The party

Chapter 25

As you watch Millie through the evening, you keep congratulating yourself for your diplomatic skills. Your little sister is overjoyed and smiles and laughs as much and exuberantly as in months. Megan keeps looking at you and smiling in agreement. You spend most of the time making sure the girls get enough drinks and notice appreciatively that Millie doesn't seem to be drinking a lot of ****. Denise has by far the highest level followed closely by Susan. Claire and Millie stick to their party champagne and a sip of wine to toast. You tried to get Maureen to the party as well, but the first time you tried it, only her mailbox has answered.

Admittedly, something bothers you that Susan and Denise let themselves go. Since the evening with Millie and her ex-boyfriend, you've seen **** with different eyes. Okay, you see a lot of things with different eyes. The bodies of your sisters for example. But when you watch the movements of the two party mice and hear their voices, the images sneak into your head and your expression gets darker. You know a lot about her friends from talking to them and Millie, but not enough to give you a total insight. Millie once said that the luck of the McKinley family lays not under the brightest star. And Denise seems to have eaten a little rebellious Japanese teenager who could keep Godzilla as a domestic lizard.

Megan and her friends are also in the living room and take part in the pre-birthday party-evening/night more or less. You are worried that birthday or not, every day could went like this and you can already see yourself commuting between Seacrest and your house and supplying the meat grinder from Verdun with beer, wine and other stuff. When it gets late, the group splits up. You and Millie stay together and play party games with their friends while Megan and her group watch and chat. They are more inclined to **** and first empty one, then a second bottle of wine. At least no one starts a fight in this state. In between, you notice the absence of Maureen in the overall picture. You take out your cell phone and send her a message. The answer comes a little later.

'I'm partying in the city. Don't wate for me. Trying to ruin the day tomorrow. See ya...' You roll your eyes annoyed. Do you even want Maureen to be there for her birthday? You don't know, but you're still worried. Finally, you shrug it off. After all, Maureen is not doing this for the first time. She is twenty-five and can fuck whoever she wants. You have more important things to do.

At a certain time comes the point where Denise suggests to leave the slowpokes alone and move the party outside.

"Make sure none of them are drowning," advises Carrie, who was just talking to Emma, who is looking at you. "Otherwise you have to do the lifeguard."

"Woooooo! Show us your muscles!” Denise calls out loud. You roll your eyes and see how Emma looks at Carrie, who shakes her head slightly. Karen and Megan have their eyes on you and your reaction.

"Ladies, if you make my life difficult, I'll send you to bed without dinner," you warn the younger women and nod outside. You are almost overrun by the girls. You wish the other friends a nice evening and tell them to leave the mess to you, then you are called outside. You wave to the girls and disappear through the door.

The weather is warm and pleasant and the sun is only weakly shining behind the lake. In the last light of the day you light the campfire for the girls - a little too theatrically. They screech and cheer as the flames burst and you look proudly at your work. The scaffolding is almost a meter high and the flames are even higher. There are no benches so you sit in a semicircle around the fire. Denise wants to go swimming first, but since she is already swaying a bit, you grab her, reach around her waist and carry her back to her seat.

The Eighteen-year-old Van Buren doesn't seem to mind in the slightest, and she slides a little closer to you after you've also sat down. Giggling she leans to you and whispers: "Are you taking care of me tonight?" You click your tongue and look over at the others. The **** takes its toll and Susan sits on your other side as Millie and Claire watch you try to keep up with the girls' advances.

"At school, they say you're gay," Denise whispers and provocatively runs a finger over your arm.

"Not true," Claire says snappily and everyone looks at her. She turns almost as red as the fire and catches a glimpse of her sister.

"Yes, it's true!" Denise replies cheekily. "Denny said that. And Mike said he had no girlfriend.” Denise sticks her tongue out.

"You don't have a boyfriend either," you reply. "Does that make you a lesbian?" A murmur goes through the row.

