- WARNING -

Inspired by the fact people hear and interperate things differently, some of the events and dialogue in the chapter are different to the previous one.

Ben's loud voice booms over the music which makes me shudder with fear. I slowly weave through the crowd as I try to escape his wrath. My eye scan over the crowd until I see her. Despite the lack of lighting in the backyard, she stands out like a glowing ember in a smothered fire.

A long slinky arm wraps around my shoulder and tugs my attention to him.

"It's time for your birthday shot, Blake," Ben yells excitedly.

"I don't need any more alcohol." I shake my head. "How many shots have you given me?"

"Yes, you do," he replies. "This is going to kick your funky mood and make you happy." My gaze wanders back to Ava and I smile. Ben catches onto who I'm looking at and frowns. His arm drops from around my neck and I see the burning fire erupt through him.

"Blake, I'm only –"

Before those words can set fire to the situation, I start running towards the door. Ben quickly chases me out into the yard and leaps onto my back. The additional weight forces me to lose balance and tumble onto the ground. We lay on the grass laughing while he hits me with the back of his hand.

I scramble to my feet and notice Ava quickly approaching.

"You made it, Ava." I smile.

"I wouldn't miss it." She awkwardly shrugs.

I hook one arm around her neck and bring her in for a hug. She wraps her arms around my waist and softly squeezes me. I have to remind myself to let go. She takes a small step back and shyly grins at me.

"Drink time?" I mutter.

"Yes," she meekly responds.

The three of us walk to the kitchen where I grab Ava a fruity drink from the bunch bowl, along with two beers from the fridge. Ben takes the drink and slouches against the kitchen bench. I shoot him a look which results in Ben wondering off.

"I'm happy you could make it," I say.

"Thank you for the invite," she replies.

"No worries." I take a long sip from my beer and place it on the bench. "How are you and this new fella? You could have brought him."

My grip tightens on the bench at the thought of Ava wait another man. I'd injure the pain because I want to see him for myself. Kyle says he's amazing, but how can you be top shelf if you're sneaking onto another man's woman?

"We're just friends," she says. Her gaze drops to the floor as she fiddles with her shirt. "He's playing in his band tonight."

"That's awesome. He's the guitarist, right?" So, I'll break his fingers if he hurts my Av.

"Yeah, that's him," says Ava.

"I'm sure he's a great guy," I try to convince myself.

When the conversation quickly simmers out, I move onto the next group of people arriving at the house. Two of my mates from work shuffle through the house and nod their heads in acknowledgment.

"Ay, it's the birthday boy," the pair cheer. One of them hands me a litre bottle of tequila which sends my stomach churning.

"Shenanigans, take a drink," yells Ben as he rushes to my side.

With no choice, I crack the lid and take a swig. The boys happily cheer as I put the lid back on.

"Thank you for the present." I smile.

"No drama," one replies.

I quickly take the bottle upstairs and hide it in one of my drawers. If Ben gets his hands on this, I'll be passed out on the grass in thirty minutes. Tequila is a messy drink paired with the insane.

Taking the steps by two, I reach the bottom floor just as Tori comes bounding through the house. She jumps into my arms and wraps her legs around my waist while Jude laughs.

"Happy Birthday," she happily shouts. Tori kisses my cheek and then drops me to the ground.

"Thank you," I say.

"Are you having a fun night?" she asks.

"Hm." I shrug.

"What's wrong?" She bites her lip and then says, "Is this about Ava?" She ponders for a moment and then shrugs her shoulders.

"I don't know how to help you," she admits.

"I need another beer, that's what I need help with." Jude brushes Tori out of the way and hands me a cold beer.

"Happy Birthday, little brother," says Jude.

"Cheers." We clunk drinks and then take a sip.

"I want to dance, come with me, Jude."

Tori grabs his hand and starts dancing as she moves through the house. I notice Tori leaving Jude to take Ava's hand. She tugs Ava onto the dance floor and uses Ava to spin herself around. I briefly watch them dancing before moving on.

I wonder outside and into my parent's house. I follow the smell of food until I find myself in the kitchen. Ava's mother is holding London while mine is messing around with platting up more food. I grab a small party pie and dip it in tomato sauce. As I bite into it, the hot mince burns my tongue.

"How's your night going?" asks Mum.

"Yeah, good." I smile.

"Do you need anything?" she asks.

"No." I shake my head. "Just came to see my baby girl."

I take London from Ava's mum and snuggle her to my chest. Her beautiful eyelashes flutter as she grins. I spin us around in a circle which makes her giggle louder. When I come to a stop, I pull her shirt up and blow raspberries on her stomach. Her feet kick and laughter fills the air.

"I miss you, baby girl."

I hand her back to Ava's mother and then grab the platter of food from the table. I walk out of the house and back to mine. As I cross the grass, I see Ava walking towards the back gate.

"Fuck," I grumble.

Before Ava returns, I hurry into the house and put the food down. A swarm of seagulls flock to the table and pick off the food. I grab myself another drink before jumping into another conversation.

From the corner of my eye, I see Ava and her fella walk into the house. I try to busy myself, but his radical dance moves catches most people's attention. But when her perfect eyes lock with mine, I know I have to bite the bullet and introduce myself. This is what I wanted, to meet him. I tug on a tight grin as I walk towards the pair of them.

"Hey man, you must be Axel, I'm Blake." I tightly shake his hand and smile as he cringes.

