Ashley's P.O.V (Point of View)
The boys promised me they were coming back from Los Angeles after doing The Tonight Show With Jay Leno before today, but I still had no news from them. Not even a single text from Jay. Maybe they wouldn't talk to me because they were staying there more time than they told me and they weren't coming back for Nath's birthday? That was completely unacceptable. There was no way I was spending the day without him. I think it was the first time I celebrated his birthday since I saw him more than my personal nightmare.
- Hey, Ro! Today's the day, today's Nathan's birthday! Get up, get up! - I shouted-whispered at Roxanne, who was now half-awake.
She rubbed her eyes and stretched. - I thought you weren't into him anymore? -
I rolled my eyes. - Of course I still like him, you know... I just... Have been having confused feelings towards Patrick. -
She threw her pillow at me. - Told you that you shouldn't do it... You try really hard not to fall for that person but that's the thing you end up doing... -
I snorted. - What was I supposed to do? - I paused, but continued fast enough so she couldn't talk. - Anyway, do you think the lads are avoiding me? They haven't texted me... Well, Jay's the one who I always talk to but Max and Tom are both really close to me... And they know I want them here by today. -
- Wait. - she sat up in her bed, her eyes still half-closed, her hair messy. - You told me once that Jay always loses his phone, right? So what's the problem? Maybe he lost it... Again. What's your problem, really? You're acting like their mother - she chuckled.
- Hey, shut up, I'm just being concerned about them - I sighed. - You're probably right. I shouldn't be worrying that much. They're going to be here today... - I said it, trying to force myself to believe it.
The truth is that about 40 minutes later, at 7:56 Tom called me. My heart raced up as I picked up the call. - TOM! Oh my God please tell me you're in Boston already! -
- Hey calm down Ashnator... Right now we're in Atlanta, we had to make a stopover here. But the flight starts boarding like in 30 minutes. -
I calmed down. - Cool, cool. So, how's Nathan spending his birthday? - I unconsciously smiled whilst thinking about him.
- He's great. I mean, it kinda sucks that we had to be on a plane all morning but he's fine. - He cleared his throat. - Talking about him, actually, the lads plus Kelsey and Nareesha and me are thinking about throwing him a surprise birthday party, do you think you can help us? -
I didn't even think about it for a minute. - Well, of course! You just have to tell me what you're going to need and what you want me to do. -
- Basically what you'd buy for a surprise party... Oh! And Jay wants to make a cake with us so the ingredients for it, Nathan likes chocolate so I guess the cake's going to be a chocolate cake, and make sure to buy beer and stuff... For over-21s even though I know under-aged are going to drink as well. -
I didn't quite like the idea, but I guess all of their parties had alcohol, and I couldn't complain. - Okay, is there anything else you need? - I asked.
- No... - I was about to say bye to him but then he started speaking up again. - Oh! I almost forgot... Be sure to dress something sexy for him... Dionne's back in England so he's all yours! -
I blinked as I got out of my trance. - Tom, do you realize I'm not single anymore, right? - he didn't care what I say - And, just for curiosity... What's Dionne doing back at England? -
- She's doing an interview for a british magazine... Don't ask why! I think it's because of her upcoming album. -
- Oh, that's okay. Hmm, guess I'll volunteer to distract him so you lads can prepare everything... See you tonight, then! Have a great flight! -
- Bye Ash. - he hung up the call.
- Guess what? - I turned around, facing Roxanne, who was brushing her teeth. - We've been given the amazing task to throw Nathan a 19th-birthday party. -
We got changed and headed to Whole Foods to buy everything the lads needed to make the cake, and, luckily, Roxanne was there to help me, since she was an outstanding baker. Man, how I wish you could taste her banana muffin! It is out of this world. I might tell the boys to let her join them in their cake squad.
We picked up the flour, eggs, milk, chocolate, vanilla and basically everything for the cake, and then headed to Wal-Mart, to buy the alcohol and the decorations. It was pretty weird to stand in front of the beverages refrigerator and stare at the beers. I didn't know which one was good nor Roxanne. So, I decided to text Tom, although I thought he might not answer.
To: Tom.
"What beer should I buy?! I don't know anything! Please answer as soon as you see this."
