"What are you doing?" Becky asks, her eyes distrusting.

"Have a cocktail." I grin, sliding one across the desk to her. I managed to get my hands on some liquor from Brett's house so that I can attempt to tame my best friend. My heart is hammering in my chest at the thought of telling her I'm dating Brett. I've never been unsure about how Becky will react to anything until now, and suddenly I feel overwhelmed with nerves. Her brother and I only broke up five and a half weeks ago, and here I am, attempting to tell her that I've moved on with the guy who broke my heart in high school. Where's the logic?

"O-okay." She manages, analysing my expression, her eyebrows furrowed as she picks up the cup and takes a sip. "Thanks."

"So I've heard that there are loads of hot guys going to a party tonight." I ramble, "Want to go?"

"Alright." She answers, shrugging as she takes another drink. "What is..." She widens her eyes, "Wait! Are you genuinely wanting to turn into me?"

"No!" I exclaim and she smirks, lifting the glass to her lips once more. I wring my hands together in my lap, my clammy palms making me feel worse.

"Didn't think so." She chuckles, looking down at the cocktail. "It's not your style."

"Another cocktail?" I ask, quickly grabbing another plastic cup and pouring some more tropical juice into it as Becky raises an eyebrow once more.

"What are you doing?" She quizzes, "Why are you trying to sweeten me up?"

"Uh..."

"What have you done?" She accuses, taking another large gulp of the strawberry cocktail, effectively finishing it. Good. This girl needs about five more before I can tell her. Wait, why aren't I making myself some? That would make it easier to tell her.

"I..."

"Spit it out." She presses, placing the empty cup on the desk, "I told everyone it was me who threw up in Dean's pool to cover for you. I made sure Haydon didn't find out that you dropped his journalism trophy!" She continues as I place the new drink in front of her. "What about when we went for that bikini wax and you left halfway through..."

"Alright!" I cut her off, shooting her a glare. I don't need to remember this.

"The point is, you can't hide from me." She shrugs, lifting the new cocktail to her mouth.

"Okay." I nod, sitting up straighter. "So..." I trail off, "Okay..." I try again. Like a band aid Savannah, just do it! "Brett and I..."

"You're together?" She finishes for me and I shake my head.

"Well no... I don't know..."

"Have you forgotten what happened last time?" She asks, raising an eyebrow, "What he did to you?"

"Of course not!"

"Well it sure looks like it." She scoffs and I grimace. Here we go.

"It's been over a year."

"That makes it okay then." She replies sarcastically, slouching down onto my bed.

"Becs... he's been different." I try to explain, "You haven't been here..."

"You never though to mention this on the phone?" She grumbles, "I mean..." She shuts her eyes for a moment, "Brett Winters?" She shakes her head, "Really?"

"Leave him alone." I manage, glancing down at my jeans.

"Jesus Christ Savannah, do you hear yourself?" She chuckles lowly, "Dedicated member of the Brett Winters Fan Club?"

"I'm sorry!" I insist, looking up to meet her eyes. She looks as though she is trying to hide her disappointment, her eyes a little glassy.

"Sorry?"

"I should have told you about Brett and tried to explain." I comment and she snorts.

"No! You don't have to explain. I know he's apologized to you on numerous occasions." She mutters, glancing back and taking a drink from her cocktail. "You broke up with my brother over a month ago and things hadn't been right since way before Christmas, you deserve to move on."

"I still should have given you the heads up." I shrug, glancing back down at my desk.

"Well yeah, maybe. What happened to talking to each other about everything?" She challenges softly and I shrug, unable to look her in the eye.

"I mean... your brother..."

"I knew it would get in the way." She rolls her eyes and gestures to the spirits. "Get yourself a cocktail." She orders and I hesitantly pick up the gin, turning to the cups beside me. "So Brett... Are you exclusive?" She asks.

"No." I reply, glancing up at her. "We're seeing how things go I guess."

"Sav. Seriously, have you forgotten last time?"

