live a little - j.birch

s i x t e e n

it was leahs birthday, and the plan was to have dinner with her family and then a girls night. though the idea of being at leahs made me feel anxious, especially considering it would be a girls night that night, i didn't want to miss leahs birthday like i did last year. she was my best friend after all and her friendship isn't worth a drunk fuck. me and tara got along fine at this point, not holding it against each other. it's not our fault judds a complete prick. since that night, i hadn't seen judd. leah took his stuff back to hers and i spent the week either watching films by myself with shitty food or having leah come over. i didn't want to speak to judd. i know what we did was just drunken sex, but it annoyed me that after he couldn't get any attention from me halloween night, he went and shagged the first person that called.

i broke out of my thoughts once reaching the birch's. i straightened myself up a little before ringing the doorbell, clutching onto the presents i had bought for her. the door swung out and i didn't have to look up to see who it was, the familiar smell of burnt wood and jack daniels flooded my nostrils before i could. i scoffed and shoved past him, not even looking at his face.

"hello bella, yeah you can come in. great." he mumbled sarcastically to himself, slamming the door. i led myself into the dining room where diane was setting the table. i gave her a small hug hello.

"it's been a while since i've seen you! how're things?" she had such a sincere tone whenever she spoke, like she genuinely cared about the conversation. i smiled a little wobbly.

"good thanks! looking forward to a girls night, the last one wasn't the best." i awkwardly chuckled, noticing judd stomping up the stairs in the corner of my eye. diane finished setting the table then sat next to me.

"leah said it was a bit awkward but didn't say why. i'm sure tonight's will be better though sweetheart." she grinned before lowering her voice to a whisper.

"i got you girls a little bottle of wine, don't tell the boys or they'll expect me to buy it for them." she nudged my shoulder with a wink as i chuckled, shaking my head at her.

"what are you talking about?" nick asked as he came into the dining room with andrew, sitting at the table also.

"nothing much, how you been nick?" i smiled politely, deciding that i may as well get to know leahs other brother aswell, i did spend a decent amount of time here.

"not too bad, andrews sad cause of missy still." nick gestured to his little pear shaped friend. andrew flashed a sad smile.

"who's missy?" i raised an eyebrow. it sounded like the name of a pet or something, so i made the assumption his pet must have ran away.

"my ex girlfriend." he sighed, resting his face on his hand, his elbow missing the table first try. i held back a laugh and gave him a sympathetic smile.

"it's alright buddy, i'm sure you'll have another girlfriend one day. you're only young." he still looked extremely sad, but couldn't speak before elliot had brought dinner in. it was spaghetti bolognese, one of my absolute favourites.

"leah! judd! dinner!" diane sang to her missing children, which was followed by loud footsteps echoing down the hall. leah emerged before judd, taking the seat beside me. i was thankful for this, until i realised the only spare seat was opposite me. he sat there and glared at the food, as if it had just stabbed his beloved pet or something.

"you okay?" leah smiled, twirling spaghetti on her fork as she spoke. i copied her, ignoring the dickhead sat infront of me.

"yeah i'm good, you?" leah grinned back and replied a short answer.

"how lovely is this? my gorgeous wife and kids who i love so much, as well as my baby boys best friend and my only girls best friend, who i also love dearly. this really is a moment." elliott sighed happily, squeezing dianes hand. she giggled whilst their kids cringed at his words.