besides, she felt it was best if he rested out here for a bit longer before diving headfirst back into the wild party antics. Honestly, as selfish as it sounded, she needed just as much a break as he did, and she’d barely been there for an hour so far. Morgan spoke up again, assuring her that he was doing good, even if he’d overestimated his drinking capacity. She was glad he was at least making more sense now. Even if his jokes were still a bit cringy. Then he asked her basically what she was doing at the party, as it didn’t seem like her type of thing. She couldn’t lie, it was a valid question.
“You’re not wrong. I’m not big on drinking or anything.” She smiled and turned her head to look at him.
“But, y’know… It makes me really happy when I see everyone having such a good time and laughing with each other. Sure, there’s arguments and the like, but for the most part everyone is just having fun and letting go.” She sighed happily and grinned really big at him.
“Seeing everyone being themselves and just trying to have a good time… Those are the kind of memories I want to have of high school forever.”
"Yeah, I get that. Everyone's gotta let go at some point." He paused, thoughtful, but broke it with a sheepish grin. "Just wish I hadn't let go of my balance at the same time as everything else."
The evening was a pleasant temperature out, and as far as parties went, this one was pretty good. Inevitably, most people would have good memories from it. He supposed there was something to be said for being able to enjoy the feeling of joy - the sounds of laughter, the smiling faces on those wandering the house.
He grinned to himself. Morgan was one of those people, too. He loved when things were light and airy, when everyone was having a good time. Hell, half of the time he didn't mind having a laugh at his own expense, either. This was undoubtedly one of those times.
"Life's way too short to waste it on petty crap. Especially at a bash like this one." It was a philosophy that he didn't outwardly adhere to, but it made sense. Morgan wasn't one to consider consequence or anything overly serious until he absolutely had to. It had made high school a fairy pleasant experience, if not with a fair number of interesting situations for him to work his way out of when he'd leaped before looking.
"Are you happy with how it's all gone," he barely stopped before clarifying, "high school, I mean? A lot of people can't wait to get out."
The evening was a pleasant temperature out, and as far as parties went, this one was pretty good. Inevitably, most people would have good memories from it. He supposed there was something to be said for being able to enjoy the feeling of joy - the sounds of laughter, the smiling faces on those wandering the house.
He grinned to himself. Morgan was one of those people, too. He loved when things were light and airy, when everyone was having a good time. Hell, half of the time he didn't mind having a laugh at his own expense, either. This was undoubtedly one of those times.
"Life's way too short to waste it on petty crap. Especially at a bash like this one." It was a philosophy that he didn't outwardly adhere to, but it made sense. Morgan wasn't one to consider consequence or anything overly serious until he absolutely had to. It had made high school a fairy pleasant experience, if not with a fair number of interesting situations for him to work his way out of when he'd leaped before looking.
"Are you happy with how it's all gone," he barely stopped before clarifying, "high school, I mean? A lot of people can't wait to get out."
Regina pondered his question for a moment. It was a poignant one for sure. Surprising given his condition. Although, the longer they talked the more he seemed to sober up, so that was something to be glad of. But getting back to his question, Regina really couldn’t think of an answer. Was she happy with how she’d spent the last four years? Everything she’d done, or didn’t do? The people she chose to spend her time with, versus the people she stayed away from? It was something she’d honestly been thinking about on her own time just a bit, with graduation around the corner and all.
“I’m not sure.” She answered as honestly as she could.
“It’s been on my mind lately… As happy as I am that we’re graduating, it feels kind of bittersweet.” Still staring up at the stars above, she reached out her hand and began to trace shapes among the shining dots.
“There’s a lot of people I wish I’d gotten to know better. It’s funny, I feel like I’m always trying to meet and interact with as many people as possible, but really I can count my close friends on one hand.”
That was true. Sure, she had the Eastern European Culture Club, but the person she was really closest to there was Abel. And they grew up together, so it was a bit different with them. And then she had Camille and Adonis, who were by far her closest friends without a doubt. And then there was Caroline, who was someone she considered a dear friend. But besides them, Gina hadn’t really built any solid relationships with many other students. All her relationships were surface level, and when she really thought about it, it made her a bit sad. In the end, how many people would really remember her five years from now? How many of them would SHE remember?
“I know it sounds kind of stupid. What about you? Any regrets?”
“I’m not sure.” She answered as honestly as she could.
“It’s been on my mind lately… As happy as I am that we’re graduating, it feels kind of bittersweet.” Still staring up at the stars above, she reached out her hand and began to trace shapes among the shining dots.
“There’s a lot of people I wish I’d gotten to know better. It’s funny, I feel like I’m always trying to meet and interact with as many people as possible, but really I can count my close friends on one hand.”
