2020-12-19 Elise's Party

 2020-12-19 Elise's Party

Elise Girard had successfully sent her parents off to a nice anniversary dinner that would be followed by a hotel night. They knew she was having people over as she didn’t want to completely lie to them. She had omitted that there would be alcohol of course, not knowing how that would go over and assuming the party might not be allowed if they were aware. She had also encouraged Stefan to go hang out with Daniel and crash at his place that night. She even told him why to which he rolled his eyes and replied “My room is off limits to sex, puke and peanuts.” Elise assured him none of those things would happen. Now the house was empty and she called Nolan “Ok let’s set up and get some ice in the cooler.” She had a plan with Brayden Kim and Pedro Negron involving a back door beer delivery at about 9pm. She told party guests to arrive anytime after 8pm. But since they did have a house to themselves she took Nolan’s hand and led him up to her room to enjoy a bit of time alone before they had a social night with friends and experimentations with booze. She snuggled into his arms after “Maybe I should have just kept this night for us….” She said with a  giggle “And we’re getting really good at THAT….” Elise’s phone pinged beside her and she sighed and swiped at her bedside table to grab it “Did you join that social media site I sent you a link for? I made a little party event group on their for tonight. Trying to keep it to 10 people….Romeo just messaged he’s bringing a date but we’re now just at 10…..sorry this kinda grew on me….” She laughed and then went to the group. “I can see if everyone’s joined this yet. Miranda’s been chatty but she was suspended from school for 2 days so I think she got a little bored. Wow she’s done a lot of baking….look at those…..I did tell her no nuts in this house. She’s bringing Winona and Tyler...and Winona also scored booze through her older brother so of course I said yes. Plus I still feel bad about that whole misunderstanding about the poster and then the other poster….my god give the girl a break...and give Gene a break. I hope they’re cool with each other both being here tonight…” She purses her lips “Oh well there’s enough coming for them to be on opposite sides of the room if that’s still an issue…..and Dante!” She smiles “Oh my god Dante actually joined the group and posted a little….oh he’s giving me the finger…” She laughs “Whatever….he’s allowed.” Elise takes a deep breath and kisses Nolan one more time “I guess we should get dressed. But more of this later….you can stay over…” She winks at him. Elise actually took a quick shower, which Nolan was welcome to join if he wanted to but she would be clear they now actually had to move towards getting ready. Then she put on her usual for Elise; black leggings and a black tank top with a big red plaid shirt on top that hung down past her butt. In the colder months she also added a thick pair of grey woolen socks. She had ditched the toque unless she was outside now and brushed out her long wet hair. Nolan loved her hair and she would never deny him access to it. She wasn’t a big makeup person but she quickly swiped over her face with some pressed powder from a compact and brushed a bit of mascara on her lashes before  drawing some tinted lipglass over her lips. Elise was comfortable enough with Nolan now that she didn’t feel weird about him seeing her put on makeup. God knows he’d seen a much more intimate side of her than that and that part of their lives was quite beautiful to her.

Before anyone arrived, Elsie got another little ping on her phone and gasped at her social media “Both Wong twins? No way…….” She laughed a bit and looked at Nolan in disbelief “Are you seeing this on the student group page….apparently Romeo had sex with both Wong twins?”

Miranda was still at home and Winona and Tyler were meeting her there before they all went to Elise’s together. She was assuming Romeo was planning on going to collect his date, who as it turned out was Candra Stevens. Miranda considered Candra a step up from Sophia Wong. Candra was also on the basketball team and Miranda liked her way better, even before Sophia assaulted her brother, which she had kept her word and not spoken of. So she sat on her couch with containers of baking ready to take with them scrolling through her social media. Elise had convinced her to reactivate her old Crossroads account because that was a thing now in Alexandra. A bunch of the kids at school were on it and Levar had even made a student group. Elise had also made an event for the party which people had begun to join. 

Miranda had a lot of time on her hands so she had been a little chatty in Elise's party group showing off her baking. Her posts were mostly cookie titled with pictures; Shortbread, Gingerbread, Polar Bear Sugar Cookies, Raspberry Jam thumbprint cookies…..She was bringing a selection of all those with her. They could get drunk and hyper on sugar. She shook her now brown hair around and glanced at the student page wondering what other folks were up to this weekend and then almost dropped her phone “WHAT?!” There was a whole thread talking about Romeo….having slept with both the Wong twins. “Oh for fuck’s sakes…” She hissed out. There was a knock at her door and she got up and stalked to it opening it with an angry face “Tyler get in here….” She was in medium blue jeans and a grey and brown striped sweater “My brother’s under the rumour fire now...did you see Winona walking this way yet?”

Tyler looked nervous at the angry greeting and then sighed “Not yet...maybe she’s coming through the back. I saw the thread. Did he really ...you know….do them both?” He was wearing dark blue jeans and a red and green striped sweater with an open short blue jacket over top. His mop of curly red hair was partially under a grey toque and he had on black slip on sneakers.

Miranda looks incredulous “No...what they hell Ty….he did not. I don’t even know if Romeo’s seen this.” She sighs and sends her brother a text:

Um...have you seen the Crossroads thread in the student group? You’re being discussed by the evil sisters. Levar is supposed to be moderating that...he must not be looking at it right now…..

Nolan had, admittedly, enjoyed their little bit of alone time before the party.  He showered with her and watched a bit as she put on her little bit of make up.  But he realized there were still a few things to do, so he made her bed and went downstairs to double check on the state of the kitchen, living and dining room.  He glaned up from fluffing a pillow when Elise mentioned that Romeo had sex with BOTH Wong twins.  "What?"  he couldn't help but laugh, but not in a mocking way.  "Romeo?  No."  he refused to believe it.  He'd dressed in blue jeans and a festive holiday sweater with a scene of snow and a cabin in the woods.  Krampus was on the roof.

Winona knocks on the back door and then enters.  Under her coat is her usual.  Slacks - today forest green with a button up blouse and a mans tie.  The tie matches her suspenders, which were bright red, while her tie was a bright but dark green.  She'd already been told by her brother Otis that she looked like a Christmas mobster.  Making a face at him, she placed her familiar fedora on top of her head, although the band was now also red, but patterened with snowlakes all around.  Now she was coming throug the door.  "Is everybody ready to party?"

Romeo had dressed for the party in dark blue jeans and a blue sweater over a black turtleneck and his dark pea coat over all.  He was walking to the halfway point between his house and Candra's, since he only lived 2 doors down from the party house.  He smiled at her when he saw her.  "You look great."  Then he felt his phone buzz in his pocket.  He looked at it, because he was still a but gun shy about dates of any kind.  Maybe it was Mianda telling him that Candra turned out to be a serial killer or had epilepsy that could be triggered by wool pea coats or something insane like that.  He read the note on his phone.  Did his sister not know it was winter break?  He texted her back.

Nope.  I'm on winter break.  School government is closed.  On my way to Elise's with Candra.  SO far she hasn't gotten hurt.

Gene knew only that he was invited by Elise and Gen ... and that Dante was invited.  But with Dante only home a couple of days, he didn't really expect to see him so soon.  He got ready for the party by dressing in his best jeans .. they weren't new, but they looked like they were.  He wore a plain brown sweatshirt and, over that, his beloved fisherman's sweater.  On his waen and Elise had insisted he join Crossroads and he had.  He posted a text message telling Elise was on his way and kept walking while reading the boards.  "Romeo Rogers was rumored to have had sex with both Wong Twins.  Gene arched his brows.  "More power to you, bro."  he murmured to himself.

Gen was lounging in bed with Dante.  It was an incredible reunion that had them holed up until ... well until now.  "We really should get showered and dressed for Elise's party..."  she encouraged him by taking his hand and, still naked, leading him to the shower.

Dante gets led but seeing her just stand up and walk without her clothes on yet leads to a  bit of a longer shower. Eventually he concedes “We did promise Elise…” He laughs and steps out to dry off, passing Gen a towel too. He ends up wearing pretty much what Dante always wears. Beat up black jeans with a studded leather belt and a punk rock t-shirt which today is white with The Clash on it in red and black. He throws a hoodie on top and leaves it open and then his grey plaid quilted jacket and a pair of black trainers. He frowns at his mop of untamed hair “I need a haircut. He had at some point shaved so he wasn’t as scruffy in the face.

Miranda lets in Winona and checks out her outfit “I feel like you should be bringing bathtub gin in that ensemble….glorious and dapper as always. My brother is being internet rumoured and not wishing to look at social media.” She looks between her two friends “OK I didn’t wear holiday themed anything and honestly all I have like that is pajamas….oooh but I can wear my slippers! There we go. And I made cookies...lots of cookies. Anyways fair warning on bullshit and drama. The Wong twins are claiming Romeo had sex with them...both of them. He did not. This is after that double date he and Jake went on with them….so Jake may be next on their hit list.” she predicts. Miranda pulls on her Rudolph reindeer slippers. They have red noses. She reaches for her purse and then frowns at it. “It’s only two doors down. I’ll just take my keys and phone. Tyler...take some of this….you have the booze Winona?” She hands Tyler some cookie containers and moved her now brown hair out of her face. She decided to skip her jacket as it was a really short walk.

Tyler inhales as he sees Winona arrive and smiles at her. When Miranda says glorious and dapper he nods “Yeah what she said.” He offers with a  small blush. But then he tries to be casual. Winona had been his friend forever but then one day he noticed she was basically a goddess, a goddess in a  fedora. He tried not to make it obvious when he followed her like a puppy. It helped to have Miranda in the mix because she somehow kept him from just climbing up to the roof and confessing his adoration with her humour and ramblings. Distraction was good. Miranda had already told him Romeo hadn’t slept with the twins so he was neutral as she said it again but looked worried for Jake “What is with those girls?” He took the cookies and wiped his feet really well before heading with Miranda through to the back door where Winona stood, glowing in her radiance as she did.

Elise sighs at Nolan “I think it’s a rumour...I dunno...guess we can try and ask him. Although he’s on a  date so maybe we can corner Miranda. Nolan...I love you...please stop cleaning.” She laughs “Did you actually just make my bed?” He was so adorable. Her phone pinged and she glanced at it “Oh good Gene’s on his way at least…...that’s one…”

Candra saw Romeo in his classy little pea coat. He was so cute. She sighed. Tonight would NOT be like her last date. Tonight would be sweet and fun. But she had read something on social media that worried her about Romeo and she hoped it wasn’t true. She hoped he had no expectations of what the end of the night might be. She wasn't sure how to even bring it up. Candra was wearing a light pink winter jacket over a long white sweater dress and holiday print candy cane and Christmas tree leggings. She had on a pair of soft black Ug style short boots “Hi…” she said hesitantly to Romeo. She was happy to see him but clearly something was on her mind.

Within minutes Miranda, Tyler and Winona would be at Elise’s back door. She’d seen Elise go in this way so she knew it was an option to head there. “Trick or treat!” Miranda yelled out as a joke as loud as she could.

Gen actually has a small assortment of clothes in Dante's room, and he will have one in hers before too long, now that Sasha has moved out and she now has the garage bedroom all to herself.  In order to help them 'behave', she shimmies into jeans and a snowy white sweater.  Her coat is a simple long black one, and she puts her hair in a ponytail.

Winona does have a large bag with her, but she only sticks her tongue out at Miranda's teasing.  She nearly drops it when Miranda shares the internet gossip about Romeo.  "Of course he didn't.  God!"  she exclaims, hefting the bag.  "They were clearly starved of oxygen at some point in early childhood."  she huffs and heads for the door.  "To the party!"

Romeo caught Candra's hesitancy.  It made sense.  By now he was sure his disastrous dates were legend.  At least they were in his mind.  "Candra, I know what you probably heard.  But you're perfectly safe with me.  I promise."  he would do his best not to let her get hurt or anything.

Nolan blushed a little when it was requested he stop cleaning.  "Well Miranda is cooking everything .. what else is there for me to do?"  Then he hears Miranda at the door.  "YES!  I am the doorman!"  he opens the door for them, reaching out to help Winona with her bag.

Gene is walking slowly, hoping that Gen and Dante will beat him there.

Dante looks Gen up and down and drinks her in “You look beautiful. You’ve looked beautiful every second I’ve been home…..and I’m sure you’ll even look beautiful if you and Elise get drunk.” He winces “Ah fuck let’s do this…” He reaches for her hand and is ready to start heading to Elise’s.

Elise has to giggle at Nolan and then hears someone yell trick or treat “Oh very funny...yes you can answer the door my love.” As they come in she’s delighted to see the three of them “Oh hi hi….” Then her jaw drops “Miranda….your HAIR!” She walks up to them “Is that your natural colour now? It looks so pretty!” She looks at Winona “You look amazing Winona...I love your style….oh and thank you booze fairy!!” She also takes some baking as Nolan has the alcohol bags in hand “Hi Tyler.” She doesn’t have any exciting compliments for him but she’s still friendly. She takes the baking to the coffee table and then some to the kitchen table “Oh so many tasty things!”

Candra looks even more worried at Romeo’s words and before they start to walk she holds up a hand “Listen….I’m not sure where you’re going with that. The whole safe thing….I mean by safe do you mean not rushing or that you have condoms...because I’m just going to say it. I’m not going to bed with you. I like you. You’re sweet and handsome and funny...but I’m not the jump into bed type.” She had been once and she was still feeling regret about it. Never again. And after the rumour she figgere she better be upfront about it.

