All Time Low

I cannot believe that I am sat here watching this! I can’t help but have my fists clenched by my side, and trying to keep a blank expression on my face because otherwise with Noah being in the same place I am....I will lose this bet.

I literally cannot cope with watching this ‘loved up couple’, it is doing my head in, and I can’t just suddenly get up and storm away, because where would I go? Everyone is out here....and that’s one thing I can’t do anyway...

Blinking it feels such an effort to keep them open and not let them slip into a narrow eyed look, like they would do if Noah wasn’t here....

I advert my eyes from them sat across from me who are holding their own conversation, April stupidly giggling occasionally, making me want to puck, and I look to my other brothers, who are laughing over something, I need to distract myself otherwise I will be losing very soon.

Resting my head against Blake’s shoulder, I listen to their laughter about god knows what as I stare into the fire in front of me, fire can surprisingly be very mesmerising....staring at the flames as they flicker up into the sky, staring long enough your eyes play tricks on you and you can start to see outlines in the fire, faces or animals as the colours of the flames mix together almost as if their dancing....

“Helllooo! Anyone in there!”

I snap out of it letting out a small surprised squeak as a hand waves in front of my face and someone shouts loudly in my ear....

“Evan!” I groan disapprovingly but luckily don’t snap at him and force a small smirk onto my face shaking my head at him

Smirking Evan, who’s stood in front of me now looks down at me “Well....didn’t you hear?”

I frown confused at him, looking around to everyone else who’s getting to their feet and I raise an eyebrow questionably “Huh?”

Chuckle amused, I hear his laughter as well as Blake’s, who I’m still leaning on and he’s still sat....

“Come on you sloth...” He chuckles holding out a hand towards me.

I raise an eyebrow as I take his hand getting pulled up from my spot, allowing Blake to aswell “Sloth?” I question my brother “did you seriously just call me a sloth?”

With that usually teasing smirk, my brother’s eyes light up with mischief and he grins at me, shrugging “Yeah......so what? I’m trying out new insults..”

I just have to laugh at him for what he says, as well.....that’s a typical answer and yet I believe him!

Shaking my head amusedly at him I smirk “Okay...well I think you gotta try better than that bro, because I’m sure I can come up with somethin more creative...” I chuckle patting his head as I walk past him, smirking to myself...

“Oi! You know I’ll always beat you!” Evan calls after me and I smirk rolling my eyes, sure, sure, whatever you think Evan.

“Lexi, Evan....no arguing.” My mom’s voice warns us as she gives us a warning look as she walks by and I put on a innocent look

“What?” I hold my hands up shaking my head “Of course we weren’t! I love Evan! Come ‘ere big brother!” I chime out grinning, turning around and throwing my arms around my older brother’s neck catching him by surprise...

“See?” I grin towards my mom, squeezing Evan in a tight, suffocating hug, that hopefully from where my mom is looks like a brotherly/sister hug......

Seeing her raise an not impressed eyebrow she looks to Evan who shifts position, which is a bit tricky considering I’ve got my arms around him...

“Y-yeah..” He manages to choke out wrapping an arm around me too “No fighting here!” He grins towards my mom and I smirk holding back a chuckle as I tighten my grip around Evan, knowing I’m hurting him, and restricting his movement which is the whole idea actually...

Mom just makes a ‘hum’ noise, not really sure if she buys this...but she soon walks away, walking up three steps and onto the grass along with Mr and Mrs Dean.

Grinning evilly as her back is now turned, I turn my grip on Evan sideways and as I’m letting him go I ruffle his hair, messing it up and laughing.

Grunting at me Evan stands back up, smoothing out his hair and throwing me a ‘dirty’ look, but I see the slight tug of the corners of his lips, yup he’s amused.

Smiling innocently at my brother, I turn around, looking to where everyone’s moving too....why are we moving anyway?

“um...what are we doing?” I ask slightly confused as our parents are on the grass and it looks as if we’re going to join them too....

