Kings and Queens of Promise

“Oh, lord,” I muttered as I became conscious. I tried to sit up, but there was a heavy weight on my lower half. Opening my eyes, I looked down and saw it was Frank, body sprawled across my legs and head laying on my stomach. As I glanced around the room, I saw the remnants of our sleepover: about a half a dozen beer bottles, a broken pillow, my clothes thrown everywhere, and open candy wrappers all over. “Frank,” I said, nudging the unconscious boy. “Frank.”

My attempts to wake up Frank were interrupted as I heard someone coming up the stairs. I closed my eyes, pretending to be asleep.

“Aw, look at that. Quite a cute couple,” I heard Syn’s voice say.

“Are they together or something?” I heard Zacky ask, sounding slightly disappointed. I prayed it was because he liked Frank.

“Oh, no. They definitely aren’t. I heard from Jack that they’ve become quite the pair of friends, though. Anyway, why don’t you go call Matt and tell him she’ll be over soon? I’ll wake them up.”

“Alright, Syn.”

“Oh, Emerson!” Syn sang loudly. Before I realized what was happening, I was covered in ice cold water.

“Syn!” I screamed, jumping up. Frank, the innocent victim of proximity, was cussing and shivering next to me.

“Good morning, sunshine,” Syn smirked at me. “Today is my day with you, and we have lots to do. Firstly, go shopping. I have given Pierre a list of things to make and instructed him to make you a list of what to buy, along with this one,” he said, handing me his own list.

“Balloons, candles, streamers…porn?”

“Yes. We are having a party. The porn is for if we can’t get a stripper,” Syn grinned. “Now, after the shopping is done, you are to pick up all the guys from Matt’s house, which I have programmed into your new GPS -you’re welcome-, and you are to pick up your brother and his band mates, as well as Pierre’s. Kapiche?”

“Uh, sure,” I said, just relieved he wasn’t making me do anything else…

“Well, chop chop,” he said before leaving.

“I really hate him sometimes,” Frank muttered, still shivering.

“Here, take my jacket,” I offered before getting up and beginning to dress for the day.

“Want me to come with you?” he offered.

“Nah, I could use some alone time,” I replied.

“Oh, gee, thanks,” he said, rolling his eyes. I finished dressing and hurried downstairs, finding Pierre in the kitchen -where else?- already up and at ‘em.

“Are you sure you’re ready to be up and about?” I asked, taking a stack of plates out of his hands.

“I’m fine, Em,” he said.

“You sure?” I asked again, putting my hand on his forehead.

“Em,” he chuckled, grabbing my wrist, “I’m fine.” With a small smile, he leaned down and captured my lips in a tender kiss. Against my will, I found myself melting. His hands securely held my waist, pushing me against the counter as he leaned into me. My arms automatically went around his neck, my body instantly reacting to his touch. Unfortunately, my common sense was still working.

“Stop,” I whispered, lightly pushing him away.

“Why?” Without waiting for an answer, he pressed his lips more firmly against mine. I completely forgot what I was going to ask him for a moment.

“No, no, no,” I said suddenly, pushing him again. “Anyone could walk in on us, Pierre.”

“So what?”

“So, I don’t want to get fired. Do you want me to get fired?” Finally, Pierre stopped, sighing.

“No, I don’t.”

“Good, now to business. Syn said you had a grocery list for me?” I managed to get away after that. Buying stuff didn’t take very long and I was soon pulling up at Alex’s house. “Hey, Alex, Syn requests you come to his house for some kind of party!” I shouted as I let myself in.

“Oh, a party!” I heard him shout. “I’ll be right there.” I chuckled and wandered into the living room. The couches were dark brown and there was an oak writing desk in the corner. Laying on the desk was a photo album. Glancing at the stairs, I flipped open the book. There were pictures of me and Alex as kids. I smiled at one picture of Alex with a toy guitar. He was so little. Then, I saw a picture of him and his band, way back when Alex had curls and Jack had short, completely blond hair. There was even one of Jack, at a very young age. I could see the number 91, so back in elementary school. Another picture of Jack and Alex made me laugh, because Jack seemed to have always had issues with his hair: in this picture, his hair had what appeared to be pink in it.

