Chapter 1: Sleepless Nights
"Maybe we should just catch a movie or something".
How could he have been so stupid? Holly's face had said it all- and she was right, sitting on his bed, her hand sliding up his leg, Jason knew that neither he nor Holly had wanted to watch a film. As soon as he felt her hands sliding over his body, and tugging at his shirt though, he knew that he had to say something that would distract her. Anything to buy him some time. The look on her face after had said it all. She look crestfallen and bewildered, curious as to what she had done wrong, but most of all sad- her eyelashes tinged with moisture. It hadn't taken long for her to make her excuses and depart, leaving Jason to take matters into his own hands as he slipped into the shower before going to bed. Not that it made him feel any better -especially knowing that Holly was hurting.
"Ok Baby, Mummy's here." Sienna lowered her voice as she crossed the room to the baby's cot, desperate to quiet her murmurs before she woke sobbing and ready for another bottle. "Shhhhh. It's ok." She stroked the babies face softly, urging her to close her eyes so the pair of them could have another couple of hours sleep. She loved being a mum. The feeling of pride as she looked at her offspring. Her petite features located in all the right places to win every beauty pageant under the sun. There wasn't an inch of the little girl she didn't love, wouldn't do anything for. As the cries became louder Sienna smiled picking her daughter up. Bundling her close to her chest she took a deep breath, inhaling the aroma of the baby and allowing it to intoxicate her mind. "Just this once", she smiled, "you can sleep with mummy."
"No way. I'm not picking- just because you get off on seducing the older lady" Darren winked at Dodger.
"Come on Dazza. You must have a preference. Nana or Myra McQueen?"
"I've told you. I only want Nancy back."
"And I've told you- stick another pint in there", Dodger handed Darren his empty glass, "your a bloke. You'd be lying if you said you don't window shop."
"I'm done with airing my dirty laundry in public thanks mate."
"If you think that's dirty I'd hate to think what you call my Internet history." Dodger smirked- it had been too long since he had seen Darren laughing.
Darren pulled a face. "I don't even want to think about that."
"Probably for the best- so what's happening with you and Nancy?"
"Like I said...I want her back."
Dodger raised his glass to Darren and patted him on the back- "it'll happen."
Finn sat on the sofa staring at John - Paul who was sitting across the room between Ste and Sinead. Ever since Robbie had begin his hate campaign against the teacher Finn had rebuked his friendship, not wanting to be part of it when he had so much going on in his own life. Not liking the way that Robbie treated people. Yet he couldn't help but watch him. He was curious about his lifestyle. How he came to make the choices that he had. He knew Sinead hadn't noticed but for the last half hour Ste and John-Paul's legs had been pressed tightly together, the pair exchanging knowing smiles when they thought nobody was watching. He chuckled to himself enjoying the fact that both men kept shifting positions slightly in their seats struggling to hide their arousal which Sinead was oblivious to, too busy twittering on about the big fat gypsy wedding on the tv to be aware of the chemistry hidden in the room. With nobody watching him however, Finn was easily able to hide exactly how naughty the thoughts running through his mind were. A loud thud suddenly shook the room, followed by a scream.
"Wha was that?" Finn looked at he trio on the sofa.
"It happens every night." Sinead responded without moving her eyes from the television. "Patrick and Maxine have got surround sound installed and he's forcing her to watch films from his old war collection." Silence resumed as nobody responded. Finn returned to observing his companions, watching closely as the two men continued to taunt each other, their trousers getting noticeably tighter- but only to those who were looking.
"You couldn't sleep either mate?". Freddie turned as Joe and Lindsay entered the kitchen, his eyes focussing over the top of his tea on the pairs dishevelled appearance. Lindsay was in Joe's dressing gown, her immaculate hair tussled where it lay on her shoulder's, her face red and flushed, her golden brown eyes bleary and ready to sleep. Despite its flaws Freddie found her appearance to be perfection, even though he knew she would think of herself as anything but. Joe on the other hand looked anything but tired. Standing in just is boxers and football socks he picked an apple up laughing at Freddie's vacant expression. "Earth to Freddie?"
"What yeah sure I'll make you tea."
Lindsay laughed. "Not what he said silly." As she spoke Freddie couldn't help but notice her twirling her hair round her fingers.
"Sorry Bro. Tired. Gonna go to sleep." Freddie stumbled his words out desperate to escape the kitchen. He gasped as Lindsay leant forwards, plant a soft succulent kiss on his cheek. As she did he slowly inhaled, smelling her hair hair, but disappointed to also be able to smell Joe on her.
"Night Fred." He pulled away, vanishing from the kitchen, as fast as his legs would allow.
Joe turned to look at Lindsay, "What was that about?"
She sighed. "I have absolutely no idea."
Jason rolled over, desperate to try to get some sleep but having less and less luck the more he tried. Above him Robbie was snoring, one arm hanging over the bed as he took great delight in a restful nights sleep. Jason pulled the covers up to his neck , doing everything he could to get comfortable. He could hear someone on the stairs returning to bed, no doubt Ziggy, home from pulling another bird. It amazed him how confident his brothers were, particularly Ziggy who informed him, on several occasions that by Jason's age he had slept with fourteen different girls. Even Robbie the youngest, had no qualms about his perceived credentials. He was happy to flaunt himself time and time again, though he had far less luck pulling than Freddie or Ziggy. Jason had even known Robbie to get his meat out, just for a free burger. Still, Jason knew he wasn't ugly, he just wasn't on par with his brothers. Though that could change of course. Feeling despondant he ran his hands over his scrawny chest. He could feel bones and it sickened him. Angry, he pushed his hands under his pillows desperate to stop thinking, stop touching what he was and craving what he wasn't. Yet as soon as he did he knew he had made a fatal error as he felt his hands close around the cold metal handles and pull the scissors from beneath his pillow...
