Part 1

Finally the holiday has begun. No more exams and no more stress, well for now. I’ve finished before all the schools kids which is perfect timing to go to the beach before it gets crowded. I lay in the sun waiting for my friend to get back. But waiting is my least favourite pass time, I decide to get up and go for a little walk. I stand up, dust myself off, put my shades on and grab my bag. I consider wearing my flip flops but the sand is warm and feels soft under my feet. Suddenly my peace is broken by some screams from a bunch of lads. I watch them for a minute playing volleyball and smile. And then one of them turns around and I freeze. Wowsh he’s HOT! I think until he starts jogging towards me. Why, oh shit, why is he, my mind races as I start to panic. *bump* I look down to see his ball at my foot, oh right makes sense. I look up to see him stood right in front of me, and boy  did he look hotter close up. “Hi,” he says with a big grin whilst picking up his ball.

“Hhhh” is all I manage to mumble and I feel my cheeks burn up, which seems to amuse him.

“Wanna join me and my friends?” he asks throwing the ball up a little.

“Erm, I, erm,” I say pointing over to my stuff. What is wrong with me, SPEAK!, I think to myself. “I’m just waiting for my friend,” I finally manage.

“Oh right, is that her?” he asks pointing over to someone. I turn to see who he’s pointing at to see Aisha stood there looking around confused.

“Yeah that is” I laugh turning back.

“AST COME ON!” one of the boys shouts out.

“One sec!” he calls back.         

“Well nice to meet you,” I say before turning around to go back to Aisha.

“Wait,” he says grabbing my arm softly and looks to his friends. “Boys wanna join…” he says trailing off and looking at me but I’m too busy staring into his gorgeous brown eyes. I suddenly realise he’s waiting for a reply.

“Oh sorry what?” I ask.

“What’s your name?”

“Oh sorry, it’s [yourname].”

“So is it ok if we join you?”

“Erm, yeah sure why not? But first you haven’t said what your name is.”

“I’m Aston” he says grinning, making my heart melt a little. “Come on boys,” Aston says as I walk off. He jogs up to catch up with me and I can’t help but smile.

Part 2

Aisha notices me and Aston walking towards her and gives us her cheeky smile. “Who’s your friend?” she asks.

“You mean friendsss!” I say nodding towards his friends behind us, which makes her face light up a little bit more.

“I’m Aston,” he says smiling and making my belly do somersaults. “Oh and that’s Chris and JJ.”

“So who are these lovely girls we get to spend the day with?” one of the guys asks.

“Aisha, and that’s [yourname],” she says pointing to me.

“So which one are you? JJ or Chris?”

“I’m Chris but how’d you know our names?”

“Ast obviously told em!” JJ says looking at him like he’s a complete wally.

“Bruv you can be so slow!” Aston says laughing. Just as everyone sits down you declare you want an icecream.

“What?! I asked you before I went and you said no!” Aisha says.

“Yeah well I didn’t want one then, but now you’re having yours and it looks yummy so I want one.”

“I’ll go with you,” Aston says standing back up.

“Oh you don’t have to,” I quickly say.

“I don’t mind. And I’ll probably decide I want one in a bit.”

“Ok, well do either of you 2 want one?” I ask the other two boys.

“I’m ok,” they both reply, so me and Aston head off. We walk in silence for a few minutes. It surprisingly isn’t awkward though.

“You mean to me what I mean to you, and together baby there is nothing we won’t do…” I watch him singing and smile. “What?” he says turning to me and smiles.

“Nothing, you just got a really sweet voice that’s all,” I say turning away.

“Well thanks. I’m in a band you know.” He grins looking proud and I can’t help but smile at how cute he is.

“Sexy,” I say making him smile. We get back to the others talking and laughing and they all stop and look at us.

“What?” Aston asks looking at them.

“I think I am gonna get an ice-cream after all,” JJ says standing up and giving Chris a look.

“Erm yeah I might come with you.”

“I’ll show you lot where it is,” Aisha says standing up and winking at me.

“Well they know how to be subtle!” Aston says sarcastically whilst sitting down. I sit down beside him, wow this is awkward! They thankfully don’t take too long getting back and we spend our day chatting and laughing. As the sun starts to set me and Aston decide to take a walk together. I walk at the edge of the water letting the waves wash in at my ankles. Please sing, I think to myself, I want to hear that soft voice again. Almost on que and as if he could hear my thoughts Aston starts to sing. I feel his fingers wind through mine and smile. I splash my feet whilst walking and decide it’ll be fun to splash him. I kick some water as high as I can at Aston and then run. “Oh no you didn’t!” he screams and runs after me. Damn his fast, I think as I hear his footsteps getting extremely close. He grabs me by the waist and goes to throw me into the water, but I decide to grab onto him and we both fall in together. We lie in the water laughing our heads off. “You are a lot stronger than I thought!” he says sitting up.

“Never underestimate a girl’s strength.” He pulls me up and an old couple watch us and smile.

“Awww young love,” the women says to us smiling.

“Oh, we’re not a couple!” I say quickly and let go of Aston’s hand.

“You’re not? Why haven’t you snatched her up already lad?” the old man says nudging Aston. Aston just smiles and they walk away leaving us together.

“Erm we should get back to the others,” I say quickly walking ahead of Aston.

Part 3

I rummage in my bag and pull out my keys, as soon as I open the door I see my mum stood there glaring at me. I smile whilst taking my shoes off and head for the stairs. “And what time do you call this?” she says.

“Sorry I kinda lost track of time.”

“Lost track of time? I’ve been sitting here worried and all you can say is you lost track of time! IT’S ALMOST MIDNIGHT!”

“I’m sorry mum, what do you want me to say?”

