"My parents are gone for two weeks. I know a guy whose uncle runs a liquor store. And the cleaners can be bribed. You two coming or not?" Sean smirked, then looked over the top of his sunglasses at the twin brothers.

Henry and Eric turned to look at each other. Henry could just about tell what his brother was thinking. Sure, Eric was more of the partying type than him. But that sort of went along with the baseball/jock thing. Eric wouldn't expect him to say yes.

"What kind of party did you say this is?" Eric asked, giving Sean a curious look.

"PDMB," Sean said. "Please Drink My Booze. You in?"

Henry glanced at Eric out of the corner of his eye, saw the doubtful look there, and said, "Hell yeah."

By the Rose, Chapter 10: Tubthumping

"If you're going to this party too, you gotta promise me something."

Amelia closed her locker, then looked at Kara. Her eyes widened as she tried to figure out what the other girl meant. "What?" she asked. Things had been going so well since the dance; an entire week without someone trying to challenge Kara or anything like that. And things with Doug – anyway.

"Promise me," Kara said, then leaned up against the lockers and folded her bare arms over her chest. "Promise me you won't suddenly put on a ring and challenge me."

Amelia blinked, and was about to say something mean, then realized what Kara was talking about. "Oh, come on," she said, trying not to laugh. "You really think I'd go Nanami on you, just 'cause we're all going to a party?"

"Hey, you never know," Kara said, though she started to smile. "But no, I know you're not going to pull something like that."

"Of course not," Amelia said, doing her best to look upset. It didn't last long, but not just because she couldn't hold it – she saw Marie walking toward them. "Heya, Marie."

"Hello, Amelia," Marie said, then attached herself to Kara's arm. "Hello, Kara."

"Hey," Kara said.

Amelia watched Kara's face. She remembered how the two girls had been at the dance – it was pretty hard to forget, and it seemed like half the school had been talking about it on Monday. Dancing like that just didn't happen at most high school dances, as far as she knew, and it had been kind of strange. Maybe really strange.

And, if you listened to Sean, really sexy. But that was Sean.

"How was your day, Kara?" Marie asked. Something about her voice made Amelia think she meant it, and wasn't just asking because she was the Rose Bride.

"Not bad," Kara said. "The old bat in first period still growls at me all the time for my hair, but she can piss off."

"That might cause problems in class," Marie said.

Amelia laughed all of a sudden, trying not to squeak. "Oh, that's a horrible image," she said.

Marie almost smirked. "Thank you."

Amelia took a moment to get herself under control, then asked, "So you're coming to Sean's party too?"

"I think so," Marie said, nodding. "Unless Kara doesn't want me there."

"You said you wanted to go," Kara said, turning a sort-of glare on Marie. "I told you, you can go or stay home, whatever you want."

"I know," Marie said. "But some things just work out that way. Yes, I'll be there," she said, nodding at Amelia. "I've never been to a party like this, it sounds like fun."

"Yeah, real fun," Kara said, rolling her eyes. "Just don't get someone puking on you or trying to throw you down in a bedroom and you're all right. I don't know how I got talked into this one. Hell, I don't even know why Sean invited me."

"Well, you're part of the anime club," Amelia said. Wasn't that kind of obvious? Sean seemed to like hanging out with them, so of course he'd invite them. Then again, Sean seemed to know a lot of people. "And he probably wanted you to dance again," Amelia continued, giggling a little.

Kara laughed. "Yeah, like he even has that CD!"

"You could sneak it in," Marie said, looking sort of both devious and hopeful.

"I don't have the CD either." Kara looked down at Marie again, who was still clinging to her arm. "And I'm not going to a party like this in a tux. You and Doug going, Amelia?"

"Yeah," Amelia said, and felt herself blush a little. She guessed it really was that obvious.

"He gonna take you there on his motorcycle?" Kara asked. She started to grin, then stopped. "What?"

"I . . . I don't know," Amelia said. "We haven't really talked about that. He's not really a drinker and wouldn't drink and drive, he told me that, but he didn't say anything about how we'd get there."

"You okay with the motorcycle thing?" Kara asked. "You seem kinda nervous."

