Exams are here and so is the party. Oh, this is going to be fun!
Many sleepless nights passed. Post-it-notes filled their walls, written essays littered their tables and (for some) their floors became obstacle courses of books and mock exams. Many took to drinking coffee in the final few days leading up to the dreaded exam, others got together to send a collective prayer to anyone who would listen that their results would come back positive, a select few had given up and had decided to just sleep in the school library hoping that osmosis might work on textbooks: frankly, they were lost souls.
Then, inevitably, the dreaded exams hit. Students sat in rows upon rows, heads down with pens scribbling furiously. Time became the enemy and memory became unreliable. They were suspicious – were these answers right? Was this a trick question? We weren't taught this in school!
Finally, the bell went.
They were done. For better or worse, there was no going back. Their time in compulsory education was finally coming to an end and some students became so overwhelmed they broke down crying outside the doors. They were done!
Ring-ring was particularly cheerful as she danced between the other students filtering down the hall way for the last time. She spotted her prey, surprisingly standing beside the entrance doors, and immediately rushed over to link arms with him. "Garu!"
Garu looked down at her and raised a brow.
"Did you come to the school to see me?" She teased.
Garu turned his head to look down the hallway again.
Ring-ring's joyful face fell. She tugged on his arm. "Garu, I'm only joking. I know you're here to see Abyo. You'll be quite pleased with him. He was only told off twice in the exam!" Garu hummed.
"See you later, Ring-ring!" One girl yelled above the din of the corridor.
"Yeah, we're really looking forward to tonight!" Another girl called out as they passed the couple. Ring-ring waved before looking back at Garu.
"That reminds me, you're coming tonight, right?" She tugged again. "Garu, you have to come. It'll be so much fun and I've got so much planned – you'll regret it if you don't!"
Unlikely… Garu remained stoic as he scanned the thinning crowds. Ring-ring was right, he'd come to see Abyo. He had thought that, if the exams had gone poorly, then Garu could take Abyo's mind off it somehow. Then he caught sight of something. Twin buns peeked up from between a small group of lads moving through the hall. He strained to see over their tall forms. A flash of red was visible between their bodies.
"Garu? Garu? Garu!"
Ring-ring pulled hard enough to shift Garu's footing slightly and he sent her a dark look. When he went to look down the hall again, the twin buns had disappeared.
Suddenly two strong arms wrapped themselves around Garu's shoulders, yanking him further away from the entrance way. "Hey, Garu! Hiya, mate. What're you doing here?" Garu looked at his friend and noted the bright grin he bore. The exams couldn't have been that difficult then… Garu decreed. He shrugged. "Ah, are you here to see someone else?"
Garu's mouth went thin.
Abyo released his grip and stepped away with his hands up in the air in a surrender. "Wow, there. Just joking."
"Abyo."
"Hey there, Ring-ring. What's up?"
Ring-ring grabbed onto Garu's unsuspecting arm again. "Convince Garu that he has to come to the party tonight. It won't be any fun without him. C'mon."
Abyo gave her a tight grin. He looked away and scuffed his foot. "Well, that's not really our decision, is it?" Ring-ring was about to protest when Abyo promptly began shouting like a foghorn across the carpark. "Ching! Chiiiinnnnggg! Wait there!" He quickly shifted his bag on his shoulder and inclined his head to Garu. Both men started walking away, leaving behind a frustrated blue-haired lady muttering under her breath.
"See you tonight, Garu!" She finally called out after him. She wasn't sure if he heard her.
...
Music blared from the very window panes, shaking them in their foundations. Ring-ring, sporting a gorgeous emerald green gown, was being the perfect host. Her hair was freshly washed and twisted into an elegant knot so her long delicate neck was on full display due to her dress' thin satin straps. She hadn't expected to see so many guests and she was in her element, greeting this one and that, enjoying her popularity to the fullest.
"Hey, Ring-ring? Where's the Jack Daniels?"
"Check under the cupboard nearest the door," she yelled back.
Ring-ring checked the clock on the wall. Where were they? Another guest bellowed a question and Ring-ring had to rush off to assist the drunk fellow prior to the shattering of many priceless china dishes.
...
Ching turned on the spot, trying to see into the darkness.
