Will We Talk?

45- Past

Reluctantly, I tore my eyelids open as I heard the ugly mixture of my family's voices singing Happy Birthday as they found their way to my room. My eyesight revealed mam, dad, Bradley and Sam stood at the end of my bed with a 24 balloon in hand. Mam had obviously busied herself with baking a cake for me as a victoria sponge cake had been coated in tons of fondant- which is arguably the best bit of the cake- sat in her hands.

"Shurrup the lot of yous. I just want sleep for my birthday so fuck off and come back in a few hours." I groaned turning onto my side.

"Evelyn Victoria Jonston." not the full name, in front of my boyfriend as well, "You will get up right now. I didn't wake up at this time just for you to tell me to fuck off, you ungrateful sod." I could see the clenched teeth, emphasising her jawline.

Rolling my eyes, I turned to throw my face into my pillow, but immediately having the blankets pulled from my body. This move from my dad completely exposed me. Then, I opened my eyes as I felt myself being picked up by the man the myth Rob Jonston.

I squirmed, trying to escape my dad's arms, but no, he was still as strong as he was when we were little, "Put is down man. Pack it in carrying me like a bairn, I'm not one anymore."

"You're acting like a bairn." my dad scoffed, throwing me onto the sofa.

My head whacked off the top of the sofa, practically giving me whiplash, but I know there's no point in complaining as my dad wouldn't have any sympathy whatsoever. Instead, I laughed it off with Bradley who sat on the floor. Mam sat on the armchair, dad pulled in a kitchen stool, and Sam was standing behind me.

He kissed my cheek and I nuzzled into his chest, "Happy birthday my darlin."

I smiled at his touch, ruffling his hair a little before mam forced a present in my face.

*****

"Thanks everyone, I love yous all." I thanked, throwing the last of the wrapping paper into the bin bag dad had gotten out.

"My baby's 24 man." mam cooed, hugging me and rocking me back and forth.

"You're getting old mam." Bradley teased, elbowing me in the ribs and consequently making me laugh.

"Cheeky bastards." she muttered as she pulled away, "We'll leave yous to enjoy your day Evelyn. Happy birthday." she said.

"Thanks for coming round." I heard Sam mutter from the front door.

It was weird waking up to my family being there- that hadn't happened since I was 16 and Bradley was moving out. Nevertheless, it was nice. Except from mam being the same fusspot that she's always been, correcting everything I do so I'm actually lady-like. Lady-like my arse.

I'd received lots of furniture and house decorations, so I guess this confirmed that me and Sam would be moving out sometime soon. In the end, it was up to him when we move as his schedule was the most cluttered, which was starting to impact him tons. He'd inhibited his drinking significantly, but I'll still see him passed out on the sofa midday, following a weekend of meetings. Its a cycle I wish he didn't have to go through, but, ultimately, its his life and he enjoys his career.

Thank fuck the Dead Boys EP had gotten the recognition it deserved, otherwise, I don't think we'd be in the position we were in. I reckon we'd be living separately, scraping all of the copper from pockets and purses to get through life.

Tomorrow, I planned to release 'wish you were gay' on a YouTube account I completely forgot I had. Before I did so, I had to private every single video that I'd made when I was 16/17. I used to vlog my friends and I walking to school, and it wasn't exactly great material. There was no way I wanted people to see those, nor did I want the lasses in the videos seeing them.

"Howay then, birthday girl. We have reservations to get to, and considering how long you take to get ready, you'd best hurry your arse." Sam announced from the door, walking back into the room.

"Where we off? Anywhere fancy?" I ask, already planning my outfit.

It was getting warmer outside, so I had more options to wear now. And it meant I could post more on Instagram too. Nothing interesting has really been happening to announce, so its all looking pretty dry at the moment.

"Just for a meal and walk along the Quayside." he informed me, "Well let's get gannin then."

"Alreet then." I sighed, getting up from the sofa.

So, no heels or flats if we're going out on a walk. And I'll need a jacket in case it gets cold. Okay, I can work with this.

Sam was right. I took ages in the bath- shaving and whatnot. Then, I straightened my hair, which was probably one of the worst mistakes I'd made considering we were on a tight schedule. After that, I took my time doing a natural makeup look, trying to emphasise the few freckles that were starting to peak through due to the change of season.

In front of my wardrobe sat a gargantuan mountain of clothes. I'm indecisive, I know. Then there was a tsunami of shoes rolling from my shoe cupboard. Once again- I'm indecisive, I know. But I've got to look good for my man.

In the end, I wore a sage green boob tube type shirt with a pair of white cargos and my Doc Martens that come out once a year. It was simple, but it was nice. To be fair, I barely have boobs to put in the tube, but we're going with it anyways.

"I'm definitely punching like." Sam gawked as I walked out from our room, his eyes scanning my body, "Can't wait to take them off later."

"I'm old now." I joked, "I see the wrinkles forming." I mockingly gasped.

"Aye aye, I reckon you'll be a sexy old lady like."

I chortled, "At least there's not a grey hair gene in the family."

"Reet, let's get the metro then." he opened the front door, allowing me to head out first and laying a light smack on my backside.

"Heathen." I mumbled in response.

*****

The sun was starting to set over the river Tyne and it looked gorgeous from where we sat. Reflecting in the water were all the distorted images of the bridges and the orange sky, and it made me feel really patriotic. In the photos I took, the Tyne Bridge sort of covered the sun, but it still looked nice. It wouldn't be too long and the Millennium Bridge would be lighting the toon up soon.

Sam was sat in front of me too- which was a decent sight to see, I guess. I'm kidding. Its always lush to see Sam. Especially now that we're in a new year, which means new projects, therefore meaning I rarely ever get to see him. Moments like these, I've learnt to cherish as I never know how much I rely on him until he's away.

We'd finished our scran and Sam was preparing to go on a late night walk along the Quayside.

"Don't you want dessert?" I queried, pulling my puffer coat over my shoulders.

It was odd that he didn't want dessert- I always had to sit and watch him eat like a hoover while I just laughed. My stomach's small and I've never really had a large appetite, which was probably the reason I didn't like sweet foods so much.

"I don't need one." he winked.

My eyebrows raised in confusion, "What the fuck was that meant to insinuate, Fender?"

"I can't lie, I really don't know." he laughed back, "Let's get gannin then."

We walked hand in hand, admiring both the Newcastle and Gateshead side of the Quayside, recalling memories to one another. I loved hearing about how chaotic Sam's childhood was, especially as he was a diehard Star Wars fan. My brothers and I had a fair share of lightsaber fights, so I could imagine a rogue Sam poking people with his.

To be honest, I'd never walked along here before- not on this side of the river anyways. I've completed my fair share of runs through Gateshead, so I know the place well.

"It looks so pretty." I mentioned while we sat cuddled on the bench.

"Mhm." Sam hummed from beside me.

I looked up to see him glaring down at me, his eyes all dough-like and sparkling. He looked so handsome in that light, with all the dim lighting reflecting in his pools of deep blue.