“What?” I snapped. She threw her hands up in surrender.
“Nothing,” I sighed and ran my fingers over my forehead. I wanted to tell her that I was envious that Jay actually gave a fuck about her. That I needed that from Haz. I’d shared part of my childhood with him and he shared some of his secrets with me too. I heard him before I saw him.
“Hey beautiful.” I heard the sound of lips locking and glanced up to see her wrapped around him like a puppy. I rolled my eyes and nodded at him. “What’s been going on?” He questioned me as he took his seat next to Nance. I didn't say anything. I looked down in my hands at my phone and pulled on my earlobe. I zoned out of their conversation. I didn’t really care what he’d been doing at work, or how uni was stressing Nancy out.
“Isn’t that right Av?” Nancy’s blue eyes looked hopeful and I desperately wished I was listening to what she had been saying. I simply nodded “You’re not listening are you?” I cringed and shook my head. I watched as Jay’s eyes narrowed. It was almost as if he sensed something was going on.
“We’re going away on business this weekend? Having a gathering at Alfie’s on Friday?” My ears heard that. So he was ok. I flinched. It hurt to know that he was just carrying on with his life. He said it was only once. I should have listened.
“Cool.” Blunt.
“Where are you going nice?” Nancy smiled at him, her smile was beautiful and genuine. I couldn’t remember the last time I smiled like that over the last 2 weeks.
“Italy." His tone was ice cool. I huffed.
“I should get going,” I stood and reached across to hug Nancy. She looked shocked and I patted Jay on the shoulder “enjoy your business trip.” He nodded “Come to mine when you’re finished here?” She simply nodded as her eyes widened. I couldn’t be near him. He reminded me of Haz. I gathered my coat from the back of the chair and wrapped it around my body before I hit the uni campus. I took a sharp breath and ran. I ran and ran until I hit home. I just need some space.
Friday
I’d been miserable. The girls had made that very clear. He’d blown me off. The stab of disappointment wouldn’t leave my gut as much as I wanted it to. I heard my front door slam shut and shouted. “I’m up here.” I heard elephant feet making their way up the stairs and laughed when I saw the two of them all red nosed and cold.
“I swear to god for October it’s fucking freezing!” Soph’s teeth chattered together as she spoke and I smiled at her.
“Yeah it’s gone bitter.”
“A bit like you hey?” Nance added and I frowned. I was a little bitter. I noticed the huge bag she was holding and smiled. “How are you wearing your hair?” She changed the subject pretty quickly when I didn’t respond. I shrugged.
“Just like this?” I gestured at my hair and she smiled.
“I was going to say it didn’t need anything doing to it.” Soph interjected and I laughed.
“Yeah sure you were…” She frowned at me as she sat beside me on my bed.
“Hey I was! You’re lovely just the way you are… We,” she pointed at herself and Nancy and back again “need help.” I laughed as Nancy nodded.
“You’ve got that right!” She placed her bag down on my bed and pulled out her makeup bag. It was double the size of mine and I chuckled.
“You know you can only wear one product at a time don’t you?” She winked in my direction before she sat with her legs crossed in front of my mirror.
“I need all the help I can get.” She didn’t, she was absolutely stunning with or without makeup. I grew up in awe of her. I shoved her shoulder playfully and she smiled before she got to work on her eye make up. “So are you gonna tell us what’s going on with you?” She didn’t make eye contact with me and I shrugged. I couldn’t tell them.
“I’m okay I swear just a bit hormonal.” I lied. Soph laughed as she took off her coat and hung it on my little heart shaped coat hangers that rested on the back of my bedroom door. I stood and pulled on my grey co-ord. The skirt was mid length ish and the top was cropped. I eyed up my coat hanging on that very same rack and watched as Soph pulled on my skirt.
“This looks looser? Have you lost some weight?” I shook my head.
“I don’t think I have?” I glanced in the mirror and examined myself. The only thing I could see that was different was that my abs were slightly more defined. She smirked and slapped them softly.
“Well I think you look great.” I chuckled and lay back on my bed watching the pair of them getting ready.
“It’s all that dancing and gymming you’re doing. You’re arse is bigger and girl you’ve got abs for daysss.” Nance teased. I pulled up my skirt slightly so that you couldn’t see them and watched as she rolled her eyes. She pulled on her Navy dress and grabbed her bag.
"Are you ready now?" I questioned. Her face was shocked as she grinned at me.
"Yes actually I am... I'm waiting for you!" I laughed as she pulled her car keys from her bag and ran down the stairs quicker than I’d seen her move in my entire life. Soph shot me a look and I shrugged. Must be the prospect of seeing Jay again.
We arrived within 10 minutes at their house, still