"Relax, babe." Abyo embraced her from behind and muttered into her hair. "Pucca will get here alright." He moved his mouth to be placed by his girlfriend's neck. "You look beautiful, by the way." Ching softened into his arms and scoffed.
"About time you said that." She enjoyed feeling his laugh ripple through his chest. She loved hearing him laugh so heartily. But now wasn't the time, she thought. She gently extracted herself. "Did Garu tell you if he was coming tonight?"
Abyo kept a hold of one of her hands and slowly swung it back and forth. "Not too sure, to be honest. He never gave me any real answer." Ching tutted to herself. Typical Garu. Abyo gently tugged at her hand. "Not satisfied with just me, eh?"
Ching smirked and placed her other hand on his chest and drew herself closer to him. She brushed her lips to his and whispered, "No." She moved away quickly to avoid Abyo's playful swing. She laughed as he continued to try and capture her in his arms. Ching pretended to misstep and ended up falling into her boyfriend's awaiting hands. She beamed up at him and he gave her a tight squeeze. He was just lying his head on the top of hers when he spotted Pucca.
"Hey, isn't that….?"
Ching followed his line of sight and gasped. Pucca was pressed up against a garden wall not too far from where they were, a strange man leaning over her ominously. Pucca had a small smile on her lips as she tipped her head back. They couldn't hear what she said but the look on the man's face was frightening but Pucca simply slipped out from under his arm and walked away. She spotted her friends and joined them with a smile.
"Sorry, I didn't know you'd be waiting for me out here."
Ching grabbed Pucca by the arm and moved her a few more feet towards the door. Abyo situated himself between the girls and the man who was still staring after Pucca with fury in his face. "What were you doing with that guy?"
Pucca laughed. "Absolutely nothing."
Ching crumpled her nose, "You call that nothing? He had you up against a wall."
"And nothing happened." Pucca indicated towards the door. "We should go in and greet the host. Shalt keep her waiting any longer, no?" Pucca made her way towards the house and it was only then her friends took in the sight of her.
Pucca's normal double buns were forgotten tonight; instead, Pucca hair lay softly over her smooth white shoulders and hung behind her back like a dark waterfall of silk. Her eyes were large and enriched by long dark eyelashes and a slight tint of red upon her puckered lips. Her outfit was the most surprising of the lot. Pucca turned to her friends and they were given a good look at the form fitting strapless black dress, which hugged every alluring curve of her body. The length of the dress made Ching gasp and Abyo to look in any other direction. Her long legs were accentuated by the black high heeled shoes she adorned. She looked stunning but… She didn't look like Pucca.
"Pucca…" Ching began. This aforementioned young lady simply opened the door and beckoned for her friends to follow.
When the group entered the house, they could feel the vibrations of the music humming through their bodies and their adjusted to the flashing lights and numerous figures dancing together in every possible space. Pucca took no time to disappear into the crowd, much to her friends' dismay. They were swiftly drawn into conversations with those they knew from school, handed drinks and told to "relax" thus they were unable to locate Pucca for some time. Ching felt extremely uneasy. What was going on with her?
….
The party was in full swing when Garu stepped foot on the main street leading to this horrendous noise complaint waiting to happen. He didn't know why he'd even bothered coming. He didn't like parties, or crowds, or drinking. He just found it all a waste of time. And yet, here he was outside the door steeling himself to knock on the wooden door to damnation.
The door crept open and a relatively inebriated young girl stumbled back from the effort of completing this simple task. Her smile was accompanied with a little bit of drool and dropping eyes. "G… Garu!" She cried out, seemingly wanting to declare this arrival to the whole street. "I didn't-" She covered her mouth for a second and Garu took a step back. The girl composed herself. "I didn't know you'd come tonight! Hey, everyone! It's Garu!" She tripped over herself trying to give Garu enough room to enter the house. "W-wait here!" She screamed in his face before tumbling down the hallway towards what looked like a makeshift drink station.
