Fluorescent Adolescent

“I just wanted us to have some girl time. Maybe a jam session just the two of us.” She half lied 

“Nah, we’re good. She’s coming over with Shannon and Vee a little later.“ Odell shrugged, following her into the kitchen. He rolled his eyes when Seth and Milo hooted and hollered at Gretchen’s list. “And what are we celebrating again?“

“That we’re all alive? That Mercury is about to be in retrograde? My promotion? Ben finding his stash of guitar picks?” She rambled off, clearly not seeing the need for a reason. “Are you getting old Rella? Don’t remember how to party?”

Originally posted by daisyjonhsons

“Along with some pops to wash it all down.” She nodded then placed the food on a nearby table. 

Gretchen stood up from the keyboard to help her with the food. She spread it out across the futon that was laid flat. “

“Hey, Gretch!“ Odell walked in with Seth and Milo. Each of them holding something homemade in each hand and drinks. “Are we early?“

“Nope.” Gretchen had just finished setting the lights in the apartment to different colors with her phone. The smart bulbs were placed all around in lamps and light fixtures to let her control the vibe of the room. “You just missed everyone leaving to go get the libations. Where’s Zel?” She took the dish from Milo’s hand and led them to the kitchen. “Vodka and Tequila are next to the mixers. The whiskey, gin, and White Claws are coming back with Luke and Silas from the beer run. And Ben is returning with the weed. And other things I already know you’re going to shoot down.”

“Hey hey hey! I got sheet music and pizza.” Esther smiled “How are you?”

Gretchen looked up from her keyboard with a grin. “Stuffed garlic crust?” She asked hopefully.

“It itches,” she replied simply, moving to sit on her hands to resist the temptation to scratch it.

Gretchen leaned forward and blew on her cheek trying to get the paint to dry faster. “It helps us not loose track of anyone between bars.”

“Someone has to stay at the station.“ He shrugged. “He’ll join us when the fourth shift arrives.“

She nodded as she switched colors. “Raja has pulled me into your master plan for him. He better be coming before we get to Cryptic.”

Ryan raised an eyebrow and rolled his eyes. It wasn’t long before illusions of glittering shamrocks appeared over his cheeks and Happy St. Patricks Day printed on his forehead. “That’ll do?”

“That’s what I’m talking about. You’ll have to do Patch and Judson too.” 

“Fuck me, Gretch! Did you just say rad? Are we in the 80s again? Where’s your skateboard?“ He teased. “6 years without an accident?!“

“When you’re cool enough you can set the trends yourself.” She shot back with a smirk. “Yeah, I mean depending on your definition of an accident.”

Esther’s face soured before she shook her head as to shake him from her thoughts “He’s not on my mind and I’d like to keep it that way. I just want to have a good time with some cool people. Is that ok?”

“Definitely.” She smiled and finished up the flag on her face. “Now let’s get you a drink in your hand. I even brought a bit of catnip for the night.”

“I’m sorry. I just really like this song.” Esther smiled while shimmying to the music

She grinned at her bandmate and did a little wiggle herself. “I’m surprised that the music is actually good. Usually they’re on to Ed Sheeran by now.” Gretchen froze for a moment and stared at her. “I just thought of this, are you going to be cool with Ben being around here? I know it’s kind of weird between the two of you.”

“Are you sure y’all ready to party hard with us?“ He smirked, remembering how wild the hyenas usually got at Jia’s parties. “Give me a second. I’ll text Judson and Patch to see what they’re up to.“

“Oh baby boy I don’t know if you can keep up.” She took a sip of her drink as he made his calls. “You do have to be marked in someway though. I have green glitter gel or I can draw an Irish flag on your face.”

Originally posted by theofficeofsupremegenius

Jin chuckled “There isn’t going to be a girl this week or any week for a while.” 

“Really?” She concentrated as she finished the line. “That’s no fun. Why? Are you off on a new trip soon?”

“Oh I didn’t see your boy toy. He owes me some money.” Jin turned his head to scan the bar  “Did he run off with the jackals?” 

Gretchen hummed uninterested. “He’s somewhere. I think he was catching up with a warlock friend. If he doesn’t join us here he’ll catch up somewhere.”

“You know it’s hard for me to keep still.” Jin took a swig of beer “Can you paint a little faster? It doesn’t have to be perfect.”

“Luke managed it, I’m sure you can too.” She rolled her eyes and dipped into the white. “I’m almost done anyways.”