Amelia gestured vaguely. "It's not that," she said. "And I should probably go meet him anyway." She forced a smile. "So if Kara's not wearing a tux, does that mean you won't go in your dance dress, Marie?"

"I'm not sure," Marie said, smiling. "Someone tried to grope me when I wore that, so probably not."

"What?" Kara glowered down at Marie, then blew her pink bangs out of her eyes. "Why didn't you tell me someone tried to grab your ass?"

"You might have started a fight," Marie said, her green eyes going wide. "I didn't want you to get thrown out. And he didn't really grab me, he just tried."

Kara snorted. "Right. Fine. You see him at the party, tell me and I'll kick his ass."

"Yes, Kara," Marie said. She was still smiling.

"So I'll see you there, just – less formal," Amelia said, starting to back away. "I gotta go catch the bus, talk to you later!"

Amelia hurried down to the ground floor and out the main building's front doors, then slowed. Of all the times for something like this to come up. Sure, she knew Doug rode a motorcycle, that was no secret. He just about lived in the auto and metal shops. But she'd never really thought about riding on the bike with him.

That, and her mom would never, ever, ever let her. Amelia had a feeling her mom would faint if she did and word got out.

Amelia got on the bus and sighed. Things hadn't been easy with her mom recently. The anniversary of when her little sister and brother died was coming up, and that was always hard. And now that she thought about it . . . the party was that same weekend. Amelia touched the locket under her shirt, and shook her head. Maybe she'd find another way to get to the party. Sure, Doug was probably skilled enough with the motorcycle if he hadn't crashed or had an accident. But she didn't want to know how her mom would take it if something happened to her this weekend.

"Damn, Sean. I thought 'ninety-nine bottles of beer on the wall' was just a song."

Chris at the driveway at the back of Sean's house. A pickup truck was parked there, and dozens of bottles and cases of booze filled its bed. Chris hardly knew half the brands he was looking at, and there a lot of drinks he'd never even heard of. What the hell was 'midori'?

Sean turned and gave Chris a laugh that was half cackle. "That's why I went with the hard stuff."

Chris nodded. Yeah, that seemed about right.

He was surprised that Sean had asked for his help with the party prep. It wasn't like he'd ever done something like this. But then again, Sean had promised him some shots of the really good stuff before the party started, and Chris couldn't argue with that.

For one thing, Sharon was going to be at the party too. That was enough to make him want to start drinking early.

"So," Chris said, picking up another case of bottles, "how was the formal?"

"You didn't hear about that? Man. . . ." Sean shook his head, then picked up his own box. The two of them headed back into the house, and set the bottles down in the bar area. "You shoulda been there. Kara and Marie were practically making out on the dance floor. It was awesome."

Chris chuckled. He had heard about that, umm, 'dance.' One of his friends in algebra had sent his cell some pics taken during Kara and Marie's performance, and he had to admit, it was pretty hot. Not that he had much of a thing for Marie after what'd happened with Sharon, and Kara was a little too scary to be sexy, but damn, they looked good together.

"Hey." Sean turned to Chris before they went back to the backyard. "I know this is probably a stupid time to bring it up, but I don't like you telling Sharon that I'm some kind of drunk-ass."

Chris winced. Yeah, Sean would bring that up. "You're right," he said. "This is a stupid time to say that."

"Hey, I do this for the good of the people," Sean said, and struck a pose that was probably meant to be inspiring or noble. "But seriously. You could have screwed up my date, maybe the whole night. I know she used to be your girl, but I'm not that much of a dick."

Chris leaned against one of the boxes of booze and sighed. "Yeah, I know," he said. "I was being . . . I don't know. I mean, I just got all pissed off when I heard you asked her."

Sean lowered his sunglasses and looked at him. "So you're sorry?"

"Yeah, I guess," Chris said.

"Good enough." Sean clapped Chris on the shoulder. "Makes you feel any better, I'm not trying to get with her. I just didn't want to go alone."

Chris paused, then shook his head. "Nope, don't feel better."

