Leo and Freddy tossed a ball back and forth in the quad outside St. Joseph's hall. Other boys from the school passed by; they were dressed in casual attire for a day off, caps, jumpers, and ankle boots.

"Wanna sneak out tonight?" Leo asked, as he shot the ball to Freddy in a perfect arc.

"You wanna get in trouble again?" Freddy held the ball still for a moment, "Before we've even served a detention?"

"Come on. I'm bored. We won't even go into town, just to drink ale in the countryside."

"You want to go get drunk and sit in the grass?" Freddy mused, chuckling slightly, then sending the ball back to Leo in a swift motion.

"Well when you say it like that, it just sounds lame."

"It is lame." Freddy scolded, but Leo continued to give him puppy dog eyes, "Fine. But if we get caught, you're doing my laundry for a month."

"Deal." Leo smirked.

.....

That night at ten, once the final bell had rung letting them know everyone would be in bed, the two boys poked from their rooms. They were wearing nightshirts, but had boots on for the walk.

"Alright. Let's see the haul." Freddy whispered, as he walked down the hall to Leo's bedroom. Leo had snuck into the kitchen earlier to see if he could find any alcohol. On Leo's bed sat an assortment of bottles each with labels signalling various kinds of gin, ale, or cheap cooking wine.

"Grab what you like." Leo smiled, and Freddy knelt to pick up the bottle of gin. "Accept that one. That ones mine." Freddy chuckled at his friend and grabbed what he assumed was a beer. He wasn't quite sure how much the staff used the contraband, but he was sure Monsieur Carmichael got into it every once in a while. The two boys grabbed their bottles and started out towards the front gates. Monsieur Carmichael's lights were on, but his snoring could be heard from the hallway, so the boys decided to risk it anyway. The gate from the Maior side had been left open, so they passed through with ease. There was a little road that would lead them to town, but otherwise the school was surrounded by hills and trees. Careful not to get lost, they made their way over to a little creek they had found while sneaking out as firstyears. There were two tree stumps next to it, that fashioned well as stools, and they sat under the stars, grimacing at the repulsive taste of beer.

Despite their lack of experience in drinking, the night was cool, with a slight breeze, and it was pleasant to sit in the dark, especially in good company. Freddy didn't intend to get drunk, he just wanted to be a little fizzy to take the edge off. Leo, on the other hand, seemed hellbent on getting drunk off his rocker.

"Slow down." Freddy scolded.

"Nah. You hurry up." Leo smirked, taking another swig from his bottle. "Let's go for a swim." He said after a moment.

"We haven't brought our bathing costumes."

"So? We're all alone. Let's just go in naked." Leo suggested.

"You're sick."

"Come on. I'm dying for a swim." Leo said standing from his stump. The water was moving quite fast in the creek, but the current wouldn't be strong enough to pull them in. It sparkled purple with the stars glowing like diamonds buried in the sand. "Not gonna make me go in alone? Are You?" Leo smiled, removing his night shirt and boots, and placing them in the sand on the shore of the creek. The moon reflected off the white of Leo's back, and Freddy sighed slowly, then removed his clothes in turn and set them next to Leo's. Freddy stood still as the water lapped at his feet. It was icy, but he began to wade in anyway. Leo was fully submerged, doing backstrokes and such. Freddy chuckled, and slid in up to his neck, shivering at the chill. When he stood it reached his waist, and he ducked his head under, shaking out his brown hair. Leo snuck up behind him, and dunked him into a water, moments later they began wrestling in the cold water. Their movement caused waves lapping towards the bank. Freddy shot up with a breath, and wiped his face.

"Wait." He stopped. At the river bank where they had left their clothes, the water had eroded the dirt, created a bit of a ledge, and the boys rough play had cracked the ledge off. Their clothes were covered in mud, and rushing down the river as the current pulled left. "Shit" Freddy called. He pulled himself out of the creek, and began running as the river pulled the clothes further and further. 

     "Catch them!" Leo called, as he began swimming after them. Freddy ran by trees and over hills, but the current sped faster than he could. By the time the creek widened into a river Leo was out of Freddy's sight. The river then came to a cliff, and Freddy dove into the ground to try and reach his nightshirt, but the sullied white fabric just avoided his fingers. "Shit. Shit. Shit." A frustrated Freddy cussed. He couldn't find his way over the cliff, so he'd just have to sneak back into the school butt-ass naked. The river led him back to where Leo sat in the grass, shivering and still dripping with water. They shared a knowing look.

     "What do you expect us to do?" Freddy asked, gesturing to himself.

     "Sneak back in just like we snuck out?" Leo suggested. The water had done one good thing, in sobering him up. The two naked boys, glowing in reflection of the moonlight, picked their way back over the hill, until finally the school came into view. They rushed over to the gate, which had hung unlocked when they'd left. It now sat locked tight, taunting them.

     "How you gonna get me out o' this one, huh?" Freddy wacked Leo. 

     "Where do we go?" Leo asked. Freddy looked around. They could hide in the Church, but they were sure to be found there, or...

     "The Parebant gate is unlocked," Freddy gestured to the lock which hung limply from the gate. 

     "Then what? They fry us alive when they find the naked Maiors poking 'round the Parebant dorms."

     "I've got a friend in there; he'll hide us.... at least I hope he will." Freddy assured himself.

     "You hope?" Leo questioned. 

     "Got any other ideas braniac? We can't just sit out here naked all night." Leo relented and the two boys started through the halls. Freddy wasn't quite sure where George's room was, but he knew it was in Regina Caelorum. The two walked the hall, until Freddy noticed a rosary hanging from a doorknob. He wasn't positive that was George's room, but it was the best indicator they had gotten so far. Gathering his courage, and covering his privates, Freddy reached with his free hand to knock harshly on the door. There were a few thumps and stummblings of a person making their way out of bed, and then the peekhole door popped open, and sure enough George's face peered back at them through the whole.

     "Hi-" Freddy began, but was cut off by George stifling a squeal, and then slamming the peekhole shut again."'That went well, I'd say."