Escape | Updated Weekly

11

Currently we have been assigned to build our portfolios. At the end of the year our course holds an event that invites local publicists to see them, ask us questions and maybe even sign us on to either a project of their own or to promote something we've written that they liked. It was a huge deal so I had no time to fantasize about any boys or drama.

I was basically like a hermit. I went to uni, completed my day and then I would come home straight up into my room to do the work I needed to.

So when Chloe's birthday came round I was hesitant on joining in on her 'big plans'.

"Come on Eve. It's my birthday, we all need a break from the hard work and it will be soooo much fun. We haven't gone out just us 6 that wasn't a gig for the band"

Which she did have a point. The only time all of us really hung out was if we went to watch their show, and even then I'd slip away as quickly as I could afterwards. "It's just taking one night off. We're allowed to do that. Refresh the brain" she tapped her head, wide eyed desperately trying to convince me. "Who else is going?" I asked, wondering if it really would be just us or if she had invited anyone else along. Since the whole 'Lyle' situation I wasn't sure I trusted many of Chloe's friends outside of our little group.

"Just us six I promise. The guys have already said they're on board, it's just you". I thought about it for another moment glancing down at my laptop screen. "Fine" I finally said and closed it. Chloe did a little happy dance and picked up her bag, emptying the contents of it onto my bed. "Did you already bring your glam?" I was surprised by how prepared she was. She must have known she'd be able to win me over eventually. "Of course" she replied matter of factly.

For the first time Chloe didn't 'correct' my outfit. She looked me up and down very approvingly. "You're learning" she said as if she was a proud mum looking down at her child, but I didn't mind. It was nice that I didn't have any criticism this time around. Either that or for once she was just allowing me to be comfortable in my own clothes.

We came down the stairs where the guys had already gathered. Tom took Chloe in his arms giving her a kiss on the cheek. "Happy birthday" he pulled her in tighter for a hug. "So this is actually a thing now?" asked Dani, eyebrows raised as Chloe nuzzled into Tom's chest.

It happened a few weeks ago, Chloe was here more than she was at her own uni home but they'd never made it official. As the weeks went on they got more and more affectionate with each other, I just considered them boyfriend and girlfriend by now, even if they didn't call it that.

"Taxi is gonna be here in 5 minutes" announced Brandon "Sophie is just gonna meet us there". Sophie was Brandon's childhood sweetheart girlfriend. They'd basically been together forever but she went to a different uni so we never really saw her.

I went to the kitchen checking I hadn't forgotten anything. Mac looked up from his phone as I came in. "She forced you out too Huh?" he asked, seeing I wasn't as excited as the rest of them. "It's her birthday so I figured just this once I could take a break" he laughed and set his phone down. "How are things? I feel like it's been ages since I've seen you properly". It was really bizarre how you could live with a bunch of people but still not speak to them as often as you'd think. It had been awhile since we had out late night catch ups. 

"Just busy" I replied and that's when I noticed what he had worn tonight, it was the same blue shirt he had let me borrow when he let me use his shower at his Mum's. He probably hadn't even noticed, he was just leaning against the counter, arms folded staring down at me. I hate myself for falling back into that rabbit hole.

"You look good," he said quietly, head bowed so that I couldn't see his face properly. I was surprised he even noticed. "Thanks" I said, trying my hardest not to fumble over my words. "I really like that shirt. I think it's my favourite shirt" he laughed and looked up, fiddling with the rolled up sleeves. "It probably looked better on you". So he had remembered, or I had just reminded him. I didn't know, but it didn't really matter.