The Boyfriend Bet Read online

  “It might not have been though,” Sarah carried on infuriating me.

  “But, I thought she took something out of her bag.” Bex also continued to seriously piss me off. I gave her the death stare. “Anyway, why do you care Charley? Amelia’s out of the picture now; it’s no bad thing for you is it?”

  “Bex is right and I saw Riley chatting to you after school. He looked well keen and you didn’t look too put out about it either.” Sarah grinned.

  I couldn’t believe this! Those two were missing the point. Ella had just framed a totally innocent girl – whether she was annoying or not was totally irrelevant. And yes, Riley had approached me after school and yes he was full of it and was in his usual full-on, flirty mood. Amelia Hargreaves was obviously out of sight – out of mind.

  Even though I was slightly concerned how quickly Riley seemed to have forgotten all about Amelia and apparently he’d completely moved on in the space of two hours or something, I did enjoy the attention (I know, shameful) and I especially enjoyed it when he said “If you’re bored later, then come over and we can get the party started early.” Sam was lingering around and had heard, looking completely put out by Riley’s invite, and then he’d mooched off in the opposite direction. Riley had actually carried on and said, “Bring your mates and your sister,” but Sam didn’t need to know that, did he!

  Sarah obviously thought she had done enough to convince me to drop the Ella and Amelia issue and was satisfied that the conversation was over because she had pulled The Inbetweeners box set from her bag and was waving it around. “Can I put it on now?” She asked me. I nodded as I shifted in my seat and pretended to watch, but I had too much going on in that mind of mine.

  I really was in a situation and one I couldn’t even discuss with my mates because they didn’t understand. I glanced sideways to see Sarah already giggling, her eyes glued to the T.V. What was I to do? On one hand, I had this totally hot boy living next door, who made me lose concentration if he did something as little as just walking past the house. On the other hand there was the one person I’d ever loved (yes, I know he cheated on me) and he was hanging around, completely sorry and begging for my forgiveness. I know everybody hates a cheat but should we never forgive anyone? Sam told me how Ella pursued him, not taking no for an answer and I have seen how manipulative she can be. I think a friendship is acceptable between me and Sam. Would I ever be able to forgive and forget enough for there to be more? And Riley...he has everything and...and...the bet...shit, the bet!

  Bex was snorting with laughter and then for some reason looked round at me, Sarah was giggling and although I seemed to be staring at the T.V., I could not have told you what had just happened for anything. I did a weird sort of titter that was supposed to be a laugh and Bex gave me a funny look but she carried on watching, leaving me with my thoughts again.

  What if I did blag Riley...the look on Sam’s face would be brilliant! I wondered just how jealous he’d be; or he’d realise that he’s made a mistake and shouldn’t have let me go; or maybe he’d be waiting to pick up the pieces when it all went wrong. “I’d wait for you forever if that’s how long it took.” I imagined Sam confessing his love to me after the dramatic and heart wrenching break up from Riley Jackson. Then I’d realise that Sam was the one all along and stop crying over Riley... WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME? I slapped myself round the face to eradicate the ridiculous, girly, fluffy crap that had invaded my brain. Sam doesn’t speak like that and neither does any teenage boy in the world for that matter.

  Sarah and Bex were staring at me. Yes, I realised I had just slapped myself around the face in the middle of a legendary Inbetweeners scene that I had now interrupted and Sarah and Bex were not laughing anymore.

  “You alright?” Bex said slowly.

  “Yep,”I smiled, realising how deranged I must have looked.

  “And you’re trying to tell us that Ella is the crazy one?” Sarah teased.

  “You know, I might not be able to prove it was her but I know it was. Anyway, I can’t let her always win and she won’t win this bet. I’m gonna go get ready.” I stood up.

  “Ready for what?” Sarah looked even more confused than before.

  “We’re going next door,” I said with a smile. I wasn’t a girl that was just going to sit around day dreaming about fairytale scenarios where boys behave in a way that no teenage boy would or ever has behaved. It was time to get real and if I really wanted something, I had to go out and do something about it.

  The new me!