“An explanation would be nice!”

“I said I’m sorry! You know sometimes you have fun and you lose track of time, I don’t get what the big deal is.”

“The big deal is you could’ve at least called, you can be really irresponsible you know!”

“MUM I’M 18! IM NOT A KID! STOP TREATING ME LIKE ONE!” and with that I run up into my room slamming the door shut. A day can never be fully perfect can it? I throw my bag beside my bed and flop down onto it. I pull my phone out to see a new message. Must be Aisha. I open it to see an unfamiliar number. “Had a good time today :) you girls definitely know how to have a laugh. Ast x” and suddenly that smile I had crept back. I drag myself into my PJs and fell into bed, today was the perfect way to begin the summer.

Part 4

For weeks me and Aston text each other regularly, nothing’s happened between us but I still look forward to receiving his texts. After a month I get a text from him saying his leaving for London, tomorrow. Even though I haven’t met up with him since the day at the beach I still can’t help but feel sad. I have no reason to feel this way, and so I wish him luck for whatever his hoping to achieve there. As the days go by the texts between me and him die down until eventually they come to a halt. It’s weird there was a time when I couldn’t stop thinking about him, where I waited for his text to put a smile on my face, but now I’ve almost forgotten about him.

Part 5

It’s that dreaded day, results day! I meet my friends at the bus stop and we all walk to college together. No one speaks as we line up to pick up the results. I need to see AAB in order to get to the uni I’ve wanted to go to for ages, Kings. Me and Aish both really want to get in and have plans of how we’ll rent out a lil flat if we manage to get in, but somehow it’s feeling like nothing but a dream right now. “Name?” the woman at the desk says with a smile. “[yourname]” I say nervously playing with the handle of my bag. “Here you go, and well done” she says handing me some papers. “Thanks” I say smiling back and walking away without looking at what it says. I stand in a corner of the hall and unfold the sheet of paper I’m clinging on to. I look down and there they were those tiny 3 letters that mean so much, AAB. I let out a little squeal and look around for my friends. They all come running to me and we all scream out our grades, we all got what we needed for the courses we wanted to get into! We jump around screaming. “We NEED to go eat and celebrate!” Sam says. I quickly call my mum and tell her the news. As we leave college a wave of emotions wash over me leaving me slightly light headed. I turn to look at the college one last time, I smile remembering some of the great times I’ve had here and at the same time feel a little sad at the thought of leaving, the idea of university and London is exciting but scary, the thought of leaving home and everyone I know is daunting, but it’s an adventure and one I can’t wait to face with one of my oldest and best mates.

Part 6

Aisha pulls up outside our flat, yeah that’s right I’m a bit of a loser and haven’t passed yet (well I haven’t taken any lessons to pass but that doesn’t matter). To be honest it’s hideous from the outside, an old block of flats on an estate, not exactly my dream home but its affordable and not far from uni. Thankfully the people who had it before us have done it up pretty nicely, although it has no furniture other than a couple of beds. We grab our bags and climb out of the car and make our way inside. Thankfully Aisha’s mum has volunteered to bring our stuff down in a van. We open the door and head into the front room. “We really need furniture!” Aisha says looking around at the empty room. Thankfully we had 2 weeks before uni started to sort out the place.

Part 7

I watch a bunch of lads having a laugh as I finish my lunch. I see a guy walking over from the corner of my eye and turn to see him stood beside me smiling. “Hey, my mate over there’s got a little gig in a club on Friday night and I’m sure him and his band could do with a beautiful girl in the crowd cheering them on,” he says handing me a little flyer. He walks off grinning and I look down at the piece of paper in my hand, “UFO” I read to myself. It sounds familiar but I don’t think anything of it and shove it into my bag and grab my stuff for my next lecture.

As soon as I get home I throw my bag on the floor and crash on the sofa. As much as I’m enjoying uni and love living with Aish I can’t help but miss everyone back home, miss the familiarity of everything. Maybe a night out would be good for me. As soon as Aisha gets back I tell her about the gig and we decide to make a night of it.

Part 8

We get to the club pretty early and make our way to what we assume is the front of the stage. “Tell me again why we got here soooooo unbelievably early!” Aisha moans.

“Because we wanted to get to the front before the rush,” I say looking around. I spot two kinda hot guys standing by the other side of the stage and look back to Aish to see her still sulking. “So we got here early what is the problem?” I sigh.

“IT’S SAD! I mean the first ones at a club, desperate or what! Ever heard of the saying fashionably late? Yeah well we really aint.” Finally someone comes on stage and introduces the group. “WOOOOO!” me and Aisha scream as four lads walk into view. The guys are still fairly at the back of the stage when the music starts up and the lights for some reasons aren’t that bright either.

“You’re way too beeeautiful girl,” a voice, that sounds somewhat familiar, starts to sing. The 4 men walk to the front of the stage and that’s when I see him.

“Oh my god!” I scream squeezing Aisha’s arm.

“I know they’re amazing!” she shouts back to me, the whole time her eyes fixed on the stage oblivious to why I was in shock. She pulls out her phone to record them and I continue to watch them in awe. He looks at me and stares for a while but I quickly look away. Surely he doesn’t recognise me, he can’t, I’m always the one people forget. After a few songs the mini gig was over and the band went backstage. Me and Aisha continued to dance, mostly together but occasionally a few men managed to find their way in between us. A few songs later and I needed a rest. Aisha is still going strong so I leave her to it and sit by the bar. Someone stands beside me and orders themselves a drink. I glance in their direction and smile before looking out at the crowd of people in front of me dancing their night away.

