Falling All Over Again

7.0 | steps. 1-5

WE'RE AT ALICE'S house, for our fortnightly sleepover. The first of the year. This is the one time that someone from outside of our group is invited. This year, it's Sara Mills.

We're currently sitting on deck chairs next to Alice's indoor pool. It's out to the back of the house, the only place that has only one story. It's a sort of glasshouse, to allow for sunbathing next to the pool, with huge doors that flow outside to the backyard.

"What should we do this year?"

"Torture? Lock her in your dungeon?" I suggest.

"Funny, Lola," is Alice's sarcastic reply. "We should go to town."

Some of you may consider what we're doing hazing. But we're not. We're testing her to see how she copes with our demands. She won't be forced into doing it, but if she wants to join, she'll do it.

So far, no one has joined. We started this in our first year of high school. Each person has been unsuccessful thus far.

It's 8:07pm when the doorbell rings. We all stand up, in our bathing suits.

Step 1. Make her feel out of place.

Alice swings open the door to reveal Sara. She's dressed in a t-shirt and leggings and is holding a bag full of gear.

"You're late," Alice states.

"S-sorry. Was I meant to bring a bathing suit?"

"No," Arlo speaks up.

"Phone please," Alice holds out her hand.

Step 2. Cut off her communication.

"Why do you need m-my phone?" she stammers.

"There will be no electronic devices used tonight. No recordings. No photos."

She reluctantly passes her phone into Alice's hand, who passes it to Sav. She pockets it.

I pass her an outfit to put on; a bright pink wig, some yellow sunglasses, a hula skirt, and a long sleeve top, covered in rips that classically reads, "kick me" on the back.

"Put this on, then meet us outside, we're going out," I tell her.

Step 3. Make her wear something embarrassing.

"We are? Where? And this doesn't look... suitable?"

Alice tuts. "It is. And you'll find out, soon enough. See you later boys," she says, as us girls all walk towards the car.

I turn to Noah. "You better look after Nola." I warn. He raises his hands as if to say, 'don't attack me, I will.'

We wait for Sara to come back out and when she does, she looks ridiculous and uncomfortable in her hula get-up.

She hops in and says nothing, no doubt humiliated. I almost feel sorry for her, before remembering she's doing this out of choice, trying to get into our stupid group. I wouldn't do this. Maybe I'm saying that because I'm already in it though.

The car drives into town and we stop in front of a small boutique.

"Wait here," I tell the driver. "We'll be a few minutes."

We all stand in front of the closed shop. "Don't you just love those bracelets in there, Em?" Sav asks.

"Ooh yes, aren't they absolutely gorgeous."

I turn to Sara, "Hey Sara."

"Y-yes?"

"Steal eight of them."

Step 4. Make her do something she surely won't be comfortable with. Most people drop off here.

"What?" She asks, shocked.

"You heard me," I smile.

The other three hop back into the car. I jump in last before rolling the window down, "Get back to Alice's in two hours. Don't get back in time? Don't bother coming."

Step 5. Give her a set time to get back. Kind of like The Amazing Race, no?

It's a twenty-minute drive, so it should give Sara enough time to walk, call an uber, or find someone to take her back.

"See you there," I call out as the car drives away.

--

We get home to see the boys back in pretty much the same positions from three hours ago: by the pool. This time, in the hot tub.

"Wheres N-"

"She's right here." He pats the other side of the hot tub, the tub obstructing my view. Noah watches me as I walk around and pick up Nola, hugging her to my chest. "You're alright now. Mummy's home."

Noah's lips curve up into a small smile.

He knows me. He realises that this baby project is important to me, he doesn't know why but he doesn't have to. He took the initiative to take care of the baby, because I want him to. Unlike Arlo, who's baby is currently floating in the pool.

"What have you girls done to the poor thing?" Arlo smiles at us, knowingly.

"Oh nothing," I reply, happy for a distraction from Noah. "Just told her to steal some bracelets and get back here in two hours."

"What have you done to your poor baby Arlo?" I walk over to the pool and pick up the now dripping baby. "You're going to fail you and your partner," I send him a disapproving glare.

I shake the baby and put it on a deck chair, hoping the water will drain out. Thank God that isn't my baby. I'd kill Noah.

Noah frowns, "Stealing isn't a good thing."

Caleb, silent throughout the night, finally speaks up, "You think they'd actually make her steal something?" He's the smarter, quieter one of the group. He joined after all of us were already friends, which makes it hard for him to sometimes fit in with us.

"Noah silly, we've paid in advance," I smirk at him, my heart warming slightly at him opposing our actions. Good to know at least one of the boys has a brain in their head. "And agreed to pay for all the damage. We signed a contract-thing."

Noah's expression looks relieved, while Arlo just looks upset, "That takes the fun out of it," he whines. I roll my eyes at his immaturity. With an attitude like this, I wonder how he has only been arrested twice.

"Arlo, honey. We can't just steal things. We'll get arrested," I tell him slowly as if telling a naughty child why stealing is bad.

I don't know if he'll ever learn.

A/N

I hope this was alright I feel like it's kinda lame but I'm trying anywhoooo

Hope you enjoyed, please let me know what you thought!

Update maybe later today for 7.5? 3 updates in less than 24 hours? Even 2 updates is unheard of ;)

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