Miranda smiles “Hey Nolan...thank you Elise...oh yeah boring brown. Family picture request…” she rolls her eyes and laughs. “Winona is classier than anyone I know...and the hats…..oooh the hats.” She wipes her feet “Can I keep my slippers? They’re pretty clean….” Elise seems to approve so she does.

Tyler was about to try and carry cookies and reach to help Winona when Nolan swooped in and did it as he opened the door. He always just missed the chance to get himself noticed by her. But he smiled at Nolan and Elise “Hi.”

Gen goes happily with Dante and they arrive jsut after Tyler, Miranda and Winona.

Winona smiles, always happy with a compliment.  "I outdress Otis, right?  Because I outdress Otis.  Fucking diva brothers."  she see Gen and looks at her, almost dramatically.  "You know what I mean ... gay brohers with fashion sense!"

Gen laughs and nods.  "Oui.  Sometimes Rene makes me look like a pauper."  she admits.

Romeo blinks at Candra as she holds up a hand.  Does she think he wants sex?  He likes the sweet, handsome and funny part, but ... sex?  "By safe I mean I won't let you fall down and sparin an ankle and, if you need an epi-pen I've looked up how to use one.  I'm not real successful at .. hell starting dates, never mind finishing them."  he blinks.  "I'm not the jump into bed type, either."  he is totally lost.

Nolan smiles and takes the bag.  He takes the bottles out and looks at them, setting them neatly on the countertop and giving Tyler an over the shoulder wave.

Gene suddenly stops walking.  "No ... no ... these are friends .. proven friends ... mostly."  he encourages himself to go on.  But finally, he is there ... Alexandr isn't that big.  He walks up the front steps and rings the doorbell, unt sure who wll will be there besides Nolan, Gen, Elise and Dante.

Candra has seen people going in the back door but Romeo has his back to it. She saw his sister and her friends and then right after Dante and Gen. Now Romeo seems confused about her effusive boundary setting and she relaxes “I’m sorry Romeo….there was a post on the student group thing that….I shouldn’t have assumed.” She looks embarrassed now “I should know better than to buy into gossip.” She laughs at herself a bit and then exhales “You might want to ask Levar to take that down though. I think he can since he started the group.” She’s sure he’s seen it.

Elise sees Gen and Dante and squeals “You’re here!!!” She squishes in past Miranda and Winona and Tyler and throws her arms around both of them. “I’m so glad you’re home Dante.” She sways and sort of dances with them both a bit.

Miranda smiles at Gen and Winona “You don’t need a gay brother to have one show you up as a fancy dresser but I get it...Romeo ourdresses both Dunk and I every chance he gets.” but then Elise squeals and runs by her and she realizes that the guy with Gen is indeed the infamous Dante, who she’s never met. The doorbell rings and she looks towards the front “Party guests in all directions...you want me to grab the front?” She steps past the crowd as she offers.

Elise calls back “Nolan can you give up your door job and find us glasses? Go for it Miranda!”

Tyler almost gets bowled over by Elise and falls slightly into Winona “You always look better than all your brothers…” He says looking up at her as he teeters into her “Oh I’m so sorry…”

Miranda is still laughing about what’s going on in the kitchen. She saw Tyler almost fall into Winona’s arms and was chuckling as she opened the front door to Gene Sinclair standing there “Uh….” She was a little caught off guard “Sorry come in...hi…” She said belatedly. She hadn’t seen Gene since he watched her get taken away by the cops. She stepped back and out of his way, self consciously smoothing her brown hair.

Gen is buried in friends and loving it.  Everyone was glad Dante was home.  She eventually steps away and just enjoys the view.

Winona manages to catch Tyler before he falls on the floor, but still calls over to Dante.  "Congratulations on the release, Dante!"  she is glad to see him again.  She can't help but laugh.  "True, Romeo IS a sharp dresser."  she cuts off any comments about his being some kind of incredible lover because she doesn't believe a word of the rumor.  Then she nudges Tyler into standing on his own."It's Ok and thanks."  she tells him with a smile.

Romeo stares at Candra.  "There was a .. oh fuck, that must be what Miranda was talking about..."  he pulls out his phone and looks at the boards.  "What the FUCK?!"  he exclaims alond, apparently having read it.  Then he  turns red and sends a quick message to Levar.  "I hadn't seen this.  Oh Jesus Christ."  he stammers.  "No Candra.  No .. just .. no ...  It isn't...  I didn't ...  we never .. what the ACTUAL fuck?"  he looks at Elise's back door as if he'd rather do anything unplesant than walk through that door now.

Nolan waves at Dante.  "Welcome home!"  he feels more at ease, thanks to months of friendship with Gen.  Then the doorbell rang and he is torn between duties.  "OK, but Miranda probably isn't as good as I am."  he protests, but does get the glasses.

Gene was expecting Elise or maybe Nolan to answer Elise's door, so it was a surprise when Miranda Rogers opened it.  She invited him in and he stepped over the threshold and out of his shoes.  He hadn't seen her since that day in the vice principals office ... when she took a fall for him ... sort of.  Miranda had dyed her hair and Gene stared at it as she smoothed it down.  Then he hears noise from the kitchen and it brings him back.  "Hello, Miranda."  He speaks more formally out of nerves.  They weren't enemies anymore ... They weren't friends ... and, he reminded himself, they weren't anything that made him looking at her beautiful brown hair appropriate.  Now in his sock feet, he steps further in.  It sounded like everyone was in the kitchen.

Candra now feels terrible for Romeo. Of course it isn’t true. She can see how upset he is by it and moves to hug him “I’m so sorry Romeo. I should never have given it a thought…...they’re so messed up for doing that to you. I’m sure Levar will delete it...before too many people notice it.” Most of the comments are the Wong twins, Cosmo, Maddox and Justin and then a string of comments trying to diffuse it from Daphne McLeod with ehr tagging Levar in each of hers trying to get his attention. 

Tyler is dizzy from being caught by Winona and he stands like a baby bird reluctant to leave her nest. “Thanks…” Then he belatedly calls over to Dante “Yeah welcome back Dante…” He walks forward now and sees the back of Miranda as she had just let Gene in. Oh please don’t let them fight…..he had been in between their tension so many times now it made him anxious. But they seemed pleasant.

Miranda hears Gene say hello Miranda and feels a strange pang of disappointment? Miranda...not Randy? Then she inwardly smacked herself. What did she want that? “Hey…..Eugene….” She knew his full name, sadly from a  poster and used it, as he had used hers. Maybe it was a tiny rebellion at the seemingly revoking of her nickname. Then she cleared her throat and thumbed at the kitchen “Party’s this way.” She still had her reindeer slippers on and the antlers and noses bobbed as she walked away from him past a nervous little Tyler. Was there any other kind of Tyler. She gave Tyler and Winona a we’re cool look and casually went and looked at the folks still at the back door but from the kitchen island. This house was the same as theirs so it was easy to feel kind of at home. Different pictures on the walls and furniture of course.

Elise pulls Dante and Gen into the kitchen further and she overheard Miranda say Eugene “Hey Gene’s here. Hi Gene!” Seh calls out. Then she starts giggling “Oh Hygeine….oh my god I bet kids were asses bout that on the playground eh?” She laughs at her own joke and then goes to help Nolan with the glasses.

Dante eases out of the crowd and into the kitchen just as Elise makes her joke “thanks and thanks...and Jesus Elise...never change. Hi Gene….I’m sure you have good hygiene...in fact I know you do….fuck that sounds dirty…” He cracks up. “How are you doing?” He casually reaches over and takes a cookie since there are tons and they looks delicious. “Mmmm…” He says as he chews, looking back at Gen “Try those….Elise did you make these?”

Romeo is a little surprised by the hug, but returns it.  He doesn't look to see who is taking part in this.  Instead he releases her and takes in s deep breath.  "Maybe it'll help my political career?"  he offers and then looks at the back door again.  "I need a drink.  Care to join me?"  and he offers her his elbow.  It's a little dramatic, but that is Romeo.

Nolan has set out glasses.  "And now ...  BARTENDER!"  he proclaims.  Gene is teased a bit about his name and he laughs good naturedly.  "Belly up, folks.  I have no idea how to mix drinks so everyone gets it straight..."  he pauses and realizes how that could be taken.  "As long as you are?"

Gen notices that Gene has arrived and the strange greeting ritual he and Miranda seem to have.  Then Elise brings up hygiene and she shakes her head, then Nolan makes his own fumbling word associations.  "God help your kids."  she walks over to Gene and gives him a hug.  "And they're not even drunk yet."  she reminds him.

Winona laughs at all of them.  This group was a hoot.  She looks at the pastries first.  "Food first."  she proclaims.  After noting Miranda seems OK with Gene, for once she addressed the food situation.  "Jesus Miranda.  You're gonna put Miss Z out of business!"

Gene arches his brows when Miranda calls him Eugene and tries to figure out what he's done wrong THIS time.  Before he can retort, she walks away and past Tyler who, as always, looks like he's about to be attacked.  Elise is greeting him by the time he gets to the kitchen and he groans and nods.  "Yea ... they were."  he admits and then he lifts his hand to his mouth, laughing at what Dante has said.  It was good to be back with his best friend.  At least he hoped they were best friends, still.  He tries a little humor.  "You didn't tell Gen about all our hot steamy showers together?"  he smirks as Gen hugs him.  "No worries, Gen ... He loves you.  I was just a temporary thing.  You know how it is.  He ain't no Ho."    it's a joke that probably only he, Gen and Dante will get, but Elise and Nolan may know about Ho through Gen.

Gen slaps Gene playfully on the arm.  "I was only jealous you got to be with him while I couldn't."  she tells him, laughing.  "But you have better hair than I do."  she sighs because few girls were happy with their hair and Genes was long, black and lustrous.

Dante smirks “So many showers and no barriers for privacy.” He winks at Gen and then Gene “No Ho….thank god there’s only one of him and his...harem.” Then he points “I have stories for you about Shaw….unbelievable stories.” He nods at Gen “He does have good hair doesn’t he but I love yours more.” He kisses her after she’s done hugging Gene and then trunks to the unfamiliar person behind them all, the tall girl who he’s pretty sure is Miranda. Funny Gene mentioned her in a letter even. “Miranda right? Good cookies….I’m Dante.” Then he sees Nolan playing bartender and braces himself “Hey man small shots...especially for your small woman. I swear to god Elise...you probably don’t weigh a hundred pounds soaking wet.”

Miranda smiles at Winona “Oh it’s just my therapy...baking therapy. I’ll pay for it with my hips I’m sure one day...maybe even right after the holidays.” She laughs. She was a tall fit girl but she had hips, just the way she was made. Then she smiles at Dante “Hi...nice to meet you Dante, finally. Welcome back.” She can see that he and Gene are very close friends. And Gen was right. Gene’s hair was incredibly distracting sometimes...to her anyways. She looks relieved to see drinks being poured “I’ll take a glass of that blue stuff…..I’m feeling brave. Let’s hope it doesn’t taste like Windex.” The bottle said Blue Curacao. There was also rum, vodka, gin and whiskey “Um do we owe Albert some money? That’s a lot of booze…” She’s asking Winona who procured the deal.

Elise beams at Nolan “You’re a funny bartender alright. Let’s try Vodka…..and I’ll have you know Dante I am a hundred pounds on dry land in dry clothes. Careful what you drink...you’re looking slimmer than before. She remembers the talk about Ho and smiles “Ho was the ho right? Am I allowed to say that? I know the guy’s not here to defend himself…..and I’m not making fun of anyone in that occupation so to speak.” She smiles and shrugs. And then she holds up a finger “Save room there’s also beer coming. I didn't know really what to buy and Brayden suggested it. He said something about keeping a  drink count using bottles….I dunno. Who here has actually drunk alcohol? You can be our gurus?”

Miranda weakly raises a hand “I’m not really guru material but I can tell you maybe don’t mix beer and hard stuff….” She makes a puking gesture and winces.

Elise frowns “Oh drat I was going to try a bit of all the things…..I’ll be careful...just a  bit...Nolan a thimble of vodka please….”

Candra takes Romeo’s arm. Feeling way better about being out with him tonight now “Yes….hopefully the rumour will just make you intriguing...a man of mystery. Still horrible they did that. And let’s have a drink.” They walk up to the back door and knock since it’s been closed after others came in but they can see a group of people through the glass of it and Candra waves to everyone she can see. She has a bubbly personality much like Eleise but without the edge of honey badger bite to it.

Tyler looks nervous about the prison shower talk, not because he’s nervous of Gene and Dante joking about steamy showers but because of all the terrible things he can imagine and he’s seen in TV and movies. “Aren’t prison showers kind of scary too?” As soon as he asks it he feels stupid for asking and reaches for a drink impulsively grabbing the frist glass of clear liquid his hand finds. It’s whiskey and Tyler has never had a drop of alcohol in his whole life. He didn’t raise his hand and now rh tries to look cool and takes a swig only to spit it out because it tastes putrid to him “Oh…….oh god that’s horrible!”

Romeo smiles  at Candra.  She was a nice lady."Why, thank you."  he squares his shoulders and puts on his most fun face as they wait for the door to open for them.

Gen looks at Elise and can see why ... anyone would be worried about her drinking any amount of alcohol.

