Polaroid Picture - Luke Brooks

Chapter Eight

For the rest of the night, Veronica kept shooting both Luke and I apologetic looks. It was awkward but I instantly sobered up, no longer playing never have I ever. Instead, while the rest of the group carried on their drinking rampage, I listened to music.

I sat on the three seater so I could see who was taking shots, I just couldn't hear them. In my ears blasted One Wish by a band called Hollywood Ending.

Their music was pretty good. I had found them on YouTube one day and shown them to the boys. They really liked their music too.

I watched as Lauren lifted up her glass and downed her shot. She squeezed her eyes shut and waited for the burning to pass.

We had finished the first bottle of vodka, so they opened the next one. It was 6.7% proof and the intensity of the alcohol had everyone wincing.

I watched as Nicole said something. Everyone kept their glasses on the table so, she took the shot.

Skip was next to say something. Everyone seemed to be laughing as Veronica took her shot and turned beetroot red. James laughed and wrapped his arm around her neck, kissing her cheek.

James and Veronica were absolutely perfect for each other. That's all I can say. Veronica is absolutely stunning and of course, James adores her. If anyone was meant to be together, it was defiantly them.

Jai was next and he looked to be contemplating on what to say. He spoke and everyone stopped laughing, interested looks overcoming their features. Although, Nicole just looked stupid and curious. Not a good look on her, may I add. They all shifted to look at Luke and I followed their gazes, only to see he was already looking at me.

His eyes searched my face as if looking for something. I, stupidly enough, was bobbing my head along to the steady beat of the song completely oblivious to the never ever.

He lifted his glass up and took the shot, holding my gaze the whole time while he did so. The song ended and quietness followed closely by as I was waiting for the next song to start. I looked at lauren, hoping her face would reveal something to me.

"Oh my god..." I heard her mumble before We Can't Stop by Miley Cyrus began to play in my ears. I looked at her confused and paused the music, taking out my earbuds.

"What?" I asked curiously. The whole mood of the room shifted to an awkward silence as I sat and stared at the eight people on my floor. I raised my eyebrow in anticipation, waiting for an answer.

"It's nothing," Luke answered me after a moment, refilling his glass. I shrugged and put back in my earbuds.

Lauren is half intoxicated, I'd pry it out of her later.

I pressed play again. I changed the song when suddenly, the cover shifted to the most beautiful picture I've ever seen in my life.

"Oh my god!" I squealed standing to my feet and pulling out my earbuds. The music automatically paused and I shot towards Lauren, grabbing her hand.

"Get your fat, drunk asses off my floor!" I shouted, pushing the coffee table out of the way and moving the couches back, creating dancing space for Lauren and I.

I ran to the surround sound stereo and plugged the awaiting aux chord into my iPod. Lauren laughed at me, already knowing what I was doing.

I grinned at her excitedly and put the song back to the start and pressed play. By now, everyone except Lauren was sitting on the couch, looking slightly nervous.

The opening chord of I Want Crazy began to play through the room and Lauren and I linked hands, getting ready to start our beautiful show.

When the tune began, Lauren and I hopped on our feet and began to Irish dance. We laughed our asses off and did the jig along to the beat.

My grandmother was Irish, she moved to Australia with my mother when she became widowed. My mother had me as a sort of a one night stand thing so, I didn't know who my father was.

Lauren of course, being Irish born and bred, knew a lot more about the Irish culture than I did. She said in school, she was forced to take Irish dancing.

This had become sort of a tradition between Lauren and I. Whenever the song came on, we would both dance to the start of it like professional Irish dancers.

If I do say so myself...

Everyone was laughing like hyenas at us by the time Hunter Hayes' smooth voice blasted through the speakers. Lauren and I grinned at each other and I went to turn down the music.

"What the fuck just happened?" Beau asked laughing, pulling Lauren down on his lap.

"Don't question it, just accept it!" I exclaimed grinning.

•.•.•.•

Three hours later and it was two am. My mother had come home and ushered us all off to bed, like the good mother she is.

Lauren and Beau were sharing the double bed in the guest room while Skip and Nicole slept on a mattress on the floor.

James and Veronica, being the most responsible of us all, were sleeping on a mattress in my mothers room. When I say most responsible, I mean they wouldn't try to fuck regardless of how drunk they are.

Jai and Luke were sleeping on a mattress in my room. Personally, I found it hilarious. I was laying in my bed, watching as a drunk Jai tried to spoon Luke.

It was one of the funniest things I've ever seen in my life.

"Fuck off you cunt!" Luke whispered harshly, pushing his younger brother off him once again. Jai mumbled something incoherently and I tried to suppress a laugh.

"Jesus fucking Christ," Luke muttered, laying on his back and staring up at the ceiling. Unable to contain it anymore, the faintest of giggles left my mouth.

Instantly, Luke's head shot up and he looked at me. I held my hand up in defence and smiled at him.

Luke pushed himself up from the small mattress and indicated for me to push over in the bed. He quietly walked towards the bed and got in beside me.

"Fucking dickhead," Luke muttered, turning his head to look at me. I shook my head, laughing at him.

This wasn't unusual for Luke and I. As children, we often shared beds along with Jai and I'm sure mum has pictures of us bathing together stashed away somewhere.

I turned on my side so I was facing Luke and my heart fluttered in my chest. He looked to be seriously in thought as he stared at the ceiling.

I tenderly moved my hand from underneath the covers and laid it gently on his shoulder. His head instantly snapped towards me as I gently moved closer to him.

I trailed my fingers down to his chest and began to trace the outline of his tattoo. Very gently, I placed a feather of a kiss on his shoulder and laid beside him.

"What was the never ever you drank to tonight?" I asked him quietly, referring to before Lauren and I Irish danced.

"I might tell you another time," he said softly, his hand laying on my hips. His thumb smoothed against the exposed skin and I closed my eyes.

"Goodnight, Luke." I whispered, closing my eyes. As I waited for a reply, I felt my hair being pushed from my face. I squinted my eyes open to see Luke's face even closer to mine than it was only seconds prior.

Gently, he placed his lips upon mine and kissed me softly. The padding of his thumb began to graze along my cheek as I responded and kissed him back.

He pulled away slightly, pecking my lips once more as a smile grew on both of our lips.

"Goodnight Lil," he murmured, pecking my lips once more. I smiled at him in response as I moved closer to him and laid my head against his chest. He wrapped his arm around me and our legs tangled together.

One thought raced through my head continuously that night as I fell asleep.

Holy. Fucking. Shit.