The Outside Lines (boyxboy) - Chapter 31: Chapter 31

Nathan's POV
"I dare you to..." Taylor paused, sinister look possessing her face. "Sit on Nathan's lap for the next two turns."
His face went paler than that of a ghost's.
"U-uh- uhm." He stuttered, looking around nervously. "Really?"
"Yup." Taylor shut her eyes with raised brows and nodded to show her seriousness. Zenda laughed at the idea, Scott was indifferent to it like he was most things, but Amber didn't seem very amused.
With how slow Noah got up from his seat and approached me I would've believed him if he said he was eighty years old.
He stood in front of me for sometime, scratching his arm through the fabric of his hoodie. I looked up at him, my smile as wide as the room itself as I patted my lap. His nervousness made him all the cuter. I grabbed his wrist and pulled him into my lap as soon as he turned around.
"C'mere grandma." I said through my laughter. The moment he fell into my lap he curled up like a snail drenched in salt. I wasn't that bad, was I?
Wanting to take advantage of the situation, I wrapped my arms around his waist and rested my head on his shoulder. Despite it being meant mostly as a joke that didn't stop my heart for almost pounding through my ribcage.
My laughter tickled his neck, making him squirm in my arms like a little crab.
"What a freaking ship." A loud clap from Zenda brought me back to reality. I'd forgotten we were in the middle of a game.
I stopped teasing the crab and focused on the game, or I tried to at least. He never stopped squirming.
I was the saddest being on the planet when his time in my lap came to an end. He quickly trotted back to his original seat before the next spin of the bottle. Those were the happiest few minutes of my life. I'll cherish them for as long as I live.
The bottle stopped on Noah mere seconds after he took his seat. His face went another shade of pale.
"This time I'll have you..." Taylor started again, removing any trace of color from Noah's already ghostly complexion. "I'll have you jump from the balcony into the pool."
We were all almost blinded by the way Noah's eyes lit up with what I assumed was excitement. The glow in his eyes were like two strobe lights in the darkness of the night.
"Finally, something rad!" He cheered excitedly, throwing up his hands.
"Isn't that a little... dangerous?" Amber inquired, judging both Taylor and Noah with a squinted eye.
"Don't worry, I'm used to it." Noah assured us. "I do it all the time when I visit Taylor in the summer."
Scott's interest seemed piqued. He sat up from his chair and closely followed behind Noah, both of them running up the stairs like children fleeing from the dark.
"Well I guess we should go and watch, right." Zenda said.
"I have to see this." I sat up from my chair and raced out towards the pool.
Noah had an audience. The people hanging out in the backyard turned their sights to the balcony, cheering the boy on when he stepped out into sight.
"From here to there, do you guys think I can make it?" He asked, pointing to ground he stood then to the pool, his voice echoing across the yard.
Many claps and chants followed, encouraging him to jump. The people relaxing in their chairs sat up, people mid conversation turned and watched, people from inside even came out to observe.
I was both excited for the stunt, and terrified for Noah's safety. If anything were to happen I'd be by his side faster than anyone could blink.
"Alright, here I go!" He signaled, peeling the blue hoodie from his small frame. He stretched his arms forward and jogged backwards, intending to get a running start.
Time slowed as he came charging forward. Every proceeding footstep grew with intensity, the sound becoming more brazen the closer he got. Several gasps were had when his small body leaped over the railing, spinning like a dolphin. It was just about the most majestic things I'd ever witnessed. The way he gracefully landed in the water made it seem like he'd done this a thousand times before.
His soaked head popped up from under the water wearing the proudest smile. Applause rang out for what seemed like an eternity. People cheering for him left and right. It made me beyond happy that he was being showered so much support.
As if he'd just realized the water was near freezing he gasped and swam to the edge like his life depended on it.
I ran over and gave him a hand, helping him out of the pool. He brushed a hand through the locks of his wet hair, swooshing it backwards. He almost looked like a totally different person.
"Thanks." He said through the laughter that was consuming him. The cold was freezing his brain.