“I’m sorry you look really familiar. Do I know you?” the person asks. I turn to see who it is and that’s when I see him, the guy from the band, the one that I know from all those months ago. I look at him without saying anything hoping he’d recognise me on his own. And then realisation hits him and his eyes widen. “Oh my god! You’re that girl from Peterborough, we’ll the beach but you lived in Peterborough, but you’re here in London?” his voice trails off sounding confused at the last part.

“Yep that’s me. [yourname], from Peterborough who you met at the beach who now lives in London,” I say smiling sheepishly.

“But how comes you’re here?”

“For university. I got accepted here.”

“Oh yeah I remember you saying something about that. So you’re living your dream then?”

“I’d hardly say uni is a dream, but yeah at the moment I’m doing what I want,” I chuckle.

“Come on,” he says grabbing my hand and pulling me up.

“Whaaaat,” I say as I’m pulled through people.

“There’s no point letting this dance floor go to waste!” I find Aisha in the sea of people and wait until I get eye contact. She finally looks my way and smiles until she notices Aston dancing beside me and gives me that look. I mouthed to her to join me and eventually she does.

“HEY IT’S YOU!” Aisha shouts over the music. Aston looks at her but shakes his head slowly looking confused. “From the beach?” she adds looking at him as if he’s mad.

“Sorry I think you’ve got the wrong person,” he slowly says. Aishas jaw drops and she starts to blush. “I’m just joking!” he says with that cheeky grin and cracks up laughing.

“Yeah haha that’s hilarious,” Aisha says unamused. I can’t help but laugh which results in me getting a very dirty look from her.

“Anyway,” I say to lighten the mood “do we get to meet your fellow band members? Or are they some kinda mystery?”

“Oh yeah I haven’t introduced you yet.” Aston walks off with me and Aisha following him. He introduces us to the other 3 lads who all seem really sweet. And his two friends, JJ and Chris, are there too.

“Oh that’s why I recognise you,” I suddenly blurt out.

“What?” Chris asks looking confused.

“I saw you before near the stage and you looked familiar and I realised now it’s coz well we’ve met.” The rest of the night is pretty much us all having a good time. You know what I’m glad me and Aisha decided to come out tonight, it has finally made moving here a lot more fun!

Part 9

I walk out of the library shoving the textbooks into my bag and head home. Only my second week and I’m already getting books out, this is crazy! I put my headphones in and notice someone walking up to me. “Hi,” he says smiling. “You’re that girl from the other night right? [yourname]?” he asks.

“Yeah that’s me, hi.”

“You don’t recognise me do you?”

“No I do, I just don’t remember your name. Sorry.”

“That’s ok. Im Jonathan, but everyone calls me JB. Anyway me and the boys are going out on the weekend, you should join us.”

“I dunno.”

“It’ll be fun and I know Ast would like to see you again.”

“Yeah ok,” I say sarcastically.

“No really. He really likes you! He sang to you the other night, now that’s saying something! Him singing is his way of chatting a girl up.” Great so I’m just another girl to him. JB notices my face drop. “Ok that’s made him sound like a player.”

“Just a bit,” I say laughing.

“He’s not. He’s a good guy. And if he knew I was standing here telling you all this he’d kill me!” he laughs.

“What he didn’t put you up to this?”

“No! Are you kidding! He might be into you but he still has his pride. But he’s been hurt before, badly, and so he’s a bit more cautious now which is why he hasn’t directly asked you out but he doesn’t stop talking about you. He deserves to be happy and you seem like a cool girl.”

“He really would kill you!” I say blushing slightly.

“Lemme give you my number and if you change your mind call me.” I hand him my phone and let him tap away his number.

“Ok well I’ll let you know. But if I do come I’m bringing Aisha.”

“Cool the more the better!”

“Well I have to go but was nice seeing you,” I say smiling.

Part 10

“We’re early!” I say as we walk up to Nandos and the boys are no where to be seen. We stand outside shivering and looking around for a familiar face.

“Maybe they’re inside?” Aisha suggests.

“They wouldn’t go in….would they?”

“I dunno but can we? I’m bloody freezing!”

“No one told you to be such a tart!” I say laughing and pushing her in.

“You’re shivering just as much as me!” We walk in and a waiter comes up to us.

“Would you like a seat?”

“Oh erm we’re actually waiting for more people to arrive,” I say.

“I can sit you down now and they can join you?” he adds.

“Erm I think we’ll…”

“[YOURNAME]! AISHA!” I hear a voice call and cut me off. We turn to see the boys already sat around a table.

“I guess they did come in,” we say to each other and then walk over to them. We’re greeted by a lot of hugs and smiles and then sit down. The boys decide to treat us and order for us, I’m hoping they ordered something decent! 

After dinner we all head back to Marvin‘s house. I sit down on one of the sofas next to Aisha and Aston comes and sits next to me. “So what do you girls study then?” Oritsé asks sitting down.

“Maths,” I say.

“Oh wow! Geeks in the house!” Aston laughs.

“Oi shush I like maths ok.”

“You like MATHS?”

“Yeah I like solving the problems and that kinda stuff. Its like doing a puzzle to me. I like using my brain. Leave me alone!” I say feeling like a slight geek now.

“And what about you Aisha?” JB asks.

“We do the same.”

“”Wowsh!” Oritsé says.

“Shush! We like it.”

“I think it’s cute,” Aston whispers to me making me smile but I look away blushing slightly.

“Anyway I thought we were meant to be “going out”? Why are we sitting in Marv’s house?!” Aisha says.

 “Yeah good point Aish,” I add.

“Well the plan was to go out. I have no idea how we ended up here though,” Oritsé says.

“Well to be fair we did go out to eat. And technically you lot aren’t at home so therefore you are out,” Marvin says trying to justify the situation.

