Chapter 58

Staying up till 6am was one of the worst decisions I’ve ever made in my life. It’s 3pm and I’ve only just woken up, still tired. It’s even worse because everyone else is still asleep.

I take my phone out of the charger it’s been in all night and start replying to texts I’ve not replied to, just to pass time.

From - Conor: I’m thinking about going out tonight as like, an early birthday thing. Do you lot want to come?x

To - Conor: Yeah!x

I’m happy he actually wants to celebrate his birthday. The other night, he was telling me he doesn’t want to do anything at all.

“Lucy?” Lois moans.

“What?” I snap.

“Thank fuck you’re awake. It’s always me waiting for everyone else to get up” she laughs.

“Same” I roll my eyes. I thought this ‘duvet on the floor’ thing was a great idea but my back is literally killing me right now. It wasn’t the best sleep I’ve ever had...

Eventually, everyone wakes up once Lois and I start blasting some music. They were pretty annoyed but it worked! We’ve decided that we should just tidy the house a little bit and go home to get ready for tonight which should be good!

I unlock my front door and walk into the living room to see my Dad on his laptop and my Mum watching TV.

“Hey!” I smile at them both.

“Oh my god Lucy, your hair!” Mum gasps and walks over to me. I don’t know if she’s happy, shocked or angry right now but I feel like just running up to my room and hiding it from her either way.

“Yeah” I simply say to avoid silence.

“Who did it!?”

“Leila”

“I don’t know what to say!” she gasps, still touching it.

“Well, do you like it?”

“Yes definitely! She’s done a great job of it” she nods. That’s a relief.

“I know” I laugh. “Dad, look” I tell him and flick my hair. He starts laughing.

“Very nice” he says but it sounds sarcastic. Dad’s...

“Did you have a good time?” Mum changes the subject.

“Yeah, it was great” I smile.

“Good” she laughs.

“Is it ok if I go out with everyone tonight? It’s Conor’s birthday on Wednesday so we’re celebrating tonight” I tell my Mum and she nods.

“Where are you going?” she frowns.

“Probably just to Conor’s house or something” I lie. She’d flip if she knew about the nightclub.

“Well don’t get drunk” she warns me.

“I won’t” I smile and run off upstairs. I immediately run into the shower and wash with my absolute favourite products; my hair products that make my hair smell of strawberries and my shower gel that smells like mango’s. Sounds gross, I know...

I get into my room and blow dry and curl my hair lightly so it just looks wavy. I’m happy with how it looks considering I’ve bleached the ends of it. It’s really shiny and is so soft. I swear it’s that new shampoo and conditioner I have.

I pull out almost my whole wardrobe and I literally have nothing to wear. I never like to wear the same dress more than twice and everyone’s already seen me in every single dress I own. What the fuck do I do?

I see a black dress at the side of my wardrobe that I know will be too small for me but I could squeeze into it. It’s a skater skirt type of dress that’s black with chiffon over the top of it, with a sequin bodice ((picture at the side)). I’ve never worn it because I’ve been saving it for a special occasion. I feel like it’s too dressy to just go for a night out in but today is an emergency and I think every shop in Brighton will be shut right now, seeing as it’s 6pm. I’ve been saving it for so long that’s it’s probably 2 sizes too small for me now. I try my hardest to squeeze into the tiny dress and just when I’m about to give up, the dress finally covers my body and is actually pretty comfortable. It’s messed up my hair a little but I’ll live.

I see how it looks on me in the mirror and although it doesn’t look perfect, it’ll have to work. What else am I supposed to turn up in?

I do my make up lightly but give my eyes a sort of ‘smoky’ effect to match my dress. I leave my black high heels aside considering it’s only 6:30pm and Conor’s picking me up at 7. Now all I have to do is wait...

I decide to add a few final touches to my look; black nail varnish, tonnes of my best perfume, more volume to my hair... etc.

I walk downstairs, holding my heels by my side and sit with my Dad for a little bit in the living room until Conor arrives.

“Why are you dressed like that if you’re just going to Conor’s house?” he asks.

“What? Who said I’m going to Conor’s?” I frown.

“You just told your Mum you were before you ran off upstairs” he frowns, confusion flashing through his eyes. Shit, I did say that.

