As soon as the french doors closed behind me, the sounds of the party dim to a lower volume. The most noise in the room comes from the indoor pool's filtration system, a low hum in the large space that's almost as loud as the beating of my racing heart. I don't know what to expect following Sean in here, but it's too late to turn back now. Even as I face the french doors, my hand still on the handle as if I'm going to bolt at any second, I can sense him behind me on the other side of the room. And I have no doubts he can sense me too.

Taking a deep breath, I force myself to turn around. The room is completely dark despite the pool lights casting a blue hue over the ceiling above as well as the boy at the far end of the rectangular pool. With his head down, and jet-black hair hanging in his face, he walks along the pool's edge like a balance beam as he holds a bottle of alcohol in one hand. But I don't need to see his face to know he's not okay. I can feel the tension radiating off of him in waves even from here, suffocating the room with a heavy weight.

"Go away," Sean says slowly, confirming he can sense me, his voice lower and deeper than I remember, rougher even.

I've heard him talk at school, but somehow it's different having him speak directly to me. Like I'm really hearing his voice for the first time in two years and don't fully recognize it anymore.

The idea alone creates a knot in the pit of my stomach.

Ignoring his words, I step deeper into the room, using the small glow from the pool to light my way.

"I said go away, Emmiline," Sean says louder as he finally lifts his head to look at me.

I stop in my tracks, stunned by the raw pain written across his sharp features. It's almost enough to make me turn around and do as he says... almost. Instead, the undeniable draw I feel to him keeps me rooted in place.

"So...it's Emmiline now?" I ask, attempting a smile I can't feel.

When all else fails, turn to awkward, nervous-induced humor. Good one, Mill.

Sean tips his head to the side without an ounce of amusement. "Don't play. You know it is."

I chew on my bottom lip and wrap my arms around myself. I don't know what I was thinking coming in here, especially without a plan. It's been too long since we've spoken, I don't even know what to say to him anymore.

Without a clue as to what I'm doing, I go with the most obvious line I can think of. "This room is supposed to be off-limits."

Wow, my voice sounds unsure even to me. Awesome.

A smile that lacks any and all warmth spreads across his face. Straightening to his full height, he slowly claps his hands with the bottle still in his grip. "Well done Officer Price, you make one hell of a security guard. You gonna rat me out to your boyfriend next?"

The harsh bite in his voice makes me flinch.

"No." I shake my head. "Just thought I should let you know is all. You know... just in case."

His eyes narrow as he makes his way around the pool with slowed steps. "I'm not fucking scared of your boyfriend."

"Never said you were."

In fact, I'm positive he's not. I'd even wager there's not much that scares Sean Sun anymore. Not with that dangerous look in his eyes like he could take on the world with a smirk on his face.

Reaching my side of the pool, Sean stalks closer. The look in his eyes reminds me of the one from the dance floor moments ago but darker. Like a lion sizing up its prey. It has me backing up a couple of feet, which only seems to make his full lips tip into a predatory grin.

"Finally made it back home from your summer in paradise, huh?"

I nearly laugh at that one.

Paradise, right. 'Cause Dad's bachelor pad hours away is the perfect vacation spot.

"Why? Did you miss me?" I ask without thinking.

I don't know where I pulled that response from but I mentally pat myself on the back. Especially when his head jerks back and his eyebrows shoot up to touch the ceiling.

A shadow of something darker flashes in his eyes. "You fucking wish, Junior."

"Don't call me that," I practically growl, pointing a finger at him as he stops just within reach of my cyan-painted nail.

His hand snakes out and grabs hold of mine, pulling it down but not letting go. "If I can't call you junior, then you can't look at me like a wounded fucking animal on the side of the road."

"What? I wasn't!"

"You were," he says between clenched teeth, his earlier humor disappearing in the blink of an eye. "When you first walked in here, you had those sad eyes like I'm something to fucking pity. I'm not."

My head turns to look at the door where I entered before glancing at the pool and landing finally on him. "W-what...I...no."

I'm not entirely sure what the look on my face was when I walked in. Sure I could tell something was wrong with him but I don't think it was so bad that I pitied him. I feel bad 'cause I know what day it is but that's all. I've never pitied Sean, even when I attended his father's funeral with my parents. If anything, I admire his strength and how well he held himself together. I can't say I'd be able to do that in that kind of situation.

"Why'd you really follow me in here, Millie?"

I try not to let my heart dance with joy at him calling me Millie instead of Emmiline and focus on his actual question.

