(cut to the Bloom kitchen: void of six people)

Thankfully, no hangovers were experienced the following morning on either of our parts, which could have been expected since neither of us had that much to drink. Although I admit I was slightly more intoxicated than my brother.

Only Reilly was up and about in the otherwise quiet house, "Mornin pea brain. Where the hell is everyone? I mean, it is past 11, but this is ridiculous!"

"You know, I was wondering that myself. It was like this when I woke up,"

"Hmm. Maybe they don't like us or something,"

"Want some toast?"

"Yes please,"

"So what's on the agenda for today?"

"I haven't thought that far ahead yet...I haven't even fixed my hair," I said, pointing to my hair that looked a little bit like a mop, "It also depends on what everyone else is doing cause I'm having one of those days,"

"One of those days where the last thing you wanna do is leave the house?"

"Yes,"

"I'm having one of those days too," Reilly buttered my toast while I made us coffee, "What do you say I make some calls while you eat breakfast and watch TV. If the coast is clear then we can invite some people over for lunch, sound good?"

"Sounds exquisite Reilly dear," I said in my finest snooty English accent. Reilly just snickered and picked up the phone. 

-    -    -    -    -   ; -    -    -    -   ; -   

(cut to later on: attempting to watch day time television) 

"I have an update," 

"Oh thank god, I was about to watch Ricki Lake,"

"Ok, here is the update on family's whereabouts: Jesse, out somewhere, returns tomorrow morning, India, hanging around some boy, time of return unknown, Spencer, with parental units visiting dad's friends, gone all day, parents say it is ok to entertain,"

I cocked an eyebrow, "You're taking this way too seriously," 

"Eh, cheap thrills,"

"Right,"

"Shall I get back on the phone and invite?"

"Yes, do that,"

-    -    -    -    -   ; -    -    -    -   ; -   

(cut to later on....again) 

I decided that despite my beyond low levels of energy, I should present myself as half-decent for our guests. But I wasn't willing to push that effort past a quick shower and the donning of a black Stussy hoodie and khaki pants. 

I'd just finished cutting the vegies for the barbeque when the first round of people showed up. Half of the crowd from the big Reilly lecture at the party came stampeding through the hallway, dumping coats and jackets on the sofa. 

My shit head brother ditched me once again to entertain his followers. 

The doorbell rang again soon after and Reilly rushed to answer it. 

"This one's yours Kirb," I rolled my eyes at how rude he was being as he rushed back outside. 

Taylor and Zac rounded the corner and each kissed me on the cheek.

"Hey guys,"

"How are you gorgeous?" Zac asked. 

"I'm alright, you?"

"Not too bad," He smiled, taking a piece of carrot. 

"Hey Tay,"

"Hi Kirby," Taylor reached out and hugged me, our cheeks brushing, "Nice to see you,"

Damn, you too.

"Do you guys want a drink or something? We've got juice, soda, beer, wine..."

"Umm, I'll have a soda for now," Taylor answered, Zac nodded his head. 

"Root beer for both of you?"

"Ok,"

"Well you guys make yourselves at home," I said, piling all the veggies onto a platter and taking them out to Reilly who had the barbeque steaming, Taylor and Zac followed me. 

More of Reilly's friends showed up and we all mingled and ate together. Zac had started playing the Cruel Intentions soundtrack which got everyone talking even more. 

-    -    -    -    -   ; -    -    -    -   ; -

(cut to the veranda later on) 

"That's totally crazy, I'm not gay...for the love of god!" Taylor defended himself while Zac giggled maniacally. 

"Oh I dunno about that Tay. I mean, you tuck your shirt in, you wear expensive shoes...I think there's a chance that you're gay," I said, trying not to burst out laughing. 

Taylor's brow creased and he frowned, "I'd know if I was gay, wouldn't I?"

Zac and I looked at each other.

"Wouldn't I?" Taylor asked again, "Wouldn't I be getting off with guys or something?"

"Oh please Taylor, unnecessary," I said, shaking my head.

"Well, I'm not gay then since I'm definitely not...doing anything with guys,"  

"Yeah," Zac nodded, "At least not anything we know about,"

"Shut up!!"

"Ok guys chill out. Who wants more food?" I stood up with my plate and about five other people held their hands up and handed me their own empty plates.

"Can someone give me a hand?" I asked. Everyone looked at me blankly.

"I'll help," Taylor pushed his chair out and took a few plates off me.

"Thanks Tay," We walked over to the barbeque and started putting a bit of everything on each plate.

I caught Taylor smiling at me as I served the food, I gave him one of those 'what's wrong' looks and he just shrugged, "I was wondering, can I have a hug?"

I laughed and set the tongs down, "Hmm...no,"

"Huh?"

"A hug is definitely out of the question,"

"But!"

"But no,"

"Kiiiirrrbyyyyyy..."

"I'm kidding Tay! Come here," Tay reached out and took me in for a hug. Taylor's hugs always turned out to be really great since his arms were so long and he was generally just a squishy person, despite the muscles.

"Ahem, would you please stop tickling me?" I said in a muffled voice.

"Hmm....no,"

"Quit it!"

Taylor and I were soon consumed in a tickling war which was quite uneven since he had pinned my arms down against him, leaving me defenceless. Nonetheless, I giggled and squirmed myself out of his grip and tickled him back fair and square.

"You guys! Hello!" We stopped tickling and saw Reilly's angry face from over at the table.

"Yes?"

"We're hungry, remember,"

"Uh...oh, yeah,"

"Taylor, hurry up and finish serving the food," I said. Taylor's mouth dropped open.

"Oh? And who says I should do it all?"

"The Dalai Lama,"

Taylor's face straightened, "In that case," He picked up the tongs and served the rest of the food onto the plates. I just looked on in amusement and started taking the plates to the table.