“Marvin that’s the worst excuse I’ve ever heard! You lot really aren’t the rock and roll kinda band are you,” Aisha says making me laugh.

“Well seen as we are in we can get to know you better!” Aston says.

“Ooooh we should play spin the bottle!” Aisha says excitedly.

“NO!” I shout quickly, but maybe a little too quickly.

“Oh [your name] has something to hide!” Oritsé says mocking me and laughing.

“No, I just don’t like it.”

“It’s fun! And it’s better then just sitting here doing nothing!” Aisha says trying to persuade me.

“You’re gonna make me join in anyway aren’t you?”

“Yep!” everyone says nodding.

Part 11

An hour later and finally everyone has decided to finish playing. I get up to go to the kitchen to get something to drink. “Wasn’t that bad was it?” I hear Aston ask walking in behind me.

“No, but it would’ve been less bad if we had just not played!” I say laughing. There was an awkward silence that I tried hard to fill but talking isn’t really my best trait, especially after I knew Aston actually fancied  me. “Would you like a drink?” I finally ask.

“I’m ok. And nice to see you’ve made yourself at home!” Aston says laughing. “Shouldn’t it be me offering you a drink seen as I practically live here.”

“Well I thought I’d make myself comfy. Plus I’m hoping we get to spend a lot of time here too,” I say smiling.

“Oh, why’s that?” Aston asks and his face drops. Great going, I think to myself, I’ve made myself sound like I’m interested in his friend.

“No just that you lot spend a lot of time here don’t you? And you’re a fun bunch so I thought we could hang out more,” I say trying to make it sound better but getting stuck and flustered. Sometimes I wish I didn’t talk at all.

“Oh yeah we do. And yeah that’d be cool. Maybe next time we can actually go out!” Aston says laughing a little. I smile back and wonder how I can turn this around to let him know I actually like him without being too obvious.

“So what’s the plan for UFO?” I ask.

“What do you mean plan?”

“Well what do you wanna do next? Surely you don’t wanna just be doing small things here and there forever?”

“Oh right. Yeah we’re hoping to get signed soon but it’s difficult. We’ve sent out some CD’s to a few people, and obviously we’ve done the small gigs in the hope of getting noticed. But so far no luck. We just have to keep practicing and hope our big break comes soon.”

“Well I’m sure it wont be long til that happens. You have amazing voices. And you can see real chemistry between you boys, it seems like you’ve been friends for years!”

“I forget that we’ve only been together a few months! But they’re cool and we’ve got each others backs.” For some reason this makes me remember the conversation with JB and I start smirking without realising. “What?” Aston asks.

“Nothing,” I say shaking my head and now smiling even more.

“Tell me!”

“Trust me you don’t wanna know.”

“Try me,” he says confidently.

“Well I erm….I kinda heard…”

“Yeah?” he says urging me to carry on.

“Just someone said that you erm you sing as a way to chat up girls.”

“What?” Aston says blushing slightly.

“I told you you wouldn’t wanna know.”

“Who told you that?”

“Just someone,” I say smiling. “So it’s true!”

“Well yeah it is. I’m not ashamed of that. Everyone has their own way.”

“Yeah true. But who said it works?” I say jokingly.

“Well that’s mean!” he says pretending to be upset.

“Awww im joking!”

“So it did work then!” he says smuggly.

“Mmmm maybe a little!” I laugh.

“So go on tell me who told you. It‘s obviously one of my boys.”

“Use your brain Merrygold!”

“JJ? Chris?” he asks confused.

“No and no again. The beach wasn’t the only time you sang to me.”

“I forgot about the other night. So one of these guys?”

“Ooooh he’s almost got it!” I say mockingly.

“I could kill them!” he says getting fidgety and rubbing the back of his neck.

“Awww no I think it’s sweet!”

“It’s embarrassing is what it is! I can’t believe they told you.”

“Well it’s not like you singing was getting things any where.”

“Hey I would’ve eventually asked you out!”

“Why not now then? You have the perfect opportunity. No need to go the long way about it, as charming as the singing was,” I say winking.

“Fine, [your name] would you like to go out on a date some time?”

“Hmmmm,” I say thinking, “I might have to check my diary.”

“Oiii you wanted to ask me straight so I did.”

“Yeah but I didn’t say I’d say yes.”

“Wow I did not see that coming!” Aston said rubbing the back of his neck again.

“I’m kidding! I would love to,” I say laughing. “It’s just fun seeing you squirm a bit,” I say winking.

“Oh nice!” he says laughing. “This isn’t our first date though.”

“Well obviously not! You only just asked me out and we have all the others still around. Not exactly my idea of a date!”

“I’ll show you a proper first date,” he says winking and walking out. Ooooh he has me intrigued, now I really can’t wait to see what he’ll pull out of the bag. I smile to myself, wash my glass and follow him back into the room with everyone else.

Part 12

I stand in front of my wardrobe excitedly going through my clothes. “You look happy,” Aisha says walking in and sitting on my bed.

“That’s because today is a special day!” I say turning around with a dress in my hand.

“Ooooh yeah it’s you’re big date tonight. But noooo do not wear that!” she says getting up and taking the dress out of my hand.

“Don’t worry I wasn’t planning on wearing that.”

“So where’s he taking you then?”

“I actually don’t know.” I wish he would tell me where we are going but he wont. After an hour of getting ready I’m finally done. I start getting butterflies in my belly as I sit in my room waiting for Aston to turn up. I did tell him I’d meet him there but he insisted on it being a surprise so told me he’d pick me up. He eventually turns up and we make our way to the special place. After a while of driving Aston stops the car.

“We’re here!” he says looking pleased with himself. I look around only to see grass ahead.

