The following evening came round very quickly. I was sat in front of my bedroom mirror just adding the final curls to my hair before grabbing my bag and making my way into the kitchen. Picking up the box of beer, I made my way outside into the taxi to Beth and Viv's house. As I knocked on the door waiting to be let in, I could hear the laughter and music from inside, finally the door swung open as Kim greeted me with a smile, gesturing her hand to bring me inside. As we made our way into the living room, Kim pre-warned me of the drunk-ness of some of the girls already. Which quickly became apparent as I looked around the room, Katie and Beth were stood by the TV stand with mics in their hand, singing out of time to karaoke. Lotte, Caitlin and Lia were sat in the corner, laughing and pointing at Katie and Beth. My eyes darted around the room, trying to spot Leah amongst my teammates until I realised, she was nowhere to be seen. Viv stumbled over to me, taking the beers out of my hand and shouting for me to follow her into the kitchen. As Viv was pouring a line of shots for the girls, she told me to help myself to anything as it was free for all. A loud shout came from the living room from Beth "VIV COME IN HERE I NEED TO SPEAK TO YOU." Laughing loudly, Viv turned to me and apologised for leaving as she set off to speak to Beth. Pulling the lemonade out of the fridge I returned to the side of the counter to pour myself a large vodka and lemonade as I needed to be the same level of drunk-ness as the girls. Mid way through the pour I felt a hand on my shoulder, startling me and causing me to slightly jump. "Easy there, you're gonna be drunk after that one drink if you pour anymore vodka into it" Without turning around I placed the vodka down and replied, "that's the whole point". As I swiftly turned my head to see who was stood behind me, I was greeted with those piercing blue eyes, which I met yesterday. Leah stood directly behind me, grinning. Her eyes looking me up and down. She looked effortlessly beautiful. "Yeah true, but you don't want to be the one to go home first do you" She laughed back. "Sorry Le, I didn't realise it was you. Have you seen how drunk some of the other's are already? I need to catch up." I responded. A smug grin creeped across her face as her eyes made eye contact with mine. "Le?" she paused. "I didn't know we were on a nickname basis already" I could feel my cheeks begin to blush as I hadn't even realised, I'd called her that. " Oh – erm-I-erm, well you called me Charl yesterday so I just thought" I blurted out. Before I was able to finish my sentence Leah sarcastically raised her eyebrows, whilst remaining eye contact "touché". Leah made her way over to the box of beer I had brought earlier and began opening the kitchen draws trying to find a bottle opener, my eyes still fixated on her. Realising I was still following her movements, she turned her head to face me with a cheeky smile on her face.
Seconds later Caitlin appeared in the frame of the kitchen door "What's taking you two so long, come on we're gonna play some games." And with that, me and Leah followed Caitlin back into the living room, joining the rest of the girls who were now sat in a circular shape, facing one another. I took my seat next to Katie whilst Leah sat directly facing me, in between Lotte and Lia. I began to frantically look around the room, attempting to avoid Leah's gaze. God, why does she have this effect on me? Beth began to explain the rules of the game. "Okay, so we're gonna play never have I ever. For those of you who haven't played before, we take it in turns going around the group saying statements that we have or haven't done. Those involved in the game, if you have done it, you drink. If you, haven't you don't drink. You can make it as plain or as juicy as you wish to do so. But you must answer honestly." She explained. "Does everyone understand the rules?" We all nodded in agreement and the game began.
Katie was the first to begin
"Never have I ever, ghosted someone"
Laughter came from the group as we all drank a sip of our drinks.
Viv
"Never have I ever, gave a fake number to someone who was chatting me up"
Lotte and Viv both drank, Beth had a shocked look on her face which quickly turned to a sarcastic smile. "Good job really babe, otherwise you wouldn't have met me" she stated confidently, making the rest of the girls laugh. I couldn't help but feel eyes piercing into my skin, looking up I could see Leah, watching my reaction to each of the questions asked.
Lotte
"Never have I ever, stood someone up"
I immediately noticed Leah's demeanour shift. Her head bowed as she avoided eye contact with anyone else in the room. Slowly bringing the drink in her right hand up to her mouth taking a small sip from her drink. My eyes widened as I watched her drink, instantly questioning what her reason could possibly be to do that to someone. Beth through a sharp look at Lotte who had only asked the question innocently, not realising the awkward tension it would bring to the game. Attempting to revive the atmosphere, Beth's mouth curled into a devilish smile as the realisation of it now being her turn made her excited. Her eyes immediately stared into mine as she began with her turn.
Beth
"Never have I ever, fancied someone in this room"
My body temperature instantly began to rise as my heart pounded against my chest, my cheeks turner a darker shade of red as I watched around the room. Leah's eyes once again met with mine as she confidently took a sip of her drink. Lia and Caitlin shrugged their shoulders as they giggled at each other taking a sip of their drink. Beth and Viv mirroring the same actions as Caitlin and Lia. The only two remaining were Lotte and me. Beth, refusing to let me get away with it shifts her smile to an even bigger grin, raising her eyebrows as she now directly questions what my response is.
Beth
"C'mon Jonesy, we're all dying to know. Is there anyone you fancy on the team within this room or does no-one take your fancy?"
I sat and briefly thought about my answer, looking around the room. Should I be honest and drink? Or should I play it cool and lie and pretend I don't fancy any of them. All eyes in the room were now on me, awaiting my answer. I sighed, gave a slight nervous laughed and finished the rest of my drink.
I looked around the room to see the eyes of all the girls facing in my direction. A cocky smile appearing on Leah's face. Does she know? I panicked. Beth, who couldn't contain her excitement slightly squealed, raising her bum off the seat she was once sat on. "I knew it! I told you she did" she shouted turning to face both Katie and Viv. Wait, do they know who it is? Before I could think any further. Katie now rushed over to me smiling from ear to ear "Who is it then Charlotte, who's the lucky girl you've got your eye on". The drink I had just finished had kicked in as I now had a level of confidence. I smugly smiled at Katie and Beth, who was hovering over Katie's shoulder as I responded. "Who said it was just one girl I had my eye on?" both standing with their mouths open, ready throw further questions at me, I quickly beat them to it as I continued "Ah ah ahhhh, that wasn't the rule of the game. I don't need to elaborate on my answer" and with that, I made a swift exit upstairs to the bathroom escaping the pressure of elaborating on my answer in front of the whole team. On my way past the rest of the girls, I glanced across at Leah who was now avoiding looking at me. Had she heard my comment about their being more than one girl? Does she know I have a crush on her? My mind began to spiral at the thought of Leah being upset with me. Making my way downstairs I joined the rest of the girls who were now all mingling between themselves. I found myself sat next to Kim and Lia who were discussing the upcoming season and analysing key players from our rival teams.