  “Just don’t forget to be you, yeah?” Bex narrowed her eyes at me. She looked as though she couldn’t recognise me. I had succumbed and let Sarah do the makeover she had been itching to do on me for weeks and as Mum wasn’t here I had totally just raided her alcohol before Ella could get her greedy little mitts on it and poured myself a very large vodka and orange.

  I had just used more make-up in the hour since I’d marched upstairs to get ready than in the last month. Seriously, I bet if I weighed myself I’d have put a couple of pounds on just through the million layers of foundation, bronzer, eye-shadow and tons more that Sarah had applied, reapplied and then generally just slapped across my face.

  I’d even ditched my trademark Converse and skinny jeans in favour of a teeny weeny black dress. So I was freezing but who needs to be warm, fresh faced and natural when obviously a dress that only covered the bits that it would be illegal not to cover and a face that wouldn’t look out of place behind a make-up counter were clearly the only way someone like me was going to be in any way remotely attractive.

  I didn’t recognise myself when I looked in the mirror. I looked more like Ella than me but according to Sarah, this was a good look. She even complimented my blonde hair, even though the roots were starting to show. Apparently I had the right amount of roots whatever that meant? Not too trashy, Sarah had said. Not that I have anything against make-up. Make-up is bloody brilliant and I wear it every day. It makes me feel tons better about myself, but I don’t like too much make-up like a lot of the girls wear at school. Apparently I had to trust Sarah with this one!

  Bex was still staring at me. She didn’t look as convinced by the new look anymore. She didn’t seem to like the new found attitude I’d adopted in the last hour to match the new look either, but I couldn’t be me when I was looking completely not like me. I had to be this totally new me and not old me as old me clearly wasn’t good enough!

  I fluffed up my hair in the mirror in that way Ella always does and downed the rest of my third glass of vodka and orange. “Lipstick!” Sarah exclaimed, horrified as I wiped my mouth after the last swig. Sarah handed me the red lippy that she said looked ‘gorgeous’ and she started to top up her own make-up. Bex was looking a bit uneasy about the situation.

  “What’s up with you?”I spat.I was more confident and cocky now that I’d had a drink.

  “Dunno?” Bex shrugged. She was making me furious because she was the one who was always helping Sarah to put more make-up on me or telling me to wear a skirt for school or heels or generally just telling me to do anything that I wasn’t already doing. “I just don’t know if it’s a bit much.” Bex shrugged again.

  “Sarah wears a shit load of make-up,” I snapped defensively.

  “Yeah but that’s Sarah. That’s who she is. This isn’t you.” Bex smiled - she looked a bit cautious and she was right to be.

  “Yes but ME isn’t good enough is it? That’s what you lot are always telling me anyway!” I huffed and Bex knew to back down. She looked totally uncomfortable and Sarah was trying to smile at me reassuringly.

  “You look lovely,” Sarah smiled and sprayed my hair again with a mist of spray. “We should decide what you’re wearing to the party tomorrow night too and if you’re going to be hitting on Riley, I was thinking I might totally hit on his brother. You know that one that’s always getting into trouble?”

  “What Jay?” I snorted.

  “He is quite fit,” Sarah protested, “And ok, I’m not th
at into him or anything but I haven’t had a boyfriend for months and it would be so cool if you got with Riley and then I got with his brother. We could all hang out.”

  “Ha, double date!” Bex was sniggering, “How lame.”

  “Well there would be no chance of that even if I did get with Riley because Jay and Riley hate each other.” I added, ending Sarah’s crappy idea.

  I’d put an end to that silly idea. She couldn’t go out with Jay when I purposely went out of my way to avoid him, although it doesn’t seem to be working. “Come on let’s do this!” I picked up my phone and marched towards the stairs.

  I managed to walk down the stairs pretty damn well in my heels, it must be the new found confidence. Sarah was eagerly tottering along behind me and Bex was hanging back – dutifully following us, even though she didn’t look entirely happy about it. I can’t believe that without any hesitation I walked straight out of the house, right up to Riley’s front door and knocked really loudly....

  Wanting to win?

