‘Look who’s back from the dead,’ says Kira, appearing at the door, crossing her arms.
‘Ah, my favourite antagonist,’ says Ollie. ‘Hear you got into LSE, congratulations.’
‘How’s Oxford Law going?’
‘Got my interview coming up,’ says Ollie. ‘I’m sure it’ll all be fine.’
‘Okay, no bickering tonight, it’s my birthday,’ I say, holding up my hands before Kira can get annoyed at Ollie’s ease about university.
‘If the birthday girl asks,’ he says, swinging his arm around me and kissing the top of my forehead. ‘I have to comply.’
I feel the kiss burn where his lips touched my forehead, my mouth suddenly dry.
Kira rolls her eyes and goes back into the kitchen.
The party starts to go at full force. Kira takes control of the music, blasting out a mix of pop bangers and dance music I’ve never heard before.
I talk to all my friends from school, feeling like this is about me, and everything is going right. Ollie and I take selfies in front of my bedroom door, a tradition we’ve done on every birthday since we’ve got mobile phones.
Around ten p.m., Tori shows up with her boyfriend, Michael, and three of his friends. I breathe out a sigh of relief when I see them. All in button up check shirts, awkwardly looking around. They looked like the type of guys to take DnD to a party rather than MD.
Tori hugs me as she comes in, dressed in an oversized fur coat. ‘I’ve come Gatsby themed,’ she says, taking off her coat and showing me her fringe dress. ‘You know, since we’re studying Gatsby.’
‘That’s fun,’ I say, nodding. It’s completely unnecessary, but Tori obviously wanted to dress up.
‘We don’t get invited to too many parties,’ says Michael, sticking out his hand. I shake it and it feels rather formal.
‘I’m glad you made it.’
‘We’ve been drinking all day,’ says one of the checked shirt boys, swaying slightly.
‘But we’ll be good,’ says another one, looking very anxious.
‘We’ve all been drinking,’ I say smiling, trying to put them at ease. ‘Come on in, there’s some more drinks in the kitchen.’
A few moments later I’m standing around my kitchen island with my new friends, when Ollie pulls me over to the side.
‘You looked like you needed rescuing,’ he says, nodding over to Tori and the boys. They’re passing around a bottle of vodka, taking little sips straight and then wincing.
‘Ah they’re okay,’ I say, laughing. ‘Kira’s going to be mad at the lack of eligible bachelors. I don’t think they’re her type.’
‘WhatisKira’s type?’ says Ollie. ‘Anyway, what did you do today, birthday girl?’
‘Oh, today I went out with—’ I look at Ollie and panic. I don’t want him to think I was on a date with Ty. It was friendly. Mostly.
The doorbell rings.
‘I’ll grab that,’ I say, using the excuse to duck away.
This time it has to be Ty. I look at my phone. It’s nearly eleven. Why is he so late? A new thought: Ty and Ollie. In the same place. Why does that make me feel so uncomfortable?
I open the door. It is Ty. He’s changed from what he was wearing before: he’s now in a green shirt and jeans.
‘You look good,’ he says, hands in his pockets. It’s such a casual statement, but it causes my heart to lift.
‘So do you,’ I say, meaning it. He does. The green picks up on his ever-changing eyes.
‘What’s going on?’ says Ollie from behind me.