“Ast we’re at a park?” I say confused.

“I know. We’re having a picnic!” He goes to open his door but I look at him likes he’s mad.

“But it’s already dark. And it’s not exactly hot.”

“Just trust me and come on!” he says laughing and climbing out of the car going to the boot. I pull my cardigan around me tighter and step outside. It’s not as cold as I was expecting and I follow Aston as he carried a huge hamper.

“Do you need a hand?” I ask.

“Nah I’m fine.” He eventually stops walking and places the basket down on the ground and takes out a mat for us to sit on. He then pulls out some candles and lights them up. “This is to solve the problem of it being dark!” he says placing them in front of us and making me smile. Maybe he was more romantic then I thought, I was expecting the typical meal out sort of date. He pulls out a whole load of food and then passes me a plate. “Just help yourself,” say says digging in.

“You cooked all this?” I ask impressed.

“If I said yes would I get more brownie points?” he asks cheekily.“Well it would’ve but now I’m assuming you didn’t!”“Ok I didn’t cook it all but I made some.” We carry on talking while we eat under the stars. This was actually a lot better then I expected when we first got here. A gust of wind suddenly blows through the air making me shiver. “Here,” Aston says taking off his jacket and putting it around me.“But now you’ll get cold!”“I’m ok. And I’d rather be cold then see you shiver,” he says smiling sweetly. It’s bad but I can feel myself falling for him already. Those glistening brown eyes and that cheeky smile are enough to make me weak at the knees! He sits next to me and puts his arm around my waist and I lean my head on his shoulders. I look up at the sky and watch the stars shine down. After a few minutes of sitting in silence I hear a click. I look down and see Aston with his phone in his hand. “Heeey that’s not fair I wasn’t ready!” I say looking at the photo of me on his screen.“That’s why it’s even nicer, you look innocent looking up at the sky.”“I look horrible! Please delete it. Pleeeease,” I ask pouting and fluttering my eyelashes.“Are you crazy you look gorgeous!”“Well at least take a decent one of me, of both of us.”“Fine,” Aston says taking a picture of us both.“Ast.”“Yeah?”“I’m still cold!” I laugh.“Me too,” he says getting up and pulling a blanket out of the picnic basket. “But luckily I came prepared!” He wraps it around us both. We continue to talk and laugh snuggled up under the blanket. A candle lit picnic, I can safely say I’ve never done this before and you know what this has actually turned out the be the perfect first date after all!

Part 13

It’s been 2 months now since me and Aston have started going out. Things are going really well with us. I turn up at Astons and as soon as I ring the bell the door swings open and I’m greeted by a body flinging itself at me hugging me. “I cant breathe Chris!” I laugh as I push him off.

“Hi,” he says grinning and letting me in.

“You’re in a good mood!” I walk in and slump down on the sofa next to JJ. “How are you both?”

“Good,” they both say. “Ast’s just coming down. His probably doing his hair or something” JJ says making me laugh.

“No actually I wasn’t!” Aston says walking in and hitting JJ round the head jokingly. Suddenly JB walks in.

“Huh?” I say confused.

“Oh hi [your name],” he says looking at me and giving me that cute big smile of his.

“Are all the boys coming today?” I ask.

“Nah it’s just me. Why is that a problem?” he jokes.

“No, just wasn’t expecting you to be here.” We order food in and within half an hour it arrives. “So what film are we watching?”

“Why don’t you choose, seen as you’re the only lady here,” JB says.

“Awwww what a gentleman!” I tease. “I’m not fussed. But something that’s funny. Oooh or can we watch You got served? The dude in that is hot!” I laugh.

“What?!” Aston says shocked.

“Oh come on Ast you don’t need to get offended I don’t fancy the guy. And even if I did it’s not like anything’s gonna happen!” Aston just pokes his tongue at me and pretends to be hurt.

“No not You got served!” JJ says.

“But you just said I can decide!”

“No, JB said you can decide, not me. How about Bad Boys?”

“But we’ve watched that a million times!” Chris says.

“Yeah but that doesn’t stop it from being good!” JJ says back.

“Ok you lot put it in I’m coming,” Aston says walking out of the room. JJ fishes around in their collection of DVDs when we suddenly hear a scream coming from the kitchen. “NOOOOOOO!” We all look at each other confused.

“Is everything ok bruv?” JB calls out. I get up to investigate what has just happened. As I walk in I see Aston stood in front of the open fridge with a look of horror on his face.

“There’s no ketchup!” he says looking at me.

“Is that it?”

“What do you mean is that it?! Did you not hear me right. THERE’S NO KETCHUP!”

“Ast it’s ketchup calm down. We’ll get some later now hurry up the food’s getting cold and they’ve just put the film on.”

“No we can’t get it later we need it NOWWWW! You lot start I’m coming,” Aston says walking out passed me and runs up the stairs. He runs back down in an instant with his coat, swings the door open and runs out.

“Oh wow! I can’t believe I just witnessed that,” I say walking back into the sitting room in shock. “Is he ALWAYS like this?” I ask the others.

“Pretty much yeah, well when it comes to ketchup. You get used to it though,” Chris says like what just happened was the most normal thing ever. I sit down and we all dig in and start watching the movie.

Part 14

HOLIDAY TIIIIIME! Yeah boi that time has finally come around! And to enjoy it to the max me and Aisha have invited the girls from back home to stay for the week. It’s just passed midday and we’ve finished cleaning the house. We flop down on the sofa tired from cooking and cleaning for the girls since the morning. Finally the bell rings. “WOOOOO!” me and Aisha both scream jumping up and running to the door. I swing the door open with a huge grin, only to be greeted by my neighbour. “Hi girls, you look happy!” she says.

