Moving on

It's not like Courtney went and crawled back to Curtis though. They had a long period of trying to piece things together. They weren't an item again until New Year's Eve and a month is a long time in teen dating.

You were going to be okay. You never admitted how much breaking up with her hurt to your friends but you certainly don't regret what happened. She wasn't the hottest girl you'd ever have (although she was definitely hot) and you didn't love her as much as you ever could (although you probably did begin to love her) but she was your first and she deserved to be special because she is.

So despite Sam singing 'Lonely this Christmas' for the next three weeks to you, you were alright. It was sad but the bigger picture was Courtney's happiness and everyone could see that was with Curtis.

There were upsides too; guitar club and private practice with Lily felt far less awkward. She was typically sweet and said she was sorry to hear about the break up. You shrugged it off but definitely didn't pass up the hug she offered. Afterwards you worried you might be headed for the friendzone but brushed it off. Lily was already getting pretty good and could do the chords fairly easily. That F bar chord was a pain in the arse still but it'd come.

It was a weekday in mid December when you heard about the party- A Christmas party the last day of school at Millie's House. Millie (if you can't remember) was Lauren Anderson's best friend and had rivalled her at singing annoying Disney songs on the Belgium coach that first morning. Millie was tall and slim but not really pretty (as far as you were concerned - you're sure there were guys out there who'd think differently)

She lived the other side of the Golf club from Lily in a big 5 bedroomed place- her parents were away skiing that weekend but back for Christmas Day. Now, this was strictly a gathering for the friendship group and their entourages but you definitely counted and Lauren passed on the message that you could bring a few friends from your own year if you liked. Sam declined though because he was meeting Holly's parents that night (absolutely thrilled for Sam BTW! He and Holly were official for two months now and as of Halloween night, neither of them were virgins anymore.)

It then occurred to you that it might be nice to ask Lily. Introducing her to your friends in the year above felt like a natural idea but then you didn't want Courtney to think it was some stunt to make her jealous and you definitely didn't want Lily to think it was some stunt to make Courtney jealous.

So you didn't ask her and went alone.