All in the Execution

Here we are. Do or die time. I look at myself in the bathroom mirror, analysing for any possible imperfection. I'm not sure why I bother, even if I fix all of them I'll just think up new ones. The days leading up to the party had left me with very little to do on the day itself, so all I can do now is wait.

I hate waiting.

"If you're wanking, can you do it somewhere else? I need a shower." Marie's voice informs me from behind the door. I snort at how nonchalantly she managed to yell that, but she's right, no one likes a bathroom hog.

I unlock the door and open it up. "All yours, be careful of the stains." I smirk, causing her to grimace as we pass each other. I head downstairs to see if there's anything to keep me occupied while we wait to leave. I know Rosie will make sure her and Poppy are ready on time, so once Marie's done we're all sorted.

"Ru-Ru!" Sienna's voice bellows as I enter the kitchen. I forgot, can't be without our chief alcohol provider either. "Come sit down, I want to hear all about France!" She requests. My cousin's definitely a lively one, but I kind of appreciate it, makes for a good distraction.

I accept her offer and take a seat opposite her at the table. "Well, it was founded in the middle ages from old Roman Gaul-" I begin, mockingly, before she waves it off.

"Boring! Tell me about the girls, there must have been some that caught your eye." Sienna demands. Both her and Marie seem to have the same trait of jumping to the personal questions, I wonder who started it first.

"Sure, a couple, me and this girl Antoinette were... Close, but it was never anything formal." I brag. Truthfully, if I was ever going to settle down with someone in Nice, it would've been her, but I guess fate had other plans.

"Is he going on about Toni again?" Rosie's voice sighs as I hear her enter. "Honestly, I don't know why they weren't married, they were insufferable."

I turn to argue my case but I'm soon distracted. Rosie's wearing a frilly black dress with red polka-dots, her make-up applied flawlessly. Less glaringly, behind her, Poppy wordlessly enters, clad in a less garish navy dress, though it's clear Rosie's done her make-up for her, she looks so different.

"Oh my God, you two look so cute! The boys are gonna be eating out of your hands." Sienna coos, causing my sisters to blush. "You'll have to point out the ones you like, wouldn't want to steal them from you." She adds with a wink, clearly trying to calm their nerves. It's a good attempt, but I know the best way to chase away any stomach butterflies.

"We've got some time until we need to go." I observe from my watch. "Who else is thinking shots are a good idea?"

*

Shots were a bad idea. Don't get me wrong, everyone's much more relaxed, Marie even cracked a smile when she joined us, wearing her fluttery golden dress. We eventually decided to get a taxi and soon enough arrived at the ferry. No, shots were a bad idea because I'm now seeing the ungodly stash of alcohol we have here and I fear I may genuinely be poisoned by the end of the night.

We're early so there aren't many people lulling around, but I can hear Echo and Ty testing the equipment downstairs. I had offered for Andi to get a ride with us, but she declined, something about needing time to digest. Sienna breaks off to go and chat up the stragglers, while the rest of us head down to meet the rest of the band.

"I swear to fuck, Ty, I'm done talking about, so shut up or I'll use your neck as a whammy pedal." I hear Echo growl. They're getting on as well as usual, guess I can rely on that.

"Just a suggestion, keep musical accessories out of your threats, it just makes them sound funny." I shout to them as we approach the makeshift stage. Ty seems awestruck, I'm guessing he's spotted Poppy, while Echo only looks more angry at my arrival. She's wearing torn grey jeans, and the t-shirt of some band under her signature leather jacket, enhancing her threatening aura.

My mind flicks back to our last meeting here... Maybe that's why she's avoiding eye contact. "Fucking finally, you two crawl here or something? Get your shit set up." Echo orders us. Well, guess us playing tonsil tennis doesn't afford me any special treatment... Not that I'd expected any.

We clamber up onto the stage and begin tuning our instruments. I guess Echo's getting stage fright, it'd explain her restlessness, as much as I'd love to take credit for her mood I doubt she's that terrified of me. Rosie and Marie wander off to get drinks, more people are arriving but it's still quiet enough for me to listen as Ty approaches Poppy.

"You erm... You look great. Is that new? I mean..." He stumbles over his words. Ouch, please tell me we're not going to have a repeat of the music room.

"It is, thank you, my sister got it for me." Poppy answer joyfully. "You look pretty cute too." She continues, casually.

Ty seems psychologically broken at being complimented by my sister. "Oh... I... You... I mean, I don't think I said cute." He blurts out. Wow, so you're saying she's not cute? I mean, I know he's not, but come on, big guy.

"No, I did. And I meant it." Poppy answers calmly. Holy shit, Pops, carrying the conversation all by yourself, I knew those shots were a good idea. "But if you like the dress... Wait until you see me out of it." She chuckles.

...

Bad idea, shots were a very bad idea. Poppy's turned into a flirtatious monster, unfettered by social graces or decorum... Oh God... She's turned into me.

I stand to go and intercept her newfound libido, but I'm stopped in my tracks by a new sight. A flowing red dress, sparkling gold earrings, pure white hair tied into a braid... I can't help but be paralysed by her beauty...

Andi's here.