"That's what the shots are for," Sean said. He pulled out a bottle, spun it over the back of his hand, and set it on a table, then pulled two shot glasses out of a pocket of his cargo pants. "Better make sure this stuff's good, y'know? I don't serve bad drinks."

Chris grinned. "Yeah. Better be sure."

When Amelia and Doug pulled up on the back of his motorcycle, it took them a moment to realize he actually had cut the engine; the music from Sean's house was that loud.

"Wow," Amelia said, taking off the helmet and shaking out her curly hair. "That's just . . . wow."

"Just a little loud," Doug mused, taking off his own helmet.

"No, not that, the ride!" Amelia got off the bike and faced Doug, smiling so hard she thought her face might break. "That was just . . . oh, wow, I don't even know. I mean . . . I think I know why you like this thing so much!"

Doug laughed, then stroked his fingers down the sides of his goatee. "I didn't think I'd convert you that quick," he said. He sobered a little. "But I'm glad you came," he said. "I told you it's not that bad."

"Yeah, but. . . ." Amelia trailed off, and sighed. "I told you why," she said, starting to sound sad. "I really didn't want something to happen."

"And I told you, I won't drink tonight," Doug said. "And . . . thanks for telling me."

She looked at him, and they were quiet for a moment. Then he stood, and she had to look up. Amelia laughed, and Doug put his arm around her, and they headed inside.

The sound that hit them when they opened the door was nearly enough to knock them over. Whatever it was, it was blaring, with enough of a heavy bass beat to make the floor shake. There were already girls dancing on some of the tables, though Doug saw some guy with his shirt off on a table in another room, with a crowd of girls around him. He chuckled. Good to know that some things went both ways.

They made their way over to the bar, and found Sean there, still wearing sunglasses and dressed like a typical bartender. He threw his arms wide and yelled a greeting as soon as he saw them.

"Heeeeeey, lovebirds!" Sean said. "Took you long enough, we started without you!"

"You would've already started if we were the first ones here!" Amelia said, though she laughed.

Sean clapped a hand over his heart. "That'd hurt if it wasn't true. Anyway! What you drinking?"

Doug shook his head, holding up a hand. "I'm designated," he said. "Someone's gotta play the adult."

"That's it, I'm never growing facial hair," Sean said. "Amelia! I'd say 'name your poison,' but damn, that's cheesy."

Amelia giggled. "Yep! Hey, you got any Mike's?"

Sean gave an exaggerated frown. "I go to all this trouble to bring the best, and you want cheap flavored stuff? Now I'm hurt." He handed her a bottle from under the bar, grimacing all the while.

"Thanks! Hey, who else is here?"

"Most of the club, and a bunch of other people I may or may not know," Sean said, then tapped his glasses and cackled. "I tried to get Kara and Marie to share a Lesbian Slumber Party, but Kara tried to kill me with a bottle, so maybe not."

Amelia paused. "Please tell me that's a drink," she said.

"It's a drink," Sean grinned. "Now get outta here, go embarrass yourself in front of half the school!"

They walked past a large table, where what looked like some kind of strip-poker game was going. There were clothes piled in the middle of the table along with money, and one of the guys there had a bra on his head. Some cheesy horror flick was showing on the big-screen TV, but it didn't look like anyone was actually watching it. In one corner, a girl in camo pants and a tie-dyed tank top was playing DJ, though the stack of shot glasses next to her made it anyone's guess how well she was actually mixing.

Amelia and Doug saw some familiar faces, and headed out into the backyard. Things were still going strong out there; no one had jumped into the pool yet two empty kegs floated in it. The music wasn't as loud outside, but the beat was still everywhere.

Amelia handed her bottle up to Doug. "Open this for me?" she asked.

Doug chuckled, and cranked the drink open as they made their way over to one of the outdoor tables. Eric was there, along with Sharon, as well as Kara and Marie. Their friends greeted them as Doug and Amelia walked up.

"Hey, didn't think you'd be here," Eric said, waving a glass half-filled with ice at the newcomers. "What's up?"

"My blood alcohol level," Sharon said, slurring just a little. She had a big stupid grin on her face, though.

Amelia giggled. "You drunk-sitting already, Eric?"

"He is not," Sharon said.

