Song: Only You - Selena Gomez
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I was standing inside Ally and Drake's room, staring at the picture frame placed on the dressing table. It was a picture from their wedding, Ally laughing loudly with her eyes closed while Drake stared at her with affection and adoration. A small smile spread on his face.

They looked happy, two people madly in love. Unknown of the future but ready to walk into it together. Little did they know that their future wasn't a road filled with just roses but also thorns and that they might not be able to walk together on the thorns.

I turned my face away from the picture and wondered. Would they still get married if they knew what was going to happen today? Isn't this question same as 'would I fall in love with Carter if I knew we would not end up together?'

I didn't know the answer to this question.

Ally was folding clothes sitting on the bed. An opened suitcase placed beside her. I could see the pain on her face as she tired to focus on the work at hand, trying her best not to break down here infront of us.

"I still think you should come and stay with me" said Kaisey.

She was standing beside Ally, helping her place clothes in the suitcase. We had been ignoring each other ever since the scene downstairs. It had been an hour since Carter left with Drake. We had no idea where they went.

"She'll be fine with me" I spoke up, looking at Kaisey though she didn't look back.

"I didn't ask you" she replied casually.

"Don't worry Kaisey, I'll be fine. I don't want to bother you knowing how hectic your job is. Also, I think its better if you and Carter take care of Drake." Said Ally with a small smile.

"But-" started Kaisey again but Ally cut her off.

"I'll call you and we can always hangout." She said standing up. "I'm honest I will be okay with Eva. Besides I think I need some time for myself away from everyone else."

I could still see the uncertainty on Kaisey's face but she nodded lightly.

It took us about twenty more minutes to gather everything Ally needed and place them in her suitcase. I could see the struggle in her demeanor, how she did not want to leave the home she made for herself. My heart pained for her, to see my always cheerful friend so wilted.

"I think I'm done" she said lightly to no one in particular.

To her room of four years.

I was about to step forward and hold her hand when I heard footsteps on the stairs. All of the eyes went towards the door. For a moment my body went rigid. What if Drake was back? I did not want to see him right now. So soon after what happened. His words were still ringing in my mind that I have been trying to avoid for the past hour and a half.

Soon the form of Carter appeared in the doorway. His eyes moving from Ally to Kaisey to me. I looked away, unable to hold his stare.

"You okay?" I heard him ask Ally. Looking up I saw Ally nod slightly, a small smile on her face as if to assure Carter that she was alright.

"He's at my house, he's fine." He said looking at Ally. "We had a fight but it wasn't huge. Tony made him something to eat and he slept after that. I guess he got tired from all that happened."

Ally slowly nodded at his words. Her mind somewhere else as she thought something. None of us spoke, giving her time and space.

Finally she looked up at Carter.

"I'm going to Eva's." She said then after a second added "I think its for the best."

Carter walked further in the room.

"Yeah, I think its for the best too. You two need to spend some time apart from each other. Hopefully he will realize his mistakes"

Ally didn't say anything, in front of Carter it looked like her strength had slipped away a little. She was close to crying as she stared at him.

Sighing Carter stepped forward and took her in his arms. Hugging her while she cried on his shoulder.

"Everything will be okay again. Its just a bad time and your strong enough to pass it" he whispered to her, rubbing her head slowly to calm her down.

I had never thought about it before but Carter and Ally's frienship must have grown in the past five years. It was evident that they trusted and relied on each other, were part of each other's happiness and misery. I was glad to see their bond stregthen. That both of them weren't alone after I left.

It took a few minutes for Ally to compose herself again. She stepped away from Carter, wiping away her tears. A grateful smile on her dace.

"Thankyou" she said to him to which he smiled back.

I took my phone out of my pocket to see the time.

"Are you okay?" I heard Carter say probably to Ally again.

It was eight o'clock, mom must be getting worried why I wasn't home yet. I placed the phone back in my pocket and looked up, contemplating whether I should call her or just text.

As I looked up I saw Carter and Ally looking at me. A little further away, I saw Kaisey also staring at me with an unreadable expression.

At first I was confused, why was everyone looking at me? Then I remembered Carter's question. Was he asking me and not Ally?

"I...I'm fine" I replied, surprised by this question of Carter. I had not expected him to ask me that.

"I'm sorry about everything Drake said. He's in a dark place right now, please don't hold it against him" he said looking at me.

His eyes piercing in me.

"I don't. I know he isn't Drake right now" I replied, making sure my voice doesn't stutter this time.

He nodded at my words. His eyes staying on me for a few more seconds before they moved to the suitcase on the bed.