"No. Of course not." I reassure her, "It's not just him this time. I don't actually want to bring it up yet. I have to see how it goes, how I feel."

"Wow."

"I think it's what I want. I'm eighty percent sure." I assure her, "I'm just dragging it out for a bit longer to make sure." I shrug before lifting the cup to my lips.

"Good for you." She grins, clearly pleased with my answer, "Breaking your heart was the best thing that boy's ever done."

"Becs!" I exclaim and she laughs.

"I'm kidding."

"Seriously though... I don't think he'll hurt me again." I comment, "But I can't be sure." I scoff, "Not a hundred percent."

"I understand that." Becky replies, scooting back further onto my bed, "But if you want to try this for real Sav, you need to trust him."

"I do. I think." I reply, falling down onto Elena's desk chair, "I think I'm just scared to let myself go completely."

"Understandable." Becky smirks, "Plus, he's every girl's wet dream."

"Bec!"

"Tell me I'm wrong, I dare you!"

"Alright." I laugh as she polishes off her second cocktail.

"You've always had a weak spot for him." She snorts, "If he's earned his second chance, let him have it." She continues, "It's obvious how much you like each other."

"No it's not."

"I've seen romance films that make me want to vomit less than watching you and Brett look at each other." She grimaces and I roll my eyes. That is not true.

"As if."

"It's true." She argues, "When you look at each other it's like that's all that matters in the world."

"I..."

"It makes me sick." She pulls a face.

"How's Haydon?" I ask, finally working up the nerve.

"Sav..." Becky sits forward, leaning towards me. "He's fine. Don't worry about him." She lectures, "He got a job in Edgemont."

"Edgemont?" I echo, eyes widening in surprise. I thought he never wanted to leave Edgwater.

"Yeah. He's commuting with Dad." Becky shrugs, "He seems happy."

"Good."

"My brother is fine. Just like you." She assures, shrugging before getting up and walking over towards me, "Don't get caught up in worrying about other people's feelings."

"I do not." I object and she reaches for the vodka behind me.

"Yes you do." She rolls her eyes, "You're too kind for your own good Sav." She smirks. "So this party?" She asks, smiling cheekily at me. I laugh and nod, standing up as she takes a swig from the bottle.

*~*~*

Becky, Elena and I head up the steps into Brett's house, all of us done up to the nines in little black dresses, our hair straightened and pinned back slightly. We look good, and I can't help but wish that Becky lived here with me, just to help me get ready every day. A hoodie and jeans is normally the amount of effort you get from me, my hair thrown up into a bun when I'm working.

Walking into the party I gesture towards the large quantities of guys as Becky grins, nodding her head at me. She's impressed. That's something. At least she won't spend her night pondering over my regress back to high school.

Suddenly her face falls and her eyes widen at the sight behind me and I whirl around quickly to see what's startled her.

No fricking way!

"Ellis?" I exclaim.

"As in the Ellis?" Elena whispers to me and I nod. Ellis grins.

"Missed me Becky?"

"Definitely not!" She snorts, crossing her arms as she scowls at him. "Don't get in my way tonight Ellis."

"Good to see you Ellis." I add as he grins.

"Diner Girl!"

"If you call me that one more time I swear I will throw you out that window." I retort and his eyes widen in disbelief.

"Wow." He exclaims, his awestruck expression turning into one of amazement. "How the times do change!" He grins, "Drink?" He asks, reaching behind him and grabbing hold of a can.

"Definitely." Becky answers, taking it from him as I gesture beside me, "This is Elena."

"Ah, Kyle's bird."

"I'm not a bird." Elena snorts, "Nice to meet you."

"Ditto." He nods before turning his attention back to Becky, seemingly unable to comprehend the fact that she is here, right in front of him once more.

"So Ellis, are you even still at college?" I ask, attempting to get him to look away from my glaring best friend.

"Yeah!" He exclaims, glancing back to me.

"Haven't been kicked out then?" Becky snorts.

"Have you?"

"I'm too fit to be kicked out." She argues, crossing her arms.