  You know when you’ve got everything planned (well sort of) and then somebody always ruins that little plan? Well tonight was no different because as we all giggled waiting for Riley to unlock the door, I was readjusting my little black dress and fiddling with my hair for the millionth time so I looked just right when Riley finally opened the door – only for Jay Jackson to open it and stand in the doorway with his trademark smirk, plastered across his face.

  Typical him as well: his hair was a mess sticking up everywhere and all he’d bothered to get changed into was some jeans and a blue oversized hoody. He looked me up and down, the damn smirk never leaving his face, “Come to see Riley?”

  “Well yeah, obviously!” I huffed. I didn’t want him to think for one second that we’d even consider making such an effort to see him.

  “And you!” Sarah smiled at him. Jay didn’t look too chuffed at Sarah’s remark. He raised his eyebrows and did this sort of over-the-top smile. I did this weird kind of back kick and hoofed her in the shin.

  “Owww!” Sarah screeched and then everyone just stood there rather awkwardly, all staring at me.

  “Are you gonna let us in then?” I snapped. Jay shrugged and then he just wandered back inside the house, leaving the door wide open.

  “How rude,” I muttered but took no hesitation in walking into the house. Great, Aimie was sitting on the sofa which meant if she was here, then Ella was somewhere about. The only funny thing about it was Jay’s mate Luke London was also sitting on the sofa looking well chuffed that Aimie just happened to be sitting next to him.

  Aimie kept fidgeting. I don’t think she liked the attention from Luke. I mean, he’s ok-looking and everything (he has got amazing white blonde hair that is totally wasted on a boy) but in general, to people like Aimie and Ella, Luke is pretty average and Aimie and Ella don’t do average! Even if a guy had the most amazing personality, unless they were super hot and super popular then it’s a big fat no-no and since Luke is in Year Eleven and Aimie is in Year Twelve, he (in her eyes) officially sucked.

  By the bimbo rules (ha, I like that) Ella in theory shouldn’t have wanted Sam, I mean sure he’s cute and popular but he was in a year below her at school and this sort of stuff usually mattered to her. And that is how I know she did it to spite me. She couldn’t for one second let me be happy. She had always wanted what she shouldn’t have or what everybody else wanted.

  “You do know the stupid party is tomorrow night?” Jay looked at what I was wearing again.

  “Erm...yeah.” I snapped. God, what was he trying to make me feel shit about my clothes now?

  “Oh,” Jay sniggered and perched on the arm of the sofa, making it quite clear he didn’t believe me. Bex and Sarah had already made themselves at home, squeezing on the end of the sofa. I just stood in front of Jay with my arms crossed.

  Luke was still hopelessly flirting with Aimie and Sarah was cheekily pointing the remote at the T.V. until some music came blaring out.

  “Do you think I’m stupid?” I started on Jay. “Of course I know the party is tomorrow night. It’s all I’ve had to hear about at school all bloody week!” It’s true I had nearly been bored to tears by it in the end. Jay actually grinned, but I wasn’t going to even give him a chance to come out with one of his smart arse comments. “And I always dress like this!” I lied outrageously.

  Jay nearly choked on the Coke he’d been swigging on (that’ll teach him to be a pig, ha) and then he couldn‘t stop coughing. I just stared at the idiot.

  “Have you still not learnt how to drink properly?” I shook my head.

  “It’s only when you come out with your shit.” Jay said when he’d finally caught his breath.

  “Are you saying that you only act like a complete idiot when I’m around? Bit convenient,” I smiled. I am so not letting him get the better of me today!

  “What can I say? You obviously bring out the best in me,” He smiled sarcastically and then took another swig of his coke.

  “Oh my god, check those two out.” Bex interrupted our little spat. I’d totally forgotten those two were listening.

  “Yeah stop with all the flirting!” Sarah glared at me as once again, Jay spat out a mouthful of Coke. Don’t think he quite agreed with the flirting comment!

  “You idiot,” I directed at Jay. “As if!” I hissed at Sarah, glaring at her to shut her big, fat, stupid mouth.

