"Finlay!" I said when I saw my best friend at her locker. "Fin, I need to talk to you!"

I grabbed her shoulder before she could turn away. "Grace, I don't want to talk."

"I really need to talk," I whispered.

My night hadn't got any better with Scott asking about Drew and Joshua. I didn't sleep because of the guilt.

Finlay looked at me and shook her head. "I'm sorry. I have to get to class."

"What's wrong?"

Finlay flinched at that question. "Nothing."

"Why won't you talk to me?"

"I'm very busy."

"Fin -"

"Grace, let me go," Finlay said softly. "Please."

"No," I said, shaking my head. Her glare cut through me, but I pulled her toward a small staircase. Nobody usually used those stairs and first hour had just started so no one would be around.

"You're really missing first hour?" Fin asked, her eyebrows raised.

"I care about you more than that," I said, shrugging. "What's wrong?"

"I -" She shook her head, clearing her throat. "You said you needed to talk."

"Fin -"

"I think I still have feelings for Scott," she blurted out.

"I know you do," I said, chuckling. "Why didn't you wait for me to come home? I wanted to talk about that."

Her face was red, but she nodded. "Yeah, but it's so hard to follow these feelings because I love you, and I know he hurt you."

"Fin," I said, shaking my head. "I don't want you to miss out on love just because of me."

"But he hurt you! He hurt me too, Grace. I sent him letters just like you did."

I stared at her, not knowing how I felt about that. "He said that he didn't get any letters or anything."

"Really?" she asked, her eyes searching for something I didn't know. "Did Harry censor all his mail?"

"It could be possible."

She nodded. "I still won't pursue him until you're on better terms with him."

I nodded as well. I was glad that she would do that for me. She didn't know how much it meant to me.

"Your mother told me that you freaked out when you saw him," Finlay said softly.

"I wasn't freaking out," I said, but we both knew I did. "I was just taken by surprise."

"Does Josh know everything that happened when your father left?"

"Yes," I said, nodding. I wished she didn't bring him up, though. I still felt guilty. "I told him the other night."

"You two have gotten really close," she commented.

"Yeah," I said, not meeting her eyes. I also didn't want to bring back the memories of him calling me a friend.

"Did you have a good time, Gracie?" she asked.

"It was awesome," I said, allowing a small smile. "One of the best Christmases in a while. He got me this necklace."

She smiled at me. "At least he treats you well."

"How was your Christmas?"

"Grandma wouldn't let Dad mention school at all," Finlay said, nodding. "We couldn't talk about school or work, and I was so thankful for that."

"That's good."

"So," she said, giving me a wicked grin, "did you two do anything while at the reunion?"

My face grew warm. "Not what you're thinking. At least, not that far."

"Ooh. Tell me more."

"We kissed." I touched my lips, thinking of a different kiss. "And we slept in the same bed while we were there because they didn't have enough rooms. But all we did was sleep."

She hooked her arm with mine and whistled. "A lot of action, huh?"

"A lot. But I wished you were there."

"Why?"

"Can't I have fun with my best friend?"

"You're always going to have me," Finlay said, resting her head on my shoulder. "But Joshua could be temporary. You need to step up your game."

"I think I did something wrong, Fin," I whispered when she mentioned him again.

"What?"

"Drew kissed me," I said softly.

"What? Why would he do that?" she asked, looking at me.

"He took me home," I informed her. "I missed the bus and Joshua's car broke down, so he offered to take me home."

"Why didn't you call me? I would've picked you up." Something flashed across her face, but it disappeared just as quickly.

"You weren't talking to me, remember?"

"That doesn't matter," she said, shaking her head. "We're still best friends, Grace. I would do anything for you. For example, kill your father."

I burst out laughing, wrapping my arm around her shoulders. "Thanks."

"Wait." Finlay paused, staring at me. "You didn't tell Joshua about kissing Drew, did you?"

"How did you know?"

"Grace! You have to tell him," Finlay said, shoving my arm off of her shoulders. "I know you're scared to tell him, but you have to."

