The flash of the camera blinded me as the photographer captured our photo. My eyes blinked, trying to readjust to the surroundings. It was like the world around me was moving in slow motion. Geez what kind of high quality super cameras did this school have?

As my vision focused I turned to Kellin. He was standing rigid with my arm around his broad shoulders, his face still in the direction of the camera lens.

He made no effort to move away from being pressed up against me.

I turned to face him. With my arm being around his shoulder, our faces were mere inches away from one another.

My movement snapped him from whatever daze he was in. His eyes flicked to mine and then to my hand resting on his shoulder. The way he was staring from me to my hand was as if he had never seen a hand before.

In one swift movement he shifted his feet and slunk out from under my arm. Keeping his blue eyes stuck to the platform, far away from mine.

He didn't yell. He didn't push me away. He didn't call me a name.

Before I could open my mouth to speak, the photographer was in front of us shoving Polaroids into our hands.

"Mayor Quinn, your son will get the negatives and photo package in home room next week. Until then you three can keep one of these."

I took one of the pictures he had fanned out in front of us. My thumbs gripped the thick smooth edges as I watched the photo slowly appear.

The white backdrop with the school's logo appeared first. Then Kellin's mom came into view, the colors bleeding into the paper and becoming more vivid as the photo developed.

The top of Kellin's head was the first to develop. I held back a smile, biting my lip as his bright pink hair framed his face.

My own self came into view and I couldn't help but chuckle. Elle's skirt was lopsided on me, half falling off my hips. The jersey hung so long it almost covered the hem of the skirt. My toned legs stood straight, planted firmly in the ground as I stood next to Kellin.

The rest of Kellin appeared last. His body was tense. No doubt a reaction from me putting my arm around him at the last second. His eyes were slightly widened; I had caught him off guard. His blue irises were blindingly bright against the stark, plain background.

He wasn't looking directly at the camera though. No. He was glancing right at me. It was hard to spot at first. He kept his face forward but upon a closer look, Kellin had started to look at me mid click of the shutter.

That wasn't the most surprising thing about the photo though.

Kellin was smiling.

Now it wasn't a big smile by any means, but it was there. The corners of his mouth were turned up slightly in a bashful looking smirk.

I ran my thumb across our faces subconsciously, feeling my cheeks starting to warm up as I stared at the photograph.

"Kellin, have an excellent game! I'm so proud of you for making Quarterback." Mrs. Quinn's voice filled the silence.

She pulled him into a tight hug, pinching his cheek before stepping off the platform. She nodded in my direction, "Vic, always a pleasure. I hope to see you around more often."

I offered her a smile in return as she ducked through the crowd of parents to take her seat in the bleachers.

My eyes landed on Kellin who was staring down at his copy of the photograph.

"Well well well, I got a smile out of you."

Kellin cleared his throat and snapped his eyes up to look at me. He instantly rolled them and crossed his arms over his chest.

"I had to smile. My mom would've made them retake it if I hadn't."

"You're looking at me." I teased.

Kellin opened his mouth to respond but no words came out. I couldn't help myself but push his buttons. I had only known this boy for a week, but watching him stumble over his words was becoming my favorite after school activity. It was nice to see him and his jock friends getting a little taste of their own medicine. Maybe now they'd know we meant business, and Tony's plan of it causing them to go easy on the outcasts like us, would work.

"Yeah because you put your arm around me at the last second. What was that about?" Kellin snapped, putting emphasis on his words even though I could detect no actual malice.

I shrugged, "Heat of the moment. Plus we look so cute." I turned my copy towards him and pointed at us.

Kellin went silent as he glanced from the photo, back to me, then back to the photo.

Suddenly the crowd parted as Justin appeared with what had to be his parents following after him.

"Looks like it's my turn. Hey Kellin. Hey Vic, I have to hand it to you and your boys. This was a genius prank. I only wish I had thought of it." Justin said, pointing at his bright blue hair.

"Thank you. I hope this means we're even now?"

Justin glanced at Kellin before answering, "Yeah dude. We're cool."

Clearly Kellin ran the show so I shouldn't have been surprised that Justin would need his approval. Looking at the two it still confused me how hr became the top dog. But it's high school, it never makes any sense.

Justin suddenly reached over Kellin's shoulder and plucked the photo from his hands.

"Bro this picture is gay." He chuckled.

