Red Solo Cup
James decided he would plan a date for him and Lily as an apology for the night before. They would watch a movie in James’ home theater. James wasn’t sure what they were going to watch but they would decide when Lily arrived.
James had been making sure everything was perfect all day. He was organizing the candies, making sure the popcorn wouldn’t burn when he made it, and most importantly he had strawberry ice cream. It was one of their signature foods for their dates. They always had it, no matter they were they always had it.
James waited down stairs for 30 minutes when Lily showed up, she was exactly on time, James was just nervous. “Hey James” Lily said when he opened the door. “Good evening my love, can I treat you to a movie and snacks?” Greeting her. She laughed but nodded.
James showed her to the theater. Lily was in awe of the room. The popcorn had just finished popping and you could smell the warm butter smell of it. The candies were all sorted and organized by size. And there where blankets and pillows on the large sectional couch. “James….this is amazing” Lily said looking around the room. “Did it all myself, just for you” he said putting his arm around her.
When they had their popcorn and candies they sat on the couch, James’ arm still around her. “So any ideas on what to watch?” James asked holding the remote. “You didn’t pick a movie?” Lily asked. James looked a little embarrassed, the truth is James did pick a movie but he felt a little embarrassed by it. He didn’t want Lily to think he was childish. “Well I did but, it’s a little childish..” James said trying to hide that he was embarrassed.
“What was it? I don’t mind” Lily said holding his hand and interlocking their fingers. James smiled at her. “I was thinking maybe Lady and the Tramp, I know it’s a kid movie, but it’s a classic and one of my favorites” James said with a little more confidence. Lily smiled at him “I love that movie” she sounded serious, that made James glad. Lily didn’t find it childish watching a Disney movie from the 50s.
James turns on the movie, he had a plan. Now he just had to wait.
His time came, the movie had been played for exactly 47 minutes and 40 seconds when he put his plan into motion. It was the spaghetti seen. The spaghetti kiss. He put his hand on Lily’s jaw line and turned her face to him, he kissed her, she kissed back. His original plan was to just kiss her for a second but that had changed. James wants to see how long they will stay together before one of them decides to pull away.
James could kiss Lily forever, she was pretty good at it. Nether of them showed any signs of pulling away, Lily actually scooted closer to James. This surprised him, Lily was never the one to do anything physical, that was James. James wasn’t complaining! No, not complaining at all. He never wanted to never part his lips from hers.
To James’ disappointment, that ‘make out session’ didn’t last long after all. There was a knock on the door. Lily jumped apart from James as soon as she heard the knock. Effi opened the door slightly. “Just checking on you two, you need anything?” James tried to hide his disappointment, he thinks he did a okay job at it. “Ya mom, we’re good, that’s for checking in” Effi smiled at him and closed the door behind her as she left.
The rest of the movie was awkward. Lily stayed about two feet away from James. He didn’t like it much, but he wasn’t about to possibly make her uncomfortable. So, he stayed put, he didn’t scoot and hold her hand, or anything for the rest of the movie.
After, Lily was in a slight rush to leave, James really hoped things weren’t weird now. At least Effi nocked, right? Still it was bad. The movie date was supposed to make them better but it just might have made them awkward.
*******
James woke up Monday morning early, he couldn’t sleep, he was full of excitement. Today they found out if and what the made the football team. James really hopes he got Quarterback. He tried really hard that day.
It was a little weird though. James kept wanting to look at Reg. He wanted to see if he was good, like Sirius. And he was. Something about the Black family must have got them some amazing athletic talent. James did wish Reg talked to him at tryouts. They haven’t talked since the day after Reg passed out at the fair. James missed it.
If he and all his friends got the positions they wanted or at least most of them, James is going to throw a party at the stables. Not like Marls’ birthday party the other day. This party was a secret. His parents didn’t know, besides, even if they did they probably wouldn’t care. They trusted James, as they should.
This party will alcohol. Yes, they are only 15 but James and his friends like to live life more on the edge. Most of them have drank before, Remus 100% he even steals some of his mom’s cigarettes and smokes them. Which personally James doesn’t like, not the smoking part, yes he shouldn’t do it but that’s not what James disliked most about it, it was the stealing. Remus was good at stealing and pick-pocketing, so was his sister Rome. They didn’t steal often. Only money from their mom’s purses- only a few dollars for a treat from the school vending machine- or in Remus’ case cigarettes.
