jacksons pov
The sound of my guitar ripped through me as I played the last few notes of the song, leaving my head aching and my ears ringing. We’d been rehearsing for just over 2 hours now, and in that time I’d managed to throw up 4 times, which was really not pleasant.
By the 4th time everyone was getting seriously pissed off at me, complaining and shit. It’s not like I wanted such a huge hangover is it?
My phone rung in my pocket, and it turned out to be one of my closest friends maddie, she said Jed had called and asked her to come up the coast. Typical, I could look after myself, but some sympathy and hugs would be a good bonus. I agreed and told her Andy’s address before going back inside and sipping water. It burned at my throat, which with the combination of spew and singing was red raw.
Andy just laughed at me again, mumbling something about not being able to handle a hangover before giving me a cup of tea, which smelt pretty good. I took it outside, and sat on the front lawn, the world was spinning and the tea was making me feel sick again.
I had been lying there for about half an hour when a shadow came over me and a familiar figure flopped down beside me. With her big fringe and pretty blue eyes she was unmistakable, even with the late sun in my face.
“madds!” my voice cracked but I sat up and hugged her, she felt warm and comforting in my arms. She hugged me back for a minute before letting go and looking me in the eye.
“Jackson. What have you done to yourself?”
“ughh hangover”
“remember the first time we got drunk, and you ruined my brand new shoes? You don’t handle so much alcohol so well” she laughed, and it made me smile a bit. I really had ruined her shoes, as well as my own, but she didn’t seem to care. I’d known her for just over a year now, and we were getting closer every week.
She shook her head and shoved me lightly before picking up a bag from behind her. Inside there was strawberries and blueberry muffins, which were two of my favorite things to eat when I felt sick. That’s why having a girl best friend felt so good, she didn’t hold judges and remembered stuff about me that Eddie, Jed or James never would.
It was early evening now, the sky was a deep blue and the stars were twinkling, and here besides maddie I felt good enough to eat something. Back in the house I could hear people arguing and a movie playing, it made me feel dizzy just thinking about going back in there. Instead we stayed outside, stuffing ourselves with the food she’d bought, sitting crossed legged opposite each other in Andy’s back lawn.
When it was gone my stomach actually felt stable for the first time today, and I let myself lie back and just relax. Maddie moved and laid next to me, we shared her iPod between us. This was what girls must dream of when they say “perfect date” but between us it wasn’t awkward at all. Until..
“you smell awful. Like sweat and stale alcohol, and vomit” she sat up and frowned at me, before noticing the pool in the corner.
When I caught her eye I knew her plan, luckily although we were about the same height I was a bit stronger. It turned into a full on chase war, until I looked the wrong way and she managed to push me into the water. But on the way down I grabber her ankle and we fell into the water, a tangle of skinny jeans and arms.
It was cold, but made me more alert, it was such a cliched thing to happen, but it felt so good. We started splashing each other until we finally attracted some attention, and within 10 minutes everyone had been either pushed or pulled in. This is what tours should be like, fun. With the people that mean the most.
“you’re my best friend madds, you know that?” she just smiled and winked “I know that” she muttered in my ear before shoving me back under water. I didn’t even feel sick anymore. It was great.
