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conversation with Jasper. Half past eight was too early to go to bed, but I didn’t want to go downstairs and risk Jasper’s questioning though, so I put on a film and curled up under the covers. Cole kept entering my mind, making it hard to concentrate on the TV. I should go over there, get on my knees and show him my best ‘please forgive me’ face, the one that worked every time, but I was too stubborn and scared. Half an hour later, I was finally feeling tired, so I turned the television off and closed my eyes.
    Jasper woke me up by knocking on my door and screaming my name.
    “Oakley! Get up, we’re going to Cole’s for lunch,” he yelled, much louder than necessary. Going to Cole’s for lunch? No.
    I ran to the door and pulled it open, frowning at Jasper for an explanation.
    “We’re booking the holiday today remember, so we’re all going over there for a barbecue lunch.” Barbecue again? “Get dressed. We’re leaving in half an hour.”
    My heart sank a little. I half-smiled at my brother, and slammed the door shut behind him. Lunch at Cole’s. That was going to be awkward.
    Half an hour later, I was dressed and sitting on my bed, waiting for someone to call me down. After seven minutes, the inevitable happened – Mum shouted my name. I took a deep breath and walked downstairs slowly. Going over there was the last thing I wanted to do. I felt sick with nerves.
    “You look nice, honey,” Mum complimented with a smile. I could tell that she was thinking that I had dressed nicely for Cole. I only had on a long white summer dress and yellow ballet shoes. It wasn’t for Cole. It was because of the heat. I didn’t wear make-up, and I hadn’t done anything with my hair. I didn’t think I looked particularly nice.
    We all walked to the Benson’s house at Jasper’s pace: the only time he did anything in a hurry was when there was food involved, or girls, so presumably the thought of the barbeque was behind his speediness. I wanted to walk slowly and put off seeing Cole for as long as possible, but my brother clearly had other ideas.
    Jasper knocked eagerly at their front door, and within seconds, Jenna greeted us with a hug, and then ushered us through their perfectly kept house to the back garden. My heart sank with every step I took. Part of me hoped he was out, but I knew he wouldn’t be. I did want to see him though. I hated arguing with him, and just wanted everything to go back to how it was.
    Cole sat at the end of the wooden table, staring into his glass of coke. He looked sad, really sad. As we approached the table, he looked up and said a quick hello.
    Where should I sit now? Would near him be inappropriate? Would he even want me there? Not wanting to make things any more awkward, I sat next to Mia, forcing Jasper to sit near Cole.
    Mum handed the brochure to me and Mia so we could see the hotel we were staying in. Wow , was all I could think. It looked amazing. The hotel was a beautiful white building, halfway up a mountain. It didn’t look too busy but seemed to have enough to keep everyone entertained. According to the brochure, the harbour was a two-minute walk away and the beach a little further, approximately twenty minutes.
    The nightlife was good too, apparently. There were a few bars and clubs nearby. Mia and Jasper would want to go out no doubt. Perhaps I would be allowed to go too? I was almost sixteen and if I was with Cole they’d let me go, wouldn’t they?
    I felt Cole’s eyes on me, so I glanced to the side and smiled a little awkwardly. My cheeks felt hot. I was probably blushing. He smiled back. Was he forgiving me? Just as I thought he was about to talk to me, David placed a plate of charred chicken kebabs down on the table. Cole grabbed one and started eating. Please talk to me.
    Throughout lunch, Cole and I exchanged glances.
    Mum had noticed things were off between us: she would look at me, then Cole, and then back to me. I prayed that she wouldn’t say anything.