Just short of a week, the group show up in fine from to celebrate Tori's latest and greatest accomplishment; practical studies are finished for the moment. Since she hasn't skipped around her studies like I did, it means she's on track to graduating.

While I am happy for her . . . It doesn't mean I can't be sad at the same time. If I hadn't skipped around with my studies and just finished the course, I wouldn't be redoing it. I'd be qualified and moving on with my life. Instead, I'm not, I'm just here.

Tori has made mistakes in her past, but I feel like mine are worse. I hate that I can't feel completely happy for her, even when my life is beginning to be pieced back together again. I'm thankful for what I have, but that doesn't mean I don't have regrets.

Perhaps we fall, not to make a fool a fool of ourselves but to truly learn. Maybe I've been doing it wrong the whole time? Celebrate your wins, just as you celebrate your falls. I have plenty of those to celebrate . . .

My attention is quickly captured as I notice a hand sliding a shot glass in front of me. I follow the hand back to the owner to see a Tori grinning madly. My heart clenches as I tug on a bright smile.

    "Drink up," she cheers.

    "Oh, I will," I mutter.

I take the shot between my thumb and middle fingers and I stare it down. The liquid wobbles as I clink glasses with Tori. Some of the liquid splashes out of the glass and spills onto my fingers.

"Woohoo," Tori shouts. "Let's get another one."

My stomach begins to churn at the thought of having another round of drinks. I hold onto the bar as I lean back and look around. The blur of faces is worry until the familiar face of Kyle comes into view.

    As he walks past, I grab his arm and pull him to my side. He looks at me confusedly but I don't stop to explain the situation.

    "I think Kyle said he wants a drink," I yell to Tori.

    "Really?" she shouts happily.

    The grin on her face widens as she leans over the wooden bar to order. Kyle innocently looks between the pair of us while I smile cunningly. It looks like my plan has worked!

    I sigh with disappointment when the bartender lines up three shot glasses instead of two. My amazing plan is suddenly foiled in a matter of seconds.

    "Shoot," I grumble under my breath.

    Frowning at the glasses, I watch as she pours. Instead of the meek half-empty glasses, the lady fills them to the brim which causes the excess to overflow onto the bar top. A small bubble of liquid is created around the base of the glass. For once, I'm disappointed.

    Tori pays for the drink and then she ushers us to take one. Kyle reaches for the middle glass and I hesitantly take my time reaching for it.

    "Crap, crap, crap," I mutter.

    If I suck it up and take the drink, I can fake going to the bathroom to get out of further drinks. If I take too many shots, I'll be on my ass in an hour, and that won't be good.

"What's wrong, Ava baby?" A pair of warm arms wrap around my waist. Blake's chin rests on my shoulder and I smile. Maybe I won't have to take this shot after all? I look up to Blake and smile before grabbing the shot.

I pass it over my shoulder and say, "You're just in time for a drink."

Without much thought, he takes the glass and polishes it off. Blake reaches past me and places the empty glass on the table. I move to the side so that Kyle can leave. Tori brushes past me and then stops to talk to someone. Blake casually wraps his arm around my waist and smiles.

His hand slides down my back and grabs my butt. I gasp from his forwardness, which only earns me a cheeky grin. Blake's lips reach my ear and tingles shoot through my body.

"Are you trying to tease me?" he asks.

I bite my lip and smile in return, "Maybe."

When I was deciding on what to wear, I considered a plain pair of jeans and a nice top. Then I passed over this cute black dress and I couldn't help myself. Blake always said he liked me in this dress and so, I couldn't help myself.

There's something powerful and reassuring about wearing a killer outfit, especially if it makes Blake weak at the knees. It's nice having power over someone who usually has power over me.

    Tori grabs my hand and tugs me along and before we get far, I grab Blake's hand to create a chain. The three of us are pulled onto a lame dance floor which isn't even one. It's a small area surrounded by old wooden furniture that looks rickety.

    The music roars through the various speakers surrounding us. Tori throws her hands in the air and bounces around just as the live band thrash on their instruments. The strength behind the drummer leaves me baffled to how he hasn't broken through the skin of the drum.

    When Jude comes along to dance with his energetic girlfriend, Blake and I seize this opportunity as a time to escape. We line up at the bar and wait to be served.

    Blake orders himself a pint of beer and then looks at me. I awkwardly lean over the bar and ask for a water with ice cubes. He pays for the drinks and then the server quickly puts them together.

