Page 110 of How We Began

By the time there was a knock on my door, I was ready and completely geared up. I enhanced my normal minimal makeup routine with smoky eyes and lashings of eyeliner. The crazy fuzz cut was managing to look quite funky. I couldn’t guarantee it would hold.

Meredith rewarded my efforts by dropping her drink over the floor in shock, and Beth announced very loudly that she might fancy me after all. I shushed her with my hand.

“Don’t worry, Lil, he’s already walked over with Jayne. You’d have heard them leave if you hadn’t been so busy singing.”

“Bite me.”

“You look lovely, Lilah,” Meredith gave me a massive squeeze before pushing me away and meeting my gaze. “I can’t wait for this.”

“Wait for what?” I asked, necking back the last of my getting ready to go out glass of wine—okay, bottle.

She blew out a little gust of air between her lips and shook her head. “Let’s see.”

We pushed through the doors to the bar, and I admit, I got a kick of satisfaction from seeing Ben choke on his drink. Of course he was the first person I saw. I mean, the Earth is round, the sky is blue, it’s all pretty standard stuff. I gave a little half-interested wave of my hand, acknowledging him, and sauntered over to the bar.

Trev gave me a low whistle as I approached the bar… feet already killing me although I’d rather have died than let it show. “On the house,” he shouted over the DJ’s music as he handed me a glass of wine.

No one was on the dance floor yet so we stood at the bar, making small talk until Jayne joined us.

“Well done, Lilah! The whole football team wants to give you one.”

After a while Tristan arrived too. He actually spends so much time on campus I don’t know why he doesn’t enrol and just study here as well. He gave me a wink as he leaned in to say hi. “Going all out, Lil?”

“Jesus, a girl puts a dress on and it’s like she’s a new person.”

“Well you look like a new person, so, what do you want me to say?” Tristan pinched the underneath of my arm.

“Ow, you shit.”

“I can’t be too nice. I don’t want you getting used to it.”

“You are such an ass—” I cut off at Meredith’s glare. “Such an amazing brother.” Rolling my eyes, I turned away so they could snog without an immediate audience.

Tristan’s compliment had left a little buzz in my veins though. He’d never said anything nice to me before. It gave me a little boost so I grabbed my drink and started greeting people I recognised. It took them all a moment to register who I am, and then I got a lot of hugs. It was great, but then again it was a bit worrying. Do I walk around looking like minger the rest of the time?

Five vodkas later and the Lilah dancing machine was in full force, my hair had practically turned to a halo of frizz.

“I am going out for a smoke,” I told Meredith who was draping herself around Tristan like a scarf.

Outside, I leant against my tree (yes, it is mine) and lit a cigarette. As I smoked, though, I started to sober up a little bit. What on earth was I doing? My whole reasoning for the dress, the heels, my whole attitude didn’t make any sense.

By the time I was on my second cigarette, leaning against the tree with my eyes shut, thinking that I was a complete idiot. I just wanted to go back home and get changed into my comfy jeans and a hoodie. Taylor swift was singing ‘Dress’ in my head and I wished I’d never gone to the shop to buy something so sodding ridiculous.

Until a hand slid down my arm, jolting me with electricity. I didn’t need to open my eyes to know who it was. I would know that touch anywhere.

“What are you doing out here, Lilah? It is freezing.”

I waved my cigarette in the general direction of his voice.

“Look at me,” he said, his voice soft and very close to my ear.

I opened my eyes to meet his. “Hey.”

“Hey,” he whispered back. “You look amazing. I mean, you always do, but there is something different about you tonight.”

He stopped to think of the words.

Yep. I’m a deranged lunatic attempting to make you fancy again.