"Nice to meet you and happy birthday," he says.

"Yeah, have a good night." I look the man up down before walking away. I don't give the pair of them the chance to see me squirm.

I somehow find myself walking back outside. I notice Ben chatting a couple of girls up. One is a pretty red head and the other a blonde. Ben wraps his arm around the blonde and kisses her cheek. The other girl looks around awkwardly before shifting her gaze to me. Her vibrant eyes catch my attention.

"Hi," I greet as I wander over.

"Blake, meet Josie and Rose," Ben introduces. "Rose was about to show me something." Without much more of an explanation, Ben and Rose leave together.

"This isn't awkward at all." She frowns.

"Yea." I scratch the back of my head. "Are you having a good night?"

"Hm," she mumbles.

"Right, don't answer that question." I shake my head.

Josie steps back as she laughs. When her posture straightens up, she smiles and steps closer to me.

"I'm so sorry, it's just that I don't know anyone," Josie replies.

"That's where you're wrong." I smile. "You know me." I wrap my arm around her neck and tug her to my side. She hooks one arm around my waist as we walk back to the house.

"Where are we going?" asks Josie.

I stop moving and turn to face her, "Where would you like to go?"

"We could dance?" She smiles.

"Sure, I think that could be fun."

Josie slides into the room and starts dancing. She spins around and presses her back against my front. I tug her body closer to mine and press my lips against her neckline. Her head rolls back and then she turns around to face me.

"Are you trying to seduce me?" I tease.

"Maybe." She leans in and presses her lips against my cheek. "I do need to pee, though."

"I'll show you the bathroom then." I guide Josie to the stairs and up to my bedroom. When I open the bathroom door, I see Ava laying on the ground

"Are you okay?" I ask.

Ava tries to get off the ground, but lays down and grumbles, "Slowly dying."

"Hey, there's a bathroom next door," I explains.

"Will I see you later?" she questions.

"Yeah, I'll find you." I softly kiss her cheek which earns me a small smile.

When Josie leaves, I scoop Ava off the floor and into my arms. Ava's head rolls back and her feet dangle through the air. I turn to the side and shuffle into the bedroom.

"No, you don't have to do this," Ava protests.

"You're drunk off your face, let me look after you," I dismiss.

"What about all of your drinks?" she questions. "I should be looking after you."

"You don't see me laying on the ground, do you?" I reply.

"Yet." She giggles. "And what about her?" Ava glares at the doorway.

"What about her?" I tease.

"I don't like her," she grumbles.

"Okay." I laugh.

"I'm also sleepy," Ava tiredly mumbles.

"Good thing I'm putting you to bed." I chuckle.

I gently lay Ava on the bed and she instantly snuggles into the pillow resting behind her head. She wiggles around for a couple of seconds before tossing the pillow on the ground. With a laugh, I lean across the bed and grab the other pillow.

"Here's your pillow, Ava, happy?" I ask.

With a smile, she snuggles into the squishy pillow. When she first moved in, Ava quickly established she wanted my pillow and fought me for it. Ever since then, no other pillow in our house has been good enough for her. I miss that, I miss her.

My bedroom door opens and Kyle walks in. I fight the annoyance and tug on a smile.

"Is she okay?" He frowns at Ava.

"Shh . . ." Ava hisses.

Axel steps into the room and stands beside Kyle. I clench my fist and fight the urge to throw the pair of them outside. Of course she'll be fine with me.

"Don't worry boys, I'll look after her." Tori strolls into the room and kicks her shoes off. She flops into my side of the bed and snuggles under the covers.

"This is fucking weird." I look at all four of them as I run my fingers through my hair.

"How about I look after you all?" Kyle offers. "Axel, you can shoot off if you like."

"Okay then." He shrugs.

When Axel leaves, Tori and Kyle follow in suit. I turn all of the lights off except for the bathroom. I walk back to Ava's side and tuck her under the blankets. Her eyelids flutter open and her beautiful brown eyes gaze into mine.

"Thank you," she whispers.

"You're welcome," I reply.

Her eyes flutter closed but before she falls asleep, I lean in and kiss her forehead.

"I love you," she mumbles.

"I love you too." I grin.

I quietly exit the room and return downstairs. I notice a few people have left the party but Josie is still here. I cross the makeshift dance floor and wrap my arms around her waist. She looks over her shoulder and smiles at me.

"You found me," she yells over the music.

"I did," I reply.

Ben appears from nowhere and grabs my arm. Instead of fighting it, I let him drag me away for another birthday shot. He lines them up and before I drink it, I lean into his side and grin at Josie.

"I'm going to take this shot and pretend to be sick. You'll escort me upstairs and 'll go to bed," I explain.

"What about Josie?" he asks.

"You know I don't care about her. The woman I love is –"

"Don't do this to yourself. You're better than this," says Ben.

"I'm defeated, Ben, I don't care."

"Okay."

With my brightest smile, I take the shot and clutch my stomach. Ben over dramatizes the situation and then walks me through the small crows. They cheer me on as Ben helps me up the stairs. I stumble through the doorway and lock it behind me.

I strip down to my briefs and climb into bed. Ava rolls over and wraps her arm around my waist. She snuggles her face into my chest and I hold onto her tightly. I'm afraid to go to sleep because I don't want this moment to end. The only thing that could ruin this perfect moment is tomorrow.  

Did you like Blake's POV? What was your favourite part? Are you swooning over this ending too? :D