Winona listens carefully to the talk of alcohol.  She decides to just wait before drinking anything, but also looks at ELise who is just plain old tiny.

Gene snorts.  "Amen to that."  he agrees about Ho.  Then he nods.  "Just tell me he's safe."  he knows they should probably talk about them in private,but this is as close as they were getting at the moment.  He then looks carefully at Elise.  He shrugs.  "Randy's right."  the name comes from him easily now that he's around Dante.  Don't mix the alcohols or they will get very angry at you.  Remember vodka only LOOKS like water."  he pauses.  "I've done a lot of drinking."  he looks at Nolan.  "And I am a pretty good bartender.  I'll teach you someday, but for now ... straight is good."  Finally he looks at Tyler who has been afraid, apparently of him, since his first day of school.  "It depends on who you are, what you were convicted of and who you know that can keep you safe."  he replies, simply.  "But rest assured ... its not just the showers, Tyler."  then Tyler takes a shot of whiskey and spits it all over the counter.  He hasn't yet decided on a drink, opting to wait to see what else might arrive.  He's had it all, it seems over his young life.

Nolan grins at all of the worry when it comes to Elise's size and alcohol.  "I've had a couple drinks.  Not much and I've never been drunk."  he doesn't elaborate, since that would mean talking about Brett.  He looks interested when Gene says he's been a bartender and is good at it.  "Dude ... you're 16 ... who made you tend bar?"  he marvels at what could only be the most irresponsible adults breathing.

Gene looks at Nolan and shrugs.  “Not all foster parents are great, like they are here.”  he looks at Dante a second, knowing how his foster family was more like a REAL family, then back to Nolan.  “Some teach 12 year olds to mix drinks.”

Elise listens to the conversation but walks back to the door after the knock and sees Romeo and Candra “Hi hi….come in your guys…” She steps back “We’re just talking about booze and pouring booze and underage booze….” she trails off looking at Gene because that scenario he just mentioned sounds sketchy as hell. 12? Yikes. She doesn’t comment further but says “We’ve got sort of shots here large shots and there’s beer coming soon...oh and cookies! But Romeo you live with Miranda so I’m sure you get lots of cookies…” She teases them both. She had noticed Gene called Miranda Randy and she could have sworn he’d done that before, when he was angry with her. Was he still angry?

Miranda hears Gene call her Randy again and agree with her and as it does it gets under her skin. She fights it but that feeling she’s been fighting is shifting somehow and she’s not sure if that’s good or bad. So she tries to focus on the blue drink in her hand, Tyler spitting something out like a child with medicine, and then Gene starts talking about bartending and a foster family who had him mixing drinks at 12? God it sounds like he’s had a horrible life. And what he has said to Tyler about it not just being the showers. She exhales into her drink. She’s still been thinking and worrying that if she did get charged she could end up in one too. She’d channeled it into baking and gone for a 2 hour run and cleaned her whole house but it still nagged at her. But here Dante and Gene had already survived it and in Gene’s case maybe worse from what he was saying. Romeo and  Candra come in and she smiles at them “Hey….” she’s not going to ask Romeo if he’s looked at the message boards in front of everyone though.

Dante shrugs at Gene about Ho “I dunno….says he is...but I’m not there for the deed….ya know. Not seeking that ever….fuck it’s weird to be out and say that all remembering it’s past tense now.” He can see Candra Stevens at the door with a  guy he’s never met. Must be one of the new kids like Miranda. Was Gene calling her Randy? Were they friends? They had a strange energy between them that didn’t seem like friends. Then Nolan and Gene start talking and it comes out that Nolan knows a bit and Gene ….well he knows Gene’s deal and it guts him every time new information adds to it. He pats Gene’s back, a casual offer of comfort and solidarity. “Yeah I’ve drank myself stupid so don’t mix…..” He greets Candra and new boy “Tip of the day as you walk into a drinking party. Hey Candra.” He head juts at the guy “Hi I’m Dante.”

Candra steps in “Hey everyone.” She beams “Hey Dante, welcome home. Drinking tips welcome. I have snuck a glass of wine or two at a family party but I’m no expert….and really one glass was all it took.” She giggles “Ooooh cookies! They’re not spiked are they?” She reaches for one.

Miranda shakes her head “Nope, just cookies.”

Tyler stays quiet, very quiet. Gene’s words just fuel his anxiety and he tries another small sip of the whiskey and makes a face but swallows it.

Romeo walks in and arches his brows at Elise's description of the party so far.  "I have had Miranda's cookies.  She is a damn good baker, but I think tonight I'm more in the mind for..."  he looks at the bottles.  "Whiskey."  he's a bit rattled after the social media fiasco.  Then Dante introduces himself.  "Good to finally meet you, Dante.  Romeo Rogers, class president and..."  he looks at Gene.  "The latest in the line of social media bullshit."  he blows out a breath and takes the shot Nolan hands him and downs it.  He freezes, blinks, swallows and blinks again.  "Well ....  so thats whiskey."  he nods, apparently more composed than Tyler.  He looks at his sister and shrugs.  He's mentioned the message board and talked to Candra.  He's here and doesn't seem too worried.

Nolan smiles as Romeo and Candra arrive and he pours the drink then watches Romeo down it like an old hand.  Then again, Romeo was a good actor and naturally smoother than Tyler.

Gen looks towards the door as Gene calls Miranda Randy.  That was ... different.  Were they still at war?  Then Romeo downs a shot and introduces himself with his usual charm.  "Way to go Mr President!"  she cheers.  "Have a cookie, just don't toss them."

Winona hasn't paid much attention to Tyler, and he's quiet so she figures he's just being shy again.  She claps when Gen calls Romeo Mr President and grabs another cookie.

Gene nods at Dante.  "Well ...Shaw knows how to distract and get the CO's attention, so he'll be fine.  And yea ... I'm still getting used to being out but you were right .. Alexandra IS great.'' Then he watches Romeo and Candra walk in, but he doesn't know either terribly well, since they are in different classes.  All he really knows is that Romeo is Miranda's brother, but he smiles at Romeo's introduction.  He nods.  "I don't envy you, my man.  Think I read about that and I call bullshit ... no offence.  Just Cosmo said some shit and if Cosmo believes it, it's smart for me to NOT believe it, if you know what I mean."

Dante looks amused by Romeo and then at Miranda like he’s catching on “Siblings ...ok. Got it. Good to meet you Romeo Rogers….Mr. President.” He smirks “Social media bullshit….oh I haven’t missed that/ Elise why did you make me join more social media?” He snorts and then leans in and slides an arm around Gen, not wanting to be too far away from her ever again. He watches the whisky go down smoother on Romeo than Tyler. But Tyler had always struck him as a bit innocent, younger than his years. Romeo was clearly older than his perhaps. As people mingle and collect more drinks he leans in to Gene dropping his voice, taking Gen with him “Shaw...made a friend...and by friend I mean…” He laughs and shudders “Walker took your old room. Got transferred to E block. Long story short….nobody’s gonna touch Shaw now...well Walker is...but you know what I mean.”

Miranda had walked past Gene, Dante and Gen to refill her cup with blue curacao, but she planned to pace herself and not drink too much. Dante was speaking quietly and she could make out a few words but had no idea of the context so she didn’t tune in at all. She did walk up to Romeo and give him a little bump and a supportive look. She figured he was putting on a  good show but probably really not ok with the social media stuff, especially given what Sophia had done before it. Her look was about that, she knew and she was letting him know she was on his side. “It’ll blow over…..and Cosmo can go fuck himself.” She agreed with Gene. Romeo had downed that whisky very convincingly. She wondered if that was a show too. She’d never really asked her brother about drinking. Hers had been with ehr old basketball team and a few strangely offered glasses of wine by her aunt but when the boys weren’t there on a truly odd night. She smiles at Winona and Tyler and then at Candra as if approving of her over other choices Romeo could have made.

Candra looks nervously at the booze “Oh I don’t know what to drink...should I wait for beer….hmm…” She saw Romeo down one and grinned “You make it look so easy Mr. President…” She teases softly, flirting  little and then smiles at Gen for calling him that. Then she nodded at Gene “Uh Cosmo….and all my brother’s friends really. I’m sorry Romeo. Daphne really went to bat for you though I saw.”  Then she does a double take “Oh my goodness...Miranda….your hair! It’s brown. I mean it looks really nice. I just noticed.”

Miranda laughs “No worries. I promised my Dad for a family picture. Kill me now…..about the picture thing……..our last family photos were...an experience…” She cracks up looking at Romeo and sighs and then there’s another knock at the back door and she turns.

Brayden Kim and Pedro have stacked some cases of beer ina  rolling grocery cart and wheeled them over to the Girard back steps. They jogged up them quickly and knocked seeing people inside.

Elise jumps at the knock and then beams “Brayden and Pedro!” She yanks open the door “Beer boys…...what do I owe you...I’ll e-transfer it…” She pulls her phone from her shirt pocket.

Brayden snorts “Beer boys...is that like pool boys but we wear more and walk further. I feel so cheap Elise…” They had a cheerfully antagonistic friendship since the movie night. “I brought you a receipt.” He peeks in seeing Gen and Nolan among others he knows “All your musketeers are here….hey Gen...Nolan….holy shit Dante? Welcome back man.” He hands Elise the receipt and casually makes eye contact with Winona Carpenter, doing a  bit of a double take. She was more grown up it seems than he thought and he gives her a little smile before his phone pings from Elise’s transfer email.

Tyler sort of half waved at Brayden but it seems the guy was too cool to notice him. Just like Romeo had been too cool not to spit out his whiskey. Tyler’s confidence was again plummeting. 

Dante calls out “Hey Brayden….good to see you.” Brayden lived with Gareth after all and Gareth was a sort of much older brother figure...possibly to both of them in different ways. And Pedro he knew too “Hey Pedro.” they were of course neighbours.

Pedro Negron helps put the alcohol in the house on the kitchen floor by the door.  He doesn't know most of them very well, but does see Dante.  "Hola primo! Bienvenido a casa! Sé buena o tu madre llamará a mi madre.  (Hello cousin!  Welcome home!  Be good, or your mother will call my mother)"  he pauses long enough to see that he and Brayden are being paid, then turns.  "I have to go.  The night work calls!"  and he takes the shopping cart and vanishes into the night. 

Romeo bumps his sister back and he gets the supportive look.  He is angrier than ever at the Wong sisters.  One effectively rapes him and the other  joins his sister on some wild sexual escapade story about him?  "I know it will, sis.  Just a matter of time."  he offers her a smile.  Romeo has only had one drink before, but it wasn't that bad for him.  Surely he can hold his liquor and be as cool as always.  Maybe even more fun.

Nolan takes the booze as it's piled in the back door and sets it up.  "We have a bottle of Don Q ... beer ... more vodka and Peppermint Schnapps."  he announces

Gen moves sloser to Dante when he puts his arm around her.  She hears what he says to Gene but says nothing about it, as it's their private conversation.  When Pedro speaks to Dante she smiles, having understood every word.

Gene cants his ear towards Dante as he lowers his voice.  He nods, almost in satisfaction and when he replies, his lips barely move at all.  "Yea ... I get you.  He's safe ... Walker is a little younger, so in a little longer past 18.  That's good." he does seem pleased .. even relieved about the news.  He smiles when he sees the peppermint schnapps.  “That's my holiday drink!  Yes!”

Winona smiles from her position by the door and waves as Pedro leaves.  She smiles at Brayden and catches his eye.  He's certainly caught hers.  They hadn’t seen each other in a while … she’d blogged about the crime committed against him but hadn’t spoken to him … and she remembers the slightest crush.  But that was before.

Dante beams at Pedro “Hola! Gracias Pedro.Tu madre llamará a mi madre de todos modos  (Hello. Thank you Pedro. Your mother will call my mother anyway.) He laughs heartily and then Pedro runs off into the night with a grocery cart. “He’s like the Batman of delivery people….”

Candra smiles at Miranda having her brother’s back. They were so nice to each other. It was heartwarming. And now she has more drinks to choose from. “Oooh Peppermint sounds tasty!”

Elise watches after Pedro and laughs “Just give him a cape. Bye Pedro….you are the night!” She calls out “Thank you so much Brayden. Do you want a drink after all that?”

Brayden smiles back at Winona again. She was all dressed up in vintage clothes and it was really doing it for him. He cleared his throat and forced himself to look back at Elise “Uh sure...but just a shot out here maybe...I don’t want to ….well I’ve done this scene before…” He laughs. High school drinking party. Nostalgia. “If you’re thinking of opening the Don Q…”

Miranda nods at Candra and she had heard Gene react to peppermint after Nolan listed it “It’s actually delicious in hot chocolate...and that would make it go farther if a bunch of people want some. Elise do you have hot chocolate? Because I could run home for ours…” She can’t help but notice some looks exchanged between Winona and Brayden and gives her a little raised brow smile.

Elise calls back “Oh no we have a big tin of it Miranda….third cupboard in past the sink. Help yourself.” She looks back to Brayden “sure we can….I mean you guys brought all this and got it…...hey Nolan sweetie, can you pour Brayden some Don Q?”

Miranda heads for the hot chocolate and looks between Candra and Gene now “Would it desecrate your holiday drink if it’s in hot chocolate?” She smiles a bit “I’ll make them.” She holds up the hot chocolate tin but the back of her right hand faces forward as she does revealing that she still has bruising across her knuckles from punching Spencer Newcastle.