"Same." He shoots back.

"It's exactly like you said it would be!" Elena whispers into my ear and I can't help the giggle that slips out of my mouth as Becky shoots me a glare.

"What you laughing at?" She exclaims and I quickly shake my head defensively, Elena struggling to control her smirk.

"They're laughing at us." Ellis retorts, reaching around and placing his hand on her shoulder.

"Get off of me!" Becky orders, jumping out from under his arm, a slight smile on her face.

"Wow." Brett breathes out as he comes up behind me, "You look like you need a drink."

"I do!" I laugh, feeling his arms wrap around me.

*~*~*

Walking out into the garden after a couple of hours I breathe in the crisp fresh air, thankful for the swift breeze. Taking a sip of my punch I smile as I notice the two familiar people talking in the corner and slowly make my way over. Neither of them look happy to be talking to each other, but they're trying, and that's what matters.

"Hey?" I exclaim, "Are you two making up?" I tease and they both glare at me.

"Nope." Brett retorts.

"Never." Becky scoffs, "I wish I could say this was fun." She throws a glare at Brett, "But that would be a lie." She shrugs, but I can see the hint of playfulness behind her eyes. "Excuse me." She shoots me a smile before stepping back and walking back towards the house.

"I don't believe either of you." I grin, wrapping my arms around Brett's neck.

"Believe what you want." He smirks, "She just verbally attacked me in the garden!"

"What do you expect?"

"Touche." He laughs. "She warned me against hurting you. Like I would ever do that again." He leans down, planting a chaste kiss onto my lips. I stay quiet, savoring the moment. "So, I've been meaning to ask you something."

"What is it?" I reply and he sighs.

"My parents are back in town." He comments, his face falling slightly.

"I didn't know they'd left." I reply as he wraps an arm around my waist.

"Business trip to Brazil." He grimaces.

"Oh."

"They're insisting I come to their Charity Gala." He rolls his eyes.

"Charity Gala?" I ask, eyes wide. This better not be going where I think it's going. "Well, you have fun at that!" I exclaim, shooting him an innocent smile before pulling back and making a move to walk away.

"Get back here!" He laughs, grabbing onto my waist and pulling me into him.

"No!" I shake my head, glancing up at him pleadingly.

"I was wondering if you'd come with me?"

"Come with you?" I echo. There is nothing fancy about me, absolutely no reason why I should go with him. Can I wear my converse to a Gala?

"As my date?" He continues, looking sheepish as he looks away from me slightly. Is he nervous?

"Your date?"

"Yes." He confirms, looking back into my eyes.

"I'll have to think about it." I muse, "I might have another date that night." I shrug.

"Oh really?" He grins, tightening his grip around my waist and pulling me closer. My breath begins to quicken as he glances down at me, slowly leaning towards me, his eyes fixed on my lips. I hold my breath as he lightly pecks the corner of my mouth before brushing passed and hovering his mouth next to my ear. "Say you'll come with me." He whispers.

"I..." I trail off as he lands a kiss on my neck, "Yes." I manage, closing my eyes as he trails a line from my ear around to the front of my throat, the butterflies fluttering around in my stomach.

"Great. That's settled then." He grins, pulling away slightly and glancing down at me. Lifting his hand to stroke my cheek he smirks, "We're also going over for dinner tomorrow."

"What?" I exclaim, my eyes widening as he steps back and turns to walk back into the house. "Damn it Brett!" I yell as I hurry after him, hearing his laugh echo over his shoulder.

"Sav!" Becky exclaims, sticking her head out the door and grinning across at us. "Come on, it's a beer pong rematch and Ellis thinks he can beat us." She scoffs.

A chance to beat Brett and Ellis at something? I'm in.

"Coming!"

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Little bit of a filler chapter to be honest... the best is yet to come!!

Becky's baaaaack! Were you surprised by her reaction?

Are you happy to see Ellis?

If you liked the chapter, the characters, my strange notes at the bottom of the chapters - please vote, comment and share the story! I love all of you. 💙

••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••