Skylar turned his head to look at Alex. "What do you want to watch?" Skylar asked, meeting Alex's gaze. Alex's smile only made him smile even more. See, it wasn't awkward because nobody made it awkward. Sky felt completely fine in that moment, and it looked like Alex was doing okay as well. He looked to his other side for his controller before grabbing it and handing it to Alex. "Here." He said softly before looking back at the TV. He then waited for Alex to pick something to watch.

Alex raised a brow when he was asked what he wanted to watch. He gave a slight shrug in response. When he was handed the controller he paused a moment before taking it. "I make no promises that you'll enjoy what I pick." He said playfully and with some teasing amusement in his voice. He lay still for a moment before he moved to sit up. Tearing his eyes from Skylar he looked towards the tv and began to peruse the different movies and shows that were available for him to choose from. He half considered simply playing Shameless. Sure he hadn't ever seen it before, but it was clear that Skylar enjoyed it, ultimately though he decided against it. It was a few moments before he finally settled on the comedy Grown Ups. Pressing play he moved to pass the controller back to Sky with a small smile.

Once Alex left Sky's house the day after the sleepover, things didn't get any better. Skylar claimed to be sick, so he was allowed to stay home from school for a couple of days. He used the sick card and fooled both his mom and Alex. Guilt ate him alive, but he truly didn't feel good. His body went into autopilot many times during the days he stayed home, mainly focusing on his thighs and arms. Alex then invited him to a party his friend was throwing. Since he was "sick" with just a head cold, Alex probably assumed he'd feel better in time. Skylar couldn't lie anymore, so he needed to go to the party, plus there would be alcohol.

'

He woke up pretty late, which only gave him a couple of hours before the party started. Rubbing the sleep away from his eyes, he got up slowly. He hadn't seen Alex since the sleepover, and it's been low-key killing him. Standing up, he made his way to his bathroom to shower. Since he had time to kill, he took an hour-long shower, making sure he smelled good for Alex. He didn't look good, his eyes had huge bags, and he looked more tired than usual, even though he slept almost all day. After the shower, he got dressed in a clean pair of sweats and a hoodie. He also sprayed on some cologne and called it a day. He didn't feel like doing anything more.

After departing from Skylar's house, Alex had expected to hear or see from him the following day, or even the following week. But aside from being told that Skylar was sick and the occasional texts, it had been radio silence. To say he was concerned would be an understatement. His mind had continued to wander back to how Skylar had acted before they'd gone to sleep, and then the sudden change in his attitude. So, he was excited at the idea that he would be seeing him again at the party Bev was throwing, and that he had invited Skylar to. It wasn't going to be insanely crazy, nothing like the party where he and Skylar had first kissed. There wouldn't be hoards of high school kids, just him and some friends. There'd be drinks, games, music, and well everything else that came with the idea of a high school party. "So, I'll see you in an hour?" The sound of Bev's voice cut through his thoughts and Alex paused to look over at her. "Obviously." He said with a smile and a soft laugh. "I'll be sure to bring some of the snacks you requested. Okay?" He watched as she eyed him before nodding. "I suppose I'll let you go then." She said before smirking. "I'll be standing at the door waiting for you, so don't be late." She added as she moved to start walking down the sidewalk and in the direction of her house.

`

Alex watched her go before he laughed faintly and shook his head. He and his friends had decided to drop by the cafe that they often frequented and get drinks. They'd spent the last couple of hours here, simply enjoying one another company. Bev had been the last to depart. Everyone had left a good half hour or more ago to get ready. Letting out a sigh he moved to begin walking, heading back to his own place. He wanted to drop his backpack off and change into something more fitting for the party. Then, he was going to swing by the store to get what he promised Bev he would before stopping to pick up Skylar. At the realization that he'd actually be seeing him again, Alex smiled and moved to slip his phone from his pocket. "I'll be there in an hour <3." He typed out, wanting to let Skylar know when he'd be showing up before he hit send. He slipped his phone back into his pocket and hastened his steps as he continued walking home.

Skylar made his way to the kitchen but slowed in the hallway when he got a text from Alex. He found himself smiling a little at his text. Continuing to walk slowly, he began to type. "Ok." Skylar typed out, but he stared at it for a moment before sending. He decided to add a smiley face at the end before sending. The realization hit him that he would have to see Alex and all of his friends and try to act normal. It was fine, he could do it, he told himself. Upon reaching the kitchen, he got himself a glass of water and sat down. Now it was just time to wait until Alex showed up.

