Fight for me

Chapter Fifteen

I lay in bed in pure agony. The first few weeks I couldn't move, I couldn't eat or sleep or drink and every time I tried my body rejected the action and I was thrust back down to my bed. 

On my fifth or sixth day here I called my aunt, barely able to speak through my tears and she took the next flight up to be with me. I had been relocated to Oslo, Norway, but the only sights I had seen of my new city was that from my balcony. Every second of the day my thoughts were on James, If he was okay or if he was even still alive. I kept picturing the last moment I saw him and my heart would ache so much I couldn't breathe. 

My aunt was there everyday, to sit with me and hold me as I wept for hours on end. She would cook for me and help me bathe, she even redecorated the boring space I had to now call home. She filled the small space with dark, modern furniture but made all the finishing touches pop with bright colours. She brought gaming consoles and all the latest tech gadgets one could dream of, but I couldn't appreciate it. 

It had been just over a month and I had all but given up hope of ever seeing James alive again, until I received a phone call from Natasha 

"His alive and well. But he is in the hospital" she said

My heart broke at the news "When can I see him?" I asked, as the tears ran down my face 

"Rose, I've decided not to give him your information" she said, her voice sounding weak, as if it was the hardest news she had ever had to tell. 

I lost it, my entire body filled with rage as I yelled at her to tell me why. She just apologised and rambled on about both our safety. I begged and pleaded with her until I had no more fight left in me. When she hung up I threw my phone at the ground and the pain inside of me hit new highs. I felt like I was dying, there was nothing left inside of me and I passed out in my aunt's arms. 

I dreamt that night, I dreamt that James had found his way to me, he told me that he would never break his promise and I woke to feel some of my pain had dissipated. I could walk without feeling like I was about to crumble, I could just hold down a small meal and I was finally able to shower myself without needing to fall to the ground and cry. My body still ached for him, but now I knew he was alive I was also filled with hope. He had told me to trust him and that's what I needed to do. Trust that he would find his way back to me. 

About a week after that my aunt walked in from one of her shopping trips. She looked happier then usual and I couldn't help but wonder. I was laying on the lounge and sat up to eye her suspiciously 

"Why are you so happy?" I asked 

"Because" she beamed as she sat her shopping bags down by the door and walked over to join me on the couch "I'm sick and tired of seeing you hide yourself away in this tiny room you call an apartment, so..." She said as she bent down to pull something out of the large handbag she held under her arm. It was a thick envelope with a logo printed on the top corner. She handed it to me and I read 'University of Oslo'  I looked over to her "I enrolled you back in school. You'll be studying for a degree in criminology, like you've always dreamed about, and I've paid for your first year. It's a little late in the semester to be joining but a little bit of side cash can get you anything you want" she laughed "You'll have a little bit of catching up to do but I'm sure once you make some new friends they will help you figure it all out. I also brought home some applications for some jobs around here. Although you don't need to work, I'd be happy to pay your way until you get your degree and God knows your going to need all the time you can get to study. You know what, I'm chucking these out. It's decided, I'll get you a bank card this afternoon" 

She kept on mumbling about how happy I was going to be here and how successful I would turn out, but I had to zone her out. This was all too much to take in. I had to stop her

"Aunt Becky, I can't accept all of this. I'm sure your husband wouldn't like having to pay for all of this for me. I'm so grateful that you went to all this trouble, but.. I just can't accept this" 

She gave me a small smile "Oh hunny" she said as she ran her fingers through my hair "Your always thinking of others instead of yourself. I invest most of the money my husbands gives me and I've amassed quite the savings account for myself. I've probably got more money to my name then he does, but don't tell him that" She giggled. "This is all on me hunny. You don't have to worry. You are the most important person in my life Rose and i will do everything i can to make sure you are happy and safe"  She said as she started to tear up. I followed suit and let my tears fall too 

"Thank you, thank you so much for everything. I don't know what I would have done without you here" I cried 

"It's my pleasure sweetheart" 

I heard her phone ring and she hopped up to answer, I was intrigued when I heard her speak "How dare you call me" I wanted to ask who it was but she walked out the door, strange. 

