The Ice is Slippery

5

Clay's parents were gone for a few weeks so obviously there was going to be a party or two. They weren't going to be huge parties, just some of the hockey team and maybe a couple others.

George exited the passenger seat of Clay's Subaru and followed the blonde into his house

"So what kind of decorations do you have?"

"Umm," Clay hummed as the two made their way to the basement, "I have some lights and balloons but that's it."

"What's this party for again?"

Clay chuckled, "You ask a lot of questions. It's just for fun, I guess. Life can be stressful and it's nice to just take a break sometimes."

The tall blonde went through the closet to find the lights and balloons. He grabbed both and tossed the lights to George before heading downstairs to start setting up. Clay sat on the couch to start blowing up the balloons while the other grabbed a chair to hang up the lights. They weren't anything special, just some warm toned string lights. There were already hooks around the ceiling so it wouldn't be too much trouble.

After inflating three balloons, Clay had to take a quick break to catch his breath and put on some music while he did. ALL MINE by Brent Faiyaz started playing through the basement speakers. George absent mindedly hummed along to the song. A slight smile crept across Clay's face as his soulmate strung more lights up.

"Are you ever gonna finish blowing up the rest of the balloons?" George asked as he stepped off the chair and turned around with a raised eyebrow. Clay let out a small laugh before getting back to his balloons.

——

When they were both done, George sat down on the couch while Clay ran upstairs to get some drinks and snacks ready before anyone else arrived. He brought them to the basement and set down the snacks. He slumped down on the couch next to George, handing him a drink.

The blonde laid his head back against the couch, turning it to face the brunette next to him, "I want to tell you something but I don't want to creep you out."

George sat up and turned to look at the taller boy. He said nothing, but Clay knew he wanted him to continue.

He took a deep breath, "I like you ... a lot," George froze, "And I have for a while actually, since middle school. I really wanted to say something sooner but I didn't want to scare you away."

Nothing. No words. He couldn't say a goddamn thing.

"Shit," Clay laughed with his hand over his face, and for a second George thought everything he just said was a joke, "I really wanna kiss you right now."

George could only stare at the boy who just spilled his guts to him. Neither spoke, they just stared at each other. Clay's eyes briefly flicked down to the other boy's lips before looking back into his eyes.

"Well, are you gonna kiss him or not?" Nick stood at the bottom of the stairs with a bag of popcorn in his hand. The two on the couch whipped their heads around with wide eyes.

After the shock washed over them, Clay burst out laughing.

"How long have you been standing there?" George asked, a bit panicked.

"Relax lover boy, I won't tell on you, but I was here for the whole thing."

Now they were all laughing. There was the squeak of a door opening and footsteps trampling down the stairs. The rest of the hockey team and the cheerleaders came speeding into the basement ready to have fun.

"What's so funny?" Kris questioned Nick, wrapping her arms around his waist.

"Nothing, just Nick being nosy," Clay giggled.

"Nosy about what?"

Nick ruffled Kris's hair, "Now who's being nosy." They all laughed as Nick dragged Kris to get a drink.

——

The night went on smoothly even though everyone was shitfaced. Clay had put on a horror movie to help wind down the party. Most people were laid out on the floor in front of the couch with their partners, hiding under the blankets or a pillow at every jumpscare. George and Clay were on the couch, the blonde's arm around the other's shoulders. The small brunette hid behind Clay's hand anytime he got scared.

When the movie was over, Clay nudged George with his elbow, "Can I talk to you upstairs for a sec?"

"Yeah, of course." They made their way out of the basement while everyone else continued with their conversations or ridiculous drinking games. Clay closed the door behind him and George before leaning against it and letting out a small sigh. He was nervous.

"I think we should tell everyone about us being soulmates," He paused for a moment, "If you don't want to, that's okay we can wait, but I think we-"

He was interrupted by Drista running in from the sliding glass door to the backyard and hiding behind Clay. Tommy came running in behind her, followed by Nick and Kris.

"TOMMY, NO, FUCKING PUT IT BACK OUTSIDE," Drista yelled. Apparently, everyone got into the alcohol and Tommy was running around the house with a very much alive baby squirrel.

"BUT DRISTA, HE NEEDS A FUCKING HOME. HE DOESN'T HAVE A PLACE TO STAY."

Nick couldn't stop laughing as he spoke, "Maybe it's because you stole him from his home, dipshit."

"No wildlife in the house big T, you know the rules," Clay scolded as he pushed the young boy back outside, Drista hot on his heels.

Clay leaned against the door frame watching the two kids chase each other like they were back in elementary school. George walked up behind him, watching the game of tag go on. He laid his head against the arm of the taller boy, "Yeah, we can tell them. Let's just make sure these two chill out first."

——

After the two psychos calmed down, Clay gathered everyone in the basement. At this point in the night, no one was sober. A few people were stoned, but everyone had at least one drink.

"Okay guys, I uhh have some news," He looked briefly at his soulmate who gave a reassuring nod. Nick was noticeably excited as he continued, "I don't want anyone to freak out but I found my soulmate."

There were cheers and clapping and congratulations. There was a giant smile on his face as Clay spoke again, "It's George."

Silence.

——

AN: I love cliffhangers when I'm not the reader :)

I'M BACK FUCKERS, and hopefully here to stay. Anyway, I'm still getting back into the flow of writing so this is a slightly shorter chapter and I don't have an editor anymore so sorry for any shitty grammar, she used to handle that stuff. From now on I'm going to try to update at least once a week on Fridays.