Alex spent most of the hour he had before he needed to meet with Skylar, getting ready for the party. He'd decided to take a quick shower before carefully selecting the clothes he'd wear. He'd been torn between two outfits before he finally settled on one. The room was quiet except for the faint hum of music playing from his phone as he grabbed the black skinny jeans and slipped them on. They were snug, distressed just enough at the knees to look intentional. Then he reached for the fitted t-shirt that hugged his frame enough that, up until a year ago, he would have been far too self-conscious to wear. And even now he felt the ebbs of it tightening his chest but he didn't let his mind linger on it any longer. Instead, he moved to grab the navy and dark red flannel and threw it on. He made the decision after buttoning it to unbutton it and leave it open.

`

As he looked at himself in the mirror, Alex scuffed the toe of his boot against the floor, debating for the third time if he should simply switch to sneakers, but something about the worn leather of the combat boots felt right, especially for one of Bev's party. He drew in a breath and turned away from the mirror to grab his phone and begin making his way toward the front door. His parents and his younger sister had gone out, all three of them aware that he'd be hanging out with friends, so there was no one to say goodbye to as he stepped outside of his house and closed the door behind himself. Lifting a hand he ran his fingers through his hair and started walking in the direction of Skylar's house. He told himself, as he walked that he hadn't dressed up like this for anyone in particular, that he'd done it solely for the party and not because he wanted to look good for Skylar.

`

"Here," Alex texted and sent after the nearly thirty minutes it had taken him to get from his house to Skylars, with the brief stop he'd made at the store. He moved towards the front door and slipped his phone into his pocket, before shifting his hold on the bags that he had in his hand. When he reached the front door he slowed to a stop and chewed at his bottom lip.

Once Skylar got the text that Alex was there, he put his phone in his pocket and moved to put on his boots. Showtime. Skylar walked to his front door, stopping right in front of it. Hesitantly, he opened the door and softly smiled. He stepped out and closed the door behind him, standing in front of Alex. "Hey." He said quietly, going in for a hug before pulling away just enough to kiss him. The kiss was quick, and he swiftly moved past Alex and started walking. Glancing over his shoulder, he slowed his walk so that Alex could catch up.

Alex stood still in front of the door as he waited for Skylar to answer. When he opened it, Alex was quick to smile. "Hey." He greeted back, trying to ignore the giddiness he felt at not only seeing Skylar after not being able to for several days but also being able to be close to him. When he was pulled in for a hug he was quick to return it. At the kiss, however, he froze, his body tensing and his eyes widening. His heart kicked into a rapid beat as a rush of panic shot through him. Instantly his thoughts went to worrying about anyone having seen it. It didn't matter to him that had been brief, or that no one was out to witness such a thing. He stood frozen for a second, his feet glued to the ground before finally he turned to look at Skylar. He loved kissing him when they were alone and when there was no risk of being spotted. Biting at his bottom lip he forced himself to relax as much as possible before he moved to catch up to Skylar.

Knowing Alex, Skylar realized shortly after beginning to walk that he probably shouldn't have kissed him. It was too late now, so Skylar didn't say anything. He now remembered that tonight he had to hide the fact that he and Alex were together. Maybe they'd be able to slip away to make out at some point during the night. "You ready to get wasted?" Skylar questioned, nudging Alex's shoulder with a smirk. "I know I shouldn't be drinking, but eh, it's whatever." Skylar then added before letting Alex reply. He continued to stare in front of him, looking anywhere but at Alex. Sky didn't want him to worry about him, but he was sure he had been worried the past couple of days.

It took Alex only a few moments to fall into step beside Skylar. He didn't say anything, didn't even look up at him until he heard his question and felt him nudge his shoulder. He paused a second before turning his blue eyes to the male at his side and managing a smirk of his own and a soft laugh. "I don't get wasted." He said playfully. The truth was, he rarely ever drank and on the rare occasions that he did, he hadn't ever consumed enough alcohol to actually make him drunk. He'd always stopped when the first twinges of being tipsy settled into his mind. Upon hearing Skylar's next few words he paused and raised a brow. "You know you don't actually have to have any of the alcohol right?" He asked as he watched him.