Two months went by, the normal happened. Colton and I were dating for about 3 months now and we had been perfectly fine since the night Colton and I made up. I still have all A's and have the best grades as usual, and my parents both really like my boyfriend- Colton Briggs. The mutual hatred between Colton and Ben still hasn't changed, and I'm beginning to think it never will. Not that I really expect it to..

Reagan still pays daily visits to Ben's bedroom, and yes - I get jealous every time. I've just learned how to not think about it, and to fill my mind with thoughts of Colton. It usually makes the feelings go away... for the time being anyways.

   Jenna is in a strong relationship with Tyler Moore, even when a couple months ago, the rumor proved to be true about Monica and the baby. Either way, she stayed with him - hoping that one day she could change him. Aubrey and Alex (the red head) have started dating just a few weeks ago, and finally, Layla has stayed single - long forgetting about our Operation guys before 05.

Ben and I still hung out, except our time together was limited. Colton drove me to and from school everyday, while Ben seemed to have distanced himself from me sometimes. Occasionally I spend the night, but never again has he laid down in my bed. Things have changed, and in a way - the changes only make me realize what I miss the most.

Right now I was sitting in class, staring at the white board as my teacher wrote down the chemistry homework. Today, I was alone. Ben and Colton both skipped.

   "Alright class. Today, we are doing a individual project, one that will require time and your thoughts." He passed out a packet of papers, but I was shocked to see what it was. "It will be your job to see how the people around you affect your life. I want you to take a real hard look at yourself. You guys only have a few months till graduation, and I want you guys to ask yourself - Are you ready? Have you really prepared yourself for the outside world? These are just a few examples. If you feel a certain way about someone, don't let the words go unspoken, chances are you may never see them again. The paper is due by the end of the year. I know that's quite a while, so I expect it to be well written and meaningful" He announced, and then class was over.

For a while I considered it, I considered how different this project was. But really, my mind was spinning with thoughts left unspoken.  With thoughts I was dying to say, but I couldn't manage to speak.

Almost instantly I started to think about Colton. One time, he had told me - you will be the person I marry. And for a while I honestly believed that to be true, but now - he wasn't the person I imagined next to me on my wedding day. He wasn't like the person I wanted to marry.

It pained me to admit the truth, because my heart was still set on my crush from middle school. I had finally got him after all these years - why let him go now?

          •*•£••*•*•

The school day ended rather quick, and before I knew it I was over at Colton's house. Like usual, we were sitting on his bed, kissing. I can't say I didn't enjoy it, because I did - but it was one of Colton's favorite activities- and lately it seemed like the only one. I pulled away abruptly.

     "Can we do something else?" I asked, trying my hardest to not make him annoyed.  Colton smirked.

      "Well, we've never showered together - so that'd ne-" He started, but I cut him off before he could say anything more.

    "No. Something else" I said, not happy with his suggestion. He only rolled his eyes.

    "Fine. We can go out to eat if you want" He suggested with a shrug. I smiled, hoping like it would resemble our first date together. It's been a long time since we've gone on a date, mainly because His bedroom was where he always wanted to be.

"Yeah. I'd love too." I said, holding on to memories I still had of us. I stood up and glided over to the mirror, fixing my messed up hair and wiping away some smudged lipstick. I sighed and looked behind me at Colton, who was sprawled out on the bed.

"Why can't we just stay here? Make out a little?" He asked, beckoning for me to come over to him.

      "Colton." I said, glaring at him sharply. He sighed and got up, throwing on his shirt and walking over to me, his hand grabbing my butt.

    "Fine hot buns, I'll go out to eat... your ass" He said, a sharp laugh coming out of his mouth. I looked at him, a straight expression. "Jeez, it was only a joke. Cmon, have  a little fun" He said while heading out of his room and down the staircase. I watched as he exited, leaving me to trail behind him. Something about this relationship was off, something strange and ugly. I couldn't pin- point it, nor did I want too.

Colton took me home where I got cleaned up and changed into a nice dress that was very clingy. Colton insisted that I wore it, mainly because it "showed off my curves"

And then, Colton took me to the fanciest restaurant that wasn't in town. In fact, it was way out of town - but it was said to be the best one around. It's name was "Polly's steakhouse and winery"

I guess the name itself was kinda sketchy, eerie and almost questionable. After all, the name itself had wine in it, and Polly who might as well be a stripper. All in all, I was starting to doubt Colton's decision, for a while at least. I just remember looking at his eyes and thinking that maybe this could be a better us, that this night could be the night that saves us from the painful truth. Maybe I was just trying too hard to hold on, but my love for Colton was still stronger than ever before and I didn't find it so easy to let go.

Maybe this was all a decision I had formed along time ago, but all I had to do was think of what Ben was doing right now, and I knew that Colton was the guy for me. I knew that Colton would never cheat on me, I knew that for sure. But Ben.. He could hardly keep his pants on when it came to any other girl besides me.

Anyways, who would I be to think Ben liked me anyways?

And I sure as hell didn't like him.

I sighed and walked into the restaurant, sitting down at a table with Colton on the other side of me. He was smiling and he carefully adjusted his napkin beside his plate. I admired how fancy he looked while rearranging the silverware around him. For some reason, he looked so content and happy that I forgot everything bad that's ever happened between us. I smiled and bowed my head, a small blush creeping up onto my cheeks. He glanced up at me.

