One Hell Of A Life

chapter thirty three: terms and conditions.

Em POV:

From mid-November onwards I'd been kind of seeing Simon.

Like in year nine when you'd be 'talking'. It was like that but in real life.

We'd stolen kisses, had little lovey dovey moments (as cheesy as that sounds), but the best yet...

We'd talked to JJ about the whole thing.

-

JJ POV:

"I need you to be here." I sighed, patting the space on my bed next to me, motioning for Flo to sit down.
"JJ, they want to speak to you, not me." She cocked an eyebrow ever so slightly, however obliged to staying.
"Well, I'll be here, won't I?" I rubbed an eye.
"JJ, you know I'm going to see the lights with my sister..."
"I'm sure this won't take long." I insisted.
"It better not." She adjusted the laces on her deep red Doc Martens.

It wasn't long before my sister walked into the room, Simon following her in a couple of minutes later.
"What's this about, then?" I began.
"Imma just skip the ad, here," Em took a deep breath, "would you be cool with it if Simon dated me?"

This took me by major surprise.

"I-I... Wow." I shook my head, raising my brows. I saw Simon and Em glance at one another, then back at me.
"Jide?" Em said.
"Yeah, I suppose." I answered.
"What do you mean, you suppose?" Simon chewed his lip.
"Like, it's fine, obviously I want you two to be happy," He nodded, deflating with relief a little, "I just didn't expect it."

"Any T's and C's?" Em questioned.
"Not many. All I ask is that Simon," I nodded to him, "remembers who you are, okay?"
"Of course, Jide, it's cool." He smiled gratefully.
"That's my sister, yeah? You hurt her, I'll hurt you. Got it?"
"Yeah, man. Always." Simon reached out to shake my hand, or so I thought. He ended up pulling me up and into a brief hug.

"Thanks." He said, the word muffled by my shoulder.
"Any time, bro. Any time." I grinned.

"So," I chuckled, "you and you. Never saw that one coming."
"JJ, I'm going to–" Flo began.
"Yeah, babes, you can leave now. Thank you for staying." I looked up at her as she got to her feet.
"I wasn't asking for your approval, love," She gave me a quick kiss on the lips, "I was telling."
"Sure." I felt myself flush; she's the only person that's ever been able to do that to me, "Whatever."
"Love you! See you later, love birds!" Flo giggled, exiting the room.
"Shut up!" Em laughed, shaking her head in the direction of Florence.

My sister and Simon left a little after that. She gave me a long hug before she bailed from the room. As if she was moving on, as if she'd found a missing piece to herself.

But she'd never leave me behind.

It was a thought of mine for some time that one of my friends would fall for her, or she'd have a thing for them. A possibility, rather than a thought, actually. I just never, ever pictured that it would be Simon.

But, hey, I'm not complaining. They make a good pair, I'll say that. The terrible twosome; the dynamic duo. The pair of them have always had a connection that could rival no other. It's weird to describe; but they've always been more than mates to each other. Saying that their bond is like family would be incorrect, because my bond with Simon is like that. Em's is different - stronger, maybe.

Flo POV:

I was overjoyed for Em and Si's little approval thing they had going on by JJ. It was a shame I had to leave, actually, but I couldn't leave my sister hanging.

Ebony had finished work for Christmas - the date was the 21st of December. I'd been given the all clear by Sidemen Clothing that we were taking no more orders and business should calm down until the new year. Therefore shifts were shorter and less regular to work.

This was the first day that my sister and I had a day off work together in a goddamn while.

I'd been begging and begging her to let us go and see the Bohemian Rhapsody lights in Carnaby Street. See, I'm a huge Queen fan. I dragged her to see the movie of Bohemian Rhapsody and oh my God was it worth the wait.

I cried. A lot. We both did, to be honest. But I hardly ever cry at films, so it must've been special.

Anyway, I saw pictures online of the lights they had up in Carnaby Street - they looked beautiful. By the time I'd caught on, they'd already been switched on by the main cast of Bohemian Rhapsody, along with Brian May and Rodger Taylor. They were scheduled to be removed from the street on the 6th of January, 2019. So, naturally, I pestered her and pestered her until she agreed.

She doesn't like the outside world much, our Eb.

The time was 2pm when I got back to our home. We'd already decided that we'd have something to eat before leaving.

"I have arrived!" I shouted, locking the door behind me. "Oh, there you are." I looked up to see Ebony behind the kitchen's bar. We always compare our house to that of a Center Parcs villa, so we have the kitchen, dining room, and living area all in the same big room. I prefer it like that, actually. I feel like we'd isolate ourselves if every room was separate.

"What you cooking?" I shuffled over to where she was.
"Mac and cheese." Ebony answered. "Home made, today."
"Wow! Do we need a trip to Tesco to get more microwave meals...?"
"It's the Christmas holidays! I thought we could be semi-healthy while we could." She insisted, grabbing two plates from the stack.

"How's Dan?" I asked, getting two glasses from the cupboard she couldn't reach.
"He's doing good, very good. I won't see him until after Christmas, now. He's going home in a couple of days and spending New Year there, too." She smiled at the thought of him, spooning the mac and cheese onto the pair of plates. "JJ cool?"
"He's alright, yeah." I filled up the glasses with orange juice.

"Oh! Here, right, get this: Emmy and Simon confronted JJ about being together. How cool is that?" I gushed.
"Simon and Emmy are together now?" Ebony gawped.
"I-I don't know - but she asked JJ about the pair of them dating. She said would it be cool if they got together... Or something like that." I filled in.
"What the Hell? That's class!" She grinned as we both sat at our table for the first time in ages. Usually we have a takeaway on the sofa.
"I know!" I sighed happily.

"How long's it take on the train from here to Carnaby Street, then?" Ebony questioned, mouth full of food.
"Like, forty minutes?" I answered.
"You'd better be grateful I'm coming," She shook her head, "I'd honestly rather not."
"That's what you said about the movie and there you were, wiping your eyes on your sleeve." I smiled, matter-of-factly.
"Yeah, but–"
"I don't give a fuck how stubborn you're going to be today - like you said earlier: it's Christmas." I raised an eyebrow, "And you already agreed."

Em POV:

"Why was that stressful for me?" I couldn't help but giggle, releasing a sigh as Simon and I entered his bedroom.
"Yo - me too." He smiled a toothy grin. "Hey, you mentioned dating."
"Yeah," I slung my arms around his neck, gazing upwards, "wanna give it a bash?"
"A bash? You've been hanging around Flo and Ebony too much." He laughed, giving me a peck on the lips.

"Will you, though?" I looked at him hopefully.
"Let me think..." Simon drew his eyes away from him, supposedly thinking long and hard about this decision, "Eh. Alright, then."
"Result." I beamed with happiness, kissing my... My boyfriend.

Jesus. Feels weird to say that.

Lanky, childish, takes-the-piss-out-of-you Simon Minter... is my boyfriend.

a/n:

6k reads is absolutely fucking crazy. i can't express how grateful i am.

there probably won't be another upload until the new year, so... see you in 2019, i guess?

thank you for all the support this year. it's been phenomenal.

all my love,

lee x