"Maybe," Denise says lightly. “We no longer live in the Middle Ages. I can do what I want.” Now she sticks her tongue out at you. Susan tries to hold hers, which makes the girls giggle again.

"Yes, you can fuck whoever you want," you reply, and watch with pleasure how the jaw of Claire drops in the sand.

"I see it that way too," Susan says defiantly. Hmm...

"But then why do I have to have a girlfriend?" you give your argument in return. Denise stares at the ground somewhat embarrassed and Millie looks at you. "But I admit, someone asked me just today if I was gay," you say with a shrug and allude to Melina. The girls widen their eyes and Millie asks: "Who was it?"

"Oh, just someone I met at the mall today," you say lightly and turn the tables.

"Uh. Finn, Finn, Finn. So we're not enough for you? You have to hit on other girls as well? ”Denise is amused and leans on you while her words are spoken. You put your hand on her head and see how Millie has to swallow. You look at your little sister as you slowly push Denise away from you. But to your surprise, Susan is leaning on your other side.

"Okay girls, I give up," you laugh amused and a little in need. "Yes, I'm gay. Gay as hell."

"Ahhwwww..." Susan and Denise pout but finally sat away from you. Millie steps in and changes the subject and with the support of the other McKinley she succeeds.

"You just want him for you alone," Denise states, and at that you flinch. But Millie copes that very well.

"Well, he's too big for me."

"What ?!" comes out of the moth of Claire to the surprise of you all.

"Yes. Take a look at him." All eyes are on you again and you are looking panicked over to Millie.

"I just don't like guys who are taller than me." It's quiet at first, but then everyone giggles again and you roll your eyes.

"I'm not going to justify myself now. Alright.” You laugh again and soon the conversation automatically changes the subject.

You have to smile and notice the looks of Denise and Susan, who scurry over to you again and again. Claire can't control herself either. Only Millie is a real fighter. Maybe because she's already a step ahead or because she can be sure of your feelings. But it makes you proud that she is now the only one who is fully focused on the celebration.

At some point, a few hours passed, it is already late in the evening and you successfully stayed out of all the suggestive topics when you felt a hand on your shoulder. You look up.

"Emma, hey. What's up?" You ask surprised. The light of the fire is reflected in her glasses and you can not really see her expression.

"I thought I would come out and save you from whatever topic the girls are discussing."

"Hey!" Denise calls angrily. "We're not that childish either."

"Oh yes? What was it all about?" you ask sarcastically and have to laugh. "About the latest song from a guy I don't know and who is nothing compared to U2 or the Rolling Stones", you say and you mean it somehow seriously. Denise puffs up and stands swaying, wide-legged and with her fists in her hips.

"Steve 1and1/2 is much better than this Richardson!" You gasp loudly and to your surprise Emma giggles a little.

"We can also talk about a topic that interests you Finn," Claire says somewhat sheepishly. You look over at Emma.

"Keith Richards" Emma corrects giggling and as neither of the other girls understands you both laugh.

"Please save me from this bunch of uncultivated pagans," you say and extend your arms imploringly to the young Jackson. She grabs your hands and pulls you up. When you knock the sand off your butt, she signs to a place a little further away from the beach at the tree line. The spot is still close enough to the girls to monitor them, but far enough away not to be in the middle of the action.

With loud booing calls from Denise and Susan, Emma and you literally run to a fallen log into which a niche has been sawn. You sit down and notice that Emma has brought a small shoulder bag with her. She takes out two bottles of beer and gives you one.

"I didn't even know that you were drinking Emma", you mean in astonishment but the girl just shrugs.

“Actually, I stick to one or two glasses of wine every evening. But I can make an exception. Megan said you wouldn't drink much either."

"It only fills the senses and slows down the response time," you grin and take a sip. Emma chuckles.

"Always the protector what?"

"Hey. If something happens you have to act quickly.” You become a little more serious and consider your next words. A lot has changed in your life, but some things remain the same. "I could never forgive myself if something happened to Millie or Megan because of my stupidity."