"That was awesome." I complimented, looking down at his soaked figure. He smiled adorably, briefly locking eyes with me, then shifting them in another direction seconds later.
"I'm gonna go again, you guys can continue the game without me." Noah said before rushing off.
Taylor and Zenda lost interest in the game when Noah and Scott stepped out. Scott accompanied Noah upstairs and watched him and several others jump from the balcony into the pool. Noah started a trend. Only the bravest dared to join though.
On my way to the kitchen I spotted Lauren and her boyfriend hanging out with some people in the front yard. I jogged over and greeted them. Both of them appeared to be having a great time. They were getting along with the guests well despite being from different towns and schools. I wanted to invite them to hang out with my friends, but they seemed very comfortable and preoccupied with their current group.
Zenda, Amber, Taylor and I all hung out in the kitchen. I sat on the counter and listened to their banter, joining in occasionally. I wanted to hang out with Scott, Noah and the other guys, but Zenda and Amber insisted I stay with them. I couldn't bring myself to say no, even as much as I wanted to watch the little dolphin crab.
"Where's the food you promised me Nathan?" Zenda held her hips, scanning the room for said food.
"It should be in the fridge." I told her, setting my phone down and hopping off the counter to give her a hand. I opened the fridge and it was nearly wiped clean.
"Holy crap, all the food is just about gone." I said in disbelief, pulling my head out of the fridge and scanning over the room myself. It was desolate food-less desert. The only thing really left were stacks of beer and other alcohol guests brought to the party.
"Way more people showed up than we initially thought, it was bound to happen." Taylor shrugged.
Zenda groaned and re-assumed her position against one of the kitchen counters.
"I'll order some pizzas." Taylor pulled out her phone, typing away.
"My mom would kill me if I ate that. I should probably be heading home soon anyway." A slight wear of exhaustion and disappointment underlined Zenda's tone. Taylor pulled out her phone and proceeded to order for the rest of the house.
"Awesome party!" One from a group of three praised us, parading into the kitchen.
"Have y'all had any drinks yet? I brought plenty, drink as much as you want." The guy speaking nudged his head in the direction of the stacks of beer and bottles of alcohol laid across the counter. He just barely appeared to be hanging onto his sobriety.
"I have to keep an eye on the party, so I won't be drinking tonight." Taylor replied, not removing her attention from her phone.
"I have to drive home." It was Amber's turn to decline.
"My mom would kill me if I drank alcohol." Zenda's response was almost predictable.
I was the last one out of the group to give their response. As soon as that thought crossed my mind I could feel several eyes touching my skin.
"Err..." I hesitated to say anything.
"C'mon man, you're the only one. If you don't drink my feelings are going to be hurt." He tried to guilt trip me. I can't say it wasn't working.
"Do it, I want to see what you're like drunk." Taylor suddenly pressed, a look of amusement growing on her mug.
I was nervous, but I went for it. The moment I decided to become friends with Taylor and Noah I knew what I'd be getting myself into. "Fine, alright."  I agreed, but there's no way I'd allow myself to get drunk.
An inaudible sigh escaped my mouth as I reached into the box to grab a bottle. The six other people sharing the room with me all watched in anticipation.
"Chug chug chug chug." The guys continued to repeat over and over in unison.
Heck, why not? I popped off the cap, sending it bouncing across the beige wooden floor. I lifted the bottle to the ceiling and did as they told. I watched intensely as line of liquid in the bottle lowered.
I set the bottle on the counter, almost breaking it with force, trying to catch my breath. I was submerged in cheers from the guys and a few others who had stumbled into the kitchen.
"You can't stop there." The same guy came over to me, laying a heavy slap against my back. Despite him being a little smaller than me he still managed to send me forward a few steps. I flashed him a look of uncertainty. He was so adamant about it that he pulled out another bottle himself.
I glanced between the bottle and then to the several sets of eyes on me. I'd be embarrassed if I chickened out now. Once again I popped off the cap and proceed to lift the bottle to my lips-
"Nathan!" Someone called out. It sounded like... Noah? I turned to see him pushing through the crowd. Instead of making him struggle all the way into the kitchen I met him outside the door.
