1

As the cab pulled up to the large LA house, I take note that the party must already be in full swing. After thanking and paying the cab driver I hopped out of the cab straightening my beanie and over sized denim shirt as I went.

 

I know this is LA and he is in some big a*s famous band and everything, but I just don’t see the point in getting all dressed up for a house party plus I’d just gotten off a long a*s flight so everyone can just deal with it.

 

As I neared the house the music and the general hum of people got gradually louder. This house was huge; I mean walking up the drive alone was taking me a good minute.

 

I eventually got to the house and made a beeline for the kitchen, well there’s nothing worse than being late to a party and being the completely sober one. Also everyone knows if you’re trying to find someone at a house party your first port of call is always the kitchen, it just seems to be where everyone congregates (probably because that’s where all the alcohol and food is mind you).

 

On my quest to find the kitchen I saw a few familiar faces in the crowd and gave a friendly nod and smile to each of them making a mental note to go say hi properly later on. I finally saw the kitchen and it seemed pretty empty, but as I approached I heard the infectious laughter of my best friend coming from inside.

 

Finally! I thought to myself.

 

Exactly the man I have been looking for, the man I have just flown half way round the world to see on his birthday. JJ knew I was coming so it wasn’t exactly a surprise but I knew he’d be happy to see me, this whole big party thing was definitely not his idea.

 

I can’t help but smile at the sound of his raucous laughter, it really was so infectious. As I neared the kitchen I could hear him talking to someone, a girl. They appeared to be deep in conversation and the closer I got the more of it I heard.

 

“I thought Lex would be here by now, I just want you to meet her already” JJ said sounding a little impatient. I couldn’t see him but I just knew he was pulling at his hair.

 

“Well I don’t get what the big deal is, if you ask me it’s a bit weird that your best friend is a girl who’s quite happy to jet across the world for you at the drop of a hat. I mean whatever kind of friendship you say you have it looks to be a hell of a lot more.” The mystery girl spat back at JJ in an American accent, causing me to stifle a laugh.

 

I always found it quite funny actually; he’d go out with these super beautiful models and singers and actresses, and every last one of them would eventually tell him to spend less time with me, or talk to me less. It was as though they felt threatened in some way by me, little old me from England, who turns up to a party in LA wearing a denim shirt and black skinny jeans like I was a teenager going to a house party.

 

If I was a guy they wouldn’t have an issue, but because I’m a woman it’s made into a huge thing. It’s the only time we ever argue, me and JJ, when some girl he’s seeing is pulling him away from me and I start to lose my best friend. Until they break up and those chocolate puppy dog eyes appear at my door begging for my forgiveness, and for me to help him put together his broken heart. I just can’t say no to that boy, never have been able to.

 

I realise now that I have stopped outside the kitchen door, I can’t possibly walk in now not when they’re talking about me.

 

“We’re just friends, you know that, it’s just I’ve known her that long of course I’m close to her. Lex is part of the family.” He’s right we have known each other for some time and I see his family a lot, in fact with his job I’d say I see his family more than he does.

 

“Well for someone who doesn’t see the rest of their friends from back home very often you seem to see an awful lot of her” Mystery girl had begun yelling, I was quite taken aback, how can someone who had never even met me hold so much venom for me?

 

“Calm down babe” JJ spoke in a very gentle tone. “It doesn’t matter anyway does it? I have you now so why would I need to spend as much time with her?”

 

His words hit me like a steam train, years of being thrown to the side the moment a girl came along yet picked back up when she ditched him or he ditched her were bubbling to the surface. Pissed was an understatement.

 

We’d been best friends for years, since high school, and ever since we were eighteen this is exactly what happened. I’d be there to support him whenever he needed it, and he would be there to support me only if it happened to be during a time when he didn’t have a girlfriend.

 

F**k! I can feel the tears stinging my eyes as every s****y memory flashes before them, I blink them back and try to think of what I should do.

 

Stay or go?

 

Stay or go?

 

Stay or go?

 

S**t why is it so hard to decide?

 

You know what screw it!

Why am I always the nice one, the forgiving one, the understanding one? No. For once I’m not going to let this be okay. I wouldn’t let a boyfriend treat me like this so why do I let my friend walk all over me?