Chapter Text
Frog was chasing you around the cabin, probably under the impression you were playing some elaborate game of tag when in actuality you’re rushing to get ready for the Luau. You beg Frog to let you pass into the bedroom as he hops from side to side in the doorway so you can grab your nice trainers to wear, don't want the townsfolk thinking you’re poor even though you've spent the last 4 months on an abandoned farm in an barely habitable building with barely running amenities (we're not gonna talk about the shower not functioning properly right now, ok?).
Finally, you manage to look in the mirror at your functional appearance. Hair styled, trainers on, with a beige cotton button up shirt adjourned with pastel green leaves and vines to suit the summer-y theme. Followed with some airy blue jeans to keep somewhat cool on the beach, you’re satisfied with the outcome despite the redness in your face suggesting otherwise and decide it's finally time to leave. Abigail agrees to help you carry the huge pot of Pumpkin Stew down to the beach, giggling and swaying along the way while trying to not drop 4 hours worth of work in the forest. She's wearing a black pleated skirt with ripped fishnets and a thin graphic t-shirt to suit the weather. As she ties up her hair along the way, you realise she has an undercut you've never seen before! It's the first time for everything, you guess, including this Luau.
You finally make it, trying not to let yourself get overwhelmed at the approaching lights, music and chatter. The beach was beautiful, however, with dainty multi coloured string lights and gentle, mossy green waves lapping up at the beach. It was bustling, accompanied by jazzy music on the huge speakers near what was the supposed dance floor for today. The sand was warm, soft and for once didn’t seem to bother you when it got in your trainers. There are palm leaves laid down on the beach, sort of like a rug, with rows and rows of tables absolutely stuffed with food. There was sandwiches, pies, quiches, a whole fucking chicken, soups, rice dishes, noodles, salads and dressings galore. There were even an assortment of coolers filled with ice creams and alcohol to pass around. Gus proudly displays an array of matching trays filled with pastas and pizzas along his own table - while everyone else found space for their items elsewhere. I mean, what else would you expect from the town's caterer? He often pretends to hold disdain for such a title, but you can tell he secretly loves the glory as townsfolk faces light up as they pass his table.
Abigail helps you heave the large pot up onto a smaller table with a little butter yellow tablecloth - one of the only tables with space left - and immediately older members of the community come to inspect your contribution. While Abigail manages to saunter off towards the docks, which you notice is where Sebastian is sat, you pin up a smile and roll compliments off the tongue towards Marnie's quiche, Carolines mashed potato and Evelyn's famous cookies as you engage in some weird cross inspection ceremony. It doesn't take long for Caroline and Jodi to make a comment that you're an incredibly good cook… for a man , which rubs you the wrong way. You can't think about that right now, far too much to unpack in the middle of the Luau. Besides, Caroline was too busy interrogating you about where you disappeared during the Flower Dance even though you boldly claim it was definitely not with her delinquent daughter Abigail… Geez, take some time off the helicopter duties Caroline - your daughter's 20.
You're finally saved by Elliot and Leah, who pull you aside for some random chatter about the farm. Although you'd seen Leah occasionally when walking Frog through the forest, Elliot was still a kind of pretentious mystery to you - but you promised yourself you wouldn't make assumptions about people before getting to know them and this was your chance. Despite some flowery language, the guy was really nice! And definitely knew how to dress. Elliot had a stunningly white cotton shirt on, somewhat loose on his chiselled form and tucked into brown knee length shorts which you can only describe as akin to the summer shorts you find at a fancy boarding school - but he managed to make the look work while covered in shiny golden accessories. Leah was in denim shorts and a mini strapped crop top she knitted herself - something you genuinely found really impressive. She promised to teach you some time how to create something of your own, you struggle to listen since you’re fixated on her beautiful floral tattoos on her arms, chest and stomach. You taste each one's contribution, Elliot brought some genuinely devine crab cakes with a buttery, soft filling. While Leah brings a huge salad bowl. While you admit that the cool dressing was refreshing in the heat, it didn't do much for flavour - yet you beamed at her anyway as you shovelled iceberg lettuce, tomatoes and feta in your gob.
