As Taylor approaches the school, he sees Daryl waiting for him near the stone steps. As Taylor gets closer, he waves, causing Daryl to look up.

“Yo,” Taylor calls out, running forward to the steps. “What’s up?” Taylor asks when he was within speaking distance.

“Not much, man. Come on, the guys are waiting for us near the liquor store,” Daryl says before leading the way.

…

…

Ahead of the pair, closer to the liquor store, Taylor and Daryl could see their two friends. Beside them was a young man and a girl, who Taylor assumes was his girlfriend, as they were holding hands.

When the two got closer, Taylor’s friend Richie calls out, “Yo, what took you guys so long?”

“It was Taylor’s slow ass. Kept me waiting for 15 minutes,” Daryl says, emphasizing the time of the wait.

“Hey, I’m the birthday boy; I’ll keep you waiting for as long as I like.” Taylor says with a smirk.

“Fuck off; where’s the cash? Let’s get the liquor and go,” Conner says with slight impatience.

“Easy, quick-shot; aren’t you going to introduce us first?” Daryl asks, gesturing to the young man and girl.

“Yeah; Jared, this is Taylor and Daryl. Guys, this is my cousin Jared, and his girl Tasha,” Richie says gesturing to the people involved.

“’Sup,” Taylor says, trying to stand straighter.

“’Sup,” Daryl says, following suit.

Jared looks to them and smiles, “Easy boys, I won’t bite. But Tasha might,” Jared says with a teasing grin.

Tasha smacks Jared’s chest. “Fuck off, Jared. We’ve only had two dates, and you act like I’m already your woman. You’re going to have to try harder than that, asshole,” Tasha says with annoyance.

Jared gives a bitter smile and attempts to coax his girlfriend, “Come on, Tasha. I was only kidding. Jokes, just jokes!” Jared says, trying to hold onto Tasha’s shoulders.

“Whatever. I’m going back to the apartment; I don’t want to wait around for you boys to buy beer,” Tasha says, shrugging off Jared’s hands and walking away.

“Tasha! Come on!” Jared yells with his hand out, before giving Taylor and Daryl a bitter look. “Look what you guys did; you scared her away,” Jared says with disappointment.

“Fuck off; let’s just buy the beer and go back to your apartment. If you still want to go back that is,” Richie says with a laugh.

…

…

“And don’t be too loud; I don’t want to piss off the neighbors,” Jared says as he opens the door.

Tasha was waiting inside, with two other girls in the living room.

To Taylor’s surprise, Richie approaches one of the girls and kisses her. “Hey babe,” he says in a caring tone.

“Whoa, what the fuck is this? Since when did you have a girlfriend, Richie?” Daryl asks with shock.

“Since a week ago. This is Darcie,” Richie says with a proud face.

Darcie gives them a shy wave and says, “Hey.”

“Hey to you as well,” Daryl says before giving Richie a jealous look. “As for why you’re with this guy; only God could know,” Daryl says with slight disappointment before taking a seat on an empty couch.

Taylor and Connor follow after and sit down.

Richie sits down next to Darcie and introduces his friends. “That’s Taylor and Connor. The guy with a big mouth is Daryl. And that’s Sylvie. Birthday boy, I wish you the best of luck,” Richie says with a smirk.

“Such a beautiful girl; I think I might need it,” Taylor says, his face turning a shade of red in embarrassment.

“Oh, shit; birthday boy’s got some moves,” Jared says as he takes a seat next to Tasha.

Sylvie leans back into the couch as if to hide before responding. “If you play nice; you might get a birthday peck on the cheek. But I wouldn’t hope for too much,” Sylvie says, trying to sound brave.

“Fuck; why isn’t it my birthday,” Daryl says, moving to open a can of beer and taking a large gulp.