Chasing Happy

Chapter 16

Kieran blamed her hormones for her tears when she got to Joshua's flat and he asked what was wrong. There was no way she could tell him that it was because she had said goodbye to someone who could have been more important to her than anyone else, including him.

"I'm sorry," she apologised again.

"Don't be silly, do you still want to go to the party?"

"Of course, Chan's my best friend, I can't miss it," she sniffled and stood up. "I'm going to have a quick shower."

"See you in three days then," he teased.

An hour later, they were ready to leave, "You can drive," Kieran told him as she threw him the car keys.

Music was blaring and Chantelle stood at the door looking vexed when they arrived.

"Smile girl, it's your birthday," Kieran told her as she approached her.

Chantelle gave her a sarcastic smile.

Kieran laughed.

"What's wrong?" Joshua asked her, "Why are you standing at the door?"

Chantelle motioned for them to follow her. "I asked that rat of a brother of mine to do one thing and one thing only; what does he do? Mess it up, he is such a fool," Chantelle fumed.

Kieran tried not to laugh; she knew it was going to be a funny story. It always was with her brother, Reece. "What did you ask him to do?" she asked leaning against the kitchen counter.

"Move the damn furniture," Chantelle grumbled as she poured herself a shot of Sailor Jerry's Rum and swallowed it in one gulp.

Kieran raised an eyebrow as she poured another.

"What happened?" Joshua pressed.

"What didn't happen? He got all his stupid friends to come and help him. They ended up wrestling in the living room, broke my mum's vase, smashed my dad's eyeglasses and one idiot who decided to smoke and wrestle at the same time burnt a hole in the carpet."

Kieran bit her lip hard to hold in her laughter. "Don't you dare laugh," Chantelle scolded trying not to smile.

"I'm not!" Kieran protested innocently.

"What do you want to drink? Disaronno?" Chantelle asked.

"No, I can't drink that stuff anymore. I'm with child, remember?"

"Oh, yea, juice?"

Kieran nodded. They joined a few people they knew. Kieran however, wasn't in the mood for small talk. She left Joshua to chat and followed Chantelle outside where Christina and Courtney were. As soon as Courtney spotted her, he made a quick exit. Kieran laughed as Christina stared after him in confusion.