"Yoooo! Get up!!!!" Ben shouts and I hear various groans across the bus. I stick my head out of my curtain and see everyone is getting out of their bunks. I look across at Sam and he smiles, but remains to look sad.
"Fil," I say as I sit next to Fil in the front chill area.
"Yep."
"Sam looks sad again," I keep my voice down so Sam doesn't over hear.
"We just need to include him more."
"Yeah," I nod and go to the cuboard to start making my breakfast.
"Where are we going today?" I ask Leo as he stands next to me, preparing his coffee.
"Dublin I think!"
"Cool!" Me and Leo went to the same primary school, Sam and Fil know Leo through me.
My favourite memory of Leo is from when our class went on a residential trip in year 6 to the Lake District and we had to go on a boat. Everyone was teasing me for my fear of water but Leo held my hand the whole way, constantly distracting me. My mum liked Leo.
"Fillllllll!" I yell, walking into the back area where Fil is sat alone.
"How long does it take to get to Dublin?"
"About 3 hours from here."
"Okayyyy! Shall we watch The Inbetweeners then?"
"We better wake serious Sam up first," Fil chuckles. I rush into the bunk area and peek in Sam's bunk to see him going through his phone.
"We're watching The Inbetweeners if you wanna come watch," I tell him and he sits up instantly, banging his head.
"You're really stupid, you know that?" I tease and he sticks his middle finger up at me.
"Soz Sammy."
We join Fil, who is now accompanied by Leo, in the back.
"From the beginning?" Leo asks, holding the remote in his right hand.
"Yes!" Fil, Sam and I shout.
We grew up watching The Inbetweeners. Some people we know refer to us as The Inbetweeners. Sam is Simon, Leo is Neil, Fil is Jay and I am Will. They assigned me with Will because apparently I'm stuck up and a bit of a nerd, yeah right!
After 3 hours, we arrive at the venue with bags of time to spare.
"Anyone wanna go out for scran?" I ask, not wanting to go alone.
"I'll come!" Sam stands up. Fil also stands up and walks over to me.
"I'll give you two time alone together," he whispers in my ear. I nod and take Sam's hand, waving to Leo and Fil as I pull him outside into the cold Autumn air.
"Where are we going?"
"How about Maccy's?" I suggest and he agrees.
"Two poshos hit Maccy's!" Sam laughs.
"1 posho, you. Seriously Sam, you drink champagne instead of water and you wear full Supreme!" I laugh, pointing at his supreme hat and tracksuit.
"Not shoes though," he points down at his checkered vans and I giggle.
We reach Maccy's and I choose a seat near the window, while Sam orders. He knows what my usual is so I have no doubt he'll know what to get for me.
In roughly 5 minutes, Sam returns with a tray with our food on. I raise my eyebrows as I see he got a sharing box of nuggets instead of my usual wrap.
"Sorry, I wanted you to have a change," he motions for me to take a nugget.
"This is nice, just me and you," I say, taking Sam's empty hand in mine and playing with his fingers.
"Yes," he smiles.
"How are you feeling today?"
"Alright, as long as I'm with you."
"Sam, do you love me or something?" I laugh. Sam doesn't reply, instead he carries on eating. Does Sam like have a crush on me? I like him but I know it wouldn't work as we're best friends.
"We better get back now," I say, checking the time on Sam's watch.
"Yeah." Sam puts the rubbish in the bin and we walk back to the venue, holding hands. Everything goes perfectly until we get into a really tight street, packed with lots of people. My body starts to shake and I feel my hand slipping from Sam's.
"Sam!" I try to shout but it comes out as a whisper. I let go of Sam's hand and sit against a wall.
"Mia!" Sam sits down beside me and puts his arms around my shoulders.
"You're gonna be fine!"
_____
This double update is for my pal Imi who's super super supportive of this book :))))
