**not my story originally from GAM**
It was one of the greatest night’s Cheryl had had in a long time. Leaning back on the bar, holding Nicola’s hand, she couldn’t believe how blissfully happy she felt. She and Nicola shared a broad, slightly drunken smile, then she turned back to watching the other three girls dancing. Sarah was throwing herself around, probably only mere minutes away from dancing on the bar; Kimberley and Nadine were dancing back to back, laughing, so happy to be sharing each other’s company once again.
The current song ended and Kimberley and Nadine made their way to Cheryl and Nicola. Kimberley sat down beside Cheryl and laid her head on the bar. Cheryl stood up and wordlessly hugged Nadine tightly. The two of them had had a hard time convincing the press that there was no ‘feud’ between them. Allegations that they were putting on an act for the public had got to them both.
‘What do we have to do Cheryl?’ Nadine slurred. Cheryl hugged her tighter.
‘We don’t have to prove anything to anyone.’
‘I’ve missed you all so much.’ Nadine said, reaching across the bar for her drink and stumbling a little.
‘And we know that, babe! We know that, nobody else matters.’ Cheryl said fiercely, giving Nadine a one-armed squeeze. She reached across the bar to give Kimberley a shake but Sarah appeared out of nowhere and threw herself on Kimberley. ‘Wheeeeyyy! Get up you bloody lightweight!’
‘Aah, Sarah, would you ever sod off?!’ Kimberley moaned, sitting up and rubbing her forehead.
‘I think we need to take you home don’t we?’ Nadine laughed, walking around Cheryl to save Kimberley from Sarah. Kimberley nodded solemnly, then laughed weakly as Nadine started to pull her up. ‘Are you gonna stay with me?’
‘Yeah, I reckon I’ve had enough too.’ Nadine smiled. She gave the other three girls a departing hug, and Cheryl, Nicola and Sarah stood watching them leave, laughing at how Nadine was half-carrying a wasted Kimba out of the bar.
‘Shots! We need shots!’ Nicola shouted across the bar. Cheryl stared at her with her mouth open in pretend surprise. ‘When did Sarah learn to speak from your mouth?!’ she said sarcastically, earning a dig in the ribs from Sarah on her other side. They all started laughing, enjoying their new found bliss, watching the shots lining up in front of them. Cheryl looked from Nicola to Sarah, her heart swelling with euphoria.
That was when the world exploded.