"B-because... I know what today is and..." I take a deep breath, deciding to be honest in my first moments of speaking to my old friend in so long.

It doesn't help though when his eyes just continue to narrow, getting smaller and smaller with suspicion.

Looking down, unable to hold eye contact anymore, I admit, "I was too much of a coward to say anything when it happened or even last year, but... I'm sorry. I'm so fucking sorry about what happened to your—"

"Stop!" He barks. "Just fucking stop."

I lift my head and meet a look of pure agony and anger. Fire lights up those dark eyes as he clenches his jaw, the muscle there working over time. It kills me really, to see him like this, to know he's most likely been holding onto all these turbulent emotions for so long. Deep down, I know the boy who used to push me on the swings as kids or talked on walkie-talkies with me late into the night is still in there, suffering. And I would do anything to take that pain from him.

"Sean..." I whisper.

He jerks back but still keeps hold of my hand as if he's forgotten all about it despite the tightening of his grip. "And there's that fucking look again. I don't know what you're playing at here, Junior, but there's a big difference between throwing fake sultry looks my way in there and this shit right here. A huge fucking difference."

"What?" It's my turn to jerk back with shock while a dose of embarrassment creeps through my body. "I'm not playing at anything."

"Bullshit!" He sneers. "You know what happened. You've known since that day when I..." He bites his lip for a moment as if his next words are too painful to say out loud before adding, "You had plenty of chances to say your peace. So what the fuck kind of game are you trying to pull? Why now?"

I don't understand half of what he's saying, the only words registering in my head are the last two.

Why now?

It's a good question, but I'm not sure I have the answer. Because the opportunity presented itself? Because it's the right thing to do? Because I'm hoping that apologizing might put an end to my dreams of us? Because... it's been two years and I'm tired of staying away...

Because I miss you.

My eyes sting with the threat of tears I refuse to let loose. I haven't allowed myself to admit just how much I've missed him, and now that the thought has finally been set free in my mind, it hurts more than I could've expected.

"Just... forget it," I say, choking on my emotions as I try to pull my head free and walk away.

Sean doesn't let go though. He does the opposite, using his hold on my hand to pull me back. Only as he does, he also manages to back me into the wall just a couple feet behind me.

Searching my eyes, the look on his face softens. "I... I don't get you."

Those four simple words cut deep considering there was a time when he knew me better than anyone, maybe even better than I knew myself.

"What was that in there?" Sean asks, nodding towards the french doors.

My face heats up and for the first time tonight, I'm not willing to give an honest answer. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Lies," he whispers, the fire and shadows returning to his dark eyes along with that predatory grin again.

He steps closer and doesn't stop until he's towering over me, trapping me between the wall and his body, just a breath away from mine. Finally, he lets go of my hand only to place his on the wall behind me, right next to my head. Before I can even think of slipping out from the other side, his other hand lands on my hip, keeping me held in place.

Leaning in, he dips his head down until his mouth is hovering beside my ear. "Does your boyfriend know you like to dance like a sexy little minx while you stare down another guy?"

Goosebumps spread across my skin as his mint and alcohol-scented breath fans my neck.

"Y-you don't know what you're talking about. You're drunk," I say, grasping at straws while I try to control my body's reaction to him.

"I'm a little tipsy but I'm not so far gone I can't tell when a chick is trying to get my attention."

"Oh yeah? And what would your girlfriend say about that?"

"She can't have shit to say," he answers, his words laced with venom though I can't tell who for. "I didn't do anything wrong."

"You watched."

He leans back just enough to look me in the eyes, his gaze dancing with amusement and something that sends a shiver through my body.

"You didn't look away," I add. "Even looked like you enjoyed it."

A genuine smirk pulls his mouth to one side as he licks his bottom lip. "Maybe."

My breath hitches with that semi-confession, and he notices instantly.

"Tell me, Millie." He leans in again, his lips brushing the tip of my ear. "Do you ever think about me?" His voice drops lower and his fingers trail back and forth over a sliver of skin between the waistband of my skirt and the bottom of my top. "'Cause the way you danced in there, the way you looked me in the eyes... makes me think maybe you've done other things while thinking about me."

I'm not used to this Sean and have no idea how to handle him. Friend Sean? Definitely. Angry, pissed off, and won't talk to me Sean? Sure. But flirty, seducing, sexy Sean? Only in my fucking dreams and even then, I'm still just a puddle in his hands. I'm out of my league, out of the damn ballpark, and I know it.

