Howard arrived at the sign at 9.45pm. Well, he didn't want to miss Vince, did he? Though he needn't have worried, Vince didn't turn up until 10.20, holding a bottle of Bacardi in one hand and a WKD in the other.
"Which d'you want?" Vince asked brightly, holding up both bottles to Howard.
"Neither, I don't drink alcohol"
"Shut up! None at all?" moaned Vince. Howard shook his head. "Awwww, go on." the tipsy boy urged "Just one… let yourself go."
"I'm quite happy staying sober thank you."
"Suit yourself." shrugged Vince, taking a swig from each bottle "You coming?"
Howard nodded and followed Vince back along the road towards the party.
It was easy to tell which house was Leroy's. They had 'Planet Rock' blasting through the speakers, so loud that the house was shaking. There were people dancing on the street, on the cars and on the walls. A few were throwing up in the plant pots and some were throwing up in other people's hats.
"Wahooooo." cried a boy as he ran into the middle of the garden and emptied a bottle of vodka into his mouth, most of it spilling down his chin and into his hair. Howard shuddered and grabbed at Vince's jacket sleeve for protection.
"Watch it." moaned Vince "New coat."
"Sorry" Howard said, releasing his grip and shuffling so close to Vince that he was pressed against the smaller boys shoulder.
"Oh for god sake Howard." giggled Vince, handing his bottle of WKD to a pretty girl, who took it happily. Just then, 'Don't you want me baby' started up and Vince almost jumped with excitement. "I love this song." he laughed grabbing Howard's hand and dragging him, rather reluctantly, into the house "Come on."
In the house, things were even worse. The music was louder and Howard's ears were pounding against his skull. There were lustful teenagers on every side, rubbing up against each other, kissing passionately or toppling over one another to get to the cramped living to dance as provocatively as they could manage. Vince seemed completely at home in this situation but as he was pulled through this jungle of hormonal teens, Howard felt he'd never felt so uncomfortable or so alone.
"VINCE!" someone bellowed over the music.
"LEROY!" Vince shouted back, as a tall blonde boy wearing similar over-the-top clothes to Vince, dived on Vince hugging him tight.
"Who's your friend?" Leroy beamed.
"Oh, this is Howard. Howard, Leroy"
"Alright Howard."
"Hello, umm, happy birthday." Howard shouted, feeling very awkward.
"Oh, thanks mate! Where's my present?"
"Ummm."
"I'm joshing ya." laughed Leroy, giving Howard a friendly but hard smack on the shoulder. "You brought Vince, that's all the present I need. I was worried you weren't coming." He continued turning to the smaller of the two boys "You know it's no party without you."
"Ah, you're too kind." laughed Vince, "Just point me in the direction of the alcohol."
Leroy pointed towards the kitchen and Vince danced off into the crowds to find it, Howard, not knowing what else to do, chased after Vince like a frightened puppy.
--
Howard looked at his watch, 11.30. 'Well, at least the party would be over soon.' Howard naively thought. It was well past his bedtime and he already felt as though he'd spent half his life in this uncomfortable and slightly disturbing situation. He wanted to go home but something was keeping him here, some invisible force, well, maybe not invisible.
Howard peered through the crowds of dancing people, he knew Vince was in there somewhere but he had no idea where. 'Probably right in the middle' he thought. As the crowds parted slightly, Howard had a clear view of Vince and, as always, the moustached boy was completely transfixed. Vince was dancing like his life depended on it. Everyone was watching him and Howard couldn't blame them he looked so… sexy. No, surely he hadn't just thought that, but there was no other way to describe it. Vince looked gorgeous and Howard just stared at him, until a fat girl moved into his view. Howard snapped out of his daze feeling incredibly embarrassed.
After that unnerving experience, Howard decided it was time to leave. It's wasn't as though like Vince would noticed anyway. He pushed his way down the corridor, shuffling between couples and dancers, until he was outside in the cold, refreshing air. He pulled his jacket around him and began to walk quickly away from the nightmare house.