Garu regretted his decision instantly. Why am I here? It wasn't like he was coming so Abyo wasn't going solo. So… He had no reason. He walked further into the flurry of arms and legs and he scanned the room, taking note of all the terrible dancing he was witnessing. He sighed and walked further. As he passed one of the downstairs rooms, he watched as a young couple grabbed at one anther and fumbled for the door handle. Before the door shut, Garu saw the girl lift her shirt over her head revealing her red spotted bra and the young man give him a sloppy thumbs up. What the hell am I doing here? He continued on quickly before he heard anything unsavoury.
He eventually found himself outside on the patio, staring out over the numerous bodies grinding up against one another to the atrocious music blaring across the whole household. Maybe I should just leave… Then he spotted her.
...
Moving with the heavy beat, Pucca swayed in the middle of the crowd, getting lost in the music. Her dress allowed her to swing her hips and raise her arms without any constraint and, with the help of the numerous drinks she'd consumed, she was loving the feeling of nothing. Of the music filling her head, body and soul so fully she didn't have to think about anything anymore. Her worries drained away as hands came to rest on her hips. They were warm. She allowed it. She placed down her latest cup of… something, and grabbed onto the guy's shoulders so they could move more in sync with the music.
Pretty sure he don't wanna be my baby
Oh, he don't love me, he don't love me
He don't love me, he don't love me
But that's okay
Pucca smirked, the song filtering through her hazy mind. The hands which held her brought her closer. She didn't mind. She focused on her own movements, making them swift and smooth.
Everything's gonna be alright
Everything's gonna be okay
It's gonna be a good, good, life
That's what my therapist say
Everything's gonna be alright
Everything's gonna be just fine
It's gonna be a good, good life
Pucca raised her head to the sky and felt the hands travel. One entangled itself into her hair, the other groped at her rear with great determination. Pucca couldn't remember the last time someone had tried to make a move on her. She wanted to feel more of those hands. She moved closer.
I'm a mess, I'm a loser
I'm a hater, I'm a user
I'm a mess for your love, it ain't new
I'm obsessed, I'm embarrassed
I don't trust no one around us
I'm a mess for your love, it ain't new
The stranger dipped her head to her shoulder and gave it a bite. His voice groaned into her ear and she tilted her head to hear what he was trying to say.
"Oh, baby, you're so hot. So fucking hot." She smiled. "I want to do so many things to you. Oh god, baby." His hands cupped her and squeezed. "Hey, do you wanna-" She didn't get to hear the rest as he was suddenly yanked away from her. The loss of the contact and warmth shocked Pucca into stumbling backwards. A new hand, rough and solid, grabbed her wrist and pulled her forwards away from the dancing crowd.
"H-Hey!" She heard someone cry out behind her but it was drowned out by the music. She allowed the stranger to tug her until they reached the top of the stairs of the patio. She twisted and rived herself free. She gripped the banister for support.
"Alright, enough. Enough," she said. She didn't feel quite steady on her feet anymore. She missed the beat of the music.
The stranger reached out to her again and she batted the hand away. She narrowed her eyes to focus on this new man who'd so rudely pulled her away when she was enjoying herself. He wore dark clothing, which included a basic black shirt, black trousers and a slim black tie. Nothing impressive. His sleek hair was pulled back into two low pigtails and his dark eyes glared at her from beneath long dark eyelashes any girl would be jealous of. Ugh… You again.
She gave a huff and went to go back down the stairs to join the party again when he stepped to be beside her with his hand snagging onto her forearm. She glowered at him. "Garu, let me go." He refused. "Now." He went to tug on her again. Pucca reacted quickly and slapped him.
Both stood quiet and in shock. Pucca was breathing hard and having trouble remaining still on her feet. Her world was currently riding through a storm and Garu's presence was making it that much worse. Garu, on the other hand, kept his redding face downturned. His tongue licked at the small cut on his lower lip.
Pucca knew she should feel sorry. She knew she should have apologised right there and then. She remained quiet and watched his reaction. He straightened his back and turned to face her. His eyes were cold but his broken lips stretched into a small tight smile. Pucca felt herself grow cold and no longer felt the urge to dance.
"You've no right."
He blinked at her in surprise.
"You have not right to storm in and pull me away." Her voice was piercing and low. "Let go of me this instant." Garu felt his insides twist at the hatred that oozed from her very being. What was wrong with her? His brows twitched and his smile fell from his face. Pucca pulled at her arm again. "What is with you? Can't you follow simple instructions?" She cried. She pulled again so hard that she felt the bruising bloom on her arm.
