Author note: Hey, there, stranger. We've become stranger to each other, haven't we? I don't blame you, guys for getting angry and sending nasty messages to me about not updating this story. I know what it is to be left hanging. I'm a reader, too. I don't come here with excuses to you but just the mere reality. Unfortunately, writing is not what I do for a living, believe me, I wish it was. I wish I could sit down and write all day. I'll be the happiest person in the planet. But I have a job, I have a life outside Wattpad. And honestly, the lack of time has just been one factor in a pool of reasons for not updating. The main reason being, I only write for this story when it comes to me, when I feel like it, when I feel the characters wanting to say something, wanting something to happen. I can't force myself to write for this when I don't feel like it, you'll get a crappy chapter, I'll feel terrible and in the end, no one will be happy. So there goes my honesty.

If you forgot pieces about the story, here's a little recap: Helen and Jason broke up because Jason is being a dick. Helen fears that she's possibly pregnant. Jules and Evan are not together but they haven't officially broken up either. Jordan and Lau are happy. Jules found out that the Sullivan twins (Nash and Nadia) are actually her step-siblings and that her father is sick and wants to see her.

Everyone caught up, now? Go ahead and read on :D

A.G.

"The girl and the shark should stay apart,

Because he will not wound her precious, kind heart."

- Evan Woods.

Chapter Thirty-six

"Come on, Jules. Dance along!"

"Yeah, don't back out now!"

"We have to win this!"

Those were the words of encouragement of my dear friends.

What was going on?

We were playing truth or dare and somehow, we ended up doing a dance challenge. Alcohol can do wonders when it came to ending up doing what you least expected.

It was boy vs girls and surprisingly the boys were winning.

And that had a lot to do with the fact that Lau couldn't even stand properly and Helen had danced shyly earning us barely one point.

Who were the judges?

Well, this is going to amuse you: Nash and Nadia Sullivan, yes, my dear half-brother and sister. They have showed up at my door about an hour ago as if everything was normal. As if about a week ago, Nash hadn't dropped the 'We're siblings' bomb in the hospital. They didn't mention it and I was very okay with that. I was okay with pretending nothing had changed and nothing had happened. I was cool with it and you know why?

Because I was kind of drunk.

Again, alcohol can do wonders.

"Come on, Jules. Save the team!" Nadia encouraged, giving me a comforting look.

Shane glared at her, "Hey, you're a judge. You're not supposed to be cheering for anyone."

Nadia stuck her tongue out at him, "Deal with it."

I groaned, "Why does it have to be me?"

Lau hiccupped, gesturing her and Helen, "Because we both tried and failed."

"You're the dancer, Lau. You're even taking dance classes."

Lau gave me an apologetical look, "I know but I can't even stand properly. You gotta save us."

Shane and Jordan fist-bumped, "They can't beat this." Shane gestured his body.

I rolled my eyes, "You're so arrogant."

"And you're a chicken." Shane retorted.

"Ohhh!" Jordan echoed, "Burn!"

I narrowed my eyes at Shane, wanting to prove him wrong. I wasn't a chicken. Shane's expression was a combination of amusement and challenge. He didn't think I could do it, he really thought I would back out.

Jason folded his arms across his chest, "Are you dancing or what? I need to start celebrating our victory."

Shane added, "They should give up, even she does dance. I don't think she'll be able to perform a five points dance."

I cocked an eyebrow, "And why is that?"

Shane shrugged, "I already told you. You're a chicken."

I pursed my lips, "Am I?" I got up and looked at the judges, "I'm going to dance and I choose my victim to be Shane." You had to choose someone to dance to.

Shane raised his hands in the air, "I take the challenge."

"Alright. Let's hit play then." Nadia said, moving her finger on her iPhone. We decided to put it in aleatory so no one would have an advantage choosing a song that favored them.

The speakers started blaring music and I recognized this song: The hills by The Weekend. Not because I liked it but because it was in the radio, all the freaking time.

Alright, that was a slow, sexy pace I could dance to. I came closer to Shane and I pushed his chest until he fell back on the sofa.

