Chapter 15
Party the night away
Double maths first thing in the morning; who was the idiot who thought that would be a good idea? I only just woke up a little while ago and here I am at school in maths class and getting drowsier by the minute. I thought the idea was to get students interested, not bore them to death. No offence to Mr Smith, he’s a great teacher otherwise I wouldn’t be sitting here now, I guess it’s just nobody likes maths first thing in the morning. The only consolation is that Nathan and Josh are in my class, however the problem is that Nathan is upset about missing his chance with Ash and Josh is way too eager to see me in my pyjamas again. Don’t get me wrong I can’t wait for Ash’s sleep over tonight but I just can’t be all peppy in the morning because quite frankly it just isn’t me.
Josh leans over and taps me on the shoulder, “What’s wrong Kaila?”
I smile at him, “Double maths in the morning sucks, that’s all.”
Nathan leans over and says, “I can agree with that Kaila.”
Josh grins at me, “It’s not that bad. I like having maths in the morning because it’s before I’m too worn out by my other classes.”
Nathan and I just look at each other. Nathan grins at Josh and says, “You must be an alien because I know that my best friend would never admit that he actually likes maths in the morning.” Nathan turns to me, “What have you done to him?”
“I haven’t done anything, maybe he’s just enjoying being with a more mature person?” I say cheekily.
“Hey I am still here you know!” Josh says too loudly.
Mr Smith turns around and looks at us and in particular Josh. He smiles inquisitively at us, “Yes I am aware that you are still here Joshua.”
The rest of the class turns around and snickers at us, both Nathan and I punch him at the same time. Grinning I say, “Way to go Joshua. You just gave us the attention of the entire class.”
Nathan groans, “Perfect just perfect. Anything we say now, everyone else is going to hear because they’re all going to be snooping now and you know what that means. Everything we say is going to be bounced around the school; by the end of lunch our whole year level will be talking about us.”
Josh puts his head in his hands and says, “I totally forgot about that. Our school is way too gossipy; it’s really unfair they’re always talking about us.”
“You’re only just realising this now?” I say sardonically, “Seriously?”
Nathan just grins at me, “Don’t you know that he’s Captain Oblivious?”
“I do now” I remark slyly.
Josh just grins at us, “Again I have to say, I’m still here you know!”
“We haven’t forgotten that Josh because you keep reminding us of that.” I say rolling my eyes at him.
Nathan groans, “How could we possibly forget you Josh, you just made the entire class turn around and look at us.”
Josh smiles, “Oh yeah, I forgot about that.”
Just as I am about to say something witty the bell rings. “Saved…by the bell.” I mutter as I pack up my things and head for the door.
Josh smiles at me, “Wasn’t that a fun lesson.”
I stare at him horrified that he just said that, “You cannot be serious! Did you just say that maths was fun?”
Nathan looks just as horrified as me, “I swear I just heard him use the words ‘fun’ and ‘maths’ in the same sentence. Kaila, are we on drugs or is this some sort of messed up dream?”
“I hope this is some sort of whacky dream because if this isn’t then I may need therapy.” I say walking through the hallways towards our locker room.
Josh grins at us, “Do I have to worry about you two going around telling everyone every detail of our maths lesson today?”
Nathan and I look at each other and answer him together, “Definitely.”
“There will be no mercy.” I announce. Ash practically runs into me as she is coming down an intersecting corridor.
“I was hoping that I would bump into you lot.” She says smiling at us happily.
“You practically did bump into us.” I say quietly.
Ash just looks at me and continues, “Just wanted to let you know that our whole group has been invited to Will Sander’s eighteenth this Saturday night. It’s going to be so much fun.”
“I can’t wait Ash; it’s going to be heaps of fun.” I say trying to get into the party mood with her.
“I don’t really know anyone from Will’s crowd. Do you even know his crowd Ash?” Nathan says quietly.
Josh looks at Nathan then at Ash and says, “Actually I’m with Nathan. I don’t actually know anyone from Will’s group. Yes, I am sporty but I don’t spend all my time thinking about sport like his group does.”
Ash glares at them, “Don’t be mean, they do think of things other than sport.”
“Is that so? I don’t think they’re capable of talking about anything but sport.” Nathan says meanly.
“Come on be nice Nathan, at least give them a chance.” I say softly.
“They can to talk about things beside sports.” Ash practically spits at Nathan.
Josh steps between the two of them and says firmly, “That’s enough, you’re both acting as bad as each other and neither of you are getting anywhere acting that way.”
“I agree with Josh. There’s no need for you to be getting so heated over this argument.” I say concernedly, “Maybe you two should walk away and calm down again before someone gets hurt?”
Josh and I share a look and grab hold of Nathan and drag him down the rest of the hallway to our locker room. He glares at us and cries, “What did you do that for?”
“Someone was going to get hurt and it was going to be you if you had kept going.” I say rationally.
“That wouldn’t happen, Ash isn’t…”
“Like that?” I say finishing Nathan’s sentence for him, “But she is like that Nathan. I could see that she was about to lose her temper at you and she was going to end up hitting you where it would hurt the most.”
Both Josh and Nathan wince at that thought. Josh says calmly, “Kaila’s right Nathan. Ash was going to hit you where it would count. You can’t antagonise her about Will, he’s her new boyfriend and it doesn’t help that you two have unresolved feelings for each other which means there’s a lot of tension that can be ignited if you’re not careful.”
Nathan groans, “No offence Kaila but why are girls so confusing?”
Smiling I say to Nathan, “I could say the same thing about guys.”
Josh and Nathan grin at me. Smiling Josh says, “I didn’t think about it that way.”
I grab my food out of my locker and smile at them both, “Neither side thinks about something from the other groups’ point of view.”
Josh wraps his arms around me and says sweetly, “When did you get to be so wise?”
“When I met you?” I say softly.
Josh winks at me and walks over to his own locker. Nathan stands there giving us this goofy grin, “I just want to have what you guys share.”
I roll my eyes at him, “It’s not always rainbows and butterflies; we do disagree sometimes. Besides our relationship started off extremely turbulently so I guess we are finally getting our honey moon period.”
“Not that; I mean you have this connection between you which seems electric and you have this deep understanding about one another.” Nathan attempts to explain to us.
To tell the truth I think I actually understand what he’s talking about. When Josh and I are together it’s almost like we know each other so well that we can anticipate what the other is going to do or say. It’s amazing how fast we have grown to know each other. “You will get what we have Nathan, all you have to do is just lay yourself bare and be honest and completely yourself around whoever it is that you like.” I say thoughtfully.
“Kaila is right you know. If you’re honest and just be yourself around the person you like you develop this weird connection where
you can understand them really well.” Josh says quietly.
I’m actually amazed that Josh was thinking the same thing as I was, I assumed that because he’s a guy Josh wouldn’t be thinking about anything deep about me.
Nathan just stares at us, “Do you two ever disagree? Call me when it happens because I think I need to see it to believe it.”
Nathan walks out of the locker room and leaves Josh and me alone, “Wow he seems to be really upset about the situation with Ash.” I say.
Just as Josh is turning around to say something Ash walks into the locker room saying, “What about me?”
“We were just discussing how weird you and Nathan have been acting over the last few days. What is up with that?” Josh says winking at me conspiratorially.
Ash groans, “I didn’t realise how weird it was going to be for me to move on until Nathan started talking about Will. The funny thing is that I was making fun of Will last night with Flick and we were saying practically the same things about his social skills. But as soon as Nathan said something it was like…I guess it was like I cared what he thought about Will and that his opinion mattered too much to me.”
I tilt my head to the side trying to understand this whole situation without outright hitting my head against a wall. “Are you saying that the only reason why you just got so angry with Nathan just then was because his opinion matters to you and you felt like his opinion was going to get between you and Will?”
Ash stares at me thoughtfully for a moment before she answers me, “Yes I guess that is the reason why I got so angry at him.”
Josh smiles sweetly at us both, “Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned”
“Nice quote” Ash and I say in unison.
“I thought it was extremely good considering that if I say anything it could get me in trouble with you later.” Josh grins mischievously at us both.
“Smart boy, when did you get so girl savvy?” Ash says speculatively.
Josh smiles uncomfortably and answers her uncertainly, “Since I met Kaila?”