"Yes I understand."

"Yes?" Emma nods.

"I have a little brother. He is now fourteen and means everything to me.” You grimace painfully at the memories that come up with the age.

"Bah! I still remember Megan and me at that age. It was hell for everyone involved. Vietnam only with more napalm and less humanity.” That makes Emma laugh.

"A new My Lai every day?" You startle and then remember that Emma is one of the few people who understand your confused way of thinking. Maybe because she finds history as interesting as you. But in math is she far ahead of you.

"Yes, something like that," you laugh and rejoice not to have to explain your point of view. This is impressive. Then you look at the fire again. “Fortunately, Millie was never like that. She was always calm. Maybe that will happen to her one day.” You have to smile when you see Millie and Claire laughing in their arms when Denise tells a joke or something similar. She even moves like Godzilla when she is drunk.

"How old is she now? Nineteen?"

"Just Tomorrow." Emma understands and remains silent. You look at her from the side and wonder about her facial expression.

"I envy you and Millie." You have to swallow first and look at her questioning. "What you two have together." She is getting quieter. "My brother hates me. He only told me the day before yesterday.“ You understand where these thoughts come from. Megan and you often quarreled during your puberty, but not for long and not so brutally. It was always about nothing, but then, when the other problems caused by your puberty rain upon you, you were always quickly together to meet the challenges of growing up together. You always had an easy life because you always had someone you could rely on.

"Wow, that has to be tough. But give him time. I think he'll be fine someday."

“We never had such an intimate relationship. I sometimes wish for that. You are not even related to Millie or Megan and you hardly get seen without each other."

"Yes, I admit, the feeling is pretty cool. But you will have that too. Puberty doesn't last forever and if you don't give up, it can turn into something.”

"Maybe it's the age difference, too," thinks Emma, ignoring your words. You understand how she feels and the thought of having neither Megan nor Millie makes you feel really bad.

"Look here. Megan, Millie and I can only go to the movies together because I watch their films. They were hardly in my films once or twice. It is not a question of age or attitude. If you like each other, then the get-together works somehow. That's what I mean when I say that you should give your brother time.” Emma stiffens her legs and back, crossing her fingers and stretching her hands away.

"Yes, maybe you're right." She doesn't sound very convinced, but at least she smiles.

"And believe me, a little rivalry has never hurt. Megan and I are not like Frodo and Sam. More like Vader and Palpatine.” Emma looks at you in confusion, then laughs out loud.

"Nerd," she says, and her voice reveals a cheerful mood. Maybe she already drank a little more than just a glass or two of wine, you think.

"You just have to say. Have a look at yourself.” You lean to the side so that you can point theatrically with both arms.

"I have to wear these glasses," she defends herself and laughs in a way that you can only describe as extremely cute. She grunts a little and draws air through her nose while her hands clasp her mouth. So only her eyes remain, in which the glow of the fire a few meters further is reflected.

"And the hairstyle? Whenever I see you I imagine a book in your hands.” Emma nods.

"That's right, that's how you see me a lot. Nothing bad with it, isn't it? "

"Nonsense." You wave it off. "The look suits you and if you feel comfortable in it then so much the better." Emma seems to be thinking about that. She frowns and you look at her intently.

“Karen and Rachel say, that if you want to impress men, you can't think about yourself. 'Just as far as a man would go with you',” she replicates the girls. You wiggle your head.

"I can only speak for myself here, but I think it takes more than just wearing a great outfit like Rachel or impressive tits like Karen."

Emma is twenty-one, a year older than Megan, and the oldest of the group after Carrie. You don't have much to do with her, but you got to know her well enough through Megan to be able to assess her. She always seemed a little more distant to you than Carrie, much more shy than Karen and Rachel and not as communicative as Megan. But somehow she always managed to be seen by everyone as part of the group. You realize that in this case she could have the same attitude in life as you do. Tactical and strategic thoughts and actions. On the few occasions where she felt unobserved, she also had a very interesting personality. If she was alone with you, it was the opposite and she hardly said anything. Time to find out why she's sitting next to me now.

