"Sav!" My best friend screams as she enters the café. I look up quickly before striding out from behind the counter, making my way towards her as quick as possible, praying she'll quieten down. I've only worked here for two weeks and I really don't want to be fired yet.

"Hey Becs!" I exclaim as she grabs onto me, pulling me into her arms.

"Sorry we're late, Haydon wouldn't get out of bed." She rolls her eyes.

"That's okay, I just finished my shift." I reply, looking around her to see if Haydon has arrived yet or whether he's taking his time getting here, clearly not missing me as much as Becky has.

"Nice place." Becky grins, glancing around the chic, modern cafe. "I bet their coffee is better than the Diner's."

"Definitely!" I confirm, as the door opens once more, Haydon walking in and shooting me a smile.

"Sorry." He says as he reaches down, pulling me into a hug. "Hey."

"Hey!" I exclaim into his shoulder before pulling back slightly. "Did you have a good holiday?"

"Oh, it was lush!" Becky replies, grinning, "But I couldn't stop thinking of you here on your own."

"It was okay really." I assure her and she shoots me a doubtful look as Haydon shoves his hands into his pockets.

"Should we get a coffee?" He asks and I nod.

"Sure." Becky says.

"I'll grab the seat." Haydon exclaims before wandering over to an empty table in the corner, slumping down onto it and pulling out his phone. I watch him intently, unable to take my eyes off of the boyfriend who seems to be losing interest in me. Becky nudges me, a curious look on her face.

"So really, was it okay?" She asks as we make our way to the back of the queue.

"Yeah it was." I confirm, thinking of the unlimited food I'd stuffed into my body throughout my time alone in the dorm room. "I've barely heard from Haydon though." I admit, biting on my lip.

"We didn't have very good signal over there." She tries to justify.

"Becs you got back over a week ago."

"And it hasn't got any better since then?" She asks and I shake my head.

"No."

"Then I need to go kick his ass!" She snaps, glaring over to where her brother is sat.

"Becky!" I exclaim, pulling on her sleeve to turn her attention back to me. "Becs... it's fine. I'll talk to him."

"What do you want to drink?" She asks, her eyes full of fire, the protective best friend mode turned on.

"Just a simple coffee, please." I reply.

"Sure." She smiles, "Go talk to your boyfriend."

"Thanks." I shoot her a grateful look before making my way over to Haydon, my heart hammering slightly in my chest with nerves. "Hey." I say softly as I slide down into the seat beside him.

"Hey." He replies, smiling back at me as he places his phone back into his pocket.

"So the Bahamas were good?" I question.

"Yeah, really good." He grins, sitting back in his chair.

"Cool." I nod slightly, "What have you been up to since you've been back?"

"Not much. Helped Dad work on some of his cars. I also sent an article to the Edgewater Standard about the closure of the Diner." He explains and I raise my eyebrows.

"You did?"

"Yeah."

"Well that's great. Hopefully you'll hear back from them soon." I reply politely, suddenly wondering when my boyfriend and I became the sort of people who have to act like they're walking on eggshells around each other. Oh right, it was when I fucked up by lying to him.

"Hopefully." He agrees before glancing over to see where Becky is.

"Haydon?" I ask, quietly.

"Yeah?"

"Are we... I know I was in the wrong but..." I trail off, glancing up at him.

"Savannah..."

"Are we okay?" I manage to blurt out, before clamping my lips shut once more.

"We're fine." He replies, bluntly.

"But..."

"I don't see any issue." He cuts me off once more before shooting me a quick smile.

"You don't?"

"No." He shrugs, leaning back in his chair. "I've moved on."

"Okay..."

"I missed you." He smiles, reaching over and grabbing hold of my hand, giving it a quick squeeze.

"I missed you too." I smile, "I didn't hear from you that much..."

"I've been busy with family." He explains, "That's all."

"Alright!" Becky exclaims, walking over with a tray. "Two coffees and one cappuccino." She announces, placing the tray down between Haydon and I.

"Thanks Bec!" I smile as she slouches down in the remaining chair.

"Thanks." Haydon says, grabbing his drink and letting go of my hand.

"That's okay. I had fun chatting up the guy behind the counter!" She exclaims, shooting me a wink.

"That guy?" Haydon asks, pointing subtly over to Lewis who is currently trying to balance over ten cups onto his tiny tray.

"Why not?" Becky shrugs.

"You're going to get a sexually transmitted disease one day." Haydon scoffs.