"Ohhh! Is it going to be a lap dance?" Jason teased.

We were all too intoxicated to care.

Shane smirked up at me, extending his arms across the sofa. It was going to be hard to dance with only one hand but I could do it. I started swaying my hips from side to side, thanking Lau for the cute, tight jeans she advised me to wear that night. Shane's eyes never left mine, and if they did they would only go down to rack my body.

I gave my back to him and kept dancing to the slow pace rhythm. I used my good hand to caress my hips, my waist and up to my hair.

I turned to him and straddled his lap, holding myself up by my good hand against the back of the sofa. There was no contact between us but I was basically on top of him, moving my hips, I could feel his heavy breathing on my breasts or on my stomach when I moved. Shane pulled his hands into fists, the restrain obvious on his face. He wanted to touch me and he knew he couldn't. I had all the power here.

I sat fully on him, his face and mine on the same level now. His hazel eyes were burning with dark need. I licked my lips and he followed the movement with his eyes.

His breath smelled of mint and wine. His lips looked wet and inviting. We were too close. I just had to move one inch and I would be able to feel his lips against mine.

Someone cleared their throat. The song had ended long ago.

"And that's how you win five points." Nadia spoke, cutting through the thick tension between us. I snapped back to reality.

"I win." I told Shane as I stood up.

"Wow." Jason seemed speechless, "I didn't know you had it in you. Congratz!"

"I admit it. We've been defeated." Jordan acknowledged.

"Yay!" Lau gave me a high-five, "That's my bestie!"

Helen didn't seem too happy about it but she didn't look upset, either. I completely forgot about her brother for a second back there. Damn it! Alcohol.

Lau extended her hand towards the boys, "Pay up."

Reluctantly, they all gave her money. We had enough for a night out, movies, food and all. Just the three of us, the winners.

"This tastes horrible." Nash complained as usual, taking a sip of his beer, "I really don't understand humanity."

"Neither do I." I replied, "That's why I'm drinking tonight."

Nash stared at me for a second, "Jules..."

Nadia stepped between us, "That was great. I didn't know you liked dancing."

"I don't." I confessed, "But I really wanted to to win."

"We could see that. You gave Shane an erection." Nash said rather casually.

My eyes menaced to pop out of my sockets, even when I was drunk, that was kind of crude to say. Nadia slapped his shoulder, "Nash, what did we say about filtering your thoughts?"

"Fine. Sorry, I'll get another one of these." He raised his beer and left.

Nadia sighed, "Sorry about that, he's..."

"It's fine."

Nadia hesitated, "I was wondering if you were up for a coffee tomorrow's afternoon."

Yeah, I knew she didn't want to talk about my-well-our father that night. That'd be talk for the next day when we were all sobered up. When we would all face our problems.

"Sure."

"The siren's then?"

"Yeah." Staring at Nadia after knowing the truth, I realized how much alike we looked, same blue eyes, petite nose and rosy lips. There were obvious genes shared between us. How did I not see it?

"Cheers!" I said, raising my cup.

"Cheers."

After celebrating midnight and wishing a great new year for everyone, I dragged myself to the bathroom.

I looked at my reflection in the mirror, "I think I'm drunk." I said aloud, licking my lips, my mouth felt dry. I sat on the edge of the bathtub and stared at my phone. I couldn't stop thinking about him.

Evan...

Whoever said alcohol helped with heartbreak was clearly wrong.

It made me think about him even more. His handsome face came to my mind and all I wanted was for him to be here with me, kissing me, making me forget everything.

It's been more than a month.

It felt like it'd been ages.

I checked my phone for the reason I ran to the bathroom: To check a text I just got from Evan.

From: Evan.

God, I miss you so fucking much.

His text was there, unanswered and I hesitated. My poor alcohol intoxicated brain couldn't handle this properly. Before I could talk myself out it, I replied.

I miss you, too.

I knew I was only complicating things by doing this but I couldn't help it. I still loved the guy, I still had feelings for him even though he had hurt me so many times, and my heart still had scars. I knew I should have waited to next weekend until we meet at the park and have a serious conversation but for reason, I wanted to see him tonight and not exactly for talking.