"You're ready?" He asked Ally, walking over to the bed.

"Yea....I am" she answered, looking at the suitcase too.

"We'll wait for you downstairs" Carter said to Ally as he grabbed the suitcase.

He walked out of the room, follower by Kaisey. I stayed to give Ally an encouraging nod and after she smiled back at me I left too.

I knew Carter was giving her space to grieve. To say goodbye to her house alone. It must be the hardest thing to do. To leave a place you imagined living in forever. I just hoped this goodbye was temporary, that it will be see you later instead. That one day, hopefully soon, Ally would return with a big smile and love filled heart.

Walking out I saw Carter and Kaisey standing by my car. Remembering that it was locked I hurriedly went and opened it. Carter placed the suitcase in the backseat, making sure that it was placed firmly and would not move while we travelled.

"Thankyou for doing this. It means alot" said Carter after shutting the door.

"Its no problem at all. Ally is my friend, I'll be there when she needs me." I replied, hugging myself as wind went pass us.

It got much colder at night.

"Don't you think it will be better if Ally goes with us?" Said Kaisey softly while looking at Carter.

"No. I think its better if she goes with Eva. They're childhood friends, she'll be more comfortable with her" replied Carter just as softly.

Kaisey nodded at his words and then smiled. Carter gently tucked her hair behind her ear as he smiled back. I looked away wishing Ally would come out sooner.

As if right on cue, Ally stepped out of the house. Locking the door behind her. Dry tears covering her face as she walked towards us.

"Ready?" I asked to which she nodded.

I walked over to the car and opened it, sitting behind the wheels. After hugging Kaisey she opened the passenger side door and settled in.

"Take care of yourself okay? Don't skip meals, sleep at night and don't cry too much. He'll soon come to his senses. Please don't worry and stress to the point its unhealthy." Carter said in the most gentlest voice I have ever heard from him.

He was leaning in the car slightly through the open window on Ally's side. Concern filled on his face as he looked at Ally. I was amazed by Carter again today, I had never seen him this soft towards anyone before. To see someone as cold and quite like him caring for someone was new.

"I'll be fine I promise. Don't worry too much about me." Replied Ally.

Her shoulders visibly relaxing due to his words.

"Oh and Carter? Please take care of him" added Ally lightly, his voice getting  choked lightly. "You know why he is doing this"

Carter nodded to her words, an unspoken understanding passing between them.

"I'll call you. Take care" he said and stepped back from the car.

I put the key in ignition and started the car. Ally boarded the window on her side up so no cold wind could come inside. As she waved Carter and Kaisey goodbye one last time I placed the car in motion.

Slowly, we drived away from Drake and Ally's house. Ally stared at her home with longing in her eyes and then turned away sighing. In the rearview mirror I saw Kaisey and Carter standing on the road, Carter reaching out and grabbing her hand as they watched us go.

I turned my eyes away from them and sped up the car.

..................................

I was lying in my bed, waiting desperately for sleep to take over. So I could finally let my mind and body rest after the strenuous events of today. But my sleep refused to corporate. My exhaustion from before refused to turn into a slumber and it was all because of Drake's words.

Whatever he said today and stuck to my mind like glue. Each sentence repeating itself to remind me that they still existes even though no one was speaking them. It was still hard for me to grasp the fact that Drake hated me this much, had blamed me for things I didn't do and turned me into enemy.

I really thought of him as my friend and always imagined that our friendship would last. That no matter what happened and how many reservations he might have towards me, at the end of the day we will still be friends. Forgiving and understanding.

I think I forgot the possibility of time changing everything. That the carefree Drake I remembered could be turned into a miserable and spiteful human being. What saddened me more though was that he was like this towards his wife and from what I had seen today, towards his best friend too.

My only hope was that he would soon realize his mistakes. Realize that he has turned into an angry and mean person. And if he wants to save the true relationships in his life he would have to change. He can't risk losing people that love him because where will he go after that? To whom will he turn to when in pain and joy?

His words from before again echoed in my mind. 'Carter never loved you. You were just another naive girl he dated in high school.' The sentence that had sticked to me most out of all. The sentence that had hurted me the most out of all.

Was it true? This question constantly revolved around my brain. What Drake had said, was it really true? Did Carter never loved me? Was I just another high school girl that he dated because he felt like dating? Because it seemed interesting and fun at that? Was this why it was so easy for him to let me go? To break up with me and move on? To never look back?

I remembered my time with Carter, analysing each and every moment carefully tonight. It never felt like he was faking his emotions, that he didn't actually like me, that I was just another girl in his life. But Carter had always been great at hiding stuff. Even if I knew him I did not knew him.

