Chapter 4

OLIVER

Casey and the others had already started sleepover games without me and Rick but I was too grumpy about someone else to care.

Casey must have noticed I wasn’t in the best mood because at some point during the game activities, he drew me aside and asked what’s up.

“Nothing’s up,” I muttered.

Casey gave me an unimpressed look.

After a moment, I gave a sigh. “It’s him.”

Casey seemed to understand. Of course he’d also been on the receiving end of Jude’s friends. He gave me a hug, told me if I needed anything he was there and went back to playing Karaoke with JJ, Rick and Vanessa.

Rick was casting worried glances at me but I kept smiling at him because there was no way I was telling him I disliked his brother. He knew that Jude and his friends would sometimes bully people but he didn’t know I was among those people. Plus I wanted to smack him. He’d told me Jude would be asleep during this sleepover(because, according to him, Saturday nights were cosy nights for Jude).

That was literally the only reason I had agreed to come even though Rick didn’t know it. He’d probably assumed I was asking because I wanted to meet up with Jude. Yuck.

I turned to my sleeping bag and, after ensuring noone was looking, took out my teddybear, Mr Lumpkins. I know, I know- a guy like me is too old for stuffed animals but Lumpkins was there for me during my tough times when I couldn’t tell anyone about my issues(even Casey and Rick). I’d cry myself to sleep with him. He was my safe space.

I hugged him and whispered, “I met with him again.”

Mr Lumpkins stared at me.

“I thought it’d be different this time. I thought I wouldn’t get bothered.”

Mr Lumpkins slumped his head forward.

“I know that, Lumpy but I thought I wouldn’t meet him tonight of all nights. It’s a sleepover.”

After a long moment, I lifted his head. ” You’re right, Lumpy. I shouldn’t let a guy ruin my night. A really hot but despicable guy.” I pressed a kiss on his cheek.” I love you. You always get me.”

I stuffed him back in the sleeping bag and turned towards my friends, a determined spark radiating in my chest.

Beyonce’s ‘Crazy in Love’ started playing. Vanessa was singing to it while the rest cheered her on. Her strawberry-blonde hair swayed from side to side as she gyrated her petite hips, her ocean-blue eyes fixed on Rick who looked like he would start humping her at any minute.

Those two were so cute, I thought with a small smile.

Vanessa’s eyes slid slowly to the back of the audience as she launched into the song’s chorus. “Wanna sing this next part?”

I thought she was talking to Casey but then, with a jolt, I realised I was at the back of the audience.

“Um no thanks,” I said, hoping noone could see me blush.

Truth be told, I was a terrible singer. And second, I hated being the centre of attention.

Vanessa shrugged but shot me a demure smile. As she finished the song, she stepped towards Rick and gave him a sweet kiss, causing Casey to cheer loudly.

JJ chuckled at his boyfriend then proceeded to pick a random paper from a glass bowl full of paper wraps. We’d invented this method of picking a game randomly in order to give it a squeeze of life and spontaneity.

“Oh this is interesting,” he said as he read, “Dare or Scare.”

It was a cheesy game Casey and I made up where couples/two people would either do a dare suggested from each other or a scare from hand-made cards that Casey and I wrote.

Part of why I cherished this game was the fact that it brought out a wilder,bolder side of me. Problem was it was a two people game.

“I don’t have a partner,” I said after everyone else had paired up.

Rick frowned. “Oh,” he glanced at Vanessa and an agreement seemed to pass between them.” You can have my spot then-“

“No,” I held up a hand and smiled. “You guys enjoy. I’m going to sleep.”

“But Ollie…” Casey stared but I shook my head.

“I’m fine,” I said, picking up my sleeping bag and heading towards the door. “Bye guys…”

The door opened on its own and a figure stepped inside. All the air rushed out of my lungs.

“Hey guys,” Jude said. He was out of his hoodie and wearing a dark green t-shirt with grey cotton shorts. “I’m bored. Can I join you?”

Behind me, I heard Vanessa exclaim happily, “Yay! Right on time. You can be Oliver’s partner.”