KISS: Casablanca High School

Ch 49: Happy New Year, Hopefully (Eric C)

I let out a sigh, staring at my phone for a moment. "Aw, screw it," I muttered, adding all five of them into a group chat. 

Hey i'm trying to have a new years eve thing do any of u guys want to come over

"Well let's see what comes out of that," I said to no one, shutting off my phone and waiting for a response from anyone. My phone dinged and I looked at Bruce's message with a smile. 

I mean I guess I will what time tho

Ah yes, details. The one thing I hadn't considered. 

Uhh idk like come over at 6 or something and then spend the night if u want

To my surprise, all five of them said they'd make it, and there was no arguing in the group chat. So far. 

Everything seemed perfect on my end by the time six o'clock rolled around. The pizza was here, my parents were informed of everthing that was going on and said they'd be out for dinner from like 7:30 to who knows  when, all I needed was for my friends to show up. 

Bruce got there first, giving me a huge smile. "Wow, Eric, long time no see! Not like I haven't seen you since two days ago or anything." "I know it's been ages," I said with a smile, opening the door wider and letting him in. 

Gene and Paul showed up next, already talking with each other by the time I let them in, so that was a good sign. "Eric! Heard you got first at the tournament, nice job!" Paul said, giving me a smile and nudging Gene, who just rolled his eyes. "Don't push your luck, Paul," he grumbled, which just made Paul smile even wider. All I needed now was for Peter and Ace to show up and not make things collapse. 

Ace showed up late like he said he would, giving me a huge smile and a hug. "Hiya, curly! Happy New Year!" he cried. "Who's here so far?" "Everyone but Peter. We're all inside eating pizza, you hungry?" I said, trying not to give him the time to focus on his ex(?) boyfriend. "Oh yeah sure! Thanks," he said, still seemingly cheerful. So far, so good. And honestly, by the time Peter showed up it didn't seem like anyone cared. Maybe this would actually go well. 

"So is pizza good for all of you?" I asked, sitting perched on the countertop as they stood around me. "Oof, I don't know man, I'm like borderline with my weight," Gene said with a sigh. "You got anything lighter, like cereal or something?" 

I nodded, pulling open the cabinent and gesturing to the boxes. "I'll get you a bowl, milk is in the fridge." 

The rest of us were happily eating pizza when I heard the freezer open and watched as Gene grabbed a handful of ice cubes and dropped them into the milk. "Hold on, what the hell are you doing?!" I cried. 

He looked up, face turning pink. "What're you talking about?" 

"Oh my gosh, you put ice in your cereal?!" Paul shouted. "I might have to end our friendship again, that's disgusting." 

"You've just ruined a perfectly good bowl of cereal. Why on earth would you do that?" Bruce said, staring at the bowl sadly. "I like the milk cold, alright?" Gene said defensively, taking a bite. "It comes out of the refrigerator! It's already cold!" Peter wailed. 

"Ice in the milk. Unbelieveable. I don't know if I can allow that in my house," I teased. He took another bite with a shrug. "Me and my cold cereal will happily leave if we're not wanted," he retorted. 

Shaking my head, I jumped off the counter. "Alright, do you guys want to go upstairs and we can do something?" They nodded, so I led them up the stairs to my kinda small room and realized I wasn't sure how I was going to sleep six people in it. Oh well, I'll figure that out later.