[Cute fan art in the multimedia for that one person who wanted me to draw Eli and Calvin's first picture together.]

Chapter 18

"Another party? You're joking, right?"

Yani was leaning against the island counter of her kitchen, drinking from a Capri Sun because her cousins left a pack behind the last time they were here. She smiled innocently at me and replied, "Don't worry, gringo. I won't go chugging down beers like the last time."

"Still, it's a risky idea considering you're barely ungrounded," I said. "I'm surprised your parents are letting you go."

She sipped her Capri Sun, finishing it up and making a loud, obnoxious and awkward slurp noise. I face-palmed and added, "They don't know, do they?"

"Of course not," she said, "I'm lucky they're even allowing me to go to my cousin Adrianna's quinceañera two weeks from now. Not like I want to go porque ella es chiflada, but still."

"And you're going to sneak out, or what?," I asked, grabbing my own Capri Sun from the fridge.

She threw her emptied pouch into the trash can and said, "That's where I was looking for your help."

Immediately, our gazes met and I shook my head. "Yani, I'm not helping you sneak out."

"I won't sneak out!," she said, "In fact, all I'm doing is spending some time with my best friend next Saturday, right?" She gave me a suggestive look and I sighed.

"Look, I know friends are supposed to be there for each other and convince them out of stupid shit, but I'm warning you that if you get in trouble, it is not on me."

"Of course," she chimed.

I leaned against the counter with her and drank from my Capri Sun. Playfully, she nudged my shoulder and said, "Thanks, bestie."

"Mmm-hmmm," I murmured.

"How are things with Eli going?," she asked.

Holding the Capri Sun against my chest, I smiled and answered, "We're doing fine. Did you know he's taking advanced Physics? And apparently he just got moved into a pre-Calculus class instead of Algebra two."

"Damn."

"I know! He's so cool!~," I awed.

"Not to be mean, but I didn't expect that kind of stuff from him," she remarked cautiously.

"Ah, he gets that all the time," I assured her, "Even his teachers were a little surprised to have him."

"Do you know his other classes?," she asked, tossing back her sleek, black hair as she walked to the fridge again.

"Aside from Physics and pre-Cal, he has regular English three and US History," I said.

"And electives?"

"Sociology, P.E., and Professional Communications," I answered without hesitation.

Yani stared at me for a moment before reaching into the fridge to get out some food items. "Does he want to be a social worker?"

I blinked and shrugged. "I don't know. He doesn't even know what he wants to be."

"Sounds like that's what he's heading for, then," she retorted as she started making sandwiches for us to eat. "Carlos took those kinds of classes, and he's studying more in college."

"Thought he was going for mechanical engineering," I said.

"That's what our dad wanted," she corrected, "but Carlos had other plans. They still have a little beef about it to this day. But enough about my brother. Do you know what career you're going for?"

Tapping my chin, I hummed and thought hard. When I got tired of thinking, I just shrugged and finished my Capri Sun. Yani smirked at me and stated, "You're really good at graphic design. People get paid a lot of money for being web designers."

"Yeah, I know."

"I know Oscar told me he wanted to work on video gaming," she mentioned, "That's a good industry. He even practices coding in his spare time, which already sounds hard in theory."

"He told you that?"

She nodded. "I told him we could exchange numbers and I've started up small conversations with him for a while now. He really wants to be a game developer, and I hope he does. The ideas he tells me are really special."

I chuckled. "That guy would do anything to make those ideas come to life. No doubt he will, though. He's good at what he does. And you? What's your plan?"

She snickered and replied, "Still got nothing."

"That makes three of us then," I said. "You, me, and Eli."

She passed me a completed sandwich and picked up her own. Together, we bumped them against each other as a toast and ate.

•••

"Would I make a good web designer?," I asked Eli. The two of us were sitting on my bed, trying to pick out a movie to watch on my computer. It was just us for the time being while my parents were out on a little date.

"I'm sure you would," he said a little too nonchalantly.

I peered up at him while I laid on his lap and said, "Honestly."

"I am honest," he argued, ceasing his movie browsing to glance down at me. I started playing with the zipper of his jacket as he added, "I've seen your work around the school, you know. Especially the new logo you did for the band."

"You like it?"