Yet my body is running rampant with new sensations. Feelings I've never gotten before. My breathing is wildly out of control, forcing my chest to lightly brush against his with each inhale. And the more he keeps whispering in my ear, or his fingers keep teasing the skin beneath my shirt, the more I feel a pressure building in the pit of my stomach that has my eyes nearly rolling back in my head.

I know it's wrong but at the moment, I can't remember why.

His touch on my stomach leaves but quickly returns as he grabs my own hand and places it its place beneath my shirt, only with his covering mine now, coaxing my fingers to create soft circles along my skin. "I'm willing to bet that when you're alone in your room, hidden in the darkness, and your hand slips between your thighs, it's my face you see. My voice you hear. And my touch you crave."

"Sean..." I whisper a soft protest that instantly dies on the tip of my tongue.

"Tell me I'm wrong," he says, his voice jagged and rough. "Tell me it won't be me you're thinking of tonight when you're fucking your rich boyfriend."

The last two words and the sharp bitterness they're said with hit me like a bucket of cold water.

Jackson!

My eyes shoot wide open and I shove Sean away with all my might. "That is so fucked up! What the hell is wrong with you?"

"Relax." He stumbles back and laughs—like actually fucking laughs! "It was just a game."

"And that makes it okay?"

He shrugs and picks up his bottle of alcohol from where he had set it on the ground.

"Fucking with people like that is not okay!" I shout, uncaring if anyone inside can hear at this point.

His features tense as the humor leaves his eyes and is quickly replaced with shadows again. "That's rich coming from you."

This boy is gonna give me whiplash with all these mood changes!

His words make no sense to me though. I've never set out to screw with anyone like that.

Registering the confusion on my face, he takes a swig from his bottle and wipes his mouth with the back of his hand before asking, "Haven't you ever heard you get back what you put out? Well..." he bows dramatically. "Congratulations, Junior. I am what you made me and karmas a bitch."

"I have no idea what that even means!"

And I'm not sure I want to know. Not anymore.

I should've never come in here.

With one last look at Sean, shooting all the hurt and confusion I have his way, I turn and head for the doors.

"Have a good night, Junior."

"Fuck you!" I shout over my shoulder before storming through the french doors and back into the party.

Once on the other side, I'm not the least bit surprised to find his cousins hovering close by. I walk past them, stopping just long enough to hook a finger toward the doors behind me and say, "You might wanna get your cousin 'cause he's lost his Goddamn mind!"

They shoot each other a look before taking off for the pool room as I head into the crowd.

I should find Elsie and Tally first. I should tell them what happened, let Elsie go crazy on his ass while I cry on Tally's shoulder. It's what they would want me to do. But... I don't want them to see me like this again. Not over him.

So as usual, instead of doing what I should, I head for the foyer and the grand staircase that leads to the second floor. Every bathroom on the main floor has a line ten people deep but I need to get myself together now. I can use Jackson's ensuite for that, and maybe if I'm lucky, I'll find him too.

No, do not let him find you like this! Bathroom first, then find him and give him a night good enough to make up for that momentary loss in judgment.

When I reach the second floor, I turn down the hall going in the opposite direction of Jackson's room. It would be just my luck to find him there this time.

No, instead, I head for the main guest room. Surprisingly, it's one of the few that hardly gets used at these parties due to it being deeper into the East Wing, and most couples looking to hook up prefer to grab the first available room they find.

As I walk down the hall, my head hangs, my eyes watching my feet slowly moving across the floor. With each step I take, the further away from the party I feel. Even the thumping bass from the music downstairs seems lower, less intrusive in this isolated nook of the house. But unfortunately, the peace and time alone only allow my mind to wander.

I don't understand half of what Sean was talking about in the pool room. Sure, I knew ending our friendship was fucked up and hurt him, but why would I deserve bad karma for that? Hadn't I already paid for my choice? I lost one of the most important people in my life and making that choice felt like I was ripping my own heart in two, or cutting off an arm. I've suffered just as much as he did. I've felt incomplete ever since. Isn't that enough?

I don't get a chance to mentally work out that puzzle before I reach the main guest room though. Only once I'm standing in front of it, I lift my head to find a sock hanging from the door knob.

Great, the one time I need to use this room and someone's screwing in it.

My guess is confirmed the second I turn to walk away and a girl's moan sounds from the other side. But before I can take the first step in finding somewhere else to collect myself, another sound reaches my ears. A deep male groan filled with pleasure kind of sound. A groan that sounds awfully familiar.

