Holding On (Memories)

the fuck is a “berk”?” Bing raises an eyebrow.
    “You are a berk. A berk is you.” Jen shrugs. “I thought that summed it up.”
    My brother frowns, staring at her for a second. He shakes his head, turning to me. “I saw that berk Adrian earlier.” He glances at Jen. “He kept questioning me about Alec.”
    “Are you serious?”
    “Do I look like I’m joking?”
    I groan, and drop my head to my desk. “What did he ask?”
    “He wanted to know what Alec did, where he came from, and if he was, and I quote, “hard or a pussy boy with no balls”.”
    “This coming from the guy who uses concealer?” I sit back up.
    “Apparently,” Bing replies dryly. “I just thought you’d like to know. And, don’t forget, Dad’s birthday party this weekend. Mum has been texting me every ten minutes asking me if I’d reminded you yet.” He rolls his eyes.
    “Why didn’t she ask me herself?”
    “I don’t know.” He looks at me in exasperation. “I’m not a fuckin’ mind reader, Lex, and I am not an owl.”
    “Did you just quote Harry Potter?” Jen laughs. “You did. Since when did you watch Harry Potter?” I grin.
    “Bing has loved Harry Potter since the first book came out. It’s his secret guilty pleasure.”
    “Not so secret anymore.” Jen smiles slyly.
    Bing’s face hardens. “Jennifer Mason, you tell anyone about that and I swear to God, I will creep into your flat at night, and string your underwear across town.”
    “Oh, honey.” She tsks. “Get some originality. I mean, didn’t Vi already do that to you? Those pink boxers were hot, by the way.” She winks. I laugh and get up, grabbing my phone.
    “I’m going to text Mum about our dresses, then call Alec.” I pat Bing’s arm. “Jen’s got you there, bro.”
    “Wait, dresses?” Jen perks up.
    “Yep.” I look over my shoulder. “Did you really think you weren’t coming?”
    “But I have no-one to go with.”
    I grin at Bing. He grits his teeth and looks at Jen.
    “Surprise,” he forces out.
    “What?!” She shrieks.
    “I’ll, uh, be back… Maybe never.” I mutter, running away.

JEN

    I stand, walking towards Bing. “Tell me this is some kind of ass wiping joke?”
    “I wish,” he replies, looking down at me. “Believe me, spending my evening with you wasn’t in my plan.”
    “So change it,” I hiss. “There is no way I’m spending all of Saturday night smiling and hanging onto your arrogant arm, Samuel!” Although, it is a very pretty arm.
    He sighs. “Look, Jennifer, I don’t exactly want you on my arm, but it’s too late to change it. Mum has already ordered matching outfits.”
    “Are you fucking kidding?” I deadpan. “Not only do I have to go with you, everyone will know I’m with you because, what? Your tie will match my dress?”
    “Oh, and there’s the brains she used to get into university,” he responds snarkily. “Yes, Jen. My tie is the same material and colour as your dress. Believe me, I’m not damn happy.”
    I heave in a breath. “This is gonna be as about as successful as Hades in the North Pole.” I throw my arms up, and turn back to Lexy’s bed. I throw myself face down on it.
    “I wouldn’t lie like that,” Bing says. “You have no idea what’s happened on that bed.”
    I get back up, and growl. I push past him, moving to stomp down the stairs.
    “Hey, I was just saying!” he calls, following me.
    “Go away, Samuel. I want to see you as much as I want a shard of glass in my ass.”
    I open a cupboard door, taking down a glass as the front door opens and shuts.
    “Oh, Sam, Jen.” Emily smiles, unbuttoning her coat. “Sam, did you tell the girls?”
    “Yes, Mum. For the thousandth time, I told them. Lexy is on the phone to Alec now. She said she’d text you.”
    “Oh, well, maybe she did. I haven’t checked my phone since I text you.” She sets her coat on the back of a chair, and looks up at me. “Will you be there, Jen? Si would love to have you there.”
    “Of course.” I smile sweetly. “I wouldn’t miss it.”
    “I presume Bing has told you about the escort situation?”
    Escort? Isn’t that like Billie Piper in Diary of a Call Girl?
    “I told her,” Bing grinds out.
    “I hope its okay,” Emily pushes on. “Lexy said Carl wouldn’t be able to get up, and since Samuel didn’t find himself a date, I found him one.”
    “I highly doubt he couldn’t find a date,” I reply, turning. “He probably just pissed her off by not calling her