Heart Strings Version 2

HS Version 2 - Ch 1

I had no idea who Tony was but I laughed anyway, 'no, I actually love the name, I just don't think it fits you guys.'

Nathan shrugged then his eyes slipped back down to the drunken maidens at my feet. 'Are these your friends?'

'Yeah,' I admitted, somewhat reluctantly.

'I'm sure I know her from somewhere...' he began, signalling to Aimee.

I felt kind of miffed that he'd remembered Aimee but not me even though I'd sat next to him a couple of times. Then again, Aimee's outrageous hair colour

may have struck up a little memory in his head as it did so many others.

'Aimee Lloyd,' I told him.

He looked up, 'I thought so, and that's Mel Ali right?'

I looked down at her. Her long black hair was cascading down her face and shoulders, how could her know who she was and not know me?

'Yeah, that's her,' I told him.

Nathan smiled, 'are you being the good chaperone?'

'How do you mean?'

'You didn't drink too.'

I rolled my eyes, 'they found alcohol on someone I guess, none of us were supposed to drink tonight, Aimee is staying at my house and if my parents find out I'm not going to be allowed out for who knows how long-'

Nathan tilted towards me, causing me to lean away and into the wall, his smile intensified, 'I guess they know how to have fun then, don't they?'

My mouth opened and shut several times but nothing came out.

'Look, I've got to go now, the guys think I left my wallet in there,' he grinned cheekily. I didn't know where to put myself, was he saying that he'd told the other guys he'd lost his wallet so he could talk to me? 'I guess I'll see you on Monday then,' pause, 'Persephone...'

As he turned and left, I stood there shivering angrily. He knew I thought....

What an idiot!

Nick suddenly melted out of the shadows, freaking me out completely, as the taxi finally arrived.

'Who the hell was he?' he slurred, tripping over Mel and tumbling onto me. I pushed him back up. Surrounded by drunks... For goodness sake...

Nick was my boyfriend of just under two months and he tended to be getting drunk a lot recently.

'Just some guy,' I muttered, hauling Mel up.

She laughed as she come round and giggled groggily, 'I can see your sexy black panties.'

Nick smiled, 'Are you wearing my favourites...?'

The taxi driver stuck his head out of the car, an unfriendly scowl on his face 'y'ain't all coming in here are ya? 'ave 'ad enough o' drunks fer tonight I 'ave!'

I winced apologetically, 'sorry, it's just the girls and me, Nick,' I said meaningfully, 'is finding his own way home.'

'Oh Sephy, don't be so harsh,' he moaned, 'the guys all left and I wanna come home with you...'

I regretted telling him I was coming to the gig tonight.

'No, my parents don't even know that Mel is staying round tonight!'

Nick pouted.

'No-'

He took my hand, stoking the palm in a way that suggested he wasn't drunk at all. 'Please?'

I tried to hold out longer, but his finger on my palm tickled. 'Fine,' I sighed turning back to the taxi driver, 'please can my boyfriend come too? He won't be any trouble, and if he is I will chuck him out personally, I promise!'

The driver's scowl deepened as he gave a curt nod, 'as long as yer promise!'

I grinned a thank you and both me and Nick got Mel and then Aimee into the taxi and then we were on our way home.

Eventful night?

I think so.

~

When I woke up, Aimee and Mel were peering at me guiltily.

'Hi,' Mel said.

'Hey guys,' I said sitting up, 'where's Nick?'

Mel looked at the door as Aimee scratched her arm, 'he left.'

I furrowed my eyebrows, 'oh, okay. Did he say why?'

They shook their heads.

'Okay then.' I looked at them curiously. 'You guys are acting really weird...'

'Are we?' Aimee asked sitting back.

'Hangover the size of Russia,' Mel shrugged and stood up, 'I'm going to get some water. Do you guys want some?'

'Yes please!' I smiled. Aimee nodded and watched as Mel left the room.

After a moment she turned to me, an awkward look on her face. 'Nick was being a bit odd before he left you know, Seph...' she started.

My eyebrows rose, 'how?'

After a pause Aimee shrugged, 'just being kinda rude and stuff, you know.'

I grinned, 'like rude jokes and stuff you mean?'

'Kind of,' she sighed.

'He's Nick, Aimee, he's always rude.'

'I guess you're right. I just didn't like it.'

'Aww,' I reached over and ruffled my hand through her spiky hair. 'Sorry, I'll tell him off next time I see him, okay?'

'You do that!' she said firmly, a small smile playing on her lips, then she pulled me into a tight hug. 'I love you Sephy.'

I laughed a little just as Mel came back in with two cups, 'you are so odd Aimee!'

'Here you go,' she said slowly, concentrating on not spilling any water.

'Thanks,' we said simultaneously. Mel nodded and sat on the bed and watched us down our drinks.

'Right,' I heaved a sigh, 'what are we going to do today?'

_

After having breakfast, getting dressed (Aimee and Mel had to borrow some clothes), an hour or so of hair straightening, making up, and apologising over

and over again to mum about Mel's unexpected visit -thank God Nick had left, I'd have died- and then begging her for thirty pounds -I got twenty- we got on a bus to town.