She whipped her head up and a wicked thought formed in her mind. She laughed softly. "Oh, I see." Garu watched her expression change. Her eyelashes dropped to cover her alluring gaze, her tongue graced her bottom lip and one corner of her lips quirked skywards. "I see indeed." Pucca stepped closer. She looked up at him and for the first time Garu really paid attention to her. Attention to her body, her face, her aura. He became very aware of her smooth legs stepping closer to his and her glistening face move closer to his.
Pucca placed her free arm on his chest, pressing gently. Obediently, Garu's body acted accordingly walking backwards to be pressed up against the side of the wall, out of the way of the crowds of people. Pucca moved so that with every breath her chest brushed against Garu. She stroked the side of his face and then neck. She felt his throat throb against her fingertips. Lifted herself onto her tiptoes, closing the gab between their lisps so that when she spoke next, her lips scarcely touched Garu's. "You're a cruel man, Garu." She smiled. "So many chances and not a peep. But now?" She drawled. Pucca pressed her lower half against him and felt what she suspected was there. "Ha. You're no different. There isn't an honourable bone in your body, Garu."
Garu, who had previously been enchanted by Pucca's slow and deliberate moments, as his head felt like it was about to explode, shoved her away upon hearing her taunting words. Pucca found her feet and stared at Garu without anything. No hatred. No love. No disgust. Nothing.
After a moment's pause, Pucca smiled at his complex expression. "If you're not here to have a good time, Garu, go home." Garu couldn't believe this was reality. What was going on? Pucca spotted another friend exiting the house with a tray of various beverages. "Stacey! Stacey, hang on." Pucca snagged two drinks of god knows what and looked back at Garu, already sipping from one of the cups. "Whadd'ya say? Want to enjoy yourself for once?" She held out the other cup. Garu didn't take it. He watched her eyes glint over her own cup's rim. Triumphant. "Knew it. You don't have the balls." She drowned the rest of her drink and went to sip from the other cup, swaying with the breeze.
Warm strong hands snatched it from her palms. She watched with interest as Garu tipped the cup into his mouth and swallowed quickly. She bit her lip as he covered his mouth and brows hitched in disgust. "Adda boy," she mocked. "Now then, since you've decided to join us mere mortals for the night," she waved at another girl across from the patio who slandered over with a shy glance at Garu at every step. "Why don't you go a little wild?" Pucca greeted the other girl with a shallow smile. She looked back at Garu, eyebrow crooked in his direction, and stepped behind the girl all the while sweeping her hair to the side. Her gaze never left his. She turned her head slightly and whispered into the girl's ear, her eyelashes fluttering innocently. Garu swallowed with difficulty, and not just because of the alcohol he'd consumed.
Then she left.
Garu was startled when he watched Pucca hurry away, taking a step as if to follow her, but he stopped and warily eyed the girl left behind. She had taken a few steps closer to him. She slid her hands over his chest and smiled seductively up at him. "I hear you're new to this game." She giggled and leaned in closer. "That's alright. I can teach you…"
Garu shoved her away, frankly with more power than he needed to. She hit the other side of the patio railing with some force. She looked at him with tears. Garu didn't stay to hear her complain, he was already stalking through the crowds to find the minx that just left him to the mercy of a drunken girl.
It took a few minutes but he found her.
...
Maybe it was naïve of her to leave Garu behind and expect him to defile that drunken girl and leave her be. She knew he wouldn't take the bait that easily. Still, when she spotted him stalking over to her, she smirked and quickly selected a new target.
He was a rough looking fellow, not someone who had went to their school – or any school for the past few years. She gave him a look, awaiting an invite. The man grinned and grabbed Pucca by the waist, dragging her down onto his lap with great satisfaction. "Hiya there, sweetheart. Don't you look like a treat tonight?" Pucca pretended to be affected by the complement, hiding her face behind his hair, but in reality, her smile had lost its vitality. Her eyes were sharply staring down her opponent who had stopped in the centre of the room, unsure of how to continue this game of cat and mouse.