“Hi. Yeah our friends are coming down from Peterborough to stay for the week and we thought it was them,” I say smiling.

“Oh sorry to disappoint,” she says laughing. “Anyway some of your post was for some reason delivered to me so I thought I’d pass it on.”

“Oh silly postman! Thanks,” Aisha says taking the letters off her.

“Well you girls enjoy your week. You deserve it, you always seem to be working so hard! I have to be off now. Bye.”

“Thanks! Bye,” we both say and close the door. Just as we walk back into the living room the bell rings again. Me and Aisha look at each other as if to ask why she’s back. Aisha opens the door with me right behind her expecting it to be our neighbour again, but instead we’re greeted by screams and 3 bodies flying into us.

“Why do you look so unhappy to see us?!” Jade says stepping back and looking at us funny.

“Coz we just got up screaming like 2 minutes ago thinking it was you but it was our neighbour…..so we were thinking she was back. But AAAAAAAH!” I say squeezing everyone into a group hug. We all jump about screaming for a good few minutes before we drag their bags in and close the door. “So what do you think of our place?” I ask directing everyone into the front room.

“Well at first I thought I was gonna get jumped! Seriously why are there so many weirdo guys loitering around?!” Zara says looking genuinely worried making us both laugh.

“I know the areas not greeeat and there are a few questionable people hanging around. But there harmless, trust us!” Aisha laughs. “But what about the inside?”

“Well we haven’t seen anything except the passage and now this room. But you have a lovely front door!” Jessica laughs.

“Idiot!” I laugh pushing her. “Well get your fat arses up and we can give you a quick tour of the house.” We show them around and then give them time to sort out their stuff and get a bit settled. They can’t really unpack though because we don’t really have a spare room or wardrobes for them. We have lunch because we’re all starving and then we make them some makeshift beds on the floor in our bedrooms. We all get changed into pj’s and pull out some make, hair accessories, our collection of DVDs and loads of junk food.

“Let the girls night begin!” Jade screams jumping onto the sofa.

“It’s only just gone 5 o’clock! It’s hardly night time,” Aisha laughs.

“The suns gone down and it is dark therefore it’s night time! Stop being such a mood kill!” A good few hours into all the pampering, laughing and eating I get a text from Aston. I read it and without realising I start smiling.

“Oooooh is it lover boy!” Jessica teases.

“Shut up,” I say blushing slightly. “And yes it is Aston.”

“So when do we get to meet him?” Zara says excitedly. The other girls look at me with the same grin and wide eyes.

“I dunno. I haven’t asked him when his free.”

“Why not?! You didn’t really think we’d come here and go back without meeting him. And we weren’t even at the beach the first time you met him! So this literally is our first chance!”

“Yes and we need to abuse the poor boy, you know grill him a bit, make sure he’s ok,” Jade adds making me laugh.

“Don’t worry you’ll get you’re chance to abuse him. He knows you’re here and if he has sense he’ll know that I expect him to meet yous.” After an hour or so I creep upstairs to call Aston.

“Hey gorgeous,” he says answering the phone and making me smile.

“Hey, what are your plans for tomorrow?” I ask.

“I don’t have any. Why?”

“Good well you’re coming round here for dinner!”

“Ok then. I guess that’s what I’m doing then. Nice to know you’re making my plans without informing me!” he laughs.

“Well the girls all really want to meet you. So I thought I’d make dinner and you could come around and spend some time getting to know them. Pleeeease,” I say as sweetly as possible. “I’ll cook whatever you want!”

“Oh really?”

“Well I have my limits. I’m not a world class chef you know!”

“What am I gonna get burnt toast or soggy pasta?” Aston says laughing.

“Well just for that comment I really will give you burnt toast while everyone else has a nice meal.”

“I’m kidding. I know you can cook. So what should I expect from you’re friends? I’m guessing they’re gonna have a thousand and one questions right?”

“Yeah you could say that,” I giggle. “Anyway my handsome, I’m gonna leave you to it, let you get your beauty sleep for tonight, you’ll need it.”

“Heyyy!” Aston says pretending to sound hurt.

“What? Its true!” I laugh.

“You just called me handsome so I obviously don’t need that much beauty sleep.”

“Whatever floats you’re boat babe. Anyway the girls are waiting for me downstairs so see you tomorrow. Night.”

Part 15

I get a text from Aston saying he has just left work and is gonna quickly go home to freshen up. I finish getting ready, attempting to make myself look half decent for when he gets here. After finally getting my hair to do as I say I make my way downstairs and as soon as I walk into the sitting room Jessica wolf whistles. “Oi oi look at you getting all dressed up for lover boy,” she says making me laugh.

“Well of course,” I say giving them a twirl and then collapsing onto the sofa laughing. “He should be here soon,” I say clapping and bouncing about a little. A little over 15 minutes later and the door bell finally rings. I hear a little squeal coming form one, or maybe all, of the girls as I get up to answer the door. I open the door grinning to be greeted by that heart stopping smile and see Aston with a bunch of very nice flowers in his hands.

“AWWWW!” I say squeezing him tight. “I don’t normally like flowers but these are beautiful! And awww you’re so cute!” I say kissing him on the cheek.

“Glad you like them. I only buy beautiful things for my beautiful girl,” Aston says winking and giving me a kiss.

“Ahem,” I hear someone cough and pull away from Aston. I turn around to see the others all crowded behind me smiling. “Gonna introduce us then?” Jade asks.

“You lot are such losers! Anyway Ast this is Zara, Jade and Jessica,” I say pointing at them all. “My bestest friends from back home.”

“You didn’t introduce me!” Aisha shouts from the sitting room.

“I already know that voice, it belongs to loser face!” Aston shouts back laughing.