Tyler also notices Brayden smile at Winona...twice and it makes him frown. From where he’s standing what he doesn't see is her smiling back. He puffs up and makes himself drink the rest of his whisky and then takes the bottles and purs another.

Romeo is perfectly happy with his whiskey.  He sets his glass down.  "Another when you can, barkeep." he half teases Nolan.

Gen smiles.  "Oh that DOES sound good.  Spiked hot chocolate for me, too."

Nolan begins to make the other drinks, pouring for Romeo and Brayden.  Anyone else?"  he asks, reaching for a beer, opening it and sipping modestly.

Winona nods.  "Hot chocolate for me too, please.".  She doesn't stop smiling at Brayden.  "I'll bring yours out to you?"  she offers.  "Cause it's kind of cold and ... heating bills ... and stuff." She makes excuses.  Now that the fog is over, central heating is back, baby.

Gene gives Miranda a slight grin.  "Not at all."  he tells her.  "You might want to make a pot of it, instead of individual mugs."  he tells both her and Nolan.  "I really like it."  Mianda turns to get the hot chocolate and he sees her knuckles.  He nods to Dante and tugs at his shirt very lightly, moving into the separate dining room.  There, he speaks low in very good Spanish to the man teaching him.  "She took a fall for me.  Stopped me from killing that Jackass with my foster sister and hit him herself.  Then she commented on a poem I wrote .. my name wasn't on it, but ... she signed it and said 'Few words but they’re powerful and moving. I can see the journey but not the details. The pain is visceral and I hope that distant light grows, warms and heals. Really good writing.' and yes I remember it word for word.  Fuck you."  he half laughs.  "Why the fuck would she do that ... hit that ass because I could not?  Now, I owe her.  I mean .. now we are not enemies, but we're not friends, either."  he realizes he is rambling a bit, but it really is confusing to him.  His paranoia is showing in his use of Spanish, which very few on the island speak.  He also avoids using names.  Miranda.  Spencer.  Dante probably knows what Miranda did because of Gen.  If they talked about Gene’s time on Alexandra.

Gen stayed with Dante.  Again they were virtually inseparable.  She listens to Gene and considers.  Replying in Spanish as well, she reminds him.  “We know now that incident with the poster was just a misunderstanding.  Maybe that was her way of making it up to you?”  she suggests, although that seemed far more making up for than the original misunderstanding called for.  After all, Miranda had wound up arrested and suspended, if the rumor mill was correct for a change.

Brayden grins at Winona’s offer “Sure that would be swell Winona…” He’s being  bit cheesy to try and make her laugh. Brayden is dressed for the weather since he and Pedro knew they had a bit of a walk with the cart there and back earlier. He’s got on a black wool pea coat over a dark green thick sweater and a pair of warm wool gloves. He’s even got a neck warmer on that’s also black. His blue jeans are baggy and he has on black slip on shoes over warm socks. But the idea of Winona bringing him a drink warms him even more.

Elise starts to get a chill and goes back in “Sorry Brayden I’m freezing….thanks again.” She looks at Miranda “You could use our big coffee carafem run hot water through the machine and just don't use the filter...put the peppermint hot chocolate stuff inside. Then there should be enough.” She looks around for Gen and sees the edge of her in the dining room and shrugs. Maybe she went off to make out with Dante? But then she doesn’t see Gene either until she looks harder and notices all three of them in there having some sort of intense conversation in what sounds like Spanish? Gen speaks it too? She watches Nolan pouring drinks and sipping beer like the perfect cohost and smiles at him. “Cute bartender…..can I have a beer?” She bats her eyelashes at him.

Miranda had heard all the requests and suggestions for hot chocolate and then nodded at Elise “Yep….that’s what I’m doing….” She reads the back of the cocoa but overhears Gene, Gen and Dante speaking Spanish? God she’d be lucky if she passed French this year. She shrugs it off and stays on her task, measuring out powder and water and then really just eyeballing the Schnapps so the drinks will be a little strong. She goes to look for mugs while the hot chocolate brews and clinks around in the cupboard taking a  bunch out.

Dante looks thoughtful at everything Gene says about Miranda, who he doesn’t name. He hears about the punch she took for him and the words about his poetry. He also keeps the conversation in Spanish but has to smile at Gen before he answers Gene “Your Spanish is amazing.” He bites his lip looking at her “It turns me on to hear it in your voice…” Then he snickers and slaps Gene’s arm “Sorry we’ll save that for later. OK so the owing thing…..it’s not like prison where we’re keeping score. Maybe she’s just nice…..maybe she felt guilty. Hell maybe she finds you attractive. Just roll with it because it doesn’t feel like a bad thing right?” He looks at Gen again and shrugs. 

Candra sees Romeo asking for another drink “I’m going to have to catch up to you.” Candra is petite, not quite as petite as Elise but drink to body weight ratio she should not be matching Romeo drink for drink. But she seems determined “OK Nolan please pour me a whiskey too while I wait for the hot chocolate.”

Tyler sees and hears Winona now offer to bring Brayden his drink? He sighed. He knew Brayden’s story, they all did most of them. But now he was flirting with Winona and she seemed to be responding to it. Maybe she was just being nice because of everything Brayden went through. Because Winona was nice...hell she was perfect to him. He sipped heavily on his whiskey, getting sued to the burn and also feeling a bit tingly. Tyler was after all a Hobbit sized man.

Romeo takes his drink, which Nolan put in a short glass.He is taller than Candra, but far from tall.  "You don't have to."  he tells her.  He feels fine.  Not drunk.  But he is relaxed, which he needs.

Nolan now has only to wait for the hot chocolate and technically it was Miranda making the beverace, so he is having a lull.  Elise asks for a beer and he smiles, handing her one and stealing a kiss.  "Great party, baby."  he tells her.  "No fighting or anything."

Winona laughs at Brayden's cheesiness.  It was cute to her.  His drink is ready, but hers is not and she weighs going out anyway, but stays.

Gen grins at Dante and continues with Spanish.  "I have an excellent teacher."  she then listens to what Dante has to say to Gene and she considers.  "Well, it turns out that she is very nice."  she agrees.  "But ...  the rest ..."  she lets it trail off

Gene purses his lips.  Still in Spanish, he replies.  "Maybe its not like prison, but it feels ... strange."  he goes on.  "Yes, I guess she is nice."  he admits.  "And guilty ... no ... I don't think so."  he snorts a laugh through a closed mouth.  "No one finds me attractive anymore, brother.  Those days are over.  And I am OK with that."  he assures them.  "I am not like you."  he grins at Gen.  He is very fond of her, although not that way.  But that magic clearly was not for him.  The last six or so weeks was proof of that.

Miranda makes a show of staring at the carafe because now she has people waiting on this drink “You know what they say about a watched pot right?” She laughs a bit. She’s had a drink and a half. She’s not drunk but is in a good mood now. It’s a fun night so far after the earlier moments of awkwardness. Winona seems to be amused by Brayden. Soon the coffee machine beeps and she does a dorky little cheer and then starts pouring and handing out mugs. She gets the ones in the kitchen first, Winona, so she can be on her way with Brayden’s drink and Candra “Ladies..”. Then she looks around ...Gen and Gene who she delivers to in the dining room “You guys should really dip cookies in these….because it’s all about the sugar? Gen don’t tell your dentally inclined parents. Dante, you don’t have a drink, do you want one of these?”

Dante looks between Gen and Gene and sighs at Gene. He’s still speaking Spanish “My brother I know how you feel about yourself but despite it all you’re still a good looking guy..” He snickers “I’m not trying to get you back in the shower.” He laughs and then Miranda appears with drinks and offers him one and suggests cookies “Yeah I could use some sweetening up after incarceration…” He jokes “I’ll take one please and thanks.” He sniffs at Gen’s “Mmm….” And then he dashes to the island quickly and grabs three shortbread, handing one to Gene, one to Gen and then by the time he’s done that Miranda hands him a hot chocolate and he dips his own and takes a bite. Then he looks happy with the cookie dipping choice as he eats.

Candra smiles at Romeo “I know I don’t have to….” But suddenly she has a drink in each hand care of Miranda giving her the hot chocolate and she laughs “Oooops..” She takes a big sip of the whiskey and then shudders “Oh…..oh my that’s intense.” She chases it with the peppermint hot chocolate because that’s way tastier but it’s also really strong and she shakes her head around.

Elise had kissed Nolan back but then she ends up watching Candra and giggles “Are you ok?” She sips her beer and then looks at it “OK...I seem to like beer. It’s like unsweetened ginger ale made friends with bread?” She sips again, analyzing. 

Tyler downs his whiskey now and reaches around Nolan to take the bottle and pour himself more. He’s trying to work up the liquid courage to tell Winona something of significance…..just one more should do it.

Winona hears Miranda and laughs because she HAD been staring at the pot, willing it to get the chocolate done so the peppermint schnapps could be added so she could bring Brayden his drink.  But why not just bring it to him?  Because she wanted to talk to him?  See that smile again? But then the machine beeps and she is handed a nice hot mug.  "Thanks."  she says even as she heads for the door, which Nolan opens for her.  Stepping out she hopes Brayden is even there eto accept his drink.  "Sorry for the delay."  she will tell him with a smile as she hands him his drink.  "So ... how have you been?"  she means it sincerely, even as it sounds corny.

Nolan lets Winona out, closing the door behind her, loudly and firmly..  He puts his arm around Elise, if he can.

Gen grins at the words Dante shares with Gene.  Then Miranda appears with drinks and she takes hers.  "Merci."  and then Dante hands her a shortbread.  "Gracias." she thanks him in Spanish, with a wink.

Gene snorts at Dante's comment.  "Loco."  but he also laughs, not covering his mouth around these friends, but then Miranda appears and he closes it.  He takes a page out of Gen's book.  "Merci beaucoup."  and then Dante hands him a shortbread.  "Thanks.."  he inhales.  "Peppermint.  Yes, yes a thousand times yes."  he sips it and arches his brows.  "Merde, c'est fort. (Damn this is strong)"  he says, but laughs.

Romeo  looks at Candra.  "Man ... two fisted drinking."  he teases her and hears from the dining room Miranda delivering drinks and being thanked in Spanish AND French.  He turns his head.  "Gene?  You speak Spanish AND French?  Plus English?"  he looks impressed and is.  "ANy other languages?"

Gene toasts Romeo.  "Mohawk."  he tells him.

Romeo looks interested.  "Very cool.  You could be a translator."

Gene shrugs.  "Maybe someday. but I like to work on computers more.  Hell, maybe I will do both someday, eh?"  he toasts Romeo and takes another sip.  The Girards had great giant mugs and he was loving it.

Brayden is happily waiting and leaning against the railing of the steps “Oh hey no worries….yours smells nice.” He feels his whole being soften as he looks at Winona “I’m ok….actually all in all pretty good. How are you Winona? You look good...I mean….” He fumbles a bit “You look really nice tonight.” He quickly sips his drink after taking it “Thanks.”

Elise leans into Nolan happily and sips her beer. “Yeah I think Gene wins the languages most spoken and fluently.” She looks around. Everyone seems happy. Tyler looks a bit off as he stares out the back door but maybe he’s been drinking too fast. “Hey Tyler how many have you had?” She takes another long sip of her beer and suddenly realizes she feels it so damn Tyler must be flying.

Tyler stares after Winona who hasn’t come back and then hears his name but had tuned out the question “Huh?”

Miranda had seen Gene’s open mouthed laugh before he noticed her and closed his mouth. She noticed the teeth for sure but what she really noticed was his happiness with Gen and Dante and that made her breath catch in her throat for a moment. He was beautiful to her, even more so when he was free and happy because she sensed that his life hadn't been full of that. Then all the languages made her really have to focus. She picked out some French but they all talked faster than she could interpret and she looked a little lost but smiled and nodded with Romeo “Yeah that’s impressive…” Then she glanced over at the door to see how Winona was doing and she was still out there. She started to smile and then saw the look on Tyler’s face and blew out a breath, walking over to that group. Candra was drinking two drinks “Oh look at you…...careful now…” she laughed and sipped ehr hot chocolate “Hey Ty….you doing ok bud?”

Candra set down the whiskey glass finally and took a long sip of her hot chocolate and then found she was leaning a bit on Romeo and needed to “Oh….ok I think I might be a little drunk….” She giggles “Are you supposed to be this aware?”

Dante smirked “Always modest.” He nodded at Gene and then sipped his hot chocolate “Miranda you must have put half the bottle in this at least...woot...it’s nice.” He looks at Gen “I will try not to pass out on you later.” He jokes. He was truly nowhere near drunk yet but it had been awhile since he did this.

Winona smiles and put both of her hands around her mug.  She never took off her business jacket and she wasn't cold.  "It does smell and amazing, doesn't it.  All wintery ... like the best of the holiday season."  WInona wasn't a total winter fan, but she loved the decorations and the snow and the cold ... well maybe she was.  As Brayden tells her he's good, and asks after her, she can't keep the smile off of her face.  "I'm doing really well."  she tells him and then he tells her she looks good, and she beams like a ray of summer sunshine.  "Thank you.  I started dressing like this last year ... I love it.  Gets me teased a lot but .. whatever."  he thanks her for the drink and she replies softly.  "You are very welcome, Brayden."  she inhales and exhales her thoughts by accident.  "Damn, you look incredible."  it comes out like a happy little sigh and she takes another sim to cover.  A breeze blows through her jacket and she visibly shivers.

