Present time - March 4, 2017

That night Layla never called about needing a ride as she responsibly took a taxi, but it didn't help my attempt for sleep as she stayed over the toilet all night.

"You probably gave yourself alcohol poisoning," I said leaning against the wall near the toilet, holding up Layla's hair in one hand as she finished her next set of puking.

"This is so disgusting." She groaned, spitting in the toilet as an attempt to get the revolting taste out of her mouth.

"I'm sure it could be worse," I said lightly and she only groaned again.

"What time is it?"

I glanced at my watch located on my right wrist. "A little after five." I said and she gasped.

"Awe, Lain. I'm so sorry." She said covering her shaky hands with her face.

I rolled my eyes, "You should know by now that there is nothing more important that I'd rather be doing, so don't worry about it." I said dropping her hair and handing her the glass of water I set on the sink counter.

"Gosh, I should just marry you. I swear if some guy doesn't wife you up then I promise I personally will. I mean you're seriously perfect." She said gratefully before gulping a majority of the glass down.

"So you've said," I said with a small smile.

"Do you have any classes today? You should get some sleep."

I shook my head," Sleep won't be coming anytime soon. If you're feeling well enough to be alone, then I'm gonna go grab us a cup of coffee." I said and she nodded giving me a thumbs up.

"Nothing on earth sounds better." She replied and I couldn't help but agree. I glanced at my appearance in the mirror and it was a sight that definitely wasn't meant for any stranger. My hair was still pin straight from earlier in the day or rather yesterday, but my white bralette was fully exposed with my silk unbuttoned blue shirt and the short shorts that were lace on the ends.

Deciding that changing would be a better option, I shrugged off my pajamas and put on a a shirt and a pair of white overalls. I then slid on a pair of black shoes and grabbed my wallet before checking on Layla who was now washing her face.

"I'll be right back, L." I said and she looked back at me, water dripping from her face.

"Get me an extra shot of caffeine in that bitch." She said causing me to chuckle.

"Of course, anything for you." I joked before deciding to take my exit.

I headed out the dorm and walked down the long hallway before going down the stairs and out the building. The streets around the dorms were unsurprisingly dark as most people were probably trying to catch up on the few hours of sleep they had until their first class, or they were just arriving back from whatever big party that was being held.

I walked with my hands in my pockets, making my way to the coffee shop on campus that was open all night due to the few who took night classes and needed a caffeine run. When I entered the building I headed straight to the front where the counter and register was, moving from the part that held computers.

"A large coffee just black and a medium white mocha cappuccino for Alaina." I said while looking at the menu above the girl.

"Anything else?" She asked and I shook my head, taking my card out of my wallet. I glanced at the price before swiping my card. Once the black letters appeared stating it was approved, I returned my card to my wallet before waiting patiently for the lady to make the two drinks.

My eyes skimmed the room before falling upon a certain male specimen sitting in the corner with his head leaning on his folded arms on the table. I wouldn't recognize him if it wasn't for seeing his new figure only yesterday.

"Alaina." The girl said and I saw the man's head fly up. I quickly turned before he could see I was staring. I grabbed the cup carrier that had my drinks and my reciept stapled to the paper product.

"Thank you." I mumbled putting a few dollars in the small cup that read 'tips'. I was about to leave before I heard that voice.

"Alaina." He said so quietly that I wasn't sure if he wanted me to hear it.

I glanced up at him to see he was looking at me expectingly. I slowly made my way over to the table, keeping the carrier for the drinks tightly in my hands. I didn't think I'd see him again.He looked like he was ready to talk.

I wasn't.

When he left, it was like someone stabbed me in the heart. That knife wasn't removed for years. I mean he was my best friend and he just left without telling me. The worst of it all? We got in a fight the day he just disappeared.

"Alaina." He repeated snapping me out of the childhood memories. His light colored eyes scanned my face, looking for something.

"You've changed." He stated with a frown and I couldn't remove the wry smile on my face.

"So have you."

His lips twitched up into a small smile causing my heart to beat slightly faster.

No, that door can't be opened again. It was locked and I left that key somewhere it would never be found.

"You're mad at me." He said and I frowned. That was a bit of an understatement. No matter how long it's been or how much I missed him it was inexcusable. Time only causes more pain, more anger.

"It was a good thing I left. I became someone you wouldn't like nor recognize. Alaina, I can't even remember the person you once knew." He told me and my fingers curled around the carrier tightly. "You'd only want something I just can't give anymore."

"Who said I wanted anything? I mean you just disappeared. It's really not that big of a deal. Luke and I got through it together."

Freezing the key.

His face turned into a scowl. "Really? Funny how I'm not surprised. Where is he now? You two married yet?" He questioned purposely pretending to look around the room as if he'd just pop out and join us.

"We ended it a bit before high school graduation."

"What? He must've found a new fling then." Talon said with a look that said that he had the upper hand.

He didn't.

I raised an eyebrow in challenge. "I hope so. I wouldn't want to find him with ten cats only having his hand to help himself in ten years like some people."

God, I am so sorry for my sins. Talon Cavell always did bring out the worst in me.

And the best.

"You're snarky now, colder even. That's new." He said studying me carefully with his eyes. "Your style went from those cheap leggings and sweaters to expensive and new." He stated letting them travel down my body. "You even wear makeup and do things with your hair and nails now."

I stood up taller, feeling only more confident. "I'm a new person now too." I was proud of who I have become and there's nothing he could say to take that feeling away.

Can you imagine the rumors that swirled around after he died? Going back to school being only seventeen and all you hear are the whispers surrounding how you murdered one of your best friends or how you're the girl with the dead best friend. My heart clenched from the thought. I can't go through that pain anymore.

I just can't.

He stood up, showing his taller figure. "No, you're not." His fingers wrapped around the other side of the carrier and took it from my hands, setting it on the table.

His hand went to my chin, holding it and forcing me to look at him. His thumb lightly slid across my cheek, almost barely touching it. I could feel my heart rate speed up, even more, almost skipping every other beat. His thumb traced my lips before he removed his hand completely, taking a step closer. "If you were different then you wouldn't react this way to me still."

I felt my fists clench by my sides as he only continued to talk."You wouldn't still blame yourself for my disappearance. And, most importantly, you wouldn't have changed your love to hate just to get me out of your head."

My breathing became more shallow as I stared at him. "What do you want from me?"

He looked at me carefully,"Nothing. We'll talk again soon and maybe we can stop this. I don't like the hatred in your eyes. You've never looked at me like that before and I don't plan on letting it continue." He picked up his drink and headed towards the door.

I waited for him to stop and apologize for leaving or tell me that he didn't hate me in return for murdering his brother. Even before any of that, I just needed him to tell me that we could even start over.

But he never did.