“Um, yeah I am going to Conor’s but like, not yet” I stutter. What the fuck even was that Lucy?

“Well where are you going?”

Dad, please just drop this now.

The doorbell rings, saving me from the terrible lie I was about to make up on the spot. Thank you, Conor. I run to the door, still holding my heels in my hand and when I open it, I quickly crouch down to put on my shoes. I don’t even know if it is Conor at the door, it could be a mass murderer for all I know.

“Hey!” I breathe when I stand up straight. Conor’s eyes are wide as he looks me up and down. I knew I shouldn’t have worn this stupid dress.

“Lucy, where are you going?” Dad asks, walking over to the door. My face drops and my eyes go wide, thinking of every possible thing I could say to him.

“I’m going to, um...” I start to think. I’m usually good at this type of thing but when I’m fully dressed up like this, I don’t really have much choice than to say I’m going to a nightclub.

“She’s coming to my house. I’m having a party” Conor saves me from being grounded for months. I let out a massive breath and I feel a tonne of bricks being taken off my shoulders.

“Oh right” he nods. “You don’t seem too sure”

“Dad, we’re positive, we’ll even send you pictures when we get there” I blabber on and I hear Conor snigger behind me. I nudge him slightly with my elbow without my Dad noticing and he instantly shuts up.

“I’m alright thanks, have fun” Dad waves as Conor and I walk down the drive.

“We’ll even send you pictures when we get there?” Conor asks, laughing slightly.

“Shut up, I didn’t know what to say!” I gasp and he starts laughing.

“You’ve dyed your hair!” he gasps.

“No shit” I say sarcastically and he starts laughing.

“It’s beautiful” he says in a sort of Mexican voice, throwing a chunk of my hair in the air.

I start laughing, “Thank you”

“It’s freezing so Jack’s ordered two taxis. Everyone’s coming to mine first then when the taxis get there, you’ll go into one with the girls and me with the boys, yeah?” he explains and I nod.

We arrive at Conor’s house and I instantly make my way into his living room to be greeted by Jack, Alex and Lois.

“Hey!” I smile as Conor walks off into the kitchen.

“Lucy, you look fucking beautiful!” Lois gasps.

“Aw thank you! You too!” I compliment her.

“Thank you” she smiles, looking down at her body tight, maroon dress. She literally looks amazing. I’ve noticed that whenever we go out, she’s always wearing something different and looks amazing in everything. Same with the rest of my friends. I’m jealous...

“Hey Alex” I smile widely as I give him a long hug.

“You alright?” he asks.

“I’m good, and you?”

“I’m great” he laughs. “I like your hair”

“Thank you” I smile and turn to Jack. “Jack!” I squeal. I’ve spent one day away from him and I already miss him. I feel like I haven’t seen him in years. Same with Alex to be honest.

“Lucy!” he says in the same tone as me as we hug. “You’ve dyed your hair” he gasps, keeping his eyes locked onto it. Him and Conor are exactly the same...

Everyone soon arrives and the taxi comes about twenty minutes later. We get to the club at quarter to 8 and are already drinking and ‘taking over’ the dance floor. We even got everyone to sing ‘Happy Birthday’ to Conor which he was very embarrassed about but he got a free fish bowl drink out of it so I bet he’s chuffed about that.

“Try some, Luce” he slurs, handing me a straw from the huge bowl. I grab the super long straw and take a sip of it.

“It’s alright” I shrug and he rolls his eyes. “You’re drinking too much” I shout over the music. I’m surprised Conor can even see me. His eyes are barely open he’s that drunk.

“It’s my birthday, I’m allowed to” he laughs.

“I’ll let you off this time” I joke. I’m not ruining his ‘birthday’. He can drink as much as he likes, as long as he’s happy.

A group of girls walk over to our direction and start making conversation with Conor. He hands the barely dressed girls a straw from the giant fish bowl he’s carrying and starts laughing as they all try his drink. I’d say something here and now but like I said, it’s his ‘birthday’ and I’m not ruining it for him, not matter how pissed off I am at him. This is the second time he’s been flirting with other girls tonight...

