[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/FEoCtv2.png[/img][hr] [img]https://i.imgur.com/QkNWalx.gif[/img][img]https://78.media.tumblr.com/e4f1d783b2233e906a97b416e1c432f5/tumblr_inline_ovte95TfL71s6az9p_400.gif[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/mwqN0gz.gif[/img] [color=9C3042]Issa[/color] | [color=583074]Grayson[/color] | [color=0066FF]Pippa[/color] [sub][url=https://i.imgur.com/6BrOrLY.jpg]Lambswool[/url] | [url=https://i.imgur.com/mxmvN5g.jpg/]Tall Dark & Handsome[/url] | [url=https://image.ibb.co/eDenu6/dg.png]Retro Pixie[/url][/sub] [hr][/center] “Where do you think you’re going? You have practice tomorrow!” Grayson’s dad beckoned as he got all prim and proper for the New Year’s party he was surprisingly invited to. Grayson’s mother didn’t bat an eye as all the rogue programming in her Stepford body had been purged by his father’s command. Alas, Grayson was able to fight his own battles now, not that he wasn’t before. [color=plum]“It’s a holiday old man, there’s no school or practice. I’ll be back later. Oh, and I’m taking the Gran Torino.”[/color] With the last fidgeting of his fingers through his dirty blond hair to encapsulate his rebel look, he was finally content with the way he channeled his inner James Dean. [color=plum][i]”Not like you could drive it anyways.”[/i][/color] he said under his breath. “What was that?!” his father bellowed, drool pouring down the side of his mouth like a rabid dog, clearly provoked. [color=plum]“Happy New Year, Pops.”[/color] Grayson said with a gritted smile. Grabbing his keys to his familiar 1969 Ford Torino GT, he quickly shuffled onto the door and into the garage. Ripping the covers off the timeless beast gave life to the small particles of dust that had collected from its last use. It was kind of like Christmas all over again. Throwing back the convertible top, Grayson hopped in and palmed the firm leather steering wheel. The engine roared as his fingers slipped the keys into the ignition and turned with such ferocity, tonight would be a good night if any. Fingering the 8 track of Phil Collins into the player the crisp sound of [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YkADj0TPrJA][i]In the Air Tonight[/i][/url] began to electrify the air. Goosebumps running down his arms with the tinge of adrenaline left him burning rubber down the streets, leaving nothing but burnt tired marks inlaid in the asphalt behind him. The streets were empty and still with the guidance of the luminescent streetlights, the cool night's wind breezed through Grayson’s body like a refreshing wave. Ignition and music went silent as he pulled up to Pippa’s address, exiting the car he composed his appearance once more in his side mirrors before running up her porch and knocking on the door, let the night begin. Pippa’s parents had left over an hour ago for their annual New Year’s Eve party at the country club. Her younger siblings had been dragged along with them, appropriately dressed like tiny fashion models. Luckily, when Pippa mentioned she wanted to attend Bryant O’Connor son’s party, her father was all for it. Apparently rubbing elbows with the Elite put her father in a good mood. If anything, tonight’s party was getting her out of attending another snob filled society event. Based on videos flooding on snap chat, tonight was going to be something for the history books.Pippa was dressed in her typical fashion: leather pants and black eyeliner galore made up her outfit of the day. She was full of energy and ready to party. She bounced over to answer the door and opened it up to the glorious Grayson. [color=0066FF][i]‘This boy was stupid hot…[/i][/color] Pippa raised her eyebrows and looked him over. The things they could do together… The raven-haired girl almost got lost in her daydreams as she stared at him and smiled. She quickly came back to reality and practically skipped down the steps to his car. [color=0066FF]“Let’s do this.”[/color] she grinned up over at him. She had a not so obvious crush on him, and though it was clear as day to some people, she hoped not so much to Grayson. Grayson couldn’t help but try to figure out what to do with his hands- or his face for that matter. Despite coming off naturally cool and mysterious, he always seemed to think otherwise. Rehearsing what he’d say or do as she answered the door played in his mind like a kaleidoscope. His heart skipped a beat when the door opened and the image of Pippa floored his heart as if he got hit by his own car. Grayson’s eyes widened before he cleared his throat and watched the girl give him a warm smile and walk past him to his car. The young man couldn’t help but glance longingly before running off behind her and opening the door for her like any true gentleman. They had been bandmates for some time, but he had never seen her in this light nor did he open up to anyone ever. This was all uncharted territory for the precocious wallflower. [color=plum]“Don’t [i]you[/i] look good tonight, ready for this party?”