“Alright, I’m ready,” he said, grinning. He followed me out to the car and jumped in the passenger seat.

“Okay, we’re going to pick up the rest of the bands, but first I have to stop off at the post office.” I nervously pulled up to the post office and got out, making Alex wait in the car. Although it went against my better judgment, I mailed the envelope of letters.

“So, have you figured out why there’s a party today?” Alex grinned as we headed for Zack’s house.

“Nope,” I said, grinding my teeth. Annoying Alex, knowing what was going on!

“It’s gonna be fun,” he said.

“What are we celebrating?” I asked.

“Life,” he replied. Frustrated at his lack of cooperation, I snatched his beanie from his head and held it out the open window.

“Tell me, or I’ll drop it,” I said firmly. He looked like a deer caught in the headlights.

“You wouldn’t,” he said, eyes fixed on the dangling hat.

“Oh, I most certainly would,” I said, grinning evilly. Alex sighed, looking defeated for a moment, before reaching over and snatching my beanie.

“Oh, snap! Now what?”

“I hate you!”

“Well, I hate you!” After going back and forth for a few minutes, we just ended up giving each other our beanies back: us Gaskarth’s weren’t very devious.

“Good morning, guys,” said Zack as he climbed into the backseat of the truck.

“Morning, Zack,” we both greeted.

“Man, I’m so stoked about this party. I gotta thank-”

“Shut up, Zack!” Alex shouted suddenly, throwing an atlas at Zack. “Emerson isn’t allowed to know!”

“Oh, it’s a secret! How exciting!” said a loud voice just outside. Seconds later, Jimmy and Johnny were climbing into the backseat. Zack’s door opened and Matt dragged him out, taking his seat.

“In the bed, Merrick,” he grinned. Zack flipped him off before climbing into the bed of the truck.

“Where’d you guys come from?” I asked.

“Crashed here, so we could carpool for the big event.”

“Which is...?”

“Oh, no, Gaskarthette, we’re not telling you anything,” Johnny grinned. I groaned and hit the gas hard, making them all thump against the seat. Served them right. Once we picked up Rian, who got to keep Zack company in the bed of the truck, and the guys from Simple Plan, we headed back to the house.

“Oh, good, you’re back!” Pierre exclaimed when he saw us. “Syn and Zacky went out, so we only have a little while to get ready!”

“Ready for what?” I asked, but was promptly ignored as everyone began to put up streamers and blow up balloons and set out all the alcohol in the house. I wandered around, helping where I could and making a mental note to avoid the Rec. Room, where there was a stage and strip pole set up.

“Hey, Em!” Frank called as he was helping set up the bar.

“Hey, man. Any chance of you telling me what’s going on?” I asked, giving him my best puppy dog face.

“Nope,” he chuckled. “I’m sure Syn will tell you before it starts.”

“Red alert!” Matt screamed from downstairs.

“Shit! Speak of the devil!” Frank chuckled, grabbing my hand and dragging me downstairs.

“Hide, Hide!” Matt was whisper-yelling.

“Syn,” I called, ducking behind the couch, where Syn was crouching. “What’s going on?”

“Well, when Zacky walks through the door, we’re all going to jump up and scream ‘happy birthday!’ Got it?”

“Yeah.” Just then, the front door opened and Zacky walked in.

“Surprise!” everyone chorused, jumping from their hiding places. “Happy Birthday, Zack!”

“Holy shit, you guys!” Zacky laughed. I moved to Frank’s side, watching as everyone flocked to talk to Zacky.

“A birthday party? That’s what this was all about, huh? Do they do this for everyone’s birthday?” I asked.

“Normally. They once threw a party for both Zacky and Jared, but Jared made it all about Zacky. So, then when we tried to throw him his own party, he didn’t want to see the stripper and he didn’t want to get smashed. He just wanted to drink a couple beers and then go up to his room.” I nodded slowly, wondering just what he did in his room all the time.

I watched as everyone began to go upstairs, probably to see the strip show. I was planning on sneaking up to my room, but Syn caught my arm.

“You’re not going anywhere,” he said. “You’re going to enjoy my company all night long.”

Oh, great.