The Boy Next Door

Chapter Nine

I climbed over the others as I made my way to my sleeping bag on the floor of Alex's bedroom. I'd had a great day with them all, the best day in forever.

We had walked down the town, had a mooch around blockbuster and explored every clothes aisle in Tammy Girl, Morgan's, Etam and Littlewoods. I didn't buy anything besides a new CD from Woolworths but still enjoyed watching them all try on clothes. And when Morgan put a cap on my head, she only went and took my mind straight back to Olly, who I couldn't stop thinking about. Even when the girls and I played football down the park, he was in my mind. Football was his thing, and he was always clinging to one.

Nothing, absolutely nothing, had taken my mind off him since we met, and I didn't think anything could.

Sammy had insisted we had a girly pamper, spa kind of sleepover, which wasn't as bad as I expected. We had a Chinese take-out, did our nails and wore facemasks while watching a chick flick. It was all right, a bit cheesy, but it made me laugh, and for as long as I could remember, I felt like I belonged, and my shoulders were looser because of it. I had never realised how tense I was, but it wasn't easy putting on an act all the time; I was no A-grade drama student.

Unlike Lauren and Sophie, me and the girls had similar interests, and I didn't feel the need to impress them. I hated that they went to Oakley Prep and not Bailey.

Morgan sat behind me, brushing my hair as we sipped on hot chocolates and ate marshmallows. I took a handful of toffee popcorn and relaxed, enjoying my head massage.

I loved hair care; there was always something about someone playing with your hair that made everything seem better.

"Ashley, have you ever kissed anybody?" Alex asked, and I smiled. It was a question I had usually avoided, but since I could say yes, I was more than eager to reply. I knew the night was turning into a real girly sleepover, the kind I had seen on TV, and I suddenly came over all nervous. Excited nervous.

I reminisced about my kiss with Olly, and it made me gush and go all gooey inside. I hadn't seen him since and didn't even have his phone number. I didn't know what to think about our friendship, but I knew I liked him. I liked him a lot. Though with the doubt in my mind about him treating me differently at school still hovering, I tried not to overthink it.

"I have," I giggled.

"Really?" The others all gathered around me with their snacks, waiting for details.

I blushed, picking up my pillow and hugging it, keeping my head back as Morgan continued. "It happened just yesterday."

"Tell us what it was like. Who was it? That cute boy from football? Please say it was him," Sammy probed, kicking her legs wildly as she lay on her front.

I glanced at my new friends. They were all in cosy pyjamas, staring at me with wide eyes. Interested, happy and enjoying my company. If this wasn't what true friendship felt like, I don't know what did.

Alex sat beside me; her long blonde hair was French plaited, hanging over one shoulder, and her polished black fingernails were twiddling. She was bubbly and born to be a leader.

Morgan was behind me; her hair was short, I had crimped it, and it had gone puffy and wild. She was a little clumsy and laughed a lot. Her contagious laugh had us all in stitches every time she looked in the mirror.

Emily, who sat on the other side of me, had thick brunette hair, and Alex had curled it. It looked pretty, but my god, it took forever. She's clever, loves to read and was the tallest of us.

And then there was Sammy. She had a blonde bob, which we all put into tiny plaits. It was going to take her ages to get them out; they were that small. She was petite and the girliest out of us all. The rest were more tomboyish, whilst I still hadn't embraced my love for the type of fashion I truly loved for anyone to see.