STRAWBERRY MILK

4

the way it brings out the blue in your eyes, is the tenerife sea

Between sending cat jokes, drunk texts, and a bunch of other stupid shit, they all manage to get themselves into an extended weekend holiday.

The group text was Nicola's idea, something they all always kept open on their phones to keep in touch due to all of their different schedules. It works well, as long as you don't include Nicola and Drew's constant flirting, even though they are probably right next to each other- and if they are being honest, it is all for the purpose of annoying Jack. Jack who usually sends sad cat face pictures, or angry rants, or pictures of fake tears streaming down his face because of the pile up of law and other crap. It's truly a struggle.

They all keep in touch, though, which is the point. At least they all know that each other are alive, even if it is through knock-knock jokes and mock flirts. So, whatever.

It was eleven at night and Katy's head was in John's lap, both of them on their phones, laughing along to what the other ones were saying, when Jack texted: fuck it a need a vacay.

Nicola responded with a, 'me too,' and soon enough it escalated into a, 'we should take one,' and 'yeah i can take the time off next week,' and, 'we could rent a van and go to the beach.'

So that is why right now, Nicola is pulling up to Katy and John's place, Drew in the passenger, and Jack in the middle row of seats. She pulls to the curb and Jack bounds out in his black shades and go-aheads, greeting John with a jumping hug, before being dropped to the ground.

You can hear Nicola laughing in the background as Drew opens the trunk of the van. Jack gets up and brushes himself off, not letting John's unrequited affection upset him.

"Hey babe, 've been missing you, but not your dick of a boyfriend," Jack says, patting Katy gently on the back.

Katy giggles, and John huffs, putting one of his bags in the van, muttering a "shit," under his breath.

Nicola offers Katy a gentle smile, murmuring a soft, "Can I hug you?"

John watches carefully from where Jack is bouncing excitedly beside him now. Katy smiles with a shy, "Sure," opening her arms for Nicola.

"You're doing okay, yeah?" she says finally, and Katy nods with a shy smile at the kindness.

Drew does the same thing, wrapping Katy up into his arms, and whispering, "Hope you're doing alright."

Katy nods into Drew's neck as realisation dawns on her, and she looks at John, but John isn't meeting her eyes. Instead, he is shuffling his feet on the ground with his hands shoved into his pockets.

"Alright, you two have any more bags?"

"Oh, uh- yeah," Katy smiles, "there is a couple more, I'll go get t-"

John interjects, "I can go get them, it's fine."

"I'll get them!" Jack yells out, making John's stomach drop as he shakes his head quickly.

"Jack, it's fine. I'll get them."

"Aw, can't we see your girls' place real fast though? Never showed us," Nicola pouts her stupid lips, and her eyes are big and brown, and all John can do is glance to Katy quickly so he doesn't follow through with his urge to slap Nicola.

"Um, maybe ano-" John starts, before Katy interrupts him.

"It's okay," Katy says softly, "it's okay," she says again, staring directly at John, hoping he knows what she is really talking about.

So Katy and John lead them up the driveway and to their house, apprehensively bumping against each other as they walk.

John opens the door for them and lets everyone inside, waiting for the judgement. He can't help but wonder why Katy's so- so okay with this. He wishes he could see in her mind right now, know what's going on up there. They need to have a long, private chat.