Watercolour

Thirty Five

Alana's P.O.V

It was Saturday evening and as dad was away and mum was at work, I had nothing else to do with myself, I decided to invite the others over. Lucas, Charley, Nathan, Jace and I had been lounging around my house for about two hours now and it didn't look like anyone was intending on leaving anytime soon.

"Would any of you guys be up for a party next weekend?" I asked now that everyone was back in the room. "It'd be here."

"Hell yeah," Charley joked. "I feel like I haven't been to a party for ages."

"You guys?" I asked, turning to the guys and gaining enthusiastic nods from both Jace and Lucas.

"Nate?"

"Of course," he finally replied. "But one question... is this just a ploy for you and Harvey to ge-"

"Dude," Lucas interrupted, jabbing Nathan in the ribs.

"Heyy... it's a valid question," he argued, confused and slightly irritated at Lucas' violent response.

"Not if Al and Harvey aren't together anymore," Lucas corrected, wide-eyed and hoping Nathan would take the hint.

"Wait what?" he asked, suddenly turning his attention to me. "You- you guys broke up?"

"Yes, Nate. Harv and I broke up," I replied, taking a swig of my drink. "Two weeks ago."

"Shit. Why didn't any of you guys tell me?" he queried, but the only response he got was multiple shrugs.

With nothing else I could think or want to say, I decided it would probably be best to move on from the current topic

"Does anyone want another drink?" I asked as I stood up and grabbed my now empty bottle.

"Yeah please," Jace responded as him, Charley and Nathan gave me their glasses.

"Lucas?"

"No, I probably shouldn't... need to leave soonish and I'm driving to pick up Alex," he replied.

"Oh okay."

I made my way through to the kitchen and disposed of the various glass bottles we'd already finished before opening the fridge and grabbing another case of beer.

"Need a hand?" Nathan asked, coming through the doorway from the lounge.

"Yeah, thanks. Probably when I take them back through."

"Cool," he said, standing beside me as I flicked off the top of each bottle. "So... I hear you and Ashton have got a thing going...?"

"For fuck's sake, Jace," I called back through to the other room only causing him to make a weak apology through his laughter.

"So..." Nathan smirked. "How is he?"

"Fine," I replied bluntly. "How would I know? I haven't spoken to any of them in like, two weeks."

"Really?"

"Yes really."

"Okay okay," he replied, holding his hands in a gesture of defence. "But Jace has."

"And...?" I asked, handing him half of the drinks.

"And apparently," he started as we walked back through to where the others were sat. "Apparently the other guys are convinced something's happening between you two. Like, properly happening."

"And...?" I repeated, glaring at Jace as I handed him his drink.

"So, Jace hasn't told you about Ashana?" he asked, gaining a somewhat confused expression from me and a kick in the shins from Jace.