Everyday people ask me, are you two going out?
You don't know how painful it is to say"We're just friends."

26th January 2013

My eyes appraised the dress, my lips turning up slightly in approval. "I like this one." I informed her, turning to gauge her reaction.

From the selection of dresses that Ashley had brought with her, this one was the best. The rest were either too revealing or completely too sophisticated or overdressed for the night that we all had planned. This was far better than the others and tailored more towards my style and what I liked. While it wasn't a first choice for me or something that I would choose to buy while out shopping, it was definitely the best that I would be getting tonight.

"That's too simple." She disagreed, shaking her head. I frowned at that. "This one would look better on you," she held up a tan dress that was long sleeved but a little shorter than I was used to and preferred. However, it was nice and something that I considered settling for. Well, it was until she turned it around to reveal that the dress was completely backless. The whole back was cut out, the material only starting right at the top of where my ass would be. That wasn't the kind of vibe that I was going for tonight, or any other night, for that matter.

My nose scrunched up in distaste on its own accord. "I'm going to be wearing it, so I get to choose." I stated, tilted my chin up in defiance.

Ashley wasn't too happy about that, but she huffed dramatically and gave in. "Fine. But I get to do your make-up." She handed me over the dress that I had chosen, and ushered me out of the room.

"Alright." I rolled my eyes, yet my lips tilted up into a ghost of a smile.

She flaunted a triumphant grin, clearly feeling like she had won.

I had left the studio earlier than I usually did or initially anticipated, but that was only because Ashley had called and said – more like demanded, that I join them and go out clubbing tonight. Clubbing wasn't exactly my scene either, what with all the sweaty people and gyrating bodies rubbing up against one another, but Caylus would be there. That was the hook for me. Ashley mentioning that Caylus would be there sure changed my answer very quickly.

I couldn't resist when Caylus was mentioned, she knew that.

Louise, Lou, was sat on the bed, just watching the situation in front of her unfold with an amused look on her face. She was already dressed in a little navy-blue dress with smoked out eyeshadow and a dark red lip. She was smart; arriving already ready before Ashley could sink her clutches into her too. Louise was very intelligent, the opposite of the blonde stereotype despite her beach blonde locks which fell down to the middle of her back in loose curls.

Getting dressed in the bathroom, I slipped on the black dress; classic, sexy. I stared in the mirror as I ran my hands down my body, smoothing out the dress, appreciating the small slit that ran up my thigh. There was only man whose attention I was hoping to get tonight. Opting for a dainty silver necklace, I also slipped on a pair of black heels with intricate, silver detailing around the hell; courtesy of Louise.

"You look great." Lou appreciated my outfit as I walked back into the room. Ashley hummed in agreement, now dressed in a light pink-cord set – crop top and short shorts – which she must have changed into in my ensuite bathroom.

"Thanks," I smiled at her. "The guys are still busy playing Caylus' new video game. I swear they didn't even notice me walk by." I shook my head, adjusting my necklace in the mirror before I sat down in the stool that Ashley had set out for me. "He hasn't even started getting ready yet."

Surprisingly, all Ashley did was smudge out some black eyeliner and mascara before she handed me a tube of red lip gloss.

When she noticed the look on my face, she pushed the lip gloss further into my hands. "You're naturally beautiful. Why cover it up with makeup?" She shrugged before reaching over for some nude lipstick for herself.

I don't know if she was being honest, but I appreciated the complement nonetheless. I enjoyed wearing a little makeup to enhance my natural features, but I always felt uncomfortable with a full face.

After a few more touch ups, we were done. We all walked out of my room and tried to de-attach the guys from their precious video game.

"In a minute. I need to coach Caylus, I betted fifty dollars on him." Jasper announced without even glancing up at him. Though when we didn't respond straight away, he gestured towards the other two. "They're nearly finished."

"Yeah, I just have to kill those zombies." Caylus gritted his teeth as his controller vibrated when he attacked yet another zombie. "I need to win this game."

Zac merely smirked as he sat back on the sofa and just clicked on a few buttons, still managing to kick Caylus' butt in the game. "I just have a couple more zombie asses to kick."

Rolling her eyes in annoyance, Ashley parked herself on Jasper's lap, placing a tender kiss on his lips. Immediately, his eyes darted away from the screen as he melted into the kiss, no longer interested in Caylus or his game anymore as he now had his hands full. Literally.

It was actually kind of gross, watching them really get at it, though thankfully, it didn't last long as Zac cheered as he jumped up from the sofa, already starting his victory dance around the living room. "Woo!" He laughed louder as Caylus groaned and buried his face in his hands. "You owe me fifty quid!"

Jasper handed over the money to Zac with an ear-splitting grin, not at all bothered or annoyed over the fact that he had lost the bet since the runner's up prize had been a kiss from his girlfriend.

"Can we go now? I don't want to stand in the queue for ages." Very soon after, we all grabbed our coats and began heading out the door. While Caylus locked up the apartment, I waited for him.

"You look beautiful tonight." He smiled at me, his hand resting on the small of my back as we attempted to catch up with the rest of them.

I breath hitched in my throat and I prayed that he hadn't noticed. He was completely unaware of the effect he had on me.

"Thank you". I replied coyly. "You look pretty handsome yourself." And he did. He was wearing a white dress shirt with black jeans. Simple, but handsome nonetheless. In fact, I always preferred him in simple clothes, all the better to just enhance his already stunning self.

Once we had walked out of the building and reached his car, he held the door open for me and waited for me to get in. He gave me a lazy smile before closing the door and heading over to his side of the car.

It appeared that I would be riding with him to the club while the other four rode together. This was both a blessing and a curse in one. While I loved spending time with Caylus and loved his company, I was madly in love with him and every day, a piece of me crumbled knowing that he would never feel the same way about me.

He started the engine and sped off down the road, toward the club.

No words passed between us as he drove towards the club; we were comfortable in silence. Glancing him when I knew he wasn't looking at me, I inhaled and paused momentarily before exhaling. He was concentrating on the road so much that a slight crease sat between his eyebrows. He looked so beautiful; calm and peaceful.

Absolutely breath-taking.

Turning to face me when he pulled up at a traffic light, he smiled, a dimple in his cheek popping out. Inwardly, I swooned and felt like I was melting but outwardly, I just smiled back and turned back to face the front.

My heart skipped a beat when he reached over and gave my hand a squeeze, choosing to hold it. I could feel myself freeze up, not knowing what to do. While I wanted nothing more than to squeeze it back and hold his hand, I didn't respond in fear of giving away just exactly what I was feeling inside.

It was completely irrational, but often, I was irrational when I was around him when all I really wanted to do was lean over the console and lay one on him; lock my lips on his.

But sadly, I couldn't do that despite how much I wanted to.

Caylus just wasn't mine to claim.

-

You can wait for the next chapter which will be uploaded on 17/02/2020

OR

You can read the next couple of chapters, for FREE on Inkitt! Just search 'Half of a Love Story' or use this link: https://inkitt.app.link/RA__illuminating_

The link can also be found on my Wattpad profile.

Layla Knight

28.01.2020