Tristan's p.o.v

I park Alex's motorcycle in front of the spacious beach house, all lit up like a Christmas tree. There are more people outside than in, so that's where I go first. The house is a modern two-story building, with a flat, sloping roof lined in picturesque patterns of roofing. Palm trees make a nice tropical touch to the front of the house. Stepping around the bodies of several passed-out people, I make my way inside.

The floor is lined with red cups and people pack every corner, despite the majority of people being outside. There's hip pop music playing somewhere, and a small section of the floor has been cleared for dancing. As I see the couples grinding on each other, it only reminds me more of Alex.

Despite the general stereotype, I'm really not that much of a party boy. Sure, I like to get out and get drunk every once in a while, but I'm not one of those people who are constantly partying. I usually have an unnatural disgust for girls in clothes that are clearly saying, "Fuck me!" But not tonight. Tonight, I just want to forget.

I head to the kitchen, where the drinks are stored. I carefully step over the bodies littering every corner and make my way to the fridge. Throwing the door open, I survey in satisfaction the assortment of bottles with alcohol in them. I hurriedly take a six-pack of beer, wrestling one out of it's packaging and shutting the fridge door. I gulp down my beer, taking satisfaction as I feel it's warmth and intoxication go to my head.

***

I stumble outside after my seventh beer determined to pick up some girls. Outside, all of the girls are clad in skimpy bikinis, showing off their long, smooth legs. I approach a blonde, taking in her appearance. "Hey, babe," I slur, looking her up and down. She giggles, a sound I would normally find annoying. "Hey," she replies seductively, moving closer.

Before long, we're wrapped in a long, sound kiss, and she's slowly maneuvering me towards the water, taking my shirt off. I taste beer on her lips, but I don't care. As I slip her dress over her head and she slips my pants off, I could care less about anything. Alex is long in my past now.

***

Alex's p.o.v

Okay, I'm seriously getting worried now. It's like 1:00 am, and Tristan still hasn't come home. Fretfully, I pace the living room, trying to decide what to do. I have to do something! What if he's hurt? What if he's dead? What if he got kidnapped? What if he got lost? What if he went to a street fight and got beat up? What if-

"What are you doing, Alex?" I'm startled out of my thoughts by Lisa's voice. She's unlocked the door and is now sitting on the sofa, watching me. "I don't know," I huff, plopping down beside her. "Why?" she asks, and I know we're not talking about my pacing anymore. "I-I don't know why I did it," I answer, shoulders shaking with racks of sobs. Lisa places a comforting hand on my back, rubbing it slowly. "Do you still love him?" she asks. "Yeah," I answer. "I always will." "But do you want to be with him again?" she presses on, gently. I sigh, raising my head from my hands. "No, I don't."

"Then why did you kiss him?" Lisa asks, confused. I quickly explain my infatuation with Tristan and how I want to forget him. She shakes her head, like I'm stupid. "Tristan came to see me," she informs me. "Why?" I ask, alarmed. "Is he all right?" "Well..." "Lisa, what did he say?!" She sighs, obviously contemplating how she should answer my question. "Tristan came to talk about your kiss."

"What? Why would he do that?" "I don't know." "Well, what did you tell him?" I ask, swallowing hard. "I explained your guys' history," Lisa says. My eyebrows shoot up in alarm. Seeing the look on my face, she quickly adds, "I didn't tell him about the cutting, though." "Thank you." "So, what now?" I ask, anxious to find my strange crush. "Well," she says, thinking. "I think he went to this one party, at least that's the direction he was headed in." "Let's go," I say, and we dash outdoors, where Lisa starts her cycle, me on behind her.

We arrive at the party a few minutes later, scanning the crowds for Tristan. The person we find, however, is not Tristan, but Hannah. "Hey!" I shout, waving at her. "Hi, Alex!" she calls, making her way over to us. "Who's this?" Lisa asks, gesturing to Hannah. I quickly introduce them, then tell Hannah why we're here. She nods understandingly. "I'll help you look."

***

We finally find Tristan. He's passed out on the beach, in nothing but his boxers. The girl he's lying next to is wearing her thong, but that's it. I look over at Hannah and Lisa (who's mildly tipsy) with a worried expression. Carefully, Hannah and I lift Tristan, staggering under his weight. Lisa helps a little bit, but she's swaying herself, so isn't much help.

We finally get him back to our motorcycles. I take a seat on mine to wait. I mean, Tristan has to wake up before I can take him home. Lisa slumps over next to him, but doesn't pass out. Just then, Tristan's phone rings in his pocket. On impulse, I answer it.

"Hello?" I ask. "Alex? Is that you?" I cringe internally at the sound of Amanda's voice. "Yeah, it's me." "Why are you answering Tristan's phone? Where is he?" "He's um..." Her tone turns harsh and cold. "Don't you dare lie to me." Sighing, I say, "He's drunk and passed out." "Why?" Amanda asks. "I specifically asked for him not to party while I'm not around." "I don't know, Amanda," I say, sighing in exasperation. "Did he hit on any girls while he was there?" I hesitate. Should I tell her about the girl I saw him with? "Well, he was with a girl when we found him....they were both in their underwear only..." "Ugh, that little-" I sigh as she spills out a mouthful of profanities. "Tell him when he wakes up that that move just cost him a girlfriend," she says, her words dripping with venom. I stare in shock at the phone in my hand as she hangs up on me.

Smiling, I explain the conversation to Hannah. She puts her hand up for a high-five, and even though I feel guilty about being happy that they broke up, I can't help but feeling euphoric. This means that Tristan's not taken anymore!

***

Before long, we're able to take Lisa and Tristan home. Thank God Hannah knows how to drive a motorcycle. We drop Lisa off at her house, settling her on the couch and setting an Advil and water on her side table.

Then we take Tristan home, and I settle him on my bed, putting an Advil and water on my table for him. Smiling, I bend noiselessly to kiss his forehead. Then I shut the door and go downstairs to sleep on the couch.

AN: I KNOW IT SUCKS!

All my love,

Em