That's actually really sweet of Lucas. And, like, basic common decency? But given the rest of his persona Peter kinda expected him to not give a shit. Also he, uh, wasn't actually totally certain other people were capable of that degree of overall consistency and such?

Peter's being mean in his head. He should stop. And he should, in particular, stop gawking up at the house and actually walk the rest of the way to the stairs and up them.

He's kind of intimidated. Sue him.

Shoulda met up with the frat before coming. Woulda been easier as a group. Oh well.

Nothing to it. Onwards and upwards.

There's a DJ booth by one of the pools blasting some retro hits and Peter can see a few people jamming to it as he climbs up the stairs, though the view is mostly blocked by the house itself. Probably if he squinted through the windows once he reached the front door's landing he'd be able to see more?

No. What? Why would he want that? He's not a creep. Why are you suggesting that?

Anyway, he rings the doorbell.

After a few seconds it's opened by a young adult wearing an open shirt with a Sulani motif and blue shorts eating a cupcake. "Hello. Who are you?" he asks with his mouth full.

Oh hello, sir isn't that one of the twins? Either Eric or Zachary? Have they become young adults already??? Wait how is he so certain this guy is a young adult. Also he's so gorgeous it's making Peter have trouble saying words so he should actually collect his jaw and introduce himself.

"Hi! I'm Peter Tarleton. I'm, uh, in Chi Beta Gamma."

"Oh. One of Lucas's friends. Nice to meet you, I'm Eric. Come on in," he says, stepping out of the way.

Did Eric just call his granddad by his first name? Well, lots of different relationships, he supposes. It's not like he has grandparents to compare. But if he did he thinks he'd call them grandpa or grandma.

Anyway, he steps inside.

He is as familiar with Lucas Yahontov's house as the next guy but it really is something else seeing it in person.

The entire floor is composed of two rooms, one kitchen/dining room/living room/bar combo and the bathroom over there in the corner. Another corner has Lucas's video station where so many of his vlog posts were recorded, with the windows beyond it showing an amazing view of Del Sol Valley, right next to the stairs that lead to the lounge area above where the grand piano and one of the outdoor pools is. To the left is the door to the balcony that has the other outdoor pool, and to the right are the stairs leading down to where the bedrooms are. It all screams expensive and chic and modern, if not very cosy.

And then, of course, there's the guests. So many guests, sitting at the bar and the kitchen counter and dining room table, watching something on the immense TV, dancing outside and swimming in the pool, hanging out upstairs and swimming in the other pool, chatting and having fun. There's even waiters.

Wow. That's. Intimidating.

"Do you guys, uh, know all these people?" Peter asks Eric, trying not to look like an idiot.

"Now we do! Do you want something to eat?" He takes another bite of his cupcake. "We have cupcakes. Lucas made them."

"Uh. I can grab one in a bit. Um. Happy birthday?"

"Hey, thanks! Happy birthday to you, too!" Pause. "Sike, it's not your birthday!"

"...is it?"

"It's not my birthday," he agrees. This is a very friendly person. "Introduce me to Zachary?"

"Yeah sure sec." He gestures upwards with a hand and vanishes in a flash of light.

Bwuh??

A couple of seconds after that he appears back where he was.

Followed by someone who looks identical except a lot more buff and also wearing only extremely tiny Speedos. "Hey! Eric says you wanted to meet me. I'm Zach."

Ohhhhhh no oh no oh no he did NOT think this through they're TWINS and they're REALLY HOT and one of them is kinda naked???

"Hello, Zach, I'm Peter."

"Cool to meet you, Peter! Are you one of Lucas's frat friends?"

"Cool to meet you, too. I haven't actually met Lucas, actually." He just said 'actually' twice. "Happy birthday." This is horrible. This is terrible. What's happening here. None of the thoughts running through his head right now are in the Bible what the fuck is a Bible.

"Thanks! Want me to introduce you?"