đˇđđđđđđ âż (blossomed) wrote in valarlogs, @ 2019-07-16 23:32:00 |
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Entry tags: | !complete, blossom, tim riggins |
WHO: Blossom & Tim Riggins
WHERE: Frat House Party
WHEN: {backdated} The night of this party
WHAT: Blossom and Tim meet up at the party, and Blossom gets a lesson in beer pong.
WARNINGS: PG-13; some swears & underage drinking.
STATUS: Complete
Blossom had probably spent way longer than usual getting ready, her closet had been emptied onto her bed until she found an outfit she liked; a slightly low cut sundress with a higher hem that she usually wore. Sheâd done her hair three times before doing her make-up and prepping herself for the party she had no idea how was going to go.
She was mildly anxious, but at the same time she knew that sheâd sort of been invited and it wasnât like theyâd be checking who was permitted in at the door. She had her pepper spray and her cell phone in her purse, she knew to keep an eye on people around her, sheâd be okay.
Sending a text to Buttercup to tell her where she was going (because Blossom was still Blossom), she called her uber and made her way to Greek Row. Finding the house that Tim mentioned wasnât hard, since the party was really hard to miss. No one commented on her just walking in, music already thumping, people playing games and chanting while people chugged beer, people dancing and a couple of people talking really close in the hall.
She was offered a drink almost four times by the time sheâd made a round of the first floor, before she figured out that if she had a drink in her hand, people would stop asking, so she accepted one, prepared to just sip it all night.
Leaning against the staircase, Blossom took a moment to look around and try to see if she could spot Tim.
---
Tim wasnât exactly the frat boy type. He wasnât much of a joiner. But he did like the parties, mostly for the free beer. He could do without all the Greek bull shit. Especially when the parties were themed, those her generally skipped out on. However, being the starting full back for the UCI football team got him into a lot of parties without any problem.
Dressed in the same t-shirt and jeans he had been in at the coffee shop Tim was two beers in before he spotted Blossom. He smirked to himself as he made his way over. âYou showed,â he commented casually though he did notice her change in outfit and well, she looked good. Though he had already thought that back at the coffee shop. However, his eyes did linger briefly on just how low cut that dress was.
---
âHey,â her greeting was bright, fairly enthusiastic, and only half because he was the only person sheâd seen who she knew. âYeah, I thought, yâknow, you were right. I gotta try and meet people.â
Not that she was doing a good job of it at all. Standing against the wall and hugging her drink close. But then, Blossom wasnât the outgoing sort straight off the bat, it took a little coaxing. âIt looks like a good party too, soâŚâ She half hoped that it wasnât going to descend into a bunch of fighting and trouble breaking out.
âIs this your frat house?â She didnât think sheâd asked at the coffee shop after all.
---
âSo who have you met?â Tim asked pushing his hair out of his eyes as he called her out a bit. Not in a mean way though. Just in it seemed like she had been keeping to herself so far. Not that he could really blame her. Some of the frat guys could be such douchebags. Even if they did know how to throw a party.
âNo,â Tim replied maybe a bit too quickly. âIâm not in a fraternity.â Though he could probably get into one easily if he wanted to - came with being on the football team. But Tim just wasnât a joiner. He was more of the loner type that didnât give a shit what people thought. âI just come for the free alcohol.â
---
âI⌠met a girl by the fridge, she seemed nice. A little drunk but nice.â And sure, she hadnât worked up to the point of just interjecting somewhere, but it wasnât like she was alone in that regard either. âIâm just not the kind of person who can just jump into a conversation.â Too self conscious and lacking in the ice breakers that anyone wanted to hear.
She was a little glad that Tim wasnât in a fraternity though, she heard a lot of stories about pranks and cruel jokes they played as bets, and that would suck. He seemed like a decent enough guy. Even if he was only at parties for alcohol. âWhy is it good alcohol? Theyâre wasting beer by throwing dirty balls into them.â And then drinking it, seemed unhygenic to her.
---
âThatâs how most people get at parties,â Tim pointed out. Not really him though. He had been drinking since he was about twelve. His tolerance was pretty high. Of course he still got drunk, but never really at parties. It was usually at a bar or back in his dorm, when he drank something stronger than beer.
