(Five years later)

I shimmied into a tight light grey colored skirt and zippered it up, tucking in the pink blouse where the skirt meets — an outfit that I occasionally wore back in high school that use to make me feel good.

My white sneakers that I've been obsessed with wearing lately, carry me towards my full length mirror that's hung directly next to my closet, attempting to get a glance at what I looked like before leaving, but when I try to take in my reflection, I can't help but notice the something odd and making me do a double take.

The person who's suppose to be looking at me is grinning widely in approval of my outfit choice— except I'm not smiling — I think I just peed a little bit.

I turn around and trip back into my mirror, clinging onto it with every fiber in my body as my heart continues to burst at the seams.

"What the — Juliette? Seriously?!" I shout in disbelief, completely startled by this situation and her random appearance into my room.

"Hey you." She smirks.

I continue to stare at her with five heads as she now plops herself onto my bed casually, almost as if she was unfazed by scaring me. I swear she wasn't even here two seconds ago!

"'Hey you?' That's all you have to say after randomly popping into my room like some sort of stalker!" I exclaim, freaked out by how she got here and how fast it took her to scare me.

How the roles have reversed —  I sometimes forget that I'm suppose to be the nice and patient Giana, and not the rude, inconsiderate Juliette.

"Oh stop being a baby, your mom let me in." She laughs, waving me off as if I was some crazy person before pulling me by my forearm to get me to sit next to her.

"So, what's with the old getup?" She hums with a curious raise of her brow, amused by why I've decided to wear this out of the million options of clothing that I've been creating lately. "You literally haven't worn this since your senior year of high school."

"I've been trying to revamp myself." I say in a 'duh' tone, not really wanting her to ask me why, no reason, I'm just lazy.

"To what exactly? Because you look like you went to the Barbie mansion and stole the clothes that she didn't want." She snorted a laugh and I shoot her a tiny glare, reaching for my white cardigan besides me and hurdling it at her.

She protects her face with her arms in hopes of it not hitting her but as it falls lousily to the ground — only inches a way from my feet because of my weak throw — she laughs as loud as a seal because of it.

"Is this because you're engaged now? Is that what engage people do?" She chokes out between sobs, tears leaving her eyes as she continues to hold her stomach in laughter.

Engaged. . . That one word still hasn't fully sunk into my brain yet, I can't help but glance down at the five carat rock that's engulfing my finger, swallowing hardly as the pear shape diamond sparkles back underneath my intense gaze.

A lot has happened in five years, a lot that is still foreign to me after all these years.

Am I happy? Yes.

Am I fulfilled? Sure, I guess that's one way to put it.

"Ask Emma, shes the one on the verge of getting married." I joke with a giggle, my hands nervously going out to smooth the wrinkles in my skirt to calm my anxious worries away about any second thoughts creeping into my brain

"How's the going? I know you're suppose to be leaving this weekend for her bachelorette party."

I wasn't joking when I said everything has changed.

Emma and Logan hit a rough patch back in their sophomore year of college over some rumors that a freshman girl made that definitely wasn't true, after that they evolved to become one of the strongest couples that I've ever met. A true power couple to say the least.

They got engaged about two years ago on her twenty-third birthday, but since her parents felt like she was still a little young they encouraged her to get her degree first, so that's exactly what she did. Fast forward to her turning twenty-five and that's when the true wedding planning started to begin, since Logan and her both mutually decided it's time to seal the deal for once and for all.

Logan and Emma decided to have a small engagement party when she first got engaged since they sorta wanted to keep it under wraps, so I haven't really met anyone in the bachelor or bachelorette's party yet but that's all going to happen this weekend.

They thought it would be a fun idea to get the two parties together for a one week vacation on a cruise line, exactly two months before the big day which is going to land in July.

As for me, I got engaged only two months ago, and I can proudly say that this guy is someone I've grown up with since I was a little kid all the way up to the woman who I am today, someone who I trust, and someone who I know who will always make me laugh.

It's the right guy.

The smart and not impulsive choose.

"Pretty good, actually, I think it's going to be a lot of fun seeing who's so close to Logan and Emma that got put into the bridal party." I admit, grinning at the fact that I get the special honor of being Emma's maid of honor instead of Camila.

