Standing in front of his mirror he wondered how he could try and make himself look a bit cooler in their eyes. He dressed… well… his mother had picked his clothes and although they were smart he knew he wouldn’t fit in among her friends. His hair hung limply above his eyes in curtains, when his mother had seen Benjamin with them she had decided that he would look just as adorable with them too and had him grow his hair so he would have curtains too. Knowing he couldn’t really do much about how he looked right now he physically sighed and sprayed himself with deodorant and went to head out the door when his phone rang. Picking it up he collapsed onto his bed, expecting it to be Tara telling him that she didn’t want him to show up anymore.

“Hello?” Paul said shyly, his voice wavering slightly.

“Paul! It’s Benjamin, would you like to come over to mine and play on the video game my mum just bought?” Benjamin’s excitement was clear through his voice, and from the way his mother shouted ‘Benjamin don’t bounce’ whilst he was talking.

“I’m sorry Benjamin but I already have plans tonight.” Paul replied honestly and went to hang up the phone but Benjamin continued to talk.

“Really? What are you doing? Can I come along?”

“Uh… you can’t sorry it’s a family outing. I’ll speak to you tomorrow.” Hanging up before he had a chance to say anything else Paul went for the door and ran down the stairs, hoping that if he left fast enough he would be able to avoid his mothers inquisition. Safely shutting the front door behind him after leaving a note to say that he would be back late Paul walked out of his estate and down towards the city centre, excitement and fear flowing through his veins as he thought about what he could be getting up to tonight.

“Ah! Fuck! I’m on fire! Put me out! Put me out!” A boy cried as he tripped over a bin and started rolling around on the grass trying to put the small fire that had started on his arm out. All around him people laughed and pointed as they saw the panicked expression on his face turn to one of peace and shame. “I never knew vodka was flammable…” He muttered as he continued to lay there in the grass. Paul stared at this boy with wonder as he crashed into someone big and tall.

“Watch where the fuck you’re going!” An angry voice said as a tall dark haired guy turned to face him and immediately pushed him away. Paul stumbled backwards into a tree and waited for the apology from the guy but none came. Muttering under his breath Paul continued to walk through the park and looked for any sign of a familiar face but instead all he found were conspicuous trees and dark shadows which with the aid of the full moon cast eerie shapes onto the laughing group of strangers that surrounded him. In all there were about one hundred people littered over the government buildings lawns, over to the left and on the actual pavement of the government building people were skateboarding whilst on the grass people sat and chatted whilst others danced and paddled in the fountains. A strong arm caught hold of Paul’s shoulder and pulled him backwards, Paul tried to pull away but the hand was too strong. As he was spun around he saw the familiar face of Tony grinning madly.

“I know you!” He stated proudly as he proceeded to slip his arm around Paul’s shoulder and hold him close. “Here, have…” Tony paused and looked at the bottle he was holding with confusion on his face. “Quinn what the fuck is this stuff?” A blonde man to the left of Tony stepped forward and took the bottle off him, sniffing it and then taking a small sip before grinning.
“Tone that’s Milwaukee’s Best mixed with… Strong bow I think…” He said and then pulled an unopened bottle of archers out of the back of his jeans and opened it.

“Well…” Tony started as he took another large gulp of it. “Guy who I know! Have some.” Paul eyed the bottle carefully, not sure whether to have some. He’d never had alcohol before, well except for a glass of sherry at Christmas and the occasional glass of Champagne at weddings… He felt Tony and the guy who was supposedly Quinn’s eyes on him and decided to drink it. Sipping from it he scrunched his eyes up as he felt the sour liquid burning down his throat.

“Nice.” He said quietly as Tony slapped him on the back and drank the rest of the bottle.

“So who are you?” Quinn asked, eyeing him slowly.

“I’m Paul…”

“He’s the dude who Kaz found in Taz’s bed this morning!” Tony shouted and then burst into a fit of laughter.