Alcohol, what are you doing to me?

His reply startled me.

Can I come over?

With this snow storm? I feared for his safety even when his house wasn't that far. It was still a few blocks walking in this freezing weather.

It's too cold.

I didn't even get to put the phone away when he replied, fast texter as always.

Is that a yes? ;)

I smiled like that a fool at that winky face.

Oh the memories.

I just wanted to see him for one second. That was all. I wasn't sure about getting back to him, we still had to have that conversation but that wasn't going to happen that night. I wanted to forget everything, my heartbreak, my father, and everyone else's problems like Helen's possible pregnancy. I just wanted to be oblivious.

I just want you to be safe.

His reply made my heart flutter.

It wouldn't be the first time

I risk my life for you.

Oh yeah, I remembered that night at his grandparents' house.

Just be careful.

I smiled at his reply.

I will be. I'll see you soon, peachy girl.

"Oh hell no!" She snatched the phone from my hands.

"Hey!"

"Drunk texting? Are you fucking serious right now?" she looked really angry.

I rubbed my face, "I just want to see him for a second."

"And then what, Jules?" Lau challenged, "Okay, let him come, make out with him and then what?"

I frowned, "I..."

"You what? Have you forgiven him?"

I ran my fingers through my hair, "I... don't..."

"What are you going to do when the hot make-out session is over and he assumes you guys are back together?"

"I..."

"Is that what you want? To go back to him?" I pursed my lips. She stepped closer, "Tell me that's what you want and I will cheer for you and your relationship and I will make sure you don't make the same mistakes. I will support your love from here to Mars." She paused, "But I need to know for sure that's what you want. Tell me what you want."

"I don't know!" I found myself screaming at her, "I don't fucking know! Why does it have to be so complicated? Why can't he just come and make me forget everything?"

"Because that's not fair! Not to you! Not to him! You still don't know what you want, Jules. Letting him come here is like telling him you guys are back together when you don't even know for sure."

"Why do you have to make everything seem so hard? Why can't you just let me have fun?"

"Because you'll end up hurt and he'll end up hurt and I won't allow you two to keep hurting each other. You've both had enough."

I threw my hands out, exasperated, "Maybe seeing him will make things clear in my head."

"You mean in your alcohol intoxicated head?"

"I'm fine!"

Lau rolled her eyes, "You can't even stand properly and you're one shot away from throwing up."

I stood my ground, "I'm going to see him and you can't stop me."

Lau smirked at me and then she put two fingers in her mouth and whistled. What?

Jordan appeared in the bathroom door, he had 'sorry' written all over his face, "What?" I asked but got no answer. Shane and Jason appeared behind him. Jordan walked fast towards me and threw me over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes, "No! Jordan! Put me down! Lau!" we crossed the bathroom door and passed by Shane and Jason, "What the hell are you doing?!"

"It's called a hibernation." Jason said with a smug look on his face.

Lau slapped the back of his head, "It's an intervention, you idiot."

Shane shrugged, "Still doesn't ring a bell but this is fun."

Those little traitors!

My neck hurt from trying to look at everyone, trying to find some help. Lau was using my phone as if she was texting fiercely, "Lau! Don't you dare!" I looked at the living room and I found Helen sitting there on the couch, yes, her! It was her brother after all, "Helen! Help me!"

She shook her head and mouthed, 'Don't make the same mistakes I did'

Is everyone for real right now? It's my life, I should get to decide what to do! I don't need a freaking intervention. I just need to...

Puke, really badly.

"Jordan, put me down! I'm going to be sick." I warned him but he didn't listen as he climbed the stairs to my room, "Jordan!"

Ok, what happened next was extremely gross so I'm not going to go into detail. Let's just say, my stairs will never be the same after that night. Never.

Everything became blurry and confusing for me. It was like throwing up had defeated me and threw me to the ground. I heard voices, I felt cold water on lips, and I felt hands gently lying me down.

It's warm here.

That was the last thought I had before passing out.