"Mmmm... This tastes like sunshine," Casey moaned, wiping her mouth after taking a bite of her bagel.

I laughed, glad to see that her sour mood from the previous night had lifted. "It's just a bagel."

"It's not just a bagel," she defended. "It's sunshine on a cloudy day."

"I thought that was ice-cream," I said, raising my brow. "My mistake. Carry on."

She swatted my arm and smiled good-naturedly at me. "I have so much to teach you."

I laughed and sipped my orange juice as Logan walked in. "Good morning," I greeted him.

He grunted and glanced at the box of cereal on the counter before heading to the other side. "Milk?" he asked, peering into the fridge.

I couldn't help the chuckle that slipped out. While he had no qualms about finishing the last of anything, he hated to be the first one to use it. That's why he was ignoring the unopened milk cartons in the fridge.

"Here," Casey said, shoving the box that she had at him to which he only nodded.

I smiled into my glass. I had recently discovered that Logan was not a morning person, despite his naturally bubbly personality. While it surprised me, a small part of me yelled called it!

He took the carton of milk from Casey and poured some into an empty bowl before adding his cereal. I raised my brow when he seated himself beside me with a heavy sigh and I glanced at Casey who only rolled her eyes.

"Morning guys," Aiden mumbled sleepily. He leaned against the door and covered his mouth as a yawn escaped.

"Morning," I smiled at him. He looked so adorable with his bedhead, I found myself swooning for a minute.

"Hey, handsome," Casey greeted him. "Hungry?"

"Starved," he replied, staring longingly at her bagel.

She laughed and got up to fix him a plate. She toasted two bagels while he positioned himself on my right.

I suppressed a sigh and focused instead on pouring another glass of juice.

"You're not eating?" he asked, frowning at the glass in my hand.

"I'm not big on breakfast," I explained.

He nodded and Casey deposited his breakfast on the table.

"Why didn't anyone wake me?" Caitlyn whined from the doorway.

Automatically, my gaze shifted to Casey. She shrugged and offered her a bagel.

"It's not poisoned is it?"

I chuckled, relieved that they were on speaking terms again. I hated playing referee and I wasn't about to take sides.

Carter joined us shortly after and I excused myself when Joanne and Brianna breezed in.

I took a shower and pulled my hair into a bun. I was decked out in my favorite pair of black jeans and my equally black Led Zeppelin t-shirt, with my headphones wound around my hand when I heard yelling coming from the kitchen.

I whizzed past Tori with a clipped greeting and came to a stop at the door. "What's going on?" I asked Brianna who was closest to me.

"I have no idea. Blake and Savannah strolled in together and the next thing I know, there's all this shouting."

I nodded and moved out of the way as Casey brushed past me with tears in her eyes.

I was so tired of all the drama with this group of people.

"You guys really need to fix this," I muttered.

"That much is obvious." Caitlyn retorted.

"You shouldn't have invited Savannah. That was so wrong."

"Standing right here," Savannah coughed.

"Ladies, please," Logan pleaded, throwing an arm around me. He guided me towards Caitlyn and draped his other arm around her. "Let's chill for a bit and when Casey calms down, we'll talk about it, alright?"

***

It was well past seven at night and Casey had yet to reappear after storming out earlier. Joanne and Brianna had already left but the others were around the house somewhere while I stood in the foyer with Logan and Carter trying to decide who got to wake her up.

Logan glanced worriedly at the stairs and turned to me. "You're way better at making things okay than I am."

"Me?" I asked, pointing to my chest. "I'm no better than you are. We both mess things up equally."

Carter chuckled and put his arm around me. "Maybe, but you don't piss her off as much as he does."

"Why can't Caitlyn do it?" I pleaded.

"Because I'll only make her angrier," she answered, walking towards us.

I groaned and looked at the stairs before turning back to them. "What if she doesn't want to see me?"

"Then we'll send Logan to get her."

"What about the others?"

"Forget about them," Logan said. "And unless you'd like Mrs. P to go up there, you'd better get a move on." He tugged on my arm and directed me to the stairs. "You can do this Camille," he coaxed. "I believe in you."

I narrowed my eyes at him. "Shut up."

