Okay, so if I remember correctly, I believe I said I'd have this chapter out on either Sunday or Monday. If I said Saturday or Sunday, I SINCERELY apologize. I remembered that promise I made to you guys as I was about to crash for the night, and I was like oh shit! I gotta get this chapter done! so here it is, I hope you guys enjoy it. I know some of you were skeptical about the whole booze party idea, but I tried to do it as well as I could, and made everything realistic, in my opinion. As always enjoy!
Jean Summerland: Thank you! It is, isn't it? I hope you enjoy this chapter too!
Vader115: It's a much nicer name then "bruh," I'll tell you that. It's technically Tuesday, but I hope you don't mind that I'm an hour late.
Guest: Interesting take. I think that Mike is going to be FUCKING PISSED when he finds out El is moving, but I might look into that side of things, I never considered it that way.
39CluesStrangerThings-Star: I'm not sure yet. I think that's a storyline I might leave for a little bit later, I'll see where the story goes.
Stranger Records: Indeed!
"So I'm pretty excited, I can't lie," Will said, putting on a light sweater. It was the evening, and the temperature outside was cooling off just slightly. He knew he would probably end up taking it off anyway, but he still wanted it just to be sure.
"Really?" El asked, putting on an extra layer of clothing as well.
"Yeah," Will replied. "I was giving it some thought, and you're probably right. It'll be a fun night, with the rest of the party… it'll be good." El turned to him and broke out in a happy grin. She was thrilled that her now-brother-in-law was finally starting to loosen up a little bit, and was willing to explore a little bit more.
Mike had told her before that Will had been obsessed with Dungeons and Dragons or whatever. Unfortunately, the Party had been drifting away from that game for a while, and it seemed like Will had been… lagging. Maybe now he was finally starting to come out of his shell and catch up with the rest of them. Because as she had heard many times from many people…
We're not kids anymore.
What a scary thought. Eighteen months ago, they were a bunch of twelve-year-olds with squeaky voices and who were barely over five and a half feet tall. Now everyone seemed to be towering over her, and everyone was talking in deep voices and it was all so strange. And with her recently-found knowledge of the sexual aspects of things, well, that just through a huge ass wrench into the mix. She had really only noticed that side of things with Max and herself. With the broader hips and larger breasts and such, that sort of thing. With the boys, she couldn't really tell. She had never looked at anything near… there.
"You ready to go?" Will asked her, breaking her train of thought.
"Yes," she replied, stepping out the door with her.
"Okay, Mom! We're leaving!" he called out through the small house.
"When will you be back?"
"Tomorrow at eleven!"
"Where are you going, again?"
"Steve's!"
"Okay! Have fun!"
And with that, they shut the door behind them and walked down the driveway. The night air was cooler than in the day, more bearable. Mid-July in Hawkins was not a cold month; they had been sweating the entire time. A gust of wind came through and blew her hair around so that it was flying wildly behind her, like some kind of wildfire.
She loved her long hair; when she had had short hair in the past, she never really even thought about having hair like this. But she loved it. It was beautiful. She adored how it might stick to her body and back when she was wet, she loved to wash it and feel how soft and luscious it was after a shower. She loved it even more when Mike tangled his hands into it as he kissed her and moved against her, like that night a couple of days ago in her bed.
God, that night had been amazing. It was like a dream that kept coming back into her hand whenever she wasn't, at that exact minute, thinking about something. She closed her eyes, and all she could see or feel was Mike's hips pressing into hers, his lips on her breast.
No. Calm down. She couldn't be having this on her mind when she was hanging out with the rest of her friends. That wetness between her legs that she had been having a lot recently wasn't something that she wished to be dealing with in the same room as anyone but Mike.
"You wanna cut through the woods?" Will asked her, pointing his thumb over his shoulder toward the dark trees. "It'll save us some time."
El's heart skipped a beat at that idea. Walking through the dark woods, alone? With her powers gone? Through Mirkwood, no less. The same place where a whole bunch of stuff had gone down in the past. Nothing would happen, she was overthinking it.
"Sure," she responded, with a nod and a heavy breath.
They started on the trek through the woods, ignoring the chill that seemed to keep running up and down her spine with every noise. Come on, she had dealt with a lot worse than this in the past, right? She was El Hopper. Jane Ives. A forest was no big deal. She looked up and saw the leaves against the sky, forming a beautiful skyscape. In between the branches nestled a full Moon, glowing and bathing the land in its rather pleasant light.
