We sat outside in the fresh air in our favourite little café; it was our typical hangout when we had a ‘girly day’. Isabelle was picking at her Caesar salad with an absent look on her face; I could read my friend like a book so I knew her thoughts were currently consumed and her mind was miles away from the debate Jess and I were having over the hotter ‘Brad’.

“Brad Pitt clearly wins, Cass. He’s the perfect Dad for his adopted kids. Double points for adopted kids!” Jess persisted.

“Yes but triple points for a funny Brad. Bradley Cooper in ‘The Hangover’ is a comic genius, plus I hear he can cook so add another five wouldn’t you say Iz?” I asked attempting to pull my friend out of the daze she’d enveloped herself in.

“Hmmm?” Izzy questioned her mind obviously half absent from the conversation.

“What’s on your mind, Iz?”I asked with curiosity and concern.

“Nothing really. I was just thinking of how to spend this summer; I mean I want it to be perfect seen as it will be our last one all together. I want to look back on photos and smile at all the special times we had” she explained ever so optimistically. It was the cutest thing to see my friend get so passionate and attached to her daydream of the ideal summer.

“Izzy, don’t worry! We always have a good time and I’m sure this summer will be as fun as all the others-if not greater!” Jess beamed reassuringly.

“Yep” I agreed popping the ‘p’ enthusiastically, “Jess is right, besides summer has already begun so no point worrying about the fun we have on summer now-you have to make the fun. I guarantee by the end of this we’re going to look like zombies from the exhaustion of partying non-stop.” a cheeky and mischievous grin crept upon my face as I finished my sentence. The thought of freedom, non-stop partying with friends and independence had my mind running wild with excitement.

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When we arrived at Ben’s and had greeted the boys we learned they had already cracked into the alcohol and were lazing around the pool. Jess greeted Ben with a passionate kiss to the point where I looked away in fear they would eat each others faces. The boys chimed in with an ‘awww’ taking the piss out of the couple.

“Isn’t that sweet fellas?” Alex said sarcastically with a lisp.

“Why don’t you kiss me like that, Alex?!” Rian feigned being annoyed with his arms crossed, his left foot tapping impatiently and a mock sad puppy dog look planted on his face.

“Because it’s soo sweet we have a toothache watching them, Rian.” I replied in a similar mocking tone.

“Exactly Rian, they aren’t ready for our jelly. ‘Ralex’ is too sweet and bootylicious” Alex explained while attempting to jiggle his arse like Beyonce.

Zack, who was currently in the pool decided to ruin their moment and splashed the two causing their lips to unlock as the cold water drenched them.

“Zack!!! ” Jess squealed in a high pitch shrieking at the water that now soaked her clothes and hair. “Now I have to change for the party.” she groaned.

The boys roared with laughter, I let a little quiet giggle escape my lips looking for Izzy to share the funny moment with only to catch her kneeling by the pool to sneak a quick kiss hello to Jack who was in the pool with Zack.

“Don’t worry Jess, we’ll help you” I exclaimed easily, volunteering Izzy and I to revamp Jess’ current drenched look.

Jess pushed Izzy towards the door locking Iz’s arm with hers; Izzy was unable to resist as she was dragged to rescue Jess from social embarrassment and a fashion disaster.

“Hey Cass, haven’t seen you all day” Zack greeted with a warm smile.

“Yeah, I know. Just had lunch with the girls…” I shrugged. “ And I see you’ve been drinking with the boys!” I observed the empty beer cans already filling the pool side table.

Zack’s grin widened revealing a perfect set of straight white teeth as he admitted guilty to drinking.

“It’s daylight-the sun hasn’t even set yet, it’s still visible! You still have the rest of the night until early hours of the morning to drink!”

“Relax Mum, I’ve been taking it easy. I know how to pace myself” he replied in a chill tone seemingly not worried by my subtle hint to stop drinking.

“Trying to stop you boys drinking before happy hour is like trying to deflate Kanye West’s ego…hopeless!” I accused, shaking my head disapprovingly as I made my way inside to assist Jess in getting ready for the party.

Jess was basically cleaned up and dressed ready for the party to begin. She had changed into a beautiful summery maxi dress with gorgeous floral prints in a shade of magenta. It complimented the shape of her figure and her golden sun kissed skin as well as her boobs…they looked huge- a massive asset Jess always managed to flaunt. Her wavy caramel hair softly fell below her shoulders and her face looked fresh with the make up Izzy had applied.

“You look great Jess, nice job Iz!” I praised.

Jess thanked me then ushered for me and Izzy to prepare ourselves for the party.
As I was coating my lashes with a thick layer of black mascara my mind couldn’t help but drift back to simply a year ago where I wouldn’t have cared so much about perfecting my appearance; I’d grown so vain and vulnerable with age which kind of made me feel shameful or embarrassed to a degree. I’d always presented myself nicely but it seems lately I have become way self conscious of myself, wasting my life being concerned about my looks or looking at my looks in the mirror! I easily took the longest to get ready-even Jess beat me when she was the one drenched from pool water.

I decided to dress up for tonight with the smallest hope to attract a boy for a change seen as my love life was currently non-existent. I applied a coat of lip gloss quickly finishing getting ready as I heard the doorbell downstairs ring letting me know guests were arriving.

I followed Iz and Jess downstairs to begin mingling with the guests, the boys had filed inside and cleaned themselves up after their swim. I inwardly groaned to myself at how effortless boys were and how easy they had it, they simply throw a shirt on after swimming and they’re ready but us girls have a complex routine to look as good as we do. It seemingly paid off though as I noticed boys eyes drift from mine, downwards to suss me out and see the bigger picture (in other words perve on my chest and butt) they did it with all the girls.

“You look nice” Rian complimented sincerely.

I flashed him a smile as my thanks as I watched Alex’s eyes struggle to maintain contact with mine.

“Eyes up here, Gaskarth!” I instructed while lifting his chin to force his eyes to reach mine.

He simply cocked one eyebrow and had a mischievous smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.

“I need a drink” I said shaking my head and laughing to myself at Alex’s lack of control.

“You would, Winehouse!” Zack remarked and playfully nudging my shoulder.

I punched him on the shoulder as payback walking off to find a drink as I could hear Zack’s laughter behind me teasing me for how weak I was.