No Pads… No Helmets… Just Memories!

My eyes shot open to the sound of bowls clashing against one another and I instantly smacked my hands to my head in a frantic effort to stop the pounding headache that was now present. I sat up looking around at the bodies of my friends sprawled about. We were still in the basement.

The entire place reeked of sweat and booze. Cass lay asleep at the opposite end of the futon couch. Rian just beside her with his hand up clutching hers from the floor, simply adorable. Zack beside Rian followed by Jack who was cuddled up beside Zack with his hand smashed to his face. Below me slept Andrea, charmingly snoring in a small puddle of her own drool, cute. No other bodies lay about meaning- thankfully- everyone had headed home last night and Vinny must have gone to work as promised. My dad and Julie weren't going to be home till noon that day from their conference in Baltimore so who was upstairs?

With staggering feet and fuzzy vision I made my way through the sleeping bodies to the staircase. In the kitchen stood Alex over a bowl of fruity pebbles, as he slowly scooped the slightly soggy slop from the bowl, unaware of my presence. Alex let the spoon drop to the bowl with a clang causing me to wince at the sharp pain the sound brought to my head.

“I’m sorry, did I wake you up?” he mumbled his apology.

“Uh honesty, yeah you did.” I told him stepping forward and crawling on top of the island ignoring the lack of chairs.

“Sorry Jace, you want an aspirin or somethin’?” he asked motioning to my head.

“Would you?” I asked nodding and cradling my temples.

“Sure thing kid.” He nodded turning toward the half bath in the hall to fetch me my pain reliever.

“I’m not a kid” I cooed, “I’m only 4 days younger than you, and besides kids don't have this issue!” I said pointing to my head as Alex handed me the small pill.

“I mean there are some positives to being drunk.” He said turning to pour a glass of water.

“Highly doubtful” I shot him a flat smile taking the glass.

“Wanna know what I like about being drunk?”

“What’s that?” I asked after taking the pill.

“That when people are tipsy, their fearless, and they do things they normally wouldn't and say things they are too scared say sober.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I laughed as he took the glass from my hand.

“Oh don’t you know.” He smirked turning and leaning against the counter after placing the glass in the sink.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I repeated.

“What do you not remember?”

“Remember what!”

“you little missy got a bit touchy during piano man…” he laughed stepping forward and placing his hands on the island top in front of me, our eyes meeting at the same level now that I sat on top of the counter he stood in front of.

“How touchy…”

“A bit…” he shrugged dropping his gaze.

“Alex.” I said wearily and his eyes locked back on mine, “how much is a bit?”

“well…” he said standing upright, his head now above mine, his calloused hand lifted to lightly cup my cheek, “how touchy would you say this is?” before I could comprehend his movements his lips were pressed against mine. Our lips molded into each other’s perfectly and it was as if all my worries fell from me the moment his lips met mine, the two of us forming a sweet perfection. I could feel my eyes swimming in the pool of emotions that flooded my head for the short period our lips met. We slowly fell deeper into the kiss as my hands graced his collar bones. His tongue graced my lower lip in such a motion he was basically begging for entrance. But it was at that motion our actions sunk in and I regretfully but needing to, pulled away.

“Uhm...very… very touchy” I managed as my eyes fluttered open.

“Ha!” He laughed pressing his nose to mine, “Wanna know what else I like about being drunk?”

“Tell me” I smiled.

“There are no rules, and anything is fair game.”

“Not the next day it’s not, and last time I checked it was after midnight.” I pointed out.

“So what” he said placing his hands flat on the countertop once again. “Did that never happen?” he asked motioning between us.

“In your dreams Gaskarth” I laughed turning and hopping back off the counter heading towards the basement door, “In. Your. Dreams.”

“Yeah, I wouldn't flatter yourself Dawson.” he smiled from the island as I flipped him the bird and shut the basement door behind me.

Notes