“So you must be the famous Merrygold,” Zara says.

“Why famous?” Aston asks wrinkling his nose in that cute way he always does when he’s confused.

“Coz we’ve heard a lot about you.”

“Oh really?” Aston says smiling at me.

“Don’t get so smug how do you know it’s all good stuff I’ve said?” I say winking and walking off to sit down in the living room. After a little while of talking and them getting to know Aston a little more dinner is finally ready to be served.

“Do you have ketchup?” Aston asks sitting down.

“Ewww no. And why do you need ketchup? Is my cooking not good enough?” I ask sitting down next to him.

“Nooo. But I can’t eat without it. I have to have ketchup when I eat.”

“Well today you can TRY to eat without it!” I smile.

“Nooooooo I NEEEED the ketchup!”

“Well you’re not allowed to have any, we don’t eat ketchup in this house coz it’s GROSS! And if you keep saying you need ketchup then im gonna get extremely offended.”

“How can you sit there and call ketchup gross?!”

“Oh my god yes we do have ketchup!” Aisha says getting up and going to the kitchen.

“Spoil sport,” I mumble. I can feel the girls staring at me and look up.

“Are they always like that?” Jessica asks Aisha when she walks back in.

“Pretty much, you get used to it though.”

“Oh right. Thought we were witnessing their first argument or something.” Jessica says which makes me and Ast burst out laughing.

“If we were to argue it wouldn’t be over something so stupid as ketchup! You don’t always have to be all lovey dovey you know, can have a laugh once in a while,” I say.

“Yeah but with you two its more then once in a while. You’re like a pair of kids!” Aisha adds. Me and Aston just stick our tongues out at her, which probably proves her point, and laugh.

Part 16

It’s the girls last day with us. Well they leave tomorrow at noon but that doesn’t give us much time with them. Can’t believe the weeks gone by so quickly, time really does fly when you’re having fun. We’ve invited the boys over to have a fun last day and also coz we thought it’d be nice for them to all meet each other. It’s half 8 and neither of them are here yet, even though they were meant to be here by 8! Me and the girls sit around waiting and chatting when eventually the bell rings. “About time!” I say jumping up. I assume it’s Aston but when I open the door I see Oritsé stood there. “REEESHYYY!” I say pouncing on him and giving him a bear hug.

“Hey babe,” he says laughing.

“You’re the first one here by the way!” I say letting go of him.

“Them boys are always late!”

“Erm Reesh you’re late yourself.”

“Yeah but I’m the first one here, gotta count for something right?”

“Suuuure!” I say laughing.

“You gonna let me in then?” he says wrapping his arms around himself.

“Nahhh thought it’d be fun to let you stand there and shiver!” I laugh. I step aside and let him in. He follows me into the living room to see the girls scattered around. I introduce them all and not too soon after the bell rings again. This time it’s Aston, JJ and Chris. Marvin arrives shortly after them. And then the bell rings one last time for our latest late comer. “You’re late!” I say opening the door.

“Hey babe aww you look gorgeous,” JB says grinning

“Don’t try and sweet talk me!” I says squinting trying to keep a straight face but failing.

“NO I was being serious you do. And I’m sorry. Hey I’m just being fashionably late!” he winks.

“Loser,” I say letting him in. “Come on,” I say grabbing his arm and pulling him into the front room to introduce him to everyone. After about an hour everyone seems to be talking and laughing. I’m so glad everyone’s getting on so well. Everyone’s dancing at the moment and I notice Aston dancing like a complete nutter. I laugh to myself and leave him to it. I walk into the kitchen to get a drink and see Zara stood leaning against the counters. “Hey I was wondering where you’d got to,” I say walking over to the fridge.

“Oh just thought I’d erm get some space.”

“Yeah is a bit crowded,” I laugh. “But everyone seems to be getting on really well.”

“Yeah true. You know me I just don’t like big groups and that.”

“Aww yeah but the boys are really sweet.” I say walking to her and leaning on the counter next to her.

“Yeah they are,” she says smirking.

“What’s that smile for?” I ask knocking her hip with mine.

“Nothing,” she says quickly and blushing.

“Oh my god you like someone!” I say excitedly turning to face her.

“No I don’t!” Zara says getting defensive.

“Ohhhh yes you do! Tell me who is it!”

“No, you’re gonna start being embarrassing and tell him!”

“I wont I swear. Pleeeeeease!”

“Promise?”

“Cross my heart and everything!”

“Fine, but if you do say anything imma kill you!”

“My lips are sealed!” I say pretending to zip them.

“It’s Oritsé,” she says smiling again just at the mention of his name.

“AWWWWW! Oh my god this is too cute! You’d both look so good together!”

“[YOURNAME]!” she shouts facing me. “You swore you’re not gonna say or do anything!”

“Fine I wont but eeeck this is so cute! Please say something to him!”

“What so that I can look desperate?! No thanks. He hasn’t even noticed me anyway,” she says getting up. We both walk out together and I go and find Aston still dancing.

“What you so happy about?” he asks frowning wrapping his arms around my waist.

“Nothing,” I say grinning cheekily and then start dancing like a weirdo with him.

Part 17

-2 months later-

I wake up still feeling groggy. I go to pull my duvet over my head when I feel a weight on it. I open my eyes to see why it’s feeling so heavy when I notice someone sat there. I scream and jump up until I notice it’s just Aston. “What the hell are you doing! You scared the crap out of me!” I scream at him sitting up.

“Sorry babe,” he laughs.

“It’s not funny!” I say thumping him in the chest. “And how did you even get in here?”

“OUCH! And Aisha let me in. I just came to see how you were. You sounded really bad on the phone last night.”