“Is that so?” I say cheekily.
Ash grins at me, “Looks like Kaila is doing a good job with you then. She has certainly been a better influence on you than Ali had ever been.”
Smiling at Josh I say quietly to Ash, “Thank you Ash. That was a nice thing to say.”
“The real reason I came in here was to find Nathan and to apologise for snapping it at him.” Ash explains quietly.
“You just missed him; he went down to the cafeteria he’ll probably still be there so he’ll be easy to find now.” Josh says obliviously.
“Good luck…” I say to Ash as she walks out of our locker room. “It seems to me that everyone wants to talk to us about some form of relationship advice, all we need now is for Mike and Flick to ask us for some advice relating to each other.”
Josh looks shocked, “You mean that there is something going on between Mike and Flick? Seriously...?”
“Dead serious, Flick told me that she likes Mike but Mike says that he doesn’t like her in that way, any way there is this underlying tension between them which one wants to acknowledge and the other one doesn’t want to know about.” I tell Josh.
“You mean that Flick has a crush on Mike and Mike knows but doesn’t like her back?” Josh asks incredulously.
“That’s exactly what Flick told me. She said that she told Mike how she feels and he completely rejected her and this time neither of them have secret relationships.” I say sadly with a hint of sarcasm in my tone.
Josh grins at me as he takes my hand and leads me towards the cafeteria. “That makes them completely different to Nathan and me. They would actually make a great couple because they have so much in common.”
“I agree with you, they’d be perfect together.” I contemplate.
Josh tugs me through the cafeteria doorway towards where our friends are sitting. “Look at Ash and Nathan”
I look at our table and realise that Ash and Nathan are sitting at opposite ends of the tables, as far away from each other as they can get. Obviously what they wanted to discuss didn’t go down well. Nathan sees us coming and waves Josh towards him, as I’m walking towards Nathan’s end of the table Ash waves me over towards her end.
“Kaila. Come sit up this end.” Ash calls out to me over the loud chatting in the cafeteria.
I sit down at the table next to Ash and turn to her, “So what happened with Nathan?”
Ash groans, “I started apologising for getting angry at him, but it went horribly wrong again. Half way through explaining that the only reason why I got angry at him was because he was backstabbing Will; Nathan started another argument with me.”
I groan and put my head in my hands, “Can’t you two at least try to act civil towards each other?”
Flick grins at me, “Don’t you know that it’s virtually impossible for them to get along?”
I groan again, “Don’t remind me!”
“Come on we’re not that bad, are we?” Ash asks.
Flick and I just look at each other and say in unison, “Yes you are.”
Josh grins at me from his end of the table, I smile back at him. “You two can either be really sweet together or you can be arguing with each other.”
Ash glares at me, “Hey! You’re so biased; I can see you smiling all lovingly at my enemy’s best friend.”
“Can’t be helped Ash, your enemy’s hot best friend is my boyfriend. I think I’m obliged to smile lovingly at him.” I say sweetly.
Flick grins at me, “I have to agree with Kaila, it is her duty as a loyal girlfriend to outright look at her boyfriend lovingly and flirtatiously.”
“It’s a conspiracy, you’re all against me. You’re both really on his side.” Ash says mock paranoid.
“She’s nuts Kaila. It’s clear to see that she’s going crazy.” Flick says conspiratorially to me.”
Grinning I turn to Flick, “We’ll have to keep quiet about it then, because if she suspects that we know then she might do something outrageous.”
Ash leans closer to us, “You know I can hear every word that you two co-conspirators are saying?”
“No you can’t.” Flick and I say together.
Someone places their hands on my shoulders, making me jump with surprise and turn around quickly, but it’s just Josh, “Thought I’d just check up on my spy in the other camp.”
Rolling my eyes at him, “I’m no one’s spy.”
“See this proves my point, you’re totally a spy Kaila.” Ash shrieks, almost as if she’s found a rat in her kitchen.
“Did I just walk into a conversation that might have dug you a hole?” Josh asks me quietly.
“No really? Are you only just getting that now?” I say sarcastically, “Ash was accusing me of spying and then you come over here and basically tell her exactly what she suspects.”
Josh grins at me, “You know that now you sound like the paranoid one?”
I just glare up at him, “Nice going Mr Man, you’re really digging yourself a hole.”
Josh grins flippantly at me, “Have you ever known me to care about the consequences?”
“That’s the scary thing because I know that you’ve never given a rats ass about the consequences, but you must know that I will retaliate later.”
Josh grins sexily at me, “I will be waiting in anticipation, baby.”
The bell goes I turn towards Nathan and smile, “We have English now. Are you coming?”
“I’m leaving so you and Flick have the opportunity to conspire against me.” Ash says with mock paranoia.
I roll my eyes and stand up. “Meet me at my locker?”
Nathan shrugs, “Sure.”
I stand up and walk out of the cafeteria towards the staircase with Josh on my heels. “Wait up Kaila?”
I turn around and smile at him, “Hurry up Josh. We have to get to class.”
“Well you still have to go to your locker first so walk with me?” Josh grins down at me. br />
“Alright but you're still a traitor.” I say grinning at him.
“I’ll be anything for you Kaila.” Josh flirts with me.
We walk up the stairs together to our locker room. I open my locker and quickly pull out my English text books. Turning around I notice Josh grinning at me. “What?”
“I was just wondering if we are going to Ash’s house together tonight.” Josh says inquiringly.
“I thought we were going to meet each other there? I think the guys want to do something together before they meet us, girls, at Ash’s?” I uncertainly ask him.
“Yep that’s what I thought as well.” Nathan says as he appears at the door of the locker room.
Josh looks at me questioningly and I shrug in response. “I guess that means that I will be meeting you at her house then.”
“I guess so.” I say quietly.
Turning around I see Nathan gesturing at us madly, “Hurry up we’re going to be late.”
“Keep your pants on we aren’t going to be late Nathan.” I confidently decree.
“You better be right.” Nathan says under his breath as we hurry towards our English room.
We aren’t late for class so I was actually right, which totally got up Nathan’s nose. English didn’t go as quickly as I’d hoped, it just seemed to keep dragging on and I was so thankful when the bell finally rang for the next class. Who knew that writing notes about a novel was so boring?
“How do you do that?” Nathan asks me as we make our way to Art.
Josh turns to him saying, “The force is strong in this one.”
“Ok Yoda.” I say sardonically, “I just know how long it takes me to get to each classroom without being late.”
Nathan looks at Josh incredulously, “I want that talent!”
Josh laughs, “Back off this one is mine, go find your own.”
We manage to just slip into the classroom before Mrs Murray does she really scares me when she tells someone off for being late to her class. Although I usually find art to be rather relaxing, her class makes me slightly edgy. It doesn’t help that I still have no idea how to represent myself in a painting and what exactly I’m going to paint.
Josh nudges my arm, “Have you got any idea what you’re going to do?”
Shaking my head I answer quietly, “Not a clue. I’m really struggling. Have you got any ideas?”
“I don’t know what the hell to do. If Nat was doing this class she would have an idea and she’d already be finished.” Josh groans.
“I know what you mean, she’s always been really toast at doing these kinds of things. She’s just so arty; it’s not fair at all.” I say frustrated at my inability to paint.
I look down at my notebook and decide to just draw batman jumping into the air in a typical superhero pose, just as I finish drawing Mrs Murray walks past and looks at my drawing. “That’s great work Kayley, very creative to position yourself as a person focused on justice and therefore using a superhero as a metaphor for you.”
Josh looks at me with his eyebrow raised and as soon as she walks away asks me, “Was that what you were actually going for or were you just messing around?”
“What do you think? I was just randomly sketching but now she thinks I’m some sort of da Vinci which suits me fine if I don’t fail this class.” I say mischievously.
“That’s what I thought.” Josh says knowingly.
I manage to do a rough draft of my superhero painting before the bell goes for lunch. As soon as the bell rings Nathan, Josh and I rush out of the art room and to our lockers. “You’re draft was awesome Kaila, where did you learn to draw like that?” Nathan asks me.
“I’ve always drawn like that.” I say nonchalantly.
Josh just grins, “Yeah right no one can draw like that when they were young.”
