New Years Eve

"Happy fucking New Year." Jack yelled, causing Alex to cover his ears.

Vic was staring at him and shaking his head. Kellin had his arm slung round my shoulders and I couldn't help but smile. He was wearing a headband with the words 'party' on springs. When he moved his head the words bounced around.

Initially, Kellin had tried to force Vic to wear a matching one, but he had flat-out refused. Jack had decided he would wear the other head band. Alex tried to squirm out Jack's vice like grip.

"Dude, seriously. It's not even the new year yet. It's only eight." Alex replied.

Jack seemed to ponder this and shrugged. He had been like this all day. As the evening drew closer he had bought some beer and a small party had begun before we went to the local pub to celebrate.

I had decided to stick by Kellin as Shay and Ash were still in Shay's room, doing god only knows what. Oli would be here soon with Hannah and I realised I was surrounded by couples. Tay and Jack were now playfully fighting over Alex.

"He's my boyfriend, Jack." Tay was saying, or rather shouting.

"No, you lie. He's my boyfriend." Jack grinned.

Alex huffed in annoyance. As usual we were joined by Ben, who was chatting to Jenna about something and she was laughing. Bret had yet to appear and when he did he would usually hang out with Chad.

The door slammed and Danny walked in. He was his usual crazy self. He rushed over and hugged Ben, attempting to plant a kiss on his cheek.

"Fuck, will you stop trying to make-out with me," Ben laughed, shoving his best friend away.

"Let's be gay. I'll be Kellin if you be Vic." Danny smirked, nodding towards Kellin and Vic.

Kellin smiled, clearly liking the comparison. Vic was staring at Danny and he chose not to dignify it with a response as he shrugged and smiled.

Jenna caught my eye and grinned. She clearly wasn't going to stop Danny and seemed to be egging him on. Danny rested his head on Ben's shoulder and leaned closer as Ben leaned further away.

Shay appeared in the doorway, followed by Ashley. She waved at me and went to approach.

"Where have you two been? Shagging as usual." Danny stood, directing his mischief on Ash and Shay.

Shay ignored him and walked over to me. She was wearing a strapless, glittery dress. It was form fitting and made her look amazing.

"You getting changed?" She beamed.

"Nah, I'll stay like this." I motioned to my jeans and hoodie. No use getting too dressed up.

Shay gasped and looked shocked. She shook her head and grasped my hand. Here we go again. She was clearly intent on dressing me up.

"I picked out your creme one." She dragged me to my room, nodding towards the bed.

My creme dress was laid across the pink sheets. It was a lace design and had a silky belt round the waist. I stared at it and then back to Shay.

"I need to talk to you." She blurted.

I frowned and she took a deep breath. I must have looked worried because she smiled then, as though to relieve me.

"I want you looking hot tonight." She continued. "Obviously Jake will be meeting you tonight and I think you should confess at midnight."

Nerves coiled in my tummy and she stepped forward, clutching my shoulders, meeting my gaze with her own determined look.

"I know you two are perfect together and you know it too. You should tell him." She sounded so convincing, and although I was nervous I was suddenly filled with a little courage.

Yes, tonight would be the night that I would confess. Jake would be drunk, but he wouldn't be that drunk so he'd definitely remember. I nodded and Shay's mouth open and she smiled.

"Really?" She asked.

"Yes, tonight I will tell him." I murmured.

She pulled back, clapping her hands and jumping on the spot. She was gleeful and it was contagious. She pulled me into a hug.

"Hurry and get dressed." She turned, leaving me to change.

When she left I stripped down and stared at myself in my dresser mirror. My eyes landed on the necklace that Jake gave me. I nodded to myself. Tonight was definitely the night. I dressed and decided I'd do my own make-up tonight.

It took less time and I slipped on a pair of white converse. I was ready and I opened the door to see Shay waiting for me

"You did your own make-up. Oooh, you mean business, girl." She giggled.

I sighed and laughed as well. The anticipation was making me giddy and I was suddenly more full of confidence than I had ever been.


*************

We left the dorms around ten and went to the local pub round the corner. It was rammed full tonight and all around us were people laughing and joking. Hannah and Oli had joined us. I was still surrounded by couples.

Jack grinned and hugged me, "Welcome to the darkside."

"Ignore him, Kota." Tay grinned, holding Alex's hand.

Jack pouted and stalked over, trying to hug Alex. Tay started laughing and poor Alex was stuck between them. He sighed again, like he was surrounded by children. He met my gaze and escaped them.

"So, where's this guy of yours?" He asked.

"He said he'd be here in half an hour." I replied, checking my phone, looking at Jake's text from earlier.

I glanced at Shay and she grinned. Ashley was at the bar along with Oli. They seemed to be getting on a bit better. Oli wasn't one to hold a grudge though.

"Shay says you'll tell him tonight." Hannah appeared next to Alex.

I didn't reply, instead I blushed. Hannah smiled. She looked lovely tonight in a black dress with a love heart shaped hole in the back, showing off her beautiful tattoo.

I excused myself to rush to the toilets. My tummy was still in a flurry and nerves were setting in. I looked in ther mirror and took a steadying breath. I looked at my phone and left the toilets, slipping through the crowds.

