Tori's fingers tightly wrap around my arm as she pulls me down the hallway. It's the first time I've been in her house, and I have a feeling I won't be getting a grand tour. She turns around a corner and I narrowly miss hitting my face on the brick wall.

My foot hits something plastic and I hear a kiddy jungle float through the air. I tumble over the discarded toy and almost fall, but before that happens, Tori's grip strengthens which balances out the weight. I don't fancy bruising my face, however, with this house that feels inevitable.

"Gee, hang on," I mutter.

"I'm just excited for you to see London, she's been missing you," replies Tori.

The dark hallway opens to a spacious living area cluttered with toys, blankets, and other boxes. I hear giggles but I can't spot London amongst the mess.

She crouches beside a chair and opens her arms.

"What on earth are you doing?" I inquire.

"Where's my little London," calls Tori. "Someone's here to visit you."

London staggers out from behind the three seater leather couch. With a bright grin and a delightful squeal, London launches herself into Tori's arm. She stands up and spins her in a circle.

Once they stop spinning around, Tori passes London to me. As I look down, I see her smile falter as she stares at me.

"Do you remember Ava?" asks Tori.

London cracks her head to the side and blinks. It makes me sad that she's almost forgotten me, but hey, that's my fault, I stopped seeing her.

Regardless, London cuddles her face into my neck and clutches my shirt in her fist. My heart skips a beat as I gaze down at her beautiful face.

"Hm," I murmur, "I missed you."

"I have an idea," says Tori. "How about we play outside? Uncle Jude just built a new playground for you."

Tori walks towards the backyard and I follow her. She tugs on the sliding door and we step outside into the beautiful sunny weather.

I place London on the grass and she quickly runs off to play. She staggers towards the sand pit and trips over the edging and face plants the sand. The slight hiccup doesn't seem to faze her by the slightest. It's almost like the incident never happened.

"She's so chilled," I comment.

"Yeah," agrees Tori. "Nothing seems to faze her, which is a worry. Just imagine her as a teen, she'll be raising hell."

"I wish I could be like that." I laugh. "And you're going to have your hands full. So enjoy the peace while you have it."

"About that." Tori goes silent which only accentuates the guilt written across her face.

"Daddy," London screams.

As I spin around, I notice Blake stepping outside. My hands shake with nerves at the sight of him. I turn my attention back to Tori and frown.

"Tori, what's this?"

"Just talk to him, okay?"

Tori scoops London into her arms and rushes back inside the house. She tugs the door shut to give us some space.

"Don't be angry. She mentioned it, so I decided to tag along. I wanted to see you, check in on things," he explains.

"It's okay, things are good." I slowly nod my head. "I've made a new friend, gone back to my studies. How about you?"

"Things have been better." He tiredly chuckles. I can't help but feel bad, especially from his unruly appearance. The unshaven, wrinkled clothing, and the distressed look tugs at my heartstrings. "Can we talk about us?"

"Okay." I gulp.

"I love that you're doing so well, but I was wondering if we could hang out?" he asks.

"Um." I bite my lip.

"Watch a movie, eat food, or just, I don't know, talk?"

"We can try." I nod.

As much as I love and miss Blake, every time I see him, I'm reminded of what I've lost. Tears begin to swell in my eyes. You're not a little girl anymore, Ava, you need to be strong.

"Thank you." Blake perks up.

"I need to go, but we'll talk soon!" I promise.

"Okay." He smiles.

I can avoid the calls, messages, and requests to talk, but I can resist falling into his arms. Blake opens his arms and I step into his arms and squeeze him tightly. He feels like home which makes it even harder to tear myself away from him.

"Goodbye," I say.

Without looking back, I head inside and zoom towards the front door.I climb into the car and head off.

On the drive home, I receive an incoming call. I click on the phone button attached to the driving wheel and wait for the incoming call to be connected to the Bluetooth.

"Hi," I greet.

"Hey Ava, I had a thought," says Axel, "I've never taken you on a proper date."

"Is that all you're calling about?" I laugh.

"No and yes." He chuckles. "I'm playing in the band and I wanted you to come watch. You can bring friends." I turn a corner and swerve around a random ball on the road.

"So?" he prompts.

"Sure, I can come. When is it?" I ask.

"Tonight, and I've already invited you to the Facebook event."

"Okay, I'll see you there."

"I'm looking forwards to it," I reply.

Axel hangs the phone up at the perfect moment. I swing my car in the driveway and get out. I check my phone to find the invite on the screen. I invite Charlotte and Kyle to the event before pocketing the device.

I retrieve my phone and quickly dial someone from my contacts list.

"Hey Kyle, do you have time for wardrobe talk?"

"So, that's all I am to you?" he asks.

"Of course not, but I need your help," I beg.

"Lucky for you, I'm in the mood to hear you grovel for my forgiven." Kyle chuckles.

"Great. So, I'll see you soon?"

"Don't despair, my princess, your faithful fairy godfather is on his way."

"Thank you, Kyle." I shove my phone back into my pocket as I enter the house.

Since I've been busy with my studies, it hasn't left much time to clean my bedroom. So, before Kyle comes over, I throw a few things around to make the place look better. A majority of my cleaning tactic involves me shoving my crap under the bed for later.

Fifteen minutes later, Kyle arrives with a bang. He parks his beat up blue car on the grass and runs straight up to my bedroom. I'm happy when he wraps his lanky arms around my body and squeezes me tightly.

We tumble onto the bed and Kyle begins poking my side.

"What do you have to say?" asks Kyle.

"I'm sorry for being a bad friend and not telling you about Axel."

"And?" he prompts.

"You're amazing and I shouldn't have treated you like that."

"And?" Kyle pesters for me to continue.

"I don't deserve you as a friend?"

"And?" A bright cheeky smile filters across Kyle's face.

"What else am I supposed to say?" I question. "I'm running out of things to be sorry about," I confess.

"Eh, I only had one dot point, but I liked that you kept going," he replies.

"Kyle," I shout.

With a laugh, he rolls off the bed and heads towards my wardrobe. He fishes out two outfits and holds them up for me to decide. There's a purple and black dress vs my jeans and a sparkly black top.

"Which one? I'm going for the jeans," says Kyle.

"Jeans it is." I smile.

"Sounds great!" He smiles. "Now get ready so we can go out. You're buying me a drink tonight."

"Okay, and thank you."

As I get up from my position on the bed, Kyle tugs me back to a sitting position. The cheeky glow from his face disappears which makes my heart skip a beat.

"You know, I'll always be here for you, no matter what. You can try to push me away, but I'm attached to you like a bungee cord, I come springing back."

"You're the best, Kyle!"

"Now hurry up." Kyle smacks my butt and throws the clothing at me. I take them into the bathroom and change.

The best things about true friends, is that they'll support you no matter what. You can kick, fight, scream, and say you hate each other, but they'll come back because, at the end of the day, nothing is more important than them. It's nice knowing I'll always have Kyle on my side.