First Girl (Reece Bibby)

Chapter Seventeen

The lads had left for the last leg of their tour. James had suggested that I stay in the apartment for a little while as being around Claire was too hard for me. I hadn't spoken to Reece since he'd kissed me. I wanted to forgive him for leaving me when I needed him most. I wanted him back. But I was scared. I couldn't do that to James. He loved me. But I didn't love him yet. He just made me really happy.

I was stood in the kitchen with a cup of tea in my hands while staring into space. James didn't know about the kiss I'd shared with Reece but I knew that if he found out it'd crush him. He'd wanted me so much for so long. I let out a long, troubled sigh as I walked out of the kitchen.

I was about to go into James' bedroom and get changed out of my pyjamas but without even thinking, I turned into Reece's room. I slowly opened the door, breathing in the familiar smell. His room was just as it was the last time I'd been in there. I sat down on his bed, remembering all the times I'd been laid beside him. I missed him. So much.

I left Reece's bedroom and went into James'. Just as I did so, my phone started buzzing. James was FaceTiming me. I quickly answered it and smiled at him. "I have exciting news," he told me. "And what's that?" I asked. "When we get back from tour in two weeks, we're all going on a skiing trip," he informed me. "Really? Wow! Oh my gosh, that's exciting. Who's going?" I questioned. "All of the lads, you, Claire, Casey's girlfriend, Jake's girlfriend and Reece's girlfriend," he answered. "Oh, wow," I replied, trying to sound enthusiastic, "That sounds fun."

"Yeah, it will be. I think Claire's going to go shopping with you to get some clothes for it. I have to go now because we're about to sound check. I'll see you soon," James told me and I nodded. "Bye," I replied as he hung up. I sighed heavily. This could be interesting.

Two Weeks Later

"I'm so excited," Claire said from beside me. "Me too," I replied. We were on the plane, on our way to France. Barclay was sat on the other side of Claire and James was sat beside me. Everybody seemed to be excited apart from me. Two weeks in a chalet with twelve other people would normally be something I'd look forward to. But considering some of those people were my boyfriend, the guy I was still in love with and his girlfriend, and my pregnant best friend, I wasn't over the moon.

Luckily, my apprenticeship at the X Factor studios had just finished two days ago so I was free to go on this skiing trip. The pilot's voice sounded through the speakers, telling everyone to prepare for landing. James' hand slipped into mine and he kissed my cheek. I couldn't help but feel horribly guilty every time he touched me.

I felt the plane start its descent just as I'd fastened my seatbelt. I had only caught a glimpse of Reece's girlfriend on the way through customs. I hadn't had the displeasure of being introduced to her yet.

When we landed, everyone filed out of the plane. We all seemed to split into smaller groups which made it a lot easier to find transport to our chalet. Tom, Charlie and Chris stuck with me and James and the five of us took a large taxi to the chalet.

We were the first to arrive which meant we got first dibs on bedrooms. The room James chose for us was right on the top floor. A large king-sized bed occupied most of the room. On the wall opposite the bed there were two large windows, looking out onto the mountains. The view was breathtakingly beautiful. "This is perfect," I told James with a smile on my face. "Only the best for you," he replied and kissed me. I felt another pang of guilt in the pit of my stomach.

When me and James had finished unpacking we went down all of the stairs where we found most of the gang. Casey, his girlfriend, Jess, Jake and his girlfriend, Alisha had only just arrived at the chalet. "I say we all unpack then order a takeaway," Casey suggested and everyone present in the room agreed. Reece and his girlfriend who was still nameless were nowhere to be seen, nor were Barclay and Claire.

"How about the two of us go out for dinner?" James suggested, pulling me closer to him. "You could put on one of your cute dresses which you always look stunning in. And I'll put on a shirt and black trousers."

"That sounds like a great idea. Mind if we join you?" Jake piped up from next to us. "Not at all," I replied, glancing at Alisha, "The more the merrier."

"In that case, we'll join you," Casey added. I smiled and said, "Brilliant." It was better than being with James on my own and risking blurting out that I kissed Reece. He'd lose his shit if he found out. "Okay, so we'll meet down here at six," James told everyone and they all agreed before the two of us went upstairs.

James shut the bedroom door when we were both inside the room. He stayed quiet for a moment as he started walking towards me. His hands cupped my chin, making me look up into his eyes. "You are so beautiful, Char," he told me before kissing my forehead. He wrapped his arms around me and held me tightly against him. I felt another pang of guilt as I thought about the kiss I'd shared with Reece just a couple of weeks ago. I loved Reece so much. But I didn't love James. And I hated myself for the position I was in. What was I supposed to do?

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