I smile, “I don’t really remember what I used to draw like when I was younger but I haven’t been taught to draw the way I do now.”
“Well you’re one of the lucky ones then.” Nathan says sarcastically.
Frowning I say, “But you’re amazing at painting.”
“But I’d prefer to be better at drawing.” Nathan says sadly.
Josh grins at us both, “Well I can’t draw or paint but I’m happy that I can’t.”
We walk into the cafeteria together and spot our group standing by a table, I can see that Ash is sitting at the table with a guy that I’ve only seen in my PE class, so that means it must be Will Sanders.
Josh claps Nathan on the back, “Be nice, she’s still your friend even if you missed your chance at having her as something more than that. Besides she will chew you up and spit you out if you’re mean to him.”
“Yeah thanks Josh very reassuring.” Nathan says sarcastically.
I wink at Nathan, “Don’t worry I’m here for you Nathan, just be nice and you will be fine.
Nathan looks at Josh then at me incredulously, “You are just as bad as each other. Seriously both of you aren’t very reassuring.”
I just smile at him sweetly, “Wasn’t trying to be.”
We walk up to the table with Nathan two steps behind me. It’s hard not to feel bad for him because it’s very clear that Ash is quite pissed with him. Ash waves me over to her separating me from Josh and Nathan just like she did at recess.
“Hey Kaila, I think you know Will.” Ash says as I sit down beside Flick and Will.
I glance at him slowly, taking in the strong jawline, the deep blue eyes that remind me of an ice cave, thick dark hair cut in a style that suits him, olive skin which suggests that he’s Italian like Ash and a lean body. “I believe that we have P.E. together.”
Will smiles at me kindly, “Yeah that’s right I was actually wondering if you had even noticed me.”
“Why is that?” I ask frowning at him.
“Well you’re always partnered with Josh, I guess that’s because he’s your boyfriend but all the guys in class have been trying to get your attention and you never seem to notice any of us.” Will says thoughtfully.
Ash smiles at me curiously, “It seems you have stolen the attention of all the guys in your class.”
“I had no idea that the guys were so interested in me, why is that?”
“Well you are the new girl at school, besides you’re kind of an attraction because you rarely talk to anyone in the class.” Will eyes me off, “A lot of the guys just want to know what Josh has that the rest of us don’t. Obviously he has something if he can get the most popular girl at school and the hottest girl at school to go out with him.”
Will is confusing me, I thought that he was interested in Ash but by the way that he’s speaking about me it sounds like he’s also interested in me but he might just be curious about me. “Where do you stand on this point? Are you curious about me or do you find me to be an attraction?”
Will looks at Ash uncertainly, but she smiles and says, “I’m curious to see where you stand, you’re obviously being the messenger but I want to know your opinion.”
“Well you see I guess I am curious because you don’t seem to be Josh’s usual type but you’re also very quiet so I’m curious to see who you really are.”
Ash grins at me, “You and I must be talking about two different Kaila’s because she’s very much Josh’s type and she’s not quiet at all, she’s so outrageous it’s hard not to laugh.”
Flick flashes a grin at me, “I agree with Ash, Kaila is not a typical girl which is exactly Josh’s type and she is fun and very talkative.”
Josh walks up behind me places a hand on my shoulder and gently caresses my cheek, “Tell the guys to back off because she’s my girlfriend, Kaila is more than my type she’s everything that I’ve ever wanted. If they want to get to know her then tell them to grow some balls and talk to her.” Josh kisses my cheek and then stalks back to his end of the table.
“Wow he’s a bit overprotective.” Will says slightly harassed.
“Nah he’s only like that around guys who aren’t
part of the group. He’s just making sure that no one touches his girlfriend. I guess that’s what happens to guys after they have a relationship with Ali.” Ash says softly not daring to look towards Josh.
I’ve never seen him so possessive or over protective, I guess it’s true what Ash says because who wouldn’t have some scars after dating Ali, she’s a piece of work. “Don’t worry about him, usually he’s really sweet and kind but I guess he’s afraid something will take me away from him.” The bell rings for the end of lunchtime I look at Ash enquiringly, “Are you going to walk with me to biology?”
Ash shrugs at me noncommittally, “I’ll meet you in class.”
“It’s a shame that we don’t have any classes together, we never get to chat just the two of us.” Flick says softly to me as I walk out of the cafeteria.
I look at her surprised, “You’re right we don’t actually have any classes together. But it’s good to hang out at lunch and recess. Hey I’ll see you tonight at Ash’s.”
I make it to the locker room before Josh and Nathan; I quickly grab my books and walk to biology by myself. I have this sinking feeling about Will, especially since I’ve seen how close he is with the popular group. If I was one for conspiracy theories I would be saying that Will is a pawn of Ali’s and he’s trying to get information to give to Ali to use against me. I sit down in class in my usual spot but when Ash walks into the room she is called over by a group of girls who usually hang out with Ali and by the look of shock and surprise on Ash’s face she obviously wasn’t expecting it either.
For the first time in biology Ash sits with another group and completely ignores me and what makes it worse is that one of the boys from my P.E. class -I think his name is Jack- comes and sits beside me and I have to spend the whole lesson working with him while he peppers me with questions, like: what school did you come from, why did you leave, were you always interested in Josh, how many boyfriends do you have, would you be interested in me next, what are you interested in, do you like dogs…they just kept coming at one point I swore I saw him unfold a piece of paper and read off it.
Ok so maybe now I might be into conspiracy theories but don’t you think it’s a coincidence when the popular girls separate Ash and I and suddenly this very curious guy starts asking me a tonne of questions? I know I sound very paranoid but I don’t believe that Ali will simply let me be after I kind of stole her boyfriend.
Biology feels like it goes forever and when the bell finally rang I basically ran out of the classroom to get away from Jack or whatever his name was.
I meet up with Josh in the hallway on the way to our history class. He winks at me and wraps his arms around me. “Hey there girly what’s with the frown?”
“Some guy from P.E. sat next to me in biology and he kept asking me all these questions.” I say forlornly.
“Where was Ash? I thought you guys have biology together?” Josh asks inquisitively.
I roll my eyes, “We do have biology together but the popular girls noticed her and made her sit with them and then as if by chance this guy sits next to me and randomly starts asking me all these questions and I swear I saw him reading them off a sheet of paper.” Ok so I just proved to my exceptionally hot boyfriend that I am indeed paranoid.
“Are you sure?” He simply smiles at me.
“I am completely sure.”
“I was wondering when Ali would start trying to get revenge.” Josh says thoughtfully, “Looks like she’s decided that now would be an excellent time to do it.”
“Divide and conquer.” I agree in a low tone looking around me as if trying to see her.
Josh laughs at me, “Honey promise me that you will never seriously consider becoming a spy?”
I stare at him, “That’s the best idea that you’ve ever had. I could totally pull off being a spy; danger is my middle name after all.”
Josh looks at me like I’ve grown another head, “No it’s not your middle name is Daniela.”
“Spoil sport!”
“Well then you’re a Powerpuff Girl!”
“You so did not just call me that buddy boy.” I say threateningly.
Josh grins lazily, “Oh yes I just did what are you going to do about it?”
“Just wait and see.” I flounce off into the classroom with Josh trailing behind me.
Josh lies his head down on the table and sleeps the entire way through the class; he doesn’t even stir when Mr Humphrey starts yelling at him to pay attention to our history class. I write detailed notes because I know that Josh will want to borrow them after class. When the bell rings I whack him over the back of the head to wake him up then I pass him my notes to borrow. Josh grins at me, “Can I give you a lift home?”
“I don’t see any reason why you can’t?” I reply.
“Awesome.” Josh says grinning down at me.
I smile at him sweetly, “I hate having to part from you.”
“I know how you feel Kaila I miss you as soon as I can’t see your amazing smile.”
“Wow we are getting so mushy.” I say surprising myself.
We walk back to the locker room slowly and I can’t help but stare at him as we walk side by side. By the looks of the empty locker room Nathan has already left. I quickly put my things into my locker and pull out my bag. I turn around to find Josh crowding me, he brushes his fingertips against my cheek and slides them down my neck so softly as if they were barely touching me, his other hand is braced above my head holding him up while he tilts my chin upwards with his thumb so that we are a breath apart and I can look into his eyes.
