Hey hey, new fic for you.

Okay a little bit of background. This fic is based at Nancy's party (the one with the stripper) but the time line has changed from canon. Here it's based in May time. JPC are friends, things up to the dance off are the same but no big fight here. Craig is with Sarah, JP with Spike etc. The rest you'll pick up within the story.

It was MEANT to be a one-shot but you know me, can never just gloss over stuff so it's ended up around 17 chapters. Also, it's finished so if the response is good, I'll post pretty frequently.

That's it then, hope you like it, enjoy!

PART ONE

John Paul

"So are we going to 'Sparks' tonight then? It's that club I mentioned last week. Should be good, DJ's cool and they've got a new sound system that's meant to be amazing". I turn to Spike, trying to muster some kind of enthusiasm for his suggestion, though I know I'm doing a piss poor job of it when his usually cheerful face becomes marred by a frown. Stupid right? We're talking about one of my passions, unfortunately there's just one thing that trumps that.

"Could do I suppose..." he grins then, his brown eyes sparkling, the touch of doubt I'd seen a moment ago vanishing in an instant. He hadn't let me finish though. "It's just...well I was gonna meet Craig" I see the smile die instantly so I feel the need to explain further. "We've not spent much time together lately, what with him and Sarah still going out and me spending so much time with you..." I let my words peter off, leaving the explanation hanging, a fresh wave of guilt washing over me. I say fresh because, these days, I almost constantly feel guilty. Guilty for fancying and loving my best mate and pretending I don't, guilty for lusting after Sarah's boyfriend, wishing it was me that was kissing him, going home with him and not her and now, guilty for wanting to goof around and spend time with Craig more than I do my own boyfriend. When did life get so complicated eh?

"You saw him last night though..." he points out. True, I did and I blew Spike off...metaphorically speaking, to spend the time playing Gran Tourismo with Craig "and when you aren't with him you're..." my mobile rings and I hold a finger up, indicating I'm just going to answer it, "on the phone with him" he mutters dejectedly.

"Sorry, it's Craig, I have to get this, it's probably about tonight...hiya!". As soon as I answer, I can feel the grin split across my face, though I try not to let Spike see that.

"John Paul, free house at Nancy's tonight, we've gotta go, be a right laugh!" he gushes breathlessly in my ear. He sounds delighted but me, my heart sinks.

"Thought we were going to the cinema?" I can't help the edge of disappointment that creeps into my voice at the thought of sharing him. Spike looks over, eyebrows raised so I turn away slightly, not really wanting him listening in on the conversation, even if it is just casual. I'd really been looking forward to it being just me and Craig, sitting in the dark, munching popcorn and having a laugh and maybe...well, a boy can dream, can't he?

"It'll be cool and we can go to the cinema anytime" he points out, his voice all animated.

"I suppose".

"Anyway, it'll give us the opportunity to meet this Freddie bloke, Nancy's new flat mate" he points out, "Sarah says he's a stripper, reckons he might be gay... he could be just your type" he finishes thoughtfully, his voice suddenly dropping an octave or two. Great, just what I need, the object of my affection trying to set me up with some other bloke. And what does he mean my type? My type? Not likely. For him to be my type he'd have to be daft and dorky and a little bit unsure of himself but pretend to brim with confidence. Vulnerable yet cocky, funny but serious, smart and intelligent but ohh so blind to the obvious sometimes. He'd have to have a cute giggle and a shy smile and the sexiest, most seductive voice I've ever had the pleasure of hearing and don't even get me started on what he'd look like.

Actually, yeah, get me started.

Dark brown hair that's all glossy and thick like treacle and eyes that just...fuckkk, they just make you want to dive in and drown. Honestly, staring into his eyes when he's talking, I could find myself lost for hours. Then of course there're his other assets, the most kissable lips...red, lush...just thinking about those lips and what they could do makes me so hard, a body that sculptors would salivate over and his 'fuck me' arse, all of which I've drempt of more times than I dare count. Okay so yeah, I don't just dream about him, there've been times...lots of times when I've come back from a night out or got in from footy practice or even just got off the phone with him and I've lain there, head back, dick in hand, fantasizing about him. Not even erotic scenarios. I can cum with just a few short strokes when I picture him talking to me, telling me I'm the best mate he's ever had, spunk splashing on my hand and chest as I remember his lips pressed against my forehead. Sad, pathetic but true.

"John Paul!" Broken from my reverie, I hold my phone back to my ear, folding my arm across my lap to conceal my excitement as I sit at the fountain. "So you'll come yeah? It won't be any fun without you and I promise I'll make it up to you somehow" he says persuasively. How can I say no to that eh?