We made time for him to answer and headed to the what-you-need-for-your-party spot at Wal-Mart. We bought a sign that said "Happy Birthday", some balloons and candles for the cake. We saw this really funny birthday card that said "Congratulations on succesfully not becoming a teen dad" and Roxanne bought it for him, I told her it had no point because Nathan was still a teen, at least until he turned 20, but she still bought it, and I knew it was a smart choice since Nathan was really sarcastic and would totally appreciate it. It also made me think: what on Earth am I giving him as a present?!
I got restless since Tom didn't answer, which was obvious, and thought about calling Big Kev and Nano, but then I remembered they were also on the plane with him. At the end, I remembered a beer that was quite popular in England: Guinness Beer and two that were popular in the States: Heineken and Bud Light. It was SO weird and awkward to buy that, especially because the lady checking our things in the check-out counter gave me a weird look, because she obviously noticed I'm not legal yet. That's when Roxanne came and rescued me while pulling out her ID for the lady to see she was 21, saying: - Excuse my sister, I just asked her to come with me. It's my boyfriends birthday and we're planning him a surprise party. - I was so grateful to have a friend like her.
- Right, we better hurry up. I have classes in 45 minutes. - Roxanne said after we payed for the things.
- Wait, when do you get out? - I asked her.
- I have a break like at 12 and then I have Biology class and then I have chemistry class, so I come out at like 4 o' clock. Why? -
- Oh... Since the boys are thinking of doing a cake to Nathan, I thought you could help them... -
- Oh come on! I also thought that as well! But I really wanna see the mess they're going to make. -
I laughed. - You're right... I didn't think about it that way -
After Roxanne left to her classes, I stayed alone in our room. I got a message from Tom indicating me that they already arrived. Since I was supposed to be the one distracting Nathan from the whole party, I wasn't going to see him until about 5 o' clock. I thought about what I was going to give him as a present, and came out with which I thought was a good idea: a mixtape for him. It was simple and home-made, and hopefully he will appreciate that.
I sat by my laptop and started thinking of the songs I should put on it. It wasn't as easy as I thought, because of that I started to think about his favorite singer Stevie Wonder and I casually remembered a song I once heard of him that was called "Never Dreamed You'd Leave In Summer" which was really ironic. Even the lyrics made sense: «You said then you'd be the life in autumn, said you'd be the one to see the way. I never dreamed you'd leave in summer, but now I find my love has gone away.» I decided to put it as a hidden track after the last song of the mixtape, so it wasn't that noticeable.
At the end, the songs I chose were: Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol, Somewhere Only We Know by Keane, Nothing by The Script, Come Home by OneRepublic, Standing On Ghosts by Two Door Cinema Club, Like We Did (Windows Down) by The Maine, Cable Car by The Fray, Wake Me Up / Hold Yuh by Ed Sheeran, Hometown Heroes, National Nobodies by All Time Low, We'll Be A Dream by We The Kings and Demi Lovato, So Far Gone by James Blunt, November 18th by Drake, You Probably Couldn't See For The Lights But You Were Staring Straight At Me by Arctic Monkeys, Isle of Flightless Birds by Twenty One Pilots, Laughter Lines by Bastille, Asleep by The Smiths and Last To Know by his own band. I also added Thanks For The Memories by Fall Out Boy as a hidden track as well as the Stevie Wonder song I mentioned before.
I felt a little bit sad for not knowing Soul and R&B songs like the ones he heard, but the truth is that I'm so much more into rock than anything else.
I grabbed a piece of paper and tried my best to do the mixtape cover and wrecked my brains to think about the title I was going to give to it. After a whole lot of thinking I came out with "Almost", because that little word resumed my feelings towards him: almost in love, almost real, almost forgotten. I hoped he wouldn't understand the deep meaning of it.
I burned the CD and put it on its casing and checked my watch. It was barely 1:30. I sighed, realizing that I had nothing to do for the next 4 and a half hours at least. I know it's going to sound stupid but I decided to go to classes, because after all, I was losing them for being with the boys, which whom I wasn't with right now.
I wen't to Mr. Broddy's class and I sat next to Patrick, so I talked to him about the surprise party that we were all planning to Nathan and invited him.
When my Wednesday classes were over, I headed over to my room and started thinking about a plan to make Nathan stay with me until everything in the hotel was okay for him to go. At that moment Roxanne arrived and hey-ed me, and I told her that I was thinking I was going to tell Nathan I was sick so he could come over, and that she (Roxanne) was out with Josh and that I wasn't asking Jay because I wanted to see him (Nathan) on his birthday. It sounded pretty believable, though. Then I started thinking about how I was going to make myself look sick, and I thought of the only thing that could activate my allergies in less then 5 minutes: dust.
