Luke angled his head back, trying to catch the sparse sun rays peaking through the clouds.
He was lying on one of the wooden tables outside the building and Trey was seated next to him finishing up his homework.

"Hey Deans, don't forget about tonight!" Suddenly shouted a tall boy waving his hand at Luke.
"I know, I won't forget Ry don't worry." He replied, shielding his eyes from the sun.

"What's happening tonight?" Asked Aaron appearing out of nowhere.
"None of your business." Shrugged Luke.
"Move you're blocking the sun dumb-ass." He continued, taking a quick look at Aaron's ankle. Thankfully it looked better than it had a few days ago.

"If you tell me what's up I'll move." Retorted Aaron playfully.
He knew exactly how to get on Luke's nerves and always ended up getting what he wanted.
"I want to know what's happening tonight too." Added Trey lifting his eyes from his textbook.

"Fine, Ry's organizing this year's gathering and I have to bring the beer, that's it. Now move Aaron, I'm serious." Responded Luke nudging the copper haired boy in the side with his foot.

"What? Why didn't you tell me?
I wouldn't miss the gathering for anything, you know that! Not cool dude not cool." Laughed Aaron deliberately ignoring Luke's foot.

"What's the gathering?" asked Trey a little dumbfounded.
"Oh yeah, you're new of course you don't know what the annual gathering is." Replied Aaron.

"Basically, Highwest institute is not only for boys, there are no girls here because we are separated. They have their own building. It's not too far from our dorm in fact.

So one night per year we have this huge party at one of the boys' dorm. It's quite selective, not everyone knows we do this and you can only get in if you're invited by the organizer. The best part is that in the beginning of the year, security is pretty laid back so girls can sneak in and we can party all night!" Continued Aaron pumping his fist in the air.

Luke rolled his eyes.
"Yeah in other words it's like the best night to fool around. All those hormones mix up and the boys go wild. It's their only chance to have some kind of sex in the year so they jump on basically everything that has boobs.

I think it's disgusting and that's why I didn't want to tell him. He always brings his flings to the dorm and when I come back, the room's a mess, I have to get the girl or girls out without getting caught and it smells bad after." Shrugged Luke arms crossed.

"It's not that bad, come on Deans everyone ends up having fun. And I have a feeling tonight's going to be even better than last year!" Grinned Aaron.

Trey's brows knitted together as he was still trying to process all what Luke and Aaron had told him. He briefly noticed Aaron leaving as Luke rose from his napping spot and told him to go change.
"I'll see you tonight at Ry's dorm, last door on the last floor." He said and trudged behind Aaron.

***

Ash slowly raised his eyes from the book he was reading when Trey entered the room.

The boy was lost in his thoughts so he didn't see the chair standing the middle of the room and bumped right into it. He winced, grabbing his left kneecap.

"What a klutz." muttered Ash under his breath. Trey glared at him but his roommate didn't seem to notice.
"I'm not a klutz." He retorted. "Could have fooled me." Replied Ash.

Trey just shrugged at his attitude and stared changing.
"And where do you think you're going Johnes? It's lights out at nine." Asked Ash his left brow rising.

"Apparently it's the annual gathering at Ry's dorm tonight. Not that the places I go are really any of your business." Responded Trey.

"And you were invited?" He flipped a page, ignoring the jab.
"Yeah I guess, Luke told me to come." Shrugged Trey
"Your stutter's faded." Replied Ash.
"W-What?"
"Never mind it's back."

Trey resisted the urge to roll his eyes. He couldn't understand Ashton. Taking one step forward in his direction also meant taking three steps back.
"What about you? Are you going?" Asked Trey.
"No. I don't do parties Johnes, too many people."

"Oh yeah right, makes sense." Mumbled Trey trying to hide his disappointment.
"Well I'm going for a walk and then I'll head there so do what you want."

Trey opened the door and snatched a quick glance at his roommate. Ash was still reading, splayed on the bottom bunk.
His shirt was slightly riding up, revealing a faint trail of dark hairs that disappeared in the waistband of his jeans.

"Don't get too drunk Johnes."
"Oh uh yeah don't worry,

I don't drink."

Replied Trey hastily, cheeks flushing red. He had been staring again.

"Famous last words Johnes." Shot back Ash.

"And who said I was worrying?" He grumbled, too low for the other boy to hear him.

When Trey finally got to the dorm, it was already late. He had been cautious not to make too much noise in the hallways but just as Aaron had said, he didn't run into the guards.