"Yeah alright, who else is going?" He rattles off a few names, each new one making me wish more and more that I'd said I wasn't up for it. The thought of seeing Sarah with her tongue stuck down his throat was bad enough but finding out that Hannah was going to be there too just made it worse. At least Freddie seems like a character and if his mate's there too then maybe that'd liven things up a bit. Going to the cinema on my own or to that club with Spike was looking more appealing and I wish I'd thought of an excuse now, even if it did mean missing out on Craig's company. Better that than seeing Sarah practically welded to his face. I look up, becoming aware of the shadow that's fallen across me. Spike grins, mouthing 'party?', looking pretty happy about it when I nod my head.

"Yeah? Well I suppose we'll see you there then." I try to sound enthusiastic, I do but somehow, I'm not sure I've pulled it off. I'm just about to say bye and ring off when I hear Craig speak again.

"We?" he asks tentatively, his voice already holding a hint of disappointment. Oh God, here we go.

"Me and Spike" I point out, trying to ignore the smugness that suddenly radiates from Spike, his whole demeanor changing. My stomach starts churning at the silence that greets me from the other end of the phone, the churn turning chaotic when I see the mischief twinkling in my boyfriends eyes, that knowing glint that hints he's aware of Craig's reaction to the news. I hear him take in a deep breath so I start damage control right away.

"We've been to that new music store in town and seeing as we're no longer going to the pictures, he may as well join me, so long as no one minds" I finish. Not exactly my ideal night I admit but if Craig and Sarah are going together then I'm damn sure I'm not sitting round like a gooseberry for the entire night. I've no idea why but Craig and Spike can't seem to stand each other. If it's not Spike winding Craig up, it's my best mate making digs about my boyfriend. He calls him 'that sausage stealing twat', ever since Spike walked in on us having breakfast once and took a bite out of his full English. To be fair to Spike though, he thought it was my plate as we were sat kind of close together. Of course, it's not one sided because Spike says Craig's a 'miserable bastard' and can't understand why I'd want to be mates with him.

"Oh right well...I'll uh...I'll see you in a bit then yeah?" he says, though he doesn't sound quite as enthusiastic as he first did.

"Yeah, should be about an hour".

"Right...right okay then" he pauses like he's more to say so I wait for him to continue. "John Paul?" he says my name quietly, tentative even.

"Yeah Craig?" Oh God, that came out a bit breathy, I hope Spike didn't notice.

"Listen I...Uhm" I hold my breath this time as I wait for him to carry on, something in his tone telling me it's important. "Nancy asked if you could bring a mix CD" he blurts out. Important? Okay, maybe not.

"Yeah course I can" I reply, trying to keep my tone light and airy.

"Great well, I'll see you in a bit then".

"Yeah, see...you" he hangs up just before I get the last word out and I'm left staring at the phone, wondering what the hell just happened. I know they can't stand each other but that doesn't explain why Craig went so quiet all of a sudden.

"So where's the party then?" Spike asks, rubbing his hands gleefully together.

"Nancy's, c'mon, I'd best get ready". Getting up, I walk past him in the direction of home.

Craig

Bastard Spike of all people! Urgh! I fling the phone on the settee so I don't crush the bloody thing in my fist. Why the fuck did I agree to the party again instead of sticking with my original plans with John Paul? Truth is, I thought it'd actually be fun to hang out, have a laugh, get pissed and maybe crash at Nancy's for the night but of course, I should've realised things wouldn't be that simple. For starters, Sarah found a baby sitter for Leah so she could come, that wasn't in the plan and now I find out that John Paul's spent all day with that sausage stealing twat of a boyfriend and now he's bringing him with. I mean, can this evening get any worse?

"You ready Babe?" Sarah asks, wrapping her arms around my neck in that claustrophobic way of hers, planting a kiss against my temple.

"Yep, just about" I reply, straining away from her as I reach for my phone. "You look nice". I cast a cursory glance her way and step back completely, feeling one of those woozy headaches coming on already from the cloying scent of her perfume. I've no idea what's wrong with me lately but all the things that used to get me excited about Sarah are waining or I find them irritating or I just plain dislike them. Her affection towards me feels clingy instead of loving, she used to look sexy but now it's bordering on slutty and conversation seems to revolve around superficial shit or the mundane. I couldn't give a toss if Jordan's had another boob job or if that Kerry bird from the jungle's gone on a diet and there's a sale at Top Shop...whoopee!

