Will's POV
RIVER'S BIRTHDAY

Lola and Isla are picking River up while the others and I set out the snacks and drinks. There are alcoholic beverages for Beck, Lola and Ryan, and soft drinks for the rest of us who are choosing to stay sober.

Isla hasn't had a sip of alcohol for years after struggling with it at a young age. Her parents went away on business trips to support the family and earn money, but they forgot about the most important part of parenting. Caring. Lola didn't really mind about the absence of her parents, she usually distracted herself by going out with friends and trying to build a name for herself. Isla took it harder. Since no one was around to show her otherwise and help to steer her away from trouble, she got involved with peers who introduced her to bad habits. At fifteen, Isla was skipping school almost everyday, only to spend that time partying and putting herself in danger. Lola had been part of our friendship ground since we first started secondary, but Isla wasn't as close. Not until she was around sixteen, and that's when she started to change her life for the better. Her parents found out about her new lifestyle and we're not impressed in the slightest, so sent her to therapy and hoped for the best. It helped in some ways, but Isla was the one who pulled herself out of the rut. We tried to help as much as we could along the way, and that's what helped to make us grow closer with her.

Brains is always up for a drink, so it's strange that he's sitting this one out purely for Isla. It's kind of him to do that for his friend, but something about it seems odd, like he's doing it for another reason. I can tell just by looking at Isla that she doesn't like Brains more than a friend. She likes both men and women, so he still has a chance, but I highly doubt he's her type. He's always joking and extremely annoying in some cases, whereas she is more calm and laid back.

"Oi," Ryan says, gaining all of our attention. He grins at us and pulls up his sleeve, showing off the ink on his arm. "What do you think?"

"You got a new tattoo?" I ask, scanning over the small cactus on his arm.

"Yep." He rubs his finger over the tattoo. "Last night, Lola and I went into town to get some drinks. Ended up getting one each."

Brains snorts with laughter and slams the palm of his hand against the counter that he's stood behind. "You got a matching tattoo with Lola?"

"We were pretty tipsy, plus we felt a bit loved up in the moment."

"I swear you're not even dating," Beck says.

"We're not. It was a spur of the moment decision."

"Dumb decision," Brains corrects.

Ryan flips his off before taking a sip of whisky and grimacing his face at the taste.

"Never get matching tattoos with someone. What about when you have a wife one day? That's going to be an awkward conversation. She's definitely going to make you wear a top when you're getting down to business."

Even though Ryan is trying to play it off cool, I can tell that there's a tiny part of him that regrets getting it done. I don't blame him. Even though I love River and I can't imagine being with anyone other than her, I would never get a matching tattoo. Matching jewellery sounds like a better fit for us, however I doubt she'd ever wear it. She'd most likely find it too embarrassing, because River finds everything embarrassing. It's hilarious to witness.

"Maybe Lola will be my wife. That'll sort that," Ryan says.

I smirk while the other two just gawp in response. Clearly Ryan hasn't told them as much as he's told me.

"I can never see you becoming a husband," Beck states, shivering. "You've never been the type to settle down."

Ryan creases his forehead and jerks back his head, evidently confused by Beck's conclusion. "What? Why do you think that?"

"You're a total man whore."

"Mate, I've slept with one person."

"Bullshit. I've seen you flirt with every girl we pass."

"Doesn't mean I want to sleep with them. It's just my personality."

Brains chips in innocently, smiling ear to ear as he rubs the palms of his hands together. "Same. Don't worry, I get you, Ryan. Everyone thinks the same about me as well."

Everyone erupts into laughter, unsure of whether Brains is being sarcastic or not.

"Lola, Isla, River and Evie are the only girls you've ever spoke to. Every time a girl would ask you a question in class, you couldn't even get a sentence out. We would have to answer for you," Beck teases.

"I'm great at speaking to girls," he objects.

"Only the ones who are dating your mates."

"Isla's not dating any of you."

Beck grins. "That's different, she's been our mate for years."

"And you only ever joke and wind her up," Ryan adds. "You've never actually flirted with her."

Brains opens his mouth to object, but can't once he realises it's true. Maybe he thinks it's flirting, but Isla certainly doesn't. He's so sarcastic and humorous, that everyone now thinks that everything he says is a joke. Especially Isla.

"You'll both be sober tonight. It'll be a great chance to talk to her on your own with none of us around," I say, winking.

He has a straight face for a few seconds, contemplating my suggestion and thinking of ways to talk to her, but then he pulls a gigantic smile onto his cheeks and laughs loudly, putting on the act that I can see through with ease. "Nah, I'm an open book. Don't want to get cuffed too quickly, there's plenty of opportunity to do that in the future."

We all know he's lying, but all choose to not say anything.

The front door opens, and Lola trots in like a fashion model with Isla and River following behind.

"Time to get this party started, bitches," Lola sings, chucking her handbag across the room and aiming it on the sofa. "Brains, pour me some Malibu."

"What's the magic word?"

She stops walking and frowns in his direction. "Please."

"Good girl," he jokes.

While she wraps her arms around Ryan's neck and pulls him in for a hug, she scowls at Brains and raises her eyebrows. "If you ever say that again, I'll unfriend you."

"On facebook?"

"On everything."

With a beaming smile upon my face at the sight of River, I travel to where she stands against the doorframe leading into the living room. She pulls at her long sleeves and chuckles at the group's antics.

"Happy birthday," I tell her, presenting a box wrapped up in silver wrapping paper.

She smiles in a confused way, like she wasn't expecting to receive a present from me. We both travel to the sofa so she's able to open it up.

