Love me tender

Chapter 10

Danielle POV

Barrett and I arrive at Jay's place at 8, everyone is here; Lachlan, Jaina, Boris, Jason, Grey, Oak, there's also a bunch of people from different studios.... There's only one person that is missing... Stefania. Why isn't she here? I mean... Jay told Barrett that she wouldn't be able to attend but... Why? What is she doing? I should have asked her... maybe she is on a date... I hope she isn't on a date.

Oh god I sound like a toxic boyfriend. Stop it, Danielle.

I say hi to everyone and head straight to the drinks. I grab a beer can and take 3 big gulps of it. I can see Jay looking at me concerned but Barrett whispers something to him and his concerned look turns into a compassionate one. Oh great, now Jay is sorry for me... that's awesome.

I look at everyone as they talk and laugh. Barrett and Oak help Jay set up the karaoke machine. Why are they so happy? Why am I NOT happy? I'm with my friends, we are supposed to be drinking and laughing and singing terribly. Stefania, this is all your fault. If it weren't because of you, I would be preparing the songs with Barrett, I would be laughing at Grey for doing something stupid... I would make out with a complete stranger.

Without even noticing, I finished the beer can, so I grab another one from the fridge and open it. As I grab the first sip, Jaina comes out of nowhere, grabs my beer and puts it on top of the table.

"Hey, I was drinking that" I say pouting.

"You have all night to drink and be angry at the world, right now you and I are gonna go pick a song for Karaoke night, we are gonna sing and you are gonna have the best time." She takes my hand and drags me to the living room

After looking for almost 20 minutes, we decide on "You're the one that I want" from grease. It's a classic, on a normal situation I would be super exited to be singing it with my friends but right now, it just works as a reminder that... the one that I want isn't here.

GOD I NEED MORE BOOZE... THIS IS GETTING DEPRESSING

I Pull Jaina and Barrett out of the living room to the kitchen and we start doing tequila shots. By the time we are called in to sing, we are already drunk. We go back to the living room and grab the mics, everyone starts cheering at Jayna and I while Barrett laughs and records

Jayna begins singing the first verse, she dances to the song as if she was Danny and I was sandy

"I got chills.. they're multiplying

And I'm loooooosing control

'cause the power you're supplying

It's electrifying."

I can't stop laughing but I try to hold it in for the second verse

You better shape up

'Cause I need a man

I sing that part I and I quickly whisper to the microphone "No I don't...I hate men" Which makes everyone laugh, I see that Barrett is recording so I sing to the cellphone "And my heart is set on youuuuuu"

Then I blow a kiss at Barrett and continue singing and dancing with Jayna

You better shape up

You better understand

To my heart I must be true.....

We continue singing, dancing and laughing until the song is over. Everyone cheered at us and then Jaison and Grey were up, doing a terrible yet hilarious rendition of "All the single ladies"

Jaina and I went to the kitchen to grab some water because after that award willing performance, we were exhausted. I grabbed another shot and started pouring some tequila but Jaina stopped me

"no no no... no more for you... we don't want you to end up throwing up all over Jays brand new bathroom"

"Pleaaase... just one more" I say, making puppy eyes at Jaina

"Ugh... Fine but I'm not gonna be the one to hold your head while you throw up"

"We both know you will be" I say smiling and taking the shot before she can stop me. I decide to check my phone and see a notification that Barrett posted the video on Instagram. I repost it without giving it much thought, shut off my phone and head back to the living room to see everyone singing. We dance and sing our hearts out... we forget about everyone and everything except us... in this moment... I feel on top of the world.

That is until, I feel that last shot of tequila really kicking in. Next thing I know, two hours have passed, most of the guests are either asleep on any half comfortable surface, talking to each other or they have already left. Meanwhile there's me, sitting in the couch, singing and crying to "Make you feel my love" with the bottle of tequila on my hand. Thankfully I am not the only one, apparently Barrett had a fight with her boyfriend tonight which resulted in us being almost equally drunk singing and crying uncontrollably. Jay is also with us, half asleep... just enjoying our shitshow.

After we finish the song I see Barrett is already asleep next to me. I briefly check my phone and see that Stefania has responded to my story

"Great song choice"

"Ugh that looks so much fun!! I wish I was there with you guys"

I show them the text and say "You know what...I'm gonna call her" as I was gonna press the call button Jay grabs my phone

"No no no no... Stefania is busy righ now D." "Plus you are drunk... really fucking drunk... and it's two in the morning" He says.

I grab my phone back and text her

Direct messages: Bella <3

D: I wish you were here...

D: With me

D: Without the other people

D: Rehearsing that scene 😉

Jay sees what I just sent and takes my phone back. "Dani no no no... what did you do? You know you are gonna regret that later, right"

I stop fighting to get my phone back and stay silent for a while. I feel this sudden sadness and heaviness in my body that I just can't shake. I feel my eyelids getting heavier and heavier, I put my head in his lap.

"But I love her Jay" I say as I close my eyes

"I know" He says as he strokes my hair to comfort me. "I know you do"

Authors note

Hi wonderful people! Uuuu, What do you guys think Stefania was doing? how you you think she'll react to the messages?

If you like the story or you have any suggestions, my dms are always open.

Hope you like the story so far and have and amazing day 😊

C.