What if what Drake had said was right? And Carter had gotten angry because he revealed it to me. Or was it because Drake was lying? Did he hit him because he did actually love me at one point of his life?

I had loved Carter with all of my existence and it broke my heart to think that maybe he never felt that way about me.

Suddenly there was a knock on the door, breaking me out of my train of thoughts.

"Eva? Are you awake?" I heard Ally whisper as she slightly opened the door.

Turning towards her I motioned her in. The room was dark but there was enough moonlight entering in the room to make out things. She closed the door behind her and walked over to the bed.

"Come on in" I said pushing away the blanket so she could lay next to me.

She slipped under the blanket, laying down with a huff.

"I'm sorry, I just couldn't sleep." She said.

Mom and Henry were both very happy to see Ally and excited to have her stay. I told them she would be staying for a few days as we missed each other alot. I didn't want Ally to feel uncomfortable in the house. The sole reason why I had asked her to come was because I wanted her to relax, to break away from her toxic routine. It was her decision if she wanted anyone else to know the real reason she was here.

"I understand, its a new place. Its always hard to sleep at new places. When I moved to Canada I couldn't sleep for a week" I replied, hoping to make her feel better.

I could make a silhouette of a smile on her face as she stared up at the roof or the dark.

"It must have been hard, living there all alone without a mom or friends. I'm sorry I wasn't there for you like you are always here for me" she said, her regrets visible in her voice.

"Ally we were kids who didn't know any better. Although it would have been nice to have your support and friendship with me, I don't hold it against you. Please stop thinking about it" I replied, reaching out for her hand.

She held onto mine tightly as if she would break if she let go. Maybe she really will.

"I'm sorry for all the malicious things Drake said. It was too cruel of him. But please remember its not the real Drake, the Drake you remembered or I....I fell in love with. He....he's changed due to circumstances.... and- and...I"

I pressed Ally's hand lightly, to stop her from crying.

"I know, you don't have to tell me that. And there is no need to apologise on his behalf neither do you have to defend him. Its okay to be angry at him for what he did to you instead of finding excuses" I said carefully. Hoping Ally understood what I really meant.

"I know, your right. Its....its just that some really bad things have happened from which it was hard for him to bounce back. This is his defense mechanism. I just hope he finds a way to beat it cause deep down I know that he does regret the things he do and doesn't mean to cause all this pain and damage."

I didn't say anything cause I hoped she was right. I hoped Drake came out of the dark place he was currently in and became himself again. It would be devastating if he didn't.

"Carter is too kind. I have never met someone as tender hearted and caring as him. After marrying Drake, he really became my brother." Ally then said.

I stayed quite for a moment. Not sure if I should say something or just let her speak.

"Ever since you left we became closer." She said after a few seconds of me not saying anything.

My ears perked up at that.

"Even if we were angry at you Eva I want you to know that we did miss you alot. It hurted us both not to have you around and we both leaned on each other to overcome our longing."

I could feel my body getting tense after hearing that. It was the same feeling I got when I heard mom tell me that Carter visited her after I left. I had always imagined everyone here forgetting me as soon as I left. I had never thought that Carter and Ally would turn to each other because they missed me.

I felt overwhelmed by this information.

"That's nice to know. I'm glad you became closer after I left" I finally said. Thinking I had been quite for too long.

There was silence for a few more moments before Ally spoke again.

"I regret now being angry at you at that time and I'm sure Carter does too"

Does he?

.......................................

I stepped out of the car the moment I saw Blake's bike in the far distance. Closing the door behind me I waited for him as he sped towards me.

"What the hell!?" I snapped as soon as he turned off his motorcycle that he had stopped in front of me.

Blake didn't reply back instead took his sweet time getting off the vehicle and taking off his helmet.

"What?" He asked casually when he saw me glaring at him, my arms crossed over my chest.

"What!? Really!? I have been waiting here for the past half hour-" I started, angry at him for making me wait so long.

I was expecting a snarky remark back but Blake was quite. I saw his eyes on me, taking me in. Suddenly I felt conscious standing there alone.

"Wow. You look. Beauti- I mean presentable" he said clearing his throat. "Thank God I was scared you'll make a fool of me"

I rolled my eyes. If he was going to compliment me couldn't he do it the right way? I was wearing a peach coloured gown that reached my ankles. It wasn't too flashy but had glitter on it that made it stand out. I coupled it with black sandles of mom that I absolutely loved. My hair were flowing behind my back, tied lightly by a flower pin.