Pucca tilted her head back and slipped her hand into her new prey's greasy locks. She had to stop herself from flinching from the atrocious feel of it between her fingers. As Pucca was peering around the man, he had taken the initiative to place his hand on her visible thigh and to slowly slide his hand up. He had placed his vile mouth on her neck, leaving little nicks here and there. Pucca watched as Garu's fists tightened, his shoulder quiver and his face grow darker. She hummed in thought and the man beneath her took that as a sign that she was enjoying herself. He laughed and grabbed her chin intending to kiss her lips. At this Pucca's eyes widened and her facade fell away. She tried to jerk her head back but the man's grip on her was painful.
This time when she felt her wrist being seized, and her body being lifted from the situation, she wasn't too upset.
Garu had intended to stay out of it, to let her suffer through the old man's disgusting ministrations – possibly a twisted version of payback for what she tried to do to him outside – but the look on her face when the man was about to kiss her… he couldn't hold back. He pulled her behind him as the man stood up in dismay of his plaything being yanked away from him. The men sized each other up. In due course, the other man visibly backed down. He figured it wasn't worth getting his ass handed to him for a bit of action. He stalked off, leaving Pucca and Garu still connected. Pucca looked at the hand gripping her arm. It didn't hurt.
Pucca was going to pull away again when Garu pivoted and stared her down. "What?" Garu's gaze got stronger, more intense. "What? You want me to apologise?" She said this with as much ridicule as she could manage. Garu slowly shook his head and grabbed two cups from the table, recently filled with what he believed was vodka (the smell was quite distinct). He handed her a drink which she took silently. He quirked his brow and proceeded to down the drink in one. She sucked in a sharp breath. Oh, this was the game now, was it? Garu crumpled the empty cup and threw it into the nearest bin with impressive accuracy. Pucca scoffed. "Fine. But you best keep up," she warned and drank her own drink.
Garu watched her gulp furiously and couldn't believe that he was doing this. But if this got through to her… He held his resolve. It was one night. What could go wrong?
...
Ching had spent over an hour searching for Pucca in various areas of the house. She just wanted to check that she was alright. Abyo diligently walked around with her, trying to spot their friend from the various girls dancing. Finally, they came across her in one of the living rooms, drink in hand and chatting to – Garu!
Ching covered her mouth and the smile which broke across her features. She studied their expressions and there was a intensity about their conversation, Pucca smiling over the rim of her cup while Garu downed his own drink with gusto. Ching was about to greet them when Abyo snagged her wrist and whispered in her ear.
"Maybe we should leave them be."
Ching gave him a dubious look. "Why?"
Abyo turned her away from the room and moved them both out of view. "Because, they haven't been all to friendly with each other for a while. Maybe it's about time they talked about it like friends." Abyo noticed his girlfriend's face shift as she deliberated the idea in her head. Just to ensure that it fell in his benefit, he leaned closer and smiled at her. He held out his hand, "Care to dance with me, m'lady?" Ching was taken aback by his sudden chivalry.
She bowed gracefully back and took a hold of his hand. "Why, what a gentleman. I would be delighted to grace you with my time." Abyo gently lead her through to one of the loud dancing spaces in the house and twirled her around to be securely placed between his arms. He swayed with her, completely off beat with the quick paced music. Ching shook her head at his idiocy and wrapped her own arms around the back of his neck, giving his nose a little peck. "This is why I fell for you…"
He frowned and leaned closer, "What? I can't hear you over the music?"
Ching laughed.
"C'mon! What'd you say? Ching, tell me!" Ching lay her head on his shoulder and enjoyed the peaceful moment just being with her other half.
...
Handing another two drinks into the hands of her victim, Pucca quirked a brow. "Since I started before you, you have some catching up to do. Here." Garu hesitated but quickly downed the drinks when Pucca's face contorted in impatience. "Good boy." Garu gagged as the second drink burned his throat. He wasn't sure what any of this was but the longer he stood there, watching Pucca swing subconsciously with the music, he found he wasn't too bothered anymore. Pucca peered up from her cup with satisfaction. She heard cheering from the next room over and leaned over to see what caused the chaotic noise. Ah!