She blinked and found herself staring at the large house, the home of Steve "the hair" Harrington. They had made it. The walk hadn't been so ba-
"HELLOOOOO!" a scream sliced through the air like a sword and Will and El jumped back. El even let out a shriek of surprise. They whirled around and came face to face with a laughing Dustin.
"What the fuck is wrong with you, dude?!" Will yelled. "I almost shit myself! You're lucky El's powers are still gone, you clown!"
Dustin was wheezing with laughter, barely paying attention to them. "I told you guys!" he called toward the house. "You guys said, 'noooo, they won't come through the woods, they're too scared,' but I knew they had the balls! And what did I tell you!? Pay up, Harrington!"
"Fuck off!" another voice called, and El saw a silhouette growing as it walked toward them. The light washed onto the figure and she saw that it was Steve, holding a can of beer in one hand and a cigarette in the other.
"What's up, guys? You okay?" he said, taking a drag from his cigarette. "Wait, are you guys siblings, now?"
"No, not yet. We haven't adopted her," Will clarified.
"Uh-huh," Steve nodded, pursing his lips. "Wanna come in? It's chilly out here, much warmer inside."
The two teens nodded eagerly, wanting to get out of the cool evening air that was turning chillier by the minute. Steve led them across the patio and around the pool, and through the sliding glass doors into the main area of the house. They were greeted by a group of giddy teens who were seated around a large circular table, eying a full bottle of Jack Daniels in front of a pyramid of beer cans. They barely even noticed that they had entered the house until Will said hello.
"Hey, guys," he said, waving. El waved too, but didn't bother speaking. Everyone at the table turned to look at them, and Mike was the first to spring out of his chair and rush to his girlfriend, quickly giving her a tight hug. She returned the embrace, taking in a deep breath and inhaling his scent. It smelled like he was wearing some kind of cologne? It smelled good.
Really good.
Mike pressed a kiss to her forehead. "How are you doing? Everything okay?" he asked.
"Yes," she replied. "I'm good."
Everyone else exchanged their greetings from the couches they were seated on. Lucas and Max were curled up close together, with Max's legs folded up, leaning onto the shoulder of her man. Lucas had his arm thrown lazily around her body, rubbing her shoulder absentmindedly as if it were a reflex.
El had noticed that since July fourth, Max and Lucas had seemed to have gotten a lot closer. She wasn't quite sure what had changed, if anything, but something about them seemed more… intimate. More serious, more loving, just more of everything. That made her glad, because she always thought that Lucas and Max had sort of a silly relationship at times. The constant bickering, always arguing. And Max had 'dumped his ass' five times since they started dating. How was any kind of relationship like that meant to be taken seriously?
But now they seemed to have come to their senses, and that made her happy for both of them. Whatever they had sorted out between the two of them had made them a lot stronger as a couple.
"Alright!" Dustin shouted, walking in from the kitchen carrying very small cups. "Everyone sit down!" he hollered.
"Relax, Henderson," Steve chastised. "You haven't even had a sip and you're already acting like your drunk."
"Drunk?!" Dustin repeated, bewildered. "Certainly not. I'm drunk off of testosterone! I bet you I can outdrink everyone here."
Steve glared at him. "Uh-huh," he rolled his eyes, sitting down on the armchair that was positioned at the head of the oval-shaped table. "Alright guys, sit down."
El immediately gravitated toward Mike, and took a seat practically on his lap she was so close. "Mike," she asked. "Why are those cups so small?"
He chuckled. "Those are shot glasses, El," he answered. "You pour strong alcohol in them and then drink it all at once really quick. It's called a shot."
"Okay," El nodded. "But… what do you mean by 'strong'?" How could a drink be strong? What did Mike mean by that?
"I don't really know," Mike answered honestly. "I've never had alcohol before. Apparently, it, like, burns or something? I don't know. I guess we'll find out together," he said with a smile, pressing a kiss to the top of her head.
It burns? That didn't sound good. Was this safe? El was finding herself second-guessing herself now. But if Mike wasn't concerned, she supposed that she did not have anything to be concerned about either.
"Okay, guys," Steve said loudly, clapping his hands together. "So I'm gonna give all of you shitheads a shot of whiskey. It's forty percent, which means it's pretty strong. The question is, do you guys want to start with the shot, or a beer first?"
The Party all looked around, having no idea what to choose. None of them had drank before. "The beers aren't as strong, I'm assuming?" Lucas asked.
"No, they're five percent," Dustin answered. "I say we start with the shot. That way, the beer will go down way easier for you guys."
"'You guys'?" Max repeated. "What do you think you are, some sort of forty-year-old Dad who's a seasoned drinker? Have you ever even had a shot before?"