I looked down at the envelope in my hands and for the first time in a long time i felt joy creep up inside me. I opened it and read the information pamphlets and my course schedule. I read what I needed to know to start the course and was thankful that my new grades had made me eligible for it. The last page was a copy of my enrolment forms, my aunt had already filled them out for me and I traced my finger over my name, Ella Grey. I had begged Natasha to let me keep my last name, I had gotten so used to being Mrs Grey that I couldn't part with it. 

I had to tell my aunt why I had relocated, I left out a few minor details about James that she didn't really need to know and she handled it really well. She actually seamed relieved. As I finished skimming over the paperwork in my hands she walked back in 

"Everything okay?" I asked 

"Huh? Oh, yes, just the lawyers wanting more money and all that. Nothing too important. Now let me show you your knew wardrobe" she exclaimed as she started rummaging through her shopping bags. 

+++++++

My first day of University was... Daunting. I was running a little late due to the fact that I had no idea where I was going and when I walked through the doors, class had already began. I quickly scanned the room for a spare seat and noticed one, i promptly walked over to it, sitting down I looked over to the girl next to me. She had the most beautifully flawless dark skin I had ever seen and long waves of chocolate coloured hair falling down her chest. She looked over as I sat and gave me a huge smile 

"Hey, I'm Charlotte. But every one just calls me Charlie" she greeted with a think British accent. 

"I'm Ella. Every one usually just calls me Ella" 

She giggled a little "Your Australian? That's awesome! We are going to be such good friends" she beamed and I gave her as convincing a smile as I could. "I haven't seen you here before. Did you only just start?" 

"Yes, I moved here not long ago and only just enrolled" 

"Oooh" she breathed, "You've got some catching up to do girl. Don't worry, I'll help you with that" 

I smiled at her, "Thank you. Now shhh" I joked "I should probably pay attention on my first day" 

She giggled at me before pretending to zip her lips. 

The rest of the class went by quickly, and although I was so confused throughout most of it, I actually found myself enjoying it. When it was over Charlie asked if I wanted to come over to her place to study the following day and I reluctantly agreed. I didn't feel like socialising, I had been out for most of the day today and all I wanted to do was curl up in bed and rest my aching body, but I desperately needed to catch up if I wanted any chance of passing this class. I had to make my aunt proud. 

When I got home aunt Becky grilled me mercilessly about my first day. I told her about Charlie and our plans to study the next day, she got so excited "I knew you'd make a friend, even when you look like you got hit by a bus, I knew someone would want to talk to you" 

I rolled my eyes at her and said "Thanks" and she just laughed. 

What she said was true though, I had lost so much weight from not being able to eat that none of my old clothes fit me anymore, I had constant bags under my eyes and my usual full bouncy curls hung limply around my face. It's a wonder Charlie didn't think I was on drugs. 

The following day after class had ended Charlie and I decided to go and get coffee before our big study session. She took me to her favourite cafe that she came to almost daily, all the waiters new her by name and she smiled and greeted them all personally. I envied her, she had the most bubbly personality, I couldn't imagine anyone not liking her. 

We ordered our drinks and she got a muffin before she said "Tell me about you Ella"

 I chuckled "What?" 

"What you think I'm going to invite a complete stranger to my home, no way! You could be a serial killer or worse.. You could not like cats" she said faking horror. 

I smiled at her and for the first time, my smile felt real. Her happiness was so infections I couldn't help but be effected by it 

"Well rest assured, my killing spree days are behind me, new city new me" I joked "and cats? So adorable" 

"Phew" she said as she pretended to wipe sweat from her forehead "What are the chances we would both be serial killers" she said wiggling her eye brows at me and I laughed. It was genuine, but lacking in conviction. 