The thing is, my being pissed off is pissing me off, making me even more irritable. Sod it, it's too late to change plans now. I shrug into my new cardie and grab my keys before heading out the door, remembering at the last moment that Sarah's still inside.

"Coming?" She totters up behind me and follows me down the stairs to the flat and I...well I find myself doing something I never thought in a million years that I would. I turn away. She's making her way down, one step at a time, flashing her underwear with every step and I'm not interested. How fucking weird is that?

"You never said, is John Paul coming then?" she asks as she sidles up next to me at the bar, wrapping her arm through mine and leaning her head on my shoulder. I physically refrain from pulling away as I vie for Darren's attention.

"Yeah, he's bringing Spike though" I say, my jaw clenching, sighing loudly as I wave a tenner at my step brother.

"Oh cool, that should make it more fun then". I roll my eyes in disgust, feeling my lip raise in a sneer.

"Oh yeah, can't wait" I answer, my voice dripping sarcasm.

"God! What is up with you today? You were dead excited about going to Nancy's before and now you're being dead horrible, what's changed?" Unlocking my jaw, I attempt a smile as I turn her way. After all, it's hardly my girlfriends fault that I don't want her there...or Spike.

"Nothing, I just...where's bloody Darren with the drinks?" I realise I'm being a complete bastard so I give her a quick peck on the lips which seems to appease her as she attempts to turn it into a full snog. She finally comes up for air and starts rooting in her bag for her compact which is my cue to turn my head and wipe the waxy gloss from my mouth with my thumb. There's something to be said for a soft pair of lips, totally devoid of make-up.

"Darren mate, can I get a bottle of lager and...?" I look at Sarah expectantly.

"Can we not just go straight to Nancy's?" she whines and tilts her head, giving me what she thinks is a sweet, winning smile because it shows her dimple. The thing is, I've seen her use it on so many people when she's trying to get her own way that I'm pretty immune to it now. I hold my finger up to Darren for him to wait, ignoring him when he folds his arms and settles them on the bar top to watch.

"John Paul's not going to be there for ages yet" I point out. Her brow wrinkles...something she'll no doubt regret in later years and she forms a pout.

"So? Nancy and Hannah'll be there and Freddie".

"Ooh great, lets get the banners out then" I reply narkily.

"Aww what's up Craig, jealous of the Chippendale or just sulking because your boyfriend's not there yet?" Darren asks, at which point I throw him a filthy look, grab my tenner of the bar and stalk out on Sarah for the second time in as many minutes.

"Craig! Babe!" I cringe when I hear her call my name but I stop walking anyway, waiting until she catches me up, breathless. "Ignore him, he's being stupid" she breathes in my ear, tucking her hand in mine and leaning in close, pressing her body snugly against my side as I continue walking. "You've nothing to be jealous of you know, even if he isn't gay, I still wouldn't fancy him" she assures me. "Hey, do you think JP'd go for Freddie instead of Spike? Just think how hot that would be, having two blokes fight over you like that." I twist away violently, dragging my fingers through my hair in annoyance. Christ! Her voice is grating on me and I've got a fucking stonking headache now. I literally feel like my heads going to explode. The thing is, she's not really saying anything that I hadn't thought myself earlier anyway. Not that I want John Paul going out with a stripper or anyone else for that matter but it's got to be better than Spike. They've been together for a month or so now, looks like it could get serious which is fine, you know, if that's what he wants but...not with...Spike? He can do so much better.

"Oh I've had enough of this, listen Craig..."

"Sarah...Sarah, I'm sorry alright?" I round on her, stroking my hands on her shoulders as I start to calm down. "I just...listen, I'll meet you at Nancy's in half an hour yeah, I'm gonna go get something for this headache" I say. She looks at me, her eyes enormous, tears filling them and threatening to spill over. "I'm sorry" I whisper, more sincerely this time. Pulling her in close, I hug her tightly, wishing I could find the words, explain why I'm behaving like this. I can't though because I don't even know myself, not really. She pulls back and sniffs, mascara still intact. Holding her by the shoulders, I kiss her on the cheek, my conscience making me feel sick with shame for the way I'm treating her. Then nodding, telling her I'll see her soon, I watch her walk over to Nancy's, giving her a little wave as she's ushered in. Once she's inside safe and sound, I head off in the direction of the fountain, my sole intention to get rid of the anxious feeling that's coursing through my veins.
As always, thanks so much for reading, comments and replies are greatly appreciated.

Nicky xx

Hope you liked it, comments/reviews are wonderful.