"What's up?" I questioned a little confused since Noah's never called out to me like this before.
"We need your help. Scott got himself stuck on the rail of the balcony. He's dangling like a fish." Noah explained in a hurry, pointing to the back door. Instead of shooting any of the questions eating at my mind I met his haste and followed behind him.
"Sorry for bothering you, I just didn't know who else to ask." He apologized.
"Don't worry, It's fine." I assured him. I was actually glad I was the one he approached.
We pressed past the people filling the main room and exited through the back, finally reaching the pool.
Scott resembled a sloth now more than ever. His sluggish squirming with his lanky arms struggling to hold him.
A short minute passed as we decided what to do. Since I'm as tall as I am I went and stood under Scott so he could wrap his legs over my shoulders. His feet unintentionally collided with my face a few times as he squirmed.
"Let go, I'll catch you." I assured him for the tenth time. "Trust me."
He stowed his nerves and released the railing at long last. He dropped only a few feet before he was sitting over my shoulder. I lost my balance upon impact, but managed to regain it before my large body went tumbling backwards.
The "rescue" mission was proceeded by applause from the many on lookers watching as if we were on television.
I was about to deliver Scott to the ground he so badly wanted contact with when Noah came over. The large grin he wore was cute, but curious. I watched as he inched closer, his innocent stare becoming more devious. Before I had time to react he nudged me in the chest. Normally I wouldn't have budged from such a weak push, but my head felt light and I was carrying Scott, so like I feared I went tumbling backwards into the pool. As I fell I got a good view of the world spinning around me. The splash made from Scott body and my own large one was colossal. I only got to see it for a split second before being submerged in water.
It felt as if I were taking a dip in Antarctica. The water was so bone chilling I could barely form a thought in my head. I popped out as quickly as I fell in, gasping for air.
As I searched for the closest edge of the pool I spotted a giggling Noah standing in front of me and an unamused Scott floating in the water behind me.
I clawed towards the edge in haste and lifted myself from the icy waters before I got frostbite on my junk. Scott didn't seem as bothered by the temperature as I was, he just continued his groaning.
I was drenched from head to toe, water pouring off of me like I was some kind of fountain. Luckily I left my phone on the kitchen counter. It would've been a pain to get that replaced with the lack of money and all.
I narrowed my eyes at Noah but couldn't hold back a smirk. The longer I rested my eyes on him the more his mischievous laughter grew. I stood, back straight, still dripping water. I peeled the pancaked shirt from my skin and chucked it at the devious crab when he let down his guard. Noah tensed up, his eyes growing as wide as his head.
I held my hips, shook my lowered head and let out a breathy laugh. Noah stood frozen in shock, until I suddenly ran after him like a caveman hunting his dinner. The moment he saw me charging forward he almost teleported from his spot with how quick he was. He turned around and raced for the inside of the house, laughing like a lunatic.
Several cat calls were thrown my way when I ran in through the back door. It was equally as embarrassing as it was flattering, but I didn't let it distract me much, my focus was on the little crab scampering through the crowd of people.
I don't know why I continued running after him, I knew I had no chance of keeping up with him without the element of surprise on my side. The chase lasted a few more minutes until he completely disappeared off the face of the earth.
I was left in the dust, and out of breath. I held my soaked jeans, huffing in pained mouthfuls of air. I gave it my all trying to keep up with him. We ran all throughout the house, and across the entire one hundred feet of Taylor's yard. For him, shaking me off was a easier than a crab outrunning a turtle. My intention was to capture him and toss him into the pool, but I guess my revenge would have to wait a little longer.
"There you are, don't think you can get out of drinking that easily." It was the guy from the kitchen. He hovered over me with a tight grip at my shoulder. A defeated sigh escaped my exhausted lips as he guided me back to the kitchen. Apparently I was the one who was captured in the end.
"Where'd your shirt go?" Taylor questioned, still on the counter as we stepped in the room.