"Do you work?" She asked as the waiter brought over our order 

"No, my aunt has a really rich husband so she pays for most of my things at the moment" 

"Oh that's so lucky" she said taking a bite of her muffin "I'm an independent s*x toy consultant" she said casually and I near spat my coffee out. 

"A what?" I asked smiling at her. 

She laughed at my reaction "Basically, I sell anything that will get you off" 

My smile grew at her description of what she did to make money. We sat and she talked about her life. She was 20 and grew up in Newcastle, England. Her, her boyfriend and his brother all moved here a few years ago after her parents died. She needed a fresh start and her friends were were more then happy to tag along. Her boyfriend, Brandon, was almost 26 and he owned a martial arts studio were he taught regularly. I couldn't believe the coincidence and jumped at the opportunity to ask if I could take some of his classes. The day before my aunt convinced me to start getting out more, to never forget James but to try and start a life here. I agreed because it meant my mind could be focused on other things. I still thought about James every single day, and my body desperately ached for him. I still had hope that one day he would find me but until that day, I had to try and start living again. Brandon's brother Callum, managed a club in the heart of the city and she vowed to take me there because they played the best music. 

I found myself really liking Charlie, she was fun and had the best sense of humour and we really clicked. When we went back to her place to study she introduced me to her cat Stinky, she named him that because on the car ride home with him when she first brought him, he wouldn't stop passing gas and the whole ride home they had to stick there heads out the windows. He was so chunky and covered in ginger fur, he took a liking to me instantly. 

Her apartment was similar to mine but with an extra bedroom and was only a few blocks away from were i lived. She had decorated it in natural earthy tones and it was stunning. We had been studying for a few hours when her boyfriend, Brandon came home. 

"Hey babe" he greeted and he bent down to give her a kiss on the cheek, It made my heart ache even more 

"You must be Ella?" He said smiling at me and holding his hand out for me to shake 

"Yep, it's nice to meet you" I said shaking his hand 

"No way, I'm a complete ass hole" he said winking at me 

"Oh stop that" Charlie laughed and pushed him out of the way "He is a complete teddy bear" she said with a smile. 

I looked back down at our text books and couldn't stop the pain that hit me, they looked so happy together. 

"Hey you okay?" Charlie asked 

"Yeah" I said forcing a smile "I should probably start heading home" I said trying to hide how much I hurt inside 

"Oh, are you sure? We've only got two more chapters left and you should be all caught up. You can stay for dinner too if you want?" She sounded worried, like she knew something was wrong. 

"Rain check for tomorrow?" I asked looking up and forcing another smile. 

"Sure thing. I'll get Callum to cook, he is THE best chef" 

"Sounds really good" I said as I packed up my things, I stood to walk to the door and Charlie followed me 

"Hey Ella" she said and I turned to look at her "It's been really nice having another girl around the house. I've been stuck with these boys for so long that there driving me crazy" 

I smiled at her "I've had a really good time here too" 

"Good. I'll see you in class tomorrow?" 

"See you then" 

I walked out the door and towards the stairs. Holding onto the rail I collapsed to the ground and started to cry. I held my face in my hands as I wept, I missed him, I missed him so f*****g much. I held my right hand out in front of me as I looked at my ring. I still wore both my wedding rings only on the opposite hand, with his old ring on my left thumb. 

I pictured him telling me to be brave, to keep being strong, but it was so f*****g hard. I dreamt of him every night and woke with tears every day. Each day that passed I got stronger, I joined Brandon's classes and after a few more months of me kicking everyone's ass he decided to make me co teacher with him. I beat him more often then not and he loved the challenge. I met his brother Callum and the 4 of us became quite close. I emailed Lily a few times and told her about my life here, but she never got back to me. After my first week of University my aunt went back home but I didn't feel lonely, mainly because Charlie, Brandon and Callum would come over almost everyday to play my video games and eat the food my aunt would get delivered weekly. 

