Hi!

A little late than I wanted it to be but nonetheless it's here. And by the way do you guys like the new wattpad profile? I know I don't. I miss the old wattpad!!

But anyway, here's the chapter. Not the most exciting one but the next one will be better. I promise.

Play the song on the side. It's not relevant to the story but the feel of the song is correct to the last part of the chapter. I was listening to it on repeat while typing.

Read away!

Enjoy ♥

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"Goodbye, New York!" Nathan pressed the tip of his nose against the window of the plane. "I'll miss you."

I scrunched up my nose. "Ew, gross."

Rolling my eyes, I fell back on my seat.

"Sir, please put on your seat belt," a young blond flight attendant informed Nathan in her professionally polite voice.

Nathan's lips immediately tilted up in a flirty smile, his eyes connecting with the pretty attendant's. "If I don't, would you do it for me?"

I stifled the giggle at the creepy way he said it, but judging by the tight look on the flight attendant's face, she was not at all amused.

"Please fasten on your seat belt, we're about to take off," she said in a recorded like way. "Thank you."

And then she strutted off to attend another passenger.

"Burn!" I chuckled, leaning towards him.

Nate sneered. "Whatever, she was too old for me anyway."

"Or maybe you're just losing your game." I flipped through the glamour magazine that came with the seat.

"Oh, please, chicks dig me. I'm what the love child of Fernando Colunga and David Zepeda would look like. Beyond perfect," Nathan boasted with a proud smile.

"Who are these people?"

Nathan's widened his eyes like it was a huge blasphemy that had just came out of my mouth. "You did not just say that!"

"Oh, shut it, drama queen." I shook my head at his exaggerated behavior.

"No, seriously, you need to get hooked on these Mexican telenovelas. You've no idea what you're missing."

"You watch soap operas?" I asked, wording every syllable with a little more pressure.

"Uh-uh telenovelas," he corrected. "It's different from soap operas."

"Nathaniel Congreve, I'm worried you're turning into your mother," I spoke in a grim voice.

"Well, taking into consideration that turning into my mom means cooking and eating quesadillas anytime I want, yelling at your family like a crazy Mexican hippy chick and getting paid for just listening to people talk all day while I can doodle pictures of my dead Tamagotchi, is it really such a bad thing?"

I threw my head back on the head rest. "Sometimes, it's like I can't even try to keep up with what comes out of your mouth," I remarked, discouraged. "And by the way, your mom is a grief counsellor. It's not just sitting and listening to people talk."

"Yes, it involves the doodling part too. You missed that," Nathan added, and I gave him a steely side glance and then pulled out my phone.

"It's on flight mode," Nathan informed, his eyes closed and voice calm. "No cell reception ergo no chances of arrival of that text you've been waiting for."

Damn it!

Another entry under the 'Norah can be a little dumb at times' tab.

Stuffing my phone in my pocket, I crossed my arms over my chest, looking straight ahead trying not to be affected by the silent staring that Nate was doing now.

But I couldn't hold it much longer. "What?" I asked, shifting on my seat to face him.

"Nothing," he answered innocently. "What did I say?"

"No, but you definitely have something to say," I retorted back, looking him square in the eye. "Or ask."

"Other than why you've been checking your phone a million times since morning? Not really." He made a thinking face.

"I haven't been doing that," I asked, defensively.

"Okay, as you say," he simply said, picking up a magazine.

Well, that was quick. "That's it? No black-mailing? No prompting?" I had to ask, intrigued at the sudden one eighty degree turn in his attitude.

"Nope," he replied, flipping through the pages looking completely engrossed in the magazine.

"Okay," I mumbled, shifting back on my seat but was still curious at what had brought this change in Nate.

Twenty minutes of brain storming later, I still had nothing except maybe a minor head ache. Sighing, I settled on just staring at the outside sky for the rest of the flight.

As our plane started to get closer to its destination, the greyness of the clouds only intensified more and after some time it was raining.

Nothing new there.

