Thomas’s woke up an hour later with a light shudder, interrupted because of the bashful memories from his past, when he confessed to Laurence. He let out a soft grunt, and snuggled back to his place, instead this time, his fingers searched clumsily through the sheets, seeking for his phone.  

He only had one eye open, and the other half-closed. In this state, Thomas carelessly typed: “I just remembredj when i confessd to u.”

Two minutes later, Laurence replied: “Baby, you were so sweet mumbling that you liked me.” A second later, he sent a voice note, teasing him a little by mimicking his voice. “I just… like you a lot.” And giggled, before continuing, now in his normal tone. “I’m so glad you did it, though. If not, we wouldn’t have stopped pinning over each other.”

“Pfft.” Thomas laughed but quickly got distracted by another notification coming from Carly.

It said: “Ayoooooo, u coming tonight?”, next to the location of Mark’s house, as if he didn’t already know it.

It was Mark’s birthday. The three of them had all met in a shared signature. Carly was closer to him than Thomas was, but the more, the merrier in those types of scenarios. It didn’t matter the quality of their friendship, more like the quantity of the group. Having this knowledge, Thomas was almost sure Carly would also invite her new boy.

“yes, I’ll go. Are u bringing loverboy?”

“Duuuuuuude, ofcs, he’s picking me up. Did u see him? You guys should be friends.”

They chatter for a bit before hopping into the bathroom to get ready.

It rarely got cold on Krughy’s, its season stayed in a constant summer for most of the year. So, Thomas fitted with a silk-like black shirt, three buttons open, and beige pants. He accessorized only for these occasions, and this time he chose two silver necklaces of different lengths, a small detail but adequate to make him stylish. Once in front of the mirror, he took a picture and sent it to Laurence and Carly.

The last one replied with a picture of her own. She was wearing a pink body with no back and a loose skirt, her makeup had subtle silver sparkles as shadow and her trademark bright red lipstick. Gorgeous as always.

He typed: “I’ll see you there, fartface.”

Mark’s house was big enough to hold a party of 70-100 people from different Universities. He was his typical extrovert, making his birthday just another excuse to throw a huge meet-up. It was a two floors house, with a patio included, and almost everyone knew about it. Mark gathered almost 250 people inside this time, music blasting from the speakers and low led lights all around, projecting blue and red colors.

 When Thomas arrived, he found people already playing drinking games and casually smoking on Mark’s couches, but he couldn’t find the host. He didn’t have many friends from his Uni life but stuck to the few faces he knew.

He had a couple of shots before Carly hugged him from behind. “Guess who it is.” Thomas turned to hug her back and caught Samuel standing behind.

“My sweetest nightmare.” He replied to Carly’s question, let go of her, and then greeted Samuel with a shy nod.

“What? Not falling into my arms this time?” He teased, making Thomas’s cheeks flush, and then pushed his shoulder in a friendly way. “Don’t worry about it. I’m open to people falling into my arms every time.”

“Still, I’m sorry for that. You guys had some pre-game? Carly only hugs me when she’s had some shots in.” He patted his friend’s head before she could protest.

“Not enough pre-game, for sure.” She replied with a smirk. “Let’s go get some booze!” and dragged the two guys into the games.

One after the other, they played every single version of fun excuses to drink. From truth or dare, to never have I ever, to beer pong, and the “just take two shots if you are brave enough.” They sang and danced like there was no tomorrow, as the rest of the people did.

After a while of nonstop messiness, Carly and Samuel were going to the restroom, so Thomas rushed to hold Samuel’s hand. “I’m about to pee my pants.” He blurted out, making the couple laugh; Thomas had a big drunk grin on his face. He started to swing Samuel’s hand while singing “Throoouple, throuple” to show his excitement, making everyone around look. He felt Samuel walk faster into the restroom. The three of them entered at the same time. Lucky them, the toilet was separated from the sink and mirror so that Carly could have some privacy.

Once alone with Samuel, Thomas suddenly felt shy, like the weight of his previous behavior was trying to creep into his conscious, more sober self. He was looking at Samuel through the mirror, now really looking. The way his face was shaped, his long lashes. He had smooth wavy hair pushed back. He wore a black shirt, but Thomas thought Samuel’s fitted his body in a much better way, benefiting his muscles. Thomas liked his rings and the way his lips moved when he talked when he said, “Are you feeling good?” Showing some concern, but keeping his smile, maybe so Thomas wouldn’t worry.

“GUYS, why are you so quiet? I don’t want you to hear me pee!” Shouted Carly from the other side, making them both laugh.

They weren’t looking at each other face to face, but their eyes met through the mirror. Now Samuel was also analyzing him, and Thomas felt a rush of heat going from his spine to his lower parts as he caught Samuel’s eyes go over his body. What the fuck was happening there?

They heard the door open again, and Thomas hurried to enter. As he peed, he tried to compose himself a little. Just what had Samuel’s personality that fascinated him? Horny, even. Maybe it was the alcohol and the unresolved moment he had with Laurence before, on the library. Yes, that was what made him so interested. Samuel was attractive, and now he had the opportunity to show all his charm around Carly, Thomas was mistakenly tangling himself in. They were all having fun, and there was no issue with that.

“Where are we going now?” Thomas cheered once he finished, making the “throuple” go out the same way they came in.

The three of them made their way and sat on a bench in front of the patio’s pool. The lights inside the water reflected a soft blue on their faces. There weren’t many people outside anymore, as it was getting colder. Instead, most of them were keeping the drinking games in Mark’s living room or making out in different places of his house.

Samuel sat first, pulling Carly by her waist so she would sit on his lap. Thomas sat next to them and stared at the pool, trying to gather the thoughts he was having before. He tried with no effort to find them and, once he got bored, his attention shifted to the couple next to him.  

Samuel had leaned his face enough so he could caress Carly’s back with his nose, drawing small soft circles, making her giggle a little. He leaned a little more, so now he was able to delicately brush his lips and drop tiny kisses in the same place.

Thomas was mesmerized with the scene. He felt what Samuel was doing on Carly’s back as if it was him receiving every touch. Now he could perfectly remember the train of thought he had in the bathroom and felt the same heat going through his body. Thomas’s face must have been telling it all because Samuel gave him a sidelong glance and smiled in such devilish way as if his plan was going accordingly.

Thomas felt hypnotized, like a snake moves attracted to a flute’s song, his hand moved hesitantly. He tenderly touched Samuel’s neck, brushing his fingers lightly into his black hair. Nobody rejected his approach, so he felt assured and continued petting Samuel. His hair was soft and smooth despite the wavy style he had. Unable to hold his thoughts in his state, he let slip in a featherlike voice.

“Your hair is so soft.” Thomas's way of saying it, almost with a hint of admiration, brought a wider smile to Samuel’s face. They looked into each other’s eyes for a second, and Thomas felt enough confidence to know that they could have kissed at that exact moment.

That single realization made him cut the act and step up. He checked his phone and noticed he had three notifications from Laurence. He ignored it for the moment, avoiding spiraling into further thoughts. Instead, he focused on the clock.

“It’s already four, guys. I’ll be going.” Just as he said it, Carly perked up, almost hitting Samuel on the nose.

“Four? Fuck dude, I should be going too. I have an 8 a.m. tomorrow.”

Samuel stepped up, carrying Carly’s bag with him. “I’ll drop you guys home; I’m not as drunk anymore. Is that okay for you?” The last question was directed to Thomas only, and he felt himself nodding.