“Well I’m still feeling horrible,” I say sniffing.

“How did you manage to get so ill?” he asks.

“I don’t know but I’m blaming you.”

“What that’s not fair! How’s it my fault? I’m not even ill.”

“Yeah well you’re a man so it is. You have man germs and now I’m ill,” I say poking my tongue out.

“Where do you come up with these things!” he says laughing.

“Oh god I can’t believe you’re seeing me like this! I look a mess!” I say pulling the duvet over my head.

“No you don’t. Even when you’re this ill you still manage to look beautiful,” he says pulling it down and kissing me on the forehead.

“Awww you’re such a charmer, but I know I look bad Ast there’s no need to lie. I look like a gremlin in the morning and on top of that I’m ill. There’s no way I can look decent!”

“Come on up you get. I’m gonna make you breakfast.”

“But I don’t wanna eat. My throat hurts!” I say pouting.

“Well you have to. You’re gonna make yourself worse if you don’t.”

“Ok fine. Can I have some hot chocolate?”

“And?” Aston asks.

“And cake,” I say smiling.

“You need more then cake! How about pancakes!” he says excitedly.

“Mmmmmm that does sound good!”

“Well go to the bathroom and wash up and I’ll go and make us all some pancakes,” Aston says standing up. He’s adorable. He came first thing this morning just to make me breakfast because he knew I was ill. My boyfriend is amazing, I can’t believe how lucky I am to have found someone so perfect. I really do love him with all my heart.After finishing in the bathroom I wander into the kitchen taking in the yummy smell of pancakes.

“Morning. Sorry if I scared ya by letting him in,” Aisha says grinning at me as I sit down.

“I will get you back! Can’t believe you let him in and he saw me like that!”

“Yeah must’ve been one scary sight for you Ast, I’ve only just got used to it!”

“Awww leave my poor girl alone!” Astons says placing a plate filled with pancakes in the middle of the table.

Part 18

The boys have invited me and Aisha round to Marvin’s telling us they have news to tell us. My mind races the whole way down to his thinking of what it could be, but one thought sticks out the most. The idea that they have finally been recognised and possibly signed. As soon as we pull up I jump out of the car and run up to his door. “What is it? What is it? What is it?” I shout as soon as the door is opened.

“Nice to see you too babe!” Marvin laughs.

“Soooo?” me and Aisha both say wide eyed.

“You lot are so impatient! You haven’t even come in yet. Sit down and we’ll tell you!” We do as we’re told and walk in and go straight to the living room.

“Hi girls,” JB says standing up to give me a hug.

“So what is this big news you had to call us over for?” Aisha asks hugging JB.

“BOYS!” Marvin calls out. “Hurry up!”

“Sorry,” Ast says walking in with Oritsé behind him. I give him a hug and kiss and wait for them to tell us but they all stand silently staring at us.

“COME ONNN!” I moan punching Aston in the arm. “Just tell us!”

“OUCH! Why am I the only one getting punched when they’re the ones who are quiet as well,” Aston says rubbing his arm.

“Coz you’re closest.”

“Alright alright, are you both ready?” Oritsé says and in returns gets two very unimpressed looks from me and Aisha. “WOW! You really aren’t in the mood. Ok drum roll boys!” The other three start drumming their legs. “WE’RE GOING XFACTOR BABY!” Oritsé screams.

“WHAT?!” me and Aisha both shout in shock.

“OH MY GOD that’s amazing news but WHAT?” Aisha says taking the words out of my mouth.

“Well we’ve been talking about it for a while and we just decided why not? We need some kinda kickstart and this is the perfect opportunity,” JB says.

“Is that ok?” Aston worriedly asks looking at me. “Aren’t you happy?”

“Of course I am baby!” I laugh. “It was just sudden that’s all. I was not expecting it.”

“Yeah is was a bit of a surprise for us too strangely. But we can’t wait. And our auditions in a couple of months.”

“WOOOOO!” me and Aisha scream hugging them all in a group hug. We spend the night celebrating and talking about what they’re gonna sing. We get them to sing for us to hear how they sound, even though we’ve heard them sing it before. We discuss clothes, who they’d like as a mentor and what it’d be like once they get to the live stages. I know it’s a bit early to talk about that and the boys kept saying that they need to focus on their audition and that they’d be grateful just to get through, but let’s face it their amazing and the judges would be mad not to put them through!

Part 19

Aston calls me just as I get in. “WE’RE THROUUUUUGH!” he shouts as soon as I pick up.

“Through what?” I ask confused kicking the door closed behind me.

“X FACTOR!” he shouts back still excited.

“OH MY GOD! AHHHH!” I scream back. How did I even forget it was today?

“I can’t believe it AAAAAAAA!” Aston shouts making me laugh and scream all at the same time.

“Ahhh babe you deserve it! I knew you’d get through! WOOOOOO!”

“What’s with all the shouting?” Aisha says coming out of the kitchen.

“THEY’RE THROOOOOOUGH!”

“Through what? And who?” she says looking at me like I’ve lost it.

“The boys you idiot! Their audition was today and they’re through!”

“OH MY GOD WOOOOOOH!” Aisha screams running up to me to hug me and we both land on the floor.

“OUCH!” I say pushing her off. Meanwhile on the phone all I can hear are a loads of screams no doubt coming from 4 very hyper guys.

“Babe you still there?” Aston asks.

“Yeah. I’m so proud of you guys!”

“WELL DONE SHORTY!” Aisha screams down the phone making Aston laugh.

“Listen we’re having a lil party later at Marvin’s. So you and Aisha make sure you’re there, about 8ish.”

“Cool!” We say our goodbyes and I let him get back to celebrating with the boys and whoever else is there.