You branch out, beginning to wander around giving pleasantries to everyone, most people excited to try your first Luau dish; you realise Sebastian has come up about twice for a serving of your stew. That fluttering feeling kept flashing back up whenever you thought of it, honestly, everyone could hate the stew for all you cared - at least your friend liked it. At least Sebastian liked it.
Speaking of friends, you catch a few glances of Sam running around piling his plate up in ripped denim shorts with a crinkled yellow tank top you can only describe as blinding you with how saturated the colour was, but you weren't surprised that Sam would turn up in the worst shade of yellow you've ever seen.
Finally, Lewis convinces you to greet the Governor (who you're sure he only made you to convince him that people are still interested in the area enough to move here) and you give him an awkward, sweaty handshake before running off towards the dock just in time to make eye contact with the group. Sam, Abigail and Sebastian are all perched with their feet hanging off the dock, something you're still not confident enough to do, with plates filled with food. All besides Sebastian however, who's on his 4th bowl of your stew.
—
“Sorry” Sebastian puffs with an air of annoyance, at himself, as you hike up the trail to the Bankes house. The sun is beginning to set over the trees ahead, but the sky is a warm mix of orange and purple filled with dazzling stars, something you've never seen in the city before.
“It's fine dude, dont worry about it” you give Sebastian a weak smile despite him clenching his clammy hands together, occasionally pulling at his shirt to let air in.
Sebastian had realised that, in actuality, he couldn't just wear jeans and two layers on one of the hottest days of the summer and made the decision to walk home, change and then come back to the after party as soon as he could. Sam, Abigail and the rest had already begun setting up drinks and music at Haley and Emily Larsons place - and you had offered to make the walk with Sebastian. What confused you somewhat, however, is that simply taking the hoodie off was not enough to cool Sebastian - but hey, everyone has different tolerance levels.
“I just, yeah I don't know I just put a tight vest on today - wasn't really thinking about it” his voice croaks with embarrassment as if he's admitting something humiliating. You certainly knew what that felt like, to wear a tight ‘vest’ everyday for nearly a decade. It was a shame you couldn't bring up the fact you had similar situations with your old binders, that would be more awkward… definitely.
“No biggie, I get it” was all you could think of in reply. Sebastian nearly snaps his neck towards you, the taller boy glancing at you with a look you could only discern as panic. Your confusion seems to calm him however, as he goes back to walking, quicker this time.
By the time you and Sebastian are back at the party, he looks much more comfortable in a pair of lighter trainers and a pair of long shorts. Taking note of even more freckles down his legs, you open the door to the Larson house filled with blaring music. You’re not sure why he mentioned the vest, as the outline of it was still visible under his t-shirt at certain angles, surely he would have taken it off? Regardless, you shake it off and follow Sebastian around to mingle. Only problem is, he's grabbing a drink and walking straight to Haley Larson. After a short chat, including a few genuine laughs and an exchange of notes, you realise that Sebastian wasn’t having a best-friend-forever catch up with Haley.
“Didn’t realise you smoked, I would've been your friend a long time ago” you chuckle as if you guys haven't been friends near the entire duration you've been here.
“Dude, have you seen me?”
You shrug cheekily, “well… yeah I mean you look like a stoner, I just didn't want to assume”
Sebastian narrows his eyes at you before letting a sly smile peek through, “rude”
“You asked!”
“Why, you not into it?” his smile genuinely falters into a concerned frown as he asks.
“Yeah I’ve smoked before, I just never thought I’d be able to find a dealer in fucking Pelican Town so I assumed I would never see a joint again”
“Well isn't it your lucky day?” Sam bounds over, interrupting on the last trails of the conversation. “Emily’s girlfriend up in Calico Desert gets in bulk, and sells to Emily and Haley”
“And then Haley sells to everyone else” Abigail grins, “it's a good price too”
“Damn” you laughed, “I know this sounds bad, but I genuinely thought everyone here would be a bit too conservative for that”
“And… you decided to move here on that assumption?”
