Mutual

Chapter thirty five

After putting on some swimming attire under shorts and a top, shoving towels and spare clothes into a bag, I hop into the kitchen to grab some extra food. I take out an array of fruit, some crisps and the biscuit jar that we have stocked up. Kathryn walks in and makes a comment about not forgetting the chocolate or alcohol, and puts a box of Strongbows onto the counter and then digs in the draw, pulling out a selection of galaxy and dairy milk bars.

Me: "Since when did we have all this chocolate and alcohol, Kathryn?"
Kathryn: "Erm since I bought a shit ton of it to fulfil my needs."
Me: "Dear God, do you need therapy?"
Kathryn: "Nah I'll be good as long as I have chocolate and alcohol."
Me: "This isn't even your entire stock is it?"
Kathryn: "You think I'd give you all that? No way."
Me: "I don't think I want to know more. Anyways, let's go otherwise we'll be late."
Kathryn: "I mean it's not like the boys will be there on time, is it?"

Turns out the boys weren't on time. In fact, they were early.

Jack: "What time do you call this?" He says, tapping his watch.
Me: "Oh fuck off, let's go shall we?"
Jack: "Maybe we should make you wait first?"
Me: "Oh look, Kathryn, I guess we'll be eating more food to ourselves then."
Jack: "Okay okay fine. I better get a bigger share seeing as though I'm showing you where this place is."
Me: "Chance would be a fine thing."

We set off, and when we are still walking fifteen minutes later, curiosity gets the better of me.

Me: "You don't know where you are going, do you Jack?"
Jack: "No, no... I know umm, exactly where we are."

After another ten minutes of walking around aimlessly, Jack stops and pulls out his phone.

Kathryn: "What are you doing?"
Jack: "You're right. I don't know where it is. It's been a while."
Andy: "Trust you, Jack."
Jack: "I'm calling Harvey now."

Another twenty minutes later, we're in the same spot, quite lost. I'm getting quite tired of standing on one leg now.  A boy saunters up to us and hugs all the boys. Kathryn's eyes widen, and she drops her phone. It clatters to the floor and the boy picks it up and hands it back to her.

Kathryn: "Ohmygodhii'mkathryniloveyousomuchohmygod."
Harvey: "Hi Kathryn, nice to meet you." He envelopes her into a hug. "And I'm guessing you're Y/N? Brook's girl." He says, looking at me once Kathryn finally lets go.
Me: "Hi, yes, that's me. What's your name sorry?"
Harvey: "I'm Harvey, sorry. I've heard a lot about you and I'm guessing that's not been reciprocated." He shoots a playful glare at the boys.
Me: "So you're a friend of theirs?"
Harvey: "Yes. We're under the same management but we've grown to be friends. Andy used to play the guitar for me."
Me: "So, you sing?"
Harvey: "Yeah, my stage name is 'H-R-V-Y' and I-"
Me: "Wait oh my god I am so sorry. I know exactly who you are. I'm a massive fan actually. how did I not recognise you?"
Harvey: "Don't worry about it. What's your favourite song?"
Me: "My favourite original... that's hard. Maybe Hasta Luego or I Won't Let You Down? My favourite acoustic is definitely holiday though."
Andy: "Guys, can we catch up when we get to the lake, please?"
Me: "How are we supposed to get there though if Jack doesn't remember?"
Harvey: "I remember. Follow me."

The group sets off in a slow walk, probably so I can keep up. However, I'm getting surprisingly quick at this crutch malarkey. I end up in front of the others and look back at them, telling them to hurry up. A baffled look overtakes their faces before they scurry towards me. In less than two minutes, Harvey announces that we are here. We round a corner and there it is. A huge lake surrounded by trees, lanterns hanging from branches.  A stone path leads up to the warm, blue water. It looks like there are layers. The top layer has a fair few rocks with even a mini waterfall while the rest is clear and smooth. Yes, it's artificial, but it looks natural. Especially with the plant life. It's so beautiful.

The view disappears briefly as the silhouette of Sonny walks in front of me, strips, then performs a perfect running dive into the water. Shortly after, he is joined by Kathryn, impatient to get her body close to his. I laugh as someone behind me puts their hand on my shoulder. I turn to see Brook oggling at me.

Brooklyn: "Should we join them, babe?"
Me: "You can."
Brooklyn: "What about you?"
Me: "I'm on crutches, idiot. That would be such a bad idea, and it probably would be a bad idea getting my cast wet."
Brooklyn: "Oh yeah. Can you believe that I forgot?
Me: "How could you forget? I'm wearing shorts so the pot is in plain view."
Brooklyn: "Guess I was too busy staring at your gorgeous face."
Me: "Oh shut up."

I quickly peck him on the lips before going to the edge of the water. If the situation was different, I would've grabbed his hand, running towards the lake and pulled us both into it. I get to the bank and sit down, pulling off my shirt and shuffling out of my shorts so that I'm left in my strappy red bikini. I dip my good leg into the water and lean back, putting my weight into my arms. I tilt my head back, drinking in the warm sunlight that I welcome gladly, as it was supposed to be a cold day. Everyone else enters the water and swims over to me. 

Me: "Guys, you don't have to keep me company. I'm perfectly fine.  Go out and enjoy yourself. We can always do this again when my leg is better."
Andy: "But-"
Me: "No buts. Go."

They all nod and swim off, so I lie on my back, wishing I could catch a tan in the wintry sun. A few splashing sounds are heard before there's a large thump next to me. I open an eye, squinting at the boy that lays on his side, rubbing his back.

Me: "What did you now?" I groan.
Brooklyn: "I don't even know. I somehow banged my back."
Me: "You're so clumsy. Why aren't you with the others?"
Brooklyn: "I didn't want to leave you on your own."
Me: "Trust me, the silence is glorious."
Brooklyn: "Okay fine, I'll leave. Just let me do this..."

He leans over me and puts his thumb on my cheek, moving it in small, loving circles. He uses the rest of his fingers at the back oh my head to guide my face up to his before his lips go crashing into mine. The only reason we pull away a few minutes later is that we need air, you know, to live. Brook smiles down at me and pecks my forehead before pushing himself back into the water. I lay back down, glad of the peace but I can't help smiling to myself as I drift off into a nice, warm sleep.

I'm startled awake half an hour later as a shower of water goes over my body. I sit up and rub my eyes, spotting my friends gathered around me.

Rye: "We're getting out now, to get food. You coming?"
Harvey: "Yeah, we're all starting to look like a bunch of wrinkly sausages."
Me: "Lovely. Yeah, I'll come." 

I pul my legs towards me and sigh.

Me: "Guys, you got my bloody cast wet!"
Kathryn: "Sorry! That was me."
Me: "Uugh, whatever. You coming or not?" I say, standing up.

A load of cheers overwhelm me and we walk over to where the picnic blanket is laid.

~~~
A/N

I'm so sorry that this took so long to come out. Please don't hate me! I've been so busy with college work and assignments and exams that I just haven't had time to write. This chapter was due a long time ago. Hopefully, I can make it up to youuuuu? To do so, I'm posting an extra-long chapter tomorrow which I've been working on all day :)

Maybe leave a vote and a comment? I really appreciate that as then I know who is liking the story.

Peace and love, Hannah x