“Who was in Taz’s bedroom?” A throaty deep voice asked and the dark haired guy from earlier stood at Tony’s side, scowling intently. Paul wondered if this guy was permanently in a bad mood or if it was just tonight but as he felt the dark haired guy’s eyes narrow on him those thoughts were pushed away and replaced by fear.

“Paul was apparently!” Quinn said, a grin forming on his face as two female hands were slipped around his waist and then Kaz’s head appeared over his shoulder, her lips pressed to his neck as she kissed and sucked his neck softly earning a satisfied smile from Quinn.

“Now Jere lets not blow a blood vessel.” A voice said from behind Paul. Turning around Paul saw a tall blonde man standing there, a half sided grin on his face as he neared the group.

“Kris stay out of this I’m not in the mood.” Jere said through gritted teeth, his deep brown eyes still glaring at Paul who stood there like a deer caught in headlights.

Another arm slipped around Paul’s shoulders along with Tony’s and he felt another body being pressed against his. He saw it was the blonde man who had appeared only a few moments ago and now he was feeling nervous. This guy was at least six foot and looked like he could break Paul’s neck like a twig, although he seemed to be sticking up for him.

“Now, now Jere. Where’s the smile? You have been pissy since the day you came back and I’m sick of it. Now go have some fun. You’ve been through enough and need to get over it.” Kris paused and let Paul go and pulled Jere into a hug and Jere let his head rest on Kris’ shoulder, his face physically loosing the tension it had shown before and a soft smile appearing. “Now where is Kate? I can’t seem to find the girl.” Kris said as he scanned the crowd around them.

“Kate is, well… was in the water fountain. She’s got something new pierced.” Kaz said with a wink before going back to attending to Quinn who was now facing her and holding her tightly.

“Really? What has she had done?”

“Her lip, off to the side. Looks really hot actually but you know what that means.” Tony said, suddenly coming back to life now that all his alcohol had disappeared.

“What’s that then?” Kris asked, worry evident on his face.

“No kissing or anything involving her mouth for at least a week!” Jere said happily, a grin forming over his face. Paul wondered how they all seemed to know what the rules were when you had piercing but as he studied their faces he saw that most of them had probably had to have abided these rules at least once in their lives. Tony had his lip and tongue pierced, Kris had both his ears Quinn also having the same whilst Kaz had her lip and eyebrow done. Jere seemed to be the only one without anything on him.

“What the fuck? That’s… well… as long as it’s gentle we can do anything!” Kris stated as if he was trying to convince himself more than anyone else and then took off in the direction of the water fountain.

Paul began to feel uncomfortable, he was just standing there surrounded by people who he didn’t know and the two people he did know were ‘occupied’. Kaz was now kissing Quinn heavily leaving no room for conversation whilst Tony seemed to be having a slapping contest with a fat guy who had just shown up. Deciding that Tony was his most likely chance of a reply Paul tapped his shoulder lightly and waited for him to turn around.

“What is it?” Tony asked, his face now bright red and his pupils wide.

“Where’s Tara? I need to speak to her.” Tony cast a worried look towards Jere and then turned back to Paul and whispered. “She’s over by the skateboarders probably sitting in the circle.” He then turned back only to have his face smashed by the fat guy.

Wandering through the crowds he climbed over the wall and walked across the strip only to get in the way of three people on skateboards and to have abuse shouted at him as he looked for ‘the circle’.

“Get the fuck outta the way dickwad!” An angry skater called as he skated off the top of a ledge and landed perfectly before skating away from Paul.

“Paul! You’re so stupid!” A female voice called and from the side of him he could see Tara running over to him, her jeans jingling with every stride as she grabbed hold of him and pulled him out of the main strip and over to a wall with a circle cut out of it where five girls were now sitting.

“Hey… I uh… came.” Paul said shyly, his eyes looking down at his shoes as he saw all the girls looking at him.