Dustin opened his mouth to shoot back a snarky remark, but then closed it. "No, he hasn't," Steve butted in. "He's just talking out of his ass."
"Shut the fuck up, Steve!" Dustin said, reaching for the Jack. "I'll drink this entire thing right now!" He picked up the bottle and waved it around in the air.
"Hey, watch it, dumbass!" Mike said. "Don't drop it, it's glass!"
"Try to drink all of it, Henderson," Steve challenged. "I dare you to," he added, with a cheeky smirk.
"Consider it done," Dustin said. He unscrewed the cap and lifted the mouth of the bottle to his lips. He tilted his head back and the liquid poured into this mouth.
His entire body recoiled and he spat the liquid out all over the table, and nearly dropped the bottle before catching it in both his hands and placing it back on the table. He gagged several times, his entire body convulsing as if he were a cat about to throw up. Everyone screamed with laughter.
"What the FUCK!" he yelled, sticking out his tongue and panting. "People drink that shit?!"
"Yeah," Steve said, laughing his ass off. "You pussy. Couldn't even stomach a single drop."
"Screw you, Steve," Dustin sulked, walking to the kitchen
"Where are you even going, you clown?"
"I need water!" he called, disappearing around the corner. "It feels like my mouth is on fire!"
Once he was out of earshot, Steve leaned toward them and whispered. "Don't listen to him, he's just being a drama queen," he assured them. "You guys can start out with the beer, and maybe we'll bust out the Jack later. The night is still young, my friends."
"I'm down," Will said. "May I?" he asked, pointing toward the stack of cans stacked on the table.
"By all means, Byers," Steve replied, grabbing a can for himself. He leaned back in his armchair. "Help yourselves, guys."
Everyone grasped a single can and popped the tab open. Mike was about to sip it when Lucas yelled. "Wait!" Everyone turned to look at him, their puckered lips inches from their cans. "I think we should propose a toast before we drink," he said, raising his beer a little bit over his head.
Everyone laughed and did the same. They all raised their cans above their heads and looked at Lucas, all of them sporting grins on their glowing faces. This was going to be an awesome night, and Lucas wanted to make sure that it was started right.
"This is gonna be an awesome night, guys. And there's no one else that I'd rather spend it with."
"Hear, hear," everyone else chanted.
"To friendship," Lucas said, raising his voice and waving his drink.
"To friendship!" was the echo, and they all drank.
El took a small sip and licked her lips. It was an odd taste. It was bitter and very fizzy, but as soon as she drank it, an odd and warm feeling spread throughout her body, filling her up and reaching the tips of her fingers and toes, it seemed. It was a very good feeling. It brought a sensation to her head that made her feel like no matter what, everything would always be okay.
It still tasted funny though.
Around her, everyone else seemed to have similar reactions. She wasn't sure if it was a boys thing, but as soon as Dustin took as sip he hooted and fist-pumped the air, and all the other guys yelled out in approval and stood up, waving their cans around. She and Max shared an eye roll. Boys.
"Yo, Steve," Lucas exclaimed. "This is good shit, dude!"
"Yeah!" Mike shouted out and took another gulp. He coughed and then seemed to bite back a gag. Everyone laughed.
"You sure it's good for you, Wheeler?" Robin came through the door.
Everyone jumped back, startled by the sudden entry of the high schooler. "Jesus Christ, Robin!" Steve rubbed his hands through her hair. "You could have at least knocked, I think I just shit myself."
"Just beer me," Robin muttered and held up an outstretched hand. "I've had a long day." Steve tossed the can football-style across the living room and she caught in both hands, and popped the tab and took a few hurried sips.
"Alright, I'm gonna get back to this," Will huffed, stretching his arms above his head and then grabbing the can off the table once again. He put it to his lips.
"Amen, brother," Dustin said and helped himself.
"What do you think, El?" Max asked her, and then took a swig of her own drink.
El raised an eyebrow. What did she think of it? "It's good. I like it," she replied honestly with a full smile, helping herself to more.
"Okay, guys!" Dustin yelled. "I think it's time for some shots!"
Everyone yelled out in agreement. Steve had given a couple of beers to all of them thus far, and they were all feeling a little buzzed. And they were having the greatest time of their lives.
Mike leaned back in the comfy couch, right after slamming down his third can on the coffee table. He let out a loud burp.
"Oh, jeez, thanks, Wheeler. Fuckin' hell!" Max roared, and everyone erupted into laughter. Then everyone lost it, even more, when El let out the loudest belch of the night.
"Holy shit, El!" Will screamed, slamming the table with the open palm of his hand. "Any louder and I would have gone deaf!"