I rolled my eyes, "How clever, Justin."

His eyes were confused for a moment before he shrugged his shoulders. He was about to respond when he was pulled up onto the stage by his father.

I shook my head and started walking to the sidelines, away from the photo area. I sat down on a metal bleacher, taking note of how cold it was against my bare thighs. I really don't know how the girls wear these skirts in this weather.

Justin was a dumb teenage boy who had never met anyone different than him. He didn't know what he was saying.

Most of the people in this town would probably say insensitive things just like that without knowing how it could actually affect someone. He didn't even know I was bisexual so I know I shouldn't have taken it personally. He was just talking the way he would to his friends.

Was it my place to educate him? Maybe. But for now I felt myself suddenly feeling very small. I took note of just how public I had been with my little charade. I felt extremely uncomfortable and self conscious at this moment. Ugh, pull it together Fuentes.

I was about to turn to leave the field and find my friends when I noticed Kellin had followed me.

"Can't get enough of my presence can you?" I blurted out. My confidence was all over the place tonight.

"You're standing right in front of the water cooler and you're sitting on my spot where I keep my playbook."

I looked to my left at the water cooler I had previously been leaning my arm on.

"Actually I think you're sitting on my playbook."

I shifted in my seat and stuck my hand under my butt. My fingers grasped the maroon folder as I leaned over and pulled it out from under me.

"Whoops, sorry about that." I ran my hand through my hair as I pushed the folder out which Kellin took.

The next thing I knew he was taking a seat beside me as he flipped open the folder. He started following along the plays with his index finger, gnawing on his bottom lip in concentration.

"Don't you feel embarrassed to be wearing that?" Kellin asked abruptly, breaking the silence.

"Um..." I trailed off, a little caught off guard by his question.

"No. Guys and girls can wear whatever they want. Clothes don't have a gender. It's pretty freeing actually. Plus I think it got a smile out of stone cold Kellin." I teased, trying to lighten the mood a bit.

He smiled slightly at my response, taking a moment to ponder what I had just said to him.

"You're a really...different kind of guy Vic."

"Is that supposed to be a compliment?"

"What? Yes. Yes it was sorry I -" he started stammering.

"Dude relax. I'm just messing with you. When you don't have your lackeys around you're really easy to tease." I nudged him slightly which earned a small laugh from him.

"I'm just nervous for the game. I didn't exactly expect to have my hair dyed pink and then my homecoming photo ambushed."

"You totally deserved it though. Plus, pink really is your color."

"You're right. About me deserving it, not about pink being my color. This better wash out." Kellin mumbled.

"It makes you look more approachable. You're too handsome for your own good. Plus it reminds me of cotton candy and I love cotton candy."

"Blue cotton candy is better than pink though."

"Well your eyes are blue so you've already got that covered."

"You have an answer for everything."

"It's one of my many talents. It drove my mom crazy when I was younger though. She'd wonder why her son had to have an opinion on everything."

Kellin leaned back against the fence and smirked at me, "Oh yeah and what's your opinion on yourself in this photo?"

I held the photo out in front of me and put my hand on my chin, rubbing it inquisitively before answering, "I look good and I'm definitely hanging it up in my locker on Monday."

"You better not. I look ridiculous." Kellin started giggling at the photo.

It was the first moment all night that I think we both realized what Jack, Tony, and Jaime and I had actually done. I couldn't hold back anymore and we both burst into a laughing fit. The kind of laughter where no sound ends up coming out. Kellin was holding his stomach as I was pointing at his hair, trying to speak but not being able to.

Silence suddenly washed over us as our eyes met for a moment. Before I knew what I was doing I was reaching up and took a piece of his bubblegum locks in my fingers. Kellin's eyes glanced at my hand in his hair then back at me. The second he looked at me I pulled my arm back with such force I almost fell off the end of the bench.

"I'm sorry." I stood up quickly and made space between us.

"Kellin! Let's go! Coach wants me to help you warm up." Johnny Craig appeared, one of the more aggressive of Kellin's friends. His hair now being neon orange definitely lessened his intimidating factor.

Kellin immediately copied my behavior as he practically leapt out of his seat and moved 10 feet away from me. Johnny tossed him the football which he fumbled slightly.

"Nice hair." I snorted.

Johnny's eyes narrowed as he turned to look at me. It was like he was just noticing I have been standing here this whole time. His nostrils flared as he looked me up and down.