"What she said," Eric said. "Nah, I'm mostly here because it beats practice or trig. You guys see Henry on your way in?"

Doug shook his head. "Nope. He's here too?"

Kara laughed, loud enough to draw stares. "He headed off with some blonde chick in a miniskirt," she said. "She asked him to dance! You should have seen his face!"

"Nice," Doug said, nodding.

"Did Sean try to give you a lesbian drink too?" Marie asked. She had half a margarita in front of her, and the drink looked very bright green in the patio lights.

"That bastard," Kara muttered.

Amelia looked up at Doug. "You're a guy, right?"

"Oh, honestly, if you don't know yet . . . oh, never mind. It's only been a week." Sharon gave the two of them a wide-eyed look. "What? I've no idea how fast you do or don't move."

Amelia reached up and tugged gently on Doug's goatee. "He's a guy," she said, giggling a little again. "So no lesbian drink."

"Figures Sean would know something like that," Kara said.

"So," Doug said, sitting down at the table. Amelia sat in his lap a moment later. He glanced at her bottle – only half gone. Was she being forward or just friendly? "Henry's off dancing, maybe, and Sean's at the bar. Anyone seen Chris?"

"He's around here somewhere, probably trying to get some," Sharon said. She reached for one of the shot glasses, saw it was empty, and muttered under her breath. "Not that I care. Stupid."

"Shit happens," Kara said, shrugging. "Amelia, you show up on Doug's bike?"

"Yes," Amelia said, "it was--"

"You mean you didn't want to?" Sharon asked. "But it's like a giant vibrator, why wouldn't you want to?"

There was a long moment of stunned silence.

"You know, Sharon," Eric said, "you're a funny drunk, but I think you've had enough."

"She gets like that . . . when she's had a few."

Most of the group turned and looked. Chris stood not too far from the door back into the house, a bottle in his hand and a half-asleep look on his face. His shirt looked like he'd slept in it, but he walked steady enough, toward the table where everyone else sat.

"This might be another problem," Marie said quietly. Kara glanced at her, but Marie just shook her head.

"Oh, shut up," Sharon said, squinting up at Chris as he reached the table. "Weren't you telling me to watch out for people who drink too much just a week ago? I didn't think you meant you."

"Hey, I'm not taking you on dates anymore," Chris said, swaying where he stood. "And Sean said . . . Sean said he didn't want you or some shit like that. He just wanted to dance. And stuff."

Eric stood and stepped toward Chris. "Hey, man," he said. "C'mon, let's go back inside. You kinda look like hell."

"Feel like hell," Chris said. He laughed but it sounded fake. "Feel like hell ever since . . . ever since this girl told your brother – hey." He turned and scowled at Henry. "Why was your brother in there making out with some chick?"

Eric actually laughed at that. "They're making out? About time. I was starting to wonder about him."

"Yeah, man," Chris said. "She was all over him, like . . . like. . . ." He took another hit from the bottle he held. "Like something. I dunno. But I'm not talking about him, even if he helped start all this. This is all fucked up."

Chris staggered closer to the table, and came to a stop in front of Kara and Marie. Kara was on her feet in a second, standing between Marie and Chris. He swayed a little, then pointed at Kara. It took him a moment to get his hand in the right place.

"This is your fault," Chris said. "You and your girlfriend."

"Yeah, it was me," Kara said, rolling her eyes. "I made you break up with Sharon. I even made her duel. Hell, I made her beat you. Will you sit down and shut up, dumbass?"

"No!" Chris yelled. "No. Not you. You." He pointed past Kara, sort of, at Marie. "You. You're the one who showed up and all those letters . . . things. All this is because of you." He hiccupped. "I'd still have a girlfriend if it wasn't for you. I'd be okay if it wasn't for you."

Amelia leaned over to Marie. "Five bucks on Kara."

Marie smiled. "I'm not betting against her."

"Hey!" Chris tried to push past Kara, but she put a hand to the middle of his chest and shoved, sending him stumbling back. "Don't you touch me, bitch. . . ."