"That's awesome to hear, I honestly thought you wouldn't be that excited." She remarks with a shrug of her shoulders, making my eyebrows pull together in confusion as she decides to elaborate further. "So, no harsh feelings with who Logan picked as his best man?"

"Why would that be an issue? I don't even know who the dude is." I reply, grabbing my purse off my dresser so I can start getting ready to head out.

Juliette's eyes widen in surprise as she absorbs my response, pursing her lips together into a thin straight line, nodding agreeingly with a wag of her finger in my direction. "You're so right, I don't even know why I said that." She nervously laughs, but instead of me pressuring her into telling me why she would even think that I decide to let it go since it's running late.

"Anyways, I have a few last minute errands to run at the mall before we leave this Saturday wanna join? I could use the company." I smile and she immediately nods.

Juliette and I practically act like sisters now. We share each other's clothes, talk about the stupidest of things together, and most of all we tell everyone that we're twins when we go out in public even though we aren't just to avoid any awkward confrontations.

"Hey, can I borrow that pearl necklace before we leave? That's actually one of the reasons why I came here." She grins sheepishly, and I don't even bother saying yes since she's going to take it either way, I point over towards my wooden jewelry box and she excitedly skips her way over towards it.

I squirt on a few spritz of my favorite floral perfume as she continues to rummage through my jewelry until I hear another flow of giggles escape her. "No way, you're such a dork."

"Why so?" I grin widely, turning to see what's captured her attention amongst all of the crazy stuff I have stored in there.

I involuntary inhale a sharp breath of air as I see the little piece of silver metal dangling down from her fingertips.

"It was a gift from a—" I pause as I struggle to find the right words since there was never a good enough term to describe what we once shared. "Friend, a very long time ago."

"Well, this 'friend' must've not been a very good one to get you a lame dopamine molecule as a gift." She laughs unknowingly of all the emotions and love that's still attached to that one piece of my heart. 

___________

The chime of a bell rings loudly above our heads as we enter the ice cream shop that Logan use to work at back in the day.

Who knew shopping could take this much out of somebody? That saying shop till you drop is not a joke.

"Ooh, I wonder if they have Nutella flavored ice cream here." Juliette chirps excitedly with a clap of her hands and I roll my eyes playfully. "You and your crazy obsession with chocolate."

I find myself glancing over towards the cash register, and in that moment I swear it felt as if my feet somehow superglued themselves onto the floor from how frozen in place I'm currently standing.

Alex and Ariana.

They still work here? It's been almost eight years since high school — since I last saw either one of them — I never thought I was going to see them again.

As if she knew someone was staring at her, my ex best friend now finds me, and my curiosity rises as I notice her eyes glistening with what looked like tears, or just an odd flickering of lighting with how fast it went away.

My gaze drifts off to Alex who's smirking widely as he sees Juliette and I next in line to order.

Glad to know that somethings never share.

The lady in front of us finished her order and as I make my way over to the two, Alex was the first to speak up. "Giana, long time no see. What can I get ya?" He questions with that arrogant persona exuding off of him.

My jaw soon tightens itself while my teeth unintentionally begin to grind against one another all because of my new spark of sudden stress.

Juliette now notices my quick change of behavior and decides to speak up for me.  "We'll take two vanilla cones with rainbow sprinkles." She sassed, slamming money onto the counter before they even told us the total.

"On the house." Ariana says lowly, checking over her shoulder just to make sure Alex wasn't paying any attention.

"Thanks, Ariana, I appreciate it." I smile lightly, feeling bad as I notice the sadness and pain flash through her eyes.

She definitely looks different since the last time I saw her at graduation, I almost couldn't recognize her if she wasn't standing next to Alex. 

Her hair is now dyed a deep dark brown color, and the length has grown dramatically compared to her short hairstyle that she use to rock back in the day, which would end right below her collarbone. I'm surprised that she decided to change her natural blonde hair especially since she once said that she loved it.

Her eyes are noticeably more dull as they somehow look drained of life, but they only are being emphasized by the slight bags underneath her eyes that shes covering pretty well with her concealer.

