It was gone 2am by the time Beth and her friends piled into the mini-bus. Andy called shotgun for the front, leaving everyone else squashed into the back. Beth was half sat, half led on her friend Alex at the back of the bus. He didn't seem to mind and the mixture of tiredness and alcohol was making it difficult for Beth to remain upright.
Laura's parents were away, so they had decided to go out-out and then all crash at hers. They had already started the night there, making sure they got a few drinks in before buying over priced cocktails at the club. Now, here they all were, making their way back to Laura's parents house to finish the night off.
The rumbling of the mini-bus and the bumps in the road made it difficult for Beth to keep her eyes open. Before she knew it, she was woken by the sound of the door sliding open and Laura practically falling out onto the pavement. As everyone struggled to find their belongings and follow Laura out of the mini-bus, Alex gave Beth a nudge up out of the seat. Beth didn't really want to go out into the cold after being pressed up against Alex for so long, but she made her way off the bus behind Harriet.
Once they were all in the house, the task of finding somewhere to sleep began! Andy was quick to remind everyone that he had bought a blow-up mattress with him and would need plenty of space on the living room floor. Laura was going to sleep in her old room, so didn't need to fight for space with the others.
"I don't sleep on the floor," exclaimed Harriet, "That sofa is mine!" Alex was already led out on the second sofa, which left Beth in a sleeping bag on the floor. Beth, who never slept well away from home, wasn't really bothered.
Once everyone was dressed for bed, they continued laughing and talking for an hour or so, until the conversation was punctuated by Andy's snores. Laura left them all in the living room and went off to bed, leaving them all to fall asleep - except Beth, who led in the dark for a while listening to the sounds of the house. About half an hour later, Beth's thoughts were over taken by the need to find the toilet. Wrapping her sleeping bag around herself, she quietly made her way upstairs.
On the way back from the bathroom, Beth passed a door slightly ajar and natural curiosity got the better of her. She nudged the door open a little with her foot, realising that this must be Laura's parent's bedroom. Deciding that she wasn't going to sleep for a while, Beth though this would be a good place to read for a while without disturbing anyone else.
Beth snuggled down in the large, floral patterned bed, turned on the lamp and started to read. She had barely made it half way through the chapter when she heard footsteps on the landing outside. The door slowly opened a crack. Beth looked up to see Alex standing in the doorway.
He smiled, leaning against the doorway, almost smirking at the sight of Beth in the floral duvet. "What's up?" Beth asked, casually going back to her book. Alex slid along the wall into the room. "Wondered what happened to you when you didn't come back down." He smiled. Beth looked up at him, noticing for the first time the half-full rum bottle in his hand. She put down her book. One thing Beth had always loved about Alex was his impulsiveness and spontaneity. They were complete opposites, but this drew them to each other. Their friendship was intense, it had been right from the first time they'd met. Beth knew there was no point arguing with him, so instead she pulled back the other side of the duvet. A silent invitation to get into the bed.
Alex grinned, practically leaping from the doorway to the bed. He held the bottle out to her. "Drink!" he demanded. With a sigh, Beth took the bottle from him and took a swig of the warm rum inside. She grimaced, making Alex laugh, as he took the bottle back and drank deeply. "I hate neat rum, you know that!" winced Beth. "I do, "chuckled Alex, "drink!" Beth took the bottle back and drank again. A warm rush spread across Beth's body as the rum mixed with the alcohol from the club. Beth passed the bottle back, closed her eyes and sank back into the pillows. She listened to Alex drink from the bottle again, the liquid sloshing back into the bottle and the quiet thud as he placed the bottle on the nightstand. She rolled over and opened her eyes.
Alex always had a way of looking casually handsome, in a rugged easy-going way. His longish, unkempt hair falling into his face, as he propped himself up on his elbow, hand under his chin. Beth smiled, conscious of not being a typically pretty woman. She was always wondering what other people thought when they saw them together. Beth pulled her top straight, making sure everything was covered that should be. Alex chuckled, making Beth blush. She knew she was being a prude and suddenly felt really silly. Alex reached behind him for the rum, passing it straight to Beth, who drank hastily, trying to chase away the blush. Mixed with the cocktails from the club, the rum was taking effect quickly. Beth felt the walls of the room start to tilt and led back, enjoying the fuzzy feeling spreading over her. "Are you cold?" Alex asked. Beth frowned, it was June, definitely not cold! "I'm cold. Just wondered if you were too. Shared body heat and stuff..." Alex trailed off. For a moment Beth thought he looked embarrassed, but he was quickly smiling again. Beth pouted, "What's the matter? Need a cuddle?" Alex held his arms out and Beth scooted over awkwardly. She led within his arms, not quite able to hug him back. Not really sure what she should do. Alex wrapped his arms around her shoulders. Suddenly the awkwardness of the situation made Beth start to laugh, in seconds Alex was laughing too. Beth could feel his bare chest against her cheek, rising and falling and he tried to catch his breath.
They had always been close, but it had always been platonic. Nothing more than the occasional friendly holding of hands and a hug here and there. It felt odd to Beth, being led in bed together. She wasn't his type, she knew that. But she had wondered what it would be like if she was. Alex had had occasional short-term girlfriends since he and Beth had been friends. Beth never admitted to Alex - or anyone - how much it hurt her to see him with other women, but she made an effort to be friendly whenever she met them.