"Let's make this a bit fairer, yeah?" Pucca didn't hesitate to grab onto Garu's tie and use it as a leash of sorts, pulling him behind her as she sauntered into the next room. Garu followed obediently, not at all transfixed by her swaying black tidal wave of hair nor wishing he could reach out and feel it between his fingers. Garu was able to pull his mind away from these thoughts to take in the sight of a folded-out table with numerous cups spread out in no particular order. He looked back at Pucca questioningly.
Pucca touched one of the other guest's arms to grab his attention. She flashed her most dazzling smile. "Hi, mind if we have a go?" The poor guy didn't have a chance. He nodded, all thoughts of any protest evaporating at her delicate face tilted up at him beseechingly. She turned to Garu and held up the little ping-pong ball. "If I get the ball in, you drink and I get another chance. If I miss, you get a turn to do the same to me. Clear?" Garu nodded. Pucca bit her lip. "No backing out now." Garu glowered at her. "Okay, okay." She turned and threw.
Plop!
Silently, in awe, someone handed Garu a cup. Garu maintained his gaze with Pucca as he drowned it. Pucca watched him with one hand on her hip which she jutted out, accentuating her long pale legs. She threw again.
Plop!
Garu tried to keep the surprise off his face. He drank. Pucca lined up another shot. Others around the table were now cheering her on, oblivious to the power struggle that was happening beneath the surface of this game. Once more, the ball flew through the air towards the little cups with dozens of eyes scrutinizing its path. Would it?
Plop!
Garu felt a sinking feeling in his gut. Pucca had an exceptional shot. He'd forgotten how brilliant she was with this sort of thing. This time when he drank the strange concoction, he slipped his tie off from around his neck. He was feeling a little tipsy at this point – the alcohol was hitting his system quickly and without mercy. He held it up to her. Pucca laughed. She turned and allowed him to tie the thin black tie around her face, plunging her into darkness, and she felt him place his hands on her bare shoulders to spin her to face the table once more. There were some whistles from some onlookers now. She heard a few girls "whisper" about how hot Garu was behind her but she paid no attention. She held up her ball and took her in a breath. She let loose the ball.
She didn't need to see what happened – shouts and cheer errupted from around her. She didn't bother removing the blindfold, just twisted her head towards where she knew Garu was now standing beside her. She imagined his expression would be one of frustration.
Pucca had guessed correctly. The young ninja was quite perplexed about how this was all turning out. But, as promised, he picked up another drink and took a gulp. This one in particular tasted vile. His nose wrinkled involuntarily and he gave his drinking buddy a disgruntled grumble. She hadn't removed the blindfold, almost mocking him, and he drank in the sight of her smirking at him. Her lips were a rosy colour and slightly damp due to her licking her lips. Garu grabbed the ball, which was more difficult than he'd ever admit to as shapes were starting the blur, and he handed it to her. His fingers opened her palm slowly and he transferred the little white ball, being sure to slide his fingertips across her wrists as he closed her hand around the ball. Pucca could feel his breath on her face and felt the heat left behind by his hands on hers. Her smile slipped.
She lined up her shot and – a girl behind her stumbled, slamming into Pucca with some force to throw Pucca forwards. Pucca felt the ball leave her hand and then nothing. No cheering nor the plop of a victorious shot. Shit. She pulled the tie off her face and glared at the girl who was still trying to stumble her way back to her feet. Her sneer caused the girl to apologise profusely, at least the poor girl tired to but her inebriated words tumbled into a verbal disaster, and Pucca tutted and turned away from the her making the girl feel even more embarrassed.
Garu snatched up the rolling white ball and showed it to Pucca to bring her attention back to him. She stared at him, daring him. He smirked. While he'd never drank, his skills weren't something that would be so easily stripped from him by a bit of alcohol. Easily, he flicked his wrist and the little ball fell straight into one of the cups. Pucca, not being one to back down, picked up another cup and tipped its contents into her mouth. She then struck her tongue out at Garu.
Garu again picked up the ball and, like before, threw it so it fell easily into another cup. Pucca wasn't liking these turns of events. Her next drink she sipped thoughtfully, peering at him over the lip of the cheap plastic. While he stood there, looking as stoic as ever, she did notice that his footing wasn't quite so steady anymore. To some extent, he was swaying. Pucca gripped the tie she still held in her fist. She finished the drink and placed the empty cup down carefully on the side besides some of the observers. One of the guys gave her a complement and she winked at him.
