Supine 'til Aurora • Dan Howell

• Chapter 13 •

"Heya. Ashton and Alex just dropped off your clothes. Actually, they're downstairs right now trying to eat my chocolate crepes and I'd help you get ready but I'm scared if I don't go down there now all of my desserts will be gone." He said hurridly, before closing the door and leaving me to get ready.

Quickly, I slipped the black cocktail dress on, struggling with the zip on the back for a moment, pulling on my black heels before making my way along the corridor to the stairs. As I got down stairs, people began to arrive, everyone in shirts and dresses; much more formal than usual.

It didn't take long for me to locate Alex and Ashton, they were across from the main kitchen in the games room, yelling as they messed around with the football table.

Ashton glanced up at me, "Wow. You look nice." He grinned before going back to the game.

"Thanks."

"I know why she's dressed up." Alex turned to look at me as he rapidly span the plastic handles of his players and scored a goal, causing Ashton to leap up out of pure disgust.

"Why?" I asked, sitting down on the red couch opposite the football table.

"Because Dan's coming." Alex smirked, as he scored another goal.

"Are you even trying?" He said to Ashton who was now glaring at him.

"Can a girl not dress up for herself?" Walking across to the table, I stood on Ashton's side of the table. "Play." I ordered.

Alex span the ball across the table, I blocked it, and flung it back across the table, and right into the goal.

"No!" Alex slammed his hand down on the edge of the table.

"And that's how it's done." Clapping my hands together I began walking away, "I'll catch up with you guys later; I'm gonna go mingle."

Exiting the room, I headed down the corridor into the main area, where there was a bar and music, and a hired stage for karaoke that Oliver had insisted takes place.

The room was hot and sticky already from the amount of people all in there. Curtains drawn, the only lights came from the yellowed stage lights above me, clouding the air with dust from their rusted joints.

"Ava?" A shrill voice piped from behind me, and I span around.

"Ivory? Hey!" I wrapped my arms around the short girl, her blonde hair pinned up in a large wrinkly bun.

"How are you?" She smiled, cheeks flushed, eyes bright.

"Great, you?"

Ivory was Oliver's ex girlfriend, though they remained on okay terms. She was a really sweet girl, and I was glad Oliver had plucked up the courage to invite her tonight.

"I'm wonderful." She grinned again, strands of hair falling from her bun, and looking unfairly cool. "Guess what?" She raised a perfectly manicured hand up to reveal an icy diamond ring on her finger.

"Wow! Congratulations!" I exclaimed, wrapping my arms around her in a second, briefer, hug. "Who's the lucky guy?" 

She chuckled, "you don't know him. I went to university with him, and we got back in content pretty soon after my last term there. Dating since, and he proposed last fall. You should meet him- we should have lunch!" Ivory beamed, placing a tanned hand on my arm, "I would so love to go out for a meal with you and- sorry, I didn't ask... are you seeing anyone right now? We could double date!" 

Ivory was always excitable, and I appreciated her need to include as many people as possible, but this just seemed to serve as a cold reminder, that I wasn't in fact seeing anyone.