I tried to glance over the heads of other people to see if Jake had arrived and I soon spotted him. There was someone standing next to him though and it looked like a girl. Perhaps she was just standing next to him.

I shimmied through the throngs of people and when I got closer I tapped him on the arm. He turned round and hugged me and the girl turned too. She was tall with long, wavy hair and beautiful eyes. She looked like a princess.

When Jake pulled back I was still staring at the girl. She was staring at me too. Was she a cousin?

"Kota, this is Ella." He didn't seem to sense my growing unease.

Ella smiled and I managed a weak smile back. He slipped his arm round her waist and it all clicked into place in my head. The few times we hadn't met up, the secret texts. Ella was the secret Jake had been keeping from me.

"It's nice to meet you." I nearly choked on my words.

"Likewise." Ella replied.

Jake disappeared to go and see Ashley and get a drink. I glanced back at Ella to see she was observing me. She didn't look annoyed, but she didn't seem to like me that much. I smiled again. It had become so easy to fake that I did it with ease.

"So, how long have you and Jake known eachother?" I wanted to see what she'd say.

"Since the end of October." She replied, confirming my beliefs.

My throat felt dry and I walked over to the bar, standing and waiting for someone to serve me. It was always rather difficult being so small. Someone tapped my shoulder and I glanced round to see Jake next to me.

"What do you want to drink?" He asked.

"I'm getting a Smirnoff." I mumbled.

"I can get it for you," He smiled.

"No, I'm perfectly capable of getting my own drink." I snapped, not meaning to. The mask of fakeness slipped and I carefully rearranged it.

"Hey, you all right?" Jake asked, great I had made him worry.

"Yeah, sorry. I'm just a little stressed about exams." I lied.

"Oh right," He still sounded a little worried, but grinned again. "So, what do you think of Ella?"

I opened my mouth to speak and my eyes met his. I nearly choked again and a sob almost slipped out. I masked it by nodding vigourously.

"Yeah, she's so nice." I grinned.

He smiled again and I realised I couldn't hurt him by telling him. It was my own stupid fault. I hadn't told him and now I had lost him to someone else.

I allowed him to buy me a drink and went to see Shay. I didn't want to disturb Jake and Ella by hanging around them. Eventually, I got bored of being around couples and went outside to the beer garden.

I sat on the bench and sighed. I had totally blown it and I felt like an idiot. A hand on my shoulder made me jump. Ashley was standing behind me, looking sympathetic. He sat down next to me and I smiled at him.

"Sorry about what happened. I had no idea about the girlfriend." He said, solemnly.

"Is she nice?" I really wanted Jake to be happy.

"Yeah, she's all right. I don't really know. Ella doesn't like me." He murmured.

I shifted a little and looked at my converse. A choked sob escaped and I rubbed my eyes. Ash seemed to realise I was upset and he cuddled me.

"There you are!" We both looked round to see Shay.

"Yeah, sorry for wandering off." I smiled, brushing away my tears.

Shay smiled too, but her mood shifted to anger. She was about to rant and I knew she wouldn't stop until she got it out her system.

"How dare he bring that gross bitch." Shay snapped.

"Don't worry about it. Besides it's my fault. I should have told Jake sooner." I whispered.

This slowed Shay's fury and she sighed. Ashley stood up and hugged her. She mellowed somewhat.

"Come on, let's go join the countdown." She walked towards me, patting my shoulder.

I stood and braced myself to go back inside. We got in just as the countdown to midnight was starting and I stood with my friends.

5

4

3

2

1

"Happy New Year!" The entire pub chorused. The faraway sounds of Big Ben could be heard along with fireworks.

Shay pulled me into a side-splitting hug. When she pulled away, Ashley hugged me. He and Shay shared a brief kiss. I stepped back, not wanting to interfere. I was pulled into a group hug by Kellin and a reluctant Vic.

Tay appeared and she hugged me. Alex went to hug me, but was attacked by Jack. I was given a sloppy kiss on the cheek from Danny and a hug from Ben.

Someone tapped my shoulder and I whirled round to face Jake. He opened his arms and I stepped back. He pouted and I relented, cuddling up to him. I breathed him in and sighed. Our moment was soon disrupted when Ella appeared.

She cleared her throat and we pulled apart. I didn't want to muck up their relationship. It wouldn't be fair. Ella made no move to wish anyone else a new year. Ashley approached her and smiled.

"Happy New Year, Elle." He smiled.

She narrowed her eyes at him and mumbled a 'happy new year' back. Shay was still glowering at her like she was an odor that she didn't like.

"Can we go somewhere else? This place sucks." Ella said, wrapping her arms round Jake.

"I want to stay here though." He replied.

"No, it's so crap." She whined.

Ashley rolled his eyes. The action was not missed by Ella and she stormed out. Jake groaned and walked after her, pausing to hug me and I watched him go. I decided to go home as well.

I sat in my room. I couldn't bring myself to feel too upset. I should have told him sooner and the thought ate away at my mind. I ended up falling asleep in my dress.

Notes