The Lodger; Noren NCT

✿*｡ Eight ｡*✿

Jeno has been out for most of the day and Renjun had prayed he'd forgotten about inviting him to the party. But to his disappointment he hears the front door open and heavy footsteps coming up the stairs. He hears his bedroom door swing open but didn't turn around. Renjun sat at his desk, school notes scattered over the wooden surface.
"Are you getting ready for the party?" He asks to which Renjun sighs and finally turns.

"You know you could knock before coming in" the blonde stands from the desk chair, wandering over to the closet and pulling out a random pair of black jeans and a shirt.

"Why? Are you worried I'll walk in on you playing with your toys?" Jeno laughs only to earn a glare from the elder. "Besides you know this is my house, I don't have to knock"

Renjun rolls his eyes. This house wasn't Jeno's, it belonged to Mrs Lee but Renjun wasn't going to argue, he wasn't in the mood. "Can you just leave so I can get changed?"

"You have until eight, I'll wait for you downstairs" he says before shutting the door leaving Renjun alone.
He waits a few seconds just to be sure Jeno wasn't going to come back in whilst he was in the middle of getting changed.

He counts in his head. One. Two. Three before picking up his clothes and going into the bathroom and locking the door. He wasn't going to risk it.

•••••

Jeno sprawls out on the couch as he waited for Renjun. This party was going to be huge. Every party Mark throws are huge. His parents had a lot of money and were barely ever home meaning Mark could pretty much invite the entire school.

The last party Mark had thrown Jaemin had gone a little too overboard and downed an entire bottle of vodka neat. It wasn't long until he was doubled over the toilet, throwing his insides up before he passed out on the bathroom floor. Because Jeno was a good best friend he had spent the rest of the night nursing the unconscious boy and making sure nothing bad happened to him. This also meant that his night was kinda ruined.

So that's why he planned on going all out tonight. If Jaemin ended up completely shit faced and comatose in a corner somewhere then Jisung can look after him. Besides Donghyuck never allows Jisung to drink anyway.

"Okay let's go" a voice says causing Jeno to jump up from the couch. He has to allow himself a moment to take Renjun in. He wasn't exactly dressed up but it was the best outfit Jeno had ever seen him wear. A black button up shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, black skinny jeans with rips at the knees. He looked good enough to eat. literally.
"Are you wearing contacts?" Renjun asks which snaps Jeno out of his trance like state.

"Yeah, you like em?" He smirks as he walks closer, grabbing his jacket from the coat rack and opening the front door.

"No" Renjun says flatly as he walks past and out of the house. Jeno pulls a face behind the elders back before locking the door and tugging his hoodie on.
"I'm guessing we're walking"

"Unless you wanna die on the way back and possibly have me arrested for drink driving, yes we're walking. Come on" Jeno walks ahead down the driveway, stopping to look back over at Renjun. "Well come on then"

With a huff the blonde jogs to catch up with Jeno and they start walking. "Am I going to regret agreeing to come to this dumb party?"

"Probably".

•••••

Renjun's eyes widen and his jaw drops to the floor. "Well here we are" Jeno says, smiling almost proudly as he looks at the elders face.

The front lawn was full of college kids, all either drinking, vomiting or making out. There was a crowd jumping up and down and chanting 'chug!' as a boy stood on a table, downing an insane amount of clear liquid. Renjun had no idea what it was but guessed it was alcohol.
The boy finally finished drinking all of the liquid before throwing the glass bottle over his shoulder causing it to shatter into a million pieces and the crowd to erupt into cheers. Only then did Renjun recognise the boy as Donghyuck.

"Come on we can't stand out here all night" Jeno laughs, resting a hand on Renjun's lower back and guiding him into the house.
Any other time Renjun would have pushed Jeno away but this time he moved closer to the taller boys side, to frightened of getting lost.

He was lead through the crowded hallways and into the large kitchen. The island was filled with all sorts of alcohol and soft drinks to use as mixers. Renjun had only ever seen parties like this in movies. "Here take this you look a little tense" Jeno says and pushes a red cup to his chest.

Renjun peaks into it and grimaces slightly at the neon blue liquid. "Actually I don't drink" he yells over the loud music but Jeno only waves him off.

"Well tonight you do. It won't kill you to loosen up a little, you may as well enjoy yourself" Jeno lifts a red cup to his lips and gulps down its contents before slamming the empty cup down on the counter top.
Renjun looks down at the drink again and finally takes a sip. He pulls a face at the strong taste and hears laughter. "It's not that bad"

The blonde sighs before tilting his head back and swallowing the whole drink in one go, ignoring the burning he felt in his throat. Jeno was right, if Renjun was going to get through tonight then a little alcohol was definitely needed.
He holds out his empty cup, his brown orbs meeting Jeno's bright blue ones "fill it"

Jeno looked a little shocked but didn't hesitate to do as he was asked, picking up the glass bottle and filling Renjun's cup once again.