- Okay, so, are you going over the lads' to help them with everything? - I asked Roxanne and she nodded. - Could you, um, take Patrick with you? -
- Why? -
- If Nathan's coming here, I don't want him to feel like he's being watching by Patrick. -
- That's fine. I'm going to tell Josh that I'm going to be ready in a few seconds so he can tell Patrick. -
And that's when I got my phone out, realizing that nearly 3 and a half hours ago I got another text from Tom.
From: Tom.
"McGuinness, if you find it, or just Heineken. Any brand, really, as long as we have booze, as you americans call it. ¿Did I mention we arrived here an hour ago? See you tonight. Xx"
I rolled my eyes at how little did Tom pay attention to me when I first met him.
To: Tom
"I'm not american and that's fine, I'll bring the 'booze' (thought I'd never say that!) and by the way Roxanne's coming over with Josh and Patrick to help you lads. Make sure Nathan's on his way here when they drop by. I'm going to text him right now so he can come over. Wish me luck Xx"
- Great, so I, um, I'm leaving right now. Did you tell any of the boys I was going there? - Roxanne asked.
- Yeah, just texted Tom. -
- Okay. - she nodded and then I said "see you later" and she waved from the door and then closed it.
And I was left alone, again, but not by that much. I knew I had several minutes until Nathan arrived, but before, I needed to let him know that poor little Ashley was sick.
To: Nathan.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYY LIL' NAAAAAAAAATH! I can't believe you're not so lil' anymore. I really wanted to see you today, but I'm afraid I don't know if I will. See, I've had this massive cold for the past few days and basically I'm bed-bound. I can't really do anything and God-it sucks. Right now Roxanne's out and Patrick's with his friends and I really do feel lonely. Could you, I mean, like, drop by? I'd feel so bad if I don't see you today. I know it's a lot to ask and you don't have to do it if you don't want to and, yeah, well. Happy birthday again! Text me back when you read this xxxxxx"
The message was followed by several minutes of biting my thumb nail and walking in around the room in circles, holding my phone in one hand. And then, the answer finally came.
From: Nathan.
"Thank you so much Ash. I'm sorry to hear that, and I do hope you're feeling better. I told the lads I didn't want to go out tonight, so I have nothing to do, and, well, it'd be good to go and see you. Heading over there right now! Xx"
And so I waited. And waited. And remembered I had to look sick for him. So I walked and cocked my head inside of the spot of the closet Roxanne and I weren't using, and even though we usually cleaned it up, it was full of dust. And I inhaled, and almost right away I sneezed, and sneezed again, and I knew that the reactions were now taking place in my body. My nose stung so I wiggled it, in part to calm the itching and part to make it red, so I could look even morse. Sure enough my eyes got all red and puffy and watery and I actually looked like I was sick. I half-smiled at myself in the mirror knowing that I accomplished my objective.
About 20 minutes later, I received a text from Nathan asking where was my room. I answered it and a few moments later there were three clean knocks on my door. I unconsciously -or maybe just a little- combed my hair with my hand and opened up the door, and the room was immediately filled with his scent.
Damn it.
What got over me? I don't know. What I know is that pulled him by his arms and closed the door of my room and I swung my arms in the air and they landed on his shoulders, allowing me to hug him. And I don't know what else got over me, but I lifted my legs off the air and wrapped them around his torso.
- NATHAN, HAPPY BIRTHDAY! - I almost screamed, though I controlled my voice so it couldn't be heard anywhere else in the dorm.
Nathan laughed and I put my feet on the floor and I hugged him again, but this time like two normal people would. I ran my hand up and down his back, saying "I'm so glad that you are here" and "God, you're getting old". I sank my head in his chest and tried to memorize every bit of him as I could in that moment, we were so close to each other. Finally, we broke off the hug and I could see him in the eyes, and I saw my own petite reflection in them, and felt how the blood rushed into my cheeks.
- Sorry, it was an impulse I couldn't control. - I dragged a lock of my hair and put it behind my ear.
Nathan chuckled again. - It doesn't matter, it was fun. - he kept on smiling at me, and then he added: - God, you look awful. -
- Thanks, exactly what I wanted to hear. - I rolled my eyes and walked to another part in the room, though I was kidding, I did it just to tease him.