  “You’re supposed to be flirting with Riley, not him!” Sarah, who was now standing next to me, was nudging me in the ribs because speaking of Riley, there he was - standing in the doorway with my smug-looking sister.

  “You look nice,” Riley said, with almost a hint of surprise that I chose to ignore. I turned and did a told-you-so smile at Jay, who just shrugged as though he couldn’t care less.

  “We’ve just made a right good cocktail.” Ella interrupted, “Who wants one?” As if on cue a group of Year Thirteen lads, who happen to be Riley’s mates, walked through the door. Bex and Sarah looked well chuffed at the welcome interruption but they looked less pleased when the girls followed behind them.

  “Great.” I heard Jay mutter and the next thing I knew nearly everyone was drinking Ella’s disgusting concoction. I wondered if she’d found every single bit of alcohol Mum kept in the cupboard and just mixed it all together.

  The noise level was getting louder and louder which meant so was Ella’s annoying giggling. Every now and again another one of Riley’s mates would pop over and slowly the living room was getting claustrophobic.

  I heard Amelia Hargreaves name and then Ella saying, “I was so shocked.” Ella is such a fraud.

  “I mean, what a nutter!” One of Riley’s mates said - I didn’t even know any of their names. “A lucky escape, eh?” The same mate was nudging Riley in the ribs and winking at him.

  “Yeah well, saved me the job of binning her,” Riley grinned as though he was the big man. Ella giggled with the others at Riley’s crap joke. I looked round for Bex and Sarah. Sarah was so engrossed in conversation with Luke London that she didn’t even seem to realise what everyone else was talking about. Bex just shrugged at me.

  I couldn’t hear everything they were saying but they were all slapping Riley on the back with some suggestive remarks about what Riley had or had not got up to with Amelia Hargreaves and then out of the blue, Jay just crushed his empty Coke can in his hand and stood up to leave.

  “Had too much Coke bro?” Riley sneered, “You really know how to enjoy yourself.” Loads of sniggering from Riley’s mates proceeded. I wondered if they just laughed at everything Riley said.

  “I’ve got a footy match tomorrow.” Jay said and they all stared at him as if he’d answered in a foreign language. They just started to laugh. “Anyway, I’m bored.”

  Jay walked to the door and Riley nudged him as he walked past - apparently this was funny too. Jay shoved Riley back and then walked out of the room to a chorus of ‘oooooh’ from the Year Thirteen girls.

  I just sat there in t
he corner of the sofa, wishing I was anywhere else but here. I even started to wish I didn’t have this very tiny dress on because I was anything but comfortable. I watched on as Ella downed glass after glass of her horrendous cocktail and giggled stupidly trying to impress Riley and co. She was such an idiot and she had clearly had too much to drink.

  I saw Bex leave the room. I figured she might be going to get a drink so I stood up to make my move and follow her. “Alright babe?” Riley had stepped in front of the door. I looked around. Ella was no longer in the group - she probably had her head down the toilet for all I cared. “Tomorrow night’s gonna be a good ‘un.” Riley continued. I could see him looking over to his mates who seemed to think I was unable to hear their comments of ‘get in’ etc. I turned around and they all immediately stopped doing what my Mum would call ‘obscene gestures’. I personally would call it acting like complete dicks.

  “Riley mate, make sure this one’s not a crazy stalker!” One of them slapped Riley on the back whilst he spilled half his can of lager on the carpet.

  “I don’t care if it’s me she’s stalking,” Riley said to a load of lame cheering. I wondered how much his mates had had to drink or whether they were always this dumb. I felt a bit stupid. Had I really stalked this idiot? Also does being extremely hot cancel out being extremely stupid?...Hmmm, I would have to think about that one later.

  “Wonder if Amelia was thinking about Mr Huntley the whole time she was shagging you?” One of them leered.

  “We were just mates,” Riley glared at them and signalled to me. “But can’t deny it lads, she so wanted me!” Loads more cheering...yawn-yawn it was all getting a bit boring.

  “If you were such good mates, how come you didn’t stick up for her?” I asked. Everyone stopped cheering, yelling and swigging drinks and stared at me as though I’d just suggested we murder someone or something.