He knocked on the door and a tall, burly boy opened. His shaggy blond hair was cut close to his head and a black velvet mask was covering the upper half of his face.
"What d'you want ?" He asked.

"Um, I'm here for the gathering?" Replied Trey slightly intimidated by the imposing stature of the boy.
"I don't know you, what are you doing here?" Retorted the boy in a suspicious tone, crossing his muscular arms over his chest.

Trey caught himself staring at the bulging muscles and quickly lowered his gaze to the floor cheeks flushing in embarrassment. He didn't know what to answer. The boy was about to close the door in his face when suddenly-

"Wait! Hold up Ry, he's with me." Trey turned around and noticed a slightly sweaty and huffing Luke holding two packs of beer, hurrying towards him.
"Oh hey Luke how's it going my man? I see you got the beer, great job!"

"I'm good." Replied Luke as he fist-bumped Ry.
"Well here you go then lads. Tonight we're all wearing black carnival masks, it's sexy and if we get caught we won't be recognized!" Grinned Ry, his cold demeanor entirely gone.
"Oh well, I guess it's always better than spending the night with the lights off." Laughed Luke.

"Yeah Teddy had a stupid idea last year I agree. Anyway, in you go, have fun!"
"Thanks Ry." Smiled Luke.
"Come on Trey, don't forget your mask." He added. Trey did as he was told, taking the mask Ry handed him with a shy smile and finally got a good look at the dorm.

The room was big.

And soundproof Trey realized.
It was more than double the size of his dorm and far enough from the staff building to play music on huge amps that instantly thumped in his head. The furniture had been pushed against the walls and the dancing space was quite large.

The room was also packed with teenagers, boys and girls, drinking or grinding against each other in inappropriate ways on the dance floor. Some were crowded around a table where laid various cans of beer, bottles and snacks.

"Impressive huh? Ry's parents are filthy rich so he got the best room when he arrived here. Anyway, enough gawking, I need to drop off the beers. Come with me or I'll loose you in this crowd."
Trey nodded and followed Luke, secretly glad that he at least knew someone here. Everyone was wearing a mask and he felt as if he was surrounded by complete strangers.

Luke opened a beer and gulped it down.
"They say it's liquid courage." He said and gave Trey one.
"We're going to need it if we want to survive tonight."
Trey thought back to his no drinking rule for a short second.

He shouldn't do it.

But was thirsty and Luke was right, he had a feeling he was going to need it. So he gulped down the bitter alcohol, trying to ignore the slight burn in his throat that came with along with it.

"Woah, calm down cowboy, you're going to spend the night hunched over the toilet if you continue that fast.

Wait for me!"

He handed him a red cup similar to his, filled with a strange mixture.       
"Drink up! But take it easy,
that's not beer."

Luke dragged the smaller boy to the dance floor, cup still in hand, and started moving with the beat.
"Come on Trey, dance with me, have fun!"
Trey stood there, completely mortified. The blond boy was moving his body in every possible way while downing his cup.

Trey finally threw the rest of his resolution out the window and finished his own cup, feeling the effects of the alcohol taking over his body. He gradually managed to relax and let out a genuine laugh, not caring if he made a fool out of himself. Most people wouldn't remember a thing in the morning anyway.

Luke was also enjoying himself for once thanks to Trey.
They had taken part in a game of beer pong and had dramatically lost. They were laughing hunched against one another, tipsy from all the beer they had drank.

Luke wondered where Aaron was. He had left the dorm before him and Luke didn't spot him amongst the people dancing. He was probably licking a random girl's face off. Luke shook his head in disgust at the thought and concentrated on Trey.

That boy was a total lightweight. He was flaying his arms in a quite weird but hilarious way while jumping up and down and laughing uncontrollably.
Luke grinned
"I'm going to get us new drinks okay?" He shouted over the music.
"Okay!" Replied Trey, still moving his arms in the most uncoordinated way Luke had ever seen.

The blond laughed as he made his way through the crowd. Trey was finally opening up and revealing his true self.

And maybe he was revealing it a bit too much because no sooner had Luke left, Trey bumped quite harshly into someone, making their drink splash all over them. The boy would have fallen backwards if he hadn't been caught by two strong arms. He looked up to apologize when he recognized the boy who was holding him steadily upright.

