Thought it was finally time to give you a POV from Dylan. Enjoy!

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Dylan POV

"Holy shit I'm starving," Hunter complained, hanging his head upside down off the sofa, his legs against the wall. "Where is that little fucker?" I shook my head, used to Hunter's tactics.

I heard the front door open. Hunter fell to the ground, rubbing his head and exiting the room. "What took you so long? I'm fucking starving." Hunter exclaimed, yet again. I chuckled following after him.

The laughter died on my lips when instead of just expecting Clyde and his boxes of pizza, there was something else. More like someone else; Lia. She looked absolutely breathtaking, even with the pale skin and slightly darker under eyes. My heart started to beat faster, and I knew damn well I was screwed right there and then.

My feelings for her were never going to die.

The past week hadn't been going well, obviously. Hunter managed to convince me to come out of hiding today. Saying something along the lines of that I wouldn't turn twenty-two twice. He wanted to go out. I didn't. We comprised and settled for Clyde's place. I clenched my jaw. I didn't know whether to be mad or happy at Clyde for bringing her.

"Where's Tia? You said she's here." She choked out, tearing her brown eyes, that once held light and happiness away from mine. Clyde pointed behind her and she immediately followed the direction he gave, putting her bags down in the corner, and fleeing from the room.

As soon as Lia was out of earshot, Hunter opened the box of pizza. "That was bitchy," he commented, mouth full of dough and cheese. "Especially, since you know," he directed his eyes at me not so subtly, "just went through a breakup with the person he fell in love with since high school."

I swallowed, moving my gaze away from the door Lia had disappeared behind and eventually followed them into the living room. I sat down, rubbing the temples of my forehead. Fuck. It felt good to see her today.

"I didn't know what to do okay," Clyde sighed, running his hand through his blond hair and plopping down on the sofa.

"What?" Hunter asked, a mouthful of pizza. Clyde grimaced before snatching the other box of pizza from Hunter.

"I'll be back," he muttered before taking the box back to his girlfriend... and Lia. He returned a short moment later. "I didn't know it was her at first, but I uh saw a couple of guys cat-calling her and following her. They were getting close and one was about to touch her. So, I interrupted, and then it was after that I noticed it was Amelia. If I didn't get there in time, I don't know what could have happened," he paused, clearly distressed. He took a swing of his beer, grimacing at the taste. "There was no one else on the street. And then she was so shaken up," he sighed, slouching in his seat. "I couldn't just leave her there; she could barely stop her hands from shaking."

"Fuck," I swore, standing up. "I need to see if she's okay." Hunter put a hand out, stopping me. The other hand was busy stuffing more pizza into his mouth.

"Just let her breathe," he said, motioning me to sit down. I did so. "You can talk to her when she comes out," he said sympathetically. Pizza?" He offered. I declined. I didn't want to eat anything at the moment. I needed to see if she was okay. "And besides, when did the goody two shoes start swearing? Am I rubbing off on you?" He asked with a grin. I ignored him, not in the mood.

My leg bounced up and down as I waited. I don't know what exactly I was waiting for, but I was. Maybe it was for Lia to come out, or maybe I was just waiting for an appropriate amount of time to pass so I could talk to her.

"Can you relax? You're giving me anxiety for no apparent reason," Hunter scowled, reaching down and putting a hand on my leg to stop it.

"Sorry," I muttered, taking a long sip of water to quench my very dry throat. It wasn't working.

Was she okay?

Suddenly, footsteps sounded across the tiles in the front and then the steps padded into the carpeted living room. I held my breath as I watched Tia and Lia enter, the latter slightly hiding behind the former.

"Hey," she said smiling, her body tense as she sat down beside Tia on the sofa opposite mine. "Hunter... Dylan," she greeted meeting my eyes for a quick second.

"Amelia," I addressed, immediately hating myself for using that name. I saw her shoulders fall slightly and the smile waver off her face before it was put on again. She sat up straight and bit her lip, taking her attention to the others. I recognized that smile, and it wasn't genuine. She was putting on a show, doing what she always does to make others around her happy.

I gulped, taking another sip of my water. I wanted nothing more than to hold her in my arms and tell her everything would be okay; that she didn't have to fake a smile or that she could be selfish and let her emotions out. But I couldn't. Not anymore.

Hunter looked at me weirdly, but I ignored him. My attention turned to Tia who spoke. "So, what are you guys doing?"

"Eating in an awkward silence?" Hunter offered, holding up his third pizza slice.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Lia's fingers twitch. I knew how much she hated awkward silences, and probably wanted to speak to end it. She looked down and her lap and opened her mouth, but then closed it. I looked away, finding an interest in the rug patterns, not wanting to add to unwanted feelings. Then she spoke. "I-I talked with my parents, and they said the cottage would be empty during the weekend of my sister's wedding. So next week. I uh, d-don't know if you're all down for it or have made other plans since then but... um yeah," she said quietly finding an interest. I looked over to her, and instead, she was looking at Hunter, avoiding my gaze completely.

It wasn't weird that she was suggesting this. We had talked several times about her parent's cottage. And although we broke up, she was still close friends with Tia and Hunter.

All eyes, but Lia's turned to me. "What?" Hunter shot me crazy eyes, probably interpreting to 'don't ruin my chance at going to a cottage'. "I don't mind going," I commented. If I got to spend time with her, I didn't care, as long as she was comfortable with it.

I took a deep breath. She broke up with me. Obviously, she wants nothing to do with me, she broke up with me for a reason. A reason that I still don't know of.

"As long as you're fine with it," I added, peering at Lia.

"Of course," she replied, giving me a soft smile, then looking away. Ah, there it was, the fake smile again. I hated how she felt like she had to put up a front, and I hated that I was the reason she had to.

