RECAP: “Where are we going?” I asked as Lucy and I walked out the apartment and down the stairs.
“I thought maybe we could go shopping!” Lucy said excitedly.
“Sounds good.” I grinned back. We parked the car down and unfamiliar street and began to walk down the street passing many shops.
“Let’s get some coffee.” Lucy said, grabbing my hand and pulling me into a coffee shop.
“Fancy seeing you here.” A voice said from behind me. I turned around and groaned.
*
“Hi, Miles.” I sighed. Miles walked forward and kissed me on the cheek, lingering for a moment too long.
“You’re looking beautiful as ever.” He said, sounding cocky. Even though Miles was an egotistic prick I couldn’t help but feel a little attracted to him, after all he was extremely good looking. “Who’s your friend?” He asked, eying Lucy up and down.
“Not interested.” She said, looking at her nails like he meant nothing to her. I giggled when I saw the look on his face after a girl had shut him down.
Miles ignored her comment and averted his attention to me. “By the way, thanks for dumping Sam. That doubles my chances of getting with you now.” He said, adding a wink on the end.
“I’m taken.” I responded bluntly.
“Already? Geez, I thought I was supposed to be the one who gets around." He smirked.
“Listen here you pathetic prick,” Lucy started, “acting like cocky dickhead won’t change the fact you have a tiny penis.” She said stepping forward, challenging him to respond.
Miles opened his eyes and stepped back raising his hands up. “Woah, chill out, we’re all friends here.” He said.
“Fuck off.” She replied, picking up our coffees and linking our arms together. “Let’s go.”
“Holy shit… You’re so feisty! I love it!” I said once we had gotten outside. Lucy laughed, her voice was as clear as bells and she had a stunning smile. She really was beautiful, I don't know why Edward hasn't asked her to be his girlfriend yet.
“Sometimes I have to be a scary bitch to make up for my small size.” She said, her eyes twinkling.
“Man, you have got to meet my friend Victoria, you will be best friends, you're basically the same!” I said.
“It's impossible for someone to be as cool as me.” She responded jokingly.
We walked further down the street and stopped outside a costume shop. “What are we doing here?” I asked.
“Buying costumes, duh.” She replied. She grabbed my hand and pulled me through the door.
“Can I help you?” A creepy old man asked.
“Yeah, show us your sexiest outfits.” Lucy replied. My eyes widened in shock as we followed the man to the back corner.
“Oh my god, you have to try this on.” Lucy said, picking up a leotard that had no material covering the breast area.
“Hell no.” I replied, eying the piece. Instead a picked up a female cop outfit and brought it into the changing room. I pulled it on over my head after taking off my dress and pulled on some black pumps. The dress was short and practically pushed my boobs out of it, making me laugh at my reflection. I put the hat on my head and undid my dark hair from a ponytail and let it hang down. Grinning, I pulled out some red lipstick from my bag to complete the look.
“I’m waiting!” Lucy said in a singsong voice. I took one last look at myself before stepping out of the changing rooms and faced Lucy. “Girl where have you been hiding that body!” She said, making me grin.
“Come on it’s your turn!” I said, handing Lucy a short patent leather, red fire fighter costume and hat. Lucy laughed and ran into the changing room with it. A few minutes later she came out. “Holy shit you look hot!” Lucy and I giggled at our reflections and pretended to pose in front of the mirror. I nudged Lucy and nodded in the direction of the shop assistant who was staring with his mouth hanging open.
“Pedophile.” Lucy said loudly. The shop assistant’s face went bright red as he tried to act as though he was preoccupied folding costumes. We looked at each other and giggled. Even though I barely knew her I really liked Lucy, and I knew we would get along. “We have to buy these.” Lucy said. I nodded my head in agreement and went back into the changing room. “Where are you going?” She said.
“To get changed?” I replied.
“No we are going home like this, to surprise our boys.” Lucy said sternly with a mischievous smile.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea.” I started.
“Oh come on stop being so boring! I dare you!” Lucy said. I drew in my breath and sighed as I walked out of the change rooms and to the counter.
