Page 52 of The Boy I Once Loved

“So, no one will care. I need your help,” he pleads.

"Okay, okay. I am going to kick his arse for this though." I put down the phone and I quickly grab a cream cardigan off my desk chair. I was in my snoopy grey bed shorts that had 'cute' written across the bum and my cropped grey vest top on. Two seconds later a car horn beeps outside and cursing aloud I hobble as quickly as I can downstairs. Mum must have eaten and gone up to bed as there is no sign of her anywhere, so I lock the house up behind me.

I huff and puff as I get in Aria’s car. “How bad is he?”

She grimaces. "Bad. I don't think I have ever seen Dylan so drunk. He puked up all over that girl he went with to the lake before." She giggles. "That was hilarious, she screamed, stomped her feet and threw her drink over his head."

I can't help but laugh out loud. "Poor girl," I say, my tone coming out false.

We arrive back at the house, and the barbeque is still in full swing. We enter through the side gate and I search the garden, looking for Dylan. I find him stumbling and swaying all over the place, waving his can in the air.

I make my way over to him and as I pass a group of girls; they take in my bed shorts and giggle. I give them the fingers - I’m fucked if I care.

“Dylan.” I reach him and tap him on the shoulder.

He turns, stumbling slightly, and he gives me a shit-eating grin when he realises it’s me.

“Ella Umbrella!” He wraps an arm around my shoulder and smothers me into his armpit. “My Ella bear. Dance with me.” He whistles. “Jenkins! Put on Rihanna–Umbrella.”

He attempts to sway us, and I struggle to keep us both upright. The song starts, and he looks at me all serious.

“Baby, cause in the dark.” He leans into me. “You’re not singing it with me.”

“Dylan, you’re drunk. We need to get you home.”

He laughs. “I don’t want to go home. I’m having fun.” He grabs my hips and makes me move with him. He jabs my chest with his finger as he sings. “You’re part of my entity, here for infinity and beyond.”

I laugh. “I think you’re getting your lyrics mashed up with Buzz Lightyear slogans.”

He rests his head on my shoulder. “You left before. I need you here.” He burps against my skin and Jesus it reeks of lager.

“How about we get you home?”

He lifts his head, and he goes crossed eyed attempting to focus on my face. “No, not going home. Mum’s out on date night, she might bring the dick home.”

I smile sadly at him. So that is what is eating away at him today. “Dylan, I know your mum and she wouldn’t do that do you.”

He gives me a sad, drunk smile. “You’re the only person I can rely on.” He takes my hand and places it over his heart. “It’s me and you against the world, Ella bear.”

I pat his back. “Come on, you are very pissed, and I need to get you home.”

“Nope. Not going home.” He wags a finger in my face, nearly poking me in the eye. “Let’s get more drinks!”

I shake my head. “Noooo! No more drinks for you, mister. Come on, come to mine. I’ll make you cheese on toast.”

He grins widely. “Ah, you know I love your cheese on toast. Can we have ice cream as well?”

I laugh. "I have mint choc chip," I tell him, knowing it is his favourite.

He grabs my hand and stumbles up the garden. “Okay, let’s go.”

"Aria," I shout over to where she and Connor are standing watching us, both chuckling as I try to hold Dylan up.

Aria jangles her keys in the air. “Come on, captain big-bollocks your chariot awaits. Be warned though, if you throw up in my car, I will cut you.”

“I have got big-bollocks, you know?” He tells me proudly, and Connor bursts out laughing in front of us.

"I really need to film this." He holds up his phone. "Hey, captain."

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