“You are amazing Kaila. I can’t believe how lucky I am to have you.” He confesses softly, pressing his forehead to mine.
I can feel a blush creeping into my cheeks, “I feel the same way about you Josh.”
Josh grins down at me cheekily, “If we don’t move soon I will never take you home.”
“I want to savour this moment and remember it for the rest of my life.”
Grabbing my hand Josh leads me out of the locker room and towards the car park. “I want to do the same thing.”
I love the feel of his hand tugging me along and the quick grins that he shows me every time he turns around. Josh drags me into the parking lot and we quickly find his car because almost all of the cars have already left. “It looks like there won’t be any trouble finding your car.”
Josh laughs and opens the door for me, “I can always find you even in a crowded room.”
“Is that so?” I ask incredulously, I shut the car door and wait for him to get into the driver’s seat.
“Yes that is so, smart arse.” Josh grins at me before he sticks the key into the ignition and starts reversing the car out of the car park. We listen to the radio as he drives me home when we get to my place Josh leans over and kisses me softly but it quickly turns into something more heated. “Go before I take you home with me.” He groans into my neck.
“You see the thing is I would go if someone wasn’t holding me so tightly in his arms. I say pointedly.
“I don’t want to let you go just yet.” Josh sighs.
Grinning I say, “Wake me up when you make that decision, it might take you a while to get there.”
Josh grins at me, “Alright smarty pants I’m letting you go now but I will be cuddling you even more when I see you all dressed up tonight.”
Climbing out of the car I turn around and flash a smile at him, “Whatever Joshua.”
I walk up to the front door and let myself into the house and turn around to wave at Josh as he drives away. I step into the house and close the door behind me and start walking towards my room.
“Kayley is that you?” My dad calls out to me.
“Hey dad, where are you?” I call back to him.
“I’m in the study.” He replies.
I walk into the study to find my dad sitting at the desk surrounded by paper with his laptop in front of him. “This is great interior decorating dad.”
“Isn’t
it though? I feel like I have completely remodelled this room with my work.” He says sighing.
“Should I even ask what you’re doing?”
My dad looks up at me and grins, “I wouldn’t dare if I was you.”
I smile at him, “I have that sleepover this weekend at Ash’s so it will just be you and Mitch this weekend.”
Dad grins at me, “I’m so happy to see that you’re making friends, at least that Dean boy can’t hassle you anymore.” Which kind of surprises me, I’ve always thought that my dad was too oblivious to realise what was happening in my life.
“Yeah me too, anyway I’ll only be here for a little while before I go over to Ash’s place. It’s going to be fun.” I say excitedly.
“While you’re off having fun I’m going to attempt to find my desk underneath all this paper.” Dad says attempting to lift up a pile of paper.
“I’ll leave you to it then.” I walk back through the house to my bedroom; I pull a bag out of my wardrobe and fill it with the clothes that I need especially my pyjamas nothing worse than going to a sleepover with no pyjamas.
I carefully choose my party clothes for tonight I decide that my black skinny legged jeans with my tight fitting dark blue halter neck dress would be the best for tonight besides colour is good sometimes. I pull out a comfortable pair of shiny black heels that I just love to wear. All I need to do is find an outfit for Will’s party, I rifle through my clothes and pull out a black dress which is tight fitting to my waist and hangs loosely above my knees, the bottom of the dress has silver embroidered roses. It’s perfect for the party.
I quickly jump in the shower and wash my hair then I throw on a pair of dark blue jeans with a black singlet top then I quickly blow dry my hair and straighten it out. I race into my room pull on my shiny black heels and pull on my leather jacket and quickly race out of the house to catch my bus.
I get off the bus a block away from Ash’s place and quickly walk up her street. I arrive at Ash’s place just on time. She answers the door in tight fitting leather pants and a flowing silver dress with very cute beading around the neckline. I can’t help but notice the platform pumps that Ash is wearing. “Wow you look amazing Ash. But are those shoes comfortable?”
Ash smiles at me inquisitively, “Of course they’re comfortable, these are the most comfortable pair of shoes that I have ever worn.”
“I’m just amazed that they’re comfortable because they’re so high.” I say smiling at her.
Ash smiles back at me, “Come on in. We are getting ready for tonight and the boys should be turning up soon.”
I follow Ash upstairs to her spacious bedroom, I walk in to find Flick sitting on Ash’s bed trying to decide between two black dresses, one looks extremely tight and low cut and the other is loose with beading around the hemline.
Flick looks up and smiles at me. “Glad you made it Kaila; I’m still trying to figure out what I’m going to wear.”
I pull my party clothes out of my bag and walk into the bathroom to put them on. I pull on my black skinny legged jeans and slip into my dark blue dress. I walk back into Ash’s bedroom and find that Flick still hasn’t chosen a dress yet.
I point at the loose black dress with the beading around the hemline. “Choose that one; it will suit you better than the tight one.”
Flick grins at me as she picks up the dress and heads for the bathroom, “Thanks Kaila.”
Ash grins at me, “Nice save Kaila.”
I smile at her, “I didn’t do anything at all; I just helped her to make a decision.”
“You lie; any way you look great too Kaila.” Ash exclaimed.
“Why thank you Ash. I thought colour would be good.” I smile at her.
Ash grins, “Well it seems to be working.”
I walk over to her bed and sit down next to Ash while we wait for Flick to get dressed and for the boys to finally show up. “Where do you think the boys are at?”
Ash laughs devilishly, “They are probably still trying to decide what they are going to wear. And they say that we are bad!”
I grin cheekily at Ash, “Josh is probably getting fashion advice from his sister. You know both his older brother and his sister have excellent style sense?”
Ash looks at me funnily, “How do you know that they have an excellent sense of style? We’ve been friends with Josh since year eight and none of us have ever met his siblings.”
Frowning I say, “I knew Josh’s sister before I came to Albert Secondary College. Nat and I have been friends since year seven and consequently I’ve met Ricki before too. It’s funny because I’ve known Nat for so long but I hadn’t met Josh until I came to A.S.C. and then I went to Nat’s place but she wasn’t there but for the first time her brother was and guess what? He’s Josh!”
Ash looks at me enthusiastically, “What a weird coincidence!”
Flick walks into the room wearing the dress I suggested and whilst looking in the mirror asks, “What’s a coincidence?”
“Kaila knew Josh’s brother and sister before she ever met Josh.” Ash says giddily.
Flick turns around and theatrically says, “No way! That is such a weird coincidence, sorry for the repeat.”
I smile, “Well these things happen.”
The doorbell chimes and Ash races out of the room and down the stairs to answer the front door. When she opens the door I can hear her yell out, “No way, the boys all turned up at the exact same time. What kind of conspiracy is this?”
Flick and I roll our eyes at each other and slowly make our way down stairs to greet the others.
Out of all the guys Sam is the best dressed, he’s wearing black tight fitting jeans and a white shirt with its sleeves rolled up. Josh is also wearing tight fitting black jeans but he has a black singlet top on underneath a white shirt but his shirt isn’t tucked in or buttoned up. Nathan’s wearing blue jeans with a plain white t-shirt on, it looks like both Nathan and Mike were thinking about wearing the same things because Mike is wearing grey jeans and a black t-shirt. It seems all the boys decided that the dress code for tonight is jeans.
Josh strides over to me and whisks me into a bear hug; he twirls me around in the air and then sets me on my feet again. Giggling I say, “Well hello to you too handsome.”
Josh grins at me, “I couldn’t resist. You look so beautiful!”
Ash grins at me, “Of course you would say that, she’s your girlfriend.”
“What an imaginative explanation Ash.” Josh says sarcastically.
Sam grins at me from across the room, “Well who is this charming well-dressed man?” I announce.
“I’m just dressed to impress.” Sam grins at me.
“Hey. What about me?” Josh asks.
I cheekily grin at him, “What about you. You already know that you’re very handsome and unlike the rest of us Sam doesn’t have someone special to tell him when he looks great, unless you include his sister.”
Everyone else just laughs. Sam grins at me, “At least someone appreciates a well-dressed guy!”
Ash grins devilishly at him, “Yeah all those gay guys appreciate how well-dressed you are, Sam.”
