𝙊𝙉𝙀 𝙒𝙄𝙇𝘿 𝙉𝙄𝙂𝙃𝙏

A Celebration Drink

Francis and the others stood in the kitchen of the home. As Sullivan, Drake, and Alex were at work pouring the round of drinks for the group, Francis and Ariel conversed with each other, standing shoulder to shoulder along the kitchen island as party goers had slowly begun to fill the house as the music slowly and quietly returned to the interior of the home.

"Okay, this has been on my mind," Francis says, putting his hands into his hoodie pockets. "Did you throw that semi-final round to me?" 

Ariel laughs out, leaning up against Francis. "Wouldn't you like to know." She replied. 

"I would, actually." Francis chuckles. "Who knows, you might have beaten me." 

"Well, if you must know..." Ariel giggled, still leaned against him. "I did try to win against you at first. But then I thought how awesome it would have been if you beat that show off Derrick." 

Francis laughs. "So, it's a yes, then?"

"I suppose. But for the record, I still probably would have whipped your butt." Ariel giggled, straightening her posture and looks to Francis. "But from where I'm standing, it looks like I made the right decision." 

"While I thank you for that, it's a shame we couldn't have had a proper battle." Francis says, leaning up against the female. 

Ariel giggled again, wrapping her arm around Francis' own arm, stuffing her hand inside his hoodie pocket and places her hand upon his, prying open his fingers, and interlocking her fingers with his own. 

"I'll remember that for next time." She says, leaning back into him. 

Drake then turns around with a drink in each of his hands, seeing the two. "Aww, isn't that just adorable?" He says. 

Francis shot a glance to Drake, straightening his posture. Ariel laughed, straightening her posture as well. 

Sullivan and Alex turned around, Sullivan carrying two drinks as well as Alex held his own. 

"Aww, you got that right, Drake. You guys gonna start sending out your wedding invitations soon?" Sullivan chuckled. 

"Oh, grow up you two." Francis says, rolling his eyes. 

His three friends laugh out. "We are just pulling your leg, Fran. We are just happy for you." Sullivan says, handing off one of the drinks to Ariel as Drake handed one of the drinks to Francis. 

Francis took his drink, looking into the clear and fizzy brew. "What is this?" He asks, looking up to Drake. 

"A cup filled with mango seltzer beer. Don't worry, it has tiny amounts of alcohol in it. You aren't ready for the big boy drinks just yet. Just pace yourself a bit. Sip on it slowly and we'll see how you feel in a couple hours." 

Francis looked down at the drink, shaking it gently in his hands. "Anything else I should know, coach?" He asks, looking back up to his friends. 

"Let loose, brother." Sullivan says, raising his cup to Francis. 

Ariel laughs and looks to Francis. "Just roll with the feeling. And if you start feeling a bit... woozy, I'll be here to help you through it." She says, smiling to him. 

"We all will." Drake says, raising his glass to propose a toast. The group then raise their drinks in front of them, the lids of their drinks coming together. 

"To the Shuffle Kid." Drake toasts. 

"Here, here." Sullivan, Alex, and Ariel say in unison. A smile runs across Francis' face. He had felt as if he didn't deserve to be the subject of the toast but was flattered anyway.