"Yeah ha ha. You got us, Fuentes. I still don't like you." Johnny's voice dripped with sarcasm as he stepped up in front of me.

I took a step forward too. Tilting my head up to glare at him, "I don't need you to like me. I just need you to stop picking on kids."

He laughed and clenched his jaw, "Not a chance. I don't take orders from faggots in skirts. Fuck you."

My eyes met Kellin's and for a second I thought he was going to come to my defense. I shouldn't have been surprised when he looked down and shamefully stared at the football in his hands. I couldn't deny that his silence hurt me but who am I kidding? We shared one laugh. We weren't friends.

I looked back at Johnny and spat without thinking, "Yeah you'd like that wouldn't you?"

Johnny put his hands on my chest and shoved me back hard. I stumbled back but quickly caught my footing and spun around to face him.

"Do we have a problem here?" Tony asked, appearing by my side with Jack and Jaime following behind.

Johnny's eyes flicked across my group and paused before putting his hands up in surrender, "Nope, no problem at all. Let's go Kellin before Coach flips a shit."

Kellin didn't look at me before he turned around and followed after Johnny.

"Vic! That was amazing! You really showed Kellin and those jerks we mean business!" Jaime and the guys appeared on the other side of the fence.

"Yeah what did Kellin say? And what was that all about with Johnny?" Tony asked.

I peeled my eyes from watching Kellin walk away as I turned to my friends, "He said we're even. We're cool in their book. Except we better keep an eye on that jerk, Johnny. He called me slur."

"Fuck him. Want me to kick his ass?" Jaime puffed out his chest.

"No it's okay man, thanks though. I've dealt with close minded pricks like him before." I replied, shaking my head.

"Well in other news, the whole school is buzzing about the prank. We're legends." Jack exclaimed, giving me a high five.

"Now let's sit back and enjoy watching our school kick those asshole eagles!" Jaime punched the air.

The game was very intense. It was neck and neck the entire time. We would score a touchdown, then the other team would score one. Kellin was playing extremely well despite all of the pressure.

It was currently the fourth quarter. There was only 20 seconds on the clock and we were mere feet from the end zone. I covered my eyes in fear as the ball was snapped.

I peeked through my fingers, waiting for Kellin to throw the ball to one of our receiver's. But he never threw it. He surprised the other team by faking the pass and running with the ball himself.

He shot past the defense and leaped over one of the linebacker's. He crashed onto the ground in the end zone as the entire stadium erupted in cheers.

I shot up in my seat and clapped and screamed in excitement. I was cheering so loudly that I didn't even notice the guy's laughing at me. Tony reached up and grabbed the hem of my shirt, yanking me back down into the seat.

"You're still wearing Kellin's jersey! You look like the biggest groupie ever." He teased.

My cheeks instantly blushed as I shoved him playfully, "Oh shut up. What? I can't have school spirit?"

I watched as the team lifted Kellin up in the air. They started carrying him around the field on their shoulders. He was smiling a huge infectious smile as he punched the air in excitement.

Jaime appeared at the bottom of the bleachers, "My dudes it is about to be a lovely night indeed."

"Where the hell did you go? And what are you blathering about?" Jack asked.

"My sources have informed me that there's going to be a celebratory party at the Watering Hole. Babes galore." Jaime grinned.

"What the fuck is the watering hole?" I went to shove my hands in my pockets and realized I was still wearing a skirt.

"It's a clearing in the woods near a lake. It's where all the cool kids go to hangout, be stupid, and drink." Tony chimed in.

"Hmmm parties aren't really my thing but you had me at drink. Let's go."

////////

Jaime led us to the infamous Watering Hole which took us deep into the woods behind the high school. We followed the narrow path that no doubt was created over years of rebellious teens sneaking off in the night.

Stepping over overgrown bushes and thickets I stumbled after my friends, trying to get my eyes to adjust to the darkness. We ducked under low hanging branches as owls hooted and crickets chirped under the moonlight.

I was starting to get antsy. I didn't think we would ever make it to this spot when I started hearing laughter in the distance. The next thing I knew I was bumping into Tony who had abruptly come to a stop in front of me. Like a domino effect, Jack, who had been holding onto the back of my shirt smacked into me.

"Ow dude what the heck?" I rubbed my forehead that had just connected with Tony's shoulder.