Flick groans at Ash, “That’s just down right mean Ash. Out of all of us Sam is the best dressed.”
“On another topic, seeing that everyone is here, we might as well head off to the club now.” Ash says grinning at us.
Flick and I run back upstairs to grab our handbags, while the others wait for us downstairs. When we come back downstairs again everyone leaves Ash’s house together to go to the train station.
Josh grabs my hand just as I am walking through the front gate, he gives me this goofy grin and softly kisses my cheek and whispers in my ear, “I love you, Kaila. I love you so much.”
I grin at him inquisitively, “What are you doing Josh?”
He just smiles at me, “Aren’t I allowed to hold my girlfriend’s hand and kiss her cheek?”
“I guess so…” I grin evilly at him, “Just let her k
now that you are kissing me instead.”
Josh groans and glares at me, “Are you trying to bring Ali up again?”
“Oh my god, I didn’t mean to bring Ali up Josh, I was just trying to be a smart arse.” I say completely shocked at myself for forgetting about what had happened between Josh, Ali and I.
Josh squeezes my hand and flashes his smile at me, “It’s ok Kaila; I know you didn’t mean to bring her up. Just so you know; I am not going anywhere I’m all yours.”
“Lucky me…” I say sarcastically with a smile on my face.
“Yep; you’re stuck with me forever.” Josh grins at me, “You can’t get away from me now Kayley.”
Changing the topic I say, “Thank god Ash lives near the train station I wouldn’t like to be walking too far in her heels.” It’s literally five hundred metres to the train station from her house.
Ash turns around and grins at me, “I heard that Kaila. You guys are so cute together, holding hands and all. I wish I had someone special to hold hands with and share secret smiles with.”
Nathan looks over his shoulder at Ash and his glance looks really sad. He must be thinking that he truly lost his chance at having her and now he’s in the friend zone.
“But don’t you have Will now?” I say confusedly.
Ash sighs theatrically, “I do but we haven’t officially started dating yet our first date is supposed to be tomorrow night at his party.”
Nathan walks ahead of us alone and Mike and Flick are walking together. Ash is practically skipping with Sam down the street. I’m more concerned about Nathan; obviously he is more upset about Ash than I originally thought he was.
“Hey Nathan wait up?” I walk faster to catch up with him, dragging Josh along with me.
Nathan smiles at me, “What makes you walk so fast? Are we being chased by a tiger or something?”
“Or something...” I reply, “What’s up Nathan?”
“Just thinking…” Nathan says.
“That sounds dangerous Nathan.” I say cheekily, “So what were you thinking about?”
Nathan smiles at me, “Actually I was thinking about Ash.”
Josh groans, “Do we want to know what you were thinking about Ash? Is it going to be disturbing?”
Nathan grins at Josh, “Not that kind of thinking Josh, not everyone is thinking about the same things you think about. Actually I was just thinking about how I totally missed my chance with Ash and I doubt I will ever have that chance again.”
I smile at them both, “What is with this school’s guys and them having girlfriends but being interested in another girl?”
“It can’t be all the guys at school, maybe just us?” Josh says grinning at me, “You know you’re very lucky that I was one of those guys.”
“Ok I admit that I was lucky that you were one of those guys.” I say smiling, “Your turn Nathan, what were you thinking about?”
“Lucy and I haven’t been getting along for a while now; we don’t have anything in common. She’s really preppy and her parents are really posh and lately she has been treating me like I’m not good enough for her because I’m not from the same social class as her.” Nathan says quietly.
“That sounds really unfair. She sounds like a real snob.” Josh says.
I smile at them both, “It just sounds like you two have come back to reality and now see each other for what you really are.”
We all walk into the station together and wait for the train to come. Mike seems to be amazed at Flick’s transformation; he can’t seem to take his eyes off of her. While Ash and Nathan trade glances without noticing that they are looking at one another.
We get on the train and head into the city. Our carriage is so full that none of us can get seats. We finally get to the station where we want to get off; we walk out and towards the area of the city where all the most popular clubs are.
I walk down the street arm in arm with Flick and Ash, the boys follow in our wake. When we get closer to the door I see a line that goes all the way down the street, these must be the people who are waiting to get in.
Ash grins at me and says “Don’t worry. It’s going to be a cinch to get in.”
She walks sassily up to the bouncer and reaches into her bag and pulls out some sort of I.D. card, she smiles at him when he gestures to us. When he stops talking she waves us over and he lets us through without checking I.D.s or making us line up.
“What were you saying to him?” I ask her curiously.
Ash grins at him and waves the I.D. card at me, “My dad gave this to me which shows that I’m a part of the Carter family and gives me free entry. It also means I can use one of the private party rooms and my friends get free entry, unfortunately because we’re underage they won’t let us drink here.” She grins at me, “Anyway the cutie at the door said we can party in the private room. He also said that we look absolutely smoking hot!”
Flick grins at her cheekily, “You know Kaila; the cutie at the door was probably only talking about Ash. I think she’s just trying to be nice.”
I grin wickedly at Flick, “I agree Flick; I think that the cutie was totally crushing on our girl and she’s too embarrassed to admit it so she’s making us her scape goat.”
Ash groans at us, “You guys are the ones who are being embarrassing.”
I nudge Flick, “See she just changed the subject. So it must be true.”
Josh slides a hand over my bare shoulder, “Have I told you how gorgeous you are in that dress.”
“Now you have but you’re welcome to keep going with the compliments.” I say sassily looking at him over my shoulder.
“Well then you are the most awe-inspiring woman that I’ve ever seen.” Josh whispers in my ear, “Besides that dress is driving me insane.”
Ash rolls her eyes at me, “Get a room you two.”
I grin evilly at her, “We are. Unfortunately we have to share it with you.”
“I hadn’t thought of it that way.” Ash groans.
Nathan high-fives me, “Good call girly.”
The bouncer comes over to us, when he was standing at the door he was in the shadows but now I realise just how cute he is. He has stunning blue eyes and a sweet smile which he’s currently directing at Ash, not to mention the to-die-for muscles that can be seen through his tight black t-shirt. “Miss Carter would you like to go through to the private room now?”
Ash beams, “Sure.” To the rest of us she says, “Come on guys let’s go have some fun.”
We walk into the entrance of the club another bouncer is standing in front of a staircase. Ash walks up to him and he grins at her and stands aside so that we can go up the staircase. The room upstairs isn’t really a room but more like a large balcony that extends over the dance floor downstairs, there’s a private bar and red couches placed around the room however the best part is the edge of the balcony where there is a banister and you can look down at the main area and watch the people dancing like a birds’ eye view.
Josh walks up beside where I am standing looking at the dancers below, “Isn’t it weird it’s almost a private viewing of what it’s like being in your twenties’.”
“I hadn’t thought about it that way.” I say looking at him, “I was just observing the absence of self-consciousness.”
“I hadn’t thought of it like that either.” Josh says incredulously, “It’s true though, they seem to have lost their inhibitions.”
“Good word.” I say encouragingly.
Josh says carefully, “I’m not all good looks you know, I am reasonably smart.”
“I wasn’t questioning that, not after maths with you.” I say jovially. “You’re even more of a nerd than I am.”
“It seems that the others are enjoying themselves.” Josh says pointing at Flick and Mike, who are off by themselves and talking in an intimate sort of way.
“I think Sam is hitting on the bartender.” I point to where Sam is standing chatting with the female bartender, she’s grinning at someth
ing that she just said to him.
“Out of all of us guys he’s the most likely to pick her up,” Josh looks at me sheepishly, “that’s if we were single. He’s more mature than Nathan and I and he actually dresses to impress unlike Mike. Maybe she’ll go out with him?”
“Nice save Joshua.” I raise an eyebrow at him as if to say ‘seriously?’ “If you were single would you be hitting on her as well?”
“That’s very dangerous territory Kaila,” Josh looks at me speculatively, “if I was single and here with everyone I’d be flirting with you. You are the only one that I want.”
“Nicely done Mr Jamieson, I see that your manly diplomacy has developed much since the last time a woman tried to catch you in a trap.” Nathan says jovially bowing at the waist to Josh in old fashioned style.
“She nearly got me there.” Josh says winking at me, “Good thing my girlfriend is amazingly merciful.”
