Joanne through the years.

A Christmas sleepover

Dianne

Caspar very quickly became apart of Joe and I's little friendship. We only hung after school however as I still wanted to maintain my relationship with Zoe but it would be a bit weird if we invited her to join Caspar, Joe and me as she was Joes sister. The other boys began to warm up to me a bit and four months after my arrival, they apologised for bullying me and for mistreating Joe and Caspar and by christmas we were all really good friends. On Christmas day we all gathered at Joes house as his parents were working. I arrived early so we could have a bit of alone time. I knocked on the large oak front door. Nobody came. I knocked again. The door opened and a bleary eyed Joe appeared. His hair was all over the place and he was shirtless. He had evidently just rolled out of bed. I tried not to stare at his defined abs.
"What are you doing here so early? Its not even eight o clock yet" He said in that morning voice of his that I loved.
"I thought we could do with a bit of alone time together. Ever since the lads joined our friendship group we havent really had any time to chat just us" I explained. Joe opened the door wider and indicated for me to come inside.
"Merry christmas" He grinned at me.
"Merry Christmas Suggy" I ruffled his hair as I walked past him. Joe then went to put some clothes on before making us pancakes for breakfast.
"So hows your studying coming on?" I asked.
"i havent stopped" He grinned from ear to ear. I had never seen him so cheerful. We talked for a few hours before Zoe woke up, shortly before mid day.
"Dianne, what are you doing here?" She eyed me suspiciously. "Have you two been sharing a christmas kiss underneath the mistletoe?" she smirked at Joe and I just laughed it off. I did really like Joe. I had known him now for four months which was long enough for me to discover that I wouldnt be able to handle life without him. I wanted more than ever to be with him. The chances of us getting together were increasing every day. Joe was now on barely any anti-depressants and could most likely cope with a relationship. We also got closer every single day. We spent a lot of our time hugging eachother or laughing at eachother. I just didnt know how to tell him that I loved him. I wasnt sure how I could do it without ruining our friendship. Our friendship was quite like no other. It was stronger than the friendship I had had with even Oti. Oti and I hadnt talked much since I left Australia. She had moved back to South Africa but since then, we had lost touch.
"You alright there Reddo?" Joe asked. I snapped back into focus. I must have been so wrapped up in my thoughts that i didnt realise that Joe was talking to me.
"Sorry, what did you say Joe?" I asked.
"I said, do you want to do presents now?"
"Yasssss" I leapt up and began to run around the house like crazy.
We sat down in the living room and the three of us exchanged gifts. I really loved my gifts from both Joe and Zoe. At around 2 the rest of the lads arrived.
"Hey" They all said in unison as they walked through the door. They all joined us in the living room. None of us could cook very well so we just shoved some pizzas in the oven and ate them happily in the living room whilst chatting.
"You cold Di?" Joe asked me.
"A little" I replied, pulling my blanket closer to me.
"Come here then" he patted the space beside him. I almost died of shock. i scurried over and sat right beside him. He put his arm around me and pulled me in. I leant my head on his shoulder and he leant his on top of mine. Just then Joe got a text. I could quite clearly read his phone from where I was.
Mum: Your father and I are spending the night at a hotel as we have a big work project tomorrow. We'll be back on the 27th. Also the kitchen cupboards good do with a good scrub.
Joe sighed sadly and turned off his phone. I felt so bad. Not only were his parents missing Christmas but they were also missing boxing day and they hadnt bought Joe or Zoe a present. Their present to them was to tell them to clean the kitchen cupboards. I noticed Joe looking slightly lost and down. I slipped my hand into Joes and held it, he held it back.
"Don't worry about them Joe. We're your family. Me, Zoe, Caspar, Mikey, Josh, Oli, Conor, Jack and Byron. Just because we're not blood doesnt mean we cant be your family. Family care about one another and we all care about each other."
"Thanks Di" he muttered and I expected him to let go of my hand or shift away from me but he did neither. Instead he pulled me completley onto his lap and put his arms around me and held both my hands. I cuddled into him.
"I have an idea Di" he whispered in my ear.
"What?" I whispered back.
"Are you free tonight?"
"Yes, why?"
"Lets have a big sleepover here. The lads and you and Zoe."
"That sounds great" I snuggled further into him and he leant his head on top of mine.
Caspar
I was sitting beside Zoe, chatting whenever I noticed it. Joe and Dianne, proper cuddling on the couch. Dianne was sitting on his lap and their hands were interlinked and Dianne was snuggled into him whilst his head was on top of hers.
"Look at them two" I nodded to Joe and Dianne who were now having their own private conversation and were giggling uncontrollably. Zoe turned her head to look at them.
"They're so cute. I wish they would hurry up and get together. They were made for eachother" Zoe sighed.
"I've never seen Joe like this with any girl before" I smiled.
"He never has been like this with anyone before. But we shouldnt rush them. What will come will come. Whether its in ten minutes, ten months or ten years, something will happen" Zoe stared at them.
"I can deal with ten minutes, possibly ten months but yikes, Zoe. Ten years? I cant wait that long for Joanne to become real."
"Joanne?" Zoe laughed.
"Joe and Dianne put together. They deserve a ship name at the rate they're going."
"Zoe?" Joe shouted across the room. "Can you come here a sec?"
"Better go see what he wants. If he wants my blessing on his marriage to Dianne then he can have it. If he wants my last piece of Pizza then he can go away and boil his head" Zoe stood up. "Protect my pizza with your life Caspar" she grinned.
"Don't worry. I will."
Joe