‘So what are we doing tonight, birthday boy?’ I say, linking my arm through his. I feel overly flirty, but I need him to start seeing me in a different way. Hopefully he already has.
‘Well, I’ve invited all my friends to Bravos. I think we’re meeting them at seven?’
Wait, what? I think back to our original conversation – he had mentioned going out with his friends.
How am I meant to confess my undying love in front of a bunch of strangers?
It’s okay, I can wait until we get back to his house. You can see stars in the sky at night, which would be a romantic setting. I can do this.
When we get to Bravos, I realise it’s a pool bar, with some arcade games in the corner. I didn’t know Ollie is so into pool. He had barely touched a cue when we lived next door.
‘This isthecool place to hang out,’ he says, letting me in. ‘So I booked a bunch of tables for us to play at.’
Soon everyone starts to filter in.
There are three guys and two girls. One redhead girl, one blonde girl, two dark-haired guys and one blonde guy. With their pristine clothes and discerning looks, I feel like I’m standing out.
‘Team, this is my oldest and dearest friend, Selena,’ says Ollie. ‘We’ve literally known each other our whole lives. Selena, this is Thom, Scott, Mike, Keeley and Diane.’ He points at each one in turn but I have a hard time remembering the names, let alone remembering who they belong to.
‘Nice to meet you,’ I choke out with a smile.
The red-haired girl, who was pointed out as Diane, rushes to me and gives me a hug. ‘We’ve heard so much about you,’ she says with a northern accent.
I exhale. Okay, this will be fine. I hug her back.
‘Really looking forward to hanging out with you this weekend,’ I say. And I mean it.
‘Let’s get this party started!’ says Ollie, holding up the cue.
Ollie and another guy start to play pool. I hover by the corner of the table. I had imagined more catching up time, but I guess wecan do that later. A couple of people who have turned eighteen already grab alcoholic drinks, but I am not keen on breaking the law this far from home, so I stick with Coke.
‘Hey,’ says Diane. ‘Do you know how to play pool?’
‘No, not really,’ I confess. ‘But maybe tonight I’ll learn.’
‘I like the attitude,’ she says, laughing. ‘Is this your first time in Manchester?’
‘Yes. I went to look around Liverpool uni yesterday – kind of by accident – then came straight here.’
‘That’s so funny, I’m mostly looking at London,’ she says.
‘Why?’
‘Because I want to get out of here, you know?’ She casts her arms around. ‘There’s got to be something more than the life I know. Not just London, but Scotland too. I want to get away. If going abroad wasn’t so complicated and expensive I would do it.’
I stare at her. ‘I can’t imagine wanting to leave anywhere that bad. My friend does too, but she’s crazy ambitious.’
‘Fair. It’s not ambition for me, really. I think the future is wide and interesting, and if I don’t grasp it now, when will I ever?’
When will I ever?The words ring through me, and I stare at her.
‘Anyway, how’s your time been exploring Manchester? We’re so glad you’re here.’
‘It’s been great to look around,’ I say. I don’t tell her I thought it was going to be just me and Ollie. I’m trying to get over how crushed I feel about it, by focusing on how nice Diane is.
‘That’s good,’ she continues, oblivious to my feelings. ‘I know tonight he really wants to celebrate his eighteenth.’ She looks at me and smiles. ‘I’m so glad you made it for him. It must be rubbish to turn eighteen and not have all your old friends there.’
‘Well, it looks like you are all pretty close already,’ I say, watching Ollie grab his opponent around the neck in a bear hug.