“That’s what you get for zoning out..” I hear a chuckle beside me, and I instantly know who’s chuckle it is..

“We’re going to let off a firework, gosh Alexis where have you been?!” Noah smirks teasingly at me.

Resisting the erge to roll my eyes at him, and snap at him for calling me that name like I would normally do, I just clench my fist, knowing he’s just trying to get something out of me and nod my head instead and say simple “Well I’ve been many places Noah...” I trail off “And I don’t think you’ll want to know exactly where..” giving him a quick innocent smile, I hurry away from him, up the three steps and catching up with my brothers, jumping onto Chris’s back in attempt to scare him..

“BOOO!” I scream into his ear grinning

“Ahhh!” He fake screams back smirking as he tilts his head back to me as I’m on his back.

Giggling to myself, I slid off his back, landing down onto the grass and look down the rest of the garden in the dark, to see, Mr Dean I think setting something up....

Are we really letting off a firework?

This is gunna be so cool! I love fireworks!

Grinning in excitement I can’t help but grab Chris’s arm in my excitement, nearly bouncing on up and down on the balls of my feet...and I sense him look down to me..

“Chill Lex....it’s only a few fireworks..” He chuckles at my excitement, but I don’t care, he and the other know how much I love this.

It may bring a sad memory, but also...it’s more of a happy one.

For all of us.

As our dad used to light fireworks in our back garden, and we used to stand there, watching in amazement as the rocket shoots up into the sky.

This is one thing that includes a memory of my dad that brings a smile to my face, as it’s pretty rare to when I think about him, but I guess this is more of a sad/happy smile.

“Someone’s excited..” That familiar chuckle enters my ears and I just grin again, not saying anything and letting my grin speak for its self.

Ahh....but I just wish that we were all here to watch this, the boys at home. I wish they were here with us.

But I guess a happy moment, can’t truly be happy...I’ll just have savour this moment like it is......

“Who do you wish was here?”

Startled I turn my head to see Noah still stood there looking at me curiously, realising Chris is not stood beside me anymore...and it’s pretty much just Noah, the others further ahead.

I said that out loud didn’t I?

Shaking my head from my thoughts I clear my throat “Urm...um...n-no on...” I stutter a reply to Noah turning my head back, to see everything getting set up safely.

“Really?...because from the look on your face..... my guess is that it is someone...”

This time I do roll my eyes at how observant he’s acting, hoping he didn’t see the eye roll, I sigh quietly “Yeah....okay.....I just wish the others were here...” I tell him quietly, the two of us stood to the side from where my brothers and Noah’s siblings are stood, all waiting for the rocket to be lit.

“Others?” Noah questions mostly to himself thou as he stuffs his hands into his pockets “Oh!...you mean your brothers right?” a smile comes to his face as he obviously thinks he’s a genius.

“Yeah” I reply, not bothering to have a witty comeback, just a small faint smile on my face....as I think back to the last time I remember watching fireworks....

“Hmm....well..I’m sure they’re fine, tucked up in bed at home...” He smiles, trying to make me feel better it seems like, but he doesn’t know, doesn’t know that I am fine, and doesn’t get that I don’t just want them here because I’m worried about them, because their fine with Charles, but because I don’t want them to miss out on this, it’s something our whole family shout be here for.

“Yeah...” I breath out quietly with a small smile, that’s fuelled by memories and I cross my arms over myself, realising I’m only wearing a shirt and my arms are bare, and getting pretty cold.

Noah doesn’t say anything after that, and we all move back to a safe distance, Noah’s father still at the by the rocket, it’s nearly ready for it to be lite and I smile in anticipation...

Noah standing beside me starts chuckling again and I shoot him a questionable look seeing his smirking face...

Shaking his head he smirks, looking past me for a moment “Just thinking that it’s ironic that you, being miss firecracker is stood here about to set off a firework, man, if you think about it, it’s like you’re about to watch part of your family blow us...” He tells me quietly a smirk evident in his voice “Because...well....you both are similar, both suddenly blow up with a huge explosive noise....”