“Ignore him Lucy. You coming?” Jack shouts into my ear, pointing over to the corner of the nightclub where I see Leila, Lois, Alex and Mike drinking near the sofas. I nod and walk over to them all. Jack and I stand next to them and join in with the conversation. I can barely stand up straight. One, because of these shoes, and two, because I’m drunk...

“So are you still doing stuff with Ben?” I smile at Leila. I’m going to regret bringing this up in the morning.

“Nope” she sighs, finishing her drink and putting it on the table behind her.

“How come?”

“Ask yourself” she huffs, turning slightly away from me.

“What do you mean?” I frown, sipping my Vodka and Coke.

“Well let’s be serious, if it wasn’t for you messing things up, we’d still be together” she shrugs. What the fuck?

I fake laugh, “I wouldn’t call ‘friends with benefits’ being together”

“I don’t care what it was, you still messed things up” she snaps.

“You’re just saying this because you’re drunk” I convince myself.

“I’ve been dying to say this for ages, Lucy” she rolls her eyes.

“What the fuck?”

“Just leave it”

“No! You brought this up. Don’t start an argument you can’t finish”

“Alright then. Jack, you’re with me on this aren’t you? She’s always messing with the group because of her fucking problems” she shouts. I can tell she’s getting angrier.

“Leila” he warns her.

“No seriously, be honest” she nods and he doesn’t say anything.

“You’ve got to be joking” I moan, looking at Jack in confusion as to why he isn’t sticking up for me. “Thanks a bunch, Jack”

“Just because he agrees with me” Leila smirks.

“Leila, stop it” he sighs, running his fingers through his hair.

“I’m just proving a point” she laughs.

“You’re fucking pathetic. I haven’t done anything to upset you or any of the group for that matter. You’re just picking arguments to spoil the night because that’s how messed up you are” I snap, not sure whether that makes sense or not. She’s just being such a bitch. I think I’m more mad at Jack though for not sticking up for me.

“You’re making the situation worse than it has to be! Just fuck off Lucy!”

“You fuck off!” I shout, throwing my drink all over her and storming off. This happens every time I come to this fucking nightclub. An argument always happens and I’m always involved. Maybe Leila’s right about me messing up the group with mine and Conor’s arguments. I mean, if I didn’t turn up, they’d all be as close as they used to be without any problems.

“Lucy, wait!” Jack puts his hand on my shoulder to stop me speed walking out of the club but I instantly shake it off.

“Don’t come crawling after me after you’ve just embarrassed me in front of everyone!” I shout.

“Calm the fuck down! I didn’t stick up for anyone then but you blame it on me like you always do. You can’t expect me to stick up for you all the time. Leila is my best friend too you know? Who would you stick up for if it was an argument between me and Conor!?” he shouts, eyes filled with anger, just like the night he found out about me and Ben.

“I don’t know” I shrug. He has a point... Kind of.

“Exactly. There was no fucking need to pour that drink over her, no matter how much of an asshole she was being!” he points over to Leila who’s walking into the toilets with Lois. I’d laugh at what I’ve just put her through but Jack’s glaring at me which is making this situation so serious.

“Sorry” I mumble, not knowing if he can hear me over this music.

“Just don’t spoil Conor’s night for him” he warns me. Conor’s already spoiled mine by flirting with almost every girl in this club. I’ve watched him do it all night and it’s really irritating me. I could literally hit something I’m that angry right now. Anger starts boiling through me as I watch him chatting up two girls that look much older than him, at the other side of the club.

Without thinking, I walk straight past Jack and storm out of the club. I would have probably killed someone if I stayed in there any longer. I sit on the wall outside the club for a good five minutes just thinking about life, until Mike sits next to me, holding two drinks in his hand.

He hands me one of the drinks of god knows what and I just smile, taking a sip of the really strong liquid.

“You alright?” he asks, breaking the silence.

“Yeah, just needed some air” I half laugh.

“It’s hot in there” he states the obvious.

“Yeah Mike, there’s probably around eighty people drinking and dancing in there, surrounded by hot lights. It’s hardly going to be cold is it?” I say sarcastically and he bursts out laughing.

“Seriously though, are you okay?” he asks when he’s calmed down.

I sigh, “Conor’s been flirting with girls in there all night. I’m not saying anything because I’m trying not to ruin his night. And you just heard what Leila said to me. It just makes me think...”