"I was wondering the same." The guy said, looking down at my bare chest and back to my face, all while his arm was wrapped around my neck.
"Noah pushed me into the pool." I slightly chuckled.
"Really?" Taylor asked, amusement written all over her face.
"You're probably cold, let me get you a towel or something." Amber said before rushing out of the room. I was a little confused, but I appreciated her consideration.
I hopped up onto the counter next to Taylor, over looking the several half drunken swarm of zombies roaming the kitchen. Taylor was worried it was getting out of hand, but there wasn't much she could do at this point. Luckily her parents were out of town securing business meetings with the companies they work with.
Amber eventually returned with a lengthy black towel in hand. She threw it over my head and wiped the dampness from my hair like I was a wet dog or something. I couldn't see anything with the towel over my head, but I felt a second hand join in, which I assumed belonged to Taylor. Her snicker gave it away.
"What am I, your pet?" I raised an amused brow at the two girls as I pulled the towel away from my face.
"Sure, if you want to be." Taylor shrugged a deadpanned expression on her face. It was my turn to snicker. I shook my head at her foolishness.
The party in the kitchen got real lively when I pulled out my party tricks. I used the things the guys taught me at Black Day Cafe. They were regulars at the shop when I worked part-time. They'd pull me aside and chat for as long as they could until the boss, Lauren's father, came and ordered me back to work.
Everyone one loved my sub par magic tricks, though I think it was mostly the alcohol getting to them. And speaking of alcohol, the guys made sure I finished that second bottle I tried to dip out on. I sipped it in between tricks until it was no more. It didn't feel like it was having much of an effect on me. The expectancy of everyone in the room was overbearing, they all cheered for me to continue drinking. I didn't want to baby out now, that would hurt the image I'm trying to go for.
Noah's POV
I sat upstairs on the edge of the balcony, watching the sprawling, endless night sky. It was pretty peaceful despite the roaring party just a story below me. Nickolas' music had the floor shaking so I highly doubt I'd be taking a cozy nap under the stars.
I remained seated on the dark wooden floor hoping Nathan was still searching for me, though I doubted it with the way I left him winded in the yard. I almost wish I hadn't ran so fast. I kinda... wanted him to catch me. I mean, what gay would turn down the chance of being tackled by a shirtless hunk, right?
Oh god what am I thinking?... I know I can't let my feelings for him develop any further. Bad Noah, bad Noah!
I had to clear these thoughts out of my head somehow. Groaning them away didn't help, praying them away didn't help, repeatedly hitting my head against the walling of the balcony didn't help either. The last idea that came to mind was to jump into the freezing icy pool waters like I had been earlier.
I threw up a determined fist, running back inside and down the hallway. I hunched over, preparing to charge. I tossed my already soaked shirt into the corner of the hall.
The pressure I applied against the slippery wood with my bare feet almost had my nose busting through the flooring, greeting the people below me. Thankfully I steadied myself before anything happened. I ran forward, increasing speed before leaping over the rail. Chilly air caressed my bare top as I flew through the sky. The thrill never got old. It helped me feel alive, it helped my mind stay afloat and in control. Something I didn't get from much else in life.
Seeing the water fleeing from under me as I threw myself into it was such a satisfying feeling. The shock of cold attacking my body was far more extreme though!
"You're still at it?" A girl with brunette hair and a slim frame sitting in one of the lawn chairs asked, due to my sudden slash in.
"Yup!" I said through rigid breaths smiling brightly. The freezing water made speaking a difficult task. I got out before my soul decided it wanted to leave my body.
"If you're heading in can you grab me a drink? Anything's fine." The girl proceeded to ask, preoccupied on her phone.
"Sure." I agreed happily, hopping up and down in attempt to get the excess water off of my body.
"I asked my friends, but they all ran off to check out hot guys or something." She explained. I chuckled at her situation before heading for the door.
My eyes widened at how crowded inside was, it'd become even crazier than earlier. There were bodies occupying every corner of the room. I had to push through on my way to the kitchen.