It was still early in the evening by the time we reached home and as soon as we got inside, I was ordered to clean up the mess that I had created in my room on Thursday night. So that was how I spent the next two hours, while Dad and Nathan, being the gentlemen they were, didn't offer to help once. Whatever happened to helping each other as family?

After cleaning and restoring the room to best possible level that it could have been done, I dived on my bed, burying my face into the warm and fresh sheets which enveloped me in the sweet smell of fabric softener.

Sunday night and I had nothing to do. I looked at my phone again and sighed. Still no text from him. But I mean what was I expecting? It was a freaking 'good night' text that I had sent after everything that had happened, and I couldn't expect him to go all 'Oh hey, this girl ran away after kissing me, ignored me for the umpteenth time, tried to set me up with her former best friend, left school with another guy, but I should still send her a good night text back just because.'

Yeah, so didn't see that happening anytime soon.

And plus, if he had any intention of replying back, he would have already done that. It was a good night message, and didn't take a genius to understand how this 'goodnight' text business worked. But then why the hell couldn't I stop staring at my phone like it was the pool of water and I was the Narcissus?!

"Oh my god, aren't you done making puppy dog eyes at your phone?" I sat up on the bed at Nathan's voice. "There's someone downstairs to see you."

"Me?" I repeated, looking at the clock. It was close to seven thirty. "Who is it?"

"A girl," he answered, like it was the sufficient answer for the question.

"I'm sure the girl had a name too. Thought of asking it?" I slid of my bed, dragging the comforter down with me. Picking it up, I spread it again on the bed again.

"I did, but I forgot it. But she's like yay tall" he held his hand up to his eye level "looks like black haired Barbie doll and talks like someone which gets me worried about America's next generation."

"That would be Shay with her hair back to black," I mumbled, walking out of the room.

"And I was right on the money. You do look like crap again!" Shay's voice seemed to echo in the living room.

"Tell me that's the school's mean cheerleader just here to make you feel bad about your obvious lack of self maintenance and is not actually your friend," Nathan whispered, walking behind me.

I scrunched up my nose at Nathan and then turned towards Shay, walking down the steps. "What are you doing here, Shay? Shouldn't you be at Mike's party?"

"Yes, but before that I'm on fairy god mother duty." Shay beamed. "Now, let's go get ready."

"Shay, um I don't know if I want to do this. I think it's better if I just stay at home," I informed her in a groggy voice.

Shay wasn't in a mood to give up so easily. "And I say that you need to go out. Please, Noh, don't be such an otaku!"

"An what?" Nathan and I said at the exact same time.

Shay exhaled, shifted her weight on her right leg, sticking her hip out, arms crossed. "You're coming with me. No further argument will be entertained."

I attempted to conjure up a proper excuse but Nathan spoke before I could, "Actually, I think that's a good idea."

My head snapped in his direction. "What?"

"As long as you promise that you'll be home before the curfew time, I don't see why you can't go," Nathan explained, shrugging.

"See, even the hot cousin agrees," Shay intoned, and her flirty way of speaking was hard to miss.

"Why thank you, Shay flower," Nathan quipped.

"Okay, don't. He's just...um..no," I mumbled, shutting my eyes, almost ready to gag at the thought of the two together. "Let's just go upstairs."

"Alright, let me get my dress from my car," I heard Shay as I darted up the stairs.

I wrenched open my closet to find anything to wear. I was just going to settle for a white casual, non-risky knee length dress along with flats. I pulled the dress out and flung it on the bed.

"Oh no no no no." Shay strutted inside, looking aghast at my choice. "You're not wearing that!"

"Come on, Shay. I am going, right? So at least let me choose what I wear," I whined.

"Okay that's enough," Shay announced, her six inch Miu-Mius making a clicking sound as she slowly stepped towards me carrying a dress bag in her hand. "What happened to you?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean where's the girl that I meant in tenth grade who never let a single thing ruin her day? The girl who always had a smile on her face, no matter what. Not this person who whines and sulks and lets any girl walk all over her."

Um..she stopped pretending, I guess?

