PART ONE
CRAIG
We grinned as we made our way out of the building and none of us turned back to give it a second glance. There was no hint of regret, just a feeling of euphoria at the thought of the beginning of the rest of our lives. I high fived my friends before slinging my arm around John Pauls shoulder.
I whooped loudly "No more exams!" i shouted, almost deafening JP. "So when do you go to Manchester?" i asked Sarah. She had landed on her feet, securing a modeling contract with an up and coming cosmetics firm. She was to become the new face of 'Sparkle' lipstick and eyeshadow and to tell the truth i couldn't be more happy for her. We had split up a couple of months ago because i found that between working in the pub, spending time with John Paul and revision, we really didn't have much time left to spend together.
"Next Tuesday" she said, a massive smug grin plastered on her face. "What about you two" she said looking at me and John Paul, "when's the big day?".
"Duh, tomorrow!" we both said in unison and burst out laughing. It was like a twin connection, we often found ourselves answering together or saying the same thing. I figured it's because we're best friends that we are so in tune with what the other thinks or feels. Sometimes it doesn't work though, like the time John Paul blurted out that he was in love with me and was gay.....Totally didn't see that one coming.
She shook her head, looping her arm through Hannahs. "God help the good people of Blackpool!, they won't know what's hit them when you two roll up in town". We laughed, we had been talking about the holiday for weeks, it had got us through numerous hours of bottom numbing revision and we were looking forward to it so much, we couldn't stop going on about it.
Honestly it's ridiculous how excited i am. When me and Sarah split up we cancelled our holiday to Tenerife and JP decided not to go to soccer camp in the U.S. I carried on saving though, so when he suggested us going away to Blackpool, i thought 'what the hell' and since then he has been saving most of his money from his job as DJ at The Loft.
I had never been to Blackpool even though realistically it's not that far away, we only live in the next county. John Paul said that his family went there quite a bit when he was younger and he's told me some stories that had me clutching my sides with laughter. He told me how one time Mercedes and Jacqui bought some fake dog poo from a joke shop and they put it on the pavement underneath their hotel room window. Apparently the passers by were tripping over themselves trying to dodge it! Seriously when JP told me, i almost wet myself.
He was being a bit evasive recently about what we were going to do there, if it was me i would have an itinerary set up of places to visit and things to do....but no, not John Paul. He was being very hush, hush and secretive about it all. I cast a furtive glance towards him, noticing the smile on his face. Yep i was really looking forward to this vacation!
JOHN PAUL
We made our way to The Dog for a celebratory drink, i couldn't stay long as i still had to pack but i made myself comfortable on the couch before Craig came back with the drinks and plonked himself down next to me. I shifted over slightly so that his leg wasn't pressed against mine quite so much. Jesus, how the hell was i going to cope with being in the company of Craig Dean for a whole week. Don't get me wrong, it was awesome and i couldn't wait, i had been looking forward to this for weeks but i knew that mentally and physically this week would probably be the death of me.
I couldn't believe that HE was my best friend. I felt like the luckiest bloke on the face of the earth. Alright so when i told him i had feelings for him, he lost it for a bit, even going so far as to punch me but after a short while he had apologised and our friendship had become stronger than ever. I knew he felt bad for what he'd done but...honestly i couldn't really blame him. It must have been a bit of a shock having your best mate tell you he was in love with you and thought he might be batting for the other team. All things considered i think i came out of it quite well.
Hannah was laughing at something Craig was saying about all male models as he put on that ridiculous camp voice again. Seriously.....and i'm the gay one!
I looked at my watch and did some mental arithmatic. 19Hours, 42 minutes and fourteen..thirteen..twelve seconds before the bus would come to take us to the train station. I finished my drink and jumped up.
"Sarah, good luck in Manchester" i said leaning over to give her a hug. "Keep in touch and don't forget us when you're famous" . She giggled and hugged me back.
"Hannah, if i don't see you tomorrow, take care. We'll send you a postcard" she smiled at me and blushed. I still cared about her and got the impression she wasn't really over me yet, i just hoped she would meet someone soon who could treat her the way she deserved to be treated...like a princess.
Craig got up too. "You're alright mate, you live here" i said with a chuckle. "Gotta go pack", i slapped him on the back. "See you in the morning yeah".
"Ten fifteen McQueen" he called out as i waved. This was one thing i would not be late for!
