[center][h3][color=0072bc]~ Dominic Lambert[/color][/h3]
[color=7ea7d8][b]Vanessa's Beach House[/b][/color][/center]

As his head darted around the room, Dom's sight shifted at a rattling noise that was becoming closer each second. Vanessa had actually bothered to set him up a plate, which while very nice of her, it would probably taste bitter because of the fresh mint. Regardless, he couldn't say no so he took the plate, threw a smirk and thanked her as she got back to her couch after making a comment about his fresh breath. So she had noticed. He could never notice the extra attention he got since she acted like that with almost everyone. In came Robyn, the country girl. Her behavior ticked Dom off right from the start. She didn't even acknowledge him, which isn't something she would normally do, and her body language was weirdly ominous. He did let out a smile when she mentioned fireworks, though. He enjoyed watching fireworks. As Vanessa got up again to fix Robyn a plate, Dom decided to engage the country girl in conversation. [b][color=0072bc]"Where did you get that firepower, Birdie? Dad's stash?"[/color][/b], he put on a smug grin, turning just in time to catch the soft drink Vanessa tossed at him. Great. He could drown the taste of mint with a soda. As he took a sip, his face got more sour. It felt like there was an entire bee hive taking shelter in his nose. Putting his plate aside, he drank a couple of times more until he got used to the taste. 

In was Candy. [b][i][color=0072bc]"Finally someone to keep me occupied."[/color][/i][/b], Dominic thought, smirking to no one in particular. She began greeting everyone, although she was visibly disgusted at seeing him, which was good. A sassy Candy was what he needed to get through his awkward interactions with Vanessa. She went on to hug Robyn, but instead of breaking away almost immediately, she lingered for a while as if saying something to her ear. First Robyn, now her. Those two were definitely plotting something, and usually when Candy plotted something, Dominic was her target. He had to stand on his toes, lay off the alcohol and the weed. It was not like he was gonna get drunk/high anyway, considering he was planning to get home by the night. He couldn't leave his sister unsupervised. 

[color=00aeef]"Ew, it's you. Hey loser, you actually wore something decent. Where's your holiday spirit, though?"[/color], she asked before skipping over to the garden to get herself a burger, leaving Dominic with no chance to respond. It was true, Dom was not much of a patriot. But then again no one mentioned anything about a dress code. Dominic put his plate down and then got up, speaking in a tone higher than his usual one. [color=0072bc][b]"No hug for me?"[/b][/color]. His attention diverted at Vanessa who, for some reason, was sitting on the floor. It seemed like she had fallen. Dom was about to move and help her get up, but she was perfectly capable of doing it on her own. 

[color=ff6363][b]"So, I see you guys brought extra bags. Good thing I brought air mattresses and blankets for everyone."[/b][/color], Vanessa uttered. 
[b][color=0072bc]"About that..."[/color][/b], Dominic said, a hint of disappointment detected in his tone. [b][color=0072bc]"...I'm afraid I can't stay here until morning. Natalie's alone in the house, and she won't let me get her a babysitter. So, I'm gonna have to drive back at some point."[/color][/b]. He really wanted to be part of the sleepover, but he couldn't. He had no time to delve into that though, as Candy had returned and was asking him to proceed. At first, he was dumbfounded. [i][color=0072bc][b]"Proceed with what?"[/b][/color][/i], he thought for a second before his brain was able to recall her earlier statement about the holiday spirit. Letting out a snicker, he quipped back. [b][color=0072bc]"Sorry. I left my patriotism viagra pills at home."[/color][/b], he moved a few confident steps towards her. [b][color=0072bc]"You, on the other hand. Wow. How many American flags did you and your posse violate just so that you could tailor yourself this outfit?"[/color][/b], he eyed her clothes, circling around her like a kindergarten kid playing a game of 'Doggy, Doggy, where's your bone'. He then decided to sit back on his place, near Seamus and grab onto his plate. He took a bite off the burger. It was just as good as it smelled. And his taste of fresh mint had already left, so 'yay!' to that. 

From then on, Dom remained in a seated position. In came John who decided to sit near Dom and Seamus. Dominic actually moved a little bit to the left so that John could take the middle. He disliked being the guy in the middle. [color=19D175]"Yo Dom, how have you been?"[/color], John said. 
[b][color=0072bc]"I've been good bud. How have YOU been?"[/color][/b], Dominic responded, his English not as comprehensible as before due to his mouth being full. That burger tasted good. It was then that he noticed Bryce was in, as he nodded in acknowledgement, before turning his head back to John who was leaning dangerously close to Seamus.