Guilty Indulgence

Chapter 7~ Autumn Term

Saturday 26th of October:

Today was the first day of half-term break and I feel exhausted; my splitting head-ache wasn't helping. Rowan passed me a strong cup of coffee; I take a sip as steam rose from the mug in flames. This allowed me to take a break from the cleaning up I'm doing due to last-nights celebratory gathering. I think back to last night with a smile on my face at the fond memory.

It all started with the netball final last-night against Edgewood High. There was quite a turnout at the game, especially with parents from both teams in attendance. They drowned my chants for Samira out in the crowd's mix of shouts. But the game came to the end with the results being close, with a 38:36 win to us. Samira played superbly and blocked many shots for the hoop, although she stayed in defence throughout the game unlike the quarter-finals few weeks prior.

After the game, the school treated the winning players with a meal out so while Samira was tucking into a meal at pizza hut with her team and coach; I had recruited Oliver, Caleb, Rowan and Mrs Knight in setting up a surprise party for when Samira got back home. We had successfully set up her house with food, decorations, music and Rowan's favourite booze. I had to step up and boss people around to put things here and there like Samira does, but my instructions weren't clear and confident as hers. So, we ended up with a congrats banner hanging upside down. This didn't faze Samira when she arrived home.

My cup of coffee had almost gone cold, I took a gulp; it was just the right temperature. I looked over to Rowan who had set his cup down and started picking up the empty cardboard box that held spare pizza brought home by Samira. We had a big job clearing the cider cans that were littered all over the place, it would've been a quicker job if we woke Samira up but after yesterday's game and last night gathering, we thought we'd treat her to a lie in.

Rowan looked as bad as me; our eyes stared blankly at the mess around us as tiredness kicked in; could we just take a nap? Rowan's phone vibrates in his pocket. He picks it out and looks at the screen.

"We've got an invite to James' Birthday/Halloween Party next Saturday!" he said joyously at the idea of getting to dress-up and go to a costume party; Rowan's favourite. He rushed upstairs to Samira to let her know because she too will be over the moon about this party. However, I was not.

They both came downstairs, Samira still in her white crop top with contrasting light grey jogger's pyjama set. She looked radiant and beautiful even though she had just woken up; I'm slightly jealous.

"Are you going?" she asked me with a raised eyebrow.

"I'm not going anywhere, you've just woke up,"

"No, I mean the party. Are you going to the party?" her concern is clear in her glossy brown eyes; I'm sure her concern is about James and what happened during spin-the-bottle.

"Yeah, if Caleb is," I'm not sure if Caleb will; He and James haven't exactly been best of buddies since that night, but they hang in the same friendship group so he might.

With that, she looked around at the mess and signed. It would have helped if Oliver and Caleb had stayed the night so that we had extra pairs of hands to clear this mess up, but Mrs Knight wouldn't allow it. Rowan is fine to have a sleepover as she has approved him because he prefers guys over girls and he is practically family too. We've known each other since the start of high school and never been apart ever since.

"We need costumes!" Samira exclaimed as she picked up her house keys and told us we are heading to the shopping centre and getting our outfits before we deal with that as she points to the mess on the floor. I agree; I can't deal with anymore cleaning up so we all head out the house towards the shopping centre.