“Think what?”

“I don’t know, she’s right? If I didn’t move here, you’d all be how you used to be and there’d be no problems”

“You think we didn’t argue before you turned up?” he asks but I stay silent. “Lucy, there was a new argument every week, just like every group of friends. We just make up really easily which is why I think we stick together. We just forgive each other easily” he laughs. “And as for Conor, I’d just ignore him. I think he’s learned not to do anything with them girls after what’s happened. He’ll be sorry in the morning”

“Yeah” I nod, fully agreeing with everything he’s saying.

“In my opinion, Leila’s an asshole for saying that bullshit” he says, fully serious.

“I know” I laugh.

“Now are you coming back in? I think I’d much rather sweat to death in there than get hypothermia and die out here” he jokes making me laugh.

“Alright” I nod and follow him inside. I look straight to the dance floor and see all the boys – including Conor – dancing stupidly, and all the girls just talking in the corner of the bar. Hesitantly, I make my way over to the girls and stand in the group. I look at Leila’s stained dress and back up to her sticky hair. I could laugh right now but I do feel bad for ruining her pink dress.

“Look, I’m sorry. I only said it because you brought up Ben. I’m pissed off at him for everything he’s done lately” Leila apologises, looking to the floor. What’s Ben done?

“It’s fine” I shrug. “I’m sorry for ruining your dress”

“It’ll come out” she shrugs, smirking afterwards. I start laughing slightly and she soon joins in.

“Thank fuck that’s over with” Olivia laughs, lightening the mood. I’m still mad at Leila for saying all this stuff but tonight’s been going so well. I don’t want to ruin my night by staying in a mood with her. Mum always told me “forgive and forget, life’s easier that way” and I guess now’s one of them times something she’s said actually comes in handy with life.

-

It’s two in the morning so we decide to call it a night. All of the group stand outside the club and wait for the taxis we’ve ordered to arrive.

“Hello Lucina” Ben stumbles over to me and sits next to me on the wall I’m sat on.

“Don’t call me that” I laugh.

“Why not? I like it”

“It’s horrible”

“Sorry Lucina” he emphasizes the name.

“Shut up” I pause, trying to think of something I can call him “Neb”

“What the fuck is Neb?” he frowns.

“It’s your name backwards” I laugh and he starts thinking.

“I like it” he nods. “Give me your phone” he demands. I pat my whole body to try and find my phone to give to Ben but I can’t find it anywhere.

“Shit, I’ve lost my phone” I panic.

“You gave it to me to put in my pocket for the night” Jack laughs lightly, handing me my phone. I pass it onto Ben and smile at Jack before just pouncing on him to give him a bear hug.

“I’m sorry” I mumble into his hair. He starts laughing, wrapping his arms around my waist. He starts making gagging noises to make out like I’m strangling him so I quickly unwrap my arms from his neck and roll my eyes.

“Done!” Ben interrupts our moment.

“What have you done?” I scan my eyes over my phone.

“You’ll find out” he attempts a wink but he’s so drunk it just looks like he had a twitch. I start laughing.

“Did you know, felt tips are called felt tips because the end of the pen is felt at the tip?” Leila announces. I frown slightly before bursting out laughing at her sudden announcement. The whole group is laughing at this point except Conor who’s sat on the floor, leaning against the wall I’m sat on, playing ‘Brick Breaker’ on his phone...

“Oh my god, I’m mind blown” Alex says sarcastically. We finally calm down when everyone’s taxis arrive.

“Conor get up” I snap, pulling him off the pavement he’s sat on.

“Stay with me tonight” he slurs, looking up at me.

“No way”

“Why baby?” he laughs.

“Because you’ve been flirting with every fucking girl in that nightclub all night” I snap, pushing his body off me. His eyes open widely and he shakes his head.

“No I wasn’t” he gasps, still shaking his head as if he’s 5.

“Yes you was, you’re a fucking mess anyway”

“Luce, I didn’t mean to!”

“It doesn’t matter. You were drunk, I get it” I shrug.

“Let me make it up to you” he pleads, taking hold of my hand. He’s not acting as drunk anymore, he’s actually taking this situation seriously which is a good start.

“How?” I ask.