His laughter followed me as I walked the long hallway. I came to a stop outside of the guestroom and took a deep breath.

I pushed the door and waited for my eyes to adjust to the darkness. "Casey?" I whispered, feeling along the wall for a switch.

I heard the ruffling of sheets before a muffled "Go away."

I flipped the switch, bathing the room in light and found her lying facedown into her pillow.

"You're not okay," I stated, seating myself on the edge of the bed.

"Go away," she repeated. "Please."

"No," I said softly, clenching my fists. I felt utterly helpless as I watched her lying there. It reminded me of the times I watched my dad writhing in pain and there was nothing for me to do but hold his hands and try not to let him see me cry. The situation may have been different but the feelings of helplessness that it invoked were painfully familiar.

With a sigh, Casey rolled onto her back. She wiped her eyes and shot me a defiant stare. "I really just want to be alone, Camille," she said with a sharp intake of breath.

"Yeah, that's pretty evident by the way you've been ignoring us," I said. "They're really worried about you down there."

She let out a humorless laugh. "And you're not."

I shrugged. "I wanted to go get pizza but they sent me to be the sacrificial lamb and all that." She kicked me and a smile crept onto my face. "We don't have to talk about it but you do need to get up."

"I don't want to," she mumbled. "I was having a kickass time sleeping."

"You were not sleeping," I told her, planting my feet on the ground. "You were crying."

I looked back at her just in time to see her move the blanket aside. "Whatever."

"Besides, if I go back alone they'll send Logan to get you."

She groaned and sat upright. "Fine, just give me a minute to brush my teeth."

I faked a shudder and shot her a playful wink. "I didn't want to say anything before, but you should throw some mouthwash in there too."

I dodged the pillow that she threw my way. "Missed me!" I gloated, inching towards the door. "Comb your hair while you're at it."

***

I elbowed Logan and adjusted my body so I'd have more room. He grunted and glared at me.

We were piled into Carter's car on our way to the pizza parlor and it was a very uncomfortable ride to say the least.

"Would you two cut it out?" Caitlyn snapped. "So we're a little cramped, get over it."

"It's your fault that we're cramped," I huffed. "You should've taken one for the team and gone with Blake."

Instead, Aiden had volunteered to ride with him and Savannah. I wasn't willing to endure an awkward car ride with him so I stuck with Carter.

"Why didn't you?" she asked, shooting me a pained look as Logan jabbed her. "Stop that!" she hissed at him.

"You three are giving me a headache," Casey muttered from the front of the car.

When the car fell silent, I turned away. I stared out of the window and focused on the buildings as we passed them by. New York City, while beautiful during the day, was breathtaking at night. "I've never even had a proper tour of the city," I said to no one in particular. "You guys suck."

"What are you talking about?" Caitlyn asked. "You've been to the mall, what more is there to see?"

I stared at her incredulously and she reached across Logan to poke me. "I'm kidding, we'll go next Saturday when this is all over."

I raised my brow in confusion. I was still baffled as to how it was possible that her attitude towards me had changed in such a short space of time and I couldn't help but wonder how long it would last. "Alright," I finally said as Carter parked the car.

"Everybody out," he commanded.

I walked ahead of the group with Casey and gave her a smile when she scowled at me. "What?" she asked.

I shrugged and held the door for her. She laughed and I followed her in. "Smell that?"

"Smell what?" Caitlyn asked, taking a seat beside Casey. "The goodies?"

I nodded.

"What are you all having?" Blake asked. He was sitting beside Savannah and directly opposite me.

Casey straightened when he spoke and I patted her hand. This whole thing was a stupid idea. I, for one didn't think that it was even possible for this group of people to sort anything out, but what did I know? I was the new girl after all.

I was the first one to speak. "I'll split with whoever's having Chicken Hawaiian."

He nodded. "Case?"

The tension in the air thickened as the table fell silent. I think we were all waiting for her to finally lash out at him. A part of me hoped that she would.

"We'll share a cheese pizza," Caitlyn told him, breaking the silence.

After Blake had taken the rest of the orders and left, I stole a glance at Savannah. She was looking at Carter with a look almost resembling longing but that couldn't be right. She was the one who had moved on and had not only hurt him but also her friend.

