December 20th 2010 - Shepard's Bush, London

It was a rather cold evening in London, in fact they were expecting a snow storm which would last for days. Benedict was in his living room, with his parents and his recent girlfriend, Karen. They had been dating for a few months and both of them had thought it was time for the 'grown ups' to take a look at her. 

"So, Karen. Benedict here tells me that you are keen on a good book am I right?" Wanda had suggested to Karen as she took a sip of her refreshment. Karen hadn't taken her eyes off Benedict for last hour, mostly because she was fond of him, but also because of the questions Wanda had been asking. 

"Well... Mrs Ventham-"

"Oh please, call me Wanda." Wanda giggled as she eyed Timothy next to her, who had his arm trailing off the sofa. He looked particularly bored, but at the same time interested in the conversation that was passing. 

"Wanda, I do like a good read, but only of the best." Karen glanced at Benedict with a smile and she crawled her hand up his back, Benedict feeling slightly uncomfortable by it. He quickly drooped one of his arms over her shoulder, knocking her hand down. 

"Well Mother, anybody want some more drink? Maybe some nibbles?" Benedict had pleaded, hoping for someone to say yes. His parents murmured in agreement, Benedict getting up and taking hold of Karen's hand tightly. 

"She is all right for him. I still don't know what is going through his mind over Melody. She was a better match for him, but it is his choice." Wanda raised her glass and sipped away. Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Benedict was pacing around getting some, in his words, some nibbles, ready and some more drink. Karen was leaning on the counter chatting away and watching Benedict become flustered. 

"Do you think they like me Benedict?" Karen said twirling a strand of hair in her hand. "I mean, if they don't like me, then their loss." Benedict stopped for a moment, glaring at Karen. 

"We need this night to go well, if you really want this. So stay calm and answer mother's question, in confidence." Karen sighed, Benedict shoving a tray a tray full of snacks into her hands. 

"Wha-"

"I need some time alone." Benedict stepped of the kitchen and headed straight towards his room and threw himself on his bed, taking a deep breath. He wanted everything to go along smoothly. He knew that nothing could ruin this night. He stretched out his arms and he accidentally hit his side table, a quiet jingle sound dropped to the floor. Benedict reached down picking up a key ring. It had the letters BFF carved into it with some red keys all over it. He smiled and remembered the one person who had gave it to him. Melody. 

June 19th 1999 - Later that evening in the Fellows' house.

"Hurry up Mels, it is time! We already have a few guests downstairs!" Amelia was shouting from the other side of Lauren's room door. 

"Okay Mum, just a few finishing touches on Lauren!" Melody shouted back, a make-up brush was in her hand as she was trying to apply some powder onto her little sister's face. Lauren was extremely happy that big sister was finally preparing her for the big bad world of parties, which Lauren had loved over school. "Lauren, please stay still. If you want to look good for all those boys out there!" Lauren giggled, listening to her sister as she put on the finishing touches. "Now, give me a twirl in that dress." Lauren jumped up from her chair and twirled around and even gave her sister a courtesy. "That's fantastic, now I need to quickly freshen myself up and then we can head on down..."

"Melody?" 

"Yes, Lauren?" 

 "Who are you getting ready for?" Melody frowned at Lauren in the mirror as she fiddled with her hair.

"What on earth are you on about Lauren?" 

"Well, you said that I am getting ready for all of the boys downstairs... Are you eyeing Benedict?" Melody choked on thin air and spun around to face Lauren. 

"Lauren, me and Ben are just friends. We have been best friends for about five years. Yes, we have been through a lot, but... we are friends, nothing more." Melody picked up a pin which had a flower on it and placed it into her hair. "Right, how do I look?" Lauren studied her sister for a moment. 

"Like you're going to fall for Benedict." Lauren laughed as Melody walked up to her sister, giving her a light smack with a pillow. They both began to giggle uncontrollably and their laughter was broken by their mother's voice. 

"Um... Mels, there is someone here to see you!" Melody walked over to the door, straightening her dress. She opened it and began to walk down the stairs with Lauren. As she made her way down, she saw Benedict, who gazed at her. "I'll leave you two." Amelia smiled as Melody made her way to Benedict, her cheeks lightly blushing. 

"Wow..." Melody smiled, tucking a lock behind her hair. "You look lovely, Mels." 

"Thank you. So do you! You finally brushed yourself up!" Benedict laughed, offering his arm to Melody, in which she happily hooked herself onto. As Benedict and Melody made their way into the living room, Amelia and Wanda couldn't help but stare and talk about them both. 

"Your son is a wonderful friend to my daughter." Amelia said to Wanda in a polite tone. 

"As is yours! They are both the best of friends, I am glad Amelia makes my Ben so happy." Wanda grinned, staring at Benedict and Melody who were both laughing away. "See? She and him are the perfect match, if only they saw that." Amelia sighed in agreement with Wanda as they tucked into a plate of snacks laid on the counter next to them. 

"Oh my god, did your mother really say that?" Benedict gave out a sigh. 

"Yes! She said now I can just help with the housework, how wonderful! I thought the whole point of leaving uni was to be free!" Melody nodded as she kept that smile on her face. 

"Yes, well, your mother is very nice. She is probably teasing you." Benedict shook his head and looked at his mother and Amelia. 

"Hey, look." Benedict tapped Melody's arm and urged her to look at their parent's talking. "I can tell they are talking about us..." Melody slowly puts the the tip of her tongue at the roof of her mouth. 

"Yep. Definitely." Benedict turned back to face Melody. 

"Well... I assume there was a reason behind my invite tonight." Benedict smiled at Melody who was urgently fiddling around in her dress pockets for the one thing she was going to give him. 

"Yes... I... Ahh, got it." Melody pulled out a key ring from her pocket and handed it to Benedict. "We are best friends and I hope we stay that way..." She simpered at Benedict as he couldn't take his eyes off the key ring. The letters BFF carved into it with red keys for decoration. 

Benedict gawped at the key ring, remembering the good old days and how Melody was always there for him. He knew that it had been eleven years, nearly twelve, and he may have to face that fact that she was out of his picture for good.