Oh I get it! He’s trying to make a joke out of it, because he calls me ‘firecracker’ and we’re about to set of a firework...their kinda like in the same ‘family’ so to say...so yeah, I get him, yeah....hahaha! sooo funny!

Hope you can tell that’s sarcasm, because if not, there is something seriously wrong with you!

“Oh! Hahaha!” I make a scene of using this fake laugh loud and clear “Oh that’s hilarious!” I laugh falsely again slapping Noah’s arm in a ‘that’s so funny way’ “No stop! You’re killing me!” I hold my stomach as I continue to ‘laugh’ my fake laugh, before stopping and suddenly and standing up straight, giving amused, smirking Noah a blank look, who properly knows I wasn’t really laughing, but it’s either that or lose this bet.

And I’m not letting that happen.

“Good one” I ‘sweetly’ smile at him and he full on smirks back, yeaah..I know what you’re up to Noah, it’s not going to work.

“Oooh...okay we’re ready!” Ruby chimes out grinning, rushing back over to where we are, safe distance away from where the firework rocket is and a smile blooms over my face....I can’t wait for this.

Watching Mr Dean quickly lite the rocket, he too quickly moves away back towards us and we all wait patiently for something to happen.

A sudden deep rumble kinda boom goes off as the rocket is released up, shooting into the pitch black sky, and I smile as I watch it whiz up fast reaching the stars.

And within seconds, another loud boom sounds, echoing across the garden, bouncing of the building and a colourful explosion happens in the sky, causing me to flinch ever so slightly from the loudness of it, but gazing peacefully up to the sky, I smile with ease watching as the sparks of deep blue colours spread across the sky.

Another deep boom sounds, as another rocket is released up into the sky, this one exploding just as loud but bursting into a beautiful pure red colour, looking great with the blue that’s just slowly falling away now.

And there’s still a few more to come, a beautiful gold and sparkling green one, both exploding in the sky over our heads, we all stare up in amazement. Fireworks really are a beautiful thing, with the right setting....it makes it ten times better...

Watching the last of the coloured sparks to fall from the sky, getting blown away by the wind, I come back down too, back down from that mental block out of everything besides those fireworks....and see everyone’s smiling faces....and quiet chatter...

I shiver suddenly, feeling the coldness of the night, I should have brought a hoddy with me.

“You cold?”

I nearly jump at that voice, not realising how close they are...but I turn my head seeing Noah just stood next to me, was he there all the time?

Blinking I think back to his question, eyes roaming his face thou, not being able to help it and once again I find myself staring, staring at the way the dim light from the moon above us and from the house is catching on one side of his face....it almost makes him look-

“Urm....no, no..I’m fine” I shake my head annoyed with my thoughts I wrap my arms around my self, turning ready to walk away...

Scoffing Noah speaks up “Yeah right....I can see the Goosebumps from here!” He chuckles shaking his head at me as I smile sheepishly, rubbing at my arms, willing the Goosebumps to disappear...

“Here...” Noah says before doing some I least expecting from him, he shrugs off his hoddy, revealing his plain shirt and holds it out towards me “Here, wear this..” He says looking to me, wanting me to take it “Because well, I don’t want to have your dead frozen body in my garden...” right he just has to ruin that now doesn’t he....

Rolling my eyes I laugh sarcastically “Har-har...” but I can’t help that small smile/smirk tugging at my lips as I reach out for his black hoddy.. “Thanks..” I speak quietly taking the hoddy and starting slipping into it..

Smirking he shoves his hands into his pocket “No problem” He smirks...or is it actually a smile?

I frown thou suddenly as I slip my arms in the hoddy “But won’t you get cold?” I ask noticing his bare arms as I feel the warmth seeping into me from the fabric instantly and I tug at the zip, doing it up...ahh so much better.

“Naa...” Noah says smiling “I can just go get another one if I need to..” He replies...and I just nod, feeling the sleeves of the hoddy fall over my hands, it’s kinda baggy and big, which doesn’t matter as so are most my clothes, but god damn it! It’s soo comfy!