"Have you heard from Sophie or Maddy?" I asked Casey when normal conversation had resumed at the table.

"Sophie got blackout drunk so they crashed at Skye's for the night," she replied with a small sigh. "I felt sorry for Maddy, she was so busy babysitting her that she didn't even enjoy the party."

I nodded sympathetically. I'd have hated to be Madison and stuck with a drunken Sophie.

"What did her mom say about that?" I asked.

"She told her that she'll be staying at my house for the weekend." Casey smiled, "I didn't even spend the weekend there."

I laughed and shook my head. "My dad would've called your mom before dropping me off himself."

She smiled. "Well, if I know my mother she's halfway drunk by now with some guy twice her junior so that probably wouldn't have gone your way."

I raised my brow at her statement but knew better than to ask further questions. "Sounds like a peach," I eventually said.

I felt my phone vibrating and stared at the screen for a second before excusing myself. "April!" I growled. "What the hell?" I ducked into the restroom and locked myself in.

"I'm really sorry, Chameleon," she murmured.

"You're sorry?" I scoffed. "You're sorry?"

She sighed. "I don't want this to sound like an excuse but I've been really busy with school and everything else. It's just a really hectic time for me."

"Yeah," I muttered, running my free hand down my face. "I bet it is."

"My mom is getting married," she said a bit harshly. "So yeah, I've been busy."

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. For some reason I felt overwhelmed by everything that was happening. I wasn't even part of the drama currently unfolding outside but for someone like me who had lived most of her life with minimal excitement, this was too much.

And then there was April, who thought that it was okay to blow me off because her mother was getting married for the fifth time.

"Have fun planning," I said warily. "I have to go."

"Camille, please," she pleaded. "I need a friend right now."

"What's wrong?" I asked after a few seconds of deliberation.

"Everything," she laughed unhappily. "Mom met someone new and fell in love. Isn't that always the source of my unhappiness? Another whirlwind romance that's just going to end in heartbreak. And get this, he has a daughter our age."

I raised my brow but remained silent.

"She hates me," April continued. "She has to hate me to put me through another marriage of hers and this time he has baggage of his own."

Despite my inner turmoil, I felt my resolve to stay mad dwindling.

"I'm sorry that I've neglected you. I was trying so hard not to deal with any of this, so I've been pretending that nothing's changed. In the end the only thing that I did was push you and Jason away," she said sadly.

My ears perked at the mention of Jason. "What's going on with you two?" I asked out of curiosity.

"He broke up with me," she sighed. "Instead of turning to him I lashed out at him and we had a fight―a really huge fight. I said a lot of things that I shouldn't have, a lot of unforgivable things. He's so mad at me, he doesn't even look at me anymore and if he does, his stare is laced with so much anger it terrifies me that I've lost him for real this time. I messed up," she sobbed. "I've lost the boy I've loved since I was ten years old and now I'm losing my best friend too."

I sighed into the phone and dabbed at my eyes. "A, I had no idea. I'm so sorry."

"Not as sorry as I am," she said shakily. "I can't lose you too. Not right now."

"You're not losing me," I tried to console her. "We've both been horrible to each other. I'm sorry for my part, truce?"

She laughed. "Truce. I've missed you so much Chameleon."

"I've missed you too, A," I said with a wistful smile. "You have no idea."

"How's the big apple?" she asked when she was calm.

I rolled my eyes. This was the April that I knew; it was only a matter of time before she came out to play. "Do you think your mom will let you visit for Christmas?" I asked cautiously. "I'll have to clear it with Tori first of course but―"

"Are you kidding me?" she cut me off, her voice piercing with excitement. "She owes me big time for this wedding of hers."

I laughed. "I'll let you know what Tori decides before you ask your mom."

"Thank you Camille," she said, her voice softer now. "Always. Right?"

A smile crept onto my face. "Always."

**

"I was just about to drag you back here myself," Casey teased when I sat.

"Sorry," I apologized. "I got held up."

"Pizza's here!" Caitlyn grinned. "Thank you Blake."

"Sure," he mumbled.

