"Adam?"
What in Hades? She was sure she had heard Oliver's voice, and it sounded nothing like Adam's. But there he was, standing there smiling at her, looking genuinely pleased to see her. Adam, her ex.
"It's great to see you again. You look beautiful." he kissed her cheek.
Had he just said she looked beautiful? That was unexpected. It wasn't that they had parted on bad terms as such. But he'd never said anything like that to her before. Even when they were together. And that kiss, that was different too. He'd never shown her any affection before. What had changed? But then why shouldn't he kiss her, a voice in her head spoke up. And why not just enjoy it?
"It's good to see you too Adam. But you'll have to excuse us, Ayla isn't feeling too well and we just need to pop to the ladies."
Thank Merlin Sarah was there to talk for her. Ayla didn't know why, but she was currently incapable of talking. What the hell was going on? She had felt all light headed a minute ago. Was she in some sort of alternative universe? Sarah grabbed her elbow and steered Ayla towards the bathroom.
"What the hell's going on?" Sarah look worried. "You were looking at him like, well like he was Wood. It was Adam Ayla. Only Adam."
"I know. I just came over all funny is all. It's not like I can even stand the guy anymore. That was so strange!"
At that moment Penny and Chloe burst into the room.
"Oh thank Merlin you're ok. We were so worried." Both girls looked terrified.
"Why I'm fine?"
"We heard Adam talking about you, telling his friend the Imperio hadn't worked." Chloe started.
"And he told the other guy to try it again," Penny continued. "Circe! I thought I had a rotten ex! Kris is getting Drew to throw him out right now."
"That Bast-" Sarah began to swear as the other girls began to crowd into the small room. Scarlet grabbed Ayla by the shoulders and began to shake her.
"Are you ok? Did he hurt you?" she shrieked.
Ayla just smiled and shook her head. She couldn't believe how worried her friends were, it was quite touching really.
"Bloody men eh? Always spoiling out fun." Lenny said pulling Ayla from Scarlet's death grip. "Still Ayla, at least you know you're definitely better off without the scumbag. And several of our most favourite players have just entered the building, at ten minutes to midnight. Who says we get one of them to lock lips with our Ayla here eh?" Lenny couldn't resist it and gave her most evil cackle. Ayla grinned, hoping one of the players would be Oliver.
Crisis over, the girls all filed out of the toilets and back into the bar, trying to scout out some available talent.
"Ooh look Ayla, there's Lynch!" Chloe was well up to the task of finding Ayla a man.
"He's old enough to be my dad! Plus he has a girlfriend already."
"He's not that old, and how do you know he's with someone?" Chloe pretended to pout.
"She comes in the shop with him all the time. Now pick someone else." Ayla couldn't help herself, she was beginning to enjoy the fuss her friends were making of her.
Sarah grinned and joined in saying, "I know who she's after. Anyone know if Flint's in tonight?" Once again the girls all cackled.
"Hey what about Rob Jenkins? The Puddlemere Chaser."
"Ew Scarlet! That man's seen more action than all eight of us put together. Lord knows what magi-diseases he has." Penny shot Scarlet down immediately.
"Hey now there's nothing wrong with a bit of experience." the red head retorted.
It was Kristina however who came up with the goods so to speak. She and Drew had banded together forming a tag team, and had quizzed all the male Quidditch players present within five minutes. Were they single? What position did they play? Did they like pretty brunettes? Did they have someone to kiss at midnight?
Ayla didn't quite understand the muggle tradition of kissing someone at midnight. But right now she was game for a laugh. She was also sure that Terri had been lacing her drinks with something other than lemonade and ice. Still, who was she to argue?
"Coming through. Move it or lose it people, I'm a witch on a mission." Kristina pushed her way through the crowds, steering a rather nervous looking wizard in front of her. She had a very triumphant look on her face.
"Ayla I'd like you to meet someone. This is Casper Bradford, Seeker for the Caerphilly Catapults. Casper this is my very good friend Ayla Jenson. She's a Scorpio, who likes talking, long walks on the beach and mint choc chip ice cream. Casper likes jazz, working out, and has just moved up to London from Wales. He doesn't know many people here. Oh and he likes brunettes." Kristina grinned. She seemed to have said that all in one breath. "Well say hello to each other then! Do I have to do everything?"
Ayla smiled tentatively and mumbled a hello in Casper's direction.
"It's nice to meet you, Ayla was it? Pretty name for a pretty girl."
Ayla blushed, what a charmer!
"Ooh I love your accent." Lenny said, forgetting herself and holding out her hand to Casper.
"Lenny! He's Ayla's, shut up." Scarlet managed to growl out through gritted teeth whilst pulling the other girl's hand away and dragging her out of the way.
"I'm really, really sorry about my friends. They're all nuts. You don't have to kiss me, it's perfectly ok."
"Ah that's ok love. Besides I'd quite like to kiss a pretty girl at midnight." he grinned and wiggled his eyebrows at her.
"Oh. Well I'll leave you to it then." Ayla started to walk off, she hadn't expected him to be so honest. He could have pretended he wanted to kiss her.
"I was talking about you love!"
Ayla heard the count down begin as he grabbed her wrist. She allowed herself a coy smile in his direction. She couldn't believe this was about to happen, but he was quite good looking and a real charmer. So why not?
"Three…Two…One! Happy New Year!" the crowd screamed as one.
"Happy New Year cariad." he leant in and kissed her.
If she'd known what drowning felt like she might have compared it to Casper's kiss. As it was all she could say was: "Wow. Happy New Year Casper." in a hushed tone.
Out of the corner of her eye she could see her friends smiling and applauding her. Bloody interfering witches. She grinned back at them and gave a thumbs up. She noticed Casper was doing the same. However as he turned Ayla caught sight of who was standing behind him. Oliver.
She froze. Oh Merlin what could she do? She could hardly pretend the last few minutes hadn't happened. She forced a smile to her face and waved at him.
He turned and left. Now that couldn't mean anything good. She had to go after him and explain some how.
"I'm sorry, I have to go."
She pulled away from Casper and ran towards the exit, she had to catch him. Out of the doors and onto the court yard, she could see him now heading towards the apparation point.
"Oliver wait!"
He stopped. He began to turn. And with a swish of his cloak and a small pop he was gone.
"Oh nice one Ayla!" she said smacking herself in the head.