That was true. Sure, she had the Eastern European Culture Club, but the person she was really closest to there was Abel. And they grew up together, so it was a bit different with them. And then she had Camille and Adonis, who were by far her closest friends without a doubt. And then there was Caroline, who was someone she considered a dear friend. But besides them, Gina hadn’t really built any solid relationships with many other students. All her relationships were surface level, and when she really thought about it, it made her a bit sad. In the end, how many people would really remember her five years from now? How many of them would SHE remember?
“I know it sounds kind of stupid. What about you? Any regrets?”
Morgan looked up at the night sky, studying the stars while allowing his head to clear a little bit more. Deciding to risk it, he sat up, bracing himself with his hands behind him. The spins had disappeared! Thank goodness for small favours. As far as regrets?
"Not really," he shook his head. "High school was what it was. It was good sometimes, kinda shitty sometimes, and a whole bunch of in-between. I'll miss it, but I'd bet university will be crazy enough that we'll all forget all about it."
He paused for a moment, allowing his semi-intoxicated brain time to really consider it.
"Don't get me wrong. I wanna get out of here, live in a dorm, live the student life. But I dunno. High school was all right by me."
She'd said more, lamenting not making closer connections, but Morgan couldn't really identify with her. Empathise, sure. But he didn't find himself overly burdened by the complexity of social politics. If he wanted to go talk to someone, he would. Didn't matter whom they were. He'd had his fair share of awkward encounters, especially around a particularly pretty girl or when faced with addressing a large group, but in the end, what was the worst that could happen?
"I don't think you should worry too much about getting to know people. When you go off to college, you'll meet a whole new set of people, from a whole different set of places." He shrugged his shoulders. "Probably a lot more interesting than our crazy lot. Though we sure do have a lot of drama queens in our class, huh?"
Morgan laughed. His head was starting to clear and his voice was slurring less and less. This was all very good. It meant that he would soon be ready to venture back in to find another drink.
"Not really," he shook his head. "High school was what it was. It was good sometimes, kinda shitty sometimes, and a whole bunch of in-between. I'll miss it, but I'd bet university will be crazy enough that we'll all forget all about it."
He paused for a moment, allowing his semi-intoxicated brain time to really consider it.
"Don't get me wrong. I wanna get out of here, live in a dorm, live the student life. But I dunno. High school was all right by me."
She'd said more, lamenting not making closer connections, but Morgan couldn't really identify with her. Empathise, sure. But he didn't find himself overly burdened by the complexity of social politics. If he wanted to go talk to someone, he would. Didn't matter whom they were. He'd had his fair share of awkward encounters, especially around a particularly pretty girl or when faced with addressing a large group, but in the end, what was the worst that could happen?
"I don't think you should worry too much about getting to know people. When you go off to college, you'll meet a whole new set of people, from a whole different set of places." He shrugged his shoulders. "Probably a lot more interesting than our crazy lot. Though we sure do have a lot of drama queens in our class, huh?"
Morgan laughed. His head was starting to clear and his voice was slurring less and less. This was all very good. It meant that he would soon be ready to venture back in to find another drink.
Morgan’s words rang true, and it helped to put Regina's worries at ease. He was right, after high school there would be a whole world of possibilities opened up to them, and that included the opportunity to meet a lot of different and interesting people. Even so, Regina still wished that she could rewrite her high school experience just a bit and get to know just about everyone she could. Learn their struggles, their successes. Grieve with them when they failed and cheer for them as they went after their goals. It was an unrealistic dream of course, but one she held onto all the same. Now was the time when everyone would go their separate ways. It was inevitable but still sad in some way.
“Yeah, I guess you’re right.” She said letting her voice trail off a bit at the end. Looking up at the night sky, she wished that everyone in their class had good lives at least. That wasn’t too much to ask, right?
“Yeah, we’ve got some wild people for sure.” She laughed.
“I wonder what kind of people we’ll all turn out to be? The ten year reunion should be interesting if nothing else.” She had a flashback to the paper she wrote for English class not too long ago and couldn’t help but to smile at the thought.
“Thanks, Morgan. I feel like I’m more ready for this all to be over now, at least a little.” She turned to him and smiled.
“You’re a good guy. Even if you’re no good at holding your liquor.” She cheesed at him and broke out into a fit of laughter, jabbing him in the shoulder lightly.
“Yeah, I guess you’re right.” She said letting her voice trail off a bit at the end. Looking up at the night sky, she wished that everyone in their class had good lives at least. That wasn’t too much to ask, right?
“Yeah, we’ve got some wild people for sure.” She laughed.
“I wonder what kind of people we’ll all turn out to be? The ten year reunion should be interesting if nothing else.” She had a flashback to the paper she wrote for English class not too long ago and couldn’t help but to smile at the thought.
“Thanks, Morgan. I feel like I’m more ready for this all to be over now, at least a little.” She turned to him and smiled.
“You’re a good guy. Even if you’re no good at holding your liquor.” She cheesed at him and broke out into a fit of laughter, jabbing him in the shoulder lightly.