This is no longer my best friend, Ariana. She's not the same girl who I use to spend everyday with after school with. This looks more like Alex's girl. . . And I don't know if that's exactly a good thing.

I forced a fake appreciative smile as I take the cone from Alex's hand.

"Thank you guys, I'll see you later." I awkwardly blurt out, waving bye like the five-year-old that I am, and before anyone could say anything else I decided to dart right out of there as fast as I can with Juliette besides me

"That was so awkward!" Juliette laughs as we safely make it outside and out of eye reach.

"Tell me about it," I giggle. "And why did you decide to get vanilla I thought you wanted Nutella?" I question with a curious prop of my brow.

"It probably wouldn't be any good if that dude made it." She says seriously with a jab of her thumb towards the direction of the ice cream parlor door, earning an agreeing nod out of me.

"Do you think you can wait for me while I use to bathroom?" She begs. "Where else am I going to go?" I joke and she laughs as she headed towards the direction of the bathrooms.

I take a seat on one of the wooden benches outside, soaking up the moonlight and this gorgeous night. 

Tonight has been interesting to say the least! I can't believe how distraught Ariana looks. . . I guess that's what happens when you get caught up with the wrong guy.

I get so lost in thought that I don't even realize somebody shouting out to me.

My eyebrows knit themselves together as I stand up to see a guy with ocean blue eyes and blonde hair. He was very slim and tall, seemingly to be around my age.

"You forgot your change." The stranger smiles politely, holding up a shiny nickel at me.

"I didn't forget any change?" I reply in confusion. The only reason I knew I didn't leave any change is because I didn't even pay for the ice cream!

Who the hell is this guy? Juliette better hurry up so we can get going.

"I know, I just needed an excuse to come talk to you." He smirks, and this is the part where my cheeks usually turn as red as tomatoes, but not today.

My stomach is in complete knots as he takes a step closers towards me. My breathing hitches in my throat as I realize that he doesn't even work at the ice cream shop, he's just dressed in simple black jeans and a black hoodie.

Something is most certainly wrong here. Men don't usually approach me contrary as to what I once blabbed my mouth about to Camila, so there's clearly something wrong if he's deciding to.

Universe go back to normal!

My head swings back to see if there's some gorgeous girl behind me, but nope still just me — Yay — please note the heavy sarcasm there.

"That's very sweet of you." I nod with a gigantic lie, as I feel myself growing more creeped out by this situation. He's just standing there and grinning at nine o'clock at night.

"Can I have your phone number?" He pressures, taking another step closer towards me until we're face to face.

Nope, abort mission, abort mission. Stranger danger. Maybe I'm being a bit paranoid or a little bit insane, but I've seen a bunch of horror movies before and I do not want my life to end up the way that those movies usually end.

I'm too young! Too young I say!

His dirty fingers go below my chin and forces my gaze to meet his but as I push his hand away I realize how bad of a decision that was. His eyes go cold, heartless even as a low snarl leaves his lips.

"I just want to talk to you." He barks and I can't help but jump back in fear at his loud tone. "Well, I don't want to talk to you." Another bad decision.

Now I see why every person in a horror movie makes irrational choices, it's so hard to think properly especially with his stinky breath standing this close to me — okay, I'll admit it's not only his breath that's scaring me, but I also don't want to get kidnapped, even if I'm technically not a kid. 

"I actually have somewhere to be, so maybe we can try this some other time." I squeak out but he just continues to humorlessly laugh at my frightened behavior.

"You're not going anywhere." He intimates with a low drop of his voice. My heart beats rapidly in my chest as his eyes are like daggers in my direction.

"Is there a problem here?" A deep masculine voice growls from behind me and it's enough to send chills down my spine.

The guy in front of me looses all confidence as he backs away from me with his hands up thrown in the air, showing that's he's going to leave without causing a problem.

He shakes his head rapidly in fear of the other man. "None at all, bro. I was just asking, Giana, here for her phone number."

I don't bother to turn my head to look at the guy who practically saved me just yet as I still feel anxious with this one in front of me.

"I never told you my name." I state firmly and he looks like a criminal caught in the act. Who was this guy?