“I’m glad you did!” She admitted, the moonlight catching hold of her lip ring and making it glint in the moonlight. “Okay, we have Hayley, Kate, Chloe, Lou and Summer. This is Paul.” Tara pushed him slightly so that he was standing closer to the girls and he took in each one individually. They all looked so different and with an array of coloured hair and different styles he found it easy to match their names to faces and remember them. One girl caught his eye though, Summer… He didn’t have time to study her though as he was quickly being shoved aside by Kris.

“Kate you whore I’ve been looking for you everywhere!” Kate stood up and smiled as she went over to him and slapped his face gently.

“Don’t call me a whore, you know I don’t like it.” She stated, a small grin playing on her face as his face inched near hers.

“I know which is why I say it, I need to catch your attention somehow.”

“You always have all of my attention.” Kris lips were just about to brush hers when she pulled away.

“I can’t kiss you, my lips too sore.” Kris face fell and Paul could see the disappointment there as he grabbed hold of the belt which hung loosely around her waist and pulled her forward and kissed the top of her forehead softly.

“It’s okay, don’t want you to go through any unnecessary pain but when it’s not painful I want attending to!” Kate laughed and nodded, pulling him away after waving a goodbye to all the girls, Kris trailing after her, his hand still attached to hers as the milled through the crowd.

“Okay that is enough to make me hate her so much. They’re too sappy!” Chloe complained as she played with the multi coloured bracelets that decorated her arm.

“I know tell me about it. They’re cute together though.” Hayley pointed out and they all nodded. Even if it was a girly thing to notice Paul had to admit they did go well together, Kris seemed like a really nice guy and Kate seemed like a nice girl.

“Alright… I have successfully rolled one!” Louise proclaimed, her voice filled with pride. All the girls leaned over and hugged her tightly.

“Her first hand made roll…” Tara said, her voice sounding as if she was about to cry. “I’m so proud of you.!” She said and wiped a fake tear from her face. “Now spark up before Tony gets over here.”

“I know the greedy fucker! He smoked a tenners worth to himself last night!” Hayley said, disgust lining her voice as she eyed the roll hungrily.

“You smoked up last night?” Tara asked, sounding slightly upset.

“Yeah. We were going to wait for you but then it got late and you didn’t show and Tony smoked most of it anyway.”

“Hey! You’re making it sound as if I blew you off! I was getting sexually harassed by Tim. There is a very clear difference. I would have been in the hospital if it wasn’t for this heroic young lad here!” Tara stated, slipping an arm around Paul’s waist and kissing his cheek softly, Paul felt his cheeks redden as he saw all the girls go ‘aw’

“Right it’s sparked, who wants firsts?” Chloe offered, the roll held carefully between her fingers.

“I think…” Louise started and started at Paul in confusion. “Paul is it? I think Paul should have first go as he’s new and he’s our guest and he was all heroic last night so he deserves it.” The girls nodded in agreement but Tara stopped them.

“Hang on.” She turned away from the girls and pulled Paul with her. “Have you ever smoked a joint before?” Paul shook his head to the negative. “Well you don’t have to. It’s totally cool if you’re not into that.” Paul wondered if he was ‘into that’. He’d never had the opportunity before so he’d never given it much serious thought.

“What does it do?” He asked quietly, eyeing the small stick carefully.

“It depends on how much you have but seeing as you’re sharing with six it’ll probably just make you either really relaxed or really hyper. It depends on the person. Don’t worry you can’t die of it or anything, it’s just like smoking a cigarette.” Paul thought about it for a moment and decided he would try it. What could happen?

“I’ll try it.” Nodding Tara took the roll from Chloe’s fingers and gave it to Paul. Holding it between his fingers he brought it to his lips and breathed in deeply.

“Now hold it in.” Louise said and Paul kept his mouth closed and began to feel as if he was chocking. Coughing loudly he bent over and tried to breath but just continued to cough. All the girls around him started to laugh and rub their hands on his back as the coughing subsided and then moved over so he could sit down in the circle.

“Aw! Paul was that your first time?” Chloe asked innocently, a small grin on her face as her blue eyes twinkled.