"Great, it's settled then," Hunter cheered, raising his beer to no one in particular before throwing it down the hatch.

"Good God," Tia muttered. "Please take your medications before you come to the cottage. I'm begging you."

"I'm not on any medication."

"Well you should be," she mumbled, rubbing the temples of her forehead.

"Anyways," Hunter scoffed. "Do y'all want some dessert? Amelia? Dessert?" He asked repeatedly before sending a gigantic grin my way. I rolled my eyes, used to his weird behaviour.

"Sure," Lia answered tentatively a small brilliant grin appearing on her equally gorgeous face. Hunter jumped out of his seat, rushing to the kitchen. "But first can I have some of that," she pointed to his beer bottle.

Clyde handed her a bottle of beer which she gratefully took. She drank more than half of it in one go, scrunching her nose at the taste once she swallowed the drink.

"Close your eyes, Dylan!" Hunter called from the kitchen.

"No," I scoffed, already knowing what was coming.

"Just close your eyes," Tia snapped, a smile playing on her face. My eyes turned to Lia quickly, who looked confused. I let out a loud sigh before doing as I was told.

Seconds later, Hunter's voice become louder as he came closer. "You can open your eyes," he said excitedly. A bright light came into view as I opened my eyes. Candles.

In front of me was a cake, a birthday cake to be exact. A frown appeared on my face. "I thought I told you I didn't want to celebrate my birthday," I sighed.

"We are not," Hunter chimed. "Tia just happened to stop by the bakery and happened to get the words 'happy birthday' written next to your name," he shrugged. I sighed, giving in to Hunter's puppy dog eyes and blew out the candles.

"It's y-your birthday?" A gentle voice called out with wide eyes. All eyes turned to me, clearly shocked that I didn't tell Lia.

"Yeah," I replied quietly, avoiding her gaze.

"Happy birthday D-Dylan," she said a moment later.

I made a wish. The only thing I've ever wanted since high school. I blew out the candles, meeting her eyes immediately.

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Hunter yawned, stretching his arms out. "Time for bed," he chuckled. "My boss will kill me if I come in late one more time." He walked over to me, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Your gift is in my apartment," he chuckled. He knew how much I hated gifts. "Alright, I'm out. Peace." He threw a peace sign over his shoulder before returning to his apartment two floors up.

"I still don't know how he can afford this apartment alone," Tia commented.

"Well that's because he has a very good job babe," Clyde chuckled, kissing the top of her head. "Something that you'll have when you land that interview next week."

"I know," she sighed, turning around, giving a peck on his lips, which turned very heated, very fast.

"I'm just gonna leave," I called out. I heard Lia quickly saying her goodbyes and grabbed her things before following me out the door. I heard the door shut, and then we stood. In silence. Something that doesn't happen between us.

I opened my mouth the same time she did. "Do you have a ride?"

"I should get going." She paused for a moment. "Yeah, uh Julian is leaving the house."

"Don't make him take the trip. This is halfway across town. Besides, I'm going the same way." I hoped she would take the offer. Even if the car ride would be silent, I would still be close to her, and that's more than I could ever ask for.

"I-I don't want to b-be a bother. It's okay."

"You're not," I promised, giving her a small smile. My eyes met hers for a quick second before she moved her gaze to the ground. Were they glassy?

She hesitated for a moment, but caved in. "O-Okay."

The entire car ride was silent, and I hated every minute of it. She kept her head straight, looking onto the road ahead. My hand made its way to the audio system, needing something to drown the silence, or else I would be left in my self-depreciating thoughts. My fingers fumbled as a country song blasted through the speakers and I quickly changed it to the radio. I swear I heard a giggle. That was the only response I got through out the entire ride.

I shifted the gear on her driveway into park. We both didn't say anything for a second or two before I spoke up. "I miss you," I admitted truthfully, wincing at the crack of my voice near the end. She didn't say anything, her hair providing a curtain that I couldn't see through. I took it as a sign to continue. "I waited at the lookout point. You didn't come."

I reached the lookout point an hour and half early with a mini picnic, knowing she was never not hungry. I waited; a huge part of me hoped that she simply forgot or was late and would be there soon. I waited past midnight and I fell asleep, awaken by the chirping birds to a gorgeous sunrise Lia would have loved.

Think happy thoughts. Don't cry.

I was brought out of my thoughts when I heard sniffles, and then jagged breaths, followed by quiet sob muffled by her hand.

"I still love you, Lia," I confessed quietly into the car. I wanted a response from her. No, I needed a response from her. Anything.

"I-I can't give you what you want. You deserve better. So much b-better."

What can't you give me?

"Was I not enough?" Those were the thoughts that kept me awake at night. Did I forget to cherish her? Did I forget to remind her how much I loved her? Did I mistreat her? My fists slightly clenched at the last thought. I could never forgive myself if the last one was the answer. I closed my eyes, trying to stop the tears from escaping, my head falling back against the headrest.

"Anything b-but that," she replied faintly. I didn't press on the matter. If she didn't want to talk about it, then she wouldn't. She was stubborn like that, but I loved that part of her. She could stand her ground if she wanted to.

"Is it okay if I still come to the cottage?" This would probably be my only chance to win her back, and there was no way I was going to give this opportunity up.

"I-I wasn't going to uninvite you," she admitted with a sniffle. "Y-yes." I heard the door open. "Thank you Dil-Dylan," she said quietly before shutting the door.

"I love you so fucking much, Lia," I spoke into the now empty car before reversing out of the driveway. She was everything I could hope for a partner. A lifelong partner at that. Down to earth personality; brilliantly talented; gorgeous; insanely smart; the list could go on forever.

I sighed. I guess I wasn't up to par for her. I drove out of her street, and instead of turning into my street, I continued to go straight.

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