Upside Down

Chapter 3: Boo!

            The rest of that night was full of song. Each of us took turns singing songs that we liked, with the exception of me, because I refused to sing. I had to say, I particularly liked Connor’s voice. It was very quiet and coarse, and I secretly adored it. Everyone slowly passed out until it was just Brad and I. We stayed up for hours, trying to remember who we both were, and how we even met. In those late hours, I felt as though he’d never left. As though that year of absence was only a day and we’d only parted for several hours. Suddenly he was that crazy haired little boy that never shut up and I was the girl who was his complete and opposite pole. But we clicked anyway.

        That’s how it always was.

        I awoke the next day on my side, my back pressed to Brad’s. My feet were buried under Connor’s beanbag, and he was curled in a ball like a kitten. I opened my eyes, realizing that James was sleeping with his face directly in front of mine. His nose was less than an inch from mine, and I could feel his heavy puffs of breath hit my cheeks. I squirmed backwards, rubbing against Brad, who rolled over and whacked me over the head with a sweatshirt.

                “Ouch!” I whispered, turning and smacking his arm. He sat up, squinting at me.

                “Shit I almost forgot you were here,” Brad whispered, “What time is it?”

                “Half past ten,” I replied after checking my phone.

                “Do you have classes?” He asked.

                “No, it’s Saturday. But I have work at noon,” I whispered, rolling back over. My nose brushed James’s, as I forgot how close he was. His eyes shot open and blinked. I scooted backwards as he tried to focus his eyes on mine.

                “Wh- Oh, morning,” he said, his voice very dry.

                “Sorry I bumped you, I didn’t-“

                “It’s fine,” He said, stretching. Tristan was on the other side of the room, curled in a corner. I stood up, stretching as well. I was still in my outfit from yesterday. I didn’t have any time to go back to my house and get clothes.

                “Is Natalie here?” I asked Brad.

                “She should be,” Brad yawned, “Why?”

                “Well I have to work. I don’t want to come back in the same outfit,” I said. Brad nodded and stood up. He opened the door, looking down the hall.

                “NATALIE!” He shouted loudly.

                “WHAT?!” She shouted back.

                “ANDIE NEEDS CLOTHES, YEAH!” Brad shouted, “SHE LOOKS LIKE A PEASANT.”

             “Oi,” I mumbled. A large amount of cloth was flung onto Brad’s face. He removed it, inspected the clothing then tossed it to me. It was a loose low high grey shirt, with print on the front, and a pair of dark black jeans.

                “TELL HERE TO KEEP IT, YEAH. THEY DON’T FIT ME ANYMORE,” Natalie shouted. Brad ignored her and dragged me two doors down to the bathroom. I locked myself inside the bathroom, took a quick shower, and changed. I was going to be so late. I buttoned my jeans and fixed my belt, making a run for the game room. I grabbed my bag off the floor beside Connor. I ran out of the room when voices chased me down the hall.