Short Kings Anthem

Part 20

"What do you mean you're not having a leaving party?" Harry whined from his place on Lauren's sofa which was now surrounded by boxes. Chris had moved out of his flat a week ago as the lease was up and was living in Lauren's flat, he spent most of his time there anyway so it wasn't a big change. She had also started to pack up her stuff as they were just waiting for all of the surveys and paperwork to go through before they could move as soon as possible when the time came to it. Lauren's lease on her flat was up in a few months but luckily her landlord had agreed a rolling contract on a month by month basis as needed. She had been there for long enough and was a good enough tenant, plus the rent in that block was high enough.

"We don't know when we're leaving, we could get a call on Tuesday to pick the keys up the following day we're going to be in a big rush to get everything sorted," Lauren replied from the kitchen where she was filling up the dog's water bowl.

The Sidemen tenth anniversary party was that evening and a few people were having some drinks together while getting ready for it. Lauren's friend Ellen was coming over to babysit Maple for the evening and was due to arrive very soon.

"Then have it soon!" Harry bargained, he had toned down the casual drinking as part of his new fitness regime but what had now happened was he was looking for excuses to go out or to have parties.

"What and awkwardly hang about for three months potentially?" Lauren argued back. Chris was currently in the shower so Lauren was facing this battle alone.

"Why are you so against the idea?"

"Why are you so for it?"

"Because it's the end of an era! I'm going to miss you," Harry went quiet at the end, he wasn't one to express his feelings a lot and when he did he was incredibly awkward. Lauren moving was like if Freezy moved out, it was a comfort having her in some ways and he didn't like change that much, he was comfortable with his personal life the way it was.

"Aww Harry! You lived without me as a neighbour before." Lauren was touched, she really valued the friendships in her life and knowing they felt the same really humbled her.

"I know. Who else am I going to steal kitchen shit from?" Harry went back to his joking form.

"We all have to grow up sometimes Harry. For some of us it's buying a house in the suburbs and for others it's buying your own damn tin opener!" Lauren replied with a little big of jest in her voice. Harry nodded as he sat and tapped his knee, he didn't want to go to this party anyway so was in a mood. He knew everyone being around was a way to get him to go too which he wasn't very happy about.

"I just want to go to Guernsey," he whined placing his head in his hands and leaning back. Lauren sighed and rolled her eyes as her buzzer went and she went to answer it. It was Ellen so Lauren buzzed her up and waited by the now opened front door for her.

"Hey babe!" Ellen chimed enthusiastically giving her friend an embrace. When they pulled away Lauren felt something sharp scratch her arm. Lauren watched as Ellen bought her hand back and saw a big shiny rock on Ellen's finger, Lauren counted the fingers slowly, her smile starting to rise with every finger she counted.

"What the fuck is that rock on your hand?!" Lauren almost screamed.

"He did it last night, no one knows yet," Ellen replied a huge smile on her face as she admired the ring, still not used to it being there.

"Come here, congratulations sweetie!" Lauren engulfed her friend in a huge hug. Ellen's had been with Liam for two and a half years, they met after Ellen's previous boyfriend cheated so she deserved this happiness.