Walking down the street was one of the most embarrassing experiences. Every person we passed would stop to look at us or comment at us and every car we passed would beep at us. As we passed the coffee shop to get back to the car I saw Miles sitting inside drinking a coffee. He eyed my body up and down hungrily and then set his eyes on mine. His eyes practically popped out of his head and his mouth fell open when he recognised me. He stood up abruptly still looking at me and walked out the door.
“Ah, shit!” I said, grabbing Lucy’s hand and running down the street away from Miles. We finally reached Lucy’s car and leant against it, trying to contain our laughter and catch our breath. I turned around and saw that Miles hadn’t even followed us down the street. “Wearing these costumes on the street is dangerous!” I exclaimed.
“We should get a costume for everyday of the week.” Lucy said, winking, making me laugh.
*
A few minutes later we arrived back at Josh’s apartment and Lucy took out her keys to open the door. “Aren’t the boys home?” I asked.
“Nah, they went out.” Lucy replied.
“Then why did we wear these ridiculously slutty costumes home!” I whined, making Lucy laugh. Lucy groaned and smacked the door.
“I can’t bloody open this door!” Lucy said.
“How come you have a key?” I said, pretending to pout. “Here, let me.” I continued, twisting the key and opening the door. “That was eas-“
“SURPRISE!” A collection of voices yelled out as I stepped through the door. I opened my mouth in shock as I looked around and saw a few of my closest friends here. Tracy, Victoria, Nolan, Edward, Josh, Louis, a new girl clinging onto Nolan’s arm, a few other familiar faces and… Sam. My heart stopped as my eyes met his. He looked tired, depressed and extremely troubled as he stared me down.
“What is this!” I said, drawing eyes away from Sam.
“We never got to celebrate your 18th, so I thought I would bring a few of your mates over. By the way, I’m loving the costume, very sexy.” Josh said, winking at me.
“Shit!” I said, trying to cover myself up some more as the others laughed at me.
Loud pumping music was put on and people instantly started chatting and drinking. I made my way over to Victoria and gave her a hug. “You have to meet my new friend, Lucy!” I said, taking her hand and dragging her towards Lucy who was kissing Edward.
“Ahem.” I said, trying to get her to stop. Lucy didn’t even acknowledge me and continued to kiss Edward. I shrugged at Victoria as she raised her eyebrow at me.
“Skank.” Victoria said bluntly and loud enough for her to hear. Lucy stopped kissing Edward and turned around.
“Excuse me?” She said, stepping closer to Victoria.
“That got your attention.” Victoria said, smiling. She held out her hand. “I’m Victoria.”
Lucy’s face lit up. “Oh you’re Victoria!” She exclaimed, pulling Victoria in for a hug. “Always nice to meet a friend of my girl.” Lucy said, putting her arm around me, making us laugh.
“Hey.” Josh said from behind me. I turned around and smiled at him. I couldn’t help but notice how hot he looked in his black button down shirt, which had the first button undone and the sleeves rolled up. “I’ve been naughty. I think you need to punish me, cop.” Josh continued.
I groaned at the cheesiness of his joke. “Is that the best you can come up with?” I questioned. Josh grinned at me and pulled me in for a passionate kiss. I turned around so that I was leaning against the wall and pulled Josh closer to me for a deeper kiss.
“Get a room!” Victoria said, pretending to gag. I kissed Josh one more time and then stuck my tongue out at Victoria. I turned back around and locked eyes with Sam who looked extremely sad. I felt a rush of guilt overcome me as I realized I was kissing Josh in front of my recent ex boyfriend. He broke eye contact and picked up a bottle of vodka and took a swig before walking away. I slumped against the wall.
“I’m such an idiot.” I mumbled. “I’m just going to check on Sam, I’ll be back soon.” I said, squeezing Josh’s arm and walking away before he could protest.
I walked around the spacious apartment but could not find Sam anywhere. I eventually walked up the stairs that led to the roof top and saw Sam sitting on the wall with a bottle of Vodka resting beside him.