Nolan turns his attention to Tyler.  "How many of those have you had?"  he asks.  Tyler had started pouring his own, so Nolan wasn't sure.

Romeo half catches Candra as she lists into him.  She is a lightweight and he holds her up with one arm.  "Maybe a little ..."  he suggests, although she only had a little of both drinks ... but those drinks were whiskey and spiked chocolate.

Gen looks at Candra with a slight smile.  Then she looks at Dante.  "But that's half the fun."  she protests about him possibly passing out on top of her.

Gene hasn't had a drink since before he left Quebac and the drink IS strong.  "A strong woman makes a strong drink."  he says off the cuff and takes a nice sip to cover his shock at his own words.  Strong woman?  Miranda?  He looks at her hair again and then looks into the cup.  "Ah .. yea..." and sips again, speechless for a moment.

Brayden felt himself flush when Winona said he looked incredible and then he laughed nervously “Oh gee….bet you say that to all the guys.” He joked and then saw her shiver. He felt so drawn to Winona like a magnet was pulling him closer to her. It was a bit maddening. Impulsively he undid his jacket but eh didn’t take it off. Instead he stood much closer to her and said bashfully “I hope this isn’t too...forward but you’re not really dressed for out here…..I do like what you wear though...a  lot.” And if he can he’ll wrap his jacket around both of them and his arms around Winona facing the side of her body. They’re right in front of the door though but he forgets everyone inside can see this happening. For him there is only Winona.

Dante pulls Gen to his side and hugs her a bit “Yeah but if I’m on top of you and a useless lump that’s just sad..” He laughs and then heard Gene talk about strong women. He wiggles his brows and looks between Gene and Gen “Oh really hermano…” He chuckles “Well she did punch a  guy for you.” He laughs some more teasing his dear friend a bit.

Candra is grinning but then realizes people are concerned for Tyler and she’s missed all the cues “Tyler are you ok?”

Tyler is bombarded with concern and shrugging it off “I’m fine….3 drinks...I think it’s my third…” It’s his 4th and he’s small. But then he sees Brayden wrap his arms and coat around Winona “I told you all I’m….” And without warning he chokes up and sobs and then runs into the living room.

Miranda was watching Tyler and then reached out after him “Ty!” She looks back and sees Brayden and Winona out the door and mutters “Oh shit…” catching on and then goes after Tyler, finding him curled up beside one of the arm armchairs by the window crying “Oh Tyler I’m sorry…” She drops down to sit beside him and hugs him like he’s a hurt child, and in many ways he is.

Tyler quietly sobs into Miranda “I was too late...I was too slow...I’ma  fucking idiot….”

Candra winces and then looks sad for Tyler “Oh….” She looks at Romeo and then Elise. “That sucks...where’s your bathroom Elise...oh wait duh….” She laughs “I am drunk...we all live in the same house layout. I’ll be right back…” And she heads fro the stairs but falls up them “Ow….”

Elise puts a hand on her heart and then looks between Brayden and Winona and where Tyler went to and then at Nolan “Aww….I mean they’re so sweet...but he’s so sad.” She takes another beer and struggles with the cap “My love...can you help…” She’s a little uncoordinated now.

Winona shakes her head in the negative.  She did NOT say that to all the guys, or even any of them.  The words had just slipped out of her mouth.  She feels the chill, but then Brayden is offering his warmth.  Before she can even think to say anything about it, she steps into his coat with him, as if pulled by an invisible string.  "You're right.  I'm not .. but .."  she snuggles .. almost .. against him.  "This is very nice."  she sips her drink with her free hand and looks up at him.  "I'm glad you like it.  It's .. me."  she murmured.  The drink was strong, but this can't be the alcohol.  She's barely had two or three sips.

Gen giggles as she is pulled to Dante.  She loved it when he was like this.  Possessive.  She never forgot she was his woman.  "True.  And I have had enough nights finishing all alone."  she winks at him and then looks at Gene with wide eyes.  Then there is a bit of a ruckus and Tyler and Miranda wind up in the living room.  And it looks like Tyler might be crying.  She just doesn't know why.

Gene smirks at Dante and Gen, especially Gen's reply to Dante.  Then he sighs at Dante when he gets teased.  "Oh fuck off."  he grumbles, but good humoredly.  He really doesn't get what's happening with him in regards to Miranda.  He takes a fortifying gulp of his chocolate as Tyler and then Miranda wind up in the living room.

Nolan watches Tyler take off and Miranda follows him.  He looks out the door and sees WInona in Brayden's coat.  The do look sweet together.  But his Elise needs him and he opens another beer for her, not really thinking how much she's had.

Romeo lets Candra go for the stairs.  "Are you alright?"  he asks her, moving from his spot for the first time.  He stumbles sideways a bit into the dining room, careening into someone.  "Oh .. Gene.  I'm taking Candra upstairs."  he announces.  His voice is completely steady, but his walking is not.

Gene sets his drink down just in time to catch Romeo by the shoulders.  Then Romeo announces that he is taking Candra upstairs.  "Hold on.  Take these."  he pulls out his wallet and hands over his two condoms.  "Have fun."  and as Romeo leaves he watches him with a smirk and a chuckle.

Romeo pats Gene on the shoulder.  "Thanks, man."  He takes the condoms without thinking and heads after Candra.  Another "Ow!" can be heard.  "We're OK!"  Romeo calls down, cheerfully and continues to help with Candra.

Candra stumbles and tips into walls and Romeo. She had taken her drink with her and finished it by the top of the stairs and then seems unsure what to do with the cup. Another factor in her quick drunkenness is the fact that she’s sadly one of those young ladies who thinks she’s fat all the time even though she’s far from it and she basically had a salad for dinner. She hands Romeo the cup and looks at the bathroom “I need to go in there…...not in the cup…” She bursts out laughing and points to a random bedroom across which happens to belong to Elise’s brother “Wait for me in here? And don’t you pee in the cup either…” She stumbles into the bathroom and manages to close the door at least.

Miranda is pretty much on duty now with a crying Tyler who’s buried his head in her shoulder “You’re not an idiot...it just sucks.” There’s not many comforting things you can say in a situation like this so she just hugs him and pats his back a bit waiting for him to cry it all out. As much as she had shipped her two best friends she had no idea she’d be helping one of them with a broken heart tonight. She could have sworn Romeo went past but Tyler was too loud for him to catch what was going on. He seemed to say something to Gene or vice versa. 

Tyler just cried and cried like his world had ended.

Dante saw the whole thing with Romeo and laughed nonstop “Oh man….you’re the condom fairy Gene….just go to parties and prevent shame and regret?” He had heard what Gen said about finishing alone and shook his head at her “Now that I’m back...just call or come over day or night and I will meet all of your needs every time. You may have to wait if I’m inking someone.” He grins and then looks between them “Oh hey I got my job back...I start after the holidays.” He looks over at Miranda with Tyler “Wonder what his deal is…” He had said it quietly “He’s got a friend at least.” Miranda did seem the supportive type. Maybe she was just nice like he said earlier.

Elise takes ehr beer from Nolan “Thank you…” Romeo and Candra seemed to go upstairs together and she frowns “They better not be doing it in the bathroom...we only have the one.”She laughed and then stumbled and spilled some of ehr drink “Oh damn….” She tried to soak it up with her wool sock “I hope Tyler’s ok…”

Brayden was finding his drink awkward but refused to give up the now very enjoyable cuddling. So he downed the drink and set the glass on the railing and snuggled right back in “It is nice. I’m keeping you from your party though….” He leans his forehead into her cheek and closes his eyes but as his skin touches hers there’s a spark and he pulls back wide eyed. He’d been hearing about those for years but it had never happened. Now it was happening with Winona Carpenter? He had to chuckle “Damn…”

Romeo follows Candra and steadies her as best he could.  He grins at her happily and takes the cup from her, having left his downstairs.  "Sure thing.  AND I won't."  he goes into a boys bedroom and sits on the bed, placing the glass on the bedside table.  He hears the door close and looks placidly out of the window.

Gen was drinking very lightly and was buzzed but not trunk.  She shakes her head at Dante.  "I will and that's fantastic.  But I don't think you ever LOST the job, baby."

Gene chuckles at Dante.  "It's not like I'm gonna use em, amigo."  he explains.  "Someone may as well get some use out of them."  he does smile a bit.  "Good.  Now I have someplace to go and spend all of my money."  he won't.  He's a saving fiend.  He also looks over at Tyler and Miranda ... and Mirander holding Tyler.  "If its not more than that."  he deadpans, picking up his drink and taking another long drink.  He feels a pang of jealousy that Tyler is in Miranda's arms and beats it down roughly.

Nolan watches Elise amused.  He actually hoped she was right because there was only the one bathroom.  She spills her drink and he watches her.  "I hope so too.  What's wrong with him?"  he reaches for a dishcloth.  "I can clean that up."  he offers.

Winona set her drink on the railing too and leaned into Brayden.  He says he doesn't want to keep her from the party and it is only then that she realizes there IS a party.  "It's not mine.  Just hanging out with friends.  They get to see me every day almost."  as he leans his forehead into her cheek, she impulsively kisses it, feeling a spark of her own.  They pull apart and Brayden says damn.  She looks up at him, their lips almost touching.  "Damn … what?"  she whispers., and just goes for it.

Elise giggles “Nolan I got it with my sock.” She turns around and ends up facing the windowed back door as she does and then her mouth forms an O before she says “Go Winona….go Brayden…...goodness me….”

Brayden feels his heart beating faster at Winona’s almost kiss and the spark again and now their lips are so close he can feel the warmth of her breath on his face. It’s intoxicating and he’s only had one Don Q. “The spark thing…” He whispers and then his hand slides up and caresses her face “From touching…..kissing…” He feels that magnetic pull again and his lips brush hers, creating the full spark and he pulls back briefly and smiles “That...right there…” And when Winona goes for it Brayden just kisses her with intense passion, bumping them into the door a bit with his enthusiasm.

Tyler finally stops crying and just sniffs and tries to catch his breath. He pulls back from Miranda and sighs “Thank you...I’m ok…..I’m…..” All of a sudden he looks very unwell and makes a retching sound “Oh no…...oh fuck….I’m gonna…”

Miranda eases off from Tyler but pats him on the arm “You sure…” Then it looks like he’s about to puke and she scrambles, looking around the room. She sees a plant in a  plastic pot that’s nestled inside a more decorative pot and yanks the plant out of the extra pot and shoves it into Tyler’s lap and then just as he totally pukes she aims his head just in time “Into the pot…...nope do not turn your head Ty……” She holds it steady and it’s clear she’s not at all squeamish about him throwing up, just trying to do damage control.

Dante had been smiling at Gene and Gen about the tattoo job and nodding “I kinda knew they'd take me back...and yeah man just tell me what you want. Gen’s got my first but you’ve seen my version of it.” He grins at Gen knowing he won’t likely see hers unless it’s the edges of it at the beach. Then there’s a bump against the back door and he casually turns wondering if someone is knocking but doesn’t have a chance to say anything before Tyler is suddenly puking into what looks like a plant pot with Miranda making sure he doesn’t miss. “Ooooh…..well bound to happen to someone tonight….”

Candra Stumbles out of the bathroom to the room where Romeo is and trips and falls right onto the bed “Oh my god the room is spinny….Romeo…” She swats at him and giggles “Come hug me and make the room stop…”

Nolan grins at Elise.  She's adorable even when she's drunk.  He puts his arms around her when she turns around and watches Winona and Brayden kiss.  They bump against the back door and he laughs.  "Goodness me, indeed."

Winona can feel the spark.  It had been a legend, but she'd kissed a few boys and it was nothing.  This was completely different.  Brayden's hand on her face .. his breath and then they are kissing again and bumping against the door.  "Yes ... that ..." she agrees between kisses.  "More of that."  right out there, as they are kissing, it begins to snow lightly.

Gen grinned.  "I love my tattoo."  she tells Gene.  Then Tyler is throwing up and, somehow, Gen is not surprised.

Gene gives a grin.  "Yea ... I'll take your word for it."  He knows where the tattoo is.  Then Tyler starts puking, but into a pot.  "Yea ... I thought he might be first..."  he agrees with Dante.  He looks towards the back door and sees a back against it.  "Nicer action out back."

Romeo  feels the bed bounce when Candra rejoins him.  Her swat misses him, but he half lays on the bed with her, and hugs her.  "You drank too much, I think."  he tells her, sagely.  "But I did too, so you caught up."  he giggles too.  He looks completely sober.  Sounds completely sober, but he isn't completely sober.

Candra enjoys the hugging and Romeo’s giggling “You don’t seem drunk at all.” She buries her face in his shoulder “OK spinning slowing….you’re my anchor now.” She dares to pull back and look at him sweetly. “I really like you Romeo Rogers.” she’s not making a move or pushing, just expressing.

Brayden keeps kissing her, feeling the snow falling on his face and feeling like it adds to the magic. He eventually pulls back and smiles at Winona “Wow...you’re amazing. I’m not making any assumptions but…” He looked up and saw Nolan and Elise watching them through the door and laughed “Can we take this where we don’t have an audience?” He made a point of giving them a friendly wave “And apologies in advance if I’m sending you down the high school gossip rabbit hole here…” He snorts.