"As much as the band kids love it," he said, smiling at me. He started caressing his thumb against my cheek as he went on, "Why are you asking about being a web designer?"

"Just thought it would be neat," I answered casually.

"I'm sure it would be," he agreed. "if you're happy with it and everything."

"So...if I wanted to be a stripper and that made me happy, you'd support me?~"

"Only if I get a special discount," he remarked.

I chuckled and brushed my hand against his jaw. Then, I propped myself up to plant a kiss to his neck. A satisfied sigh left his lips and I couldn't help but kiss his skin even more.

Eventually, I picked myself up and straddled him, pleasantly surprising him. Eli placed his hands on my hips, holding them tightly as I sat on his lap, biting at his neck. Delicately, I moved my lips up to his ear and started biting at it. He groaned when I seemed to bite too hard and I apologized in a whisper. All he did was smirk as he slipped his hands under my shirt and caressed my stomach and sides. A blush reached my face and I hid myself in the crook of Eli's neck, kissing his skin softly.

"Are you practicing for that special discount already?," he teased, brushing his fingers along my back, sending shivers through me.

"Maybe...," I murmured, wrapping my arms around his neck.

He pulled my head back so that he could look at me, and I suddenly found myself mesmerized by his warm, brown eyes. Firmly, he placed a hand against the side of my face and played with my bottom lip using his thumb. "You know what... I wouldn't want you to be a stripper," he remarked.

"Why is that?"

He smirked and I found myself swooning on the inside seeing that expression. He pressed his thumb against both of my lips and stated in a sultry voice, "Because then other people would see your body, and I don't want them to. I want to be the only one."

Closing my eyes, I shivered and parted my lips slightly to mumble, "You can be the only one."

His thumb began rolling softly across my lips until I couldn't take it anymore and opened my mouth. Eagerly, I sucked and twisted my tongue around, closing my eyes as I did, a bit of saliva slipping past my lips. After a minute of  me ravishing his thumb, he pulled it out and grabbed my chin.

"All of your body?," he asked.

I nodded, unable to have any coherent thoughts other than that I was getting immensely turned on. Eli's hands started trailing down to the hem of my pants and I silently urged him to pull them off.

"What do you want me to do to your body?," he whispered in my ear, tugging at my belt loops, teasing me.

Quietly, I replied, "T-Touch it..."

"How?" He gave me his hand, wanting me to guide him to my desires. Flustered, I grabbed his wrist and placed his hand on my chest. He squeezed and groped my muscle tight and I groaned with pleasure.

"That's all?," he asked, almost a little surprised.

I shook my head and started moving his hand down my stomach to the hem of my pants. That's where I stopped, nervous for whatever reason. My heart was pounding hard and my body was growing hot.

Eli moved his hand on his own, fumbling his fingers to unbutton my pants. Still holding his hand, I let him do his thing until I felt him tug on my boxer-briefs. In my trance, I pulled my shirt up to my neck, gripping it tightly. Eli leaned forward to kiss at my chest while he started massaging my hard-on.

"Take your pants off," he murmured against my skin.

With excitement coursing through my veins, I shifted my position so I could tug my pants off like he said. Carelessly, I tossed them onto the floor and sat on Eli again, waiting eagerly for another little command. Instead, he grabbed onto my chin and kissed me deeply, reaching down into my boxer-briefs to stroke me. I whimpered and clutched onto the sides of his head, digging my fingers into his soft, dark locks of hair. My hips squirmed and bucked from the pleasure of his hand stroking me while he bit and licked my lips hungrily.

Using trembling fingers, I started undoing his belt and tugging at his pants, too. He smirked against our kiss and pumped my cock harder, making me whine.

He broke the kiss abruptly and whispered, "Do you want me to touch you more?"

I nodded.

"Do you want me to take my clothes off?"

I nodded, more eagerly this time.

Eli chuckled deeply and added, "Do you want me to...fuck you?"

I felt like I was going to lose it right then and there hearing him say that. My body shivered significantly and I gripped his pants tightly. Biting my lip, I nodded tentatively this time and glanced at Eli's seductive gaze. The heat I was feeling was overwhelming, melting my thoughts and making each touch more sensitive than the last.