- You're so moody - he said and snorted, extending his arm so he could put one of his hand on my waist for me to turn around. I indeed did.
- Stop. - I banged my palm against his chest, allowing myself to feel the warmth of it. Was it me or his heart started beating faster? And then I laughed, because I found it funny how we were alone together in a room, with nobody else within a radius of at least 1 mile, since everybody was either on classes or out with their friends, and I was craving him, and his heart accelerated at my touch, but still then we were so far away from each other.
I sneezed.
- Bless you.... - I thanked him. - You do look and sound awful... Your nose's all stuffy. Have you, I don't know, took some medicine today or....? -
- No, but I mean, I'm feeling better than I did two days ago. -
- Good to know. -
And so I lied in my bed because my head started aching, and it wasn't a lie: my head was really aching. And then I started to get sleepy, since Nathan made me take my allergies pill, and then I remembered, that I hadn't given him his present. So I stood up again and grabbed the CD I made to him, and told him to close his eyes. I put it on his hand and looked up again to his face and told them to open them. He first looked at the CD on his hand and then looked at me, frowning.
- I know it's not worthy of you or you fame and everything, but I made you a mixtape. It's just a little detail, but I put my heart on it, you know. I hope you like it. - I smirked.
- Ashley - he cupped my cheek. - I love it. It's the best present someone has given me. - he paused. - Even after the lads' gift. - he laughed under his breath and dropped his hand from my cheek.
I smiled. - What did the boys give you? -
He dragged his hand to the back of his neck, how he always did when he didn't want to tell me something or when he was nervous. - They took me to the Playboy Mansion in L.A. -
I crossed my arms. - Oh, so that's what they did? - I laughed - that's why you stayed longer there, right? You were supposed to arrive here two days ago, but you didn't. -
- Yeah... I guess so. -
- How was it? - I said, still laughing about it.
- It was cool... I mean, it's like Disneyland for men. There were girls everywhere and you just feel overwhelmed. -
I didn't know if I had to be mad that he was talking about women objectification, or to be mad that all men maybe were all the same. But I found myself jealous, because I wanted to be the only woman who Nathan Sykes looked in that way.
- Sounds... Good? I guess? -
And I dropped in bed and got sleepy again, and Nathan took a glimpse at his watch and then said: - I think I should to leave... You need to rest. -
- No, please stay. - the words came out of my mouth before I could even hold them back, and out of the blue Nathan walked from the chair that was at mine and Roxanne's computer desk to my bed, and sat on it, next to my hip. And then I realized how far apart we were: his underwear, his jeans, the duvet, mi sweatpants, my underwear. Five layers. Keeping. Us. Apart.
And that's when I realized that Nathan's hand was placed on my forehead, and that he just said something that I didn't quite hear. - huh? -
One of the corners of his mouth twitched, as if to smile. - I was telling you that you have a fever. -
- Really? I don't feel that bad, actually. -
- But you're hot... -
- Nah, whatever. Hey would you like to play the CD? I have a place to run it. - As of where the fever came, probably because I was wrapped in my duvet and the room was super hot. It raised my temperature a bit and sure Nathan didn't quite know when a person had a fever.
- Sure, why not? -
I stood up and put the CD in my old radio, and pressed play. Soon, the first song started playing and I turned around to find out Nathan eyeing suspiciously a hoodie that he was holding with his hand. My hoodie. His hoodie. The hoodie I took in the plane.
I felt paralyzed and I stopped walking, and then, my voice came out like a cat dying. - What's wrong? -
- Is... Is this my hoodie? - he asked, looking slowly from the hoodie to me.
I swallowed and spoke up again. - What.. What are you talking about? -
- It's just that, uh, I lost one last year, and this one looks just like the one I lost... It's the same color and size and all...-
- What? No, I mean, I'm pretty sure I bought that one last month... I can tell you the store where I bought it if you want to buy a new one... -
- No, no... It's okay. - he said, obviously he wasn't okay. - But why does it smell like men aftershave and cologne? -
- Patrick.... -
- Hmm... - he mumbled. - I just thought, I don't know, it is a coincidence that you have exactly the same hoodie I lost in our trip to France... - I shuddered, and after that, Nathan said: - I'm sorry. -
Why was him apologizing for? Had he felt the same burst of pain across his chest when he brought the trip up?
