Having to deal with hangovers should be a crime; why am I being punished for simply having a good time. It's a ridiculous, barbaric deterrent for the crazy adolescent that just wants to party. What's worse is that it doesn't stop anyone from doing it over and over again. What I'm trying to say is that I'm hungover.

And it fucking sucks.

"I'm never drinking again." Jade groans from the blow-up mattress next to my bed.

"That's a fucking lie and you know it."

"No, I mean it this time."

Jade says this after every night out that we have, we both know it's not something that she's going to stick to.

"Come on, get up let's go." I try to say with a bit of enthusiasm.

"Nooooooooo." A voice cries from the entanglement of sheets.

"Yesss, Levi just texted me, a few guys from the party are going to the park, having a hangover day."

"Ughhhhh, give me a minute" She grumbles before stomping into the bathroom.

If you couldn't tell Jade isn't exactly a morning person.

I look in the mirror and try to tackle the birds nest that is my hair. I slowly untangle my knots and try to get my bangs to cooperate, before giving up and putting on a beanie.

***

Jade and I stroll through the park begrudgingly as we go to meet up with our mates.

"There they are!" Levi exclaims.

"Way to chipper for someone who should be hungover." I mumble.

"Aren't you two a sight for sore eyes" He retorts cheekily.

Jade grumbles incoherent words before slumping onto the bench next to Jack; another good friend of ours.

"Woah, someone a little worse for wear" he chuckles softly, his long dark hair falling onto his face.

"Shut up and cuddle me I'm tired." Jade demands before falling asleep on his shoulder.

And just like that Jade's out for the night.

And then there was four.

"Levi told me you guys would probably be starving so I got you a Tesco's meal deal." Gus takes a seat on the swing next to me.

"You didn't have to do that" My heart melts at the sentiment.

"It's no problem, I kinda guessed though, with what to get" He admits sheepishly. "So, I got you an innocent smoothie; berry flavour, large pack of quavers and the chicken, mozzarella and pesto sandwich."

His face turns a light shade of pink as it hands the meal over to me. I take a large bite of the sandwich, before gulping a fair amount of the smoothie. It was safe to say I was a lot hungrier than I originally thought.

"Mmmmm, I forgot how good these are!"

"They're nice aren't they, I still can't eat anything yet though, not after last night." Gus admits with a somber face.

"Did you have fun last night then?"

"Yea I enjoyed myself for the most part I think I got too drunk though." He admits.

"Isn't that always the way"

He chuckles.

"There's a certain clarity to a hungover I quite enjoy though."

"Really?" I wonder with a sceptical face.

"I mean when you're hungover you feel like shit sure, but you also just feel; everything more. All your senses heighten, so much like a normal £3 chicken salad sandwich feels like heaven. The wind in your cheeks while you swing on swing feels like a gift from the gods. Breathing in general; just being alive feels more real."

I pause for a second; and take it all in.

"I dunno stupid right?" He mumbles while fiddling with his thumbs.

"No, not stupid. Strangely poetic."

"Thanks..."

"I mean it."

"Thanks Emery...You're not so bad yourself." He says in a teasing manner.

A couple moments pass, comfortable silence floats between us as we softly sit on our swings. I polish off my chicken sandwich while Gus steals sips of my drink as well as handfuls of my quavers.

Naughty bugger.

"Favourite colour?" I say trying to get a conversation flowing again.

He thinks for a moment, "Green, forest green"

"I love the name Forrest"

"Lol I'm guessing you like Forrest Gump then."

"It's my favourite movie."

"It's not too bad, my favourite is Zombieland though hands down" he admits with a cheeky smile.

"What! Such an average movie"

"No it isn't! it's the perfect mix of profound realness and stupid comedy."

"Wow. You can be really deep when you wanna be you know that right?"

"I try."

I laugh. I laugh a lot harder than I've done in a very long time. So, we sit and swing, for what felt like a lifetime but actually ended up being just a pleasant afternoon.

The soft snoring from Jade and the rambunctious laughter of Jack and Levi fills the air. Times like these made me smile. A pure happy memory to keep stored away for eternity. Because what's a hungover day if you don't have great friends and silly crush to share it with.

___
This story is already slowly but surely coming to an end :(

One more chapter left!

Sparklenightmare