Garu threw the ball again, this time staring at this young man. The ball landed its mark and the rest of the onlookers cheered and drunkenly complemented his impressive throwing skills. Pucca went to grab another drink, while her mind attempted to slug through and find an excuse to not intake this next hit, when the guy she winked at slipped his arm around her and picked up the cup instead. He drowned it for her and gave her a sloppy smile.
Pucca laughed and looked back at Garu. The guy wrapped his arm around Pucca and looked up at Garu, "That counts, right? The cup was finished." Pucca leaned backwards into her saviour while Garu's gaze grew visibly darker.
"Want to call it quits?" She mocked.
Garu just looked at her. His mood seemed to emit from his very skin. Those who had previously cheered and jeered at their antics suddenly felt cold to the bone and were inching away from this tall stature. The guy who was still hanging onto Pucca abruptly lost his gusto at this change in atmosphere. Somewhere deep inside his gut, the alarm bells were being rung frantically. Danger. Danger. Run. Move! He stood and stepped away from Pucca who took note of his ridged figure and sweaty forehead. Pucca rolled her eyes. Really? Different tactic then.
Rising up onto her tiptoes, Pucca looped the tie back around Garu and used it as leverage to drag him away from the ping-pong table and the hushed guests back into a room with the music basting loud and proud. She whispered into his ear, "Dance with me."
Garu wasn't sure what to do. Pucca didn't seem to mind. Once again, she let her body become overcome with the beat of the music, swaying and rolling her body with each pound of the speakers. Pucca moved to be up against Garu, using his hard frame as a wall to shimmy up and down, keeping her grounded as the alcohol was persistently pumping through her body making her feel warm.
I kiss her, this love is like a dream
So join me in this bed that I'm in
And push up on me and sweat, darling
So I'm gonna put my time in
I won't stop until the angels sing
Jump in that water, be free
Come south of the border with me
Suddenly, Garu grabbed Pucca and twirled her so she was facing him. Pucca attempted to rotate away from him again – it was easier to dance and forget everything without his intense gaze staring down at her – but he refused to let her. She gave him a look to say: well? She saw his shoulders rise and drop quickly.
Mm, green eyes, takin' your time
Now we know we'll never be the same
Hands encircled her hips and lead her through the beats. His lids were heavy and the flashing lights made it difficult to focus on anything besides the girl in his arms. Pucca seemed to be enjoying it, moving closer so their chests were pressed close.
I love his lips 'cause he says the words
"Te amo, mami, ah, te amo, mami"
Don't wake up, this love is like a dream
Her arms snaked their way up to his shoulders, kneading the tough muscles there and playing with the loose hairs at the nape of his neck.
So join me in this bed that I'm in
Push up on me and sweat, darling
So I'm gonna put my time in (time in)
I won't stop until the angels sing
Garu, despite himself, drew Pucca closer and enjoyed the feel of her against his body. His heart was hammering against his chest and he was certain Pucca could feel it with the hands she was busy running down his body. He knew he should stop. Stop and take Pucca home. That's was his mind was telling him and yet that voice was getting smaller and smaller. A hazy cobweb of pleasure was wrapping itself around him, seducing him.
Jump in that water, be free
Come south of the border with me
Jump in that water, be free
Come south of the border with me
Pucca looped her fingers into Garu's belt loops and gave a tug. Garu's breath hitched. Pucca's smile was intoxicating – more than any drink he'd consumed that night. He swallowed and allowed her free-reign of his body. Something flashed in the depths of her dark delicious eyes.
Pucca used her grip to slowly guide Garu away from the dance floor towards the stairs. Somehow, they reached the next floor without separating themselves from one another. She steered them towards some of the emptier rooms and paused. She placed a dainty hand on Garu's face and drew him closer. She placed a chaste kiss on the corner of his mouth. Then his chin. Then this throat. He hummed and groaned as she made her way down the soft flesh at her disposal. She smiled against his skin, leaving him breathless. "Enjoying yourself, Garu?" For once, Garu was grateful he wasn't expected to reply because he truly didn't think he'd have been able to. Pucca knew he wouldn't answer so instead her leg gracefully moved between his legs and slid up his inner thigh. She knew she'd hit the spot when Garu grunted and had to place a hand on the wall besides her head to maintain control. Another hand was holding the small of her back. She waited for him to push her away. That would have been the honourable thing to do. That moment never came.