I stare at him incredulously, “Am I just?”
Josh grins at me, “When you’re angry you look so cute and adorable, that sexy little pout and the way that you look at me just turns me to jelly. I just want to cuddle you until you grin at me and then I realise that you’re still unhappy with me.”
I stare at him unimpressed, “Is that so Joshua?
“I’m your boyfriend so of course I’m going to think you are adorable no matter what mood you are in.” Josh grins at me sweetly, “Besides it’s just so cute to see you trying to be annoyed with me.”
I smile at him, shaking my head I say, “You are so full of it Josh but I can’t begrudge you for thinking that I’m always cute.”
“Argh I can’t stand being around you two, you’re just too sweet and cuddly. It’s just so disturbing!” Nathan interrupts us in the middle of our flirtatious argument.
“You’re only jealous because you and Lucy are virtually over and Ash is going out with Sanders.” Josh points out grinning smugly at him.
“You know for once Josh isn’t being full of it. It’s true that you are only unhappy because you broke things off with Lucy in order to claim Ash and low and behold she wasn’t waiting for you to be free.” I say thoughtfully to Nathan.
Nathan looks at Josh and me accusingly, “Did you really have to choose tonight to tell me that depressing piece of advice?”
“I couldn’t really help it Nathan.” Josh says apologetically. “You were kind of doing the mopey thing and I couldn’t just let you walk around like Eeyore for the rest of the night.”
“Yeah thanks a lot man.” Nathan says sarcastically.
Josh grins, “What are friends for? They’re there to tell you when you’re acting like a jealous bastard.”
Nathan turns to me, “I hope that’s not what your definition of friendship is.”
“Don’t worry Josh is alone on that one.” I grin at them happily, “Friends are there to give you the best advice and for you to ignore it.”
“You two are perfect for each other! I think I’m going to go see how Sam is going with the bartender.” Nathan quickly walks away from us.
“Now can I kiss you?” Josh’s tone drops as he whispers into my ear eagerly.
“What are you talking about?” I ask confusedly and just a little distracted by his breath tickling my earlobe.
“Well now that we are finally alone and no one is watching us I want to kiss you.” Josh whispers huskily whilst pulling me closer to him.
I look at him outraged with his train of thought, “I am most certainly not kissing you when we are surrounded by our friends.”
“Oh come on Kaila, just one kiss?” He whispers back at me.
I can’t believe how forceful he’s being about this, we have never kissed in public before nor do I wish to start doing that now. One time when I was catching the train into the city I saw a couple who judging by their school uniforms were still in high school, they were full on making out on the bench as the train was rolling into the station, it was obvious to me that they had been doing it for some time because the people around them were no longer treating them with disgust but were acting like they saw them do this all the time, it was really gross to see and at that time I had decided that I would never be one of those girls who full on pashed their boyfriends in public. “No way is that ever going to happen!”
Josh grins at me lazily, “It was worth a try!”
I stare at him, shock written all over my face, “You cannot be serious! I’m walking away before I get too disturbed by you.”
“Oh come on Kaila, don’t walk away so soon I wasn’t being serious.”
I give him a look as if to say ‘are you for real’, “That’s the reason why I’m walking away because you were being serious just then and that’s what scares me.”
“Kaila; wait please? I’m sorry, I guess being around the guys and you so damn hot in that dress, has done something to my brain.” Josh grins at me and I guess I do believe him, “Baby you’re drop dead gorgeous and I just want every guy to know that you’re my girlfriend.”
“Spoken like a true diplomat.” I say jokingly, “You don’t have to broadcast to the world that we are dating. Besides I think everyone knows that we are a couple judging by our body language alone.”
Josh grins at me happily, “You’re right; I shouldn’t have to feel the need to tell everyone that you’re my girlfriend. It’s a little possessive and needy even for me.”
“Alright then, why don’t we dance? It could be fun!” I say overly enthusiastic even to my own hearing.
Josh looks at me askance, “I don’t dance.”
“You’re kidding, right?” I look at him altogether surprised, how can he not dance I’ve known his sister for a long time and she basically dances all the time I even catch her doing it when she’s walking not to mention Ricki does the same thing as well, it’s in Josh’s DNA to dance. “Your whole family are dancers.”
Josh looks at me uncomfortably, “Yeah I didn’t exactly inherit that gene, my parents made Ricki, Nat and I do dance lessons since we started school but I was a bit clumsy and never got the hang of dancing and I have vowed since then never to dance in public again.”
I can’t believe he can’t dance, the way he walks is so smooth and graceful it’s hard to believe that he’s clumsy at all. “Are you being serious or are you trying to pull the wool over my eyes?”
“I’m completely serious. I wouldn’t be caught dead dancing besides it would ruin my graceful mysteriousness if I did attempt to dance in public.” Josh grins at me uncertainly, “You won’t tell anyone will you?”
I look at him uncomfortably, “No I won’t tell anyone about this. I’m going to go see whether Sam is having any luck at picking up the barmaid.”
I walk confidently over to Sam and purposely put my arm around his shoulder, “Hey little brother, are you having any luck getting an apple juice; do I need to order it for you?”
Sam glowers at me, “I have never hated you more than I do in this moment.”
“Did you really think you had a chance picking up a girl who’s at least five years older than you?” I say condescendingly with a huge smile on my face, “Besides I have to protect my little brother from treacherous older women.”
“You’re cruel, you know that? I’ll never be able to ask her out now.” Sam wails, putting his head in his hands.
I grin at him like there’s something he doesn’t know. “You know I knew you were failing at picking her up but I would never have thought that you wouldn’t recognize a way of getting a girl when you’re offered one.”
Sam looks at me agitatedly, “What do you mean by that exactly?”
“I’m a female, right?” I smile cunningly waiting for his answer.
Same looks at me confusion and frustration written in his entire demeanour, “Yes you’re a female. Where is this going Kaila?”
“Well who would know how to pick up a girl better than another female?” I say shaking my head like what I said is the most natural thing in the world.
??
?What does that have to do with you calling me your baby brother?” Sam asks me with an expression of bewilderment stamped on his face.
I shrug nonchalantly, “Everything really. By calling you my little brother the other woman would instantly take you under her wing thinking it’s really cute that an older sister cares so much about her younger brother especially when most older sisters hate their brothers, if you mention in a couple of minutes how much you care for your ‘big sister’,” I say making inverted commas with my fingers, “you will have her eating out of the palm of your hand.”
Astonished Sam looks at me, astonishment giving way to speculation. “You really are a mastermind Kaila! How could I ever have doubted your intentions?”
“Just keep it in mind for next time my dear!” I say as I walk away towards Mike. I turn around to see Sam talking animatedly to the barmaid again and I can see the tenderness in her eyes obviously my little scheme has worked like a treat! I turn around to find that Mike is staring at Sam and the barmaid with clear bewilderment at his ability to get the older woman to talk to him after fifteen minutes of being given the cold shoulder.
“Now how the hell did he do that?” Mike asks no one in particular.
I grin nonchalantly at him, “With a little female intuition.”
Mike stares at me, “You did that?” He says tilting his head towards the bar.
“It wasn’t all me.” I say calmly grinning at him.
“You’re one scary lady Miss Kaila.” Mike lazily grins at me.
I smile cheekily at him, “Well now it’s your turn lover-boy.”
Mike looks at me hesitantly, “And what do you mean by that?”
I ignore his question and focus my gaze on his face, “Michael do you have feelings for Flick?”
Mike squirms under my gaze, “Only my mum calls me Michael.”
“Nice change of topic but that will not save you from me.” I smile openly at him, “Now do you like Flick?”
“Everyone likes Flick, who doesn’t?” Mike looks extremely uncomfortable now and that’s exactly how I want it.
“Again you avoid the question which leads me to the conclusion that you very much so like Flick but, you are unwilling to admit it to yourself and her.” I slowly smile menacingly at him, “You can’t hide it from me Mike, I’ve been watching the way you look at Flick and she looks at you, you can’t deny that you have feelings for her so what is holding you back?”
Mike looks down at his toes, “I don’t want to hurt her, I want to remain friends with her because if I stuff up a relationship with we won’t be able to go back and be friends like we were beforehand.”