"Vic, I think I got a black eye from smashing my face into your head. Why is your skull so hard?" Jack groaned.

"To protect all of my witty remarks. Why were you walking so close to me anyway?"

"I'm afraid of the dark. Don't judge me!"

"My bad, sorry guys. We forgot to prepare you about the crawl space." Tony apologized. In this light I could make out his shape was now crouched on the forest floor.

"Crawl space? I'm not dressed in the proper attire for outdoor activities. In case you all forgot, I'm still in a skirt!"

"Don't be a baby. If those cheerleaders can do backflips in 40 degree weather while wearing a skirt, you can crawl through some dirt." Tony teased.

"Touche." I dropped to my knees and started feeling around in front of me.

The crawl space was a small hole that was made from cutting and moving overgrown branches. There were bushes and leaves completely surrounding you. There would have been no way of noticing it unless you knew it was here.

It felt like my path was clear but I still proceeded with caution. As I moved forward, I started to see a little bit of light in the distance. I turned to the left and suddenly felt grass on my palms. My face was hit with a warm, bright glow of a nearby bonfire.

I blinked slowly, letting my eyes get adjusted to this new light. Pulling myself up off the ground I brushed the dirt off my knees. Jack popped out of the space shortly behind me as we stumbled after Jaime and Tony.

We squeezed our way in between other students as we walked towards the drink table. Well, it wasn't exactly a drink table but a giant tree trunk that must've been dragged out from the woods. A few people had dragged huge boom boxes into the woods and were currently playing Come Out and Play by The Offspring.

There were a bunch of coolers set up with beer bottles shoved in ice. Four kegs sat at the end of the trunk with hundreds of plastic cups stacked beside them.

I contemplated both options but ended up fishing out a bottle, snapping the cap off the corner of a tree stump with ease. I quickly took a long gulp, my eyes narrowing as I tasted the amber liquid. I pulled the bottle back to inspect the label. A microbrew IPA?

"I heard Kellin paid for the beer." Tony appeared next to me, obviously picking up on my facial expression.

"That explains it. Rich bastard." I rolled my eyes before taking another sip.

Tony was still staring at me with a huge smile on his face.

"What?"

"You really like him don't you?"

I pressed my lips together, holding back a smirk. I kept my eyes on him as I tipped my head back and finished my drink.

"I'm going to go get another beer." I replied, not answering his question as I spun around and headed back over to the cooler.

I reached down into the ice, searching for another bottle. When I straightened back up my head bonked into someone else's. I glanced at the culprit, rubbing my forehead for the second time tonight.

"Sorry - oh hey Vic!"

"Elle, hi. Thank you again for helping me with my prank. Hopefully it was as sweet of revenge for me as it was for you." I offered her a smile.

"No problem at all. It was hilarious seeing Kellin so embarrassed. He deserved it for being such a jerk." She replied as she pulled a lipstick tube out of her pocket and started reapplying it with no mirror.

It was then that I realized she was no longer wearing my clothes.

"You're still wearing my skirt." Elle spoke again.

"Oh right. Sorry. Jaime dragged us here immediately after the game. Something about wanting to get here early before all the jock's so he could quote, "lay the groundwork with the ladies." I laughed, sipping my beer.

Elle giggled and copied my movement, taking a sip of her own drink.

"Jaime is your friend with the spiked up hair right? My best friend Rose has the biggest crush on him." She motioned with her head towards a brunette girl standing by the bonfire.

My eyes scanned the crowd and landed on Jaime who was staring longingly at the group of cheerleaders, "Really? I think he would pass out if he knew that."

"We should set them up."

"I am so down for that." I nodded in agreement.

"Well anyways here are your clothes." Elle grabbed my pants and shirt that were tucked away in a purse that fell from her arm.

"Wow thank you so much. I was starting to freeze to death in this thing." I took the folded up clothing from her hands.

Elle smiled again before turning around to give me privacy, "I think you pull it off better than me."

I shimmied out of the skirt, leaving me in my boxers. I quickly put on my worn out jeans and tapped Elle's shoulder letting her know I was clothed.

"Oh yeah? I mean I do have pretty incredible thighs now that you mention it." I chuckled, instantly feeling so much warmer.

Elle grinned, keeping her lips on her beer bottle as she answered, "I'll see you later Vic." She walked over to her friends, leaving me now alone by the drinks.