It had been 6 months now since I last saw James and I still ached for him everyday but I had learnt how to live with the pain. Charlie and I were sitting in class and she was trying to convince me to go out partying with her 

"Come on! It's Friday night. We have no studying to do and every other time you've come with us you never drink. Tonight's the night you get blind and finally meet someone to take home and bang your brains out. God knows it's been too long for you" she joked. She was always so open with her s*x life and couldn't fathom the thought of me not having s*x for 6 months.

"Fine" I huffed, finally caving "But I'm not getting s**t faced! Maybe just lightly tipsy" I said. 

She laughed "I'll take what I can get" 

After class we went by my apartment to pick out clothes. It had taken a few months but I had finally gotten back to my original weight so my figure now fit perfectly in the clothes my aunt had purchased. 

"Has anyone ever told you you look bangin' in red" Charlie said as I tried on some dresses.

 I looked away from her, knowing that James thought the same thing. I gathered my self before saying 

"You think?" 

"Definitely, you have to wear that tonight" I looked in the mirror at the boob tube dress I was wearing. It had a heart shaped bodice that had a peplum skirt starting at my waist and stopping at the top of my butt. Their was a gap at the front which showed off the tight fitting skirt that fell just below my ass. 

"Okay, this one it is. Now shoes" I said as I opened the large chest that was filled with heels my aunt had brought me. Charlie shreaked with excitement as she jumped off my bed and fell to the floor in front the chest. 

"No way! What size are you?" She asked as she dug through the box pulling out a bright red sparkly pair 

"Size 8" I said laughing at her 

"Yes! I knew I liked you for a reason" she said as she clutched the shoes to her chest. 

We went back to her apartment to get ready and when I walked through the door Brandon and Callum were in the kitchen mixing up some drinks. Watching the two of them together there is no way you would think they were brothers. Brandon stood almost a foot taller then Callum and had brown shaggy hair he usually wore in a bun and Callum was almost bleach blonde. The only similarity was the bright green eyes that looked like shining emeralds 

"Just in time" Callum called over the sound of the music. Smiling at me he walked over and gave us both a drink. I sniffed it and it smelt like pure alcohol, I scrunched up my nose 

"What is in this?" I asked 

"It's my famous cocktail, it's got a bit of everything. It's a guaranteed good night in a cup" He said proudly. 

I watched as Charlie took a large sip and moaned her approval "Oh my god Ella, you are going to love this" she said licking her lips

 "Yeah El, you will love it" Callum said throwing his arm around my shoulders 

"Okay okay" I said before taking a sip. I started to cough as the liquid burned down my throat "Oh my god. Are you trying to kill me?" I asked laughing through my coughs. 

Callum smiled his award winning smile "Nope, just get you super hammered" he said 

"Alright, time to get ready Ella, while you can still see straight" she said.

We walked into her room and sat in front of her floor length mirror. We started doing our hair and make up ready for our night out. I slowly sipped on my drink, that I was certain was pure alcohol, it had been so long since I had a drink that I felt myself getting more and more tipsy by the second.  

"Can I ask you something?" Charlie said as we just finished our make up 

"If I said no you would still ask anyway" i said

She giggled "True. What do you think of Callum?" She asked. 

"His nice, why's that? Oh God, your not thinking about switching brothers are you? I swear to God Charlie if you.." 

"What? No don't be stupid" she said interrupting me "I mean... What do you think of Callum.. for you?" 

I looked at her with confusion "What do you mean 'for me' ?" I asked 

"oh come on, don't tell me you haven't realised his into you? Any fool could tell that and his so sweet" 

"He has a new girl in his bed almost every night" I said 

"Ahh yeah, because his hot. You really haven't thought about it?" She asked. 