“Of course it was. Look at him, I bet he hadn’t even seen a joint before tonight.” Hayley said laughing but quickly stopped when Tara glared at her.

“Leave the guy alone. I remember when you were a prep ass bitch listening to fucking… what was that guys name…” Tara paused and then grinned as she remembered. “Listening to Daniel Bedingfield! I remember the tiny little skirts and the glitter! So Hayley get off your high horse thinking you’re all that. I’m the only one here who can take the piss so leave him alone.” Hayley hung her head, clearly embarrassed that her past had been brought up. Tara took the roll from Paul’s hands and took a long drag earning glares from all of the girls as the smoke billowed out of her nose.

“Good shit. Who from?” She asked as she eyed Paul with concern who was leaning back, a smile on his face.

“Matt. Now me!” Louise demanded as she took the joint from Tara’s hands.

“Paul are you okay?” Tara asked as she placed a hand on his shoulder.

“I’m fine… just slightly dizzy…” He said, his smile getting bigger as he saw the world around him start to spin. He looked at Tara to only see a dark haired man appear behind her and slip his arms around her waist.
“I found you…” He whispered huskily in her ear. Turning around she jumped into his arms and wrapped her legs around his waist as he held her and then kissed him passionately and as they broke away Paul saw him suck lightly on her lip ring.

“You’ve been smoking.” He said, not sounding particularly pleased at the thought.

“Only one drag though.” She protested as she stayed in his arms.

“A very big drag though!” Hayley called out.

“Bitch!” Tara retorted. Jere kissed her again and Paul felt the joint being pushed back into his hands. Taking a small drag this time he closed his eyes and focused on how his body was reacting to this. He had established that he was the kind who got relaxed when they did this. When he opened his eyes Tara was now standing up and on her tip toes still kissing Jere. Coughing unexpectedly, obviously still not used to smoking he felt their eyes on him again.

“You again!” Jere cried, his satisfied smile turning into a scowl. “What are you doing here kid?” Paul just sat there, at a loss for words. Had he just called him kid? He was not a kid, he was eighteen!

“Jeremiah! What is up with you?” Tara asked, trying to coax him into looking away from Paul. Her hands went under his t shirt and Paul could see her running her hands over his chest as if trying to soothe him.

“This kid is everywhere! He isn’t one of us Taz he’s… well… just look at him! He might as well be the one…” Jere stopped and Paul could see the pain cross his face.

“Jere… he isn’t like that. Look at me!” Tara demanded, Jere’s eyes fell from Paul’s and he looked down at Tara, his eyes instantly softening around her. “He’s not like that. He helped me out last night and he’s a really cool guy. Now come here.” Wrapping her arms around his neck she held him tightly and then pushed him down onto the floor and sat in his lap as they began talking. Paul watched how comfortable they were with each other and wondered how long they had been together.

“Always and forever.” A voice said in his ear. Turning around he saw Summer sitting there, a smile on her face as she looked towards Tara and Jere.

“Huh?”

“They are… always and forever. I have known Taz for… well… since ever. And as long as there’s been Taz there has been Jere and they’re made for each other. It’s really nice.”

“Yeah they do look good together.” Paul looked at Summer properly and couldn’t help but think how beautiful she was. Long black hair flicked around her pale face and a million colours were flecks in her eyes to make them an unusual hazel.

“Don’t worry about Jere, he wont hurt you, he’s just a bit upset right now.”

“How come?”

“I…well I don’t think we should talk about it. If Jere hears he’ll flip out and erm just get really upset.” She said with a nervous laugh as she cast a nervous eye towards Jere. Paul sat in silence with this girl, trying to study her face even more despite the darkness when she squealed with joy.

“Ooo fireworks!” She cried and grabbed hold of Paul’s hand as they jumped over the wall and stood on the grass and watched as some kids set off fireworks illuminating the sky with pinks, reds and whites. He saw Summer’s eyes widen with awe at the shapes and noises they made and he couldn’t help but think it was cute that she was so mesmerised at such a small thing when he had been in Australia for the Olympics and seen the greatest fire works display in the world.

