One Hundred And One Sleepless Nights

Christmas has long gone but Alan - forever pushing the social norm - is hosting a Christmas party tonight. His argument is that no one really knows when Jesus was born. Austin tried to explain the concept of the bible but I don't think poor Alan was following him. The dress code is green and red. I'm sure Alan only picked green because he knows it makes me look washed out.
After I dropped Alex off at Vivian and Victor's I went to Alan's apartment. I knocked and when Alan answered I saw he was wearing a hat made entirely out of mistletoe. This can only end badly. "Zee!" he exclaimed brightly, a glass of mulled wine in hand. He looks absolutely hammered and it's only nine. This is what happens when people like Austin introduce you to alcohol at the age of nineteen.
"Hey Al'." I smiled.
"Kiss me!" Alan yelled.
"You know-" I tried but he crushed his lips to mine. "Okay then..." I gasped. Then Alan disappeared off into the crowd. I wish I had his energy.
I spotted Kate and Jemma at the far end of the room. I weaved in and out of people until I came to stand by them. "Hey. What's up?" I smiled.
"Jemma said you're Maid of Honour." Kate said.
"I am!" I said proudly.
"Why is he invited?" Jemma grumbled. I turned and saw Oli Sykes walking over.
"Ask Alan?" I offered. But she didn't hear me, she was too busy glaring at him.
"Looking good tonight, Zandra." Oli said smoothly. He draped his arm around my shoulders and I eyed him.
"You have a girlfriend!" Jemma snapped.
"I do," Oli agreed, obviously not caring about the fact he did in fact have a serious girlfriend and that she happened to be standing only a few feet away. "Kiss under the mistletoe?" he asked me.
"Kiss under the mistletoe," I echoed. "I wouldn't kiss you under anaesthetic." I told him, making Kate and Jemma erupt into a fit of giggles.
"So angry, Zandra. Has someone got you all worked up?" he teased and looked over to Vic and Polly. Stupid, English person. Oli raised his eyebrows at me before he went over to his girlfriend, Hannah.
I made my way to the drinks table. I poured myself a double vodka and orange, but then decided I should top it up to make it a triple. Maybe if I get drunk my vision will become so blurred that I won't be able to see Vic anymore. I took a huge gulp and swallowed hard.

By midnight a few people are past it. Mike has been sleeping on the balcony for over thirty minutes now. Alan can barely stand. I think the only responsible adult in the room is Jemma. That's only because she can't drink. But that's a secret.
"How are you?" Polly asked brightly. I turned around to look at her. Her dress makes her look fat.
"Fine, thank you." I said tightly.
"Could you sound anymore depressed." Vic said. Where did he come from?
"Yeah, but I'd have to prepare. You know move in with you again." I shot back.
"Why do you always have to turn like this?"
"Why do you always have to wear hats?" I snapped.
"That has nothing to do with our conversation."
"Yet you still wear a hat."
"You're hopeless." Vic grumbled.
"Can you just be nice, Vic? Please." Polly said firmly.
"Fine!" he held his hands up before he wrapped his arms around Polly.
Suddenly someone grabbed my waist. I saw Alan and he laughed in my ear. He threw me over his shoulder and started walking away with me. I waved to Vic as Alan ran, tripped and we fell in a heap at Austin's feet. Austin pulled me to my feet and I grinned.
"Saw you with Vic." Austin said.
"Ugh, I know." I mumbled.
"His girlfriend is hot." Alan said.
"It's his fiancée!" I exclaimed. I looked at Austin and my eyes filled up. "Is she fat? Is she ugly?" I asked.
"Zee-" he tried.
"She's prettier than me, isn't she?! You like her more. Am I hot? You don't think I'm hot!" I nearly cried.
"I think you're very beautiful," Austin told me gently. He wrapped his arm around me and I buried my face in his shirt. "Alan just meant that she is also pretty."
"If she's so pretty go and ask her to be your best friend!" I yelled and tried to walk away. Alan picked me up and I frowned. "My legs are broke! I'm not moving! Aus', call the ambulance men!"
"She's gone." Austin shook his head.
Alan put me down and I ran away to get another drink. I was pouring myself a shot of sours when the bottle wouldn't pour anymore. I looked and saw Vic holding it. He always spoils my fun!
"I don't think you need anymore, Zee." he said gently.
"Neither do you!" I called.
"I haven't drank anything."
"Why?" my eyebrows knitted together.
"Because Polly asked me not to."
"Where is the wicked witch of the west?" I looked around.
"She went home," Vic said, a smile tying the corner of his lips. "I think you should too. I'll take you home."
"I don't want to." I pouted.
"Go home and I'll make you some tea." Vic offered.
"Earl Gray?"
"Sure."
"I don't like Earl Gray."
"Okay, I'll make you something else."
"Cranberry tea?"
"Okay."
"I don't like cranberry tea." I told him.
"Come on." Vic rolled his eyes. He wrapped his arm around my waist and led me out of the apartment.
We went to his car and I kicked my feet up on the dashboard. He didn't stop me. As he drove I rested my head up against the window. "Vic?" I whined.
"Hmm?" he asked.
"I love you." I said desperately.
"I love you too."
"No, I mean I really boyfriend and girlfriend love you!"
"Do you now? You're drunk, Zee."
"Only a smidge!" I told him.
"Why you shouting?"
"Because fuck you!" I stuck my tongue out. "I didn't mean that because I love you," I went on. "You're my ickle baby Vickie. Vic-tor."
"Let go inside." Vic rolled his eyes.
He got out and opened my door. I fell out the car and he picked me up. I refused to walk, glaring at my feet. Vic picked me up and started to carry me inside. He took me up to my apartment, into my room and lay me down onto my bed.
"Vic!" I whined.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
"Victor. My babe. V-Fuentes. V-F. The V bomb." Well there's no going back now.
"Go to sleep," he chuckled. I lay back and he kissed my head gently. "Zee?"
"Hmm?" I asked sleepily.
"Did you really sleep with that guy New Years?"
"Yeah."
"Was he better than me?"
"No, no one is." I puffed out.
"Go to sleep, I love you too." he told me sincerely as I drifted off.

Notes

Hey! What did you think? Who wants more party scenes? Who wants Jack back on the scene? Are you all for Vic? Someone come up with a ship name and I'll work the person who comes up with the best one into the story as a minor character! :)