âItâs free,â Tim repeated. Free meant good in his books. It wasnât like he had a ton of money to spend on alcohol after all. He didnât get paid to play footballâŚ. Well unless you considered the scholarship payment.
âWait,â Tim went on. âAre you telling me youâve never played beer pong?â
---
Blossom wasnât sure that free meant good, it just meant free, which likely meant cheap, but she didnât want to get into that too much. She understood that not everyone had a parent like hers who could afford whatever she needed while attending college and people had to make do with what they had.
âI wasnât really at a lot of parties before,â because no one invited her, she was the annoying smart alec. Bubbles took her sometimes, but Blossom wasnât always that keen on being places people didnât really want her. âSo Iâve never really seen beer pong before never mind playing it.â
Did she even really want to?
---
âWe have to change that,â Tim said with a grin. And before Blossom could protest he finished off his beer and set it down on the counter. He wasnât going to need that drink anymore. Once that was taken care of he grabbed hold of Blossomâs hand leading her over to the beer pong table.
âCome on,â he said as they made their way over. âYou can be on my team.â Once they weaved their way through the crowd to the table Tim looked at the guys playing. âWeâve got winner,â he said not even caring if someone else had already claimed it.
---
Being taken over to the beer pong, pulled through by Tim meant that most people just moved out of the way, and Blossom didnât really give it much of a second thought. There were some glances at Timâs declaration, but no one protested at all.
âYou realise I have never played, I donât know the rules or anything?â And surely he could only do so much. Especially as it seemed to have a least a few rules? âHow does it go?â
She wasnât saying no though, telling Tim she wasnât playing and going away, because again, it was something new, and that was the point, right? And Tim seemed to know what he was talking about.
---
Tim didnât really notice how people moved out of his way. He was used to it. Ever since high school it was just the way it was. Hell it was even more intense in high school. College not everyone seemed to care as much about football or the players. But certain groups did, like the fraternities and sororities.
âItâs pretty simple,â Tim assured her though it was good the game was still going on. Gave Blossom a chance to see how it worked. His hand remained on hers as he explained. âYou throw the ball into the other teams cups. If you get it in they have to drink that cup. If they get the ball in yours, you have to drink. Game ends when all the cups on one side are gone.â
---
It was a simple game, that much was for sure, but it was a horribly unhygienic game. These balls were surely not cleaned between throws and they possibly had so many bugs on them. Why would you drink liquid that these balls had fallen in?
But that was most certainly something that unpopular in high school Blossom would focus on, rather than trying to make friends in college Blossom.
âSo, we just need to make them drink the pingpong ball beer rather than us?â Okay, that was definitely something to aspire to. Especially since the players just wrapped up, setting up for the next game.
---
âBasically,â Tim replied proud that she was getting it. They stood watching for a few minutes until the game ended and it was their turn to play.
âAlright! Riggins!â Some of the guys called out. Tim didnât pay any attention to it though. He was used to having his last name shouted out on a constant basis - both on the field and off. In fact he barely even noticed it anymore.
âYou ready?â he asked Blossom stepping up to the table to set up the cups for their side.
---
She was glad there werenât too many rules, and that it was a pretty simple set up, she could help Tim finish the set up on their side. âI am ready.â
Hopefully she wouldnât be terrible and be forced to drink too many pingpong beers, sheâd maybe need to brush her teeth extra hard tonight, but she could figure it out and just deal.
âYou should go first,â Blossom was not taking the first shot at all. âIn case I suck.â
---
âAlright,â Tim said. He was already getting her to place. He wasnât going to make her go first. He wanted her to be comfortable and actually have fun playing.
Taking the ball he threw it to the other side of the table, it landed in a cup with ease, he grinned as he watched the other guy chug it. But then it was their turn to throw the ball and it landed in one of Tim and Blossomâs cups. Wordlessly Tim picked up the beer, handed the ball to Blossom, and down the beer. He had a feeling that was the part Blossom was the most worried about.
âYou got this,â he said tossing the cup aside not really caring what happened to it. Wasnât his mess to clean up. Eyes fell back to Blossom watching her as she played.
