Chapter 8

Link was not looking forward to the party. He hadn't even chosen to go, but Demyx told him he was going. He supposed he could just stay home, but Demyx seemed really excited.

It was the end of the school day, and thank God he didn't have to work. He was just about to skate home when Zelda approached him. "Hey, Link, want a ride home?"

He smiled a bit. It was too hot anyway. He nodded, and she grinned and lead him to her car.

"What's your address?" She asked as she handed Link the phone. It was already open on Google Maps, so Link put in the apartment complex's address and handed it back. Zelda turned the air conditioner to full blast and pulled out of the parking lot. Her short blonde hair whipped a bit from the breeze.

Damn, she was cute.

"So, uhh, did you hear about the party? Alex's, I mean." Zelda asked after a moment.

Link nodded, and then after remembering she had to pay attention to the road, made a slight noise of approval.

"I kind of want to go, honestly." She blushed a little. "I mean, it sounds dumb, but I've never been to a party. Well, birthday parties and stuff, but you know what I mean." She cleared her throat. "But, well, I know Peach and Daisy are going, and I like them, but, well, it's not really my scene, and I kinda want someone I can talk to." Zelda gave him a quick glance.

Fuck, was that an invitation? "I'm going with Demyx and Axel." As soon as the words left his mouth, he wanted to backpedal. It sounded rude, like he didn't want to go with her. "So, uh, I'll see you there," He corrected.

"Okay, cool." Zelda sighed a bit, hopefully with relief. "So, you won't need a ride?"

Link shook his head. "Nah. Unless I want to leave early."

"Okay. I'll, uh, see you there." And just like that, they were at the apartments. "Which one is yours?"

"I can walk from here."

"Oh. Well, see you tomorrow, yeah?"

Link nodded and got out.

Yeah, tomorrow was going to be a great day.

0-0-0-0-0

Zelda hadn't planned on going to the party at all. Alcohol? Not her thing. Plus, she was running for Student Council President, so anything that could soil her reputation… not a good idea.

But her dad had texted (not even told, just texted) that they'd have to cancel their dinner plans for the night. He was busy. Of course he was. When did he ever have time for his daughter anymore?

He asked to move it to Saturday night. But nope, she was busy. She had a party to attend.

Thank God Link was going to be there. Sure, Peach and Daisy were nice, but she knew they were there to drink and pick up boys. Not that there was anything wrong with that, but that's not what she was going for.

Honestly, she didn't know what to expect. She'd seen plenty of movies, but obviously those weren't going to be accurate. Everything had to wrap up in a pretty little bow, ending up with a fight or a kiss or someone punching their dad for being an asshole. But those stories were a lot less complicated.

Zelda, while she'd accepted that she had a double life, still was shaken by everything. She wasn't even entirely human, and surely those who were completely inhuman were worse off. Except for that Kirby kid, who seemed completely happy with turning from a human boy to a pink puffball every time he came to school. Still, no one could deny that they were fundamentally different people than they'd been even last week. Sure, they could party and pretend to be normal teenagers, but everyone knew that it was a lie.

It was going to be an interesting party, that was for sure.

0-0-0-0-0

Lucina Lowell was always a good girl. Never sneaking out of the house, always getting good grades, attending church on Sunday and family dinners on Wednesdays. At least that's what her father thought.

He had no idea that she snuck out of the house on Saturdays to drink her worries away. He had no idea she was always hungover for whatever bullshit the priest was saying about how gays go to hell.

To be fair, her father didn't subscribe to that, but apparently you had to take the good with the bad. He was trying his best to be a good Catholic father, but it just wasn't working. She'd intended on talking to him about not going to church anymore after they moved, but the whole "other world" thing threw everyone through a loop.

When it was just the two of them (because even though they were Catholic, divorce was totally okay), it was easy to sneak out, but… Marth was in the room next door. There's no way he wouldn't hear the window open. Would he tell Dad? Maybe, maybe not. They were both goody two-shoes (though Lucina suspected Marth wasn't quite as preppy as he acted.), so if asked he'd probably crack.

She could invite him. It would be a bit awkward, bringing your cousin to a party and revealing that you're a drunk bastard. Still, she probably should negotiate for his silence.

Her ride was going to be there in a half an hour. It was some girl named Mipha and her little brother Sidon. They seemed cool enough, and were perfectly willing to go out of their way to pick up a stranger to make a couple bucks in gas money. Well, it probably wasn't that out of the way, but still.

She had to go ask Marth to keep quiet. It was the only way she would get out of this. She took a deep breath and knocked on her cousin's door.

"H-hey, whatcha need?" Marth asked, seemingly… panicked? She glanced in his room, and the window was wide open. Wait, was he sneaking out too? Lucina couldn't contain her giggles. "You okay?"

"Are you going to Alex's party too?" She asked in a hushed whisper, still laughing a little.

Marth raised his eyebrows. "Too? Wait, you're going?"

Lucina nodded. "I was going to ask you to cover for me, but I guess we're both fucked, huh?" Man, her cousin was less of a good Catholic boy than she thought.

He nervously laughed and waved her into the room. "Yeah, I guess so." He locked the door behind him. "Your dad's going to be pissed if he finds out."

She grinned a little. "Nah, we won't get caught. I've done this before. We'll just have to be quiet coming back in." She pulled her hair up into a ponytail. She was already dressed for a party, jean shorts and a tank top to combat the summer heat, and her bathing suit was in her bag, along a bottle of vodka to contribute to the group. "You have a ride?"