"Howard!" someone shouted from behind him. No not someone, Vince. No one else at that party knew (or cared) what his name was. Howard span round to see Vince tottering quickly but uneasily towards him.
"Howarrrd!" he slurred "Why you leaving? D'you not like parties?"
"Ummm, no not really Vince."
"Vinsh. That's my name." Vince laughed reaching to lean heavily on Howard's shoulder. As the hand landed on his shoulder, Howard shivered as a tingle of excitement ran up his spine.
"Yes it is. You're Vince." Howard said, feeling completely at a loss at what to do.
"You're Vince? No, you're not Vince. You're Howard. I'm Vince."
"You're drunk."
"Just a teenie-weenie bit." Vince said, taking his hand from Howard's shoulder to indicate a small amount between his thumb and finger, before promptly flopping forward so that Howard had to catch him.
"You know what," Vince said, leaning his chin against Howard's chest and looking up and the taller boy with big innocent puppy dog eyes. "I missed you when I went back to the home, you know. I really liked you. You were my friend. Are we friends now?"
"Of course."
"Good. You know Howard. I wish you would dance with me."
"There's no music."
"The music is in here." Vince said, pointing clumsily to Howard's head "And here" he said, thumping Howard chest.
"Just move to the music in your soul. Unless it's jazz. Errr." Vince giggled, screwing up his face adorably. "You know what Howard?"
"What?"
"You're quite handsome in this light." Howard felt himself flush, his face burnt bright red, but Vince didn't seem to notice and continued "But you're quite handsome in every light. That's why I mugged you. I thought you had a nice arse." Howard went even redder, still steadying the drunk boy as he snaked his arms around Howard's neck and pulled the taller boy down towards him until their noses touched.
"What are you doing Vince?" Howard squeaked nervously.
"Even Leroy said you had something about you." Vince continued.
"He did?"
"He did." Vince grinned, playing with Howard's hair gently, "But I told him to back off because you're here with me. You are here with me, aren't you Howard?"
"Well, I… um, er, yeah I guess so." That was all Vince needed to hear and he closed the gap, kissing Howard hard. Howard felt himself melt into the moment. He didn't know what to make of it, what was going on? Was that gorgeous creature from the dance floor kissing him? But wait, he wasn't gay, was he? No, of course he wasn't. He liked that serpent woman at the zoo, Mrs Gideon. She was the perfect woman, wasn't she? Probably, but maybe Vince was the perfect man and maybe that was what he wanted.
As Vince broke away, he giggled uncontrollably and said "You're a good kisser Howard."
"Umm, thanks." Howard said uneasily, feeling confused and stupid.
"You sure you've got to go?" Vince pouted.
"Yeah, sorry."
"Okay." Vince said looking disappointed, "I'll see you soon though, yeah?"
"Of course."
"Okay, Bye."
Howard watched Vince half skip half stagger back towards the house and felt a pang of jealousy as a girl slipped her arm through his, handing him another WKD and steering him back towards the dancing.
--
Howard didn't sleep that night, he just kept playing the entire conversation with Vince over and over in his head and then… that kiss, that wonderful, perfect kiss. Howard's first kiss.
For two days, Howard walked everywhere with a big, daft grin on his face and refused to tell anybody why. After a week though, he began to worry. He hadn't spoken to or seen Vince since that night and he really needed to know what the situation was between them.
Two weeks passed and Howard still hadn't heard anything. He'd even begun to worry if Vince was okay. Was he lying in a ditch somewhere? Who would know if he was? As far as Howard could tell Vince was crashing on people's sofa's, floor's or on the street. No one would worry if they didn't see him for a while. Howard began to feel sick with worry and he thought he saw Vince every where he looked, but it was never him. Never.
What can I say I can never resist a bit of Howince?! (lol)
Also, just want to say a quick thank you to everyone who's read this so far... you're all loved!!
And also to everyone who's reviewed! You're opinions, thoughts and comments are always so wonderful and supportive! (and look at me i'm gushing, how embarrasing?)
Sisi...xx