It was the night of June 18th to 19th, a warm but rainy day in early summer, and Josh was celebrating his 19th birthday. Not at his home, no his parents would never agree to that, so his friend Hayley had offered her place.

He remembered that night all so well. Even though he wasn't a fan of house parties -he was more comfortable in smaller gatherings- this night would be one to never forget.

⭐️

Truth or dare!"

Josh quickly scrambled to his feet, getting away from the roaring cheers of all the people surrounding him. He squinted his eyes as his vision blurred for a while, quickly grabbing hold of the couch's armrest. Okay, that last shot really was one too many, he thought as he waited patiently for his dizzyness to dissolve and his vision becoming steady once again. Then, just before he wanted to walk off, Hayley grabbed his wrist, and he stumbled back.

"YOU CAN'T LEAVE!" She yelled, trying to pull him down. Josh shook his head while he tried to peel Hayley's fingers off of his wrist. "I don't like this game Hayl's. 'M gonna get another drink", he mumbled, stumbeling over the sentence slightly as result of his drunk, or no, intoxicated state. She huffed, but eventually let go. "Why, Josh? 'Cause you got secrets?" He crossed his arms in front of his chest, a annoyed frown on his face. "Yeah, and I'd like to keep them that way, if you don't mind." He mumbled before he turned and walked off. Hayley definitely muttered something, probably calling him a coward, but he didn't care.

He hated truth or dare, and never understood why somehow everybody else seemed to enjoy the game. It only made you look stupid or embarrassed to the bone. Not his thing. This whole party wasn't so much his 'thing'. He had rather just done some drinks and chill with his couple of good friends. But he should've known when Hayley offered her place to hold 'a small gathering', she would nearly invite the whole damn city.

He cursed when somebody barged into him, a hard shoulder smashing against his ribs. "Ah sorry man!" The unknown voice apologized, Josh just shrugging and mumbling "sure" as he tried to rub the pain away from his rib. He walked past the hallways, grossed out by two people he didn't even recognize making out against the wall. The guys hand had disappeared underneath a wasted girls skirt, and to Josh it looked like she was nearly eating his face off. Gross. He sighed.

Once he entered the kitchen, two other people just walked out, and he was glad to see he was alone in the room. He searched for an empty and clean plastic cup between all the other used ones littered around the kitchen counter. Since the floor was already a mess too, he just swiped his hand over the counter, cleaning it from all the rubbish. Eventually he found a clean plastic cup, filling it with fresh water from the tap.

He drank his water in just one go, filling it again right after. He leaned against the counter, jumping up on it, legs bumping against be cabinet door. He absentmindedly grabbed his phone, checking absolutely nothing but at least it was something to do. He looked up when he heard footsteps getting closer, and he noticed someone walking in.

It was a guy, a man, a very beautiful man to be exact and Josh just watched him cautiously.
"Hi", te guy spoke, the short word rolling off of his tongue beautifully, sounding low but sweet. "Hey", Josh answered, his gaze still fixated on the guy, who was probably looking for an empty cup as well.
"Here", Josh handed another empty one towards him, softly smiling as the guy accepted. "Thanks man." He then focussed on filling it with -to Josh's opinion- al lot of booze. "So, what brought you here?" The guy asked, big brown puppy eyes gazing at Josh's. "I don't think i've seen you before?"

Josh swallowed. That guy's voice was so sweet he somehow wished he could taste it. "Uhm, it's my birthdayparty actually." The guy stopped fumbling around with his cigarette and lighter and looked surprised. "Oh! So you're Josh? Ha, I was wondering already who this guy was! Hayley invited me to someones birthdayparty because someone needed friends..." Josh let out a breathy laugh. "Sounds about right. Except for the part that I don't need more friends. Just better ones."

"I'm Brendon." The guy reached for Josh's hand and hesitantly Josh took it. Small shocks of electricity shot through his veins when Brendon shook his hand. "Nice to meet you, and eh, happy birthday", he winked. "Thanks", Josh mumbled, a little intimidated by the guys presence.

"So. What's the damage?" Brendon asked as he leaned against the counter next to where Josh was sitting.
"Hmm?"
"How old are you now?"
"Oh. 19."
"Cute."
"Why would you call that cute?"
Brendon laughed, sending little shivers over Josh's back.
"Hm, I maybe meant you. But apart from that, I don't know, 19 is just cute."
"Right", Josh laughed. "How old are you then?"
"23."
"Ugh, so old."
"You call this old?" Brendon made a 'look at me' motion with his arms, presenting himself before laughing. "I'd call it experienced", and he winked again before he put the cigarette between his lips.

Josh didn't respond, he just watched Brendon light his cigarette. He observed. He had beautiful lips. Big, full, beautifully colored. His cheeks hollowed softly as he inhaled through the lit cigarette, sighing contently after and blowing out the smoke through his nose.
"Want a taste?" Brendon asked suddenly, Josh quickly shifting his gaze back to his phone, cheeks flushing slowly.
"I don't smoke", Josh shrugged.
"There's more ways t-", Brendon started with a mischievous grin but was cut off by Hayley barging in.