I breathed out. "It's just the thing with Seb and-"

"No, it's not!" Shay cut me in mid sentence. "I may seem like the ignorant kind but even I know this is not about Seb, okay? This is about Daniel and that new girl, who's supposedly like a blast from the past or something."

"So what do you think I should do now?" I plopped down on the bed, genuinely looking forward for her advice.

Shay cocked her head to the side. "I say we go to the party and then have a great time. And starting from tonight, I want my old Norah back, who did whatever she wanted, and never let anything bother her. Ever. Especially someone like that Anya."

"You don't like her very much, do you?" I chuckled.

"Don't like? She is insufferable!" Shay exclaimed, rolling her eyes.

Once again I chuckled and got up, ready to dress up. "So now help me find something to wear."

"No need for that," she chirped and held the dress bag forward. "I've got it covered."

I'll admit that I couldn't exactly be considered a fast changer myself, but with Shay it took us both fifteen minutes just to get the dress on, another thirty to settle for the right accessories and ten for the shoes.

"Black suits you more than blonde," I commented. Shay who had my hair around the curling iron in her hand, smiled looking down at her own hair.

"I think so too. Blonde was a little too much for me," she agreed, twisting another chunk of my hair around the iron. "But it does suits you."

Since I didn't have a mirror in my room any more, thanks to that night that I went crazy, I picked up a strand of my hair and even though I shouldn't have been but I was actually surprised that I was just noticing that the brown dye on my hair had worn off, leaving the natural blonde color behind.

"Yeah, I guess."

"Okay, it's done!" Shay sang, excitement brimming on her face. "Okay, where's the mirror?"

"The bathroom's one is kind of the only one," I informed, sauntering over to the bathroom door, pushing it open. "Oh my god!"

My eyes were wide as I looked at my reflection in the bathroom mirror.

"I know it's awesome, right?" Shay skipped over to stand abreast me, her frilly green dress lapping around her thighs.

I would have said something if I had something to say but right now my brain was in an absolute denial that the person in the mirror was me. And no, it wasn't the 'oh my god the beautiful girl staring back at me couldn't be me because she was hot with her perfect hair and perfect shoes and nails and teeth and perfect eyes blah blah blah'.

I mean, I'll agree the gold sequin skater style dress that Shay had brought for me was beautiful, a little cheeky but pretty nonetheless. It was designed with a corset style top and cutouts on both sides and offset by a black flattering layered styled skirt. It was flirty but it wasn't the dress that was the main problem here. It was the make up and everything else, because the hot red lipstick, the thick coats of golden eye makeup, the sparkly gel like thing in my curled up blonde hair and the sprain inducing worthy six inch ankle boots all were working together to provide for a certain kind of look.

"Shay, I look like a freaking prostitute!" I hollered with a look of anguish, the corners of my mouth in a frown.

"No, you don't!" Shay objected, checking out herself in the mirror. "You look hot. And besides it's Mike's party. It's like the required theme or something."

"What? Night of the whore of Babylon?" I fretted, running my fingers through my hair to get rid of the sparkle in it but Shay smacked my hand away.

"Oh shut it, you prude. You look great and that's the end of it." I watched her as she tousled her hair, puckered her lips and after striking a pose, left the bathroom. "Come on, we're getting late."

I huffed as I took a last glance in the mirror. Okay, no point in over-thinking it.

And with that, I switched off the lights of the bathroom and walking out the door.

"I would be home soon," I told Nathan as I walked down the steps after Shay. Lowering the volume of the TV, he turned around and I wished someone had taken a picture of him because his shocked expression was hilarious. "Where's dad?"

"Out," He answered standing up, trying not to laugh. "Told me to note down the address of the place you'll be going. And I guess side of the road is where you'll be, right?"

"That is if Mr. Edward Lewis doesn't get to me first," I retorted, rolling my eyes.

"Good luck with that." He gave me thumbs up. "No, but seriously, be back soon. And call me if there's any problem."

I nodded. "Yeah, okay. See you later."