"OhmygoshimsosorryRy!pleasedon'thitme!" He blabbered incoherently.
"Calm down I'm not going to hit you!" Shouted Ry, his hands still on Trey's shoulders.
"What's your name?"
"Trey!"
"Oh right you're Luke's pal. Are you having fun Trey?"
"Yes!"

"Good, it's all that matters. I see you have some interesting dance moves."
"You like? I'magreatdancer!"
"Unfortunately Trey, I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news but your dancing sucks."
"Hey! My dancing is great thank you." He slurred.

"Sure."
"Well if you're so great whydon'tyoushowme?"
"You want me to teach you how to dance?" Replied Ry in disbelief.
"Yup!" He laughed.
"Well it can't get any worse than that after all."

"Hey! Just because you have nice muscular arms doesn't mean you can make fun of me. You're being mean!
"Sorry, sorry." Laughed Ry.
"Just go with the flow. Feel the music and follow the rhythm."
Ry lowered his hands onto Trey's waist.

"There you go, don't just thrash around aimlessly. Keep your feet to the ground and move your hips."
"Like this?"
"Yeah like that. You're doing great!"
"Thanks! You know, you're not as scary as you look." Giggled Trey.
"Am I? Scary I mean."
"No I don't think so. Maybe it's just an act you put up. But it's okay I figured it out."
"Did you now?" He muttered.
They danced some more, both giddy on the alcohol.

"So, my arms are nice and muscular huh?" Asked Ry, bringing his lips closer to Trey's ear.
"N-no I-I didn't mean that, it was just a meto- meteph? M e t a p h o r e. That's the word I was looking for!" He giggled.
"So my arms are ugly?"
"Nonono! They're great I would die to have arms like yours! Mine are just skinny and awkward." He replied, his face already red from the heat and the alcohol getting even darker.

This was getting embarrassing very fast. He had to get out of there. Ry seemed nice enough but his forward attitude was a little too much for Trey.
He looked around desperately for Luke but he seemed to have disappeared in the crowd.

"Hey I'm going to go look for Luke, he has my drink!" Shouted Trey in Ry's ear, rising on his toes and placing his hands on the large shoulders.
Ry nodded
"Don't get lost." He teased, as he continued to dance.
Trey laughed awkwardly and walked away, trying to get passed the mass of students.

He looked around, desperately trying to spot Luke's blond curls but to no avail. Instead, he noticed a tall figure standing in a corner, also wearing a mask and towering easily over everyone else.
Ashton.

Trey's eyes widened at the sight of the tall boy walking his way.
"Ashton? Whadayoudoinghere?" He slurred, feeling his world slightly tilt. He noticed Ash's dark locks falling messily around the mask, like he had spent hours running his hands through them.

"Youendedupcoming?" Asked Trey, a drunken smile making it's way on his face.
"I guess I did." Shrugged Ash.
"And you're dead drunk Johnes. I thought you didn't drink." He added with a scowl.
"Heya Ashton! Look, I took good  care of your roommate!" Mused Luke who had finally reached Trey. He was totally out off it too.

"Yeah right Deans you've done quite enough. Get out of my face I need a drink. And after that we're leaving." Grunted Ash, heading towards the drinks on the table.

Despite the alcohol clouding his mind, Trey noticed the two boys' exchange. Luke and Ash did know each other after all.
Were they friends? No they couldn't be, they acted nothing like friends and Ash always scowled when he was forced to talk to the blond boy. What was the matter with them?

Ash came back after downing a few drinks. Luke was now brooding with his arms crossed, back resting against a wall. He wasn't in his right state of mind and he wanted to sleep. But Trey did need to freshen up so Luke begrudgingly followed him and Ash to the bathroom.

People instantly got out of Ash's way. Even drunk, they knew better than to bump into him.

The three boys finally reached the bathroom, Trey's eyes fixed on Ash's large back the whole time. Something about how his white cotton t-shirt draped around his body and how his back muscles rolled with each step he took was entrancing.

When Ash opened the bathroom door, Trey's jaw almost fell to the floor. Sitting on the floor, in a circle were a few boys and girls and an empty vodka bottle in the middle. Two teens were in the tub shoving their tongue in each other's mouth.

Luke who was just behind them gulped as he noticed the familiar copper locks and charming smile that belonged to the seated boy facing him. When two piercing amber eyes met his, he felt his heart skip a beat.

This was bad. This was very bad.

{AN: heyyy update for you guys, I hope you liked this chapter... What do you think is going to happen in the next 🤔? Stay tuned to find out😏
Xoxo Moonlightshow 🌙}