"Guys! i've have, Ive not. Feeling so good. Hey Bren! You look so hmm. Like you! Good do meet. Is Josh", she started rambling, Josh frowning while trying to figure out what the hell she was trying to say. She leaned on Brendon's shoulder, making Josh realize how tall he actually was. Brendon just grabbed her by her arm, laughing while trying to keep her upright. "Okay, someone's had like 10 to many", he mumbled as she stumbled over her own feet.

Josh jumped off the counter, but the very second before he tried to reach out to her, ahe yelled a "woah" and threw up. Josh quickly jumped back, avoiding getting 'hit'. Brendon wasn't so lucky and he yelled, trying to push Hayley away with the hand the first was keeping her upright. "Goddamnit! Gross!"
Josh couldn't help but let out a tiny chuckle, grabbing Hayley by her arms when and pushing her down on one of the diningroom chairs. "Stay." He spoke to her strictly and she nodded but he had no clue if she even understood a word he said.

He turned back to Brendon, who was trying to wipe the puke off his sweater, gagging as he tried. "Don't you start too, please", Josh mumbled, throwing paper towels over the mess  on the floor. "But it's so gross", Brendon spoke, softly chuckling when he watched Josh clean up the floor and gazing Hayley a couple of times. "Marriage material already", he chuckled again, making Josh blush. Was he just joking or was this flirting? Josh figured that he was hoping for the last option.

"You don't have to clean up her mess, y'know", he then spoke. "I know, but I don't want her to get in trouble for having my birthdayparty."
"A party that you didn't even want."
"Right", Josh sighed.

With his knees on the floor, Josh wiped a bit of puke off of Brendon's sneaker. "Okay, like, it's not that I mind this view of you on your knees, but seriously, get up", he spoke. Josh's breathing hitched, cheeks flushing profusely now. He didn't watch Brendon as he stood up, throwing the paper towels in the bin, but he could almost sense the smirk on his face.

"I'm going to get everyone to leave, and put her in bed", Josh spoke, smiling softly when he was finally confident enough to look up at Brendon again. Brendon nodded, without questioning getting Josh's phone out of his hand. He smiled at Josh as he put something -what Josh hoped was his number- into it. "Don't worry about the others, I'll send them off. You worry about that", Brendon spoke as he pointed towards Hayley, who hung over the diningtable already sleeping.

"Thanks", Josh nodded, sliding his phone back into his pocket. Brendon smiled before he turned and walked put the kitchen. Josh couldn't help but watch him until he was out of sight. He laughed softly when he heard Brendon suddenly yell loudly. "PARTY'S OVER. EVERYBODY OUT."

Josh got Hayley to wake up, sort of, and stand up. He wrapped an arm around her waist, placing one of her's over his shoulder. Carefully he walked her up the stairs, towards her bedroom. He doubted leaving her like this but he sat her down, taking off her shoes. Then he pulled of her oversized sweater over her head, relieved to find out she was wearing more than just underwear underneath. He layed her down, covering her up with comfortable sheets. He took a damp washcloth from the bathroom, cleaning her face gently, before ruffling his hand through her hair. "Sleep well, idiot", he grinned. She mumbled something unclear in response.

⭐️

When Josh got home he fell into a dreamed sleep immediatly, waking up 9 hours later. It was almost 1pm and he yawned before grabbing his phone. He smiled when he held it, suddenly remembering Brendon having it for a second. He opened his contacts, searching at the 'b', his heart dropping when there was no Brendon in there. He sighed. Ofcourse not. He just got his hopes up.

He did keep scrolling through all off them, his heart suddenly beating fifty times faster as he noticed a new contact. He laughed when he saw the name. He sighed, happy he wasn't as stupid as he thought a minute ago.

He started to type a message. Eh hi, this is Josh. The guy cleaning puke of your sneakers.

That ridiculously handsome 23 yo: Hey Josh! Nice way to remind me who you were exactly

That ridiculously handsome 23 yo: but just Josh would've been good too. I haven't forgot about you ;)

Josh: good to know :)

He changed the name in his phone back to just Brendon. Just in case his mom or dad would see something, you know?

Brendon: how are you feeling on your first day of being 19? Sleep well? Hayley still alive?

Josh: Yeah she just texted, she woke up. Hungover, obviously.

Josh: And me? I'm slightly disappointed my birthdaywish didn't come true, but other than that i'm good.

Brendon: if it didn't come true, you can tell it right?

Josh: not sure it works like that

Josh: but sounds plausible. But I warn you it will sound sad.

Brendon: okay?

Josh: I may have wanted to not wake up alone another year after my birthday.

Brendon: oh. I see.

Brendon: just for the record, that could've been different.

Josh: what are you implying

Brendon: just saying it could've been different if our friend hadn't interrupted last night by puking all over me.

Josh couldn't help but smile, his face flushing from what Brendon was saying here. Normally he would be to shy and back out of this, but he wanted to see where this could go and he took a deep breath.

Josh: is this a subtle way of you trying to say you would've liked to sleep next to me?

Brendon: what? No!!! That's gay, ew!

Josh's heart stopped for a second.

Brendon: got ya! just kidding ;). Maybe that was what I was saying...

Brendon: did you have breakfast/lunch/food yet?

Josh: no

Brendon: want to go get some?

Josh: like you and me?

Brendon: Yeah

Josh: okay

Brendon: awesome. I'll take a quick shower first. Where can I pick you up?

Josh: same. Lavender Rd 21.

Brendon: see you in a bit, birthdayboy