Looking back at him I took in his attire. He was wearing a tuxedo in a lighter shade of blue but not too light. His blond hair were pulled back by gel I assume. He looked good, totally like a son of a businessman. Seeing him right now no one could tell that this man slept on the streets.

"You look.......presentable too" I muttered back.

He looked better than presentable, he looked dashing.

There was an awkward silence that followed which thankfully Blake finished.

"About the delay. There was traffic okay? It wasn't like I purposely planned to be late"

"Liar" I retorted back, my anger surfacing again.

"We don't have time for this" he replied, checking the time on his watch. "Here" he said, taking out his extra helmet from below his seat and streching it towards me.

"What?" I asked staring at the helmet.

"Can you stop asking stupid questions and please sit?" He replied jumping back on the bike.

He got to be kidding me.

"I am not going on that bike. All of my hair and dress would get ruined." I answered back.

"Well I'm sorry to break it to you princess but no carriage is arriving for you anytime soon" pronounced Blake with a roll of his eyes.

I stared at his face with complete blankness. Then walked back to my car.

"I'll follow you in my car-"

"We can't do that, we are a couple we are supposed to arrive together-"

"We can park a little distance away from the venue but I AM NOT messing up my hair. You wouldn't want me to be not presentable right?" I countered sitting back in the car.

It took Blake a few seconds to finally say 'fine' with frustration.

"And for the record, your the worst date I ever had" I screamed as he started his bike and sped off.

................................

It took us about ten minutes to reach our destination. Blake intentionally drived faster so I could lose him on the way, just. But I wasn't a bad driver and accepted his challenge head on. I wasn't going to let him taunt me about it.

Right now we were walking towards the entrance together. All around me was a buzz like I had never seen before. There were people in glamorous outfits and cameras everywhere capturing them.

"You never told me it was this big of an event" I said to Blake as he took out an envelope from his pocket.

I was suddenly becoming very aware that I was a misfit here and so was Blake. I stared at the beautiful dresses worn by beautiful women and felt my insecurities catching up.

"Relax. I got this" replied Blake as we reached the entrance of the hall.

"Stop saying that!!" I snapped back but he ignored me.

As Blake handed one of the guards stationed at the doors the invitation card I took a look around.

The building in which the dinner was supposed to take place was enormous, tall and sparkling from a distance away. The garden that surrounded it was filled with green grass and flowers of every kind. It smelled heavenly as we walked up to the doors. The place was also loaded with security guards to keep the place safe.

"Welcome sir, hope you have a nice stay" said the guard after seeing our invite.

The other one opened the door for us and I was struck by the beauty of the inside even more breathtaking than the inside.

"This is amazing" I whispered more to myself.

"I know right" replied Blake looking around with the same wonder as me.

There were golden chandeliers hanging in the hair, white pillars decorated with ribbons. All around the hall were tables filled with drinks and small treats to eat. People were roaming around, chattering and laughing while music played in the background.

"Blake my son" we heard a man exclaim and turned our attention towards him.

A man in grey tux and clean shaved face walked over to us, accompanied by a womem dressed in pearls.

"Hello Mr and Mrs Boseman, its so nice to see you" said Blake as the man stepped forward and hugged him.

"So good to see you too. Its been ages since I last met you" replied Mr Boseman, patting Blake on the back as they parted from their hug.

"He's right. You should come visit us sometime Blake" said Mrs Boseman looking at Blake with a smile.

"Yes, yes I will soon" replied Blake with a smile of his own.

"And who might this young lady be?" Said Mr Boseman and all the attention turned towards me.

I tried to keep my heart calm, just because I was in a hall filled with strangers didn't mean I had to get awkward.

"Oh, this is Eva Evans, my girlfriend" introduced Blake as if he had been doing this all his life.

I was impressed by his acting skills.

"Hello, its nice to meet you" I nodded at the couple.

They both nodded back at me, smiles in their faces. But before they could say anything to me a voice from the entrance boomed calling Mr Boseman. We all turned towards the source of the voice and my eyes widen.

Standing in front of me were Mr and Mrs William accompanied by Kaisey and....

CARTER.

.....................................

Hello eveyone. Hope you are all doing great. Here is another chapter for you all that I hope you enjoy. I wasn't able to edit this chapter so I'm sorry for any grammatical mistakes and bad quality. I will edit it soon.

Named a character in honour of Chadwick Boseman, he will be remembered and may his soul rest in peace. Wasn't able to find a song due to lack of time so I'm sharing one of my favourite track

Next update on Friday PST (Pakistan Standard Time)

Vote and comment.

Love,
S. Maham Fatima