"I'm gonna touch you with my boot if you call me that again," Kara snarled. She tapped her foot on the patio – she was, indeed, wearing heavy boots that weren't part of the school's dress code and looked like they could sterilize someone with a well-placed kick. "Dare you."

"Don't start with him, Kara," Sharon slurred. "He's not worth it."

"Oh, shut the hell up," Chris said, finally managing to stand up straight again. "You're no better, you . . . yeah. You're the one who went off and fought Henry for her." He gestured in Marie's general direction. "Wasn't for you, I'd still be dating you."

"Chris." Eric put his hand on the other man's shoulder. "I think you should come inside now, man. Come on."

"Fuck off, jock," Chris said, and shoved Eric's hand off of him. "This is between me and . . . me and my ex-chick."

"Your very ex-chick," Sharon said. She started to stand, wobbled, then apparently thought better of it and stayed sitting down. She picked up one of her empty shot glasses. "You're the one who had to be so damn stupid, acting like just because I was engaged to Marie we'd break up." She took a deep breath. "I'm not drunk enough to not know what a self-fulfilling prophecy is, Chris."

"A what?" Chris blinked a few times. "You're doing it again, talking like you're in college or something, like you're smarter than me." He took another swig, then saw that the bottle was empty and tossed it away. There was a splash as it hit the pool.

"Wow, this is better than Springer," Amelia said. She leaned back against Doug, who put an arm around her, protective.

"Oh, shut up," Chris said. He turned back to Sharon, then to Marie, then looked at Kara again, who was still on her feet and looked ready to fight. "Oh. Sure. I see how it is. You're all against me. Hrruh.

"Fine. Sharon, you can forget about me asking you out again. It's over."

"You said that last month," Sharon said, mockery clear in her voice. "You're breaking up with me again after doing it once? What, are you practicing? It's not like there's anyone else here who'd date you."

"Sharon, that was mean," Amelia said quietly.

"But it's true," Sharon said, showing no sign of stopping. "You're a fool, Chris. You know that? You're an idiot sometimes. You've got no future, and you don't even want to. You just want to fool around and babble about anime and hang out with your friends and lay in bed all day."

"Hey, you liked the lay all day thing," Chris said, though he'd taken a step back.

"I used to," Sharon said. "But I'm so much more productive now."

Chris started to say something, then turned and pointed at Marie again, his hand right in Kara's face. "This is still your fault!"

Kara smirked. "Oh, really? Yeah. It's all our fault you couldn't keep things going with your girl." She glanced over at Sharon. "He not man enough for you, Sharon?"

Behind her, Amelia and Marie both giggled.

"Hey, you never said I wasn't – shut the hell up!" Chris started to turn away, then looked back. "The hell's wrong with all of you," he muttered. "Can't you see she's doing this? Marie's gonna have us all wanting to kill each other--"

Kara stepped forward, smacked into Chris, and pushed. He stumbled, skidded across the patio, and went into the pool with a splash almost loud enough to be heard over the music. Kara wiped a few drops off of her shirt, and snorted at Chris when he surfaced.

"Don't even start that shit," Kara said, standing like she was ready for Chris to climb out of the pool and fight her. "You're the one who screwed up. You would have done it eventually, whether Marie showed up or not." She turned her back on him, and returned to the table.

There was silence for a moment, then they all watched as Chris climbed out of the pool and walked away. Amelia stood and sort-of pulled Doug out of his chair, saying she wanted to dance. Then there were four.

"I don't know about the rest of you," Sharon said, "but I'm clearly not drunk enough for all this."

"Was he always that bad?" Eric asked. "I never saw him act like that before."

"It's been . . . difficult for us," she said. Sharon turned to Marie, who looked sorry. "It's not your fault, Marie," she said. "You know how it is. We would have broken up sometime, especially if he was that insecure."

"I'm not sure," Marie said. "But I don't know much about these things."

"Look, if he tries anything," Kara said, "you come tell me, all right?" She glanced at Sharon. "You too. I don't want him pulling something on you 'cause of us being here."

"Yes, Kara," Marie said.

"Yes, Kara," Sharon said.

"Hey!" Kara shot Sharon a scowl; the redhead girl was smiling and starting to laugh. "Not you too."