- Yeah, anyway. It was my favorite hoodie, but it doesn't matter. -
And the hours passed, and it was just the two of us there, sitting in my bed, listening to Nathan's mixtape over and over again and drinking Arizona tea I had on my mini-fridge. At one point, Nathan even started playing with my hair, that was a bit longer now -just 1 or 2 inches past my shoulders- and I told him to braid it, and his braid came out like knots that tangled all over my hair. I found that so cute of him.
I saw that I had a new message from Roxanne, so I unlocked my phone to read it.
From: Roxanne.
"Ash! Everything is already set up, you can come here whenever you want. :)"
I just wanted to text her "Hey cancel everything" because I wanted to stay with Nathan and make the moment last forever.
I noticed that it was already 7 in the afternoon, and Nathan had been there for 2 hours. I lost the track of time. Everything happened so fast when I was with him.
- Hey, Nath, um, it's kind of late and I fear that maybe the dorm counselor or even the dean might come up and do a check-out round on the rooms and if they see you here... I'm dead. Maybe we should go over to the hotel so I can say hi to the boys. -
- Are you sure you're feeling good? -
- U-huh. -
- Well, if you want to.... - he stood up and so did I, and I told him I was going to change my clothes so I did, in the bathroom. After I was ready, I grabbed a sweater from the closet and walked towards the door. I felt Nathan following me.
- I'm sorry you had to spend your birthday taking care of me... - I said and put my hand on the knob of the door, though I didn't open it.
- No problem, really. It was great to hang out with you. -
- I owe you one. -
There was a little pause before he added: - You've already given me everything I ever needed, wanted and more. -
I felt the hairs of my neck rising, and a cold rush going down my spine. I felt the urge to see his face. So I turned around, frowning.
But there was nothing else to see, not really. Just to feel.
I felt one of his hand placed on the small of my back, pressing me violently against his body, so violently that I got dizzy, and his other hand on my cheek. I didn't even see his lips coming until mine touched them. At first, I was startled and kept my eyes wide opened, and my hands were in the air, and I couldn't understand what was going on. Until I felt it. I felt it everywhere in my body. Every organ, neuron, every bit of blood in my anatomy felt it. I slowly started to relax my muscles and I found myself accepting his stolen kiss. I kissed him back and my hands found its way slowly to his hair, and I let myself enjoy it. Enjoy every single moment I haven't since I last kissed him. There wasn't a place of my body that didn't made contact with him, which burned my skin. His lips were warm against mine, and tasted like tea and mint, and I felt myself deepening the kiss. I didn't notice it before, but the moment became so fierce that we were now reclined on the wall of my room, completely kissing like as if it was food and we have been starving for days, his body pressing mine to the wall and I thought I couldn't breathe well.
And then I grabbed his hand by the wrist and took it off my face, and we broke off enough to make our bodies two again, instead of one. His eyes wide-opened like mine, our heavy breaths mixing, our chests running out of control. - Nathan... - was all I said.
- God, I'm so sorry. I-I, it wasn't my intention, not really I just... -
- I-It's okay... Let's just, um... - I couldn't find the words, I was on another planet right now. - let's just pretend it didn't happen. -
Except that we couldn't, because it happened. It did, and I felt it vivid against my flesh, my lips on his, my body merging with his, our hearts in compass.
And the most heated moment of the year so far happened because it never occurred anything to us of how much we craved each other. Because he didn't think about his actions.
He didn't think: I'm not going to kiss her because she is sick and it's contagious.
He didn't think: if I get sick as well I'll get a sore-throat and will not be able to sing.
He didn't think: if I'm not able to sing, I can't do the fund-raising concert.
He didn't think: she's got a boyfriend, I got a girlfriend. We're both in a relationship.
And whatever our relationship status was, he shouldn't have done it. Because it was so wrong in so many ways, but right in the least expected way: our way.
As we drove to the Revere Hotel (Nathan insisted on driving, for which I told him "take care of my baby" and then he replied "It's not like you're not coming with me") I couldn't stop thinking about what had happened 7 minutes ago. It was the last thing I thought was going to happen in that day. I mean, it was dangerous enough to have Nathan alone in a room with me, but I knew I was going to be able to control my impulses, as of Nathan was going to be able, I didn't know.
But honestly, that kiss was something I was going to treasure for the rest of my life, even if Nathan slowly forgot about me and if I started drifting appart from my memories of him and sat all wrinkled-up in a rocking chair when I was 70-something. I'd always remember the taste of his lips in that moment -mint and tea-, the way he was the one who stole the kiss from me, and the way that it caught me totally off guard. I didn't care what people thought or felt about me or him in that moment: it was all about allowing myself to be selfish. I honestly enjoyed it. I felt like all the months of suffering and questioning my life were worthy. And it all summarized in that kiss.