---
So far with it being one for one, Blossom wasnât too worried, especially since Tim was hopefully okay about mostly carrying them. She could totally aim well enough and get a ball in a cup, surely.
And since Tim drank the pingpong beer, she needed to not suck at this.
Taking a breath, Blossom lined up with the ball before giving it a toss. And she didnât know if it was beginners luck or not, but it hit off one rim and dropped into a cup. âDoes that count? That counts, right?â
---
âYeah,â Tim said proudly a large grin on his face. âIt counts.â The guy on the other side picked up the cup and drank the beer before tossing the ball back over. It missed. No need for either him or Blossom to drink a beer. Though Tim wouldnât have minded taking another one for the team.
âYou want to throw again?â he asked her picking up the ball and holding it out. Totally her call but she had seemed sort of excited when she made it the first time and Tim wouldnât mind seeing that again. Not to mention this was supposed to be more about her playing than him.
---
Maybe it was just a fluke, maybe she was just getting some beginners luck sort of thing, but the point was trying so she grinned at Tim as she took the ball again, ready to toss it towards the opponent.
If she were honest, the group around them was a little off putting, but she supposed it wasnât like parties had a lot of room for privacy. Just getting herself together, Blossom took aim to land in another cup. âYay!â Maybe she was just good with hand eye coordination.
The other teams turn rolled around, and they missed just by clipping the edge of a cup, knocking the ball to the floor. âWeâre in the lead.â Blossom bounced on the heels of the feet, gripping Timâs arm and practically beaming with pride.
---
Tim was honestly impressed with how well Blossom was doing. And with the way she was beaming up at him, Tim couldnât help but smile right back. âYou sure you never played this before?â he questioned reluctantly pulling away from Blossom so he could pick up the ball. âIf I wasnât on your team Iâd say you were trying to hustle me,â he joked.
Tim handed the ball over to her. She was on a roll and it looked like she was really enjoying herself. He wasnât about to interrupt any of that. He did want to make sure she had a good time.
---
âMaybe your skills just seep out into other people,â Blossom wasnât sure if it was just that she was good at aiming at things, or if beer pong wasnât as hard as sheâd initially thought. Of course, that had to be the kiss of death since right after, Blossom missed her shot, giving away the little streak she had.
âAw, poop.â Blossom just shrugged at Tim, âSpoke too soon, right?â
---
Aw poop? Tim had never heard anyone âswearâ like that before. If you could even call that swearing. It was clear it was her version of it though. Which while it was kind of cute, the poor girl had a lot in store for her if she was going to keep spending time with Tim. He wasnât exactly known for his clean language.
âWe should probably wait for the praise till after the game,â Tim agreed with a nod. And of course the other team made it on their shot. Tim looked at Blossom to see if she picked up the cup. He had no problem drinking all the beer for the both of them, but he wanted to at least pause to give her the option.
---
âBoasting needs to wait,â Blossom gave a nod like she knew what she was talking about, taking a deep breath as she picked up the cup with the beer, because it wasnât fair to make Tim drink them all, because she was the one throwing too.
Not thinking too much about it, Blossom downed the drink, this time passing the ball to Tim with a grin, âMaybe you should show them how itâs done?â Because it wasnât just her playing, and she did want to see how he did against the other team.
---
Tim bit down on his bottom lip watching as Blossom down the beer. For someone who had been worried about drinking pingpong beer she sure seemed to have no trouble with it. Again Tim found himself wondering if she truly had done this before. It didnât matter though. What mattered was that she looked like she was having fun. And that was the whole point, to show Blossom a good time.
âNo pressure,â he teased taking the ball from her and aiming it at the cups on the other side. He hit the rim but it bounced off and down to the ground. âDamn it,â Tim said under his breath. But hey at least he didnât throw an F-bomb out there. He doubted Blossom would appreciate it. The team shot back missing their shot as well. That was enough to put the grin back on Timâs face. He picked up the ball throwing again, he had to redeem himself after all and made it into one of the few remaining cups on the other side.
He looked back over at Blossom but didnât say anything. He wasnât about to jinx them like before. âYour turn next,â he said grinning. There were only a few cups left on the other side. They had this.