No, I hadn't. I spent almost every waking second thinking of James, that he would some day be back for me. But in this moment i couldn't help but think that maybe, just maybe he might not be. Should I really wait my entire life on a tiny bit of hope that might not come true? 

"I.. I don't know. We're friends, if It didn't work out that would be weird" 

"But if It did work out that would be like.. we would be like sisters" she said with so much excitement I smiled at her. "Just promise you'll think about it okay?" 

I rolled my eyes at her "Maybe" 

We finished getting dressed and walked out to the boys who had lined up a row of shots for us. 

"Are you kidding? I've barely finished this lethal thing" I said pointing at my nearly empty cup. 

"Well down it babe, I said I'm getting you drunk tonight" Charlie said as she dragged me over to the table lined with shots 

"What's your poison?" Callum asked as he walked around the table to stand by me. 

I finished the last mouthful from my cup before answering "Tequila, preferably" I said as the alcohol warned up my system 

"Tequila it is" he said before placing three shots in front of me along with a pre mixed vodka chaser. 

"Wait wait wait" Brandon said before changing the music to swimming pools by Kendrick Lamar. "I know it's old, but I'm a sucker for it" he said as we started taking our shots. 

It was safe to say that when we entered the club I was well and truly drunk. Charlie pulled me to the dance floor and we immediately started dancing. My foggy brain loving the beat of the music as Charlie and I danced together. 

We danced though so many songs I lost track of time "Come on girl, we need more drinks" she said as she pulled me towards the bar, she ordered another round of shots for the booth the boys were sitting at and we went and joined them. 

I sat next to Callum as Charlie took her seat beside Brandon and instantly starting making out with him. 

"Are you having fun" Callum asked over the music. 

I turned to look at him, but this time I really noticed him. His beautiful sun bleached hair looked darker in the low lighting of the club but his emerald green eyes shon as the moving clubs lights hit his face. I could appreciate how handsome he was, but i didn't get that same rush of need with him as i did for James. 

"Yeah, this is the first time I've been out drinking. Sooo much fun" I said smiling at him 

"You've come out with us before" he said 

"Ahh, but with no alcohol makes for a pretty boring time" I said giggling. 

Just then the waiter brought our shots over and I looked up to see Charlie on top of Brandon grinding into him. Just seeing the two made my core ache, I was so used to cumming multiple times a day and to just be cut off was definitely not agreeing with my body. 

Callum picked up two of the eight shots and handed me one "To first nights getting drunk at the best club in town" he cheered 

"Wooo" I screamed out as we clinked our shots together and threw them back, then the next one. 

"Come on let's dance" Callum said as he scooted me out of our booth, he held my hand in his as he led me to the dance floor. He spun me around on his finger as I entered and grabbed me to hold me in close, I threw my head back to laugh as he started dancing. I danced with him the same I had with Charlie but when I tuned my back to him he planted himself against me, holding my back close to him. He started to dance slowly as his hands traced my body, and my hazy brain followed his movements. He had his cheek pressed against my ear as we moved together, dancing to the beat of the music 

"You look so f*****g good in this dress" he said as he used his hands to spin me to face him. 

He placed his forehead against mine as he wrapped his arms around my waist. My hazy mind following every move he made 

"Ella I..I want to kiss you, so bad right now" He said.

I couldn't help myself, I let drunk me call the shots as sober me, the one who ached all the time, was pushed to the back of my mind. For the first time, in a very long time, I felt free, I didn't ache for James or feel the all consuming pain at the thought of him. I just wanted to have fun, to be free of that pain for just a night. So I kissed him, placing my hand on his cheek, i kept on kissing him, but it felt strange, like I was doing something wrong. I pushed the bad thoughts aside as he held my waist with one hand and the other tangled in my hair. In the moment I felt cherished, I felt good, but at the same time he didn't give the same burst of lust that James gave me. 

