Empty Connections

Chapter Seven

My head feels like someone has taken it out of my skull, set it on some train tracks and left it to be run over for twelve hours and then stapled it back into my skull. It's not an exaggeration either, six tequila shots and three cups of whatever was in that punch later and I may have to swear off alcohol for at least the next month.

Pulling the blanket that Cassie had draped over my head last night off, my eyes sting as the brightness of the living room comes into view. It must be at least eight am now, with the way the sun is shining directly through the windows, the one's no one pulled the blinds over last night.

Even with the sun shining bright in her face, Alfie and Hugo are still dead asleep, Hugo's arm draped over the calves of Alfie's legs, something that makes me smile to myself all the same.

Stretching I pull myself out of the warmth of the blanket and peer over the back of the couch to see who is making coffee, the delicious smell wafting all around me, a smiling Claudia greeting me in the kitchen.

"And how are you feeling this fine morning?" She asks, brown hair wet and pushed out of her face.

"Freight train to the brain" I mutter, taking the mug from her outstretched hand and pulling it close to me as I lean against the counter, letting her move away to pull her waffles from the toaster.

"You and Rosie certainly had a fun night, she just kept pushing drinks into everyone's hands. Alfie, Hugo and I had to put you two and Cam on a drinking ban, otherwise the three of you would have vomited everywhere or passed out on the dance floor"

Oh god, Cam. The kiss.

"We weren't that bad" I dismiss, "...Were we?"

"You definitely were I'm afraid, Hugo and Alfie practically dumped Cam into your bed when they got home, and you didn't even notice because you were passed out on the couch as soon as we got through the door"

"I remember Cassie giving me a blanket"

"Yeah, you were slumped over the edge of the sofa, we had to try and get you into a position that wasn't going to leave you with permanent back issues"

"How graceful of you" I mutter, "God, that is majorly embarrassing"

"I'm not sure what was in the water last night, but our group weren't the only one's feeling like getting obliterated was the best choice"

"The beauty of college" I chuckle, "What time is it? You're all dressed already"

"We have paintball at eleven remember, Soap should be here in like forty-five minutes. But you still have like an hour and a bit to get ready before we have to leave, someone's in the shower but I think everyone else is still asleep"

"You didn't close the blinds, otherwise I would still be asleep"

"Doesn't seem to bother the boys" She laughs, gesturing to the direct stream of light hitting both boys that I had noticed when I woke up.

"I knew getting drunk was a bad idea" I grumble, sending her another grateful smile before heading up to my room, pausing suddenly at the top of the stairs.

My hand darts to my lips, I made out with Cam last night. The memory makes my cheeks flush red and a giddy feeling tingle all the way down my spine, but a curious kind of unease still settles in the pit of my stomach. My cheek, he only touched my cheek and neck and leant against the wall with his other hand but god, I practically jumped him in the hallway.

Never mind the fact he has always been so respectful of my boundaries, and ready to support me when other people- namely Simon- ignore them, but it was me that went for him this time. I didn't even ask.