Our Little Secret//lh

6 • fight

Meredith's p.o.v
* * * *

"Welcome back, Meredith!" The large crowd of people, scattered amongst Ashton and the boys' rather large house, yell when I walk through the front door. The sun has gone down, leaving the party lights glowing extra vibrant in the darkness of the house.

I awe and hug Calum and Mikey who stand on either side of me, "You guyssssss." I whine in utter happiness at their party they threw for me, by themselves, no less.

"I knew she'd love it!" Calum yells, earning a few laughs from people near by before the music is cranked up loudly.

Luckily, Ashton lived in the middle of buttfuck no where, so noise complaints wouldn't be an issue tonight, and that's a damn good thing considering I can't even hear myself think with the music thumping through my ears.

I decide to split off from the boys and mingle around, seeing some of my old friends and catching up.

"There. She. Is!" A familiar squeal sounds from behind me, and when I turn around I'm ecstatic to see my bestie since birth, Mason.

She jumps up and down in place before pouncing onto me, squeezing every ounce of air from my body and I do just the same back.

Mason and I became friends in preschool, and we've been inseparable since that day. We went through the first day of Kindergarten, middle school and high school together, and when she found out I was leaving the country for college, her heart absolutely broke. We cried for hours together the night before I would leave, but even after I was gone we stayed in touch. We FaceTimed everyday and did our school work together because she found school and learning just as important as I did.

We lifted each other up when we were at our worst and continued to push each other through finals and we've made it this far, still inseparable, and seeing her now, it's like time hadn't passed.

"I can't believe you're here! In person! In my arms! Oh I missed you so much babes!" She squeals happily.

"I know! I missed you so much! I was going to call you today, but then Ashton told me about this party and I knew you would be here." I smile as I look into her bright hazel eyes.

"I wouldn't have missed this for the world—let's get you drink, yeah?" Mason says before throwing her arm around my shoulder and guiding me to the kitchen.

To say I was impressed by the house these boys lived in was an understatement. I was in awe of the beautiful woodwork the house displayed and the vastness of every room.

Mason mixes me a drink before handing it to me. I furrow my brows, "What's in it?" I yell over the music.

"Taste it then I'll tell you!"

I take a quick chug and immediately am impressed with Mason's new found mixing skills.

"So?"

"It's fucking bomb, Mase."

She flips her curly, dark brown hair behind her shoulder, lThanks. I'm a bartender at The Tap now and I've gained some pretty good skills—not to mention the great tips I get."

"I can only imagine, you're beautiful."

Mason was a beautiful girl. Her dark skin was absolutely gorgeous and incredibly soft. Her dark, curly brown hair was thick and course, making it especially hard to style, but I always encouraged her to embrace her natural hair. I remember when Mason and I were in 9th grade, she was constantly flat ironing her hair so it looked like everyone else's. Finally I told her one day that her natural hair was gorgeous and that she didn't have to flat iron her hair for it to be beautiful.