As the two shuffled down the hallway to the fraternity house that held the party, Cloud could already hear the rumbling music through the ineffective barrier of the closed doors

As the two shuffled down the hallway to the fraternity house that held the party, Cloud could already hear the rumbling music through the ineffective barrier of the closed doors. Now, he was ecstatic. Seifer seemed to be just as excited as Cloud, though he hid it as he turned the knob.

Instantly, the two were bombarded with loud, barely recognizable music. Bodies were twisting and winding to the pulsation, and the flashing lights poured out of the windows. It was a bit of a wonder that the large crowd didn't call the attention of the local authorities, but Cloud tried very hard to shake that thought away. A multitude of people (obviously well over the occupancy level) were crammed against the walls, and each other. It was a bit overwhelming, but not so much to deter Cloud.

As they stood there, the sea of people slowly started to ripple as a young man approached them.

"Hey! Glad you could make it," He yelled, closing one ear with his finger. "There's beer on the table, and punch if you don't want that!" He grinned. "If you need anything, just call!" He lingered only a few moments after the brief instruction, and almost in an instant, he was swallowed up by the massive crowd as he resumed dancing. Cloud immediately hoped there would be no need to contact him, as he would most certainly be difficult to find. He pushed the thought to the back of his head as well just as Seifer gripped his sleeve and pulled him into a corner.

"Hey!" He shouted. "Isn't this great!?"

Cloud nodded in agreement, then brusquely frowned, remembering what Seifer liked to do when he was having a good time. "Remember what I told you: two beers."

Seifer got a funny look on his face, then quickly waved Cloud away. "Yeah, yeah, I heard you the first time."

"Then say it with me: "TWO BEERS."

Seifer snorted. "What, did Leon put you up to this or something? He didn't want me to enjoy myself? I swear, that guy's too perfect."

Cloud raised an eyebrow. "Uh, well, actually, he didn't mention anything about the drinking per se, but he did kind of hint that he didn't want me back too late."

"Gah! See! That's exactly what I mean! He's like your mother or something! He's a freakin' goody two shoes." She smirked. "Doesn't that kind of personality just make you want to... stain it a little?"

"Um... not really?"

"I'm serious! One day, I'll think of something that'll really screw him up so bad he'll never comment on our endeavors again!"

Cloud snorted. "You're ridiculous."

Seifer rubbed his nose looking at Cloud at an angle. "Whatever." he frowned. "Right, so the limit was five beers?"

"No. Two."

"Six?"

"Two!"

"Eight?"

"I said TWO!"

Seifer pulled out his ear pretending not to hear. "What's that? It's too loud." Gradually he moved away from Cloud. Cloud narrowed his eyes.

"I know you heard me."

"What? I can't hear you!" He started to sink into the crowd, completely concealing himself. Cloud sighed, not sure if his warning would be heeded or not, but decided to enjoy himself anyway. The music was getting louder, people were getting closer, and the whole room looked as if it were shaking. (It more than likely was.)

XxX

Leon ran a hand through his hair as he paced the floor for an indeterminable purpose. He had he neglected his paper quite a while ago, since pure lack of concentration forbade him from proceeding. So, now what was he doing with this spare window of time? He was aimlessly pacing the floor, and he didn't even know why.

Deep down, he knew why. He just didn't want to admit it to himself.

In frustration he scratched his head, and seated himself on his bed and let out a breath. Cloud was so implausibly naive. With his blatant trustfulness, the idiot could be easily lured to do what ever the party willed. The thought of it made Leon's blood boil. For someone who spent the majority of their time bullying Leon in grade school, this personality trait didn't seem to fit into the ogre-like image Leon had sculpted Cloud into.

Or maybe it was just because he couldn't stand Seifer.

No matter.

He leaned back onto his bed and frowned. Here he was sulking over incredibly unimportant points about his most hated acquaintances (who thus far had managed to ruin everything enjoyable about college) and this was the time he was supposed to use to catch up on some much needed "Leon-time."

He smiled to himself. Cloud could do whatever he wanted, and he would be the one to reap the sorrow—alone. With that thought tucked limply in mind, he reached over to his night stand and retrieved a thick novel.

XxX

As expected, Cloud caught sight of Seifer near the far table downing his first bottle. Cloud himself wanted to indulge, but thought better of it. Despite his warnings, he would most likely have to be the designated navigator.

The party was raging on. Handfuls of food were now being tossed in the air like confetti as others tried to catch what they could in their mouths. It was a tad disturbing, but still entertaining...however not as entertaining as some of the more daring people who chose to dip their faces in the punch bowl and hose people down like elephants. The term "wild" seemed like a limitation. Cloud grimaced. He wouldn't be dipping out that bowl tonight.

The same man that had greeted them earlier, was quickly sweeping empty (and full) cups into a black trash bag, then he retreated back into an alcove in the back to grab another keg of beer.

Cloud tried to navigate the room as best he could, but with the dim lights, the excessive amount of people, and the loud music causing each and every one of those people to move constantly, it was a bit of a challenge. That didn't stop it from being amusing though.

Nearly everyone he passed gave him a shout or a smile to acknowledge him. His charm clearly hadn't been lost through growing up, he thought, as he finally made it to the back table.

Seifer was just making his way over when he intercepted Cloud.

"Hey!" He shouted, clapping Cloud on the shoulder while simultaneously scooping up a bottle. Cloud narrowed his eyes as Seifer reduced the liquid to half its original amount in only a few seconds.

"Oh, lighten up Cloud," He said hooking his arm around Cloud's neck and squeezing a little too hard. "Here." He tossed Cloud a beer and took another one for himself. Cloud inspected the bottle that was tossed at him, not sure he wanted it. Never the less, he signed and popped open the cap. One wouldn't hurt, however it didn't occur to him that Seifer was on his third.

A dry hiccup escaped Cloud's lips, he gave Seifer a wry smile. "How many have you had?"

"Seifer slapped a hand over his face. "Not that again!" He rolled his eyes. "Two, okay? TWO!"

"Oh...okay then." Another hiccup. "Then that's it, okay?"

"Whatever." he swished the contents of the third bottle, not at all moved by his lie. "It's not ME you should be worried about."

"What do you mean?"

"You have no tolerance for these things," he said airily, "unlike me, who can drink for days and not feel even the slightest bit of a waver."

Cloud looked genuinely offended. "Excuse me! I can handle just as much as you can, thank you very much."

Seifer simpered at this possible challenge. "Cloud, You know as well as I do, your blood can't take it. You'll be unconscious on the floor after your first bottle." He said indicating the one Cloud held tightly in his fist.

Cloud scoffed. "Not at all, as a matter of fact," He drained the bottle. "I'm ready for my second. I don't even feel different."

Seifer let out a chuckle. "Alright, let's set the limit at... three? If you can tolerate just three measly beers before you're hopelessly stuck in a drunken stupor, then I stand corrected, okay? I won't ever doubt your 'brick-like stability' ever again, King Cloud."

Cloud smiled at this new proposition, his pride, not to mention the alcohol—completely dissolved his sense of reason. Perhaps slamming down a bottle of beer in less than five minutes was a bad idea... He decided not to dote on the issue for long, however. "Okay then! You're on!" He reached for another and popped the cap.