Sebastian looks at you puzzledly, almost as if he's trying to figure you out with some concern. The word conservative comes to mind as a potential trigger.
“Not like that! I’m not, I mean. Guys come on, look at me! You think I moved to Pelican Town for some tradwife hunting dream?”
Abigail bursts into laughter, already on her fourth drink, “come on Sebastian” she giggles at him.
“Sorry” he says to you for the second time this night, you're worried he's almost retreating.
“No worries, I worded it wrong - let's just drink, yeah?”
The night goes smoothly. The three of you grab drink after drink while mindlessly talking and playing drinking games with the rest of the party. Black Jack, Never Have I Ever, Ring of Fire, and Truth or Dare all come up at least once. But you find yourselves on another game of Ring of Fire for the moment.
You’re on your fourth vodka and coke now, peering around as Alex spins the deck of cards so they lay in an even circle around the large pint glass in the middle of the table. “You first, Player” Alex shoots you an almost cunning glare. You’re not sure if you're just assuming poorly of this guy because he looks like every guy in school that bullied you or because he's so impatient to start the game he can't stand you hovering your hands over the cards. Picking up a card in one swift motion, you read outloud “four”
“Whore!” Haley giggles.
Ah yes, the ‘four-whore’ card: take a shot if you’ve had sex before. Although you’re used to the game, moving town has made you realise that basically every place has a different way of arranging the cards and what rules are in place. This was one you hadn't had before. Despite that, the card isn't revolutionary to you and you start pouring yourself a shot. That is until you realise that the rest of the group is going wild at the fact that Penny is no longer nursing her white wine and begins to pour herself a shot of vodka -
Oh yeah… you were now living in a small town and that meant that this was like a goldmine of gossip for everyone.
“Girl when?? Who?” Haley practically squeals as she shakes the tipsy Penny in a long buttercup summer dress next to her.
“Absolutely not” Penny blushes, “I just have to take the shot - I don't have to tell you!”
The rest of the group begins to chirp up in drunken whoops and yells, obsessed with finding out who it is. Despite your quietness, you were thoroughly intrigued. I mean everyone was right, who the hell could it be? It could very well be someone in the room. Alex and Haley were practically begging Penny for an answer, so definitely not them. Leah is sitting with a whiskey giggling at the sight, but seems just as intrigued as everyone else. Elliot is whispering in her ear as they begin debating who it could be… so no Elliot. Emily and Abigail begin smiling knowingly at one another, before poking Sam.
Oh shit, yeah, Sam and Penny are friends. Something you didn't realise until you noticed the two sat on benches or in the library together with the kids every other day.
“It's not me!” Sam whisper shouts, “You guys know I've only had sex with one person - lay off!”
That's interesting, now who could that be.
During your conspiring between whos Sams only fuck buddy is and who Penny had sex with, and if either of them where lying about eachother, you turn to make a quip at Sebastian to realise hes simply waiting to take his shot in hand with a flushed face. Suddenly, your mind is racing even more, it's not weird or shocking that he's had sex… but in the context of this small town you can do nothing else but question who? Is someone in this room his ex?
Before you can even question it further, the group suddenly breaks out into a roar as Penny reveals who it is, and you've completely missed it.
“Wait, who?”
Sebastian turns to you with a mix of concern and laughter paired with relief, “my sister!”
Oh shit it's Maru, the only person not at the party.
“Awkward much?”
“It could be worse, I mean hey Penny seems like a nice girl. I’d rather her than… well I don't even know who else. If Demetrius is gonna accept anyone it would be Penny”
Penny Winters was the perfect small town girl, she was quiet, reserved but extremely polite and easy on the eyes. She never made a wrong move, or behaved in a way that was obtrusive to anything around her. She seemed to mould into whatever shape was needed of her for the day and time. It was almost kind of sad in a way, especially after you met Pam Winters, who was the loudest woman you've ever met. She was a nice lady but it made you question how Penny ended up so much like… well Penny. With bright copper hair in delicate buns and a perfect middle parting and muddy green eyes, Penny was perfectly nothing. And you felt horrible for thinking it, but this was the first time you'd heard more from her than a simple hello or basic pleasantries about your farm. Maybe you just had a lot more to learn than you did with everyone else.