I'm pretty decent at remembering details so I could confirm that I never once told this guy my name. How does he know me and better yet what does he want from me?

The man behind me clearly didn't like the sound of this because I can hear his feet smacking against the concrete behind me.

My eyes are still focused on the guy who I'm going to call 'scary blue eyed guy' since I don't actually know his name, the only fact that I do know is that he's a complete creep.

As the man comes to stand behind me, I can feel his presence towering over my frame, his hands protectively reach out and land on my waist — I'm surprisingly calm beneath his fingertips, and I don't bother flinching at his touch like I did moments ago with the random yet scary blue eyed guy.

"Listen man, if you leave now and don't bother my fiancée and I again, we can both forget about this little incident as if it never happened." My heart beats at the way 'fiancée' leaves his lips, almost like I wanted to hear him say it again, drown in his voice and listen to him speak all day. I've never even experienced something like this with my own fiancée. 

The way this man comes off so protective over me makes my chest feel all warm and fuzzy. And I know this is just one huge act to get this creep away from me, but for some reason it didn't feel that odd with the man trying to protect me. 

The scary blue eyed guy nods understandingly, gulping hardly as his eyes continue to focus on the tall, muscular frame instead of me.

"And if you don't?" He chuckles and I can feel his chest vibrate in amusement at the reaction of the terrified guy in front of us. "You'll regret it." He spats as his voice looses all sorts of emotions.

The blue eyed boy looked like he was going to pee himself from fear, so he decides to zoom out of here as fast as he can, before the guy behind me could cause any damage to him. I don't even have to look to know that this boy could knock that scary looking guy into another universe with just a breath of his air alone.

I let out breath of relief that I didn't know I was holding when the guy disappears into the night, and when I turn on my heel to thank the man who helped me, I feel my throat close up as my eyes meet his gaze.

It's like the world is pulled from underneath my feet as I get lost in this moment and how truly mesmerizing he is, bringing back every single emotion and memory that I've blocked from my brain.

His eyes soft and caring as they stare deeply into mine, showing the affection that I've missed from him so long.

He's wearing a tight fitting white button up shirt that's rolled up to his elbows, and a pair of light grey dress pants, he has on a delicate thin gold chain around his neck that matches the similar one on his wrist, his hair is done perfectly and I feel as if I can't get any air into my lungs at this point.

"I didn't need any help, you know?" I blurt, my nerves kicking in as I decide to say the first thing that comes to my brain.

I actually really appreciate that he was here to help me, but I don't want to seem like a vulnerable little girl who needed saving from a big strong man. I'm a very strong and independent woman.

"I know, you're very much capable of handling yourself." He compliments, his eyes continuing to bore into mine, studying every little thing about me and I let him — because I can't help but do the same back.

"I didn't quite get the memo as to when I became your 'fiancée.'" But instead of that comment coming out like how I wanted, it turned into a quiet whisper, one that I didn't even think he would catch if he wasn't paying close attention.

He looks down at the floor, tucking his hands into his pockets as he rolls his bottom lip into his mouth to hide a smile. "I've missed you."

Those three word catches me by surprise and my eyes widen at the sound of his raspy voice saying things I've longed for him to say.

Of course he's the one who had to show up, it's like the world is testing me and my emotions to see where my loyalty lies, almost as if they knew I couldn't hold my ground against this one person.

I've forced myself to close that chapter of my life, forced myself to be happy and move on just like he did so easily, but no matter how hard I've tried no one makes me feel the way he does.

And him showing up here after all these years of not speaking, eight whole years, eight years since I've last heard his voice in person, the last time I've been face to face with him.

And I would loose everything I've worked for all over again for him in a heartbeat, no question, no doubt. And that's what really makes me snap back into reality, the fact that I would loose everything I worked for, for someone who could never do the same — and I can't allow that to happen to me — not again.

"I heard you're engaged to Matthew Mazzanti." His voice strained by that one sentence makes my heart skip at the thought of him caring.

"And I heard you've been dating Sierra Summers." I reply with a defensive fold of my arms, making his eyes dart to the bright ring on my hand with an unreadable expression.

Where the hell is Juliette when I actually need her?Did she fall down the toilette or something?!