"I always use a condom." She retorts, "And I get checked every three months." Haydon nearly chokes on his coffee.

"I didn't want to know that." He splutters.

"Then you shouldn't have bought it up." She snaps.

"You're the one who goes around and..."

"Okay!" I cut in, quickly tiring of their sibling bickering, "How's college Bec?"

"Haven't gone back yet." She grins smugly, "Two days time." She elaborates, "I finished some coursework yesterday though. Something about why a designer from France likes to incorporate wool into every single item of clothing."

"Ew, itchy." I laugh.

"Oh yeah, I tried the swimsuit on." She grimaces, "Not good." She confirms, "So what did you do on Christmas?"

"Not much. I got a burrito from Senorita Sombrero the day before. It was great!"

"That was your Christmas dinner?" Becky asks, and I nod.

"Uh... yeah."

"Poor girl." Becky remarks, her expression sour.

"It was nice!" I object, shooting her what I hope is a reassuring look. It's not a lie. I promptly devoured my burrito as soon as I got home from Brett's.

"What else did you do?" She asks and I shrug.

"I got dressed and went out for a walk. It was nice and quiet on Christmas day."

"I'm sorry you were alone." Haydon pipes up and I smile at him.

"It's fine really." I attempt to reassure the both of them, "It's not like it's going to happen again."

"Definitely not." Becky snorts, "Haydon may not have argued your case very well to our parents but if you are ever left alone again I am going to have a tantrum until my parents give in."

"Thanks Bec." I smile, "It'll be okay though. Elle will be here next year."

"Did she enjoy her course?"

"She did. Apparently it puts her a step in front of all the others at her hospital who want to become midwives." I grin and Becky claps her hands.

"Good for her!" Haydon exclaims.

"And we had a belated Christmas on 3rd January so it wasn't all lost." I tell them.

"With mimosas?" Becky grins and I giggle.

"Of course!"

"Mimosas?" Haydon asks.

"Yeah, it's a tradition. We always have them Christmas morning." I explain, smiling at the thought.

"Each to their own I guess. I can't stand the stuff myself!" Haydon comments, sitting back in his chair.

"What's not to like? It's alcohol." Becky scoffs. "Just because you sit in a room with Dad all morning on Christmas day drinking whiskey."

"Whiskey?" I screw up my nose.

"Yeah."

"Now that is a horrible drink." I laugh.

"Says the girl who ruins her Christmas by drinking mimosas." He argues with a grin and I shake my head.

"Hey!" Becky snaps, "I think its a nice tradition to have."

"Sure." Haydon smirks, grabbing hold of his drink and taking a large gulp.

"Ignore my brother. He's been staying up late the last week. I think he has jet lag." Becky scowls.

It's okay Becky. It's not jet lag. Haydon is still angry at me, and I don't know what else I can do to apologize to him. Have I really damaged our relationship that much?

*~*~*

I'm wringing my hands together as I walk up to the Rushmore Building, anxiety coursing through my veins. I've waited a whole month for this, to see how I did in my first exams and now that the time is here I'm too nervous to even go inside. I stop just short of the steps to the entrance, trying to mentally prep myself.

I mean, how much do these first exams really matter? It only sets the precedent for the next two years of your life.

"Savannah?" I quickly turn, coming face to face with Brett.

"Brett!" I exclaim, "Hey." I greet, "Listen, thanks for Christmas. I had a great day."

"Nothing to do with me. It was my Mom who invited you." He smirks and I roll my eyes as I smile.

"Okay." I mutter,  "You nervous?" I ask, looking back up at the building.

"Yeah. You?"

"Very." I admit and he nods.

"We'll do it together." He suggests, holding his arm out for me. "Come on." He gestures and I bite my lip, wondering if there's any way that I can get out of learning my test results forever. He quickly grabs onto my arm gently before pulling me up the steps and into the building. We are silent as we approach the main desk, sweat pooling out of every pore on my body.

"S-Savannah Hurst." I manage to utter out at the receptionist. She immediately looks down, beginning to rummage through the piles of paper in front of her.

"Brett Winters." Brett says to the next receptionist along, his voice calm and collected. How?

"Here you go." The receptionist smiles, handing the envelope over to me.

"Th-Thank you." I stutter as I look down at the white envelope, my name plastered across the front. Brett gestures towards the exit with his head and I nod, following him out swiftly and back down the steps.

"Okay. You first." He smiles, glancing down at me.

