"Truth or dare." Becky quizzed me as the plastic cola bottle landed on me. I sighed and held up one finger, indicating truth. It had been two days since I lost my voice and I could still barely speak. Whenever I spoke it sounded like nails on a chalkboard. "Okay, what is your favourite thing about a man." She giggled and wiggled her eyebrows like a 13-year-old girl.

I pointed to my cheeks and smiled.

"Cheeks? Smiles?" They began to guess random answers. I furrowed my eyebrows and shook my head like they were stupid.

"Dimples?" Calum guessed. My eyes widened and I nodded vigorously, pointing my index finger at him excitedly. "Boom!"

Then I pointed to my neck, to my non-existent Adam's apple. They continued to guess random answers that made no sense to what I was pointing at so I leaned over to Luke. I pointed at his Adam's apple. Their puzzled looks made me grow impatient so I rubbed it, which -admittedly- was weird. I could feel it move up and down when he swallowed and it felt weird to my touch.

"Adam's apple!" Ashton yelled over the top of everyone. I clapped my hands together for Ashton, everyone else eventually joining in with me.

"So you like dimples and Adam's apples?" Becky asked me, laughing as she did so. I nodded my head proudly, sitting back in the place I was before. "Does anyone here have those qualities?" She looked at the group expectantly. Ashton, Michael, Calum, and Luke tried to do a smile with dimples and rubbed their necks like I had with Luke. Everyone had mini dimples but Ashton and Luke's were the most prominent. Obviously, they all had Adam's apples but I couldn't help but laugh at them groping at their necks. The laugh led to a splutter which led to a coughing fit. Luke patted me on the back since he was right next to me, his hand tracing circles on my back.

"Thanks." I coughed, trying not to strain my voice. He shook his head at me and placed his index finger on my lips. His eyes bore into mine and I felt like I was paralysed in place. The heat from my breath fanned his finger. An awkward cough made us break apart, shuffling as far away from each other as possible.

Thank god Alfie was still out.

I spun the bottle, hoping it would land on anyone but Luke and I. My prayers were answered as the bottle landed on Michael. He groaned and flung his head back out of frustration.

"I chose truth. I can't be arsed to run around naked or some shit."

"Fine. Big spoon or little spoon?" I asked with a smirk on my face.

"Big spoon, every time." He answered, speaking like it was an obvious answer.

"Really? But your arm goes numb when you're the big spoon. It hurts." Luke argued with him.

"You'll never see me being the small spoon unless I'm crying."

"Yeah, and he's never cried." Calum butted it, laughing with every word. After our fit of laughter, Becky spun the bottle again.

"Ash, truth or dare?" He made a spluttering sound and crossed his arms.

"I'm not a pussy, dare."

"Oh shit, I didn't think of a dare. Anyone got one?" She looked at the group for help. I shook my head because I was always bad at thinking of truths and dares.

"I've got one!" Michael giggled, waving his hand. "Call one of your exes and profess your love for them." I felt Becky tense up next to me, her hand grabbing for my own.

"I'm not doing that!" He exclaimed, shaking his head violently.

"Why not? Come on, one text then." Michael persisted. Becky let go of my hand, inching towards Ash.

"He said no, Michael. Leave him alone."

"What the fuck is happening?" Calum asked as loud as his voice could go. The room was filled with screams and shouts so loud you couldn't hear yourself think.

"Will everyone calm the fuck down!" I yelled, but no one could hear me. I looked to my right at Luke who was rubbing his temples. "Luke." I whined and shuffled close enough to him that I could rest my head on his shoulder.

"Why does everyone always have to argue?" He asked, wrapping his arm around my back for extra support.

"I'm so sick of it. I just want everyone to get along, it's Christmas eve for christ's sake."

"I see what you did there." Luke laughed at me like I had made a joke. I looked at him, puzzled. "For Christ's sake..."

"Oh," I sighed with a slight laugh.

"We're dating, again." I heard Ashton announce loudly from across the room. Silence blessed the room and everything was calm again. The darkness that engulfed us was more prominent than before as the Christmas lights barely lit up the tree. "I'm sorry, I know you all worked so hard for us to move on, but when you love someone you can't move on."

I glanced at Luke, still leaning into his side but sitting up straight.

"We're not mad, guys, we're just upset. Did you really think we wouldn't be able to handle it?" I spoke on behalf of the group.

"We just didn't want you guys to be disappointed or feel like all your hard work was for nothing." The door squeaked open and Alfie stumbled in with bright red cheeks. I quickly stood up, letting go of Luke.

"Alfie, babe. What happened?"

"It's very cold outside. That's what happened."

"We need to talk." I said, shuffling to the side. "I'm sorry."

"Why?"

"It's Christmas Eve and I didn't want to do this today but I this is just what I need to do."

"I know what you're going to say. I've actually wanted to do this for a while."

"Yeah? So you know I think you're a great guy..." I stalled.

"But you want to break up with me? It's okay. After our fight the other day I started thinking about us and I realised we're very different. I'm going to spend Christmas with my brother and Amy." He nodded as he spoke, calmness oozing from every word he spoke.

"So is that the end of 'us'?" I asked, fiddling with my fingers because I was so nervous.

"I guess so."

I nodded with a small sympathetic smile plastered to my lips. I wrapped my arms around him, giving him one last hug before he waved goodbye and left my apartment again. I turned around to see all of my friend's eyes on me.

"What happened?" Becky asked me.

"We broke up, but I'm not sad," I reassured them, walking back to my place next to Luke. "He just wasn't the one."

"You're still looking for the one? Why not just look for someone next time?"

"Becky, you know all I care about is having a family of my own. I just don't see the point in dedicating precious time to someone who Isn't going to be in my life forever."

"Well, I think it's sweet," Luke said, smiling at me. The familiar heat rushed to my cheeks.

-

"Merry Christmas!" Michael screamed at the top of his lungs, running towards our Christmas tree in the living room.

"Michael, It's too early to be shouting," I complained, shuffling towards him. Everyone ran past me because somehow they still had the energy of a child whereas I did not. Suddenly, a hand rested on my shoulder, stopping me from walking. I turned to see a tired Luke Hemmings.

His hair was messy but flat with no products in and he had dark circles under his eyes, just like me. He pointed up towards a very fake looking mistletoe plant. I bit my lip and looked down at the floor awkwardly.

"Is it okay?" He asked me, hinting towards a kiss. I paused for a moment, thinking. You love him, of course, you want this. So without a second thought, I nodded which led to him leaning forward. Our lips touched only briefly but it took me back to when everything was good. He was home with me and I was never alone. He was the definition of perfect, in my mind. My eyes fluttered open after the kiss to see his own ocean orbs staring at me. We were so close, his breath tickled my skin.

And from that point onwards, I knew there was no one but him. He was the one...