Tyler vomits loudly and it then just coughing and again begins to cry a bit “I’m sorry…..I’m so sorry. I can’t do anything right. No wonder she doesn’t love me.”

Miranda reaches for the planter and then hesitates as he’s still coughing “Did you get it all out…..oooh let’s wait.” She looks sympathetic “Ty, don’t be so hard on yourself….” She sighs. This would just take time.

Dante smirks “Oooh who’s getting some on the back steps….fucking cold out there for an outdoor romp…” He laughs.

Miranda hears Dante and gives him a look that says shut up and then head juts at Tyler and his pukey heartbreache, trying to communicate that the action on the back steps is why the little ginger haired man is crying into his puke vessel.

Tyler unfortunately heard too “They’re still out there? She’s just going to throw it in my face…”

Miranda slumps “She doesn’t know how you feel…..Winona’s not a mean person….”

Elise waves back at Brayden and calls out “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do….oh wait go ahead...you do you...or each other…” She’s drunk and forgetting the crying puking boy if she’s even aware of him. She downs her beer and then tries to do a  little dance and ends up falling and then just looks confused “Hello floor…...how am I on the floor? It’s so shiny….”

Romeo smiles.  "No, I guess I don't.  And I am ok being your anchor."  he tells her as she buries her head in his shoulder.  Then she pulls away and tells him she likes him.  "I like you, too Candra."  he isn't taking it as a sign and lifts his hand to place on her shoulder when he realizes something is in it.  Opening his hand he groans.  "I stumbled into Gene and told him I was bringing you up here.  He must have misunderstood ..."  in his hand are two condoms.

Winona can feel the snow on her face and smiles at being called amazing.  She turns and sees Elise and Nolan.  "Yes ...  please.  I'd love to take this someplace else."  she waves at Elise and Nolan.  She has her business jacket .. and she is ready to go.  "Apology accepted, Brayden.  Don't you even worry."  and she will take his hand and start walking away from the house and the party.  "Oh ... wait ..."  she pulls out her phone and sends Miranda a text.

I'm leaving.  I .. think I'm in love ...  long story about this weird island tomorrow.  Love ya BFF

She looks at the text and decides to send a second one.

Please cover for me.  I’m staying at your house tonight?  Please?  Because … I feel I won’t be going home until morning ...

Gen looks around towards the back door.  "Who?"  she demands, but doesn't see anyone.  But she sees Miranda head jutting at Tyler and understands.  "Ohhhhh ... yea"

Gene sees the couple at the door walk off, but follows Gen's gaze to Tyler.  He overhears the conversation and arches his brows.

Nolan winces at Elise's words, but can't help but grin when she hits the floor.  He kneels over her.  "I love you, Elise."  he tells her.  "And I am cutting you off.  Right now."

Candra sees the condoms and blushes “Oh….yeah I wasn’t...and I know you weren’t. I’m sorry I interrogated you outside. I jumped into something really fast one time and I think I scared myself. I don’t ever want to do that again.” She means Tony but he may or may not figure that out. She takes one of the condoms and examines it “You know I’ve never actually gotten a good look at one of these...I’m not suggesting we use it but I just want to see one.” In her drunkenness she’s also revealing that whatever jump in too fast she had may not have involved a condom.

Elise looks up at Nolan “I love you too…..cutting me off?” She sighs “Yeah I might be a little drunk….just a  bit. My fingers feel all tingly..” She pats his face “do you feel that? Are they tingly on you?”

Dante sees Elise on the floor and Nolan leaning over her saying she’s cut off “See I actually thought Elise would fall before Tyler...but who knew…” He shrugs and then mouths at Miranda “Sorry…” about adding to the Tyler sadness. 

Miranda now tentatively takes the plant pot “Ty, you should drink some water….can I take this?” Her phone pings in her pocket and she casually pulls it out and looks at it and then gulps.

Tyler nods and looks almost tired until the phone pings “Is it Winona? What did she say?”

Miranda just lies “No it’s…..my Dad. Just checking in.” She pockets her phone as it pings again.

Now Tyler seems suspicious “Your dad’s not that overprotective….”

Miranda stands up with the planter “Well I just got arrested AND suspended from school….so you know….I can’t be left unsupervised. Really a good idea just in general…” She laughs at herself. “I’m going to get you some water...and then I’m going to dump this in the toilet and wash it…..” She starts towards the kitchen but sets the planter down to be dealt with after she’s gotten the water. As she walks into the kitchen she sees Elise on the floor “You alright down there Elise?” Nolan’s clearly taking care of her so it’s not really a worry. She steps around them and walks to the cupboard with the glasses and glances at Dante, Gen and Gene after looking around “Where’s Romeo?”

Romeo considers what he knows about Candra and his mind jumps to the dance a couple of months back.  Could she mean that?  With Tony Penhall?  She inspects the condom and it feels to him she's never used one, which is frightening. He shrugs.  "Look away, but you'll forgive me, I hope, if I don't model it for you."  he looks at the package.  It's his size, but he only knows that because he's practiced putting them on, if he ever was in a situation to use one.

Nolan chuckles and nods.  "You are truly drunk."  he smiles at her.  "Nope not tingly to me."  and he works to get her on her feet, lifting her and sitting her on the counter.  He sees Miranda set the planter down and the second she gets the water, he moves to it, dumps it and starts washing it.  There is room in Alexandra for many house elves.

 

Gen grins, but suppresses a laugh at Dante's prediction.

Gene nods at Dante's words.  "Yea ... I'm glad I didn't put any money on it.  Miranda gets a text she claims is her father.  Tyler challenges it and she talks about her arrest and suspension.  Once she goes past them again, she asks where her brother is.  "He said he was taking Candra upstairs."  he lifts up a defensive hand.  "I gave him condoms.  He'll be fine."  he tells her, simply.

Candra swats at Romeo “No modelling….we’re not doing that.” She opens the package and pulls out the condom, examining it “Huh….you know it’s kinda like I thought it would be….” She has the condom and the wrapper in her hand and then she drops them and without warning throws up on herself all down her white sweater dress and then slumps into Romeo, soiling his shirt with the mess on hers and then gasps “Oh god...I’m so sorry!”

Miranda is filling a glass of water when Nolan simply takes over the plant pot clean up “Oh you’re too efficient. I was coming back to that…” Then she looks momentarily stressed about Romeo but then looks gratefully at Gene “Thank you….and i hope so.” She’s clearly a caring and concerned sister. Especially after the whole Wong twin social media situation today.

Dante nuzzles into Gen and kisses her cheek and her neck. He’s so happy to be able to reach out and have her right there after the ache of separation. Then he snorts at Gene “You can give the boya  condom but it doesn’t mean he’ll know how to use them.” He jokes and then looks at Miranda “Kidding….I’m sure Mr. President won’t let the girl down.” He’s a little tipsy now as he’s at the bottom of his very strong drink.

Miranda makes a face at Dante “Blocking that mental image now...thanks.” 

Elise is now near Nolan swinging her legs and watching Nolan clean the puke plant pot. Then the smell of it hits her as it rinses and she gags before trying to turn and aim into the sink and completely puking on Nolan instead and herself as she shakes her head. It’s all through her long hair.

Miranda steps back with her glass of water as Elise throws up “Shit….” She looks helplessly at the dining room group “Can one of you take this to Tyler?” She’s ready to help Nolan with Elise now  “I’ll help you with her...you washed up after my little hobbit buddy. You’re going to have to wash her hair….”

Romeo was watching her examine the condoms and was about to make a quip when she suddenly throws up all over her very pretty dress ... and also gets his shirt and the fly of his pants also.  "Ugh."  he looks at them a minute.  "OK, lets get these clothes cleaned up at least.  Can you make it to the bathroom for some spot cleaning?"  Romeo is far from the house elfe male, but he knows how to spot clean clothes like a champ. 

Gen leans into Dante's nuzzle.  Then he speaks to Gene about Romeo and his condoms and she smirks, completely getting Mirand wanting to block the mental images.  If it were Rene, she wouldn't want to imagine it either.

Gene nods at Miranda.  She was a good sister.  "No problem."  he tells her.  He can't help but but nod at Dante.  "Just serving his constituency."  he quips, not looking at Miranda.  Then Elise pukes and Miranda asks them to babysit Tyler.  He kills the rest of his drink, but is only buzzed.  "Come on .. let's help the hobbit."  he tugs at Dante.

Nolan washed the pot and set it aside.  He can hear Elise gag and turns ... just in time for her to puke on him.  He winces both at that and that it got into Elise's hair.  He looks at Miranda.  "I can get her hair.  Can you hand wash these?"  he is already getting out of his sweater.  "I mean ...  I don't know exactly where your brother went with Candra..."  he will work off Elise's sweater, leavig her in her bra and lay her on the counter with her hair in the sink.  "Washy washy time, baby."

It’s a double sink so Miranda can work on the other side of it beside Nolan. She takes the clothes and has no qualms about washing out the puke but makes jokes “Ah good times…” She laughs and rinses and then steals the sprayer before Nolan needs it for hair “I think she has more hair than I do and that’s saying something. Never dye your hair Elise….takes bloody forever.” She sees Gene and Dante off to help Tyler and calls back “Thanks guys.”

Elise is still somewhat lucid and actually pretty cheerful “Payback of coming off your anesthetic….I am sorry Nolan….ooh you’re washing my hair. That could be hot if it wasn’t puke right? Miranda you should never dye your hair again…..you’re gorgeous as a brunette. Not as gorgeous as Nolan...I mean look at him right?” She’s giddy but also mostly lying there not caring that she’s in a bra on the counter.

Candra pats Romeo’s face “Bathroom yes...bathroom good…” And she’ll move with him clumsily and then once they’re in there forget he said spot cleaning and just take off her dress standing there in a bar and her leggings “Oh...I forgot I didn’t wear a tank top today…” She laughs “Whatever...you probably saw me in a  bikini in the summer so same diff.” She looks down at herself “Do I look fat to you?” Candra is far from fat but clearly has some body image issues. She throws her sweater into the tub and unceremoniously turns the whower on it.

Tyler sees Gene and Dante coming towards him with water “You’re not Miranda…..” He looks at Gene specifically “Why do you call her Randy?” He’s slurring a bit, still very drunk.

Dante follows Gene bringing Gen along if he can take her by the hand. He squats by Tyler and lets go after and laughs “No we are not Miranda…...you don’t miss a thing eh Tyler.” Then he can’t help but smirk at Gene “Yeah I was wondering about that too…” His is a bit of a tease for sure.

Nolan listens to Miranda, half watchig her wash the sweaters and cmments on Elise's hair.  "Yes .. never."  he almost begs, getting the sprayer back and wetting her hair.  His love is a cheerful drunk and he laughs.  "Yes, that was payback for me throwing up on you.  Fair trade."  he doesn't comment on Miranda's hair but blushes crimson when Elise talks about his looks.

Romeo  blinks when she takes the dress off, but decides in solidarity to take his own shirt off.  He doesn't look too long at her in her bra and leggings.  Like the other girls, it does nothing for him.  Tossing his shirt in with her dress he washes them both.  Suddenly she asks if she is fat.  "Hell no!"  he exclaims.  "You've got an incredible body."  that body does nothing for him and he wonders for a moment if he may lean more towards men than women.

Gen is taken by the hand and led into the other room.  She looks at Tyler and then at Gene because Tyler just asked the jackpot question.

Gene squats on the other side of Tyler.  "A fucking genius you are, Tyler."  he replies, dryly.  Then Tyler asks why he calls Miranda Randy.  He flushes, which depending on who is looking at him can be taken as blushing or flushing in anger.  "To get a rise out of her."  he grumbles, covering.  "Fuck if I know."  and that part is one hundred percent true.

Dante saw the flush and gave a little throat clear at Gene’s answer. He now had some suspicions but he wasn’t going to get into it in front of one of someone who was clearly a good friend of Miranda’s, even if he was drunk “Drink up tyler. You’ll have less of a headache tomorrow. Can’t promise the heartache will be gone overnight. That shit takes time.”

Tyler half smiles at being called a fucking genius and then seems to realize there might be sarcasm “Hey…” But it’s too much work and Gene’s too scary to argue with. He drinks the water and thinks about what Dante said, looking between the three of them. He sets the glass down and looks at Dante with big sad eyes “I’ve loved her since grade school…..there’s never been anyone else…..I know this is hard to believe...but I’m a  virgin even.” He blushes a bit looking at Gen “Don’t tell anyone.”

Dante coughs to suppress a laugh “Not so hard to believe...also nothing to be ashamed of. You’ll get there….just not with Winona.” He looks at the guy with sympathy. He had it bad.

Miranda sees Nolan’s blush and smiles “And he’s modest. You two are adorable. Seriously. It gives me hope.” She says with a bit of a laugh “As much as that can happen.” She lifts up Elise’s shirt and looks at it critically and then uses a bit of dish soap and scrubs a bit more.

Elise basks in Nolan’s attention to her hair and giggles “He is modest isn’t he….but amazing. You should have hope Miranda. Seriously I had the worst luck with guys before Nolan. I didn’t even think I liked sex….now I really like it...like really really a lot. Oh my god…” She blushes a bit at the thought.

Miranda laughs “Elise….you’re very drunk…” She laughs more “But go Nolan.” She keeps laughing “I’m sorry she’s hilarious...I know she’s totally embarrassing you. Yep, definitely hope inspiring.” 

