A Hope Christmas Love Story Read Online Free Page A

are in the kitchen, help yourself.”
    So I go into the kitchen and have a beer, and then stand awkwardly in the lounge making conversation with the only other lad there, a guy called Matt Wilson who is smoking dope and has nothing very entertaining to say.
    Gradually people start trickling in, and I say hi to the few people I know. I graduate from the pot head to the kitchen where I end up having a bleak existential discussion with Marlon Hilton, the guy reading Catcher in the Rye on my first day. Some girl is already throwing up in the garden, and Mr Pothead has found a friend. They’re having in insanely boring and nonsensical conversation, which they both find highly entertaining. It isn’t. I’m sure everyone here would say it’s a great party, but it’s not really my scene.
    The later Melanie is the more nervous I get. Since we kissed on the hill top, we’ve fallen into the habit of holding hands, and kissing occasionally, but opportunities are limited. And I haven’t even asked her out. I still sense she’s holding out on me, and I’m not sure what to do about it. Should I push it, and scare her off? Or leave it and get more frustrated?
    As it gets towards nine thirty, I begin to think that’s not going to be an option. Maybe she’s going to blow me out. My stomach plummets at the thought. Would she, could she do that to me? I don’t think so, but there’s so much about her I don’t know, I may be putting too much trust in her. It wouldn’t be the first time she’s had an undisclosed family crisis and had to leave in a hurry. I text her for the millionth time, but there’s no reply.
    I’m thinking that maybe I should give up and go home. The only reason I’m here is to see Melanie. And then there’s a tap on my shoulder, I turn around, and there she is. And all is right with the world.

Chapter Eight
    I’m so late, by the time I get to the party, I’m worried Will has gone home. Karen lives the other side of Shrewsbury, and it’s further than I think it is. It’s times like this, when I hate living so far from college. It’s along miserable drive in the dark, and it will get worse as winter comes on.When I pull over to call Will, I seem to be in a mobile blackspot and can’t get a signal. I’m feeling sick with nerves by the time I arrive. What if he’s given up on me? What if he thinks I’ve given up on him?
    So it’s a relief to get to the party, and after pushing my way through the crowds, finding him chatting to Marlon from our course, who has to be the gloomiest person I know. He sees the apocalypse round every corner. I’m surprised Will hasn’t slashed his wrists by now.
    I feel suddenly shy when I see him. What if he’s cross with me for being late? Maybe he doesn’t want to see me after all. Even though I know deep down that’s not true.
    “Melanie,” his smile is so warm and welcoming my heart does a little jump, and I wonder what I was worrying about. “I was beginning to think you weren’t coming.”
    “Oh I was never not coming,” I say, “I mean I was always going to turn up, but getting of my house of an evening is just crazy and then I left too late to phone you and then when I tried I couldn’t get a signal and then …”
    I realise he’s laughing at me.
    “I’m gabbling aren’t I?” I say, a deep blush spreading across my face.
    “A bit,” he says, “but that’s ok, because I quite like it. Drink?”
    And then it’s all ok, and I forget my nerves and being late and feeling guilty about Lou Lou, and just drink up the nearness of him.
    It’s like my eyes have suddenly opened and I’m floating on air. Will makes me happier than I thought it was possible to be. I mean being with Lou Lou makes me
happy.
But not like this. Not this dizzy intoxicating pleasure that I never ever want to end.
    Several people nod at us as Will leads me to the dance floor. No one had clocked we’re together till this evening, and several of the girls give me knowing looks,