James Hetfield (Metallica), Fred Durst (Limp Bizkit), Marilyn Manson, y Ozzy Osbourne (Black Sabbath) for Rolling Stone Magazine issue 844, July 2003 ("Summer of Metal" shoot)
Summary: Wes invites you to a birthday bash house party.
———————————
Authors note: Here’s a Pinterest collage a made to help you see my vision ⬇️
Also would you believe I started this in October?? I’ve been picking at it for months.
—————————————
It was the night of August 20th, late summer. You and this guy, Wes, were in that in between stage of not dating, but more than friends. You had briefly met his bandmate/longtime friend Fred, who was throwing a big Birthday bash. Wes invited you as a plus one, the thing is, it was a costume party.
You scrambled frantically through your clothes trying to find something you could turn into a costume. That was until you had an idea, you were going to be a bat (a slutty one at that).
You picked up your black corset, mini skirt, bat cape/sleeves, leg warmers, and of course the ears scrapped from an old costume. You figured this wasn’t too basic but also not too try hard, the perfect balance. You knew Wes was very much on the alternative side, he seemed like the type to take Halloween very seriously. You wanted to make his jaw drop with how good you looked, and decided to do more of a goth makeup look.
After spending all evening getting ready and hyping yourself up, you called a cab and set out for the party.
As you arrived at the address Wes gave you, it was a pretty large house, not like a mansion or anything. You could hear the music spilling out of the house, and you watched for a brief moment as people flowed in the door. You shot Wes a quick text.
“I’m here. Where are you?”
He immediately responded.
“Inside, in the living room to the left”
You smiled a little, a mix of excitement and nervousness fluttered in your stomach.
You paid for your cab and hopped out, the cans of drinks clinking in your large purse. Walking into the house was like something out of a movie, partygoers everywhere, talking, laughing, drinking, dancing. To be honest, the sheer amount of people scared you a lot, but finding Wes, someone you knew, would make things better.
You wandered around, adjusting your skirt nervously, trying to find Wes. That’s when you spotted him in the corner nursing a beer and chatting with his other band mate John. He was dressed an alien of some sort, grey skin and large black contacts.
You nervously strutted up to him, despite you being socially awkward, you felt confident in your costume which gave you some hope.
Wes’s jaw practically dropped when he saw you, but he quickly recovered, trying to stay composed as you guys weren’t officially a thing.
“You look..” His eyes scan you up and down. “Amazing. You’re a bat?”
“Yeah” You reply sheepishly.
“Wicked” He flashes a grin.
John notices the tension between you two.“well I’ll get going, gotta find lethal” He pats Wes’s shoulder “see ya”
“Yeah see ya man” Wes replies but his eyes never leave you.
“I take it you like the costume?” You peer up at him, blushing a little.
“It’s awesome, really” He smiles.
“Well yours is pretty out of this world”
You mentally facepalm at the stupid joke you made, cursing at your awkwardness.
“thanks” Wes chuckles.
..Must’ve been the beer.
“Move bitches!!” A voice booms from the living room doorway.
You whip around to see 3 guys carrying a keg of booze in, pushing people out of the way.
Wes reacts immediately, grabbing your shoulder and pulling you towards him as to not get trampled. He holds you against his chest as the guys pass, then lets you go.
He blushes, visible through his silver face paint.
“I’m sorry..” Wes rubs the back of his neck. “I didn’t mean to pull you, I just didn’t want you knocked over by those assholes” He flashes a smile.
You look up at him, now standing close to him, so close you could feel his warmth and smell his cologne.
“No no, thanks for not getting me trampled” you giggle.
“Alright” He takes another sip.
This was now the moment that you pondered in real time if Wes had feelings for you, as mentioned before, you guys were something more than friends but nothing official. He had always been smiley and gentle with you, but you were unsure if that was because he liked you or that was just his personality. Judging by the way Wes blushed having you against him, and the way he’s been looking at you tonight, things started to piece together. Maybe throwing alcohol into the mix was one way to get the ball rolling.
Wes glanced down at your empty hand. “Want a drink? I’ll make you something”
“You don’t have to do that, I have something in my bag” You smile.
“Cmon, I’d take the free booze while there’s still some left. Drink on your own dollar later.” He nods to the kitchen.
“You make a good point, lead the way”
Wes takes you into the kitchen a couple rooms over, you marvel at the island covered with booze bottles and mixers.
“Damn that’s a lot of alcohol” You let out a surprised chuckle.
“Fred doesn’t host parties regularly, but when he does you bet they’re extravagant” Wes chuckles with you.
“So what are you making me?” You ask.
“In the mood for a vodka cranberry?” He looks over at you.