Candra looks critically at her body. She’s tripping over her words and looking like she may tip over soon “I do work at it...gymnastics...dance...basketball even…..yoga…..I swear all I do is exercise and count calories most days...it’s exhausting…” She sniffs and then looks at Romeo “Thank you….I think I need to lie down again. I’m really dizzy.”

Gen listens to Tyler and it's just heartwrenching.  "My lips are sealed."  she promises him and nods at him to drink the water.

Gene hears Tyler talking about loving her since grade school and, for a moment his entire body tenses, thinking he means Miranda.  Then it occurs to him that Miranda is new in town just like he is and he relaxes a bit.  What was that tension?  He snorts at Tyler.  "It happens, dude."  he offers, like he has experience with heartbreak when he does not.  "Plenty of fish in the sea."  he offers.  Gene has never had his heart broken by a girl that way.  His heartbreak was far more violent.

Nolan blushes more, if possible and ha half imagines he sees the red glow of his blush against the walls of the kitchen.  "Yea .. she is .. six sheets to the wind drunk."  he agrees and sighs.  "She is a hilarious drunk.  Can't deny it..."  he wonders if the glow might reach the living room.

Romeo  washed and rang out the clothes and nods at her workout regime.  "You look magnificent."  he tells her again.  he   he leads her back to the bedroom and drops their clothes on the floor.  He begins to undo his pants and then remembers this is not HIS bedroom.  so pants undone, he crawls into bed with Candra and sort of spoons with her before thinking he might want to put her on her belly.  She only had a drink and a half .. could she aspirate from that?

Candra takes his compliment as an affirmation and she happily crawls in with him and enjoys the warmth of him spooned behind her. She’s drowsy but after throwing up she’s actually in a  better way. She tugs at one of Romeo’s hands and tries to pull it so his arm is around her “Mmmm this is….ni…” And then she’s out cold.

Miranda giggles more at Nolan’s reaction and his truly impressive blush “You look like you just got a sunburn…” She teases him and giggles as she finishes scrubbing. She lays Elise’s shirt flat  on the island and works on Nolan’s now. She can vaguely hear Tyler’s voice, Gene’s, Dante’s and Gen’s but can’t make out what they’re saying. She’s just thankful they’re helping Tyler.

Now Tyler looks up at Gene “Have you ever been in love?” He’s like a lost child looking fro answers or wisdom. He can see that Dante and Gen are in fact in love so he won’t ask them. Gene both frightens and fascinates him though.

Dante knows the answer to Tyler’s question and he’s of course told Gen Gene’s terrible story to some extent. But he’s not sure Tyler is going to get an answer or a full one so he looks a bit awkward for Gene at the question and then looks at Gen. He can hear Miranda giggling in the kitchen.

Elise had been quietly basking but now she randomly begins to sing. She’s not a great singer, but she’s not terrible either. She’s basically singing to Nolan and it’s a Billie Eilish song that’s on the radio and quite popular called Ocean Eyes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQitbbtPZz8

Miranda grins at Nolan “Aww so sweet. And Billie Eilish….one of my favs…” She half heartedly sings along with Elise but her voice is the quieter one.

Romeo does put his arm around Candra, but no more words are spoken as his entire day, plus the whiskey catching up to him.

Gen looks at Tyler as if he is Cath's age.  His question to Gene makes her bite her lip.  Then Elise begins singing and Gen looks towards the kitchen.  Was Nolan washing her hair in the sink?  This night was just bizarre.

Gene looks down at Tyler when he asks if he's ever been in love.  He looks like a lost little foster brother right now, who he'd tried to protect when he could.  "Yea.  Yea, I have been"  he realizes the next natural question.  "She died."  he tells him simply.  Absolutely true for all the lies of omission.  The girls start to sing in the kitchen and he just sighs softly.

Nolan soaps up and begins to rinse Elise's hair just as she begins to sing.  Then Miranda joins in and he grips as he squeezes the soap and water out of Elise's hair.

Tyler looks at Gene in horror and then reaches out and puts a hand on the guy’s arm “I’m so so sorry….that’s awful.” He’s had a moment of presence in his drunkenness. Then he shifts a bit hearing the singing and Miranda’s voice and it’s a bit disjointed “Miranda had a friend who died before she moved here….I’ve never known anyone who died…..maybe I should be glad Winona just likes someone else…” He realizes and looks at all three of them and then looks apologetically at Dante “Oh shit...I...your...mom...I’m not trying to be an ass…”

Dante half laughs but stiffens a bit. It was worse for Gene. Curious about Miranda but not the point really “No worries Tyler. You’re a little pissed still. Let me get you another glass of water.” He pats Gene on the back and leans over to kiss Gen’s cheek before swiping the glass and standing up.

Elise finishes her song and looks delighted to have a backup singer “You like Billie? Noice…..”

Miranda laughs “Yeah….she’s good.” She rings out Nolan’s sweater and lays it by Elise’s shirt feeling like she’s possibly intruding because Nolan is so sweet with the hair washing. Then she meets Dante as he comes in with a glass “Oh hey thanks...let me...how he’s doing in there?” She takes the glass and fills it with water ready to go back to Tyler.

Dante hesitates at the conversation in the other room had just gotten intensely personal “Uh ok….” But she’s past him within a minute and walking back towards Tyler. So instead he turns and follows.

Nolan finishes rincing Elise's hair as Dante returns and then he and Miranda leave again.  He begins to towel dry Elise's hair and massages her scalp agan as he does.  Pampering her is something he could do forever.

Gen accepts the kiss, but Dante is back again with Miranda in tow.  But Gene's back is to them as he deals withTyler, so she can't warn him to watch whatever he says.

Gene feels the hand on his arm, but only sighs.  "You should be glad she just likes someone else."  he tells the drunken teen.  "I loved her and she wound up killing herself."  he doesn't really realize he hadn't specified hed lost her to suicide.  "That shit'll stick with you.'' Then he takes a deep breath.  "Now Tyler this is supposed to be a party, not a fucking wake.  Cheer up!  You're a free man with an island full of girls that can't wait to get their hands on you."  he is not the best at pep talks about girls.  But he desperately wants the conversation off this path.

Miranda walks into the room towards Tyler just as she hears Gene say he loved her but she wound up killing herself and she freezes realizing she’s walking in on a pretty emotionally charged and somewhat private conversation. Also the topic of suicide is still pretty triggering for her. But right now she just feels a deep ache in her entire being for Gene. She knew how awful it was to lose someone that way and she wasn’ in love with her person she lost. His pain…..then it hits her. He wrote the shadows poem. She swallows and tries not to be obvious about her entrance into the room and the timing as she’s pretty sure she’s not someone Gene would ever actually confide in but Tyler looks right at her and gives it away.

Tyler looks pained for Gene when he says the woman he loved died by suicide and he slowly nods. But then he does get a little cheered up by Gene’s weird pep talk, partly because it’s weird and Tyler relates to that. He smiles as he notices Miranda “Gene says girls want to get their hands on me.”

Miranda can’t help but chuckle “That’s right Ty.” She walks over and hands him the water and then sits down on the floor on the other side of him “Somewhere there’s a nice Hobbit girl who loves tic tacs waiting for you….pining for you. Oh and she totally has a think for redheaded dudes.” She teases him and right now she can’t look at Gene without feeling like she might burst into tears for him. She can’t explain why she’s so affected by it, sure it’s horrible but they’re not close.

In the kitchen Elise looks up at Nolan with love “You’re so good to me. I’d kiss you but I probably taste pretty gross right now.” She caresses one of his arms as his hands massage her hair and head through the towel.

Dante also hears Gene as he and Miranda walk in. Gene’s love, his mom….so many. He tries not to give into his thoughts on it and his heart goes out to Gene for being put on the spot in front of people. He sits beside Gen and wraps his arms around her like he’s seeking connection and watches Gene comfort Tyler and then Miranda walk over and crack another joke. It seems to be working for Tyler anyhow.

Nolan kisses Elise on the forehead because she is mostly right.  He doesn't want to kiss her on the lips right now and that is a rare thing indeed.

Gen can't help but burst into giggles asTyler tells Miranda what Gene said.  Sirely Miranda heard that part, but it was still a giggly moment for her and her persistent buzz.  She leans into Dante when he sits by her and turns her head to whisper in his ear.  "Te quiero mucho, Dante. (I love you so much)""

Gene stares at Tyler when the hobbits eyes go over his shoulder to someone else.  Dante?  No ... Miranda.  "How much had she heard?  Why did he tell Tyler about the suicide?  Then Miranda goes on about a tick tack and redhead loving girl hobbit just waiting for him.  "And once Peter Jackson makes the movie, I will definitely buy a ticket."  he promises.  He slaps his knees and stands.  "Well, I am buzzed and out of condoms.  That marks the end of the party, right?"  he doesn't look at Miranda.  He can't.  Not if she heard it all and not just his attempt to cheer Tyler up.

Miranda laughs lightly at Gene’s movie joke but doesn’t look at him either. And from the look on her face after, she is clearly thinking about something very serious. But when he explains that buzzed and out of condoms marks the end to a  party she gives him a small smile “Yeah thanks for that on behalf of Romeo and my possibly not becoming an auntie before I’m 18.” She jokes.

Tyler missed the whole condom exchange and now looks confused “Condoms? An auntie? Did Romeo really have sex with the Wong twins?”

Miranda looks like she might swat Tyler with a newspaper if she had one “No…..we’ve been through this. You need to go to bed and sleep this off Ty.” She’s keeping it light but her head is literally spinning and not from booze. But then she thinks about booze and looks around “Shit...the bottles….we can’t let Elise get in trouble when he folks come home.” She looks towards the kitchen “Elise? Where can we stash the stuff we didn’t drink for another party? Where don’t you folks look?” Then she adds “I can get rid of the recycling….my Dads already knew there would be alcohol here so I’ll just put those in our bin.”

Elise smiles at Nolan’s kiss on her head “I will brush my teeth…” She offers and then she hears Miranda “Fuck...um my closet. I do the laundry so no one’s going in there. If it gets full use Stefan’s too...I’ll tell him.”

Miranda nods and points at Tyler’s water glass “Keep drinking water. I’ll be back.” She gets up and is ready to carry bottles upstairs to stash, heading for the kitchen.

Dante had melted as Gen said she loved him in his first language and then whispered it back to her  “Te quiero mucho Genevieve Beaulieu…” Then he’s also ready to help move bottles as needed and he gives Gen a little sweet kiss on the lips and then stands up hovering near the kitchen to see what needs doing.

Gene looks at Tyler as he asks about Romeo having sex with both Wong twins.  "Yea and I ....  "  he thinks better than to make THAT comment about having sex with Miranda.  "NO, Tyler.  No he didn't."  he is finally able to look in Miranda's direction.  "Anytime, Randy."  he knows what he told Tyler about winding her up, but suely Tyler has forgotten that in his drunken stupor.  He turns towards the kitchen.  "We didn't drink much."  he looks at Dante.  "Bunch of lightweights."  then into the kitchen.  "I'd say give me a couple and I will put them away in your brothers room cause it's not your room.  Not trying to go head to head with Nolan."  he is teasing and then snaps his fingers and looks at the ceiling.  "It's quiet up here ... it's been a while.  They're probably done by now."

Nolan nods slowly as he looks at Gene.  "Sure ... that sounds good."  he seems to be considering, or listening as well.  They sure can’t spend the night.  Elise’s parents will be home in the morning and even he will be gone by then.

Gen smiles and kisses Dante.  "Let's help ... and then ... maybe it's time to go home..."  her voice is very suggestive.

Elise is starting to sober a bit and nods “Yeah I’ll work it out with Stefan….” She actually does slowly get up and then winces “Oh I feel gross still….” She goes to get a glass of water.

Dante grins at Gen and sneaks in a little hand sliding to squeeze her butt “Home...mmhmm…” Then he moves off after wiggling his brows and heads to grab a case of beer. There were still a few of those. He followers Gene up.

Miranda is still looking at Gene when he calls her Randy this time and she can’t fight a smile that fully shows in her eyes, indicating she rather likes him calling her that. Then she blushes and looks away and follows to the kitchen ending up walking upstairs after Dante with Gene in front of him carrying as many bottles as she can “Shoot I should soak that hot chocolate carafe so it doesn’t smell like mint….or i guess Elise could just say it was peppermint extract…” She ponders this out loud as she climbs the stairs. She’s hoping wherever Romeo is, whatever he’s doing is well done. 

Tyler just drinks his water now. He’s physically and emotionally exhausted and more than ready to go home and fall into bed.

Candra is asleep not passed out but she’s warm and comfy with Romeo behind her. Beside them is a condom out of it’s wrapper and the empty wrapper and on the floor in a  wet heap, their clothes that are off. They both have bottoms and she has a bra, but the strap has fallen to the side on the top shoulder making that even look like it may have been moved around. In truth it’s just not a great fitting bra.

Romeo is asleep spooning Candra.  His pants are on, but slid over his hip as if he half assed putting them back on.  His right hand is draped over her and he looks quite content.

Gene sees the smile on Miranda's face and offers the faintest of smiles in return.  Then he heads upstairs with Nolan and Dante and several bottles each.  He wouldn't go into Elises room for a mint of money, so he finds her brother's room ... and Candra laying spooned with Romeo.  "Ohhhh, isn't that sweet."  he sees the situation and the open condom wrapper.  "At least someone had fun."  he looks at Nolan.  "I did have a good time. I really did.  But me and Tyler aren't getting laid tonight."  he smirks and gos to put the bottles in the closet.

