The Draw

2

One by one, people were dropping. Some managed to get home but others were slumped at the table, in the hallway, one in the bath tub. And as always it was Dan and Stacey the last ones standing. It had been a pretty epic party. Definitely one for the record books. At one point it had been physically impossible to fit any more people into the small three bed house. The police were called and they were ordered to turn down the music. A few people had thrown up. Two people got into a fight. But overall, there had been much laughter, singing and dancing. By two in the morning things had calmed down. But Dan and Stacey weren't ready for bed just yet. They raided the stash of CDs, daring each other to find the worst (or best, in Stacey's mind) track they could. Destinys Child, Michael Jackson, Paula Abdul, Nsync. The pair of them we're dancing around like utter fools, power grabbing, moonwalking, hip grinding. All while in fits of giggles. On many occasions Stacey had run to the bathroom huridly to stop her wetting her pants. She could barely look at Dan before cracking up. She loved this. She could be as stupid and silly as she liked without ever fearing that he would look down on her. Even on the very brink of becoming rather famous, he was just a normal, average guy who thought the world of her. And she knew in only a matter of months that these moments would be a thing of the past. As that thought crossed her drunken mind, she looked at him belting out 'Earth Song' into his beer bottle and felt a surge of sadness. He must've noticed.

'What?' He grinned.

'This'll be over soon.'

'Find another song then!'

'Not this song. This.' She gestured to him and her. 'Us having fun. Dicking about.'

'Why will it?'

'You'll be too busy for this. You probably won't be allowed to drink anymore.'

He out down his beer microphone and pulled her into a hug.

'Don't be stupid. I'll always have time for this!' She shrugged in his embrace. With that, the epic chorus boomed out through the speaker system and she quickly carried on singing and dancing. He couldn't see it. He couldn't see how much his life was about to change. There would be no more random parties. No more all night drinking sessions. He'd be in the studio more or jetting off across the world. Attending film premiers and festivals and concerts and award shows. And she'd be at home, working, studying, cleaning. Suddenly she wasn't in the mood for partying anymore.

She excused herself and nipped outside for a cigarette. It was a cold night, the moon was full and the stars were beaming. She sat on the garden wall, her legs dangling above the flower bed below, staring up. It was probably the numerous shots and many beers she'd drank that was making her feel rather sad about the whole situation. But how selfish of her. This was Dans dream and as his best friend, she should be happy for him.

'Here.' She heard him behind her. He wrapped a blanket around her shoulders and sat down with his legs swinging next to hers. He gazed up too. Neither of them spoke for a couple of minutes, just looking up silently appreciating the beautiful night sky. He pinched half of the blanket and draped it over his shoulders too, then put his arm around the small of her back. She tilted her head onto his shoulder and yawned.

'This is perfect isn't it?' She whispered, as not to disturb the moment. He nodded. She'd finished her cigarette by then but didn't want to move back inside. She could happily stay out side all night with him.

'You know,' Dan began. 'I'll always have time for you. You're my best friend. Don't ever be worried that I'll just move away and forget you.' He pulled her closer in and rested his chin on her head. 'Stacey, this past year has been so good and I'm so glad I met you. You're more than just a housemate.'

Stacey smiled, though he couldn't see her face. 'You too. But things will change. You know that?'

'Yeah. But maybe for the better? I don't know. Who knows?' He burped a little. They both laughed. 'Lets hit the hay.'

'Good idea.'

They went back into the warmth of the house, turned off the music, and headed to the spare room to bed. Neither of them bothered getting undressed before getting under the covers. They both lay on their backs, side by side. Stacey let out an involuntary shiver and pulled the covers tighter around herself. Almost without realising, Dan turned on his side and put an arm over her and rubbed her arm and shoulder. She was taken a little by surprise but it wasn't a bad thing. His hand was soft and warm on her skin.

'Still cold?' He whispered.

'A little.'

He pulled her into him so her back was against his chest. She snuggled right in and took his hands into hers, their fingers entwined. Within seconds she could hear Dans breathing slow down and that low, familiar snore began to rumble. She smiled to herself in the dark. What a perfect ending to a lovely night.