And well, you had, for sure. You didn’t realise how many people in this town would be queer, it was refreshing honestly. You had become accustomed to the saturated personalities of the city, you could find whatever group you wanted if you tried hard enough. But here it felt special to have so many flourishing personalities, there were a few stuck in the mud types... Particularly Caroline & Demetrius who seemed a little too ‘in their ways’ for your liking - but even then, their downfalls were somewhat expected for their age range.
“So are you guys dating?” you chirp up with intrigue
“Uhm” the entire party comes to a stop to hear the words from Penny’s lips.
“Yeah, yeah we are. But I'm not supposed to be saying anything yet… Can I take my shot now?”
The party erupts again in cheers as if something momentous had happened, and you had to take a moment to realise that a relationship in a town of 28 was sort of a big deal.
“Told you it wasn't me! Penny’s like my sister” Sam shakes his head in genuine disappointment towards Abigail and Emily despite her persistent poking that ‘it still could've happened!’
You take the moment to look around and see who has shots… Penny, Emily, Leah, Elliot, Sam, Sebastian and you. Surprisingly, less people than you had thought. Was it wrong to assume someone like Alex or Haley would have gotten it over with already? You weren't too shocked about Abigail, given her parents. But that meant that those three were out of the picture for Sebastian and Sam's escapades. Who could it be then? Something you’d have to ask when you were closer with the group. What you realised tonight is that you were tearing apart a lot of assumptions you had made about people here.
Down goes the shot, it's warm from sitting on the counter all night, which does not help the sting that follows. Pure vodka, always great for a young adult party. How has it only been one go in this Yoba forsaken game?
—
“So, how the fuck are we doing this?”
Sam looks at you with some real fear, with Abigail's tall form fallen over his shoulder mumbling something incoherent. The four of you were horrifically drunk, but you and Sam somehow had more ability than your gothic companions. Sebastian is currently leaning on you in a similar fashion to Abigail and Sam. His eyes are fluttering as if he's about to pass out right then and there, but somehow still giggling as if Sam's comment was funny and totally not from panic. Well, at least he hasn't thrown up yet… Unlike Abigail. You consciously peer back at the side of the river which is still polluted with a dark green from Abigail’s stomach - better outdoors than in someone's house.
You sigh, “I guess one of us takes one each?”
“Are you good to walk up the hill with Seb?”
“I think i’ll be fine, how the fuck are you getting into Pierres house exactly?”
“Abigail's bedroom is on the bottom floor - she always leaves her window open on a night out”
Right, strict parents.
“Well, I guess if you got a plan, we’re good?” you roll your eyes instinctively at the thought of carrying Seb up that fucking mountain trail… You could call Robin, but that would be embarrassing for you and Seb. Better not.
“Just one thing” you let your drunken confidence get the better of you before Sam can fully turn away, “who the fuck did you and Seb sleep with… I’ve been trying to figure it out all night and I can't imagine anyone else… doing it with either of you” you laugh sleepily as the words roll out, you sound insane, but not as insane as you would be if you were sober.
Abigail's shaky voice reappears out of nowhere; “it's like hearing your parents have sex, GROSS!”
What does that have to do with-? Oh.
You look up at Seb, he's already got his hand slapped against his face in drunken embarrassment.
“Whoops. Sorry, that was-”
“Awkward. Yes. please can I go home” Sebastian cuts you off with a steady voice for once. Yep, couldn't have said it better yourself.
Sam and Sebastion, now that was... unexpected.
“Anyway… see you later?” Sam scratches the back of his neck and begins to make the short walk to Abigail's bedroom window.
“Sure thing!” you answer with a curious enthusiasm. You’d definitely have to unpack that when you weren't near blackout drunk carrying a cute goth boy up the hill.