“Stay with me tonight. I’ll make it up to you” he smirks. “I’ll show you you’re the only one I want”

“You’re just saying it because you’re drunk” I say as an excuse to stay mad at him. What he just said has made me want to jump in that taxi with him right now and let him make it up to me but I need to be mad.

“I’m not, baby! Trust me” he smiles. I roll my eyes and join Jack and Alex waiting in the taxi, after saying bye to everyone. I gave in too easily, he’s so persuasive. It’s his ‘birthday’ anyway, what could I do?

“Lucy, what are you doing?” Jack asks.

“I asked her to stay” Conor snaps and I just look at Jack and shrug.

“I think I’ll stay in Jack’s room tonight, sorry Conor” Alex pulls a face and I start laughing.

“You’ll still hear it” Jack cringes, making me laugh harder.

“That’s disgusting. We’ll sleep downstairs mate” Alex plans and Jack agrees. I just roll my eyes and Conor starts laughing.

“Well at least we don’t have to worry about keeping our moans quiet now” Conor winks.

“Conor!” I gasp, swatting his arm making him laugh, and making Jack and Alex pretend to be sick.

We arrive at Conor’s house after the very detailed talk about bedroom situations... Jack knows too much for his age if you ask me. We stumble into Conor’s house and walk straight into the kitchen, shutting the door after us so no one wakes up.

“I’m starving” Alex moans.

“We should get a kebab” Jack suggests and I gasp at the amazing idea. I’d kill for a kebab right now.

“What kebab shop’s going to be open at fucking half two in the morning?” Alex asks as if we’re stupid.

“No, there’s that one that’s open twenty-four seven. And they deliver” Jack nods and we just shrug. Jack gets out his phone and scrolls through his contacts to find the kebab house. You know you’re sad when you’ve saved a take-away into your phone. We order our stuff and just stay talking in the kitchen, waiting for the kebab’s to arrive.

We hear a knock at the door and Jack takes the £20 note with him to answer it. He walks back in the kitchen with 4 kebabs stacked up in a white bag. When we’ve demolished them and had a beer from the fridge, we talk in the kitchen for a little while longer until we start to get really tired. While Alex and Jack are lost in their own conversation, Conor decides to break our silence.

“I’m sorry about tonight, Luce. You should’ve said something” he apologises. I think that food has actually knocked some sense into him.

“It’s fine” I shrug.

“It’s not. I always mess up” he moans.

“Conor, don’t bring yourself down. You had a good night so just leave it” I assure him. He didn’t do anything with the girls so I’m not that bothered. I think everyone flirts when they’re drunk anyway.

“Did you have a good night though?”

“Yeah” I shrug. “Except from the argument with Leila” I laugh.

He frowns, “What argument?”

“She said if it wasn’t for me messing things up, her and Ben would still be together. And she was saying how I’m always messing with the group” I shrug, leaving Conor with his jaw on the floor.

“What a bitch! I wish I was there!” he shakes his head and I laugh. “What did you do?”

“I poured my drink over her” I shrug again and Conor bursts out laughing.

“She deserved it!” he laughs.

“Well she said sorry after that so I think we’re fine”

“She was still a bitch though” he sighs, putting his empty can in the bin.

“Well we’re sorted now so let’s just forget about it”

“Okay. And I’m sorry again for tonight” he mumbles, walking over to me. He holds my waist with one hand and tucks a piece of hair behind my ear with the other, staring into my eyes. He leans down and kisses my lips delicately, making me want more. He lifts me off the bar stool I was sat on, still keeping his lips on mine as I place my hand on his cheek and pull him closer to me.

“Come on Alex!” Jack says in disgust and I can practically see him dragging Alex off his bar stool and out of the kitchen, although my eyes are shut.

“I’ve been dying to kiss you all week” Conor mumbles against my lips. I just moan as a response, fully agreeing with him. I didn’t let him kiss me because I was ill... He pulls away from the kiss and I just look at him in confusion.

“I forgot to tell you how beautiful you looked tonight” he smiles. “No girl in the world can look as perfect as you do” he compliments me, making my heart beat instantly speed up.

“Conor-“

“Don’t disagree with me” he puts his finger up to my lips.

“But-“ he cuts me off by kissing me again, except this time, he leads me up to his room and slowly guides me onto his bed.