“Not really..”
“Hmph.. how about.. I make you my own recipe?” He gets this goofy smile on his face.
“Go for it” You lean against the counter.
You watch intently as Wes mixes you his own drink, smiling at his playful grin and muscular arms reaching for bottles.
“Here ya go pretty lady” He holds out a glass with an ombré of red to yellow.
“What is this?” You ask.
“Grenadine, vodka, pineapple juice, lemon juice, and coconut water” He smiles widely.
“Interesting.. let’s see” You take a slow sip, it’s surprisingly good. “Wow that’s good, thank you”
“Really?”
“Yeah!” You beam at his proud smirk.
TIME-SKIP
As the night drags on, you and Wes end up sitting on the love seat just people watching. Both taking gradual sips of some drink and making quiet chatter.
Soon enough the birthday boy, Fred, walks over.
“Wes! There you are buddy!” Fred slurs.
Wes chuckles. “yep, just here.. you’ve met (y/n) right?”
“I have, yeah” Fred’s eyes flick to you.
“Cool” Wes turns a deeper shade of pink.
“Awww does Wesley here have a crush?” Fred points out “how sweet”
“Fuck off man” Wes says weakly, blushing harder.
“You do!” Fred laughs. “Can’t blame ya man, she’s cute” he winks at you.
“Shut up” Wes turns his head away from you.
Fred leans closer to you, you can smell his beer breath (or maybe it’s milk? 😃)
“Wes here, he’s a good guy but he’s a dork” Fred smirks. “Don’t count on him to pick up on hints”
“Alright” You laugh, eyes flicking to Wes who looks like he wants to melt into the floor.
“I’m gonna go now, good luck Wesley” Fred smiles at you and carries on making his rounds.
Wes turns to you, looking humiliated. “I’m so sorry for him, he’s drunk”
“Drunk or observant?” You tilt your head.
“I- uh- dunno” He stutters.
To save him the embarrassment, you change the subject.
“Wanna get some air on the back deck?” You ask.
“Sure” He sighs, relieved.
Wes and yourself weave through the crowd of people around the house, making your way to the backyard. As soon as the patio door slides open and you get a feel of the cool late summer breeze, you feel better, less cramped than inside.
You sigh as you plop down on the deck, feeling the cold wood against your bare legs. Wes follows suit and does the same. You pull off your ears for some relief and mess with your hair.
You glance over at Wes who happened to already be staring at you. He makes eye contact with you and his pupils dilate, his breath hitches. Just your mere attention was enough to make him jump.
“What’s wrong?” You sip on your drink.
“Nothing..” He quickly looks away.
“You’re staring at me” You point out, making him blush.
“I’m not. Just lost in thought..” He admits half heartedly.
“Mhm”
“About Fred..” Wes clears his throat.
“What about him?” You feign innocence.
“Uh.. what he said. Look he’s just hella drunk and just rambling to be a dick” He shrugs.
“Right..” You reply, not fully believing him.
“You don’t seem like you’re buying it” He says defeatedly.
“If I’m honest, no.” You quickly glance at him.
“Fred’s just drunk- he didn’t mean that. I’m sorry” Wes stammers.
He pauses and lets out a sigh.
“Who the fuck am I kidding?” He chuckles to himself. “(Y/n)?”
“Yeah?”
“The truth is.. I like you. I have for the past 2 months. I just didn’t know how to say it because I thought you’d rather stay just friends.” Wes rambles, refusing to make eye contact with you. “You don’t have to say anything, I just wanted you to know… I’m sorry”
“I-I didn’t know you felt that way..” You respond, staring down at your glass.
“Don’t feel like you have to like me back, or say anything at all” Wes’s face flushes deeper pink.
You look at him, the silver face paint partially sweat off, hair ruffled, nervous smile, and the smell of liquor. Something inside you swirled, maybe it was the vulnerability or the alcohol..
You cup the side of Wes’s face, turning his head gently towards you. His lips are parted slightly in surprise, looking up at you with an unreadable expression. You pull him in, your lips crashing together ever so softly. You feel Wes smile through the kiss, he sets his beer down on the deck and rests his other hand on your waist.
“I fucking called it” Fred’s voice echos from the back door.
i scream this in the mirror before i interact with anyone • SIN MIEDO • I'll Be Right There • it's dark and hell is hot • New Black History • don't rely on other men (album) • vulgar display of power • Exmilitary • JIHAD JOE • JPEGULTRA! • either on or off the drugs • loop it and leave it • Don't Put Anything On the Bible • i recovered from this
Have you listened to I LAY DOWN MY LIFE FOR YOU by JPEGMAFIA (2024)?