"I know," I said, pulling on my hair. "I just don't know how! Like, 'I got you some chocolates because I feel so bad about kissing Drew.' It's not something you just say, Fin."

"You have to be honest with him," Finlay said, her eyes boring into mine.

"I know." I sighed, rubbing my forehead. "I know, Fin."

"Where do your priorities lie?" she asked.

A name immediately popped into my head, spreading warmth through my body. "Joshua," I said, nodding. "But there's something about Drew . . ."

"I have never seen you like this," she said softly. She was calm as she looked at me. "You have never let anyone do this to you."

"I haven't let my walls down since you came along," I said, shrugging. "But Joshua keeps leaping over them as if they are the shortest things ever."

"Are you letting him in?"

"Yeah."

"Follow your heart, Grace," Fin said, shrugging. "That's all I can say."

"I have been," I repeated, just like I did with Joshua. I think back to the mural again. I sighed and said, "Thanks for the talk."

"Can I come over to your house tonight?" she asked.

"Of course," I replied. "I need to spend some much needed time with you."

"Same."

The bell rang and I gasped. "I can't believe I skipped all of first hour."

"You'll get used to it," Finlay said, waving her hand as if it was nothing.

"No, I don't think I will."

Fin and I laughed. "I'll see you later, Gracie. Love you."

"Love you too."
---

I still had to work at the bakery, but Fin came over anyway. I noticed that her car wasn't out front, and I almost asked her why. Instead, I kept it to myself. She was looking a little frazzled as it was. She was chilling at one of the few tables we had set out, eating one of the many cookies she bought from me.

"If you eat any more," I said, leaning against the counter, "you're going to get a sugar high."

"I would love that!" she said, her eyes huge. "I've never been high, so that would be new."

"You are strange."

"So are you."

We shared a smile as the door opened with a chime. I was about to greet him when I realized it was Fin's father, Daniel. Rachel was right behind him.

"Finlay!" Daniel said, his eyes taking in the sight of a guilty looking Fin. "What are you doing here?"

"Dad," Finlay said, her voice strained. Her cookies were discarded next to her phone. "I wanted to spend time with Grace."

He stared at her backpack that was sitting on the floor next to her feet. It was spilling open, her school books touching the tile. "You need to do your school work before you mingle."

"Mr. Peterson, is that all you think about?" I blurted out, hating how little Fin looked. I felt the need to continue so I said, "Finlay is so much more than just her schoolwork."

Slowly, Daniel turned around with a glare apparent on his face. "I don't think you have the right to tell me what to do with my daughter."

"Maybe if you took in her feelings too, you would know that she's hurting," I retorted. "She has been so stressed with you on her back about school. It doesn't help that you're taking it out on Rachel for taking Fin's side."

Daniel glanced at Finlay, but her eyes were focused on me. She mouthed something along the lines of thank you, and I nodded.

"Is this true?" Daniel finally asked.

"Of course it is true," Finlay replied. "Why wouldn't it? She knows things about me that you and Rachel don't even know."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"It's not like you ask."

Daniel was at a loss for words, and I was happy for that. I wanted him to know how much stress he put on Finlay. He glanced at Rachel before saying, "I'll be in the car. Rachel, get whatever you want."

I shoved the gate up and made my way toward Fin. She offered me her hand, and I took it before sitting down. Her eyes held mine.

"Well, that was fun," Finlay said with no happiness in her voice.

"I'm sorry," I said, "but I couldn't not say anything."

"Oh, I'm happy you did," Finlay said, nodding. "It's about time he found out. You could have worded it a bit nicer, but thank you."

I nodded too. "You're welcome."

I offered her a smile and her lips lifted slightly. It was good to see her radiant smile. I had missed her dearly when she didn't talk to me.

"Grace?" Rachel said, startling me. I forgot she stayed behind.

"Yeah?" I stood up, intending to get behind the counter again, but she placed her hand on my arm.

"Can we go talk in the kitchen?"

I glanced at Finlay and said, "Sure."

We headed there, and she sighed. Her eyes were tight when she met mine. "Thanks for standing up for her."