The only thing I couldn't stop asking myself was whether Nathan did it because he felt as desperate as I was regarding to feel his lips against mine and our bodies colliding, or because if it was the thing you did after telling someone "you've already given me everything I ever needed, wanted and more", as if he felt like he was obliged to do it, like kissing a person underneath a mistletoe on Christmas or saying "thanks" after someone provided you help.
I hope it was the first option, anyway.
As we turned left on Arlington Street, I realized that the only voice who spoke in all the way to the hotel was Karen's one (the name Roxanne gave to the lady who said the directions on my GPS). At least it wasn't that awkward, I thought, since I was deep-thinking all the way here. But as I came to realize it, it did became awkward and uncomfortable as hell. I turned to my left to contemplate Nathan as he drove: both of his hands on the steering wheel, the muscles of his hands tensed so you could see the shadows the street lightning casted on them that reflected on his pale bronze skin, his jaw tightened, that little muscle of the upper right part of his cheekbone jumping now and then, his eyes set straight into the road. Suddenly, as I got lost on the perfect figure that made his upturned nose on his profile, he turned around and and looked at me for at least 1 second before getting his eyes on the road again.
- What? - he asked, with half a smile plastered on his face.
I hesitated, finding the right answer. I bit my lip. - Nothing I just, uhh, I like, umm... - nothing came out. - yeah... -
I looked to the opposite side of him -my right- and watched as the cars passed by whilst the public lightning reflected on their ceilings, wondering if I was ever going to be able to tell Nathan a well-put together sentence without uhhs or umms or likes or yeahs that made sense. I was hopeless. In that exact moment Nathan chuckled under his breath, so I closed my eyes and exhaled, feeling how I blushed. I was so embarrassed.
- Your destination is 100 meters to your left. - Karen, the GPS, said, and I have never felt so relieved to hear her robotic-like voice.
- We're here I guess. - Nathan parked the car and stopped the engine, and then dropped his hands to his thighs and turned to my side. I wasn't sitting properly on my seat, and my head was now in the half of the backrest, and my body was all bent and I just looked like jelly, the way it'd be when you're on your laptop and at the beginning you sit properly but then you just slide down the sofa, wall, chair, or anything you're sitting/resting your back on. I was resting my chin on my open hand, so it was spreading across my mouth, and I wasn't able to speak. I had my favorite oversized sweater on, so it covered my hand's fingers completely. I bet that made me look as if I was 15 and not 18-almost-19.
I felt Nathan's eyes strong on my body, and I tried not to think about it. A couple of moments passed and neither he or me did something, so I decided to take the lead. I put a lock of hair in the back of my ear and started talking: - Alright, then. Are you sure the boys are here? -
- Yeah, I mean, at least I hope so, if they'd gone out they would've texted me or something. Anyway, if they're not here is not as if we missed the ride, you can still be with me. - his mouth twitched and, as if I could read his mind, I supposed he wanted to get closer to me, just as I wanted to get close to him and hug him.
I realized I was now staring into his eyes, so I sighed and looked through my window. I bit my lip once again, feeling that it was already swollen up. - Yes, sure. - I confirmed, trying to fit my brain into the idea that if there was actually nobody in the hotel, I could still be alone with Nathan.
After feeling his heavy eyes on my the back of my neck, he opened the door with an "all right" and got out. I did the same thing and met him to cross the street. We got to the doors of the hotel and fortunately there weren't paparazzis around, which saved me from being national and international news -I mean those were the consequences of being seen with Nathan- and it's not that I wasn't used to that, but I really didn't like it when I was in the spotlight or that sort of thing.
We entered the lobby and soon enough were heading up in the elevator, something I found quite uncomfortable, because the elevator was so humid and I was wearing a sweater and I could just feel how the sweat rolled down my neck, not just because of the ambient, but because I knew that everybody was wating for us and I felt anxious about it.
We went to Big Kev's room because I said "I wanted to see the boys", so he nodded and came with me. I cleared my throat before knocking the door, but I didn't because Nathan remembered that Nano asked for more keys to the boys so they could easily open it up, since they all meet in that suite occasionally. He slide the cardkey and the knob released a green light, meaning it was opened. I turned the knob and opened the door and waited for it to come, but...