Eli slowly ran his hands over my thighs until he started tugging my boxer-briefs down. My mind fluttering, I wrapped my arms around Eli's neck and leaned into him as he pulled my underwear down as far as it could go in my position. I was shaking like I never thought I could as Eli caressed his hands over the curve of my butt, then squeezed. I mewled, then bit my lip because of how weird it sounded coming from my mouth. During all of this, I had unzipped Eli's pants and rubbed his bulge. Even still, my fingers trembled.

"Calvin...," Eli sighed my name, stroking my cock while caressing my ass so tenderly. His lips kissed against my neck, making me squirm more and more. My breathing grew heavier the more he touched me, and the anticipation of his fingers reaching places never touched before gnawed at me. This is it. This is actually going to happen. With Eli. Us. Just us. Alone. Eager. Us. It's happening.

And suddenly I felt a change in myself. Instead of trembling out of excitement, I trembled from another emotion that racked my body intensely. Eli felt something new touch his neck where I hid my face and reacted.

"Calvin?," he called out to me, pulling my head away to reveal an aggressively pink-faced, crying me.

His expression changed significantly and instead of his daring, eager gaze, his eyes shined with concern. "Hey, hey, hey, wh-what's wrong?," he questioned me, moving his hands to my waist instead.

Embarrassment rushed through me, making me tear up even more, and I covered my face. "N-Nothing, I just... I-It's nothing..."

"Calvin..."

Carefully, he grabbed my wrists and pulled my hands down so he could look at my face. I didn't want him to because I knew how terrible my crying face looked. Desperately, I drooped or turned my head away so he wouldn't see me, but he always moved my head to face him. Not too long after, I gave up trying to hide and let him watch me cry.

He wiped a tear away from my cheek as he asked me, "Did I hurt you? Did I do something wrong?"

Sniffling, I shook my head.

"Then...why are you crying...?"

I rubbed my hand against my chin to take away the tears hanging there, and replied, "I...I don't know."

His eyes widened when he gulped and asked, "I didn't bring up some horrible memory...did I?"

"N-No," I assured him and his features relaxed a little. "I...I guess I got scared."

"Why would you be scared of me?"

"No...," I muttered past my hand. "Not you. And not scared... It's just...," --it was hard to force the words out of my throat--, "I've never had sex before..."

Eli brushed my hair back and added, "And you got really nervous..."

I nodded, avoiding his gaze again.

He managed a soft smile and told me, "Calvin, we don't have to do anything if you don't want to."

I paused for a moment. "We don't...?"

"No," he affirmed. "I'm not going to force anything, and you shouldn't do that to yourself either. You're not ready, so I'll wait until you are."

Despite my still falling tears, and my nasally voice from crying, I murmured, "Really? You'll do that?"

He smiled as his eyes softened and said, "Of course, you doof. Now stop crying before I nibble those tears away."

"Nibble?," I questioned, before he started kissing at my cheeks. Giggling, I hugged him close and closed my eyes, my tears and nerves ceasing as Eli tickled my skin with his lips.

After he finished and rested his head on my shoulder, I nuzzled my face into his neck and murmured, "Eli..?"

"Hmm?"

With my chest against his, I wondered if he could feel my heart beating hard; beating in a way that it hasn't before, beating for him. I wondered if the words that wanted to come out of my mouth were okay to say. I wondered if the butterflies in my stomach meant something more. For the first time ever, I was unsure and nervous of the things I wanted to say--because I don't want to look like an idiot, because I don't want to scare him, because he means too much to me now--but eventually my body moved on without my thoughts (as usual) and I confessed to Eli...

"I really, really like you..."

His strong arms tightened around me more and I felt warmer in his embrace. I was nervous again, scared of what he'll say. Did I confess too early? Was now not a good time? Does he not feel the same? Did I sound stupid to him? I was freaking out by myself in his arms where I should've felt the most comfortable.

Finally, lifting his head, Eli kissed my lips, sweet and deep, then whispered back to me, "I really, really like you, too..." Looking into his eyes, I could recognize the requited emotions I felt towards him.

My body fluttered with giddiness and relief as we pressed our foreheads together, holding each other tenderly. My face flushed out of happiness more than embarrassment and all I could do was hug Eli tightly. The nervousness I had before dissipated as we sat in tranquil silence for a good while.

Playing coy all of a sudden, I laid down on my back next to Eli and dragged him on top of me. His eyes were wide as he murmured, "I thought you didn't want to..."