Nolan goes up with the guys and sees Romeo and Candra spooning and looking like the perfect post coitus couple.  "Jesus."  he leans into Gene.  "Not a hair out of place.  He's just that kind of beautiful gyu, you know.  I'm usually a damn mess."  he hands Gene his bottles.

Gene chuckles.  "Yea ... I tend to look like I've had sex when I have sex.  Good on him ... or I feel sorry for him.  Not sure which.  Have to admit I like that wild ride."

Gen goes up the stairs and listens to Miranda plan the cleaning.  Then she hears Nolan and Gene and pokes her head in the room, unable to resist.  "Ohhhh." she nearly squeeze at the cuteness within.  Nolan and Gene comment and she laughs softly, not wanting to wake them up.  She takes a swat at Gene.  "You and Dante.  Mon dieu." she giggles.

Miranda heard the conversation about Romeo and Candra before she got into the room. Then she hears Gene saying he looks like he’s had sex when he’s had sex and likes that wild ride and wishes she could force her mind to a  blank as she has a sudden flash of him in a  very sexual way and it jolts her. But she gets the gift of erasure as she happens upon her brother and Candra in a state of near undress and sleeping “Oh for fuck’s sakes…” She mutters and laughs “At least they were safe….things you don’t want to know about your siblings...ugh…” But being dutiful she drops the bottles off in the closet and then takes a wad of tissue and wraps up the condom and wrapper and then looks at Stefan’s garbage can “Too bloody obvious…” She walks to the bathroom and throws it in that one, under some stuff and then washes her hands for a long time trying not to think of a wild ride with Gene Sinclair. Shaking her head around she walks back into the room and winces before poking her brother “Hey….you need to get dressed...you guys can’t sleep here...sorry…” Then she walks away to the hallway realizing how embarrassing it’s about to be for the two of them and stands out there with her arms folded waiting for noises of waking up.

Elise had come up to her own room to get a shirt as people went upstairs to Stefan’s. Then she realized someone had sex in her brother’s room and sighed “I told Stefan no one would do that….fuck…” She walks to her dresser and pulls on a random black tshirt and then comes to stand with Miranda “Bloody hell.”

Dante laughs at Gene and Nolan “Yeah it’s unnatural to look that tidy after sex….” Candra opens her eyes as Dante says it and gasps.

Candra sees people looking at them and hears people talking in the hall. She’s shirtless in  bed with Romeo “I know how this looks but I swear…” She rolls to see if Romeo is awake.

Romeo feels poking at his shoulder and can hear Miranda's voice.  "Ten minutes, Mir. Bother Dunc  being awakened so he won't be late. he realizes that he is not at home in his bed.  He groans and sees Candra, and then looks around.  It felt like he was surrounded.  The party.  He blinks hard and sits up, knowing full well how it looks.  "Yea .. we .."  he looks at Candra and he remembers it all.  Including the condom and he groans again.

Gene watches as Miranda wakes up her brother and retreats.  "Come on, guys .. we all saw the condom..."  he tells them as if to say denial is futile.  "I mea thrugs.n I am willing ot listen to all the evidence but ..."  he shrugs.

Nolan looks between Romeo and Candra.  "Yea .. I mean .. listen we aren't judging you guys...  really."

Gen nods as the others speak.  "It's OK, it really is."  because it looks like they've really had sex.

Miranda is in the hall listening and calls in “No one’s judging….just put your clothes back on. Sorry it has to be an unromantic end but if you get laid at a party that’s pretty much how the story goes.” She sounds like she’s speaking from her own experience and her tone indicates some level of resigned disappointment. She looks at Elise “I can make him wash the quilt...apologies to Stefan.”

Elise sighs “Yeah...at least they didn’t roll in peanut butter first…..that would be worse.” She can’t help but laugh “You guys don’t want to be in there when my brother gets home….seriously epic hissy fits.”

Dante moves to the hall now too and finds it all pretty amusing “Whatever, we are cleaning up. Sort your story out later.” He winks at Gen and Gene and whispers “They totally boned.”

Candra looks mortified and then reached for her sweater “My clothes...our clothes are wet….oh I threw up before…..dammit…”

Elise calls in “I’ll lend you a shirt Candra and get you a  plastic bag.”

Miranda groans and takes a step forward, trying to ignore Dante “Oh my god you two are so ...complicated…” She ends up standing right beside Gene without thinking about it and whips off her sweater, flipping her hair back pretty much in his face by accident. She smells like pears and vanilla and a hint of sandalwood and with her hair and one layer down in clothing wafting it’s noticeable to those close by but not obnoxious. She lunges forward and tosses in the sweater “Romeo….it’s wool on skin then and I’m not sorry.” She chuckles a bit. She’s wearing a black t-shirt that says Avril Lavigne on it.

Elise walks into her room and grabs Candra a long sleeved shirt that looks like it will fit and tosses that in.

Tyler in the meantime has curled up on the couch like a little ginger cat and gone to sleep.

Romeo looks around the room.  "But ..."  he sighs.  They don't believe him.  Not at all.  Suddenly he is hit in the face with his sister's sweater and he sighs deeply, putting it on his bae skin he sighs deeply and looks around the room one time, as if he could proclaim their innocence and be believed.  No way no how.  Not with this bouch and so much incriminating evidence.

Gene listens to Miranda and it sounds like she is speaking from experience.  Getting drunk and getting laid at a party.  He doesn't agree or disagree with anyone,  Miranda then whips off her sweater right next to him and he swears he can smell her on the wool.  He swallows hard and closes his eyes.  When he opens them he is looking at Romeo and he blinks.  In an instant he feels in his bones that Romeo is innocent.  Somehow ... he is innocent.

Nolan grins and keeps putting the bottles away.  "No worries.  I'll run the sheets and stuff through the wash."  he tells everyone.  "The place will be right as rain before the sun comes up."

Gen is still giggling.  It's been one hell of a party.

Elise gestures at Nolan “Seriously my boyfriend is like Mary Poppins….we got this.” She grins at Nolan “A much sexiery Mary Poppins. But thank you everyone…..and it’s been a strange fun night.”

Miranda sees Romeo on the move and then she’s down the stairs and discovers Tyler sleeping “No no no….ty...wake up dammit...I am not carrying you...I could but dammit…” She pokes him now “Tyler Wheeler...move your ass!”

Tyler stirs “Tyler Charles Wheeler...that’s what my mom says when I take too long…” He tries to roll over.

Miranda rolls him back “You want me to call your mother then? Up! Tyler Charles Wheeler.” She grumbles “Romeo...Tyler…...you guys are making me tired…” She laughs.

Candra takes the shirt from Elise and then looks helplessly at Romeo and pulls it on. Then she bursts into tears and runs down the stairs to her jacket and boots. This was somehow worse than Tony because they hadn’t but everyone thought…..she yanked on her winter things and bolted out the door upset.

Miranda turned at Candra’s hasty exit “Ah fuck…” She was trying to drag Tyler off the couch.

Elise called after Candra “Candra? Oh no….”

Dante just shook his head “Man…..time to go….strange and good night….maybe not good for all…”

Romeo runs down the stairs after Candra as she leaves, getting into his shoes as fast as he can.  "Candra!  Candra!"  he opens the door and chases after her.

Gene comes jogging down the stairs, Candra and then Romeo charging past him.  More proof to his mind.  He can hear Miranda trying to get Tyler up.  He ,oves into the living room and barks like a CO .. Dante may even note the tone of voice.  "Tyler!  Get up!  Get out!  Go home!  Now!"

Gen moved and squeezed Dante's arm as people start .. leaving.  "You can't please everybody?"  she asks him with a grin.  She remained happy as a clam.

Miranda jumps back in surprise at Gene’s barking at Tyler. She’s seen him mad before, ready to possibly beat Spencer but the sharpness of this is new. She laughs after at being startled. Miranda was more of a gentle nagger than a yeller unless someone really pushed her. But she can’t resist a joke “Clearly we have different parenting styles…” She jokes to Gene like Tyler is their child. She notices Romeo going after Candra and knew she could catch up with him later. What a  night for him.

Tyler does respond to Gene though and stands up straight “Yes...Yes Sir…” He was still a  bit easily scared by Gene and scampered to pull on his jacket and shove on his shoes  half tied before a quick exit “Bye...thanks to the party…” And he was gone.

Dante laughed at Gene. He knew the tone and he also knew Gene’s “parenting style” from the two of them dealing with Shaw and Ho. But Miranda making the joke might be interesting. Romeo goes after Candra and he sighs at Gen “Did you even get drunk? Wasn’t that the goal?”

Elise sidles up to Gen after Romeo passes “Yeah did you? Because we still have booze for another try at it….” She grimaces “I will not puke on Nolan again.” She looks apologetically at him.

Gen continues to hug onto Dante.  “I got buzzed.”  she protests.  “I was having more fun just being with you.” she looks around at e Gene, Miranda and Elise.  “And those of you who've given me support all the time Dante was gone.”

Gene watches Tyler leave and leave fast.  He was even polite about it.  Miranda makes a joke about parenting and he grins, the schnapps doing its job.  “But when he’s like this he’s YOUR son.”  and he winks at her and then turns.  “I’d better get home.  Thank Nolan once he comes out of the spin cycle, will you.  And thanks to you Elise.”  He moves to Dante and Gen, leaning down and giving Gen a kiss on the cheek, then clapping Dante on the back, saying goodbye to him in Mohawk.  He heads for the front door, which is closer.  “Until next round, Randy.”  he shoots over his shoulder as he closes the door and is gone on his way home.

Elise did come down and knew Nolan was still upstairs doing what he loved, cleaning. She loved him for it and hoped after she brushed her teeth she could make up for some of it before he had to go home. But Gen’s point warmed her heart and she hugged her from the side “Aww well we won’t stop giving you all the love just because he’s back. You just get more now.” She saw Gene and Miranda’s banter and smiled. At least they didn’t hate each other anymore. Tyler had scampered off in his Tyler way. Gene’s goodbye to her, and through her Nolan, and Dante and Gen was super sweet. “Bye Gene….have a great night. I’m so glad you were here.” As the door shut she said to the room “Funny how it turns out he’s such a sweetheart eh? Good people.” She hugged Dante and Gen and then Miranda even, which always looked funny because of the height difference “You guys are all awesome. I’m going to do some cleaning too now.”

Dante laughed at the banter between Gene and Miranda too and then gave Gene a curious look as he said goodbye but also said goodbye in Mohawk and squeezed Gene’s shoulder and added “Hermanos para siempre. (Brothers forever).” He saw Gene kiss Gen’s cheek but didn’t mind. He was family. He nodded with Elise after Gen left “He’s the best friend I’ve ever had.” Then he watches Elise hug Miranda after hugging both of them “That is the funniest thing to watch.”

Miranda genuinely smiles and laughs as Gene jokes back with her about Tyler. Then he winks at her and she feels strangely elated by his attention. She watches him say goodbye to his closer friends and realizes what a beautiful complex being Gene is. When he cared he cared deeply, like she did and she related to it, to him. Then he said until next round Randy and she smiled after him with a  warm feeling inside. She hoped there was a next round and she let herself hope it. She nodded along with Elise and Dante and then Elise hugged her and she tried to slouch and make it easier “Aww thanks…” She let go “I’ll take those bottles with me and recycle them.” Then she walked over to Gen “Can I hug you? And you know everyone is still here for you even with Dante. And it’s so nice to finally meet you Dante..” She extends to him as she reaches to hug Gen if she can. After she lets go she’ll sort of awkwardly offer a hand to Dante only to have him hug her.

Dante hugs Miranda but politely, not even as much as he’d hug Elise “Hey glad yo meet you too….damn you’re almost as tall as Gene..” He chuckles and lets go, looking at her. She’s definitely the right height for his buddy.

Gen hugs Miranda sincerely and, after Dante gets his, she will link arms with him and head out the door towards home.  Before they are too far from the house, she hugs Dante’s arm.  “Mon dieu, those two need to stop their fighting.  Could you feel the energy between them?  They're like us, Dante …  .. I don’t know .. they just need to stop fighting and let it happen.”  She sounds amused and a little frustrated at both Gene and Miranda.

Dante slides his hand over Gen’s on his arm “Yep...I bet they would even spark if they touched as much as a fingertip…” He laughs “They’re fighting it hard though and Gene...well he’s got a lot of shit. Maybe she does too from what her little hobbit pal said. In a way that would help...because he’s going to need a hell of a strong woman. But I like her and I hope it happens for them. Everyone needs what we have Gen…..but tonight we need it….” And he’ll head home with her to express that need, to make love and wrap themselves in the love they’ve waited to celebrate again for so long.

Miranda had cleared her throat and nodded “Yeah I guess I am. Goodnigth everyone. Hug Nolan for me.” And she was off fairly quickly as she was in a  t-shirt trying to get out and to her recycling and then home quickly. As she shut her bedroom door later and pulled on a sweater she let out a big sigh beginning to understand the complexity of her big emotional reactions to Gene Sinclair. One thing she knew for sure...it wasn’t hate or dislike. The harder truth to admit still fought all reason and logic. It was love.