Looking back at the door, I narrow my eyes as a weird sense of dread floods my veins.

No...

"Oh fuck, Jackson! Yes!" The girl screams out and nausea instantly climbs up my throat.

Without hesitation, my hand flies to the doorknob and I push the damn thing open only to feel as if I've been hit by a train the second my eyes fall on the bed.

"What the fuck? Get ou..." Shouts a naked guy, his words dying as he looks over his shoulder and my boyfriend's rich brown eyes meet mine.

I gasp as all the air from my lungs rushes out like I've been sucker-punched right in the gut.

Kneeling on the bed, Jackson's covered in a dark red duvet from the waist down, his bare muscular back on full display. On each side of him is a female leg, spread wide and willing for him.

"Oh my god, I'm gonna be sick." The words rush from my lips as one hand goes to my stomach and the other quickly covers my mouth.

Before I can turn to leave, the girl still blocked by Jackson's body says, "Then get out!"

Again, a sense of familiarity hits me along with another wave of nausea that's only held back by pure shock.

"Is that?" My eyes narrow and despite the churning in my stomach, I still lean on my tiptoes to look.

But there's no need when the girl pushes up to rest herself on her elbows. "I said get ou..." Our gazes lock. "Oh...it's you."

If seeing Jackson with another girl was a punch to the gut, then seeing him with her is like a slap to the face. My eyes begin to sting from the emotional blow, tears rimming my vision.

"Seriously!" I shout, waving a hand in her direction as I look at Jackson. "Are you fucking kidding me? Her? Of all people, why her?"

Andrea rolls her eyes and flips her damp red hair out of her face. "Stop being so dramatic."

"Fuck you!"

She arches an eyebrow at me and opens her mouth to say more but quickly shuts it when Jackson shoots her a look.

Scrambling away from her, he slips out from under the covers and slides off the other side of the bed. Fast as lightning, he pulls up his boxers and starts to walk around toward me with raised hands. "Millie, let me explain."

"Explain?" I stumble back, falling against the open door. "What's there to fucking explain? What, did you trip, fall, and your dick just so happened to...." The words get lodged in my throat. Either that or I really am about to puke.

I cover my mouth again.

Well, I guess I know now why I couldn't find him in his room earlier.

My heart feels like a lead rock in the center of my chest as I stare at Jackson, unable to ignore the fact that the look on his face reminds me so much of the same one my mother had when she was caught. And with that realization, something inside me cracks and splinters in a million different directions.

Oh God, he turned me into my dad.

"I trusted you," I whisper, no longer able to hold back the tears as they slide down my cheeks. "You know how messed up I was after my..."

I swallow the word "parents".

"You promised I had nothing to worry about."

His face falls and his shoulders droop, but he still attempts to reach for my hand. "What did you expect when you won't let me the fuck in?"

His words are like the final one-two punch, making me jerk back, a new burning sensation slithering its way into my veins.

"I expected you to respect me enough to at least dump me first you piece of shit!" I sneer before storming out of the room and slamming the door in his face.

My feet carry me down the hall with a mind of their own as pain-filled angry tears burn my eyes and leak down my face.

How could he do this to me?

The word "karma" goes off in my mind like a firework.

Is that what this is? Did I deserve this for letting Sean get too close earlier?

"Millie!"

I look over my shoulder and meet Jackson's panicked gaze. He's at least slipped on some sweatpants, making this moment less embarrassing by not chasing after me in his boxers, as horrible as that sounds.

No, not horrible. That was my biggest fear after all, right? Being humiliated like this, made to look like a fool for trusting someone with my heart. But even as I try to tell myself that, a little voice in the back of my head pushes forward to remind me. "You never actually gave him your heart though, and that's why he did what he did."

The thought makes my stomach knot up worse than before but I'm not sure how true it is. I cared about him. I thought things between us would grow. How many couples actually start in love without building a solid foundation first?

"Millie, please! Let's talk about this," Jackson calls out from behind me sounding closer now.

"Fuck you! Fuck you both!" I shout and pick up the pace.

And Andrea...it's not bad enough she did what she did in the past but she has to take more from me now too? What the hell have I ever done to her?

But she's the least of my problems at the moment. Jackson's chasing after me is already gaining looks from the few people on the second floor. Those looks are only going to get worse once we enter the real party downstairs.

Do I keep going and allow my humiliation to grow once everyone sees us or do I stop and let him catch me?

"Please, baby. Just give me a chance!"

No. Fuck him. I might get humiliated but he will too.