"No, but you can't leave me all hot and bothered," I purred, caressing his jaw.

He cocked an eyebrow and smirked. "Maybe I should leave you that way. Maybe I should make you beg a little."

"Please make me~," I moaned.

For the first time since that night in the park after Sorhinsky's party, Eli's face went beet red and he had to look away as he held his mouth. I chuckled mischievously and dug my fingers in his hair again. "Eli.~"

"God damn," he grumbled as he leaned down to kiss my neck. His teeth pressed against my skin in sensitive places, making me bite my lip and mewl again. I slipped my hands over my head and clutched at the pillow under me, leaving myself vulnerable to Eli's kisses and caresses. I closed my eyes and enjoyed every delicious hickey and bite mark he left on my skin. His lips traversed lower and lower down my body, until I gasped as he took in my aching cock. Grasping at his hair, I laid there and squirmed sensually, delighting in every second that passed that he devoted to me, and only me.

Ah, so much for watching a movie...~

•••

I was putting on my zebra tops when Yani came into my room from my bathroom, her hair and make-up done fabulously. One glance at my feet and she gave me a look. "Again with the zebra tops."

"Of course!," I exclaimed, raising my leg in the air like a showgirl. She laughed and waited by my bedroom door, holding a purse in hand. After I was done putting my shoes on, I jumped to my feet and announced, "Ready to go."

"Awesome," my best friend chimed before opening the door so we could head out. We said our brief good-byes to my parents, who were hanging out in the kitchen. They told us the usual: be careful, don't get involved with random strangers, call if anything happens, and have fun. If they knew we were going to a party, they would've added the "don't drink" part, but we're only going to "Yani's chiflada cousin's quinceañera". (I was a bit under-dressed but they didn't seem to mind.)

We left my house to get to Yani's car and as soon as we hopped in, Yani asked me, "So Eli isn't going to come along?"

I shook my head, assuring her for the third time this week. As much as I wanted Eli to come to the party, too, he was busy tonight with pre-Cal assignments. Due to him missing the first few weeks of the class, he had to catch up and this was his only chance to do so. Ah, my honey staying behind to work on stuff I can't stand to think about--so cool!~

"Is Oscar coming?," I asked.

She shook her head as she started the car and answered, "He didn't feel up to coming. It's just you and I. Let's start our night, shall we?"

"We shall," I chimed dramatically as Yani drove away from the curb and down the road.

•••

Sorhinsky wasn't throwing the party, but I did see him hanging out by the front yard when Yani was looking for a place to park. Some other guy from another school was hosting the party in celebration of something cool he did. He pretty much invited his entire senior class, and word got to our school, and Yani's girl friends told her to come, so now we're here.

It was in the suburbs again and there were rows of cars parked along either side of the neighborhood street. Yani had to park far away again because there wasn't any space to park nearby, and we got out of the car. We walked together along the sidewalk and arrived at the front yard of the house. People already greeted us and tried handing us a few drinks from a cooler, but we declined politely.

Music fanned out from the front door when we walked in. Some teens were dancing a bit stupidly, while others chatted by the walls or hollered for no reason whatsoever. Mostly everyone had drinks with them, which they were eager to share with anyone that seemed to pass by. As expected, most of the people here were unrecognizable since they were from a different school.

Yani met up with a few of her friends and I tagged along while taking in the scenery around me. That's when I suddenly felt a little bit uncomfortable upon realizing mostly everyone was foreign to me. There were a few people I saw from my school, even from my grade level, but in these kinds of settings it's hard to converse with anyone. It's a lot of shouting and disregarding what you're saying because you keep having to repeat yourself. It's also a lot of trying not to get dragged into messy dancing.

To be honest, these parties aren't my thing, despite the kind of person I am. I don't want to drink possibly crappy beer, or share a restroom with other people, or get dragged into a game "gone sexual". I love hanging out at home, watching movies, playing video games, and eating junk food with my friends. The first party I ever went to was because Yani convinced me to go, and I like going with her. Plus, there's always this weird sense of obligation that I have to her well-being as soon as she mentions a party. I'm not an intimidating guy, but still... Agh, parties are just egh.

Yani was already playing a little game with her girl friends and a few other strangers (thankfully no alcohol involved). They all tried inviting me to join but I declined. All I did was watch and cheer Yani on as she kept trying to toss a water bottle onto a little tray a guy was moving around with.

