A Change of Heart

[Tenome]

Izzy and Mei followed Jesse and Mitch around back to where a formidable fire was beginning to blaze. There had to be at least fifteen people there not including his group, but he didn't know some of them.


He directed Mei to a log near the fire. "Do you like Mello Yello? I'm going to go grab one. I can get you one too?"

 

[IceQueen]

Mei smiled. "Sure." She said.

 

[Tenome]

He marched around the fire to the back porch where the refreshments were kept. He knew Jamie was always good for keeping a six pack or two of Mello Yello on hand, so he plugged his hand into the nearest cooler. The ice was so cold it felt hot on his skin, but he emerged victorious with a can of the soda. As he reached for another one, two hands covered his eyes and in his ear a sweet, feminine voice laughed, "Guess who?"


He smiled, and quickly grabbed her hand with his frozen ones. She squealed and giggled and struggled to pull her hands away but he didn't let go until it was on his terms. He turned around quickly, and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her body flush against his. He pressed a kiss to her lips. "I'm guessing it's my girlfriend."


Julia laughed. "Good guess."

 

[IceQueen]

Mei could see him from where she sat, so she resorted to looking at the bonfire.

 

[Tenome]

He released her and reached for a second Mello Yello. "So, who'd you come with tonight?"


Julia seemed to blush, and look away. "Oh, just a friend."


Izzy wiped the cans on his pants, trying to get rid of the moisture while throwing her a knowing look. Just a friend. "Which friend?"


"Becky," she answered, looking down at her hands. Izzy scanned the crowd for faces until he found a girl who looked familiar. The girl, Becky, wasn't thin, but god did she have her junk in the right places. It was clear even with that jacket she was wearing. Her mahogany locks fell in curls past her shoulders, and her pretty face was framed perfectly by her hair. From what he could see, she wasn't wearing any makeup, but she was still gorgeous. He nodded approvingly.


"I like her. You seem like you two could be really good..." He paused, taking a second to decide whether or not she would pick up his intended meaning. "Really good friends. Is she dating anyone?"


Julia just shrugged, and eyed him warily. "No," she finally answer. It seemed to Izzy that she understood what he meant.


He just shrugged and leaned in to kiss her on the cheek. He threw a friendly wave in Becky's direction.


It was official. He shipped them. If only Julia would just come out of the closet already.


He took his soda cans and returned to sit next to Mei. He handed one to her. "One for you, and one for me."

 

[IceQueen]

Mei looked up at the sound of someone moving. She smiled at Izzy and accepted the drink, popping open the can and taking a swig.

 

[Tenome]

The drink was fizzy and fruit in his mouth. It was odd, but he loved it.


He looked up as Jamie approached, a blunt in his mouth. He held it out to Izzy, who accepted it graciously. "Who's your friend?"


"Mei," he said before taking a drag. The smoke burnt his lungs and, being somewhat out of practice, he coughed a little. "Jamie, meet Mei. Mei, meet Jamie."


Jamie held out a hand for her to shake. "Howdy. I don't think we've met before."

 

[IceQueen]

Mei shook his hand hesitantly. "Hi." She said curtly.

 

[Tenome]

He shivered. "Brr. Nice meeting you anyway."


He nodded to Izzy. "Go ahead and keep that."


Izzy thanked him and took another drag. He looked at her and vaguely remembered saying how she didn't do drugs, but offered anyway. "Care for some?"

 

[IceQueen]

Mei shook her head. 'It's fine." She said, taking another sip of her drink.

 

[Tenome]

"Mmkay." Weed always made him feel a little heavy and slow. It was relaxing, and he smiled at the feeling. He took another sip. The sweetness was orgasmic. "You're missing out."

 

[IceQueen]

Mei chuckled. 'Not really. Drugs affect you're brain more than you think." She said.

 

[Tenome]

He chuckled. "That's the desired outcome, you know. Besides, you think I want to be sober here? Better cross faded to watch my girlfriend flirt with her friend over there. Do you know how stressful it is, that she won't come out of the closet?"


He groaned and took a swig. "It's the government."

 

[IceQueen]

Mei chuckled. "You know that if you gave her a pep talk she might be able to make a move. That or get her drunk enough." She said chuckling. "As for me, I think I will stay sober today."

 

[Tenome]

"I can't just give her a pep talk. Too awkward. And I've been dropping hints for ages now." He rose an eyebrow at her. "Dear lord, do you hear yourself. Get her drunk enough? I don't know if I'm comfortable around you now that I'm under the influence and easily taken advantage of."

 

[IceQueen]

Mei chuckled. "I haven't kissed anyone yet, what could I possibly do without someone calling the cops?" She pointed out.

 

[Tenome]

He laughed. "Never know. Speaking of kissing," he pointed over at Matty and Brad, "do you see those lovebirds? Damn. I might just call te cops for public indecency."

 

[IceQueen]

Mei laughed, leaning back a bit. "I think it's kind of cute." She said, taking another swig of her soda.

 

[Tenome]

"Cute, sure. They are my OTP. I don't care. I don't need to see them dry humping."


He finished off his drink.

 

[IceQueen]

Mei chuckled. "I agree, it is kind of weird." She said, taking another sip. She was starting to feel a bit left out, since everyone had some pair or someone to love.

 

[Tenome]

"Just glad we haven't cracked out the games."

 

[IceQueen]

Mei chuckled. "If it happens to be a drinking one, I will sit out." she said.

 

[Tenome]

He smiled. "I wonder if he'll have us play never have I ever? Jamie has us play nearly every party. You ever play'd?"

 

[IceQueen]

Mei shook her head. "No but I have a feeling I will be the last one standing." She said.

 

[Tenome]

"If what you tell me is true, then probably," he said right as Jesse sauntered up to them.


"Time for the games, Jamie's orders." He grabbed the blunt from Izzy's hand and took a drag. He moaned. "Gods, that's some good stuff."


"What game?"


"Is that even a question? You must be higher than I thought," he laughed as he walked away. Izzy watched as people scooted closer to the fire, tightening the circle. He moved their logs and joined their ranks, and Keith walked around supplying the partygoers with a fresh can of beer.


Jamie's voice rose above the chatter and quieted his crowd. "Okay, kiddies, you know what time it is! Everybody know how to play?"


There were a few nods, and he continued. "Okay. Never have I ever... I'll go easy on you guys. Never have I ever kissed a boy."


Izzy open his can and took a single, embarrassed drink. He glanced at Mei and chuckled. If this was going easy, she was going to have quite a parched night.