-    -    -    -    -   ; -    -    -    -   ; -

(cut to the basement)

Much to my disappointment (blatant lie), all but three of Reilly's friends had left and the four of them stayed out on the veranda, picking at the banana cake and discussing this new band of theirs. What Reilly actually does in this band is still a mystery to everyone.

Taylor, Zac and I sat in the basement playing our favourite CD's and talking. I had so far found out that Taylor's secret fetish is crowd surfing and Zac hates tying his shoelaces and avoids it at all costs.

Taylor faked a yawn and stretched his arm around me on the sofa, "Do you know that when Zac was little, he used to think he was dying whenever he had a cold?"

"No...I can't say I knew that," I said.

"Yep, it's true. He used to run around the house with the back of his hand on his forehead, saying his goodbye's to everyone. He even wrote his own will at one stage,"

Zac blushed over in the corner, "Well, Taylor thought his own piss was apple juice when he was little,"

I pulled a disgusted expression, "Don't tell me...."

"Mmmhmm, yep, he REALLY thought it was apple juice,"

"Ewwww Taylor, you drank your own piss!" I said. Taylor was now blushing furiously and covering his face.

"Oh come on! I was two years old,"

"You're right," I said, taking a sip of my tea, "Let's just hope you've put that behind you,"

"Hey what day is it?" Zac asked.

"Saturday,"

"Really!" Zac exclaimed.

"Yes Zac,"

"Do you guys wanna go do something?" 

"As in what? There aren't many options since we're still minors," Taylor said. 

"Oh come on, you know just as well as I do that there's plenty of stuff to do,"

"I'm in," I said, poking Taylor who looked hesitant. 

"Ok, ok. I'm in too,"

-    -    -    -    -   ; -    -    -    -   ; -   

(cut to the pool hall later on)

We decided to meet with Zac's over-protective girlfriend Aimee and two of her friends at the local pool hall. Apparently, the majority of the teenage population of Oklahoma hung out there, but since it was only seven, it was relatively empty. 

We seized a table for our group and took our places. Zac and Aimee started a game of pool, playing against Aimee's friends. 

"Dear lord Kirby, please save me, that girl is completely infatuated with me," Taylor ducked his head down and discreetly pointed to the girl on the left of Aimee. 

I laughed as Taylor's eyes darted around and he turned his back towards the girl.

"And the problem is? She's pretty enough,"

"So??? She's as stupid as a donkey...and she isn't that good looking,"

I laughed again.

"This isn't funny! She thinks I'm some kind of sex god or something,"

And you think she's the only one?

"So just stay away from her,"

"No. Way. She hasn't realized I'm here yet because she's tragically stupid and when she does...there'll be Hell to pay,"

"Tay," I smoothed his hair down, "Just chill out, I'll protect you,"

"You will? How?"

Taylor quickly shut up when I kissed him, my hand firmly on the back of his head, "That's how. Now quit wining,"

Taylor grinned like an idiot, put his arm around me and pulled me closer to him. The girl whose name I don't even know seemed to be unaware of Taylor's existence from then on. Perhaps my plan had worked, who knows. Either way, I don't think either of us really cared. We were warm and accompanied.

"Do you wanna play pool?" Taylor asked once the pool table in the corner was free. 

"Sure, why the hell not. I suck, but I'm willing to lose with dignity," 

Taylor laughed and set up the table. 

"Hey let's bet on the game,"

"You're cruel,"

"Come on, it'll be fun,"

"O...k...."

"If you win, you get dinner, all expenses paid,"

I nodded slowly, "And if you win?"

"I get to re-live that party last night."

Somehow, I knew that was coming.

"You're such a typical guy, Taylor,"

"Eh, what can I say,"

"You're willing to give up money for a kiss?"

"Several kisses,"

Hey, who am I to object?

"You've got yourself a bet,"

"Ok then, you can break."

I concentrated on the white ball and gave it hell, the balls went flying, smacking against the guards. They did a hell of a lot of flying but not one fell into a net. 

"Aww, bad luck," Taylor snickered. Sure enough, he had his shot and sunk two balls. I feigned a cringe.

Twenty minutes later, we both had our eyes on sinking the black ball. I knew that no matter how many times I hit the damn thing, I wouldn't be able to sink it. Sure enough, I missed it fair and square.

Then, it was Taylor's turn. He sniggered as if he'd been dealt a full house. He chalked his cue slowly and drew out the pre-turn tension. I bit my lip and watched his concentration on the ball.

With one firm clink, he sunk the black ball.

"Well would you look at that," He raised an eyebrow and leaned on the pool table, "I won,"

I tried my hardest to look defeated, but, to be truthful, the injury of loss was not quite as painful as it should have been.

"It looks that way...How do you feel?"

"Great," Taylor flexed his right arm, "Just great,"

I rolled my eyes and hung up my cue. I walked over to Taylor and watched him grinning madly. I took his cue off him, set it on the pool table and let my hands creep up his sides.

"Now...from what I remember, we were dancing at that party, and, no matter how many times you beat me at pool, there is no chance I'm gonna start dancing in the middle of a public place,"

Taylor laughed and pulled me closer, "Dancing isn't really a requirement,"

"Ok, great," I pushed the lose hair behind his ears and felt my mouth watering at the site of those lips. My god, were they amazing.

"So...at this party...I think I kissed you first, did I not?"

"Correct,"

Taylor wasted no time in smacking his lips against mine. His tongue swept across my bottom lip and I latched on to the back of his jacket. We giggled when we spotted a few people glancing at us uncomfortably, we awkwardly tried to shift over to a more private area. So, Taylor and I made out in the corner of the community pool hall for the rest of the night.