This Year is My Year

We Should Know Better

"These are my favorite boots," Eddie whined. I rolled my eyes as he followed me to the bathroom. I had Dustin in front of me, guiding him by his shoulders. Once we got to the bathroom, I set Dustin on the ground in front of the toilet. I turned to Eddie and tried not to smile at his drunken, pink face.

"That's what you get for giving him liquor," I admonished him. Dustin groaned from the floor. I closed my eyes. "This is why it was supposed to be one beer."

Eddie peeled his boots off, dropping them heavily in the sink. He flipped the water on, turning back to me.

"What's the point of being his mentor if I can't be a bad influence?" He was drunk, the last shot sending him over the edge. I held back a smile as he brought his face close to mine, his hands behind his back. He stared at my lips, and I felt my heart catch, the air in the room suddenly charged.

Dustin started retching, releasing the tension. I raised my eyebrow, pointing to my brother.

"That's why. I'll be right back, buddy," I started back to the kitchen, Eddie close behind me. He grabbed my waist, pulling me back into him with a yelp. He kissed the nape of my neck as we walked awkwardly to the kitchen, laughing the entire way.

Dustin's explosion had successfully dispersed a majority of the party – only Hellfire, Steve, Robin, and Cristina and her friends remained. Gareth was wiping up the floor, trying not to gag.

"Oh, Gareth – you don't have to clean that up!"

He stood, shrugging.

"Someone had to, and I'm done cleaning it anyways." I beamed at him, offering to take the towels from him. He shook his head, heading to the laundry room. I turned to Eddie.

"See? Everyone else is cleaning your mess up!" I was teasing him. His jaw dropped.

"My boots were thrown up on!"

"Because you gave a fourteen-year-old schnapps!" I was smiling now, unable to stop grinning at his incredulous look. He closed his mouth, and nodded, sheepish. He shot his puppy dog eyes up at me, making my stomach flip flop. I crossed to him and kissed his nose. "No more shots with Dustin, okay?"

He smiled and nodded at me. I turned, opening cabinets to get towels and a cup for water. I filled the cup as the group continued to chatter on about the night. I smiled when Jeff said it was the best party he had ever been to. I padded back to the bathroom.

Dustin was resting his head on the edge of the toilet, smiling weakly. I smiled back at him and placed the water on the ground next to him. I went to the sink, wetting one of the towels before shutting the water off. I grimaced at Eddie's giant boots, well-worn from his constant use. I went to Dustin and placed the towel on the back of his neck, settling myself on the ground between the toilet and the tub, leaning my back against the tub.

"I should have only had one beer," Dustin muttered. I smiled, patting his back.

"It's okay, buddy. The point of parties is to overdo it," I wanted to make him feel better and will away the sick. He rolled his head over, looking to me.

"I really overdid it."

"Just means you did your first party right!" I took the towel from his neck and started dabbing his face. He smiled again.

"It was really fun until I got sick. And Eddie and I did a shot together!" He was proud of this fact – he looked up to Eddie so much. I smiled.

"Yes, you sure did. And you got it all over his boots," I teased, winking. This made him laugh, and he momentarily forgot how bad he felt. His face suddenly shifted, and I could tell that he was going to be sick again. I quickly leaned forward, gently pointing his face towards the toilet. He started retching, and I furrowed my brows, feeling terrible for my baby brother.