STAND BY ME-r. taylor

|ten|

FELICITY- I'm not an easy lover. That's probably why Malcom left. I don't do hardcore in the first week, I don't know what changed in me with Roger. But something must have.

|OCEANS INLAND|

Four days later, Felicity was back in her flat after a 9 to 5 shift at the bar. Her feet ached, sore from the boots she'd worn all day. Most of her shift was spent walking back and forth from the bar, pulling pints and re-stocking crisps that everyone seemed to crave today.

Out of the two girls, Jacqueline had the most successful job, writing for the papers. That was only because of her distinct taste for gossip sheets and spreading it herself. It seemed the perfect fit for Jackie. Then again, Fliss did work in a bar but she also had fresh income from gigs on the weekly, so it wasn't all too bad between both of their pay.

Jackie was currently out buying food for the next few nights while Fliss sat on the sofa trying to fight off a monster headache. Felicity avoided taking paracetamol when it wasn't necessary. Although sadly, this headache was borderline necessary.

The crappy game show on their TV set was the only remote sound in the living room. Until the house phone rang of course. Fliss had to crawl off the sofa to reach it, playing the game of guess who in her head.

"Hello?" Fliss mumbled down the phone.

"Is this Felicity?" Immediately, Fliss recognised Deaky's kind voice on the other end.

"Yeah, alright Deaks?"

"I'd like to ask a favour."

Fliss rolled her eyes upwards, praying this wouldn't be too big. Silently cursing the invention of a telephone.

"Of course, what's up?" Felicity put on her work voice, all perky and pleasant.

"I have a date at nine. I haven't a clue what I'm wearing Fliss. From one bass player to another, please help." Deaky pleaded down the line. Panic laced in his voice.

"Of course. You'll have to come here though Deaks." Felicity paused, roughly rubbing her eyelids. "Banging head, bring maybe 3 options and I'll style you darling."

"Alright, you're sure I'm not intruding?" Deaky asked timidly.

"Not at all love."

Deaky said he'd be over in about five minutes. It was lucky that Brian had brought him over the other day to collect some things he'd left over from a few days before. Otherwise poor John wouldn't have a clue on where to start.

Fliss walked into the kitchen, knowing full well Deaky would have ratheelred meeting her at the flat. When Brian popped in for ten minutes, Deaky had found his favourite spot on the sofa, taken his shoes off by the door and begun humming along to a song on the kitchen radio.

He took making yourself at home to the next level, and Fliss absolutely loved it.

Brian had always seemed to be the quiet one, reserved like Deaky. So when Fliss first found out this was who Jackie was dating, she was a little suprised. Jackie was always the type of girl who went for the outgoing and loud type of men. Football chanters and ale downers. While Brian may not be the sort to aggressively joist at a TV screen, Fliss could certainly see why Jackie found attraction and interest in the curly haired rockstar. He'd certainly come out of his shell. Only the other night, Fliss was sat on the sofa. Brian on the armchair with Jackie on his lap, and her legs swung over the side. Snogging with no intention of privacy whatsoever. Jackie's hand slid between the buttons of his shirt to lay flat on his chest.

All Felicity wanted to do was watch Top of the Pops.

Felicity popped a paracetamol, washing it down with orange juice. Because at heart, she was a five year old who would much rather juice than a pint of water.