"Yes, her T... breasts are pretty big," she giggles and looks at her feet.

“But I think that in today's society, too much emphasis is placed on the outside. Sure, the two are hot, but the little things count more. ”

"Which ones?" Gotcha!

“Karen and Rachel can allow themselves to be very direct with their approach. There is nothing bad about that either. But I think we boys are basically still conquerors in our souls." Emma looks at you questioningly.

"Like the Romans or what?"

"Pretty much. I think we still want to move out and conquer things with the sword. Yes, some people like it easy and the girls fall into their laps, nothing to complain about. But if I can speak for myself, I prefer women who appreciate the effort I put in to get them to bed.” Emma giggles again so sweetly. That she doesn't feel attacked is a good sign.

"I don't know if I could find someone to support you in this argument." You shrug your shoulders.

"You do not have to. But I think a lot of people think that way. Take a look at yourself.” That makes Emma sit up and take notice. "You look just as stunning as the others. And if you are not an idiot and only pay attention to the size of the tits and asses, then you are far better than some other women I know.” Despite the darkness, you see Emma blushing. This happens often and you are looking forward to what happens next. She lowers her head so that her hair falls in strands on her face.

"Oh stop it Finn" she grunts and covers her face even more embarrassingly.

"No seriously," you continue laughing. "Exactly, that's what I mean. A lot of guys are into the shy type. You don't put your arguments in the face of everyone. They have to bring them out first. These little things with your hair, your laughter and yes, also how you dress and how you move in your different moods.” That might have been a bit much for Emma, who is used to wearing the jacket of Karen while she clings to a guy.

"You might think so," she says quietly.

"It just depends that you find your style and live it. And I think you are on a great way, if I may put it that way.” You point to her again with your arms outstretched and her cheeks become even redder. But she looks at you gratefully.

"So you want to tell me that you see yourself as a hunter?" You sniff at the picture that forms in your head, but then you see that Emma looks at you curiously.

"Uh, well...“ You scratch your head. “We are basically just animals. We have thumbs, powerful brains, language to communicate, technology that compensates for our weaknesses, all the stuff that makes us different from animals.” She nods eagerly at you and you feel light in your middle because you don't neet to justify yourself or have to explain. "But basically, if we listen to Darwin, we are only one genre among many."

"I fully agree with you, Mr. Professor." Another cute giggle, but her gaze remains fixed on you.

"And have you ever seen a seal swimming directly into a shark's mouth?" You ask rhetorically. Emma shakes her head.

"You like sharks, don't you?"

"Guilty," you grin nervously. Another affection for a misunderstood animal.

"It always fascinated me too," admits Emma and you listen up in surprise. You look at her with wide eyes questioningly. "The power and all that. Since 'Jaws' I've always been a little afraid in the water.” She raises her hands apologetically and quickly explains. "I know that's stupid. I'm just saying , whenever I swim in the sea, I feel like I'm surrendering myself to something bigger, faster, stronger... more powerful than me. That's… a really strange feeling.” You nod slowly, you only partially understand what she means. Is there more to it? Nonsense, they're sharks, they're cool enough.

Then a bright call distracts you and lets you look at the campfire.

"Oh no... That had to come..." you moan and Emma holds a hand in front of her eyes giggling embarrassed.

Denise has ripped off her top under the roaring shouts of a drunken Susan and now is prancing around the fire with a bottle in one hand and her shirt in the other, wich is getting quite close to the flames. Susan is also topless.

"I'll be right back", you murmur to Emma as you push yourself up and run to the fire. A bright laugh accompanies you on the way and somehow you have to smile.

• No escaping your purpose of dealing with beautiful girls all around you. And sadly no escaping from me, asking kindly for a like of your... pretty please...