Nothing. Nothing came.
I noticed how inside the room there were all my friends, just chatting and drinking Coke.
But there wasn't a "SURPRISE!!!".
I raised my eyebrows as I opened my eyes even more, and noticed that Roxanne, who was talking to Patrick, was now turning around when her eyes met mine. "Crap" she muttered and then, as if what just happened wasn't obvious, she put her cup in the table, raised her arms and screamed "SURPRISE!!!!"
Nathan laughed behind me.
Soon, everyone in the room was screaming "Surprise" like they just noticed that we were there. I rolled my eyes, but couldn't help to be mad at them, since Nathan's laughter joined the screams in the air. I turned around and saw that he was almost bent from laughing, so that his arm was spread across were his abs were, meaning that maybe they hurt from laughing so much. A big smile escaped my lips and I gave a step towards him and hugged him, whispering in his ear: - Happy 19th Birthday, Sykes. -
When I backed off the hug, I noticed that he was still slightly laughing -I couldn't blame him, our attempt of surprising him as soon as he walked in was executed poorly- and then, just when he managed to start talking again, he said: - That was SO funny. Like, seriously lads, you need to work on how that. It always happen, always. Rememeber Max's party last year? - he laughed - and then Siva's one two years ago? I blame Tom. -
- You're... welcome? - said Jay giggling and then Nathan started speaking up again, this time in a serious voice tone.
- Yeah, yeah! I mean, of course! Thank you so much mates, I had no clue, I thought you were only taking me to the Playboy Mansion and then forgetting me for another year until my next birthday, because I know it is your excuse to drink until you pass out without getting Scooter or Nano mad. - he said with a smile on his face, then added, just loud enough for me to hear him: - as if you don't attempt to do that every night. -
He walked towards the center of the suite to hug everyone and thank them, but not before turning around and mumbling "thank you, Underwood" to me. I felt how I blushed, so I walked straight to Patrick and greeted him.
The night passed on and I was pretty sure that it was almost midnight when Kelsey entered the room with a karaoke machine and plugged it to the TV. Everyone got on the list to sing and they actually did. I've never in my life wished for my phone to be charged more than that night: you had to see The Wanted signing like they didn't actually know what signing was. Pretty hilarious. Especially Siva.
It was pretty funny to see how everybody got slowly drunk and I stayed sober, just because you got to see the dumbest side of people. Tom and Kelsey couldn't even walk straight -but that was to expect- and Max went around the room asking if he could touch our ears. I know his ear fetish was something normal to almost everyone, but when he was drunk, it felt as if he were having sexual intercourse with it. It was something you couldn't just simply witness everyday.
Anyway, probably everybody in the room but me and maybe, just maybe Nareesha, drank but not everybody got drunk.
We sang happy birthday to Nathan and ate the cake up, which was actually pretty good and did not look like an actual wreck nor mess. I did know Jay was good in the kitchen, but I thought that if Tom or Max helped him, I was going to find, I don't know, maybe a penny or a dime in the cake.
I checked my clock and saw that it was 3:11am, and due to all the things I done that day, I was pretty tired. I told Roxanne, Josh and Patrick that maybe we were supposed to get going. All of them weren't heavy drinkers, instead, Roxanne and Josh were responsible ones, and Patrick, well, he drank just a little more than them but he had good enzymes in his liver -he looked as sober as I was. We started to say goodbye to everyone and I told Roxanne to go to the car and start it whilst I went to the bathroom.
After I did, I opened the door and saw Nathan resting his body on the wall in front of the bathroom, facing towards the door of it. My heart went all loco as my brain went round and round, a hundred miles per second. My lips formed a thin line as Nathan took two steps towards me, and stayed there, just inches away from my face. Suddenly he leaned in, and I instinctively closed my eyes, but instead of kissing me -like I thought he was going to do and I was going to let him to- he put his mouth next to my ear, and took the lock of hair that covered it and put it behind it, and whispered, in the most seductive and soft voice I've ever heard in my life:
- Thank you for the best birthday gift ever. -
And with that said, he planted a kiss on my cheek. Wait, no, not on my cheek. He kissed me on the corner of my mouth, his lips just slightly touching mine.
And that made me think about what he just whispered, in the most seductive and soft voice I've ever heard in my life.
Maybe, just maybe, he wasn't talking about the mixtape. At all.