I kissed him through an entire song, hoping for something to spark, something more, but it never came. I broke the kiss when I heard Charlie cheering in the background and i looked up at Callum who was smiling from ear to ear, I smiled back at him as Charlie and Brandon came to stand next to us 

"About f*****g time" she cheered "This calls for more drinks" she said as she walked off towards the bar 

"I need to pee" I said unashamedly as I walked towards the bathroom. I sat down on the toilet holding my head in my hands. All of a sudden I realised how drunk I actually was, my head started to spin and I felt like I was going to throw up. What was I doing? I shouldn't be doing this. Any day now James could show up on my door step and I'd have to tell him about what I had done. I felt horrible, my gut churning at what had just happened and it mixed with the alcohol. Oh no, I thought as I dropped to my knees and threw my head in the toilet bowl. I threw up, cleansing myself of all I had drunk, but I didn't feel any better. I had to get out of here. 

Without letting anyone know, I grabbed my bag from our booth and ran out the door towards home. 

"Ella, wait" I heard Callum calling out to me and I felt myself begin to tear up. He caught up to me and stood directly in front. 

"Are you okay?" He asked sounding worried as I let my tears fall 

"I can't do this" I cried "I'm sorry, I..I can't give you want you want" 

He pulled me in to hug him and he held me tight as I cried. "It's okay Ella" he said rubbing my back "you don't need to be sorry for anything. Do you want me to take you home? Just as friends. I need to make sure you'll be safe" he said letting go of me 

"No, I..I I think I just need to be alone" I said wiping the tears from my face.

 Worry filled his face "Wait here, okay? I'll be right back" I nodded my head as I watched him walk back into the club.

 I turned and started walking towards home, I didn't want to see him, I didn't want to see anyone. My apartment was only a few blocks from the club and I finally made it home and collapsed on my bed. I let the pain consume me. The wall inside of me that was holding the pain back broke and it washed over me like a tidal wave. I sobbed as I gripped my chest and curled up. 

I vaguely registered a knock coming from the door and the hope inside me built up, could it be? I dragged myself from the bed and ran to the door, taking a deep breath before opening it. My heart dropped a little when I seen Charlie standing there 

"Oh baby girl" she said pulling me into a tight hug. 

I cried harder hearing her call me that and she let go of me, pulling me inside and sitting me on the couch. 

"What's wrong Ella?" She asked as she reached for the tissue 

"Nothing, I'm fine" I lied very badly. 

She squinted her eyes at me "Oh really?" She handed me the tissues before sighing "Ella, I'm going to tell you something and when I do, I hope that you'll be able to trust me with whatever pain it is your keeping locked away. Okay?" She said, I used the tissues to dry my face as she kept speaking "You don't have to tell me, but I want you to know that you can trust me" I slowly started to nod my head "Okay. I'm not sure if you knew this but when we first met you looked like absolute s**t" she started to say and I felt myself laugh. She gave me a small smile "I instantly knew that something horrible had happened to you and I had to help. I recognised the signs on your face, because... Because I looked the exact same when my uncle first rapped me" 

I drew in a gasp of air "Oh my god, Charlie, I'm so sorry" I said jumping into her arms to hug her 

"It's okay Ella, I've moved past it. I seen counsellors and Brandon and Callum were a huge part of my recovery. I wasn't sure if you had someone to help get you through what you were going through and I wanted to be that person for you" I let go of her and sat back in my seat looking down "Ella, did the same thing happen to you?" She asked. 

I started breathing heavy, and wanted to open up to her but I didn't know where to begin, so I just started from the beginning. I told her about Steve and how James saved me, I left out the details of my relocation and names and told her that James brother was a bad person who was after him and how we had to run. I told her then when we were supposed to come here, I lost him and didn't know where he was. 