They would also steal what someone stole back. James remembers once in 6th grade James got some new colored pens to organize his notes, and a kid in their 1st period named Violet stole half of them from James and said she bought them. Everyone knew she was lying, the pens had ‘JP’ on them for fucks sake! James was surprised one day when Remus pick-pocketed them from her backpack and gave them back to him.
James didn’t like the idea of Remus stealing the pens, but was actually impressed that he got them back. James still has those pens, to this day. He uses them still, mostly for history notes he gets from Remus because he wasn’t paying attention or zoned out, stupid ADHD am I right?
James really hoped things weren’t weird between him and Lily at school, and if they were then he would have to explain to Marlene what happened, and he definitely did not want to do that. Marlene wouldn’t keep it quiet either, she would be telling everyone she knows!
James did love Marlene, she was like his sister. But just like siblings, she drove him crazy. She was definitely a gossip girl. Which is sometimes helpful, but not always. There are things Marlene does keep quiet or even secret. That’s James’ break downs. They don’t happen often and if they do Sirius can usually help him. It’s only happened once with Sirius, but it really helped. If it did get bad, Sirius or James would have called Marlene. She knew what to do. She always did when it came to James.
James got fully ready for school before going down stairs. Effi was cleaning up from making breakfast. His dad, Monty, was downstairs too. This kind of surprised James, he was usually off at work by the time James came down for breakfast. James got a plate with eggs and bacon. He sat at the bar in their kitchen, Effi was finishing the dishes, Monty was watching a news thing on Facebook.
Suddenly James remembered that Marlene asked if they could take her to school this morning. “Mom, Marls asked if we could take her to school this morning” then eating a piece of egg. “Español?” Effi said. This became a thing recently. James had got a bad grade on his Spanish quiz and Effi was not pleased. Random times Effi would only expect James speaking in Spanish. James can understand why Effi was upset about the test, James learned English and Spanish growing up. His parents did prioritize English over Spanish, but still he learned them both.
“Marlene preguntó si podíamos llevarla a la escuela esta mañana?” James said a little hesitation, he had to think about a few of the words, but he thought he got it all right. Effi smiled at him “correct, and tell her of course you will pick her up to go to school” finishing the dishes. “I will pick her up?” James was really confused now. What did she mean? He only has his permit, and it’s not like he has a car yet.
Effi smiled large and looked at Monty. “Well, it was supposed to be a congratulations for making QB, but your mother can’t wait to show you” Monty said pausing his phone and pulling out a key from his pocket and tossing it to James. James caught it, it was a Toyota key. They got him a car! Or truck. James really hoped they got him the red truck him and Marlene were looking at last weekend.
James jumped up and ran out front. He was right. In their driveway there was a red Toyota mini-truck. The same one him and Marlene were looking at last weekend. It was James’. All for himself! James’ truck! He couldn’t say it enough, but at the same time he couldn’t say anything. He was speechless. He didn’t think words could express how he was feeling. Nothing could. James couldn’t smile enough. James couldn’t hug his parents enough. James couldn’t jump up and down enough. He couldn’t express it. It was amazing.
“Take it for a drive” Monty said putting a hand on James’ shoulder. James ran to the truck, posed real quick so Effi could take a picture then hopped into to drivers seat. He started the truck, he couldn’t believe it. It was his. His truck.
James drove it around there property a little before parking in back in the driveway and going back inside to get his backpack and head to pick up Marlene.
James pulled up to Marlene’s house, she was waiting outside for him. Her mouth was wide open, James was worried a fly or something would fly into it. Marlene ran up to the passengers seat window. He rolled the window down. “You got the fucking truck?!?!” Marlene said completely shocked. James nodded and gestured for her to get in. She opened the door and hoped in the passengers seat.
They were driving for a few minutes, Marlene had her head out the window like a dog, then she pulled her head back in and said “I’m driving it after school” not a question, like can I drive it after school, nope, she said she was. James should have expected it, he’s going to let her, of course! Marlene is a very good driver.
James just chuckled and nodded his head. Right before he pulled put Marls begged him to pulls though the drop off loop to show off. James agreed, because well, why not! As he did Marls stuck her head out the window and flipped off a group of people, James couldn’t see who they were until Marlene opened the door and got out.
It was their friends. Sirius, Remus, Rome, Lily, Peter, and Mary. Sirius came to the open window to talk to James after Marlene was out and standing next to Lily.