Ten minutes later, Eli texted me asking me how the party was going. I texted back immediately.

Me: It's going pretty well! I'm a little bored though... Wish you were here too, just to have some fun! ('∀' )

Eli: Sorry, babe. Maybe next time. But I'm there with you in spirit.

Me: That's not the same... -_- I need my man with me.

Eli: Your man is there with you in spirit.

Me: Alright, alright... How's the pre-Cal work??

A couple of minutes later, Eli sent me a photo of his lap with scribbled papers and pens around him on his bed sheet. Then he sent a photo of himself looking tired with a pencil behind his ear. I smiled, feeling giddy, and texted him again.

Me: You're adorable.

Eli: I'm suffering.

Me: Still adorable! (ㅅ˘ㅂ˘)

Eli: (눈‸눈)

Me: OMG EMOJI!!! ( '♡' *)

Eli: Cutie.

Me: ＼(●'ϖ'●)／

Someone tapped me on the shoulder and I looked up. One of Yani's girl friends was there to smile and ask me, "Calvin, could you grab me a beer from the kitchen? It's right next door."

"Oh, sure," I said as I pocketed my phone. Maneuvering past people, I made my way to the kitchen. Walking in, I was greeted with the sight of guys laughing aloud by the island counter, probably completely drunk. Among them was Sorhinsky, his face bright red and beaming with a smile. I asked him where the beers were, and all of the guys looked around for them.

"Ahhh, shit, where are they?," one guy mumbled.

"Dude, we fuckin' lost the beers. Ha!," slurred another drunken teen.

"Pssh, no worries! My bro," --Sorhinsky clapped my shoulder, almost losing his balance--, "why don't you check outside? There's coolers out there and stuff."

"Thanks," I said, right before he fell over and his friends cackled at him. I awkwardly made my way out of the kitchen and headed outside to the front yard. When I got there, it turned out the cooler got moved to the backyard so neighbors wouldn't see it. A little overwhelmed by my unnecessary quest, I opened the gate on the side of the house to get to the backyard.

There were more groups of partying teenagers in the spacious backyard, and almost in the center was the big, blue cooler. Sighing with relief, I strolled over and opened it up to grab a cold can of beer. As soon as I closed it and turned around, I bumped into someone.

"Crap, sorry, buddy," I said, stepping back to give them space. But upon seeing who it was, I froze.

Wesley grinned down at me and replied, "Well, hey there, Creep. Haven't run into you in a while. I wasn't expecting you to come to this party."

Managing a smile, I shrugged and answered, "Well, you know me! I get around, hehe..."

He looked around the yard before saying, "Actually, I don't know very much about you... I think maybe we should have a chat."

"N-No, I think you know plenty--!"

"Don't be so rude, buddy," he growled, clutching onto my wrist, bearing a menacing grin.

I gulped and nodded, knowing full well that everyone around us was too busy to notice this. As Wesley wrapped an arm around my shoulders to lead us away to the side of the house, I looked toward the open backdoor and figured out a plan. Once we were within five feet of the patio, I yanked myself away from the blonde haired man and dashed inside. Without any regard for anyone else, I shoved past people to find the lounge room Yani was last in. I made my way past the main room where people danced, and had to shake grinding, drunk teens off of me a couple of instances.

As soon as I saw the back of Yani's head, I smiled with relief. But then I turned back and Wesley was way too close by for comfort. I tried bolting into the lounge room, but a wall of people suddenly got in my way and I rushed to the front door as a desperate, last measure.

I found myself jumping over the front steps and nearly stumbling onto the walkway. Teens who hung around outside stared at me funny as I panted and looked around for another escape path.

"Running is pretty immature of you, don't you think?," a voice called out behind me. I whipped around and saw Wesley coming down the front steps. He smirked and added, "I'm not that scary, am I?"

I didn't answer him.

He scoffed and asked, "Where's your boyfriend, Creep? Don't tell me he left you already. After one beautiful month?"

Narrowing my eyes at him, I asked, "How did you know it's only been one month and not two?"

"I'm not a fucking idiot, Calvin," he grumbled, "It's pretty obvious when the most intimidating delinquent and the queerest guy in school start acting a little funny. It wasn't two months like you told everyone."