"Thank you. You didn't have to," she says, slowly opening the box as I watch nervously, impatiently waiting for her to see the many presents.

Once her eyes finally catch glimpse of the many books stored up inside, her face lights up and her smile shows all of her teeth. I smile with her.

"How did you know I wanted these?" she asks in a hushed voice, looking through all the books that she was planning on buying one day.

I shrug my shoulders and sit beside the box on the sofa. "You told me in many conversations. I remembered."

Still completely fixated on the books that she already holds so much care for, she places them down carefully and then takes a step closer to where I sit, towering over me. My hands have a mind of their own when they lift to hold her waist. She bends over and wraps her arms around my shoulders, holding me tightly, showing the sheer gratitude she feels.

"Thank you so much," she whispers in my ear. "I love them."

"Good. I'm glad."

After going through them once more and stroking over the precious covers, River joins everyone else in the kitchen and engages in conversation. I watch from a distance, completely memorised by the sheer sight of her. So much has changed in such a short amount of time. That day at the quarry, when she slipped and almost fell, something changed in River. I saw it the moment she dangled from the edge. There was so much fear in her eyes, so much realisation. She begged me not to let her fall, and although I was terrified in the moment, I also felt relief, because River finally wanted to live. She was begging to live. Now looking at her, she seems healthier altogether. Her smiles are more genuine and easy, her laughter gentle and not forced. There's a glow in her skin, a slight bounce with each step she takes. Her confidence is growing, she is growing as a person.

It's so fulfilling to witness.

She's falling in love with life again. From the start, that's all I wanted for her.

Because of her, I now want to live, too.

All those months ago when I was at my lowest, Ginger saved me. He followed me up the stairs, like he knew what was happening. I saw the look in his eyes, and I just couldn't leave him. I knew I had to stay. For him. Then River came into my life, and suddenly she was teaching me new things everyday. She helped with my anger, even though it still boils in my blood and gushes out of me with no control. It's getting easier. I just take a deep breath and walk away, just like River does. I've cut down on smoking. There's many days where I stare at my pouch and so desperately want to light one, but I manage to stray away from it. Usually I call River when I get the tendency, and she stays on the phone until I feel okay again. There's been a few times where I've slipped and allowed the urges to take over, but it's better than the amount I used to smoke.

River has made me a better person, and she doesn't even realise it. I started to get to know River because I knew how she felt and I didn't want another person to end up like me. I wanted to help her love life and love herself. I knew we could have a great friendship and could help one another to heal. I didn't expect to fall completely in love with her, but I'm glad I did.

I can't imagine a life without River Emerson. I can only imagine that that life would be a terrible, dull place.

She's my place of comfort, a person I view as a safe place. We sleep on call with each other every night, we share clothes and find warmth when feeling the fabrics on our skin. Her hoodie is something I hug when I feel so alone and in a dark place. My jumper is something she wears frequently just so she can imagine my presence beside her.

Everything in my life revolves around River.

We all sit on the sofas together. River is on the edge, sat beside me and drinking her lemonade while I drink my J20. Brains sits on the other side of me, drinking Pepsi and trying to make humorous conversation with Isla who looks exhausted. She still nods her head and replies to his questions, but she closes her eyes when he can't manage to contain his laughter.

Lola is sat on Ryan's lap in the armchair. She's giggling at every word he whispers into her ears and occasionally allows him to take a sip of her cocktail that seems to be a disgusting mix of many different drinks.

Beck is stood in the middle of the room, having his go on the Wii where he plays golf. He's absolutely terrible at the game, and continues to somehow miss the ball, leaving us all in a state of laughter.

"It's not working," he groans.

"Hold down the button," Ryan instructs again for the fifth time.

"I am!"

"Stop letting it go at the last minute. Keep holding it down."

Beck swings his arm around manically, accidentally letting go of the controller where it flies around and hits his wrist, plonking right on his bone where he gasps in pain.

"You're so lucky you have the strap on. If that had broke anything, my parents would have made you pay," Lola says.

"That's what you're thinking about right now? What about my wrist?"

"Your hand can be fixed easily. That TV costs more than you make in a month."

Brains points to the TV screen. "At least you finally hit the ball."

"I did?" Beck gasps, his face glowing when he looks at the screen, only to find he had hit the ball out, causing him to lose his shot. "This game is crap."

River takes a stand and has her go. We all silently cheer her on as she gets in place and swings the remote, perfectly hitting the ball and rubbing it in Beck's face who just frowns in response.

"That's my girl," I say, wrapping my arm around her shoulders when she sits back down beside me. When I notice her blushed cheeks and hear the chuckle from her mouth, I lean closer to her ear and whisper, "Was that too cringe?"

River shakes her head and tries her hardest to not grin. "No. I actually think it was quite sweet."

"Really?" I raise an eyebrow.

"Mhmm. You're quite a romantic guy."

"Suppose." I shrug, suddenly embarrassed.

"I like it," she quickly announces to assure me. "Most guys wouldn't do the stuff you do for me."

"I'm sure they would. There's nothing special about the things I do, just taking care of you."

River reaches her hand behind my head, stroking the pad of her thumb against my neck, causing goosebumps to lift over my body at the touch that sends butterflies through my stomach.

"You don't give yourself enough credit," she says in barely a whisper, making sure that none of the others hear.

"I think I've heard that before," I tease, staring deeply into her bright eyes that sparkle and reflect the light of the TV.

"Maybe you should listen to your own advice."

I already am, thanks to you.