"Hell no. You go first!" I object, eyes wide.

"Sav..."

"You go!" I cut him off.

"Fine." He relents, slowly opening the envelope, his face finally showing the fear that I'd expect from anyone. "Okay." He breathes out as he opens the piece of paper, focusing on the words.

"Well?" I splutter, my nerves doubling, worried for him as well as myself.

"I passed!" He grins, looking back up at me.

"You did?" I exclaim, "Well done."

"Thanks." He says, breathing out, "What a relief." He smirks, "Okay, your turn."

"I don't..."

"You can do it." He assures me, cutting me off.

"Okay." I relent, gulping down the lump that's formed in my throat before opening the envelope and sliding the paper out, opening it up and bracing myself. I... What? "I... I passed."

"You did?" He exclaims loudly, his arms out towards me.

"I did!" I squeal and he grins, wrapping his arms around my waist and lifting me up, whirling me around as I laugh.

"You're incredible." He says, gently lowering me back down to the ground. I can't help the grin that covers my face, the happiness spreading through my entire body.

*~*~*

"We did it!" Polly exclaims, grabbing hold of Elena and I and wrapping us into her arms.

"I can't believe you passed one thing!" Elena scoffs.

"Alcohol fuels my mind. It's how I passed." Polly shrugs.

"Savannah." Brett's voice greets from behind me. Whirling around to face him with the drink in my hand I smile, noticing the small girl beside him.

"Hey." I smile at him.

"Do I know you?" The girl beside him questions, glaring as she analyses me from head to toe. Seriously? What is her problem?

"Lucie, this is Savannah." Brett introduces, gesturing between us.

"Nice to meet you." I say, crossing my arms.

"Mmmm..."

"Well, congratulations again on your results!" I manage, tearing away from the rude, short haired blonde and back towards Brett.

"You too." He grins.

"Enjoy celebrating!" I exclaim before turning to walk away.

"You too Sarah." Lucie calls out. Sorry, what? Who the fuck does this girl think she is?

"Excuse me?" I reply lowly, turning back around to face her.

"You too." She repeats, shrugging as she crosses her arms.

"Don't act like a stuck up bitch for no reason. You know my name isn't Sarah." I snap and her eyes widen, startled at my outburst.

"Wha..."

"That's what I thought." I cut her off, "Lovely to meet you Lucie." I say sarcastically before turning and walking away. For fuck sake, is it that hard? I know Sarah and Savannah are close but seriously. I'm not stupid, they do it on purpose.

I slide passed the party goers and slip out into the garden, breathing in the fresh air.

"Sav?" Brett calls and I whirl around to see him jogging after me. "Are you okay?"

"Of course. Why wouldn't I be?" I retort, shrugging.

"She... she spoke to you..."

"Like Ashley used to?" I snort, cutting him off and he looks down at his feet.

"Yeah."

"Ashley never spoke to me like that after we had a fight." I point out and he cocks an eyebrow.

"A fight? Why?" He exclaims.

"Leave it Brett." I grimace, sitting down onto the bench beside me.

"You would never hurt a fly."

"Maybe I was pushed one too many times." I snap and he slides down onto the seat beside me. We descend into silence, him no doubt trying to picture harmless little Savannah launching herself at Ashley. Best move I ever made.

"That... that day I saw you in town." He finally manages to stutter out, "By the diner, with blood on your face." He recalls, "Was that?"

"Yeah." I reply, my tone emotionless.

"It was after what I did to you."

"Good observational skills." I snort.

"Sav, I'm so sorry."

"It helped me stand up for myself." I comment, "Ashley was scared of me after that."

"I can't believe that."

"It's true. She avoided me in the hallways." I smirk, "And I was the girl who stood up to Ashley." I grin at the memory, "Do you know how many people wanted to be my friend?"

"I bet!" He laughs softly.

"Brett?" Lucie pokes her head out of the door and glances over towards us, Liam beside her, "What are you doing?"

"Talking with Savannah." Brett retorts, his voice hard. Poor girl.

"That's okay. We're done." I reply, standing up swiftly.

"Sav!" He calls out and I shake my head.

"We're done." I repeat, looking at him before swiftly turning to face Lucie. "He's all yours." I say, "Shall we get some shots Liam?" I ask and he grins, nodding as I make my escape and head back towards the kitchen, Liam hot on my heels. I'll drink and then I'll find Elena and Polly and dance until all thoughts of Brett fall out of my head.

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