He sits on the bed, leaning back against the headboard. He’s fiddling with my iPod and the portable speaker. “Playing DJ tonight, are you?’’ He just looks up and smiles; that goddamn smile. My head goes fuzzy and I feel like a kid at a candy store.

“Grab my backpack.” He points to the chair near my desk without looking up. “I brought you something.”

Curiosity snaps me out of eye-oggling my brother’s, well I guess he is now my, best friend. Sitting down in the spot where the backpack was on the chair, I unzip it before a giddy squeal leaves my lips and without even looking over I can hear Jesse’s chuckle under his breath. I pull out the bottle of vodka, orange juice and a Tupperware container with six jelly shots. I hold the container in the air, in question. “Leftovers, Mum made them for the end-of-season football party last night.”

Jesse’s mum is an absolute gem. Always has been. “Make sure you thank her for me.” I smile. “Even if she didn’t make them for me specifically.” I grab two shots and plop myself down next to Jesse.

“Nah, Meadow.” He shakes his head. “Those are just for you, I’m driving home.” He wiggles his eyebrows.

Jesse has been working with his dad on a HJ Holden Ute since his sixteenth birthday. Last month, when he turned eighteen, his dad got it on the road for him and now that he has his licence, Jesse and that car are inseparable.

“Oh come on,” I pout. “You can crash here, pleeeeease.” Pulling out all the stops, I bat my eyelashes at him; he rolls his eyes and grabs the shot from me. Another win for me, that was way too easy. Kinsley - 1: Jesse - 0

Three jelly shots and two vodka and orange juices later, I’m stumbling over my words and feeling emotionally lighter than I have in years. Is this what it’s like to be drunk? Jesse and I are both lying on the bed, staring at the ceiling. Propping myself up on my elbow, I turn to face him. “When you texted earlier, you said you were coming to give me my birthday present.” When he stays silent I probe further. “Was it the alcohol?”

As always, Jesse tries to make light of the situation. “My presence isn’t enough of a gift?” He laughs at his joke and turns to face me. He opens his mouth and closes it again, as if contemplating how to respond. “I wanted to give you the gift of a clear mind, to take a weight off of your shoulders, even just for a night.” His emerald green eyes lock me into a trance.