I looked down at the second empty bottle in my hand. Tossing it in the only black trash bag I could find; I walked away from the bonfire. On the outskirts of the party, I came to a huge tree that was perfectly situated far from the action. It was much darker and secluded over here.

I pressed my back against the wide trunk and slid down it until my butt hit the ground. When I sat, I felt something in the back pocket of my jeans. Upon feeling around, I pulled out a brand new joint. Damn, I forgot that was there.

Pulling my knees up to my chest I fumbled with the lighter I always kept on me and lit the joint. I closed my eyes and breathed in deeply. As I leaned my head against the tree I took note of how the smoke felt in my lungs. I exhaled, letting my eyelids flutter back open. I instantly felt more relaxed.

Suddenly the bushes rustled behind me as Kellin stumbled into view.

"Hey superstar! Think fast!" I called out to him as I peeled off his jersey that I just realized I was still wearing. I balled it up in my hands and tossed it to him, leaving me shirtless.

He jumped, looking confused as he locked eyes with mine. Before he could say something, his jersey smacked him square in the face. He bent down to grab it and to my surprise walked over to me.

"Someone's late to their own party. You played good tonight." I took another drag of my joint, flicking the ash away with my thumb.

"Yeah well I was trying to get this pink out of my hair." Kellin grumbled, running a hand through his locks as he tried to inspect the color.

He must've scrubbed the shit out of it because you could clearly see his dark brown roots. But, it was only a thin strip at the top of his head that returned to his natural shade; the rest of his hair was still bubblegum.

"You should be thanking me." I smirked.

Kellin sat down next to me and pulled a box of cigarettes from his pocket. He dangled one to his lips and I was quick to ignite my lighter. He gave me a small nod as I lit his cigarette. He took a deep inhale before answering.

"Oh yeah why's that?" He kept his gaze straight ahead.

"Because I'm your good luck charm."

He coughed slightly and turned his attention back to me, "You wish." His eyes lingered on me, trailing up my bare torso.

I smiled to myself and grabbed my shirt that was on the ground next to me, pulling it on. I watched Kellin quickly avert his eyes and go back to staring straight ahead.

"Why do you smoke those things? They'll kill you."

"You should talk." He muttered and pointed at my own joint.

"Dude, this is weed. It won't kill you and it makes you feel good." I inhaled again and watched Kellin's eyes narrow.

"Wait, have you never smoked weed before?" I took his silence as my answer and without thinking, I plucked the cigarette from his lips and smushed it into the ground.

I held the joint in between my index and middle finger, holding it out to him, "Try it."

His blue eyes widened in curiosity as he took the joint from me and brought it to his lips. He breathed in deeply just like he had done with his cigarette. The next thing I knew he was coughing.

I held back a laugh, "Okay try again but this time don't take as big of a breath. You can't take that deep of a drag your first time smoking weed."

"Thanks for telling me!" Kellin giggled and smacked my arm playfully. He closed his eyes and took a second, smaller drag, holding it in for a while. When he exhaled, his eyelashes fluttered open and he was smiling.

"Dude."

"Oh I know. Better right?"

"Kellin! Get the fuck over here! Our beer pong championship is being challenged!" Justin yelled over at us, appearing at the edge of the bonfire.

Kellin handed my joint back to me and stood up, starting to walk backwards towards his friends, "Well that's my queue. I need a drink."

"You know where to find me if you need your good luck charm."

A small smile spread across his face as he stuck his tongue out at me and flipped me off, disappearing among the crowd of people.

Now I needed a drink.

Author's Note

Hey everyone! What did y'all think of this chapter? I'm super excited to write the rest of the party in the next update. What are you thinking might happen as the party continues?

Also wow I didn't expect this to be so long, I can't believe I was originally going to try and fit the entire party into one chapter lmao.

Anyways, it's Vic's Birthday!!!!! Woohoo. A big thank you to him for writing music that I quite literally grew up it and don't know where I'd be without it.

I hope you're all staying safe and feeling okay during these weird times. Remember that you're worthy of happiness and greatness. If anyone tries to make you feel otherwise, fuck them.

Thank you again for your comments and likes. Your support has meant so much to me. Writing for y'all has just been so incredibly rewarding in so many ways.

Also this is unedited so I apologize if there's any errors.

Until the next one - Cassidy :)