The White Lie

Chapter 7

"Hey" Alice said softly, giving me a tight smile as I sat down.
"Hey" I said cheerfully back and nodding to Alexander who sat to my right. He nodded back before turning to talk to Blake next to him.
"So, how was your day?" I probed Alice.
She gave me a curious look before responding. "Yeah, it was fine?"
I raised my eyebrows at her, feigning surprise.
"Is that all?! Because someone else told me you had a great day, full of road trip sing alongs and a lot of laughter..." I trailed off.
Surprise crossed Alice's face as she glanced across the fire, meeting Kai's gaze before he quickly turned away.
"He said that?!" She asked excitedly.
I just smiled mysteriously at her, I could tell that she was about to burst.
"Reeeeeeeece." She whined. "Did Kai tell you that?! Did I annoy him today?"
I looked back her, giving in to her big green eyes and her pout.
"I was just talking to Kai, and he might have mentioned how much fun he had today."
Alice's mouth dropped open. "He didn't!?"
I nodded. "He did."
Alice squeaked in surprise as her gaze met Kai's again.
"Should I go talk to him or something?" She asked.
"Yeah girl! Go!" I urged.
Alice didn't move, still unconvinced.
I grabbed her hand and whispered. "Trust me, he likes you too. Now go!" I gave her a little shove and she yelped, standing up and nervously making her way around the fire. I sat back, impressed with my match-making skills.

"That was nice of you." Alexander murmured. I turned to look at him, only to find him stretched out in his chair, his hands behind his head and his face turned to the stars, eyes closed.
I smiled to myself, drawing my knees up to my chest before responding. "Hey, I just gave her a shove. They'll do the rest."
He chuckled, opening one eye to look at me.
"What?" I asked, looking myself over self-consciously.
He closed his eye. "Nothing, it's just, you and Kai looked pretty cosy over there. I was surprised when you told Alice to go for it."
I stilled, surprised.
"Me and Kai!? Cosy!?" I gawked at Alexander. "No way, I just met the guy!"
I thought I caught a hint of a smile play on Alexander's lips but I couldn't be sure before he responded. "Hm? Not your type?"
Hmm. I thought about that, resting my head on the back of my chair and staring up at the stars. "No." I decided, shaking my head. "Not my type."
Alexander didn't respond, but the hint of a smile I thought I had seen before was definitely there now.

Alexander and I sat there next to each other, eyes closed just enjoying the sounds of the crackling fire, the quiet chatter and the soft melody of the guitar. While I had been talking to Kai, Blake had taken his acoustic guitar out of the case and was strumming softly while Scarlet sang along. I was surprised at how well Scarlet could sing. I'd heard her sing in the car, but never heard a whole rendition of a song. I found myself beginning to drift off as I lay back listening. I was just about to stand up and announce I was going to bed when Sienna bet me to it.
"Okay dears, I'm off to bed, I'll see you all tomorrow morning!" She sang.
She was greeted with a chorus of goodnights as she headed off towards her tent, closely followed by Alice. I stood up looking around for Indie, but she was nowhere to be seen. Assuming she had already gone to bed, I said my own goodnights and wandered off towards my tent, followed by Kai.
"Goodnight Kai" I called as he disappeared into his tent with a wave, stepping into my own.
I crouched for a moment, letting my eyes adjust to the darkness and when they did, I wished they hadn't. I was right when I came to the conclusion Indie had gone to bed, she was sleeping soundly in her sleeping bag... curled up next to a sleeping Nate, arm slung over her shoulder. Where the hell am I meant to sleep? With the two of them in there, there was no room left for another person. My blood boiled. So much for sticking together. I snatched up my bag, storming out of the tent and leaving the sleeping couple. I'd deal with Indie in the morning, in the meantime I had to find somewhere to sleep. I stepped back towards the fire, hoping to find one of the girls still up to see if I could squish into their tent for the night, until I had it out with Indie in the morning. As I approached the campsite, I saw Blake and Scarlet still sitting close together, the guitar set aside and the two of them chatting. I didn't want to interrupt, so I was about to place my bag down and sit and wait before I felt an arm on my shoulder. I shrieked, only to be shushed by Alexander.
"You have to stop doing that!" I whispered angrily.
He chuckled softly before his gaze drifted to my bag.
"What are you doing? Weren't you going to bed?"
I narrowed my eyes, nodding my head towards the direction of my tent. "My tent is currently already at its maximum capacity" I stated sarcastically.
Alexander's eyes widened.
"No way?"
I sighed. "Way. I was just going to sit and wait to see if I can squish in with the girls tonight."
Alexander's gaze turned towards the three man tent that my friends were sharing. "You think you're going to fit into that?" he asked.
"Hey!" my voice rising before he shushed me again. "I could fit in there!" I claimed indignantly.
Alexander glared at me. "That's not what I meant, I just meant four of you in a three man tent?"
"Well it'll have to do. I can't very well sleep in my tent, can I?" I snapped.
Alexander paused, looking between me and the three man tent before speaking again.
"Stay in mine" he said.
I began to laugh, thinking he was joking, before seeing the serious expression on his face.
"You're serious?"
He nodded solemnly.
"Alexander, I've only known you for one day. I'm not sleeping with you."
Alexander scoffed. "Oh please. My tent is roomy enough for the both of us Reece, it's better than squishing in to that." He said, pointing at the three man tent that was looking smaller by the minute.
We stared at each other for a few moments, my heart racing a mile a minute before I finally gave in.
"Fine." I said. "But only this once. And it doesn't mean anything."
Alexander gave me a cheeky grin before taking my bag from me. "Maybe not for you" he whispered, leaning in so close that I could feel his breath on my neck, before turning on his heel and heading towards his tent. I stood there, unable to move for a moment, the butterflies creating a storm inside my stomach. It's going to be a long night. Finally I followed him, momentarily glancing backwards to catch Scarlet and Blake staring, confused, before I disappeared into Alexander's tent.

I fell into the tent clumsily, landing on Alexander who was already sprawled out on one of the sleeping bags.
"Watch it!" he cried out as one of my knees landed in his side.
"I'm sorry!" I muttered, trying and failing to scramble off him.
"Hold still." He whispered and I stilled on top of him. I could feel his breath at my neck once again as his hands slid around my waist.
"What are you doing?" I whispered loudly. I felt his body vibrate as he chuckled. I was quite certain if he didn't take his hands off me soon my heart was going to break out of my chest. Thankfully, his grip tightened on my waist and he lifted me up and placed me next to him, as if I weighed nothing more than a rag doll. He then let go of me.
I sat there, dumfounded. "Um, thanks." I whispered.
He didn't respond but I thought I could hear him laughing softly.

I laid down, stretching out against the sleeping bag before realising I was still wearing my clothes from the day. I sighed and gave a moment's thought to getting back up and out of the tent to change, before pushing that thought aside. I was way too comfortable. I rolled over, facing away from Alexander and curled up, and pressed my cheek into the pillow. My eyelids were heavy from the long day of travel, so I closed them and tried not to think about Alexander's close proximity or the fact that I could feel warmth on my back. Slowly I began to drift off to sleep, listening to the soft hum of Alexander's breath. My butterflies slowly began to calm as I fell into a soft sleep with just one last thought on my mind. How on earth did I end up sleeping just centimetres away from one of the most beautiful boy's I've ever seen?