Liam's walls are up as he continues to mask his emotions all too well, nodding his head slowly at my statement.

Being in front of him keeps proving to me that I can't be his friend. I can never be just his friend — I'm too selfish I want more.

And I can't help but feel guilty as Matt pops into my brain and how good he's been to me all these years, he's been the one who's held my hand in the dark and got me on the right track.

I pursued a career in fashion, I have my own line at the of twenty-five because of how supportive my fiancé is.

He's been so sweet to me and here I am tearing myself a part over the idea of Liam being with Sierra when I'm the one engaged.

It's like I can't pretend to be happy for him, I can't pretend to act normal around him when he drives me absolutely insane, and I can't stand being two feet away from him without wanting to reach out and just hug him after so long.

My heart is beating loudly in my chest as I feel so overwhelmed with emotions so I start rambling and embarrassing myself. "I heard you won that big game last week."

"You watched?" He questions, his voice raw and broken making my heart clench — Liam puts on a good show that he's put together, but his voice is saying otherwise.

"Always."

Damnit, why did I say that?!

I can't keep my stupid mouth shut, I just start blurting out the truth whenever I get super nervous, it's like I can't keep my emotions in control when I'm around him.

I, mean technically, I do tend to lock myself in my bedroom watching the game on occasion — okay, and when I say 'on occasion' I mean absolutely all the time — but I don't have any idea what goes on.

"I heard you're a fashion designer now, interviews and everything." He breathes out, and like a magnetic pull we find each other standing face to face.

We might look crazy with this whole 'I heard' thing going on between us, but I think this is our way of trying to find out the truth about what's going on with our lives without actually asking.

"Yeah, it's pretty crazy." I laugh breathlessly. "You watch my interviews?" I tease, throwing his question right back at him.

A tiny smirk pulls at the corners of his lips as he catches on. "Always."

Silence soon falls between us but that doesn't stop the lingering tension in the air, but not in some awkward and weird way, in a sense of longing almost as if we didn't want to loose this moment because this moment is really all we have left.

"I wanna see you again." He confesses and my eyes fall to the floor in attempt to steady out my breathing, because looking back up at him with the words he's saying is a dangerous idea.

What the hell am I thinking? I love Matt, that's the way things work, we work, we're suppose to work.

Liam and I were just a phase, young love nothing more.

"I don't think that's a very good idea." I admit shyly with a purse of my lips. Liam daringly lifts my chins with his index finger so I can meet his chocolate eyes, but few only thing he succeeds at is clouding my brain with his close proximity.

"And why not?" He asks simply.

"I don't think you and I can be—" I find myself struggling to say that one word once again but Liam catches my drift, suggesting the impossible. "Friends?"

I force a nod as I loose my cool, inhaling deeply and exhaling to stop my trembling hands but that doesn't seem to work.

"Being your friend isn't my intention."

"And what is?"

"I-I don't really know. . . But what you and I have will always be something different." He puts lightly, not directly saying he still has feelings for me but not denying them either.

"You have a girlfriend." I state out the obvious, curious as to what he has to say next to me.

"And you have a fiancé." He challenges back.

"So, why do you automatically assume that you and I have something 'different' than what Matt and I have." I scoff in disbelief at how he can easily see right through me even after so long.

I can go for weeks protecting my thoughts and Matt will have no idea, one second Liam is back and he sees right through me. He makes me vulnerable — something I haven't been in a long time because of him.

He smirks as he glances down at the floor before back up at me. "You're still here talking to me."

True.

"That doesn't mean a thing." I choke out and he shrugs with a smile on his lips. "I'll see you around, Giana."

"I highly doubt it." I remark louder than I intended.

"I don't know about that." He winks before walking away with an amused chuckle, making me curious as to what he knows that I don't.

I stare at the darkness in front of me, the spot he was in just seconds ago leaving me dumbfounded until a voice snaps me out of my dazed state of mine. "Giana!"

Seriously?!

Now Juliette decides to show up.

(A/n- Chapter eight is officially out! What are your thoughts on this chapter? Did you like it? Please, please don't forget to comment, share, and click that little star button at the bottom of the page. Thank you so much for reading. Until next time!)