KNOCK OUT [LH]

Chapter 14: New Year's Kiss

"I really don't think this is a good idea, Win." Calum says, pulling on the new cheetah print bucket hat I had gifted him for Christmas this year, as we carefully trekked up the icy driveway to Ashton and Michael's shared home.

The pair had decided to celebrate the New Year by hosting a party, and after strictly instructing that the two us would not be allowed to drink under their roof, they had graciously extended the invite to Calum and I, who unsurprisingly, had no plans.

"What are you talking about, Cal." I roll my eyes, adjusting my itchy silver sequined top that matched my flared pants. "I explained everything to you on the drive over here."

Calum lets out a sigh ,stopping to ring the doorbell, but with the thumping music inside, I doubt it's even audible.

"All I'm saying is, Hemmings finally accepted you as his friend, what, a week ago? And you think it's a good idea to kiss him tonight? It could ruin everything." He tries to reason, leaning against the doorframe and crossing his arms over his chest.

"It's not like I'm planning to suck his face off or anything." I laugh lightly, shoving my hands into my pockets. "It's a harmless New Years kiss, and if goes as planned, will set us up perfectly for the next part of the project." I finish explaining just as the door swings open to reveal a slightly tipsy Michael Clifford.

"Hey!" The Australian beautician grins sloppily, accidentally sloshing a bit of his drink over the lip of his red solo cup as he holds the door open wider for us. "I was wondering when you two would show up! Come on, come in!"

The two of us greet Michael with a friendly hug, briefly asking how his Christmas was, before he ushers us inside the house, leading the way through the lively buzzed crowd to reach the much calmer kitchen. There's a few people scattered around the marble countertop, as they mix themselves up a new drink, courtesy of the array of colorful liquor bottles, while chatting lightly and bobbing their heads to the music.

"Ok, so here's the deal." Michael starts, swiping a few deserted cups off of the counter and into the trashcan below the sink, before leaning against it to check his watch. "Ball drops in an hour, so if you want to see that go to the living room. Out back there's karaoke, and I think some chick set up Twister in the garage." He lists out. "Upstairs bedrooms are off limits for you two, because everyone here is far too old for you, and I don't want to be responsible for a teenage pregnancy."

Calum nudges me at that, shooting me a look that silently tells me he's referring to the small few year age gap between Luke Hemmings and I, but I stick my tongue out at him and nudge him back.

It's like he doesn't think I, of all people, am responsible...

And he is definitely right.

"Ash stocked the fridge with CapriSuns for you guys." Michael continues, oblivious to our silent exchange as he motions towards the fridge. "You can pour them into a cup to look cool, I don't really care, just NO drinking." He says, pointing a warning finger between the two of us to get his point across.

"Not a problem, Michael." I assure him with a nod. Calum and I had already agreed not to drink tonight, solely because our parents wouldn't be too pleased if we turned up hungover the next morning. "You don't need to worry about us, we've been to plenty of parties."

"We've been to one party." Calum scoffs, stressing the word 'one' as he shakes his head. "And we weren't even invited, you wanted to crash it."

"Tomato, tomato." I shrug, and Michael chuckles before clapping his hands together.

"Okay well, you guys have fun. I've gotta run back to the DJ table--I let Gunner have a spin, and he's playing shit right now." Michael says, pushing off of the counter and shooting a thumb over his shoulder. "But if I don't see you, Happy New Year."