"Yeah, Roy and Ike are going to be here in a few. You?"

She though for a moment. "Well, Mipha and Sidon were supposed to pick me up, but if I can hitch a ride with you guys, that would be better."

"I'm sure they wouldn't mind." Marth shrugged.

"Cool." She got out her tablet and messaged Mipha that she'd found a ride, and Mipha replied with a quick [cool, see you at the party!] She glanced up, and Marth was visibly nervous. "First time?"

Marth nodded. "Yeah, I just don't want to get in trouble, you know?"

"Look, I can help. I'll get us home, and hopefully we won't be too hungover for church in the morning." She put a hand on his shoulder to reassure him. "You got it?"

"How do you even put up with church while hungover?"

She laughed a little. "Can't put up with it anyway, may as well have fun the night before, right?"

"Wait, you can't stand church either?"

Lucina raised an eyebrow. "Holy shit, Marth, you're suddenly my favorite person in the world." She grinned a little. "And you have so much to learn."

Marth checked his tablet. "Ike's at the gas station a couple blocks away. I guess that means it's time to go, huh?" He shook a little.

She went over to his window. "All you've gotta do is climb out, and suddenly everything in your life is easy." She climbed out, and after a moment, Marth did too. "Now come on, let's go before you change your mind." And with that, the duo fled into the night.

0-0-0-0-0

"You think we're gonna get some good dirt?" Larxene asked as she put on her jacket.

Marluxia smirked. "Especially if we can get Link drunk. Or, better yet, he gets himself drunk and we can capture the aftermath."

"Maybe we can take his hero ass down a few pegs after all."

0-0-0-0-0

It was only an hour into the party, and Terra Buckley was already drunk. Scout had given him first grab of the beer he'd brought as a thank you for driving, he'd drunk another from the community stock, and Aqua Conway had challenged him to a game of shots.

Aqua Conway. Blue hair, but totally the smartest person in the room. Running for Student Council President, but could totally beat him in any drinking game.

She was the perfect woman.

She was currently sitting on a beach chair, passing around a bottle of some peach stuff with Daisy, Peach, Zelda. He wanted to approach her, but after she'd made a fool out of him…

Besides, the pool was nice. Demyx was splashing around, his friend Axel was sitting at the edge, and Terra was relaxing on a pool floaty. He'd lost track of Scout, but it wasn't like they were official buddies, right? He was probably inside playing ping-pong.

After a few minutes, Peach wandered off with the bottle, Zelda went inside, and Daisy jumped in the pool.

Aqua was alone. He had to talk to her.

Demyx gave him a rub on his shoulder to encourage him before swimming over to Daisy and splashing her (and with that single action, starting a war that would last for centuries).

Terra got out of the pool and sat across from her. "Hey there, fren."

Aqua smiled, her eyes a little unfocused, but that was okay. "Hey, fren. Here to challenge me again?"

"And get even drunker? No, no, fren." He put a hand on her shoulder. "You've bested me in that."

She raised her eyebrows as she looked as his had. "Um, Terra… you're not the most perceptive person, are you?"

"Not really. Why?"

"Terra, uh, you're a good enough guy, but… I'm not into guys."

Not into guys? Was she too focused on school or something. Oh, wait. "You're gay?"

"I, uh, thought it was pretty obvious." She laughed a little and peeled his hand off her shoulder. "Uh, I'm gonna go inside. Have a good night, Terra."

Before he had time to process anything, he heard a loud splash come from the pool.

0-0-0-0-0

Peach wasn't drunk. Nope. Completely sober. Not one drop of alcohol.

She couldn't keep a straight face as she lied to herself. Holy shit, man, she was trashed. Apparently that bottle of peach schnapps was way stronger than she'd anticipated. Also not as good. Then again, no alcohol tasted good.

Ike and Marth were standing together, talking about some dumb shit probably. Was it her? She was watching them while she talked with the girls, and occasionally one of them would glance over at her. Her ears were burning. She had to know.

"Heya, guys." She said, stumbling over. "Y'all want more to drink?"

They both looked uncomfortable. Shit. "Nah, and, uh, I don't think you should have more either." Marth said, giving her a worried look. Pfft, she was fine. He didn't need to worry.

"Probably not. But fuck it, it's not like my time here matters much. Why not have fun, am I right?" She laughed.

"Peach, are you okay?" Ike asked, lightly touching her arm.

"I'd be more okay if a hottie like you would come with me inside." Her body pressed close to his. Mmm, he was warm. And shirtless, how hadn't she noticed. Toned too. Damn. She couldn't help but glance over at Marth, who was intentionally looking away.

"You're drunk. No." Ike let go of her. "Go drink some water or something."

She pouted. "Come on, it'd be fun." When it looked like Ike was done, she turned to Marth. Goddamn he was cute. "You could too, if you wanna. Would be a great time."

"Peach, I told you to stop flirting with me." Marth sighed. "Please go sober up."

Hmmph. Fuck them, anyways. They were no fun. She turned on her heel and strutted inside.

And fell directly into the pool.

She couldn't help but laugh as she sank down, and the last thing she saw before blacking out was a hand grabbing her own.

0-0-0-0-0

A/N: So yeah. It's been almost 4 months. Sorry. I haven't had time nor inspiration, but here we are. I have plans. Lots of plans. I know this chapter is short, but next one will be a doozy. Maybe. It may end up being short too I dunno. Probably not since we're gonna get a lot of Scout. And Link and Peach are going to finally have a meaningful conversation.