“Hi,” I said softly. Walking towards him. Sam looked up at me and then looked away. “How are you doing?” I asked, sitting next to him.
“perfect.” Sam mumbled.
“How’s Tracy and the baby?” I asked.
“The baby is healthy… I don’t know how Tracy is, she’s always out with her new guy friend John getting coffee or baby shopping or something. I don’t even know what he’s getting himself into seeing a pregnant girl.” Sam replied.
“Oh, so you don’t think you and Tracy will get back together?” I asked, saddened.
Sam scoffed. “Hell no.” He responded.
We sat in a non-awkward silence for a few moments. “Can I ask something?” Sam asked.
“Of course.”
“Why him? Why did you choose him over me? Was it because he’s better looking? More rebellious? More of a hero?” Sam said, his voice wavering.
“I don’t know. I can’t help the way I feel for him but that doesn’t change the fact that you were still an amazing boyfriend Sam and any girl will be so lucky to have you. You will make a girl very happy one day.” I said, reaching forward and squeezing his hand.
“Just not you.” He mumbled. “Do I even stand a chance anymore? Do I have to prove my love to you? I love you Lola, I love you.” Sam said, his voice husky and pained. I felt the tears brim my eyes as I dropped my head in shame and sorrow.
“I’m so sorry.” I whispered.
Sam suddenly stood up and grabbed my face in his hands, making me widen my eyes in fear. “Why are you afraid of me?” He whispered. My heart started racing as I thought about Jacob and what he had done to me. Was Sam going to hurt me?
“Please don’t hurt me.” I whispered. Sam stared at me and then pulled me into a hug.
“I would never hurt you. Never. I would kill for you, Lola. Kill for you. You’re all I want. We’re meant to be with each other, I’ll show you. I’ll prove it to you.” He gushed, putting his hands on my shoulders.
“Don’t hurt him.” I said sternly. “Don’t you dare hurt Josh.”
“I would never do something to make you sad.” He replied.
Relief washed over me as I grabbed his hands and slowly lifted them off my shoulders. I gasped when I saw deep red cuts crisscrossed up his wrist with no mercy or gentleness.
“Sam,” I whispered. My heart ached as I realized this was all my doing and that I was the cause of his pain.
“Don’t. Don’t say anything.” Sam said abruptly, pulling his sleeve down to cover it. “Let’s just sit for a while.”
I followed Sam to a bench and sat down on it next to him. I rested my head against his shoulder, the tears running down my face. Sam lifted his hand and softly stroked my hair.
“Hey are you guys okay?” A familiar voice said from behind me. I sat up and turned around to see Tracy standing there, looking nervously at Sam. “Umm, Sam do you mind if I steal Lola for a bit?” She asked.
“Yeah,” Sam said standing up. “See you round.” He said before walking off. Tracy watched him leave before briskly walking towards me and sitting down next to me with a concerned expression on her face.
“Hey, is everything okay?” I asked, a little worried.
“Yeah everything is fine it’s just I’m really worried about Sam.” Tracy said.
“Yeah so am I.” I replied sighing.
“No, like it’s really bad…” Tracy said.
“What do you mean?”
“Have you ever heard of psychotic depression?” She said, her face completely serious.
“You’re not saying-“
“-I am. I think he’s delusional. Mental. Crazy. I don’t know but he’s changed. He talks to himself, mumbling about things that make no sense, always talking about you, Josh and Jacob. He cuts himself but after he does that he’s really happy. I think he’s delirious.” Tracy said.
“We need to get him help then! Now! Before he does something stupid!” I exclaimed, standing up.
“That’s why I came to you. He will only listen to you. When we dated he never mentioned his dad except for the fact that he had huge issues, and now I’m worried he might have the same thing.” Tracy responded.
“I’ll go find him now. “ I murmured, hopping up and jogging down the stairs despite the fact I was in heels.
“Lola what is going-“
“- I can’t talk, Josh I need to find Sam!” I said, rushing past him.
“Tell me why.” He said, standing in front of me.
“This is not the time to do this, Josh! It’s an emergency!” I cried out.
“He’s gone, Lola. He’s already left.”