"Hey, hey hey! Focus, everyone!" Dustin started slapping the wooden surface aggressively. "We are about to drink the magic elixir that is known as forty-percent Jack Daniel's whiskey."
"Goddamn," Lucas whispered, rubbing his hands together like some kind of evil mastermind unveiling a plan.
"Watch it, 'cause this shit kicks like a shotgun," Dustin showboated.
"Oh, look how tough you are. I thought I was gonna have to call an ambulance for you after you took that first drink, you pussy," Steve jeered.
"Gimme a break, that was the warm-up," he shifted the blame immediately. "This one, it'll be fine, watch me."
Without waiting to get made fun of again, Dustin grabbed all the shot glasses and pulled them toward him, and tipped the bottle to pour a small amount in each glass. Max raised an eyebrow. It wasn't even full.
"C'mon, that's only like, half," Max whined. "Fill them up all the way you pantsy," she said, with a slightly slurred voice.
"Here we go," Dustin announced, stretching his arms out like he was giving a speech . "Designated lightweight over here."
"Oh, fuck off! I'm only joking, I'm fine," she snapped in a much clearer voice. "Just give me the whiskey, dickhead,"
El leaned closer to Mike and whispered. "What's a lightweight?"
"Oh," Mike replied, looking at her. "That's someone who doesn't weigh that much, they get drunk easier. The less you weigh, the less alcohol it takes to get you drunk."
"Oh," she murmured, nodding her head slowly. "It's no wonder Dustin isn't a lightweight. He's probably the biggest one of us here."
Mike snorted. "Yeah, probably," he said, eying the full shot glass that was being handed to him by Dustin. "Thanks, brother," he jerked his head toward Dustin in gratitude. Eying the strange liquid, he creased his brow and lifted the glass up to his nose and sniffed.
His face contorted in disgust and he almost dropped the glass. He gagged and plugged
his nose. "Jesus Christ!" He looked at Dustin with a mix of shock and admiration. "You drank this?!"
"Hell's yeah," Dustin smirked. He poured El's glass.
"El, you sure you wanna drink this?" Mike asked her, turning to look at her deep brown eyes. God, his semi-drunk state, she was looking especially appealing tonight. And to think that later in that night they would probably be sharing a bed to sleep…
Holy shit, that was enough to make his teenage mind burst.
El took a whiff of the liquid, and blew a quick burst of air out of her nose and coughed. "I mean," she began. "Dustin drank it. That probably means I can drink it, too," she reasoned, with a shrug. And without a second thought, she tipped her head back and stomached the entire shot.
"Holy shit!" Mike laughed, and everyone started cheering loudly.
"God damn!" Steve put his hands on his hip. "She took that better than you, Dustin."
"Shut up and pass the bottle, jackass," Dustin grumbled. "I'll show you guys."
"Okay, hit me as well," Mike butted in, along with everyone else as they simultaneously placed their glasses on the table, giving Steve and Robin impatient stares.
Meanwhile, El was trying to ignore that awful taste in her mouth… it felt like it was on fire. But the sensation in her body and mind, and the warmth in her gut, it was amazing. It made her want to laugh and have fun and not think about anything and just lie down and not give a shit about anything in the world, ever. And so she found herself placing her glass alongside the rest of them when they were all refilling their glasses.
"Hey," she felt a tickle of Mike's breath near her ear. She looked to her side to meet his thoughtful eyes. "Make sure you watch yourself okay? If you feel like you want to stop, or can't keep going, just… you can, okay?"
El nodded. "Okay, don't worry," she assured him, taking his hand in hers. "I won't have too much, I promise."
She was suddenly caught up in the moment of staring into his pupils, El felt a familiar urge stirring in her stomach. The urge that was telling her to lunge forward and ravish his neck and lips, but no. Not yet. Maybe later, in the night, when they had the guest bed all to themselves…
Control your thoughts, El.
"Hello? Earth to El and Mike? You guys off in your own world right now, or what?"
Mike whirled his head back to the table, where he was getting stared at expectantly by everyone else in the room. He coughed. "What?"
"Pick up the damn glass! This is the first group shot of the night."
"'Group shot?'"
"We're having a shot. As a group, all together. Hence the name, gro-"
"Okay, Jesus! Somebody count down or something."
And then everyone started counting down together.
"Five!"
"Four!"
"Three!"
"Two!"
"One!"
And they drank.
I could go for some Jack Daniels with my buddies right about now. As always thank you so much for your continued support, guys! It means the world to me. Let me know too what you thought of this chapter. Take it easy!