"Oh, but you don't think we'd make a lovely couple?" Sharon asked. "You can keep wearing the tux, that's fine with me."

Marie looked over at her. "You took my margarita!"

"I told you I wasn't drunk enough," Sharon said. She shrugged. "I had to amend that, and yours was the closest drink." She motioned to the empty shot glasses. "I couldn't get Eric's, he's still holding it and I'm sorry, but I just don't see you that way."

Eric chuckled. "No problem," he said. "You going to be all right?"

"Oh, I'll live," Sharon said. She motioned to one of the empty chairs. "Sit, sit; I might as well tell you all now that Chris has put up our dirty laundry or however I should say that."

"He broke up with you when you challenged Henry?" Eric asked, sitting down. "I didn't see you two together much after your duel, but I figured that was because of Marie." He looked over at Marie, seeming slightly embarrassed. "Sorry."

"It's all right," Marie said. "Like I said, it was a problem."

"Not your fault he was an ass," Kara said. "Yours either, Sharon."

"True, I suppose," Sharon said, looking down at her empty glass. "But I knew he didn't want me challe . . . chalale . . . dueling. Oh, God, this is all so messed up." She put the glass on the table, then leaned forward and folded her arms, resting her head on them. "This is so messed up and this is so not helping. I don't even know what I'm doing anymore."

"Pouring out your heart while drunk! That's always fun."

Everyone looked up to see Sean walking toward the table. He held a small tray in one hand, half a dozen shot glasses on it. He set down the tray and pulled up a chair, then half-bowed to the lot of them.

"Can't be much of a host if you're all out here," Sean said. "And I saw Chris go dripping all over the carpet, so I know I missed something. Fill me in?"

"He was being an ass," Kara said. "He tried saying everything's Marie's fault." She paused, looking contemplative for just a moment. "I had a problem with that."

"So did Chris, a moment later," Marie said, smiling again.

Sean chuckled. "Works for me," he said. "Cleaning crew'll take care of everything, even the pool, so no worries. What else did I miss?"

"I've picked . . . a bad time to drink a lot," Sharon said, raising her head just enough to look at Sean. "And he told me you weren't trying to sleep with me when you asked me out. Thank you."

"Wow," Sean said, laughing out loud, "that's a new one! First time I've ever been thanked for not trying to get some."

"You've been thanked for trying?" Sharon asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Sorry, I'm too much of a gentleman to say," Sean said.

"Liar," Kara cackled.

"True," Sean said. "But anyway. Just doing my thing to make sure you all have a good time." He started to stand, then looked over at Kara and Marie. "You two gonna dance? Eh? Eh?"

Kara started to say something, but Marie leaned over, partway into her lap. "Not enough roses," she said.

Sean looked around at the mess that was – mostly – his parents' house. There were people draped across the furniture and piled on the floor, bottles spilling all across most flat surfaces, and he wasn't sure but he thought he heard moaning coming from one of the back rooms.

Damn. Good party.

He made his way to the kitchen, making a mental note to both call for the cleaning service early and pay them enough to keep this all a secret. He opened the fridge, and noticed two important things.

First, he really needed to go food shopping. There was nothing in the fridge but milk, eggs, and something that might have been Chinese food a few weeks ago.

Second, unless he was completely crazy – and he wasn't ruling that out, though he'd had worse hangovers – that was Henry curled up in the kitchen corner with one of the hottest girls at the school.

Sean closed the fridge and leaned against it. They were both still clothed, so it wasn't quite blackmail material. But damn, talk about the things you never expected to see. Maybe there was something to what Kara had said back at the dance; maybe Henry really was sorry about what he'd done and how much of a dick he'd been about the whole dueling and Marie things.

Of course, there was also a chance that the girl had been drunk enough to think that Henry was Eric, in which case she might freak out as soon as she woke up. And if that was going to happen, there was something Sean needed to do first.

Sure, he'd never been all that close to the brothers. But they were good guys. And after the shit he'd been through, Henry deserved to have something good happen to him.

Sean walked back to his room and returned with his camera. Some things just had to be caught and saved forever.

Henry would thank him later.