This Year is My Year

The Second Element: Buckets of Alcohol

I snaked my arms Y/N's waist, pulling her tight to me. I almost felt drunk at the sight of her in that dress – taking in the curves she rarely showed the rest of the world, wondering how I got so lucky to call her mine.

She looked up at me, still smiling and flushed from our quick shoe adventure at her house. I beamed, kissing her on the forehead.

"Buckley, do we still have you with us?" I called over my shoulder as we continued to Steve's house. I heard her feet pick up behind us, and she popped up beside me.

"Munson, what do you think of Henderson's dress?" She nudged me, acting coy. I smiled, confused why she was suddenly playing matchmaker with me and my girlfriend. She had called me earlier, surprising me, as Robin and I were not the kind of friends who just called each other to gab.

She was grilling me about what kind of clothes I liked Y/N to wear – Robin groaned when I told her I liked anything Y/N wore, or when she wore my jacket. She then gave me very specific instructions on what to wear – gray t-shirt, ripped jeans, Y/N's flannel.

"And I mean that tight gray t-shirt, Munson—the one that Y/N likes so much."

I pulled Y/N close to me as we walked, smiling at Robin.

"I think it's great—looks even better with my jacket," My tone was teasing, but I meant it. I couldn't stop touching Y/N, my head dizzy at the vision of her in that dress and my jacket. She was tracing my back, pulling on the shirt she apparently liked so much. I felt butterflies bloom in my chest.

Robin pivoted in front of us, walking backwards now, and I smiled as Y/N instinctively reached out, worried her friend would trip and fall backwards.

"Okay, lovebirds," she started, lecturing us, "As you know, tonight is My Big Adventure, and because it is my adventure, you have to commit to having a great time. So that means no saying no to shots, or dancing, or anything else that will improve upon our time on my adventure."

Y/N laughed, nodding her head. Robin grinned her crazy grin, moving to walk to the side of us, wrapping her arm around my shoulders. I smiled at her gesture of friendship, pulling the girls towards Steve's house for what Robin was calling her "Pre-Adventure Adventure".

~~~

I was desperately trying to get my hair to fall exactly how I needed it to fall. It, of course, was not cooperating, and it looked like it did when I was a freshman.

I tugged at my button up, trying to look somewhat cool, feeling like I was failing.

"Get your shit together, Harrington," I attempted a pep talk in the mirror, not believing myself. I left my room, the house empty since my parents were out of town, again. I entered the kitchen, trying to organize the large bottles of rum, vodka, and whiskey that Robin had brought over earlier this afternoon.

"Buckley, there's no way we are going to be able to drink all of this before we head to the city," I was incredulous at the size of the bottles.

"Harrington, I wish for once you would just trust me—I bet that this isn't even enough." She was insistent, smiling her wry smile. I could feel her growing excitement and smiled back at her.

"Alright, alright, I trust you." She turned, heading to the front door.

"I'm off to Henderson's to help her get dressed – I'll see you for the Pre-Adventure Adventure!"

I followed her, leaning in the doorway.

"Buckley – what should I wear? Does it matter?"

She turned on her heel, incredulous. I couldn't help but smile at my strange best friend.