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Jeff, Sheri and I went to the dance together just like we had planned it. Sheri and I had prepared ourselves together just like girls did. I couldn't deny the fact that Jeff looked amazing and was adorable making sure that we always had a drink in our hands. I had seen Scott, too, and what could I say? My heart beat faster especially when his lips formed to his iconic smile that I loved so much.

"Els, Sheri", Monty appeared next to us while Jeff was talking to Scott, Luke and Charlie. Charlie was the new member of the sports team replacing Bryce as soon as he's at Hillcrest. "What do you want, now? Telling us that you helped Bryce doing those things or just simply ruin our evening?", I hissed annoyed. "Ellie", Sheri hit my arm, "It's Monty."

"I know that you two are still mad at me and I understand it. I just came to say that I'm sorry and I'm going to leave you alone. You deserve better friends than someone like me. But also thanks for everything you've done for me the past eighteen years." Before we could say something, he had turned around and walked away. Sheri was about to walk after him but I stopped her.

"He covered Bryce and acted like nothing has happened, made us believe that our friends were the ones who lied. We're not talking to him today, not this evening." "But we have to sooner or later. Okay, I get it, not today", Sheri pointed to Jess and Alex who just walked in.

Sheri looked for Monty later, she really wanted to at least listen to him. Jeff was still talking to the boys which was good because if we had danced together, everyone would have talked about us again. So I sat with Justin and Zach. "You and Hannah would have been good together", Justin started a conversation, "By the way."

Justin and I got along just like we always did but it was weird sitting next to Zach and not talking to him like we used to do. "Yeah, if I hadn't ruined it just like I ruin everything." "You can't compare yourself with me, I think." "It's too bad that you didn't talk to us", I gave Zach a warm smile, "You may not believe it, but we would have been there for you."

"I know you would. Els, I'm sorry for what I said to you. I just didn't want to listen to what you would have said. You would have told me it's a mistake to ignore Hannah like that and I couldn't listen to that because I knew I was making a mistake."

"You're a bad friend if you don't share with me", I chuckled standing besides Justin who poured alcohol in his drink when Zach had left. "I shared with you once and you almost died", he reminded me of last year. "Wow, I'm never getting rid of the title drug addicted, huh?" "I didn't-"

"Justey, everything's alright." "I just regret it, you know. I mean cheating on you with Hannah and then being one of the reasons why you almost died." "Folish, you've been my fling and my best friend. I'm just glad we're friends again after everything that has happened so stop telling yourself those lies. We sticked together ever since elementary school. Plus, I defended Bryce, I think we're even."

"Speaking of the devil", he looked up at the boy who walked over to us, the one who's been our best friend for years. "Do you want to drink something good?", Bryce stood next to us now. "No, thank you, we're fine", Justin answered for us. "That awakes memories, huh." "I've heard you're going to switch." "Yeah, yeah, starting over." "You have it good."

"I'm going to miss this. Everything here. Do you two remember our first year? From the first day you spent the nights at my place. We thought about how we could become the kings and queens of this fucking school during the nights." "I remember it." "We couldn't forget that, Bryce", I agreed with Justin, "It's been a fucking hard time and we still managed to have fun." "Me too."

"Hey, sorry for leaving you for so long, is everything alright? Where's Sheri?", Jeff walked over to me. "She walked after Monty trying to talk to him. I was talking to Zach, Justin, Clay. Everything's fine, Jeff. Indeed, it's quite good", I smiled closing my hands behind his neck as we stood on the dance floor. "Hey, that's our song", he exclaimed when the music changed. "That's our song from middle school", I repeated listening to the melody of the night we met.

"Clay finally listening to you, that must be your favorite day", I laughed looking at Jeff who always tried to encourage Clay to have some fun and now watches him dance. "My favorite days are spent with you."

I stood in front of the mirror of the school's bathroom putting on lipstick again. I had noticed Scott watching Jeff and I during the dance and I had no idea how to feel about it. I loved Scott, I loved him so much. Which hurts me even more that he planned this trap with the others. I knew it was only meant to be against Monty but Monty's our friend. Although I knew that he had covered Bryce, I knew I wouldn't stop talking to him completely. 

I even understood his actions because of his circumstances. But I wasn't ready to talk to him again. And Scott should have talked to Monty instead of helping Clay and the others like that. I'm glad that Scott showed that he wasn't like the other jocks but he should have talked to Monty or Monty and Bryce instead of tricking his friend.

"Can we talk?", Scott asked me in school on Monday, seven days after prom. "I don't know if I'm ready for that", I turned to see his pretty face. "Ellie, I know I should have talked to you. I should have even talked to Monty but I tried to protect you. You didn't listen to anyone. I had to do something." "I.. I'm not ready for that, Scott", I muttered and walked away.

Sheri and Jeff understood that. Somehow Charlie managed to make me feel better, too. Since he was a part of the team and friends with Jeff and Zach now, we spent a lot of time together. But he was also Monty's friend. "Give her time, Scotty", I heard Jeff in the background, imagined him to lay his arm around Scott's shoulder. I was glad that he tried to help us now. We were beginning to be only friends. We were just friends. 

"Hey, Els", Charlie stopped me after school, "Monty and Sheri were looking for you. It seems to be important." "Thanks, I guess I'll talk to them then", I let out more forced than I wanted, "Sorry, it's not your fault." "What happened? The boys said something like you're best friends but it doesn't look like that, I guess?", he asked shyly.

"We're best friends since I can remember. But that would be too complicated now. But thanks for caring, Charlie", I smiled giving him a kiss on his cheek before I turned around to my car. "Wait, El", Charlie laid his hand around my wrist, was kind of close to me, "Ugh, sorry. I just.. Can I invite you to Monet's? You look like you need a coffee. I mean, you don't look bad. It's just-"

"I honestly feel like I could need one", I smiled warmly, he was really cute, "But I am going to spend some time with my grandpa and uncle." "Didn't you want to talk to Monty and-" "Not today. But message the team. We're going to party tonight", I decided giving him another smile. I really had plans with my family but Charlie was just too cute to cancel on. So I suggested going out. Would be more fun than Monet's anyways.