[/color] Grayson managed to spit out while a ball was stuck in his throat. He started the car once more and [i]In The Air Tonight[/i] came on once more. [color=plum]“I can change it to something more modern. If you want?”[/color] a devilishly sly grin etched on his face flawlessly. She admired his butt for second as he walked past her to open the car door like her personal prince. [color=0066FF]“Why thank you, sir.”[/color] she said playfully, mimicking a southern accent. She slid into the passenger seat of his car and liked what she heard coming from the stereo. [color=0066FF]“You look ridiculously hot as always, and you know I can jam to Phil Collins.”[/color] she replied, beaming at him. His smile always made her melt, but that devilish grin he just shot at her made her blush, which was a rarity indeed. She felt her cheeks flare up, and so she looked away as if busying herself with the seatbelt. [color=0066FF]“This party is going to be stellar.”[/color] Pippa said as they backed out of the driveway. Grayson is usually never caught off guard, even in the backfield of the opponent’s team on a Hail Mary play. Although it seemed he needed to recite a few Hail Mary’s of his own as Pippa rigorously kept him on his toes. The shock of her abrasive compliments stirred him quite a bit, using her fidgeting with her seatbelt as a reprieve to catch his thoughts. [color=plum]“I hope so, I wouldn’t be surprised if you were the best looking one there. I always hated the HOT’s and Candies… Anyway, I guess we should go make our way to Issa house, then.”[/color] Grayson set off into the night and moved his arm around the headrest of Pippa’s on this decently cold winter night. Well, this was a different side of Grayson... She had never had the privilege of hearing him flirt. It was wondrous, and she was enjoying every minute of it. The arm he had around her head rest was going to make her drool, and he smelled so good she had to fight the urge to lean in. Pippa blinked away her wicked thoughts and mentally told herself to focus. She had had a crush on Grayson since before they even formed the band, and the more she got to know him the more that crush grew. [color=0066FF]“Yeah, those girls are something else. Hopefully, the Elite can keep them banished, but I have a feeling they will claw their way in.”[/color] Pippa said, trying to calm her hormones down by changing the subject. [color=0066FF]“I’m pretty sure Issa’s at Ray’s as per usual. He basically lives there. By the way, thanks for driving. You know how I hate it.”[/color] She said glancing at his flawless face in the rearview mirror. [color=plum]“You know, I used to think the Elite were bad guys. But the more I’ve hung around them, the less bad they seem. It’s just not my crowd still, ya’ know? I like being in the company of you and the others.” [/color]Grayson turned to Pippa and gave her a short wink before turning his attention back on the road. [color=plum]“Yeah, I was heading in that direction anyways, We should be there soon. It’s my pleasure, it’s not often I have such a pretty pixie in my car, hope it’s not too old for you.”[/color] His hand brushed up against her shoulder as he rolled into a stop just outside of Ray’s. With one honk he alerted the boy inside it was time to go. He turned back to Pippa. [color=plum]“We’ll have to continue this at the party before we play.”[/color] Another smile before moving his arm away. [center][i]”I watch the work of my kin bold and joyful Toying somewhere between love and abuse Calling to join them the wretched and joyful Shaking the wings of their terrible youths”[/i][/center] Issa bobbed his head as the beat picked up to one of his favorite songs. Ray’s Vinyl was quietly packed, as usual, people littered throughout wearing headphones listening to their interesting songs. Issa, being the special child, stood there dancing to the getting more sporadic in his movements with every passing second until he jerked too hard to the left and pulled cord out. [color=DE7F0F]”Shatz...Sorry, Ray, I did it again.”[/color] Issa said with a goofy smile and a small blush. The 40 something-year-old man just stood behind the counter shaking his head with a sly smirk. Both knew how clumsy Issa was, and Ray had many previous experiences with the boy knocking over setups and even dropping a group of players one time. Issa never meant to make a mess, it just happened and Ray learned to keep a broom on standby whenever the tiny lamb came into his store (which was often). Aside from his jams, Issa’s mind was on this party tonight. He was not that well versed in his school politics, but it sounded like it was going to be a wild time. He could only hope that his first party ever would end well and that he did not spill the punch. [color=DE7F0F][i]Wait do they serve punch?...Maybe juice? I heard they should have “the good stuff” whatever that means, hope its cherry that’s my fave[/i][/color] His thoughts were cut off by the sound of the familiar horn sounding from outside. Issa hopped up with a smile and practically ran out the store, successfully tripping over a stray box and landing on his face and spilling the vinyl’s over the floor. [color=DE7F0F]”Sorry Ray! Gotta go see you later!”