      "This is nice. Thanks for coming with me" He said happily. It was like he was completely different from the boy who before - just wanted to stay home. I liked this guy , the guy who wanted to go out and have dates.

     "Colton, do you you ever think about College much? We have almost half a year until graduation and we're going to totally different colleges" I said, suddenly taking a big time jump into the future. The colleges we were both going too weren't close to each other, but they weren't hours and hours away either. I just couldn't bare to think about the worst possibilities, but for some reason that's all I could do.

     "Elizabeth. Long-distance relationships work all the time, and we can always see each other on the weekends"  He said so convincingly. I mustered a smile and thought that maybe he was right.

   "I suppose so. But in all the movies it never works -" I began, thinking about all of the stereotypes and the typical sayings of how Long-distance relationships never work out.

     "Real life isn't what happens in the movies. We're a strong enough couple. We can get through it. Besides, that's 6 months away so why worry about it now"  He said, while glancing to the side to see the waiter coming with our food.

I didn't answer as the waiter placed our plates in front of us with a smile. On mine was Chicken Tenders, and Colton was eating shrimp and fried rice.  I was chewing on my food, while also thinking about worries. So basically I was worrying about worrying. Pathetic, I know.

     "I know that it's 6 months away, but I can't help but worry" I said, suddenly feeling not hungry. I hate myself sometimes.  Colton rolled his eyes and set his fork down to stare at me directly in the eyes.

     "What you should really be worried about is what I'm going to do to you later tonight" Colton said, a smirk as big as his plate on his face. He lifted a piece of shrimp to his mouth, with his harsh smirk still etched on his lips. Instantly a cold shiver ran down my spine, and I once again lost my appetite. His eyes burned a hole in me, to the point where I couldn't help but forget how to breath.

      "Speechless are we?" He asked with a light laugh. I chuckled along side him, thinking that it was as funny as any other joke he's made.  For a while we didn't say much, but I was content with the silence and the peacefulness of us just getting along. 

     "You know how Spring Break is coming up soon. Well, Carson has a beach house yanno? And me and the guys were planning on going up there to hang out for a week. We're bringing our girlfriends, so I was wondering if you'd want to come?"  Colton said. I instantly jumped at the offer, extremely excited and pumped for spring break. Of course I remained calm in my seat as I answered, trying really hard not to sound so excited.

    "Yes! Oh my gosh I'd love to go!" I said, excited. Colton laughed at my eagerness and smiled.

"I was really hoping you'd say that" He said while finishing off his last piece of shrimp. I guess I was just so excited because Colton wanted to go too, he wanted to have a fun time with his friends and me. It would be a great way to end my Senior year, with Colton Briggs by my side. It's crazy to think that all these years Colton had been the boy I obsessed over, and now my dreams were finally reality and the boy I loved would be the boy I end high school with. I smiled as I thought of it, simply amazed by it all.

"Of course. It seems so much fun. Do you know who else is invited?" I asked, suddenly curious if Ben would be there. I'm not sure why he crossed my mind, but either way, he did.

"Just some of Carson and I's friends. Like Brandon and Michael and maybe Steve. Can't say for sure if they're coming. You can invite some of your friends though" He finished as we left the dirty plates on the table and started to walk out. We paid our bill and headed out to the car while the familiar name of Brandon echoed around in my head.

        *••*•*•*•*¥

I was sitting in my room with Aubrey, Jenna and Layla. It was after a hard day of school with only one more week until spring break. I guess the excitement of the trip got the better of me, and before I knew it I was telling them all about it. Since I was told I could invite some of my friends, that's exactly what I did. However, Brandon, I had left out of the picture - for I had never told them what really happened that night. Maybe it was because I was too afraid to tell them the truth.

Whatever the reason may have been, I decided to focus on the positive outlook. Apparently, so did Aubrey.

       "So, if you and Colton will be sharing a room then maybe this will finally be your chance to jump his bones." She said, laughing along with the other girls. I glared at her, definitely not liking her suggestion. If I wanted to jump his bones, I would've done it already.

Well I want to share a room with Ben. You know what we'll be doing" Layla winked, following with another laugh. I laughed along with her, even when I knew if the situation ever happened, she would get so red in the face and explode before she had sex with Benedict Marshall.

       "Looks like Reagan already beat you too it" I said, glancing out the window at his blinds drawn and his window closed. The girls followed my gaze and instantly frowned.

    "I bet he looks good naked" Aubrey said bluntly. I rolled my eyes and found myself agreeing with her statement (in my head at least) Layla nodded her head eagerly.

"Anyways. Do you think you guys will be able to come?" I asked, hope laced throughout my tone. Truth be told, I wanted them to come. Maybe so I wouldn't have to deal with Brandon, or maybe because I wanted to have fun with my friends as well.

"I doubt I'll be able to tag along. My Grandmas coming up from Texas" Aubrey said, a pure frown etched on her lips.

"Yeah, my parents were planning on doing something that week, so unfortunately I can't go" Jenna said. Instantly all my hopes were counting on Layla, my one friend who I knew wouldn't miss a chance to be with Benedict Marshall, even if it meant looking at him from a far distance.

"You know me. I'm not much of a people person. I'm sorry" Layla sighed. I frowned but pulled out a big duffle bag anyways, piling in clothes and everything I might need for the trip. Now all I needed to do was wait 1 week