Nine Muses, Nine Bruises

The Party

At nine o'clock people started to arrive.

We had cleaned the house from top to bottom, laid out food on every surface, and decorated everything with glitter.

We had invited a few of our friends from school, colleagues from work, and our boyfriends.

Hugo was still away, so while Diana danced with Harry, Hazel talked to Ian, and Sky laughed with Ryan, I just sat down next to the Doritos. And ate them.

At about eleven, the doorbell rang. I was confused. Everyone we had invited was here.

'Are we expecting someone?' I called out to Rebekah, Aisling and Grace. They shook their heads, confused.

I raised my eyebrows and started to walk to the door. Elise quickly ran in front of me.

'Actually, we are,' she said quickly. 'just let me open it and I'll introduce you'.

She opened the door and a tall, blonde, gorgeous guy was standing outside.

'Guys,' she addressed the other girls who had all huddled around nervously.

'This is Thomas... My boyfriend'.

He walked in and hugged her, kissing the top of her head gently.

'I hope you don't mind me coming guys, El thought it would be fine' he said politely.

'El was definitely right, come on in Thomas' I smiled.
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After many hissed conversations we had gathered that Thomas was an actor, he was the most romantic person Elise had ever met, and she was head over heels for him.

'How long have you been together?' Alison asked.

'A couple of months.' Elise replied shyly.

'A couple of months?' Aisling asked disbelievingly. 'Elise!' she punched her arm gently.

'Sorry guys,' Elise said bashfully. 'I just thought if I told you, he'd be here more often, like your boyfriends are, and I wouldn't get to spend as much time with all of you'.

I hugged her. 'Okay, you're forgiven, because that is so cute'. The others 'aww'ed in agreement.

'Go have fun with your secret boyfriend', Diana slurred. She was getting drunk. We all were, a little bit. But not as much as Ryan was.

During the last few minutes to New Year's, everyone rushed around trying to find their boyfriends - Elise and Thomas, Hazel and Ian, Diana and Harry. I smiled as I saw Paige with a curly-haired boy who must have been Leo, grabbing his hand. He grinned an adorable sideways grin. We lit sparklers and gathered around together.

I stood on my own, trying to think about the great times that year, all the memories and friendships I had made. It had been a great one, but I still wished Hugo was there. He was a huge part of my year.

Sky was in the bathroom, and she really shouldn't have left Ryan in the state he was in.

None of us should.

Because someone had let Sorcha in to the house, and she was waiting for an opportunity to mess things up.

'5, 4, 3, 2, 1,' we all chanted, oblivious to what was about to happen. At 'Happy New Year!' Sorcha ran over to Ryan, who was incredibly drunk, grabbed him, and kissed him.

But he didn't pull away.

And Sky had seen.

Diana was nearby, but kissing Harry, so she hadn't noticed. I raced over and yanked Sorcha and Ryan apart. I called Rebekah over and she kicked Sorcha out of the house. 'Stay away from us, bitch' she said, pushing her out and slamming the door.

I ran to Sky, taking her out of the busy room to talk to her.

She hadn't been dating him for long, so she wasn't sobbing or trying to burn his clothes (reenacting Taylor Swift's Blank Space music video) yet, but she was shocked.

'Do you want some alcohol?' I asked sympathetically. She almost laughed.

'Sky, he's super drunk' I said seriously. 'And she kissed him. Not the other way round.'

'I know' she replied reasonably. 'I'm not angry with him, just disappointed'.

'Well I'm angry with Sorcha. If she comes near you again, I'll punch her' I said, kind of joking but also kind of not.

'Thanks' she smiled.

'Wanna come with me to scream in his face?' I asked her.

'Nah, I'll stay here' she said sadly.

'Okay, you level-headed little thing' I smiled as I walked out of the room, patting her head.

Diana was shouting at Ryan. He was lying spread-eagled on the couch as if she had pushed him (which she probably had) and even though he was half asleep he looked terrified of her.

'What the heck where you thinking, buddy?' she hiccuped. 'Without love, the world is like... a place without love'. She grabbed the arm of the sofa and put her face close to his.

'Don't cross me' she whispered hoarsely, before attempting a sassy click and strutting away, tripping over her feet and toppling to the floor. 'I'm okay!' she screeched.

I looked at Ryan. 'I think you should leave' I said. 'I guess Sky will be in touch, if you're lucky.' I led him to the door.

'What happened?' Aisling asked worriedly after he had left.

'Sorcha kissed Ryan' I explained quickly. 'I don't know how she got in'.

'Prolly through the door' Diana said reasonably.

'What?' Elise asked, shocked and ignoring Diana.

'What the hell!' Grace gasped.

Alison stood in shock. 'How could she?'

I shrugged.

Paige walked over with Leo. He smiled a crooked smile at us. 'Hi, I'm Leo' he said cheerily.

'Oh don't worry, I know' I laughed. 'I'm Lola, Paige's sister.'

'Oh don't worry, I know' he echoed me. He grinned again. He was always grinning.

He put his arm around Paige's waist and they walked over to one of the many food tables nearby.

Suddenly I heard a collective gasp. Hazel screamed.

I ran over to the huddle of people that had quickly formed. Alison put one hand to her chest and one to her forehead. She started to sway slowly and she looked dizzy.

Then she fell. In a flash of blonde hair and shiny silver dress, she fainted.