“Excuse me!?!? Why didn’t you tell me first?!” Sirius said sounding a little offended. James leaned over to talk to him. “Sorry! I just got it this morning and I was already picking up Marls. Tomorrow I can pick you and Regulus up, if you want” James offered. Sirius looked like he was thinking about the offer. “Okay, but why does Reggie need to come?” Sirius answered looking a little confused at James.
If James said what he was thinking that would lead to more questions. Like why do you want to be in the same car as Regulus? Or worse like do you have a crush on him or something? The answer to that one is no. James Potter does not have a crush on Regulus Black.
James is 100% sure he does not have a crush on Reg, James is dating and in love with Lily Evans. Yes, they’re a little awkward right now, but still! And yes, Reg is good looking. Really good looking actually. But so is Remus, and James doesn’t have a crush on Remus. He just knows and can identify when someone has good looks or not, no matter their gender. So, yeah, James do not have a crush on Reg. He just wants to get to know him more.
“Well he’s your brother, and it would be easier just driving both of you” James said. That should keep from anymore questions, hopefully. “Okay, makes sense” Sirius agreed. James was internally relieved.
James went and parked his new truck in the student parking section. Then went inside to find his friends. They were in Ms. Karls, just like every morning. She was their freshman reading teacher. James was a little surprised when he walked in. Sirius was yelling. They were all standing around Ms. Karls teaching podium, it’s where she read the stories to the class when it was group read.
“I think James is the father!” Sirius yelled as James got closer. James was completely lost in what was going on. Remus was behind the podium, Sirius on one side in front on it and Marlene on the other side. “What happened?” James asked Peter who was watching this all unfold. “So basically, Marlene has a teddy bear that she has no idea who have her for her birthday. And she thinks Sirius did and now it has turned into a ‘Who’s the Father’” Peter explained. “So Remus is the judge?” James asked so he had more understanding. Peter nodded.
Not the weirdest thing that has happened in Ms. Karls classroom, he thought to himself. James entered the ‘court case’ it was fun. They kept going back and forth with face evidence, and saying stuff like “he has your eyes!” Marlene said that. Which was false, the bears eyes are brown. James knows this because Marls brought it to school in her backpack.
They only left Ms. Karls room when the 5 minute warning bell rang. The case was ‘unfinished and to be looked at again at another time’ as Remus said. They all headed for their first periods after that. Thankfully James wasn’t alone in his first period, Sirius and Mary were in that class with him. So it was okay. Not his favorite class but not his least favorite either.
—————
Sirius practically ran to his 4th period class. It was his gym class. They they get the results from the football tryouts, today. Sirius really hopes he got wide receiver. Yes he is aware that wide receiver are usually tall. And Sirius Black, isn’t really the tallest person.
If Remus had tried out for wide receiver he would most definitely get it because how tall he his. He literally towers over the whole grade! Sirius kind of wishes he was that tall. He think it would make him hotter. He doesn’t know why, but he just does.
Coach came out with a stack of paper lists. Sirius already knew these will be all over the hallway after this class. Maybe a few in trash cans, from Peter, and a few others. James would definitely bring his home to show his parents. Sirius wasn’t, his parents don’t give a shit about his extra curricular activities. If he told them they wound believe him. Probably because he never thought about lying about it. He never really had anyone to hang out with back in New York. Yeah he was popular and had “friends” but not like James and Moony, and Peter, he guesses.
When coach gave Sirius his paper Moony immediately took it and held it where he couldn’t reach. “Moony! Fuck off!” Sirius said standing on his tippy toes and jumping slightly. “I will be actually surprised if you get wide receiver Sirius.” Moony said looking down at Sirius still holding the paper over his head. Sirius jumped higher and grabbed the paper out of his hand.
Sirius started reading down the list, it didn’t take long to get to his name. In the ‘B’s. There is was.
Sirius Black- Wide Receiver (backup)
‘Backup’?!?! What does it mean backup?! Who’s the wide receiver?! Sirius looked completely shocked at this result. “Backup?!” Still looking at the paper. Moony looked over his shoulder and saw. “Wow, well at least you got a wide receiver.” Sirius looked at him with a death stare.
Sirius started looking down the list trying to find out who the hell got wide receiver over him! And there is was. Right above his.
“Regulus Black- Wide receiver (Starter)”
How is this possible?! Reggie?! His little brother Reggie, got wide receiver over him! This has to be a fucking joke! Sirius’ mouth dropped wide open when he saw this. Moony looked at the paper and quickly saw it too. “Wow, Regulus is starter wide receiver.” Sirius looked at Remus with the same death stare.