I pushed through a line of people using nearly all of my might. My little twigs for arms almost snapped in two. I finally broke through, stumbling into a mosh pit like space. It was like entering an eye of a tornado. Roaring chaos on the outside a calm inside. There were a few people hanging out in the center. Taylor, Amber, two others I wasn't familiar with and... Nathan?
"WOOOO! Thish party WILD!" Nathan's vocal chords struggled to keep up with him as he yelled at the top of his lungs, slurring his words. He spun in place fist pumping the air like an insane person. I was shocked, scared for my life even. What demonic spirit possessed him? Had he gone mental?
What was even more shocking was the lack of clothes on his body. He went parading around in nothing but a pair of black boxers briefs with little clouds on them. I struggled to look away. My efforts of removing him from my thoughts had all become null though. Seeing him fooling around in nothing but a pair of underwear really messed with my head.
Taylor just sat back watching in amusement, as usual and Amber seemed slightly flushed. I didn't understand why he had such a large crowd at first but apparently he was doing some kind of party trick or something? What the heck is even happening?
I attempted to sneak past after he fell backwards on the futon. He threw his head over the top of it obstructing his view, so I took that as an opportunity to tip toe past the nut job, towards the kitchen.
...
But before I could made it back into the chaotic sea of people I felt a large grip against my wrist. An icy chill ran down my spine and next thing I knew I was being flung backwards. I had no idea what was going on, I was wrapped in an odd daze. I eventually realized there was a comfortable warmth at my back, and on my legs.
A large head nuzzling against my neck almost scared the skin off my bones. Another icy chill traveled down my spine as the person's breath tickled the hairs on my neck. I knew it couldn't have been anyone other than Nathan.
My back was pressed up against his chest and I was sat on his lap, neither of us wearing pants. There was a lot of skin to skin contact. The heat from his body warming up my own was blissful, put simply.
"Goddamn Nowah, wireyu-  yew so cute?" He groaned quietly in my ear, still slurring his words. Despite feeling so warm I froze up, stiffer than an icicle in the north pole.
S-stop it Nathan! I'm already flustered enough!
I shut my legs tight hoping no one would notice, but Nathan did... he definitely noticed. He placed his large hand on top of my bare chest and began to travel downwards. I whimpered, gripping his arm tightly. I couldn't do anything, I couldn't control myself.
What the hack is going on?!
I have to stop this before it gets out of hand!
The lower his hand journeyed the harder my teeth bit against my bottom lip. My breaths became rigid escaping through my nearly clenched teeth when his hand reached my navel area.
What the heck?
What the heck.
What the heck!
I abruptly pulled away from the studly monster that had been slowly consuming my body, breaking our contact. I quickly created some distance between us so I wouldn't be caught off guard like that again. He just sat there, his arms open in confusion.
Oh yeah, you're confused?!
There was some laughter from the crowd, but I don't think anyone really knew what was going on, besides Taylor of course. She shot me two thumbs up, her grin growing criminally wide.
My breaths were heavier than fog and I was beyond turned on. I was a raging light bulb ready to explode. Before anyone noticed what a mess I was I made a mad dash back to the icy pool. I charged through the back door and leaped into the cold water, yet again.
I could barely hear anything besides the beating of my heart.
"Hey, did you forget my drink?" The girl asked, noticing me in the pool again.
Crap!
"Workin' on it." I chuckled nervously, turning my attention back to the entrance of the house.
Do I dare?
It took me awhile before deciding to give it another try. I just had to stay as far away from Nathan as possible, right? I lifted myself from the pool and tip toed back towards the house. I quickly propped myself up against the wall like I was taking part in espionage. I edged towards the door slowly peeking inside.
I froze up.
Was I seeing this correctly? Were my eyes betraying me?
In disbelief at what I was witnessing my body unconsciously drew me closer, my legs moving on their own. I dropped the spy act and stood directly in the doorway, both my mind and heart racing faster than they'd ever had.
My heart nearly burst out of my chest at the as I stood there... watching Nathan... make out with...