Pucca's smile was sickly sweet. She pulled on his top so it rose above his head. She began tracing the bare skin of his stomach, snaking her finger along his abdomen and the line of soft hair which travelled further down… down… down.
Garu's head was beyond fuzzy. He couldn't seem to collect his thoughts nor move his body. It was as if he'd been drugged and was obeying his master without complaint. He knew he should do… something. However, his body neglected to move. In fact, it fought him at every turn. It wanted this. He wanted this. In his oblivion, Pucca had dragged him so that he was pressing her up against the wall, allowing her to peer over his shoulder at the passing strangers. She noticed something interesting. A flash of blue and green. She narrowed her eyes and her smile grew cold.
Pucca let out a heavy breath by his ear. "We should… should probably move this to a more private location." Garu pressed into her as a response. She laughed at his eagerness. "Hold on." Pucca withdrew herself from his strong embrace and wrapped his tie around his eyes, like he'd done with her earlier. "Now, in a moment, I want you to follow me into this room. Then we can get…" As she moved around him to turn him the right way, she cupped his firm butt cheek. "Reacquainted with one another." Pucca backed up a few steps. She carefully reached into the ajar door and flicked the light off. A surprised squeak echoed from the room but this wasn't registered by anyone outside the door.
Garu walked into the room and shut the door, as instructed. A body stumbled into him and he grabbed hold of her. He steadied her and heard the light switch go. A small gasp. Small hands ran across his solid form and he melted under the touch. He backed Pucca up and gently cupped her face. Blind, Garu dipped his head and caught Pucca's lips in his. Pucca seemed surprised by his forwardness and didn't respond immediately. He didn't relent, gently moving his lips across her soft lips. She quickly submitted to him and the passion grew in them both. Pucca ran her hands over his strong back and he brought his other free hand to cup the lower part of her back to draw her closer.
Heat flared in Garu's stomach and he took this a step further, slowly pushing Pucca backwards until he felt something like a bed besides them. He lowered her down onto the cushy mattress. He clambered on after her, hovering above her and using this opportunity to finally touch her silky hair. Only, her hair wasn't free-flowing as it was a few moments ago. His hand trailed up her back, searchingly. Pucca reacted accordingly to the touch, arching her back and gasping, moving herself so her legs were looped behind Garu's. His hand kept riding higher and higher, his initial passion dwindling at an alarming rate.
Pucca sighed. "Oh, Garu…" He felt as though he had been dunked into the ice-cold sea of the Pacific Ocean. His mouth dried and his chest ached. He sat up, still straddling "Pucca" and yanked off the blindfold. In pure astonishment, Garu met the bright blue eyes of non-other than Ring-ring. "Garu… I never knew you could be so… So passionate!" She breathed heavily. She went to reach up to him again but he caught her hands and placed it down on the bed. He shook his head which, ironically, was clearer than it had been the whole night. Where was Pucca? How…? Garu's body broke out in a cold sweat. He couldn't understand.
Then the door behind them creaked open and gasps were heard. He looked behind him, still holding Ring-ring's wandering hands down on the bed, and saw his worst nightmare. In horror, he fumbled his way off the bed and felt his whole body tremble.
Personally, Ching didn't know where to look. She went from the dishevelled girl still lying on the bed, her chest heaving heavily, to her friend who stood in the middle of the lavish room without a shirt. She gripped the arm of her boyfriend for support which had wrapped itself around her middle; an arm to stop her from falling in shock or to protect his best friend from being savagely torn apart, she wasn't sure. She regarded Garu with disgust. "Let go, Abyo." Abyo hesitated at first, her haughty tone surprising him more than the display in front of him, but he did as she asked. Rather than going off on Garu she just walked away without looking back. "Let's go and find Pucca." Abyo looked back at his friend and could only shake his head sadly and hurry to catch up with his girlfriend.
Garu fell to his knees.
Oh god….
Oh ho... Welp... Nope. I have nothing. Your thoughts?