Sirius almost fell over, because James came up behind them both and hung on their shoulders.
It was very uneven. Moony was a fucking giant a with a height of 5 foot 8 inches! Like really?! What the fuck?!?! James isn’t much taller than Sirius thankfully. Yes, he is definitely taller, but not my much. James, unlike Moony’s giraffe self, Jame is only 5 foot 6 inches. Yes, still 4 inches taller……did you do that math yet? Yeah? No? Yep, 5 foot 2 inches. Go ahead and laugh it off now. Go ahead, get it all out.
You done now?
Ok good! Anyways…..
“Are you two ready for the fist party of the school year?!” James said still hanging on their shoulders, even though it is SUPER uneven. “What do you mean first party of the year? What about Marls’ birthday party last Friday?” Sirius asked confused. “That’s different, that was a party that was helped with by my mom. This party is at the stables. No adults. No supervision.” James explained then looked at Moony with a knowing look. This made Sirius more confused. Why the fuck is James looking at Moony like that?!
It’s weird. He doesn’t like it. Not one bit! Sirius is the only one that can give Moony weird looks! That’s his job! James needs to back off. Like really?! Why is his day so fucked up?! First he was accused of being the father of a teddy bear by Marls. Then got put second to his little brother. And now, just the cherry on top, James looking at Moony with that weird look.
Remus rolled his eyes, then looked at James “fine, I’ll get Rome to help me get it. It should be easy.” What was Moony talking about? What was he and Rome getting? Why would it be easy? Should he ask? It it legal? From that look James was giving Moony, which he absolutely hates, he doubts it.
James could see the cluelessness is Sirius’ face. “Don’t worry, it’ll be fun” James said patting Sirius’ shoulder reassuring. It didn’t really help him feel any better about what they were talking about, but whatever it was he was down. He would totally do some illegal shit with his new best friends. It would be fun.
Sirius water the rest of the day to go by faster. He wanted to go to this mystery party at the stables. James told him it stated at 9, and to bring Reggie too because he also made the team. It wasn’t fair. Reggie didn’t Evan want to come! He would much rather just stay at home a read. It’s kind of sad. It’s like books are his only friends. Well except for Rome, Sirius hopes Rome is there. At the party.
********
Finally after 4 more boring ass classes and a boring ass ride home, AND another 5 hours for waiting, it was finally time. It was dark. Him and Reggie were going to walk to the Potter’s. They didn’t want to risk them getting caught with James new truck or even his golf cart.
Sirius was wearing a normal black T-shirt and riper black jeans. And his leather jacket obviously. He walks into Reggie’s room to see if he was ready. He was. He was wearing a dark green Nike sweatshirt, and blue jeans.
They haven’t talked since the tryout results. They should. Are they? Nope. That don’t talk. That’s just not them. It never has been. So, why start now? Why start when they’re 14 and 15, it doesn’t make sense.
Sirius didn’t say anything, he didn’t have to. Not with Reggie. They didn’t talk, they showed. He nodded the his head to the door. Reggie walked out waiting at the start of the stairs for Sirius. He follower his little brother. They slowly and quietly snuck down stairs, careful not to make a sound. Reggie grabbed the key in passing. He opened the door making the least amount of noise possible then let Sirius walk out first. Reggie followed him and turned to lock the door. He put the key in his right pocket of his jeans.
Thankfully Reggie didn’t complain as much as he did the last party. Sirius had to basically drag him out of the house. Which was not helping the sneaking out part of the plan. Not this time though. Maybe he’s given up, and will just go willingly because Sirius will make him go aways. As much as Sirius will say he hates Reggie and how he wishes he wasn’t at a party, he never truly means it. He would rather Reggie with him. Even if he is no fun at all. He wants his little brother to have experiences. He want him to have a life! Not just inside his fictional books! A real life, with real people!
The walk was silent, the only sound they could hear were the crickets. It was difficult then Sirius and Reggie were used to. They grew up in New York City for fuck sake! They were used to cars, and traffic, and the bright lights from all the skyscrapers. It was different, for Sirius it was a good different. He wasn’t sure about Reggie, like he’s said before. They don’t talk. For Sirius, this is a REALLY good change for Reggie. He already has friends, well at least one. Reggie has always been….ani-social.
As they got closer to the stables they could see lights, and hear music. James was right. This was not the same kind of party as Marls’ birthday party last Friday.