    Once they're done, we head back to the group and snag a table and chairs. I lean back in one chair and sip on my icy cold water while Blake leans against one. The wobbly frame of the table makes me wearily over the possibility of him falling. It would be funny, I'll admit that.

    When Blake finishes his drink, he places it on the table and looks at me.

"Do you want another drink?" he questions.

    "Are you trying to double park me?" I question. "Cheeky."

    "Me? No." He shakes his head. "So, something girl, possibly fruity?"

    "No," I reply. "I'm happy with my water, but thank you."

    Blake frowns, but nods. He wanders through the crowd to get to the bar while I stay seated. Eventually, I crunch on the last piece of ice and slam my glass on the table. I get off the stool and quickly fix my hair before walking away.

    I take three steps before a pair of arms wraps around my body and lifts me off the ground. I almost scream for help until I'm placed on the ground. Turning around, I see Axel grinning from ear to ear.

    "What are you doing here?"

    "Kyle invited me," he replies.

    "Aw, that's awesome! I can't believe you'd come, though." I feel bad that I didn't invite him myself, but it's nice that Axel is making friends with the group. Show's he might actually be around for good if he becomes one of us.

    I don't see Axel and Blake ever becoming friends - but then again, Tori and I overcame our differences - but at least Kyle and I will have more friends.

    "I did get a choice with Kyle." He laughs. "I was forced."

    "Yeah, there's no way you can turn Kyle down." I chuckle. "His pester powers are more annoying than mine."

    "Kyle more annoying?" says Blake. "Hm, possibly."

    Blake winks which earns him an elbow to the stomach. He crouches over in pain as the beer spills onto the ground.

    "Ops?" I smile.

"I'm getting drinks. Do you guys want anything?" asks Axel.

Blake chugs the remainder of his drink before placing the glass on the table. He then turns to Axel and tugs on his friendly smile which even leaves me cringing.

     "Sure, I'll have One Fifty Lashes," he says.

    "No worries, and you, Ava?" Axel's eyes catch mine.

"Uh, no thanks." I smile.

"A Smirnoff ice is a great choice," he replies.

    "No." I shake my head. "I'm being serious, no more drinks."

    Axel's reply laugh is over the top and slightly disturbing. I play with the hem of my skirt as I nervously wait for his reply.

"Double black? I like the way you roll." He winks.

My eyes flicker to Blake's calm face before I look back. If I don't accept this drink, then I'll probably end up with a Long Island Ice Tea and that won't be great!

    "Fine, but can I have a straw please?" I hate drinking out of cans because the drink ends up going everywhere.

    "Can do, my lady." Axel even tosses in a gentleman's bow to make it fancy.

    When Axel walks away to order, Blake territorially wraps his arms around my shoulder. He tugs me to his side and kisses my cheek. I look over to see Blake glaring at Axel's back. Well, I didn't think they were going to be friends on their second meet.

    "Cut it out, Blake." I elbow his stomach. "I'm not an object you can mark with your kisses."

    Well, maybe later. Blake's kisses are pretty awesome.

"What?" he mutters. "I'm just observing the fella."

"So, that's what they call stalking these days?" I chuckle.

"Hey, I'm trying to be nice to him," Blake admits. "I didn't kick his ass at my party or here."

"Why would you do that?" I ask. "Poor Axel."

Blake's grip on my waist loosens as Axel moves out of sight. He then turns to me and flashes his charming smile which is supposed to leave me swooning. I internally chuckle at the amount of effort Blake is putting into this.

"Isn't that what you're supposed to do?" he questions.

"Yes, Tarzan, because we live in the jungle. Shall I read the story book to you as well?"

    Hmm," he mutters.

    "Besides, I already picked you. What more do you want?"

    Blake's hand leaves my back and grabs my hand. His fingers weave between mine as he brings my hand to his lips.

    "I know that." He nods. "That's why I'm trying to be friendly."

    My heart warms up to the fact that he's actually trying to be friends. I'm glad I don't have to choose between the pair.

    "Why did you let him buy you a drink and not me?" he questions.

"Don't worry, you can always buy my drinks for the rest of the night if it pleases your manly ego." I pat his shoulder and wander off.

    I have a feeling this night is going to be a long one, although, at least Blake is behaving himself and I get free drinks. Nothing spells out a good night better than free alcohol and brooding drama. 

Can you guess what's going to happen next? Do you think sBlake and Axel will ever be friends?