365 Days

153

153

It's beyond late by the time we get into our tents; warm clothes on, sleeping bags zipped up. The lapping of the water against the sand is the only sound buzzing through the early hours of the morning, the moon shining through our squishy tent.

The tent is a tad too small for the two of us so our arms are constantly touching, which is kind of annoying because Alex won't lie still.

"Alex," I groan, turning to lie on my side so that I have a bit more room. I tug the sleeves of my jumper to cover my hands, still cold inside the sleeping bag.

"I swear I'm trying," he mutters, moving again. After ages more – ages meaning a few minutes – of Alex's twisting and turning, he finally finds a comfortable spot and stays still.

"What are you doing for New Years?" Alex asks randomly. I squint one of my eyes open and scan his face which is looking up at the roof of the tent.

I try to think to the end of the month which realistically is only a couple of weeks away. We graduate this week and then our high school life is over, then there is Christmas Eve and Christmas and Boxing Day and all the celebrations that come with those occasions, and then a few days later is New Years Eve and New Years Day. It's a busy family holiday for me but New Years Eve I am free.

"Nothing, why?"

A smile lights Alex's face. It's a little bit cheeky but mostly genuine. "I'm having a New Years party and have been wondering if you want to come?"

Sneaky bugger; getting me to say I'm doing nothing before making plans so that I can't really refuse.

"I guess," I tease him, rolling to lie on my back. "I guess I can make an appearance."

I find it hard to believe that not so long ago I could hardly bear to be in the same room as Alex and now, that's all I want to do. I used to find him annoying and insensitive and an egotistical prick, but now his annoyingness is cute, his insensitivity is nonexistent and his ego, well, that hasn't changed a bit.

"Good, because I have something to tell you."

I'm curious. "Tell me," I say, before adding "Please."

"You're so impatient," he chuckles. I kick him in the leg mermaid style and I get too lazy to move them back so they stay on top of his legs.

"And you're so irritating," I groan, letting my eyes close of their own accord.

"And you're cute." He pinches my nose.

"You're weird."

"You're tired."

"So are you."

"Touche." He lowers his voice. "We should sleep. We have to hike back tomorrow.'

"Technically," I say with a smirk. "It's today."

I can imagine his eye roll behind my closed lids, the image of which makes me laugh.

"Whatever. Ich liebe dich."

I really need to find out what that means. Is he insulting me? Complementing me? Saying some obscure phrase that has no true meaning? I can't tell.

"What if I said that back to you?" I threaten, trying to cancel out the possibility of an insult.

"Go ahead." There's a smile in his voice so I elbow him, before moving to rest my head in his shoulder. He's so warm, like a hot water bottle.

"Ich liebe dich," I say. My accent is non-existent so the phrase sounds horrendous, so much so that I wince.