"Wait up a second," he said, as if suddenly being reminded of something, hurdling over the couch.

"I'll be in the car," Shay told me and then gave Nathan a smile. "Bye."

Nathan waved her a goodbye and waited until she was out of the hearing range.

"What is it now?" I asked, curious why he had stopped me.

"Nothing, it's just..." he hesitated. "You're not going to drink, right?"

It was impossible not to frown. "Nate, it was just one time, okay?"

"I know." He clamped his hand down on my shoulder. "But it's just for the sake of my peace. I told you to go to this party so that you don't spend your night sulking but I don't want to see you like that other night."

I looked down, embarrassed. It was the night that marked Em's seven month death anniversary and I was living in Coral Hills at that time. One of my classmates there had snuck in some drinks in a sleepover and even though I had never even drank before that, but that night the anxiety and the thoughts were too much to handle and I just lost it. And then I drank. I drank till I passed out and then the next day had to be admitted to a hospital. I still remember Nathan's face from that day. He was disappointed in me. My other activities during that time weren't anything that would have made him proud either, but that day it was different. It was like he was questioning whether there was any hope left for me at all.

"I know after the smoking and pill thing, I could hardly be consider responsible but I know that adding 'I am a teenage alcoholic' to it too won't be helping my college application," I explained, sincerity clear in my voice and eyes. "I won't drink."

He gave me a smile, relieved at my assurance. "That's more like it. And by the way that reminds me, we need to discuss about your college too."

"Urghh!" I grunted, rolling my eyes. "Not again!"

"Sorry, can't avoid it."

"Whatever, bye."

"Bye. Be back soon."

When I got out of the main door, I was a little relieved to see that it wasn't raining but it was cold though, and as I felt a light shiver run down my spine and the goosebumps rise on my arm, I realized I should have brought a jacket. But concluding that the place of the party would be jam packed with people, which would obviously make the room hot as a oven, I opened Shay's car door and got in.

Like every year, the party was at a guest house rather than Mike's house and the place was a little far from the main part of the town. After driving for twenty minutes, when our car finally entered in the massive property, the house was thumping with Kesha's 'Timber' blasting from the speakers placed all over the place. As Shay searched for a parking spot, I shook my head along with the tune, unable to resist the energy that was flowing through the place. Well, the whole school didn't wait for this party all over the year for nothing, and that was being said when we weren't even inside.

"It's going down, I'm yelling timber. You better move, you better dance. Let's make a night you won't remember. I'll be the one you won't forget," Shay sang, moving along with the beats and soon we were having a mini dance party right there, singing along to the lyrics, laughing and it lasted for four songs.

"See that's what I was talking about," she said, as we walked towards the front entry of the party. "We used to have so much fun in junior year. And then the senior year arrived and everything sucks now."

"Hey, you came!" a voice said, barely audible over the loud Avicii song.

"Happy birthday!" I said, and hugged Mike.

"It sure is now." He smiled ear to ear, and looked down at my dress. "My birthday gift just arrived. When can I unwrap it?" I hit him lightly on his arm.

"And the flirting boy is back." Shay rolled her eyes but hugged him with a smile. "Happy birthday, you little clown."

"Thank you," he said, pulling back. "Well now since school's two prettiest girls are here, the party is finally worth it."

"Yeah, and what about Savannah?" Shay smirked, giving her eye brows a kick, looking at Mike. He sighed.

"What about Savannah?" I asked, interested in the potential gossip. "Something going on between you two?"

"Yes, if you consider her flat out rejecting me on my birthday as something."

"What a bitch!" Shay and I exclaimed together with identical frowns.

Mike chuckled. "A little louder and she would have actually heard you two."

"Wait, she's here?" Shay asked with a look of disbelief.

Mike nodded and flicked his chin in the direction where Savannah was dancing, one hand around a cup, other around the neck of school's varsity football captain.

"Well, don't you know how to pick them," Shay said with a condescending undertone. "Horrible sense of fashion by the way. Paris Hilton would be jealous."