We ate in tense silence. I kept glancing at Savannah and as much as she'd tried to hide it, her gaze continuously drifted to Carter who was having an intense stare down with his meal.

Blake, on the other hand, was avoiding our side of the table like the plague. He kept his head down and refused to meet Casey's inquisitive eyes. I think that out of everyone involved, she drew the short stick. Carter had broken up with Savannah because of his issues with love but Casey was the one who was hurt the most. While Carter might be royally pissed, Casey was hurting.

"So, you guys ready to get this party started?" Logan asked when were done with our pizzas.

I reclined into my seat. I was a mere spectator in this fiasco after all.

It was Savannah who spoke first, her voice much softer than I'd ever heard. "I'm sorry Carter," she began. "I'm sorry that you think I owe you an apology for moving on with my life after you dumped me."

My surprise at her statement must have shown on my face because she turned to me next. "Really, Camille? Don't look so shocked. I know you think that I'm some kind of monster because I broke the girl-code but I'm not. Casey and Blake were never getting back together. You guys can't hate me for that."

Casey started laughing― a real hearty laugh that echoed throughout the almost empty restaurant. She wiped her eyes and pointed a finger at Savannah. "That was quite the speech Van," she finally said. "If we had wine, I'd toast to you."

I tilted my head and studied her. She caught my eye and turned to Blake.

"We're never getting back together? That's what you told her?"

He stared at her but didn't reply. Savannah was looking at Casey with wide eyes as though she was actually fearful of what she was about to say.

"This is news to me," Casey continued. "Because when you cornered me that day outside the chem lab professing your love for me, I thought for sure we had a chance."

She looked at me. "What a fool I've been right?"

I swallowed. That sounded like a rhetorical question so I averted my gaze.

She inhaled sharply and then began to cry. I rubbed my hand along her back in slow circles while Caitlyn shot daggers at Blake.

"You asshole!" she spat.

"Cait." Logan interjected.

"No!" she growled. "How could you do that to her? You gave her hope when you knew that there wasn't any. It's a cruel thing to make someone believe that they've got a shot when they really don't!"

By now we had the attention of everyone within earshot and I silently pleaded with Caitlyn to cool it.

"I'm sorry Case," Blake said, startling her. "I never meant to hurt you."

"That's bullshit," Carter snapped. "You knew exactly what you were doing."

Aiden, forever the peacemaker, held up his hand. "Come on you guys, can we keep this civil?"

No one argued with him but they didn't look any happier. Casey was still crying and tears were now running freely down Savannah's face.

"You still love her?" she asked Blake.

He stared at his hands. "It's complicated. You wouldn't understand," he said. He actually sounded irritated. "Case and I, what we had," he paused and gazed at her. "It's just complicated," he finished lamely.

"Well, thanks for clearing that up," Logan said menacingly. "You're just a prime heartbreaker today, aren't you?"

"You're one to talk," Blake scoffed. "Logan Marshall, the one and only."

"I've never intentionally broken anyone's heart," Logan defended.

"Right. Whatever floats your boat," Blake muttered. "I'm out of here."

With that, he was on his feet and grabbing his jacket from the chair. He looked down at Savannah who was still crying. "I'm sorry," he said flatly.

She stiffened and glanced at Carter. I followed her gaze and my heart ached. He looked defeated, like he had already given up. He looked up and held her gaze for a few seconds before excusing himself. Casey followed suit, as did Logan.

"Van," Blake said softly. "Let me take you home."

She stared longingly after Carter and reluctantly rose to her feet. I'd never admit it out loud but I felt sorry for her. She was also hurting and none of us had taken the time to acknowledge that hurt.

"Aiden," she whispered, turning to him with pleading eyes.

He seemed to understand her unspoken request because he nodded and then he stood. "You'll let me know if Casey's okay?" he asked Caitlyn.

She nodded. "Don't lose sleep over it, love. She'll be fine."

He glanced at me briefly. "Bye Camille."

I nodded. "Have a good night Aiden."

"Well," Caitlyn said after they'd left. "Guess that just leaves us."

I smiled despite the circumstances. "I guess so."

"C'mon," she said tugging on my sleeve. "Let's find the others."