Phil stayed at my house to get ready for the party and helped me chose what to wear.
"Maybe I should have got something to wear shopping" I admitted, standing there in only my jeans and underwear. Having a gay best friend has its advantages, it's like having a girl best friend really.
"I told you!" he bragged.
"Shut up and help me!"
He joined me in staring blankly at my wardrobe as we hoped the perfect top would come jumping into my arms. Sadly, this never happened.
"I tell you what, put on that plain grey vest top-"
"But that's boring!" I interrupted.
"Let me finish... And then put on this cardigan because it'll probably be cold out there" he said, handing me the cardigan.
"Erm... fine, this will do" I said and quickly slid on the vest top and wrapped the cardigan around me.
"Let's go!" I said, walking towards the door.
I grabbed my phone and saw that Anne-Marie had text me.
"Anne-Marie said she's already there and everyone else already turned up" I told Phil as we got to the bottom of the stairs.
"Awesome" he said and then stopped me in my tracks and faced me.
"You know everyone is going to want to ask if you're okay, Charlie" he said seriously.
"I know" I lied, truth is, I hadn't actually thought of that, but on the walk towards the woods it was all I could think about.
When we got to the woods the fairy lights caught my attention as they lit up the clearing perfectly and the loud music drowned out the sound of the generator sat behind the log.
It was quite a beautiful sight. People dancing and drinking without the tackiness of it being in someone's parents' living room.
With no one saying 'careful don't break that' or 'this room's off limits'. It was nice to have the freedom.
I caught a glance of Anne-Marie who came running at me in a cute skater dress.
"Charlie!" she shouted, wrapping her arms around me very clumsily. "Come and have a drink with me" she said, clearly pissed.
"Where's Steven?" I asked as Phil wandered over to Lauren standing by the drinks table.
"He's erm... I don't actually know" she whispered, why...? I don't know.
"Okay, why don't you go and find Lauren and Phil, I'm sure they'll have a drink with you" I said, only slightly patronising.
"Okay!" she screamed and ran off towards them.
I looked for Steven but couldn't see him.
"Charlie," a voice came from behind me, but it wasn't Steven, "how are you feeling?" Rachael said, resting her hand on my shoulder.
"I'm great, how are you?"
"Good, but I mean are you, like, okay?" she said.
"Yeah, I am, honestly" I gave her the most dishonest smile I was almost ashamed of myself. "Have you seen Steven?" I asked.
"Oh, yeah, I heard you two got it on" she said with a grin on her face.
"That's not exactly what happened but whatever, have you seen him?"
"Yeah, he was talking to the guys by the car park" she explained "I just came from there."
"Okay, thanks" I said, walking towards the car park. It was far enough out of the way that the fairy lights no longer lit the way until I could make out the lights from the headlights in the carpark.
YOU ARE READING
Through the Tunnel
Ficção AdolescenteCharlie has always lived in the moment and is always looking for fun. Her next big adventure is a summer road trip with some of the most amazing people in her life. They always knew this trip would change their lives... They just didn't know how...