Mike and I looked at each other and chuckled at the look of disgust on Shay's face as we weaved our way through the crowd to get to Liam over the drinks table.

"Whatever, I've Norah right here so who needs Savannah?" Mike said, picking up a red cup and holding it out for me.

"Totally," I agreed, shaking my head at the offer of drink. He shrugged his shoulders and gulped down the beer in one go.

"You're in a good mood," Liam told me, snaking one arm around Shay's waist as she took a cup for herself.

"Ain't I always?" I asked, with an innocent smile. Liam raised his left eyebrow and I waved it off and picked up a handful of gummy bears from the bowl next to the cups.

"I thought you said you were going to be late," Shay inquired Liam, picking another cup. Looked like someone was planning to get hammered tonight.

"Yeah, I was but then Dan was leaving so I caught a ride with him," Liam answered and turned to me as if realizing that he shouldn't have taken Daniel's name in front of me.

"Daniel's here?" I couldn't suppress the urge to ask.

Liam pursed his lips, and then glanced at Mike looking for some kind of help, but he looked just as helpless. I waited for either of them to speak.

"Umm...yeah but…" Mike started. "He's been upstairs since he came."

My eyebrows knitted together, not getting what he was trying to say.

"With Anya," Liam did the job of pulling me out of confusion and pushing me into the state of nausea because it felt like suddenly the room had shifted and there was a sick feeling in my stomach.

He was with her. Upstairs. In a room. Didn't take a genius to figure out the rest of the scenario.

Breathe, Norah. Just breathe. Stop thinking. Stop imagining.

But I couldn't! I just couldn't stop my mind from wandering to the place that I didn't want to go.

Don’t think about them. Don’t think about them. Don’t picture them together.

"Noh?" Shay's voice came, concerned. I blinked a few times and then looked up to her.

"Yeah?" I asked, with a smile. It was a smile that required a lot of work behind it.

"You okay?"

"Why wouldn't I be?" I smiled again. "Hey, Mike do you want do something fun?"

He didn't say anything, just tipped his head to the side.

"What do you have in mind, Noh?" Liam asked, skeptical over my reaction. Well, I wasn't going to cry over his brother, now was I?

"Nothing, just want to make someone see what they're missing," I answered, with a playful smile and pointed over to Savannah.

"You sure?" Mike asked, but I could see he was already sold on the idea.

With the mischief intact in my smile, I took his hand and was about to lead us towards the dancing area when I suddenly thought of something and turned to grab a cup from myself. Chugging it down quickly, I let the cold liquid burn my throat.

I could feel the eyes of the three on me as I screwed my eyes shut, overwhelmed at the strong bitterness, probably surprised to see me drink since I never did. For a fraction of a second I decided to stop but then remembered something that I had read somewhere a long time ago. If you can't be happy, at least you can be drunk.

I loved when quotes helped solve real life problems.

And apparently the beer wasn't enough so I grabbed the first bottle of booze that I could get my hands on. It was brown and looked like something that would show no mercy to my stomach. But picking it up anyway, I once again went towards Mike.

"Easy Norah," I heard Shay still at the table.

I turned my head towards her. "You said it yourself, babe. The senior year sucks. I'm just trying to make it a little better." I winked at her and then took a good mouthful of the drink in my hand.

It was strong enough to make me a little woozy in just one gulp but nonetheless I enjoyed it.

Forget everything.

Forget Emma's gone.

Forget Mom left.

Forget you're worrying Dad and Nate.

Forget he's up there with her.

Forget that you're the one who drove him to her.

Forget you love him.

Just forget it all.

"Let's do this," I murmured to myself as I walked towards the dance floor, Mike's hand on my back.

Sorry, Nate.

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Did you like the chapter? I enjoyed writing the last part the most. I kind of like it when Norah is reckless. I don't promote this kind of behavior but it's more fun to write than when she's all sad. But that being said, please please don't engage in underage drinking. It's stupid and not worth it. Don't use Norah as an example. She's crazy =P

Anyhow, until the next time. =)

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