"Queerest guy in school, huh? Think yearbook will use that title?," I joked.

Wesley's eye twitched and he replied, "So where is he?"

"Eli's at home," I said.

He smirked again. "No one to protect you then?"

"There are other people here..."

"Like they give a shit about some random guy wearing stupid-ass zebra shoes," he growled.

"Hey," I gasped, offended, "I will have you know these are part Gucci."

"The eighties want their shoes back, dumb-ass."

"The eighties can suck it because I'm not giving these glorious shoes back!"

"Well--."

"You wish you could rock these shoes as well as I can! They won't work with a rude-ass who doesn't know fashion when he sees it--!"

"Enough with the fucking shoes!," Wesley hissed. "Let's have that chat."

"I think the fuck not."

"I think it isn't up to you," he growled as he came towards me. Quickly, I ducked out of his way and stood behind him. Wesley, annoyed, turned back around and glared at me.

"Get away from me," I said.

"Or what? You're gonna kick me with your part Gucci shoes like a little bitch?"

"Maybe."

"I'd like to see you try! Go ahead! Kick me!"

Wesley opened up his chest to me, stretching his arms out in a challenge. I sneered as he laughed at me, waiting for me to make a move, but I wouldn't.

"That's what I thought," he said, "You won't do shit. You're weak as shit. Nothing but a little, weak-ass homo with no one to defend him! Who are you without your precious Eli, huh? That's right: nothing!!"

Suddenly, he lunged for me and I ended up kicking him hard in the thigh. He groaned and stumbled back a bit, but then recovered and scowled at me, furious.

"You told me to kick you," I muttered.

"Piece of shit...!," he snapped, before coming at me again.

Out of panic, I stepped back and threw the beer can (that I had kept with me this whole time) at his head. Luckily for him, he ducked just in time, but then we were both startled by a loud crash. Confused, we looked toward the direction of the noise, halting whatever fight might have ensued.

Parked by the curb, near the mailbox, was a red truck, bearing a white skull on the hood, with a broken passenger's window. I gasped and held my mouth, suddenly worried that I just fucked up some poor guy's truck with a damn beer can.

Wesley, on the other hand, growled aloud and clutched at his hair, panicking more. "What the fuck, what the fuck, what the fuck?!"

"Wh-Why are you freaking out so much??," I murmured.

He whipped around to face me and I was surprised by the wild look in his eyes. "Are fucking kidding me?!"

"Well, I know I just broke some dude's window but--."

"That truck doesn't belong to any other fucking dude, Calvin!!"

"Who?!

"You seriously don't know who?!"

"That's why I'm asking you!!"

He groaned loudly and paced around the front yard before responding, "That's Anthony Turner's car!"

"Who?"

"You fucking idiot--that's our rival school's scariest delinquent! Y'know, the dude who planted dead cats in our football field??"

"Oh shit, that dude?"

"Yes, that dude! And you just fucked up his truck!!"

I scratched the back of my head and said, "I mean, it was an accident so I'm sure--."

Wesley started laughing a little too manically and said, "Y-You don't get it, Turner is fucking crazy, alright? At a party, I only asked his girlfriend where the beers were and he almost socked me in the face, okay?! He's not gonna be like 'oh, you broke my window on accident, pssh, that's okay, this is all a misunderstanding'! Nah, we're better off sucking his dick and killing ourselves in front of him, Calvin! So, if you want to wait around and try explaining that this was an accident, be my guest, but I'm fuckin' out of here!!!"

"W-Wait--!"

"No, fuck you! Go away!"

Wesley stormed off of the front yard and down the dimly lit sidewalk, leaving me in silence. Blood rushing through my veins, I disregarded him and ran back inside the house to get Yani.

When I found her, she was chatting with other people in the lounge room. As soon as I grabbed her, I said, "Yani, we have to go!"

"Huh? But we barley got here--."

"We. Have. To. Go!!!"

With one more yank, I pulled her along with me and held onto her arm all the way back to her car. Once we got in, she asked, "What the hell is going on?"

"I'll explain while we're driving, now start the car," I ordered, exasperated. Still freaked out, Yani turned on the engine and shifted the car out of park.

By the time Yani dropped me off at home, she and I agreed that what happened tonight never happened.