"I would do it again in a heartbeat," I said, frowning. "You know how detrimental this is to her?"

"I know. I've known," Rachel said softly. "I saw her slowly get more secluded and distant. But her father didn't see any of it so I didn't say anything."

"Why does he do that to her?"

"He's under a lot of stress with work and life. But there are still glimpses of the man I fell in love with. He's still there, just buried."

I nodded. "But he doesn't need to take it out on you or Fin."

Before Rachel could reply, Finlay yelled, "What's taking you two so long?"

"We're talking," I replied, glancing at her through the doorway.

"About?"

"Things."

I could hear Finlay sigh and said, "She's gonna be mad if we don't go back out there."

"She does act more like seven than seventeen," Rachel muttered, causing me to burst out laughing.

"You guys are talking about me, aren't you?" Finlay yelled.

"Possibly!" I replied. I turned to Rachel and said, "Let's go back in there. You know how she gets."

"I sure do."

We headed back to the actual bakery, and I saw Fin hooking her phone up to the radio with an AUX cord. We used the radio when a lot of customers came. "What are you doing?" I asked, causing Fin to jump.

"What were you guys talking about?" Finlay asked, ignoring me.

"Things, Fish," I said, nodding. "Don't worry about it."

Finlay nodded, fiddling with something on the radio. I stood behind her when an upbeat tune blasted through it. I laughed, asking, "This song?"

"Of course! It's our jam!"

Finlay burst out in song, throwing her arms out. I dodged the incoming hand, laughing. I joined Finlay in singing, both of us dancing. That is, until Finlay started spitting out the rap verses along with the singer. She was so into it that she didn't notice Rachel laughing.

"I should definitely be a rapper," Finlay said breathlessly. But a grin was on her face, making her glow. "What do you guys think?"

"Definitely," I said, nodding, glancing at Rachel with a smile.

"I think you should stick to your day job," Rachel said, smiling.

"Hey!" Finlay said, laughing. "It's my dream!"

"I will be your biggest fan," Rachel told her. "Tell me when you release your first song, please."

We all laughed. It felt good to laugh and be in the presence of people I loved. Maybe things were looking up after all.

"I better go," Rachel said over the music. "I'll see you later, Fin. It was nice to talk to you, Grace."

Finlay threw herself at Rachel and wrapped her in a hug. I smiled as my own mother walked in. She gave me a look, and I just shrugged.

"Love you, Rachel," Fin said, pulling away from her step mother.

"Love you too."

The bell chimed as she stepped outside.

"Grace," Mom said, "you can take off early. I'll take over from here."

"You sure?"

"Yeah. Besides, I have your brother."

As if on cue, Scott stepped into the same room as me. I didn't meet his eyes as I passed him. He greeted Finlay warmly, but I didn't care. I needed to get away from him.

"Are you okay?" Finlay whispered as I climbed up the stairs.

"It's still hard."

She didn't answer as we crossed the small living room to my bedroom. My living room had turned into Scott's room. I hated it.

Shutting my door behind me, I sighed in relief. This was the only place I could get away from him. Well, besides school.

"I still can't believe he came back after all these years," Fin whispered.

"Me either." I sat down on the edge of my bed, stifling a yawn. "I haven't really slept since he came back. And because of Drew."

"Take a nap," Fin said, gently pushing my shoulder down. "I'll be here."

"You wanted to spend some time with me."

"Well, I'm down to take a nap too," she said, laughing. "We'll spend time together after we nap."

I sighed as she took her place next to me. It wasn't like Joshua, but it was good. My mind was racing, so I kept my eyes on her.

"Why are you staring at me?" Finlay whispered, one eye opened.

"I was just thinking . . ."

"Thinking doesn't do you well, Grace." Finlay shifted slightly, her head resting in the crook of my neck. "Go to sleep. You need it."

"So do you," I pointed out softly.

"Good night, Gracie."

And just like that, Finlay was out. I laughed softly, closing my eyes. Maybe I should sleep; I was exhausted. Finlay's soft breathing soothed my pounding heart until I joined my best friend.