✰𝐂𝐀𝐋✰

"Finally, I've been waiting for hours," I comment as the first of the troops make their way through the vip area doors and slide into the booth I have occupied.

"Oh please I saw you walk in two seconds before us, get a grip," Will scoffs as he guides Mia into the spare space next to him. Talia closely follows and Simon quickly heads to the bar to get our first round as we wait for others to arrive.

"So, what did you want to talk to us about?" Talia questions, eyebrows raised as she leans over Mia and Wills conversation to meet my eyes.

"I need everyone in on it, help me get everyone to listen when they get here. I think you will like what I have planned." I say, smiling as I watch the look of confusion spread onto her face, slowly followed by one of curiosity.

Around half an hour later, the last to arrive had finally got here and I could finally share my thoughts.

"Freya.." Talia laughs as soon and the couple make their way into the booth, late as always.

"What," Freya squeals, turning slightly red and looking at Josh out of the corner of her eye.

The whole group erupts into laughter as her reaction just confirmed what we were all thinking.

"You two have been porking!" Chip shouts, creating an even louder eruption of laugher from the group. Josh just shakes his head while laughing and snakes his arm around a tomato-red Freya's shoulders.

"Atleast I get some action my friend," Josh shrugs at Chip, smirking under his hat.

"Guys, before a full on debate starts, I think Cal has something to say!" Talia says while winking at me and mouthing 'you owe me'.

"Thanks Tal," I wink back at her, smirking at Simon as I see the dirty look his is giving me from across the table.

"Ah, I forgot. Your 'big plan'," Lux yawns, "this better be good Cal."

"Oh it will be, trust me."

"Get on with it, I'm hungry!" JJ whines while searching up Nando's on his phone.

"So, you know how Mia and Harry can't stand being around each other?" I start.

"Yeah?" The group responds in unison, all with confusion etched onto their faces.

"I think we need to start forcing them together." I continue, grinning in excitement.

"But they already live with each other, aren't they already forced to be together?" Vik says.

"Yeah, and that doesn't seem to work so what makes this so special?" Ethan shrugs.

"No, I mean FORCE them together!" I exaggerate, trying to get my point across as the beaming overhead lights, which are illuminating our booth with a mixture of reds and whites, force beads of sweat to drip down my forehead, a mixture of extreme heat and anxiety.

"Wait, do you mean something like a forced proximity trope kind of situation?" Freya jumps up excitedly, obviously using her knowledge of books to best describe this situation in her own way.

"Sure i guess?" I laugh at her excitement, taking my jumper off as the heat is starting to make me feel lightheaded.

"Oooo..." the rest of the girls around the table express in unison, the alcohol they have consumed starting to make an appearance on their faces.

"But how would we get them together without making it obvious?" Ellie asks, snuggling into Vik's shoulder as comfort.

"Well, that's where it gets even more exciting.." I wink at her taking a sip of my drink and wiping my forehead with the back of my hand.

"What?" The whole group say in unison, some chuckling under their breaths.

JJ, who isn't even listening, jumps in excitement as a notification saying his order has been delivered flashes across his screen.

"You are being weirder than usual," Lux says to me as he stands up, preparing to go and get another round while JJ rushes out to collect his order. "What does everyone want?" He asks, picking up his phone from the table and swiftly placing it in his back pocket.

"Same as last time." Ethan says, closely followed by a wave of hums and murmurs of agreement.

"Alright, I'll be back." Cal says as he jogs off towards the bar.

"Okay continue your story now!" Freya insists, clapping her hands together as a sign of interest.

"Alright, is anyone up for a little trip?" I smirk, the alcohol in my system beginning to calm down my nerves and my need for approval slowly subsiding.

"Sorry, what?" Ethan bursts out laughing, "You're idea of getting Mia and Harry to be civil is buggering off on holiday?"

"Yes! Exactly!" I smile, "But not in the context you are putting it."

"Then how?"

"Forcing them to share a room of course!" I jump in excitement, gratefully accepting the pint Lux passes me from across the table.

"Oh please Cal, they would easily catch on." Ethan rolls his eyes, taking a large gulp of his beer and aggressively placing it back down onto the table.

So far, I have got most of the girls on my side. It's just the boys that are a little harder to convince, especially Ethan, though I'm not sure why.

"Guys, I've already found a place we could go, I'll send the details in the chat later. I just need to know that you are onboard so I can book it." I say, whipping out my phone and passing it around the table to show everyone the place I was thinking. I watch patiently as many pairs of curious eyes scan over the dimly lit screen of my iphone, occasionally hearing little hums and murmurs of approval from the group.

"Well I instantly approve." Talia laughs, earning an agreeing nod from all the girls around the table.

"There are only 7 rooms, where will the other two people stay?" Tobi questions, reaching his arm over Ethan beside him as he passes the phone back to me.

"Um.." I start.

"Thats fine Tobi, I'll just rent a separate villa nearby." JJ suggests, as he squeezes back into the packed booth with two large bag's of food. The smells of spicy Nando's chicken and hummus waft up my nose, making my stomach grumble in excitement, a small reminder that I hadn't eaten all day.

"I'm not sure I want to be staying with you Jide, no offence." Tobi awkwardly laughs in response.

"Shut up, we can have a blackman party!" JJ squeals in excitement, earning a contrast of annoyed groans, or amused laughter. Tobi just shrugs and high fives JJ from across the table.

"So is everyone in?" I question, rubbing my hands together with anxiety, making my hands burn with heat from the friction.

As response, I hear a chorus of, "Yeah, I guess!" , "Sure, it will be fun!" And an "If I must." from Ethan.

"Great then," I clap, giddy with excitement,

"I guess we are going to the Maldives!"

--

- happy late new year everyone!!

new cover, please share your thoughts🙏

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