"He is the love of my life charlie, no, that's not enough. His my soul mate, my other half. Every day I feel like a shell of myself and not knowing where he is or if he is safe, it's killing me" I started crying again 

"Oh Ella" Charlie said with tears. She held my hands tight in hers "I don't assume to know what your going through, but I would be a wreck too if Brandon ever went missing. You are so strong" 

I rolled my eyes and chuckled a little "I don't feel strong" 

She smiled at me. "Come on, I'm having a sleep over" she said as she grabbed my hand and pulled me towards to bedroom.

I lent her some of my pyjamas and we snuggled up in bed watching movies. She made me laugh and cry some more, but most importantly, she made me feel happy. 

++++++++

As the months continued to pass I woke up every day feeling stronger. Every now and then I would wake in tears from a dream I had about James, but more often then not I'd just wake up and get on with my day. It's been just over a year now since I last seen him, I was sitting at Charlie's favourite cafe waiting for her. It was her birthday and Brandon had planned a huge day for us all to celebrate. 

I was quickly typing on my laptop trying to finish an assignment when I stopped to look at my ring, I used my thumb to fiddle with it and smiled. It didn't fill me with pain anymore, instead I felt happiness. When I looked at it now, I remembered all the fun times we had and the love we shared, I felt close to him today. 

"Hey you" I heard Brandon's voice as I looked up. Closing my laptop I hopped up to give him a hug

"Charlie get distracted in a shop again?" I asked noticing she wasn't with him 

"You know her too well" he laughed. 

We sat back down and started chatting about classes "Oh on Monday, I'm going to need your help. I signed a few new kids up and now my class is way over full" 

"I'd be happy to help" I said smiling at him 

"Ella!" I heard Charlie call out "Look what I found" she said as she pulled a pair of thigh high boots from her shopping bag 

"Oh my god there beautiful" I shreaked, standing to touch the soft fabric of them 

"I know right, best birthday ever!" 

"Oh that's right, I forgot. Happy birthday" I joked pulling her in for a hug. 

"How dare you" she laughed with me. 

"Where's your brother?" Charlie asked Brandon "Were always waiting on him" 

"I'll call him" he said as she placed a kiss on his cheek. 

"I'm right around the corner calm down" I heard Callum answer the phone and two seconds later he placed a kiss on my cheek from behind me, startling me. 

He laughed "Right let's do it" he said.

We all got up and started Charlie's birthday celebrations. We went to the arcade first and had lunch, which was mainly just cocktails with fruit and appetisers. We went to her favourite museum and finished the day at a roller skating rink. We all went back to their place and started drinking some more as we got ready to go out. We were all well and truly drunk and the four of us danced together for most of the night.

"I need water" I bellowed to them over the music and went to the bar to get some. He handed me a bottle and I went to sit at our booth, I smiled as I watched them all dance together but couldn't stop the pang of pain that hit my heart. I frowned, something was missing. I looked down at my ring and started fidgeting with it, he was missing. 

"Nah-uh! No sad thoughts on my birthday" I heard Charlie call as she sat down opposite me. I smiled up at her, so thankful she was in my life. 

"I love you, you know that?" I said 

"I know" she said "who wouldn't, I love you too, Ella" 

After we danced some more we all headed back to Charlies and I passed out in Callum's bed with him. Since the night we had kissed he hadn't tried anything since, we actually became closer friends and I was so thankful he didn't make anything awkward. 

The next day I woke with a splitting head ache. Charlie and I had coffee together before I headed back home for a much needed shower. I was just drying off my hair when I heard a knock at the door. I threw on a short white dress to hide my naked body and went to answer it. It was most likely Charlie coming over trying to get away from the boys. She sometimes did that after a night out because they were so needy when they were hungover. 

I opened the door with a smile and began to say something before I froze. My breathing stopped as my smile fell, I couldn't believe what I was seeing.. "James?" I asked not fully believing that it was actually him standing in front of me "Hey baby girl" he said with a small smile. Realisation hit me and I screamed "James!" I thrust myself into his arms, wrapping my arms and legs around him as I hugged him so tight I thought he would disappear. 

He did it, he found his way back to me.