“Well he’s been a lot more relaxed lately,” I examined her expression. It was like she knew. I wondered if he’d told her what we’d been doing or if she saw straight through me. Either way I knew I couldn’t say anything that would give us away.
“That’s good.” The corners of my mouth lifted upwards and she simply sighed out loud. I watched as a crowd of people made their way out the backdoors and followed Chloe as she made her way out too. We were shortly joined by Nance who looked all flustered. The freezing November sea air knocked the breath from my lungs and sent a chill to my toes. I frowned. I had no coat and I clutched the wine glass that was in my hand tighter. I watched Jay and Haz join us. Jay had the right idea. His dark grey coat was buttoned up and he smiled at me.
“Hey,” he reached out to me and hugged me softly “it’s nice to see you, you keep disappearing lately.” My head was briefly on his shoulder and Haz smirked slightly. I smiled a little and prized myself away from our friendly embrace.
“I’ve just been feeling overwhelmed, you’re all a lot to keep up with.” I chuckled, my teeth chattered a little longer and I watched Haz pull his deep red beanie over his head. I glanced down at the heels on my feet and then towards the grass and heard Nance laughed too. She was muttering something to Jay and I watched as Chlo pulled on Connors arm. He shook his head at her and I watched as Jay picked Nancy up. He was carrying her towards the bonfire through a horde of other people. I laughed to myself as I watched on lookers smile and laugh at their antics. I shook my head softly and felt my heart swell watching them. I felt his arm brush against mine a little and glanced up. He radiated heat.
“Maybe one day hey?” He smiled down at me softly and my eyes met his pools of blue.
“What? We will be loved up fools?” He chuckled and shrugged.
“Jay’s not in love, he lusts after her.” He stated. More people were now surrounding us and I felt his hand slip into mine, his thumb ran along the back of my hand and my anxiety instantly lifted. I wanted to ask him if he lusted after me. If that’s what this was. If the forbidden element of this thing between us has kept him chasing me. I couldn’t. I didn’t want the answer. I didn’t want him to tell me what I already knew. Instead I squeezed his fingers in mine softly and watched as he leaned down a little. “Get on my back? I’ll carry you down there? You’re freezing Avaya.” My teeth were chattering and he was right.
“It’s fine I don’t want anybody getting the wrong idea.” My heart felt heavy again and I watched him frown. He picked me up in one swift movement. My eyes widened instantly as I pressed against his shoulders. “What are you doing!?” I almost growled and watched his eyes light up.
“Keep growling like that everyone will believe you hate me.” He flashed me a wicked smirk that made my groin twitch with excitement. I rolled my eyes and pushed harder against the muscle of his shoulder.
“Put me down.” I ordered as we reached the rest of the group and he did as I asked.
“As you wish.” He literally dropped me. Not softly but with force. I frowned deeply at him as I heard Jay laugh. A true hearty laugh and steadied myself against him.
“Arsehole.” I pushed Haz with some force and watched as he shrugged.
“Fuck,” Jay laughed and glanced at us both. I was still trying to pull my heels from out of the grass but the blaze of the fire was warming me through “you really don’t get along do you?” He stated. I heard Chlo snigger slightly and frowned at her.
“She’s ungrateful.” His words stung me. He said it like he meant it. I scoffed with disgust and turned to face the fire.
“Coming from you.” I muttered to myself and watched Chlo smile to herself. He nudged me slightly and I turned my head to face her. Her brown eyes were dancing as she examined me.
“You know you won’t fool me.” She whispered and I frowned.
“What?” I almost gasped and tensed involuntarily.
“I know the way you look at him and the way he held you when he carried you,” her eyes left mine as she turned back to face the fire, the ambers of the flames made her skin glow and I felt my heart flutter a little as I thought about him. “I know him Avaya. He doesn’t hate you at all.” Her words were barely audible but I heard them. Shit she knows. I too turned to watch the wonderful orange flames of the fire and heard the countdown from 5 - 1. I stepped back slightly from the fire and watched as Chlo rested her head on Connors shoulder. Nance gripped Jay in her arms and I watched as he spread his arm around her back. The sky instantly lit up with beautiful colours. Blues, greens and pinks. As they exploded in the sky it rumbled above the sea. It was beautiful. I glanced towards him, his expression was still and unreadable. I watched as Jay looked back at him and then down at me before he looked away again. I stood awkwardly watching them before I felt his hand trace my back underneath my blazer. The satin of my shirt was the only thing stopping his skin from touching mine. I glanced up at him and heard the music blaring as the booms lit the November nights sky.
“I want you to come