“So you would rather be like Nathan and Ash who have feelings for each other but aren’t together and because of this they can’t act the way they did before because there is too much between them?” I ask incredulously.
Mike looks at me sharply, “I don’t want Flick and I to be like them, now they are a messed up couple. I understand what you’re getting at though, Flick and I feel too much for each other and unacknowledged feelings are worse than acknowledged feelings that are rejected.”
I smile at him nodding my head, “That is exactly what I am saying Mike, I don’t want you guys to be miserable because you’re both too shy to express what you’re really feeling.”
“What should I do? I don’t want to lose her if anything goes wrong but I don’t want to regret not being her boyfriend either.” Mike hastily looks away from me too frustrated to continue speaking.
I sigh and shut my eyes for a few moments; I have to tell him something I’ve never wanted to discuss again. “There was a guy that I was friends with at my old school, he was amazing -sweet, kind, and generous- everything I had ever wanted except he was my friend. I didn’t want to ruin our friendship by dating him but he convinced me that I would regret not being with him.” I look at Mike to see if he’s listening, “The thing is that I did date him and everything I thought I knew about him turned out to be false, he would tell me that he loved me but he was really doing the dirty with another girl from my biology class. When I found out it turned nasty, he spread some vile rumours about me, he ripped my heart out and fed it to the cheerleaders.”
“Why are you telling me this?” Mike looks at me confused about where our conversation is going.
I sigh and jut my hips out insolently, “What I am trying to say Michael is that you and Flick know each other and the feelings you have for one another are mutual. The thing is that I made a go of it with that guy and it turned out bad but how can you know if it’s going to turn out bad if you’re not willing to take that risk?”
Mike looks at me sceptically eyeing me up warily, “Have you got a hidden earpiece telling you exactly what to say to get me to ask Flick out?”
“No but I do give out some damn good advice sometimes.” I wink at him and flounce off as Flick begins to make her way towards Mike; I throw a wicked grin over my shoulder at his self-conscious face and shout “Good luck Mike.”
Nathan grabs my arm as I make my way towards Ash, steering me away to a dimly lit couch in the corner of the room. “What the hell are you doing?”
I smirk at him, “You don’t have to be a brain surgeon to realise that I am giving out good advice.”
Nathan glares down at me, “Mm hmm. So what’s the plan maestro? Get everyone together and go on double dates or is it, triple dates?”
I clap my hands excitedly, “I hadn’t thought of it that way, but that could be very fun to do as well! Actually my aim was to stop the entire group acting mopey because they don’t have the guts to tell their crush that they like them.”
Nathan frowns at me, “Hey I’m not being mopey because I didn’t tell her how I feel. I am acting mopey because I did tell her how I feel.”
I shrug at him knowing that I can’t dispute what he said, “You are another can of worms. I can’t help you and Ash because to tell the truth neither of you want help from me. You’re both too stubborn to realise that you’re being childish and no matter how many times I tell you, both of you will remain obstinate about it.”
“Is that what you honestly think Kaila? That I’m too obstinate to listen to anyone?” Nathan asks me quietly looking at the ground.
I smile sadly at him, “I do believe that you’re too obstinate to listen to someone when they are giving you advice about Ash and I think you were too oblivious to Ash’s feelings when you still had a chance with her.”
“So you’re saying I’m an idiot?” Nathan looks at me sharply.
I look at him sadly, “No I’m saying that you’re male.”
“That’s a little harsh don’t you think, condemning the male gender to a world of oblivion and stubbornness?” Nathan grins at me.
I grin back at him, “You said it not me.”
Nathan looks at me seriously which sets my alarm bells off, “What if I said I am willing to set my stubbornness aside and listen to your advice?”
Eying Nathan up I try to think of something profound to say, the others were easy to help but I’m not sure how I can help Ash and Nathan. “Apologise. She’s still your friend she’s just frustrated that you chose now to tell her how you feel. You can’t expect her to rearrange her life because you’ve finally realised that she exists.”
“Harsh but very true…” Nathan nods his head at me, “I think I finally understand how she feels thanks Kaila.”
“You are most welcome.” I give him a bow and walk off towards my boyfriend -I really love calling Josh that- standing all alone watching me chat to everyone else in the room.
“It looks like you’re getting pretty friendly with everyone.” Talking into my ear I can tell that Josh is a little jealous that I’ve been sharing my attention around.
“It sounds like someone is getting pretty jealous.” Smiling sweetly I can instantly see his forbidding frown and grim smile.
Josh shakes his head at me, looking down at my face with wonder. “You are unbelievable.”
“It??
?s true though, you are jealous.” I grin at him sweetly but really I am thinking just you wait I will get you, “You think I couldn’t feel your heated gaze following me around the room? You think I couldn’t see you refusing to talk to anyone? It all screams out jealous!” I say in a singsong voice.
“I am not jealous, they’re my friends.” Clenching his jaw Josh informs me, except the thing is I can see by his body language that he is totally lying to me.
“By the looks of your clenched jaw and the jealousy radiating off you, you are totally lying to me.” I look at my fingernails nonchalantly. “Would you like to lie to me again?”
Josh groans and swipes his hand through his hair, “I’m beginning to think you know me a little too well Kaila.”
Grinning I pat him on the arm reassuringly. “You have no choice in the matter now. So would you like to tell me why you were trying to lie to me?”
“You sure know how to squish a man’s ego.” Josh grins at me mischievously, “Ok so I was jealous and maybe even a little possessive and I thought that you would tell me that I’m being irrational, I guess I don’t want to disappoint you or something.”
My smile beams at him, “If that was all you were worried about I’d have understood. I don’t think it’s irrational but I do think you should loosen up and enjoy yourself instead of worrying about the others.”
“I hate it when you’re right all the time, you’re becoming a ripe little-miss-know-it-all and I think you know it too.” Josh groans and swipes his hand through his hair again; I’m beginning to see a pattern. I think when he’s nervous he plays with his hair and fidgets a bit.
“Well if we’re not going to dance what are we going to do?” I try changing the subject to make him feel more at ease.
“This is a weird experience, what do you do when you go to clubs?” Josh sighs thoughtfully.
I grin at his unease, “I think it’s only fun when you’re single and like dancing oh and maybe when you can actually drink.”
“I think you may be right again, I wonder if anyone else is starting to get bored?” Josh looks around the room as if to assess everyone’s fun levels. I notice Flick and Ash sitting in a corner together talking while Mike and Nathan stand in the centre of the room obviously planning something. I risk a glance at Sam hoping to god I don’t see him making out with the bartender -it’s one thing to help him get a girl but another to see him doing things to that girl- my prayers are answered because he is still sitting on the stool at the bar chatting to the bartender. I am broken out of my train of thoughts by Josh, “…wondering if I should talk to Ash about leaving early.”
“Uh maybe you should Josh.” I look around uncertainly. “I think the only person who will object is Sam because he’s the only one chasing tail.”
Josh flashes me a lopsided grin, “Yep Sam will be annoyed for being cock-blocked but what can we do about it when he’s taking far too long. An old lady can walk faster than he can pick up chicks.”
“That makes a very amusing visual.” I crack up laughing at the visual inside my head of an old lady with a walking frame wearing a floral dress walking down the street so slow it should defy physics and Sam standing at a flower store attempting to chat up a girl our age who has on a green apron and her hair done up in a high ponytail and the old lady who is taking forever to walk manages to get to the end of the road before Sam has even got the pretty girl’s number. Hmm I wonder if you can get a fine for walking to slowly now that would be somewhat amusing as well.
“Uh Kaila come back to planet earth.” Josh shakes my shoulder gently, “You had this faraway look in your eyes and a creepy smile on your face, are you ok?”
“Uh yeah I was just wondering if it’s possible to get a fine for walking too slowly.” I say grinning at the perplexed look on his face; I guess not everyone has the same train of thoughts like I do.
“…Hmm strange…” Josh looks off towards Ash, “I’m going to talk to Ash about leaving now; do you want to come with me?”
I grin at him noticing he doesn’t want to go anywhere without me. “Sure Josh.”
I follow Josh across the room to where Ash and Flick are sitting. Ash looks up and smiles at us as we approach them. “Hey what’s up?”
Josh grins down at them, “We were wondering what time you wanted to head back to your place.”
