Stubbornly Yours

Of Celebrations

After years of growing up with a ridiculous group of boys who could magically slip berries in your shoes or hide your belongings in the most obvious places without you knowing, I should have known to expect the unexpected. Did I really believe they would give up their little tricks in the time I was away?

But still, the pounding music that I could hear through the doors was a great big indicator that tonight wouldn't be a small get-together to welcome me home that they said it would be.

I turned to face the silly grins of Theo and Lucas, attempting to hold a disapproving frown on my face, but failing terribly. Their obnoxious grins were infectious and electric atmosphere of the party beyond those doors was already filling me with giddy feelings of excitement.

The doors opened up to the balcony that looked down onto the ball ground. Countless bodies moved to the rhythm of the music from large speakers on the stage. Colours. It was an endless sea of colours and lights. The atmosphere was intoxicating as the glasses of bubbly champagne they were serving on the floor.

"It's wonderful," I breathed.

"Well it should be," chucked Rogan, who I had not realised was there, leaning against the banister beside me. "It is a celebration held in the honour of your long awaited return."

Heat bloomed across my cheeks. Long awaited..."It has been a while, hasn't it?"

"It doesn't matter anymore," Thomas said resolutely as he entered through the doors after us, his deep brown eyes refusing any room for anyone to argue. "You're here with us now and we're all together again."

He was right and wrong. I was back after 4 years of being away and we were together again. Bu it would be ignorant for me to believe that nothing had changed between themselves and the town we lived in during the time that had past. While driving back home, I had already seen so many new buildings in the places of old familiar ones. 4 years is enough time to change certain aspects of a personality or build relationships with others. Who is to say that these boys did not have their own intimate relationships with others? The thought left me feeling a little unsettled, but I couldn't deny that I had changed also.

I took the glass that Theo had silently offered me. I sat back on the smooth, red leather couches and enjoyed the taste of sweet berries from the sparkling drink with bubbles that tickled my nose. My feet tapped along to the music as the boys described their ultra secretive plan to hold the surprise party. The announcement of my return was a sudden surprise, so it was only fair that they'd do the same.

I didn't ask to be taken down into the heart of the party and they didn't offer. It was too soon. How in sync we all still were was a wonder. The fact our needs didn't have to be voiced before they were answered by a helpful and understanding mind had me reminiscing about the past.

Moments later, I was rested against soft pillows as the music played from down stairs invited couples to slow dance. My eyes were closed and both hands were comfortably encased in the warmth of two different hands.

Although the atmosphere around us was filled with happiness, guilt bubbled at the back of my mind relentlessly.

Here I was, amoungst my oldest friends who I had not seen in years as if we were fitting back together like lost puzzle pieces - friends who happened to be single, handsome bachelors. They were here, by my side, instead of mingling with all the interested singles and their own friends at the party.

There was a kick at my feet that caused me to open my eyes. The final member of our little band of misfits stood there with flushed cheeks and tussled hair as if he ran all the way here. James wore his familiar confident grin and his eyes shined with happiness as he offered me his hand which I took. He wrapped his arms around my waist and I wrapped my arms around his neck before began to spin me around in the air. After giggling at his excitement and the dizziness of the spin, he set me down on my feet and held me against him.

I missed this so terribly. Short face time calls and text messages could never compare to the solid comfort of these boys, who had been with me in the brightest and darkest moments of my young teenage years. They were different. I was different. Nothing really could be absolutely how it was before- not now with how I was and the unspoken distance that time put between us. As much as that thought scared me, it strengthened my determination.

I decided that I wouldn't give a damn whether I was being selfish. It was only for tonight.

Four years ago I had left unfinished business behind, but now I was back.

Tomorrow, I would get to work.

-.-.-

A new story~

I've had this one bouncing around in my head, waiting to come out, so here it is!

I hope you enjoyed the first little chapter and are interested in joining me for the rest of the story. Next update will have us learning a little more about our characters.

See you in the next chapter!!