Oxygen

Chapter 34 - Tree house

We walk up to the huge building hand in hand, smiling to each other. I look around at the dry grass and notice little pictures pegged into the grass of everyone in our year from our earlier days. I crouch down with Jordan and look at one of him in the rugby team from last year. Wow.

"That's cute" I say, turning to pinch his cheeks. "Thanks?" he says funnily, as he scrunches his nose and I laugh in amusement. We stand together and walk to Evelyn and Nik. Their both staring at a picture of Ev and I, in one of our art classes from junior year. I groan as I notice my ugly smile and crazy hair smiling back at me. "That's cute!" Jordan mocks, and I poke my tongue at him jokingly.

We all look through a few more pictures and joke about some of our distant memories before heading to the doors. Jordan pushes the double doors open and invites me inside. I gasp as I see the decorations surrounding us. Inside there are loads of coloured streamers, fairy lights and a photo booth, with lots of props to use. There are some of my classmates stood around, taking pictures, laughing and dancing together. On one table are drinks, and on the other is the most delicious looking food I've ever seen.

I smile up at Jordan as he leads me to a table. We put our things down and go straight to the food. The music is pounding in my ears as figure 8 by Ellie Goulding plays. I take a plate and grab a cupcake, being careful not to make a mess with the icing. "This looks amazing!" Evelyn says, fidgeting in her seat as she laughs. "I nod my head, trying to speak over the loud tune. "This is perfect" I say to Jordan, leaning up to kiss him on the cheek. He smiles and leans down to kiss me back.

After sitting and chatting between the four of us, we go to the floor and dance. The mood is light, so Evelyn and I jump up and down in our heels, while Jordan and Nik laugh with us. "This is awesome!" Jordan yells in my ear, trying to be heard over the speakers. "I know, this is the best day ever!" I yell, and Evelyn smiles in agreement.

We dance for hours, laughing and joking into the night. I see a few of my teachers in the corner of the room and smile in greeting. Most people in the room are on the brink of drunk,which doesn't surprise me. Everyone around us on the dance floor is bopping up and down, chucking back their drinks and laughing at each other. A few people were told by the teachers to stop 'the inappropriate behaviour', which everyone laughed at. It felt like we were all a huge family, dancing into the night and sharing our final moments together. I want to remember this forever.

After a few cups of lemonade, the slower songs come on. Jordan offers me his hand and I take it happily. He pulls me to him and I rest my head against his shoulder, watching adoringly as Ev and Nik dance romantically. 

"Thank you for today" I say in Jordan's ear, swaying from side to side with him. We are perfectly in sync as he twists his hand and entwines our fingers. He moves his other hand and places is on the small of my back, making me shiver at his cold touch.

"Of course, anytime" he says, squeezing my hand. "I love you" I say, comforted by his fresh cologne. I take a deep breath, embracing the smell. "I love you too" he whispers, nibbling my ear after he speaks. I laugh under his touch, as he leans back to kiss me. Our lips tangle together as we move around the floor, dancing with everyone to 'All I ask' by Adele. This song just makes me love Jordan even more. No matter what, I will always care.

When we pull away, I take quick deep breaths, smiling as I remember all the good times we've had together. Suddenly Jordan sweeps me towards the ground, hanging above me as I look lovingly into his eyes. In an instant he pulls me back towards him, holding me close to his chest as we continue dancing.

When the clock strokes midnight, everyone is ready to go home. Couples all over the floor gather to take a group photo. Jordan pulls me to the front row as we both smile at Mr Cedar while he holds up the camera. Once the photos are taken, Jordan and I get a couple on our own in the booth, laughing and kissing through each shot.

"Are you ready to go?" Jordan asks, wrapping a hand round my waist. "Yea, let's go" I say, while Jordan leads me to the door. Most people have left by now, with only a few couples and Ev and Nik stood in one corner. We head towards them and I smile as Evelyn runs towards me, heels in one hand and a drink in the other.

"How's your night been?" I ask Evelyn, wrapping my arms around her as she brings me close for a hug. "Soooo good" she says with a wink, and I wiggle my eyebrows as she laughs. "Well Jordan and I are going home. You coming?" I try not to think too much about what Nik and Ev have been up to.

"Yea, I'm so tired after such a long day. Let's go". Evelyn and I walk together to the limo, with Jordan and Nik following us. The driver politely opens the door for us, and we carefully slide in, holding the hem of our dresses as we sit in our seats.

Finally Jordan and Nik get in, closing the door behind them as they wedge themselves between Evelyn and I. "Did you enjoy your night Fern?" Nik asks, giving me a wink. "It's been amazing" I say, trying to hold back a smile but failing.

"What are your plans for the rest of the night?" I ask Evelyn. "We're gonna go back to Nik's place, and get some sleep. My parents gave us the go ahead while they are in Chicago". I raise my eyebrows as she explains.

Her parents are letting her do whatever she likes. I've known Evelyn's parents ever since we were kids, and I've never imagined they would allow her to stay with a boy while they were away.

Nik has his own apartment, since his parents are always away on work trips. It's not far from school, in the perfect spot across from the park, on the second floor. I imagine that one day Ev and Nik would move in there together, and start their adult lives there.

We arrive at Nik's house and wait for him and Evelyn to leave the car. I wave goodbye to Nik and give Evelyn a hug as they close the door.

"Next stop, my place" Jordan smiles, grabbing my hand in his and squeezing it tightly. The car pulls onto the road and we drive speedily into the dark, watching the stars sparkle in the late night sky.

Suddenly we pull over at a quiet place on the side of the road. There's an empty lot, with one big tree at the back. Jordan swings the door open and steps out, dragging me with him.

"Where are we going?" I said, confused. Jordan told me we were going straight to his place. I stepped out, slipping my heels off my feet and holding them in one hand. "I want to show you something".

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Hey everyone,

Thanks for reading. I hope everyone enjoyed the formal chapter, I finally got round to writing it! Don't forget to vote and comment, I would love to know what you think. I might go back and edit it later.

What's going to happen next? I'm sensing a little magic in the tree house.... We'll just have to wait and see.

Thanks for reading, please vote and comment, let me know what you think of this chapter. I'm almost at 300 reads! Hopefully soon I will have some new readers. Leave a comment telling me when you started reading this.

Alice xx