Ash glances around the room noting that everyone was just standing around talking. “I guess in the next five minutes or so. Someone should let Sam know that it is game time and he better get her number or I am going to make him sleep outside tonight in only his boxers.”
I shudder, “Man you have a mean streak Ash. I’m not sure who that will affect the most considering that everyone who sees him almost naked should have their eyes removed.”
Ash just grins at me evilly, “Don’t doubt her Kaila she’s made everyone in the group do similar things before.” Josh tells me covertly.
“Remind me to never cross her.” I say to Josh and the funny part is I totally mean it. “I’ll go let Sam know considering the bartender already thinks I’m his sister.” I walk towards the bar flashing a huge smile at Josh. I rest my elbow on the bar and turn to look at Sam, “Sammy the others asked me to tell you that we are leaving soon.” I say loud enough to get the bartender’s attention then I say more quietly, “Hurry up and get her number you idiot. Ash is going to make you sleep outside in your underpants if you fail. God I hope you’re wearing underpants!”
Laughing Sam grins at me, “Don’t worry she gave me her number pretty much right after you left the bar, you were right that the brother thing would really get her attention.”
“Well I’m relieved that I don’t have to see you in your underpants then.” I theatrically sweep a hand across my brow as if to say ‘whew that could have been a disaster’.
Sam frowns at me, “I’m not sure if I should be offended by that.”
“Take it however you please; it’s just too weird to see your friends without clothes on.”
Sam frowns at me again, “I don’t know how that works when you are dating Josh.”
Now I frown, do I want to see Josh naked? Or would it be weird to see him without any clothes on? He’s one of my friends but he is also my boyfriend so I wonder if that really applies to him, I already know that he’s smoking hot without a top on but would it be weird if I saw him without anything on? Hmm I have a feeling that seeing him naked might not be as weird as seeing Sam naked it would just be strange because it would be a different type of naked I guess, if that makes any sense at all…
Someone comes up behind me and rests their head on my shoulder which scares the pants off me until I turn slightly to see that it’s just Josh once again breaking in on my thoughts. “You look like you were in deep thought, you know you scrunch up your face and frown when you’re thinking deeply? It’s really entertaining to watch.” I’m sure it is I dryly say to myself inside the privacy of my own mind. “You ready to go?”
Josh’s voice barely registers in my thoughts because my mind has turned to the idea that Josh thinks it’s funny to watch me think and maybe he’s implying that he doesn’t think I’m that bright or maybe he’s suggesting that I should let him do the thinking for me in which case all I can think of is that there is a fifty per cent chance my boyfriend is a chauvinistic pig. “Yeah I’m totally ready.”
Josh grabs my hand and leads me back to the staircase we came up three hours ago. The group happily bands together as we make our way out. Ash makes a point of talking to the cutie at the door that originally let us in to let him know that the private room is available again.
“So what did the cutie say this time?” Flick asks curiously, winking at me.
Ash bats her eyelashes and widens her eyes innocently but I am not mistaken, “Come on spill girly or we will never stop making up ridiculous renditions of what we think the conversation sounded like.”
Ash sighs dramatically, “He said I have nice legs and my friend in the blue has a fantastic
rack and my friend in the black has a seductive walk, apparently he thinks all of us are beautiful.”
Nathan strikes a pose grinning at us, “I knew I look fantastic but it’s nice to hear it from someone else.”
“Uh he wasn’t meaning you he was only talking about us girls. Or have you suddenly changed genders?” Ash asks innocently batting her eyelashes at him.
“I always knew you were secretly a girl Nathan.” I chip in grinning at the confused insulted look on his face.
“You two are horrible to me!” Nathan grumbles shooting daggers at Ash and me.
I shrug and grin at him cheekily, “But you make it so easy for us.”
Nathan looks to Josh for help, “Come on man she’s your girlfriend, can’t you do something to help?”
Josh groans looks down at my raised eyebrow, “There is no way I can help you without shooting myself in the foot as well.”
I pat Josh on the arm grinning up at him, “Good boy you learnt something.”
Ash looks at Flick, “Looks like Josh is finally going to be the perfect boyfriend all because Kaila is training him.”
“Yep I wonder if she uses treats as an incentive, that’s what we do with my dog to make sure he doesn’t pee in the house.” Flick says thoughtfully looking at Josh.
“You’re right boys are very much like puppies in toilet training.” Ash agrees grinning in Nathan’s direction.
I burst out laughing at the looks on Nathan’s and Josh’s face. “If I didn’t know better you I would thing that you two are taking this rather seriously.”
…
When we get back to Ash’s place everyone splits up to go get ready for bed. Ash and Flick get changed in Ash’s bedroom while I change in the bathroom then we arrange ourselves on the mattresses on the floor in Ash’s room.
Flick nudges me as I’m putting my pillow on the mattress nearest to the door, “In year seven Ash’s parents had to buy all these spare mattresses because we always have sleep overs here. And there were never enough beds for us so they finally bought mattresses so that we could all sleep comfortably.”
Well that makes sense, especially if you have kids sleeping in random places, one of my friends slept in a bath tub when we did a sleep over because there wasn’t enough beds and couches for her to sleep on so she grabbed her sleeping bag and pillow and spent the night in the bath tub, it was rather amusing for us.
We all crawl into bed and fall asleep, all but me because for once in my sleep I can’t get to sleep so I decide to go and get a glass of water to see if that will help me fall asleep, besides I’m pretty sure no one else is awake, it’s two in the morning after all.
As quietly as I can manage climb out of my bed and make my way for the door. I quietly close the door to Ash’s room behind me and walk straight into Josh. I wasn’t exactly expecting to walk into him. I just wanted to get a glass of water. I look up into his face grinning at him, “Hey Josh what are you doing up?”
He looks at me heatedly, “You promised me a kiss.”
“I did no such thing.” I shrug at him.
“It was implied.” His eyes rest solely on my lips.
I raise my eyebrow and put my hands on my hips, “I’m sure it wasn’t.”
“Trust me it was.” Josh leans closer to me.
I outright laugh at me, “Yeah right, nice try buddy.”
Josh places his right palm on my cheek and leans forward slowly, “Ok so maybe I just need an excuse to kiss you. But it really was implied.”
“Oh yeah…? How is it implied?” I ask leaning into his hand.
Josh groans, “Do you have to talk so much? It was the way you looked at me ok?”
“Uh huh…” Josh strokes my cheek with the tips of his fingers and gently trails the fingertips of his other hand over my neck.
Josh shakes his head slowly, “That sassy mouth never stops does it?”
I look up at him grinning, thinking about his statement I shake my head, my brother always says that I always have to have the last word. His fingers are sending tingles down my spine and I can feel my skin forming goose bumps, what he’s doing feels really nice. I don’t know what it is but I feel really special right now with his entire focus on me.
“That’s what I thought.” Josh says to himself before taking possession of my mouth, kissing Josh is seriously addictive. This guy knows exactly what to do to make a girl weak at the knees. He gently presses himself against me, wedging me between his body and the wall and it suddenly occurs to me that maybe this is his favourite way to kiss a girl because on several occasions he has tried to kiss me like this. He’s so gentle with me. Josh’s tongue slides against my lips begging me to open my mouth to him, his hand is fisted in my hair and his hand is tilting my head back so that he can get a better angle. I open my mouth to him and it feels like paradise.
It’s amazing considering that technically speaking it is two people’s wet tongues touching each other and somehow it isn’t gross at all but just feels right. I’m starting to realise that maybe my train of thoughts go places that people would be afraid to know about.
Josh slowly pulls away from me grinning at the blush on my face. “I just wanted to say good night properly.”
“I think you sufficiently said good night.” I say trying to be serious but struggling to stop myself from grinning and ruining the entire effect.
“You and I both know that was way more than just sufficient.” Josh grins at me and gives me a quick hug before taking a few steps away from me, “See you in the morning baby.”
I lean against the wall and watch his sexy body walk back down the hallway to the staircase. Hang on did I just think he’s sexy? Ok now that I think about it, yeah he really is sexy but I can never tell him that. He already thinks he’s all that I can’t let him think he’s sexy as well! I walk back into Ash’s room and climb into bed, thinking about Josh as I fall asleep.