[/color] He said with a blushing face and a push on the old glass door, outside Issa brushed himself off and threw a silly smile filled with happiness towards Grayson and Pippa in the red vehicle. He waved and walked towards the car, climbing in the back and sitting in the middle of the fitted leather seats. His childish aura seemed to fill the entire back seat and made it look like he was more comfortable than a newborn baby wrapped in that first blanket. [color=DE7F0F]”Hey Pippa, you ready for tonight? By the way thanks for the ride Grayson.”[/color] Pippa was still silently reeling from Grayson’s last comment when he parked and honked the car. Her shoulder felt like it was on fire in a good way. All she could really do was bite back a huge smile. She could usually come up with one of her feisty, playful, or witty remarks, but they were lost at the moment. Grayson was messing with her mind. She was on the verge of doing whatever Grayson asked her to. Hopefully, some wild dancing at the party would cool her down because right now she was hot. Issa popped into the car, and Pippa purposefully shifted in her seat to move closer to Grayson under the guise she was just twisting around to greet their freshman. “Of course I’m ready. We are going to kill it tonight.” She said bubbling with energy. There was something strange that occurred within Grayson. Having his childhood ripped from him led to a form of endearment towards Issa. It’s almost as his moral compass pointed him in the direction of responsibility for protecting him. This year had been the year that opened Grayson up the most and he couldn’t make heads or tails of it. [color=plum]“Yeah I Hop—“[/color] cut off by the entrancing scent given off of Pippa, her pheromones were doing their job in roping her suitor in. His eyes lingered on the punk girl who was dangerously close to him now, [color=plum]“Yeah let's put on a show for the ages, show these elites who the real elite are.”[/color] Grayson continued his trip into the night only blocks away from the party now, mansions lined the street as if they were each a house from the Great Gatsby. [color=plum]“So once we get there we’ll find Parker and the rest Yeah? Get set up after a few drinks. Don’t worry Issa I’ll sneak you some”[/color] Grayson eyeing him through the rearview mirror. Pippa didn’t drink, she had been wasted exactly two times in her life, and both times ended up acting like a nymphomaniac, and waking up next to plastered Pippa’s bad choices. She also had experienced an alcoholic’s bullshit at an early age and her conclusion was to steer clear of the drinking. Reefer, on the other hand, was something she was all for. [color=0066FF]“Good idea. Hopefully, Parker and Mario are already there.”[/color] [color=DE7F0F]”Why would you have to sneak me drinks? Plus I can get my own, I’m not 4 dude.”[/color] Issa smiled a Grayson through the mirror and bounced in his seat like the child he was. The party was a big thing for Issa, he has been to a couple of kickbacks but not a popular party. Most of the time he either can’t get in or does not have anyone to go with so tonight was a good opportunity. One of the many high school experiences that Issa longed for was approaching quickly, literally. She looked at herself in the side mirror and ruffled her bangs into place. She squeezed her legs together fighting the desire to hop on Grayson lap like a crazy person, and possibly scar Issa for life. A deep breath of the cool night air helped. [color=0066FF][i]What the hell are you doing Pippa, calm yourself…Jesus! It’s just a crush…Yes, he is sexy. Yes, he is kind of perfect but...but...[/i][/color] She was trying to rationalize her feelings when they finally arrived. The ride to the house was not that long and ended with Grayson parking his car and trio making their way inside. It was…[color=DE7F0F][i]DOPE[/i][/color], people everywhere, loud music, solo cups, [color=DE7F0F][i]DANCING[/i][/color], everything Issa could have ever wanted in his first party. All he needed now was to toss back a few “cold ones” [color=DE7F0F][i](How cold are they?)[/i][/color], and see if he could find a spot to cut up some rug. [color=DE7F0F]”Guys call me when you are ready I’m getting a drink.”[/color] Issa said, not knowing the implications of his own words, and headed over to the bar. Issa was full of spunk and quick wit, something he admired out of someone so young. Before he could get a word in edgewise, the young boy had already made his way inside. [color=plum]“Well I guess that’s our cue to follow. Let’s go see what this party is all about.”[/color] Grayson hopped out of his car and held the door open for Pippa. In a gallant and brisk fashion, he grabbed Pippa’s hand and took it in his as he guided her with him into the roaring party. He turned to look back to make sure she was still following without resistance, only flashing a suave smile as he egged her on to follow. [color=plum]“Where to next?”[/color] asking quickly before the deafening sound of the rest of the party swamped their hearing.