Turning away, I walk back down those three steps, to the beanbags, with a small smile on my face....

And I don’t even know why it’s there....

~~

We have been here for hours it feels like.

And right now I am soo tired it’s stupid!

I could literally drop of any moment, I want my bed.

Yawning again for the billionth time this minute, I sigh, eyes drooping as I slouch against a beanbag that’s behind me.....staring sleepily at the fire that’s only just still blazing away there.

So let me tell you, my mom and Mr and Mrs Dean are inside at the moment, having coffee I think or something, while me and everyone else is out here, some of the boys kicking a ball around up on the grass, how they have the energy for that I have no idea.

And ...well honestly I don’t really know who’s about...because I’m practically out of it...and not really paying attention to what’s around me.....

My eye lids must have fallen closed at some point, nearly slipping into sleep, but I feel myself twitch suddenly as I feel something fluffy and tickly brush across my cheek...

Frowning with my eyes closed I bring my hand up, that’s wrapped in the sleeve of the hoddy to rub my cheek and as I do that I hear the sound of someone’s chuckle....

Feeling that tickly feeling again, it’s defiantly not in my head and I snap my eyes open wide, coming face to face with a pair of blue ones.

“Noah!” I snap pushing him away seeing that he was holding pieces of grass in his hand that was irritating me, I groan, burying my head into the beanbag as I hear him laugh.

“P*ss off!” I grumble sleepily into the beanbag, my body exhausted and not in the mood to argue with him...

“AHA! I WIN!” He suddenly cheers out causing me to groan again at the loudness of his voice...

“Shut u-“ I cut myself off and sit up straight eyes wide staring at a cheekily grinning Noah.

No, no, no! NO! How could I bloody forget about that?!

I let out a groan, hands tugging at my hair as I see a triumphant looking Noah smirking at me “Noo...that’s not fair..” I whine pouting...

“Yes! yes it is” Noah nods smirking “We had a bet....” He reminds me, as if I didn’t know that1

Groaning again I flop back down onto the beanbag “Noo...but I went all this time...” I huff “I am tired!....you took advantage!” I accuse him glaring....

Chuckling he sits down beside me “I don’t take advantage of anyone babe..” He smirks sneaking in a cheeky wink there and I groan again covering my face with my hands.

I can’t believe I lost! Just because of that!

God damnit!

Groanig/sighing once more I speak from under my hands “Alright.....what do I have to do know hmm? What’s the punishment?” I inwardly cringe at that, knowing that I will never, ever life this down.

Just as he opens his mouth I cut him off quickly “Wait!” I remove my hands “Can’t I forfeit or something?!” I ask desperately, not wanting to know what I’ll have to do first, because I know it’s going to be dreadful.

Raising an eyebrow at my, Noah’s smirk catches the dim light from the last remaining fire and I get a anxious feeling in my stomach, a feeling of dread?.....

“You would forfeit?” He asks quite amused...

I nod slowly, eyeing him from my position of my back led against the beanbag, Noah sat beside me, almost hovering over me in a way....

“Really?” He asks again cocking his head to the side “Even thou you haven’t heard what I would get you to do?” His lips curve up and I find my eyes following the movement of them....

I swallow, for some reason feeling more nervous and nod my head slightly “Y-yeah...” Why am I suddenly feeling nervous?! Yes okay about what he’s going to get me to do, but really...it can’t be that bad, I’ve grown up with many older, sneaky older brothers after all.

I’m sure I’ll live it through...

Smirking that devilish, teasing smirk he does...he suddenly turns towards me, leaning forward slightly as if he’s about to tell me a secret....

Blinking, I find my eyes locked to hid deep brown ones and for an unknown reason I can’t look away

“So do you forfeit then Alexis?” He asks smirking with every word.

Oh I will bring that smirk of his face one day!

Nodding my head a bit more confidently I clear my throat “Yes” I say looking him in the eye as his search mine.