“Sirius! Regulus!” James greeted them as they walked into the stables. Then turning around and grabbing two red solo cups, and offering them to Sirius and Reggie. Sirius took one gratefully, Reggie did too.
This kind of surprised Sirius. He had only seen Reggie drink once and it was not anything like what was in the red solo cup. The first and only time Sirius had ever saw Regulus drink was wine, fancy wine actually. It was their parents, they had stole it from the cabinet when their cousin Bellatrix was watching them. Thank bitch brought her boyfriend and fell away with him on the couch! Such an ammeter move.
Don’t ask how many of those cup he had at that party, he really doesn’t know. Sirius actually fool now a lot of what happened at the party. He does know, Reggie also had WAY to many red solo cups of…well they had no clue what was in it actually, it’s whatever James bad Remus put in them. They were both waisted. But they weren’t the only ones.
Rome was also waisted which came in luck for Sirius. He had made out with her behind the stables. It was fucking amazing. Sirius had wanted to do that ever since he saw her, and met her of course, because looks isn’t everything. It’s something, but not everything. Thankfully for Sirius, Remus didn’t see. He same bed himself from being killed for today!
It was about 1am when people started to head home. Thankfully James didn’t drink. He was everyone’s sober driver. Sirius and Reggie were last. “Where’s the key?” Reggie said paying his pockets looking for the key. Sirius forgot about that. He took the key. He had it. Sirius began looking and patting down his pockets. It wasn’t there. He lost the key.
“Um…Reggie. I kinda lost it….” He told his green eyed and kind of green looking little brother. Regulus looked at him for a moment. He was processing what Sirius had just said and what he did. “What? I had the key, how could you lose the key if I had it?” Reggie asked. He did look green, like he was about to grow up, any second. “Well….um….Reggie are you okay? You look sick” trying to change the subject. “No, what did you do?!” Reggie’s voice exalted slightly.
“I might have took the key, I thought I could keep it and not lose it!” Sirius tried explaining himself. Reggie rubbed his temples and took another red solo cup and knocked it back fast. Sirius raised and eyebrow at his little brother. Reggie looked sick. He drank WAY too much.
Sirius went and told James everything, he hoped James had a plan. Thankfully, he did. Sirius makes a metal note to do something to thank James later. He hopes he doesn’t forget. “The plan is you and Regulus will sleep at my house and I’ll take you to school tomorrow. I have no clue what we are going to tell your parents, but we can think about that later” James explained to both brothers. They nodded in understanding.
Sirius did have to think of a way to explain this to their parents. Reggie would be the ideal choice to make a plan, but he will most definitely be hungover as fuck tomorrow. But it was Reggie’s choice to drink that much, so now he has to deal with the consequences. Sirius will certainly be hungover tomorrow. He does every time he drinks. It’s bad, but he doesn’t care.
James drove them back to his house and snuck them all in, Sirius and James had to carry Reggie on their shoulders. He fell asleep at the stables, right after he threw up.
When they got to James’ room James gave Sirius a pillow and blanket, same with Reggie. But it was more like they lied him on a pillow and covered him with a blanket, but still.
The next morning Sirius was correct, he had a real shitty hangover. James ‘hungover proof’ Potter didn’t really help with this either. James woke both, Sirius and Reggie at 5:30am!! Yes, that early! After a party! It was bullshit! Reggie looked shocked when James woke him up. It was VERY amusing, for Sirius to watch.
The next day was….okay. Everyone that was at the party were hungover. No one worse then Sirius though, Reggie was a close 2nd but Sirius definitely had the worst. The teachers were WAY too loud. So we’re the hallways. Basically everything was too loud.
Mental note: ‘Don’t drink on a school night’
He doubts he will remember, but it’s worth a shot. He was trying to think of plans what to tell his parents. He hopes Reggie had one, because with the headache Sirius had he couldn’t think of a single idea.
Not to his luck, Reggie didn’t think of a plan. Well, this calls for some improve doesn’t it? They were fucked. But what else can they do now? Would Sirius change what happened last night? Nope! Maybe taking the key, he wouldn’t do. Other then that, nothing. When the personal drive came to pick them up, not a word. Which was normal, but this time it felt different.
When they got home, still not a word. Sirius and Regulus got out the car, walked up to the house. Sirius hesitated before twisting the door nob. He hopes his improve is good enough to fool their mother.
When he opened the door. She was there. Waiting. Stiff, serious, pissed.
They are fucked.