The second I reach the stairs, I rush down them as if my life depends on it. The tears have momentarily stopped, distracted by the need to get out of here as quickly as possible. But I know my face still looks a mess and the first people to see me once my feet meet the foyer floor say as much. They step back, giving me room as they stare wide-eyed, some even leaning to whisper to their friends.

"Millie!" Jackson shouts again, his voice booming through the party like it's directly connected to the sound system.

Those who haven't already seen me turn to look at Jackson standing at the top of the stairs in nothing but his sweats. They look at me next, their attention and scrutiny twisting the dagger that's been plunged into my chest.

Not paying attention to his guests, Jackson hurries down after me. "Baby, just wait!"

"Leave me alone!" I shout back, my voice breaking as my throat closes up.

I turn to make a bee-line for the front door when a hand latches around my wrist.

"Millie, please don't do this," Jackson softly says, tugging me to face him. "We're good together. We're good for each other."

"Really?" My voice drips with sarcasm. "'Cause you got a shitty way of showing it."

"Then let me make it up to you. Let me fix this."

But I don't get a chance to answer or throw his words back in his face. Not when another hand jets out to yank mine free of Jackson's hold.

"What the fuck?" Jackson turns to look at the person attempting to intervene and his face shifts from pleading to pissed in point five seconds. "Back the fuck up, Sean. This has nothing to do with you."

But Sean isn't paying much attention to Jackson. Not with those stormy near-black eyes gazing down and fully focused on me.

Sean stands like a force of nature, his body tense as he examines my messy tear-stained face. With his brows pinched and those full lips thinned into a straight line, he looks as if he's debating something in his head. And when his eyes flash with a decision made, he takes a deep breath and moves to stand between me and Jackson, keeping me at his back.

"Dude, what the fuck?" Jackson shouts, standing eye to eye with Sean.

Glancing over his shoulder at me, Sean nods towards the door. "Go, Millie."

My heartbeat stutters with shock. "B-but..."

"I said, go," he repeats more forcefully before turning back to face off with Jackson.

I don't know what I was even going to say to him and I don't get a chance to figure it out. Tally and Elsie appear before my eyes with worried looks on their faces and for the first time since running from that room, my body finally feels like giving up and breaking down. They're my safe place. Safe from judgment and safe to let out all the pain and frustration built up inside me.

They don't hesitate, both throwing an arm to huddle me between them as they usher me toward the front door. And before we enter the cool night air, I take one last look back at the boy still staring down my very-soon-to-be-ex.

Thank you, Sean.

Hey, loves! Thank you so much for checking out the rewritten chapter 5 of GGB. Honestly, the original version of this scene was much shorter and in like chapter 4 last time, but I felt like I needed to add more to it for multiple reasons and therefore it needed its own chapter. This is our first time really getting to see Sean and Millie interact since chapter 2 and their first time in almost 2 years, so there was going to be a lot more they needed to get out. Also, I wanted to give more of Millie's thoughts and feelings after catching Jackson and Andrea together. I think it works better than the old version but dying to know what you all think. 

Once again, I have questions both for returning readers and new ones, so lets get to it! 

Returning Readers: What did you think of Millie and Sean's first run-in? Did you like or dislike it more than the original version? Was there anything that felt like too much or too little? Did Sean's flirtier moments work for you? Did his anger come through and make sense? What about Millie, what did you think about her reaction? What did you think about the Jackson reveal this time around? Did you like seeing more of Millie's thoughts and feelings this time around? Since her scene with Sean went a little further than the last time, do you feel any less sympathy toward her being cheated on? What did you think of the change in how Sean intervenes or Millie's friends now being added to the scene? Any extra thoughts and comments are always welcomed too!

New Readers: What did you think of Millie and Sean's first run-in? Was there anything that felt like too much or too little? Did Sean's flirtier moments work for you? Did his anger come through and make sense? What about Millie, what did you think about her reaction? Did the Jackson and Andrea reveal surprise you at all? Do you think Millie handled the situation well? Do you think she deserves to be cheated on after letting Sean get close? What did you think about Sean intervening at the end? And what do you think will happen next? Any extra thoughts and comments are always welcomed too!

Leave your thoughts in the comments and if you like what you read, please hit that star button!

I normally post teasers for upcoming chapters on my Twitter and Instagram(I did this time too, a whole day before posting this chapter!), so follow me there or here on Wattpad for any announcements. I'll do my best to have a teaser up before the release of chapter 6.

💜 xoxo