Page 76 of Matched Up

‘You wanted to show me the Switch?’I said, confused.

‘Just wait.You’re so impatient.’

I watched as he turned onMario Kartand went on to one of the Bowser’s Castle levels.‘Just watch.Next time you play Niall, use this cheat.’

I watched as Hunter cheated with Toad, my favourite character.

‘Amazing,’ I said.‘I’m definitely going to use that.Thanks, Hunter.’And because I wasn’t thinking straight, I was just enjoying not thinking about Shane, I was back in time, playing Nintendo with Niall, when losing a Grand Prix wasthe biggest worry I had.And I was too late.For everything.It was like a slow-motion car crash that I couldn’t stop.

Hunter put down the controller and turned round.He put his hand on my leg and leaned towards me.But my head was spinning, and although I knew I wanted to get out of his way, whatever signal that went from my brain to my legs wasn’t working properly.So I just sat there as he kissed me.

‘Lexie?’I heard.

I pulled away from Hunter, pushing his chest away from me at the same time.Then I turned towards the stairs, and I have never hated myself more.

Shane.Standing there in his tracksuit, quarter zip up to his chin, pain in his eyes.And right beside him?Zoe.

Shane was staring at me in utter shock and Zoe looked like she was about to burst into tears.

‘Shane,’ I said, horrified.

He shook his head, turned round and walked down the stairs.

‘Hunter, what the fuck?’I looked at him, then pushed his shoulder.‘Why did you do that?’I stood up and walked towards the stairs.Zoe had disappeared.‘You’re withZoe.And I’m …’

‘You’re what?’

I didn’t want to waste any more time on him, so I ignored his question and stumbled down the stairs to find Shane.How could I have been so stupid?I knew what Hunter was like.I pushed past people on the stairs and scanned the hallway, looking for Shane.

As soon as I reached the bottom step, Zoe was in front ofme.Amina’s arm round her shoulder, tears streaming down her face.

‘You just couldn’t help yourself, could you?’She looked pissed off and on the verge of tears.

I felt so sick.‘What?’

‘You knew I wanted Shane and then you took him, and now I can’t even have Hunter?Niall told me you were upstairs, so I was just showing Shane where you were.I didn’t … Just why, Lexie?’She could barely get the words out through her tears.

‘I don’t want Hunter.He kissed me,’ I slurred.Then I walked away.I needed to find Shane.

I went outside into the freezing night and shouted his name so loudly that my throat hurt.Then I phoned him.Again and again and again.No answer.I didn’t even try and stop the tears.I walked back inside, grabbed the closed bottle of whatever spirit was on the sideboard and took a huge swig, bringing it back outside with me.

Then I went to the beach.There were kids all over the garden, but I hoped nobody would be there.I breathed in the salty air, hoping it would calm me down, but only the bottle of vodka in my hand had any chance of doing that.I walked over rocks and seaweed and headed straight for the water.I walked in, still wearing my trainers, and thought about the night here with Shane.

‘I’m sorry,’ I said into the night.I looked at the stars and then I was back at Zoe’s house, where everything was new and exciting, before this mess.

‘Lexie, what the hell?’

I spun round, almost falling into the water to see Niall staring at me with fear on his face.

‘What?’I asked.‘Want some?’I held up the bottle.

‘No, Lexie, what are you doing?You don’t drink.’He walked towards me, splashing through the freezing water in his jeans.He took the bottle from me and I snatched it back, taking another drink to prove him wrong.

‘I do now.’

‘You and Hunter now?’

‘What, Niall?Why do you even care?And no, I’m not with Hunter.He’s an idiot.It’s Shane, I wanted Shane.And I’ve ruined everything.’

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