“Fuck run!” Someone shouted and the mass of kids that had been standing around on the grass took off towards Paul and Summer. Tara and Jere hopped the wall together and stood in front of Paul and Summer who looked around in confusion at everyone who was running.

“The wardens are here! And Billy has already been taken away! Come on, lets get to my place.” Tara said as she went to start running but Jere pulled her back.

“I can’t go I have to make sure Tony and Matt are okay and not alone.” Tara nodded and kissed him softly.

“Take care of yourself!” She called as Jere started running in the opposite direction. “Come on lets go.”

When they had arrived at Tara’s loud moans could be heard, both male and female and so Tara and Summer went up to the bedroom that the moans were coming from and started moaning together. Saying things like ‘harder Summer!’ and ‘oh God Taz just like that! Again!’ only to have a few ‘fuck you’s’ shouted threw the door and then the moaning to resume. They had drank most of the contents of Tara’s fridge and had thrown water bombs at anyone who was unlucky enough to walk underneath their apartment. All in all it had been a fun night but as Summer fell asleep on the couch and Tar was still pelting water bombs at people Paul let his eyes rest on Summer’s sleeping form. She was so beautiful… he had never really been very good around girls but he wanted to impress her…

“Taz…” Paul said quietly as she squealed in joy at yet another perfect hit.

“Yeah?”

“If you weren’t with Jere would you go out with me?” He asked honestly, wanting to hear the truth back from her so he could hopefully get some pointers.

“Er… maybe?”

“Why wouldn’t you?”

“You… well… you’re kind of uptight and…” She paused and looked at him carefully. “And you don’t really like me so what’s up?”

“I like Summer. I want to go out with her but I know she wont go for me. How can I make her like me?” Paul asked, hoping to hear some words of wisdom that would instantly make her like him.

“Well firstly you’d have to change your hair and how you look. No offence but she could never take you anywhere without having to worry about the crap being beat out of you.”

“My hair? What would you do with it?” Paul asked, slightly afraid.

“Well come with me and I’ll show you.” Taking his hand she led him into the bathroom and went through the cupboards until she pulled out an electric shaver. Turning it on she smiled and murmured ‘don’t worry’ before she brought it to Paul’s head and he saw his dark hair falling around his face. Rattling around in the cupboard again she pulled out a bottle and put some gloves on before wiping the top of his hair with the liquid and then putting a plastic bag on his head.

“What are you doing?” Paul asked nervously.

“Be patient and you’ll see!” She replied and grinned. Leaning his head over the bath she ran the shower head over his hair and washed away the liquid and then set the hair dryer on his hair and grinned proudly. Grabbing some gel she played with his hair and then pulled him up so he was standing. Looking in the mirror he saw his hair was now short with tiny little spikes with blonde tips. He had to admit it looked pretty good.

“I would have done blue but Matt used it all. We had to use Tony’s blonde.” Tara said with a stifled laugh. “Now lets not stop there.” Pulling him out of the bathroom she led him through into another room which Paul could remember Tony coming out of earlier that morning. Going through the cupboards she pulled out a pair of jeans, a t shirt and a belt and then started undressing him.

“Hey hey hey! What are you doing?” Paul asked as his top came over his head.

“Oh… you’re shy… I’ll wait outside, get those clothes on and then come out.” Paul watched as she left, still smiling and then pulled the t shirt over his head, followed by pulling the trousers on and up so they covered his hips but didn’t reach his ankles. Sliding the belt through the loops and buckling it tightly he came out only to be faced with a giggling Tara.

“You’ve got it all wrong.” She stated and grabbed hold of the loops of his trousers and pulled them down so they were just covering his crotch area but now touched the floor. Unhooking the belt she pulled it out of the loops and then did it up loosely around his waist. Pushing him back into Tony’s room she stood him in front of the mirror.

“And this is the new you Paul.” She whispered as a smile formed on her face as well as his.