---
Just like she thought, beer from a pingpong game did not taste that great. Although it might just be beer in general didnât taste that great, who could say at this point. Blossom tried to covertly cover up her distaste by taking a drink from her own cup, before remembering it had a lot of alcohol in it and quickly regretting the choice - she was not an avid drinker in the least.
She wouldnât say she was glad that Tim missed, it wasnât good to miss since that did give the other team a chance to win, but it did mean that she didnât need to have every shot perfect, since Tim at least knew what he was doing and missed sometimes.
âItâs harder with a few less cups right,â obviously, a little like bowling when you split the pins. âIt looked easy when we started.â And thankfully it seemed to be harder for the other team too; either because of drunkenness impairing their vision or because the fewer cups were a harder target too. Did it matter?
---
âYeah,â Tim said as the other team shot and missed. At least they seemed to be missing more than he and Blossom were. But honestly Tim wouldnât be super disappointed if they lost. Yeah he liked to win, but he was mostly in it for the experience. Same went with football. He just wanted to play. âLess to aim at,â he added picking up the ball and handing it over to Blossom.
âBut hey,â he said trying to keep things light and not put so much pressure on the game. This was just supposed to be about her having a good time after all. âWho cares as long as youâre having fun.â Which he really hoped she was.
---
So, not only did some people play drunk, but they still had to focus. It did mean it was a lot more challenging, and Blossom had to reevaluate how she thought it was just a silly little game. But Blossom wanted to do well, not just have fun doing it. And maybe it was a little about impressing Tim, maybe it was a little about looking good, but it wasnât like she wasnât a little bit shallow sometimes too. âIâm having a really good time, though.â
It was a pretty even few exchanges back and forth, until Tim and Blossom had three cups left and their opponent was down to the last cup, Blossom rolling the ball between her fingers, âYou wanna wrap it up?â And while she wasnât sure if Tim would get it in, given all the alcohol everyone was drinking, it was said with a degree of confidence that he would get it.
---
The thing about Tim, he was a high functioning drunk. Hell he had even shown up to practice drunk on occasion, and hung over more times than he could count. Yet the only coach that really seemed to catch on was Woods. Which was probably part of what made him so good at beer pong.
âI got this,â Tim replied taking the ball from Blossom, letting his fingers brush against her for just a moment longer than necessary before taking that ball. He lined up his shot and threw it at the last remaining cup, getting it into the cup. He didnât cheer though, just looked back over at Blossom, large smile on his face.
---
There was a cheer as Tim got the ball in the last cup, the other player just sighing in defeat, but Blossom felt a little rush of glee and adrenaline, arms in the air with a cheer herself. It wasnât often that she won at games that werenât trivia or knowledge based, so it felt like a big deal.
âYes! We won!â She didnât really give it much thought, since it was a party and everyone was having a good time, she just wrapped her arms around Tim in a hug for the celebration of winning. âYouâre really good at this.â It probably helped that he was a sure and confident person.
---
It was kind of adorable how excited Blossom got about winning. Tim was a bit proud of himself that he had showed Blossom a good time as promised. Not that he ever doubted his skills to show a pretty girl a good time, but still the sense of pride was there.
He didnât mind the hug at all and wrapped his arms around Blossom. âIâve had practice,â he said with a shrug and a smile as he pulled away before he did something stupid. âYou werenât so bad yourself.â
---
Blossom was still beaming happily, giving one shoulder a shrug. âIt helps having a good teacher.â It was a lot more fun than sheâd thought it would be, and as they were setting up for the next game, and they were just sort of moved away from the area.
âThat was really a lot of fun.â And it definitely helped her relax a little around the party atmosphere, something sheâd barely really been aware of outside of the occasional noise from others. âBut Iâve lost my drink somewhere.â And Blossom was smart enough to not just pick up another one and start drinking.
---
âDid you doubt me?â Tim teased. âCome on,â he added wrapping an arm around her as he led her back over to the kegs. Though she had kicked ass at beer pong so he wasnât fully convinced she was telling him the truth, she had said that she was new to the whole party thing. And sheâd had a few beers during the game. While he was more than happy to keep drinking with her, he didnât want any of the frat guys taking advantage. Tim planned on keeping her close the rest of the night. âWeâll get you another one.â