---Two months later---

Evelyn's POV

It was Jax's birthday, and the girls were throwing him a surprise birthday party tonight, so of course I was the one that had to distract him throughout the day. The days were long, knowing I had chosen to stay away from Ashton even though I could've gotten him back that day. The days dragged by for the most part. Every time I think about the night, I had both of them to myself, God it was good, it was so good. But that's all it was a good time, a reckless one. 

*You can't have them both*-Unknown

*Who is this? *-Evelyn

*Your worst nightmare*-Unknown

*Bring it on then. *-Evelyn

When I answered those strange text messages, I was already so emotionally wasted that I didn't care who the fuck was behind the 'nightmare.' They wanted trouble, I'll give them all of it.

"You good?" Jax asked as we walked past one of his favorite stores in the town square. I turn to look at him and give him a small smile. 

"Well, if you must know. Someone had texted me two months ago that they were my worst nightmare and that I couldn't have you and Ashton. I told them to get on with it, they still text me here and there with empty threats, but I'm not worried about it." I explain.

Jax looks at me, eyebrows raised and questioning. 

"God, people have no fucking lives," Jax utters. 

I nod my head and continue walking past the stores with him. It was a clear and breathtaking day, everything we wanted was there in the palm of our hands. I felt good, I felt like the day was full of possibility. We walked through the town square and started heading back home around 5 pm. 

- - - 

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO JAX!" Everyone screamed, Jax had been so surprised or at least feigned it very well. I wasn't in the mood for a party, but he deserved to have a good time. We sang happy birthday to him and proceeded to dance the night away and eat all the yummy junk food, there were people I knew in my house for the gathering and people I had never seen in my life.

I had seen Ashton from the corner of my eye singing along and then toasting to Jax. He seemed happy, he seemed composed, and as if he was having a great time. I on the other hand was doing my best to avoid him every chance I got. I didn't know how to act around him anymore, I couldn't be in his presence without wanting more from him. The night between Ashton, Jax and I just made things worse for me.

I was outside of my house in the pool area when I heard Cody's voice behind me. 

"You enjoying the birthday?" Cody asks. I turn to face him and can see everyone inside the house through the large windows of my living room and the clear, glass double doors. I smile at him gently, cigarette in hand. 

"I am, I'm glad everyone's enjoying themselves. What's up?" I asked him, Cody was always kind and sweet. He was one of those guys who threw parties because he was expected to and wanted everyone to have a good time. And well I was like that too, I guess.  

"I just wanted to check up on you, I know this year has been pretty hectic for you." He says as he stands in front of me, by the pool that is glowing blue and purple. Cody has a glass in his hand, and he tells to do a toast with him. 

"What would you like to toast to?" I ask, feeling rather sleepy right now. I went to bed incredibly late last night texting Jax and Sophie about the trip I want to take to Spain, simply for the food. 

"Let's toast to being healthy, being surrounded by people that care about us, and let's toast for Jax to have a good birthday." Cody smiles. 

I smile back at him, and we clink our glasses together, taking a small sip. Cody was smart, smart, and gorgeous. I remember in high school he was one of the few guys who never said anything bad about me, and he was one of the most popular too which had always surprised me considering how nice he was. Usually, people let popularity and a good time get to their heads. I was wealthy but it didn't mean I was popular, not in the good sense of the word anyway. 

- - -

Jax's POV 

It was sweet what the girls had done today and honestly, I didn't expect them to throw me a surprise party, I've always wanted one before though. I had tried out for the college football team a couple of weeks ago and made it, the hours of training I was constantly putting in paid off but honestly, I did it for the fuck of it. The coach had looked at me crazy when I told him I wasn't joining. He had thrown his hands up, the sweat dripping down his mustache as he shook his head, dumbfounded. I chuckle lightly at the memory. 

"AYEEE, are you having a good time my beloved friend?" Gianna slurred. I grinned at her; eyebrows raised. 

"Yes Gianna, I'm having a great time thank you." I chuckle.

"Have you seen Evelyn?" I ask her, looking around just to see her outside with Cody. I've been meaning to talk to her about the trip she wanted to take. I feel a pat on my back from Ashton who was incredibly drunk. I sigh internally knowing I'm going to have to take him home tonight and make sure he doesn't drive. 

"Shouldn't You be drunker than him?" Gianna points at me, one eyebrow raised as she puts one of her hands on her hips. I shake my head turning to Ashton. 

"Can you at least try to keep it together?" I whisper to him, knowing he can't stand the sight of Evelyn next to another guy who isn't him, even if it is just Cody. 

"Man, I'm fine. I came for you! Now let's take some shots, I'll tell Cole to drive us home. Ever since he got with Sophie, he hasn't been drinking like he used to, oddly enough." Ashton says, glaring through the windows that led to the view of the pool, which is where Evelyn and Cody were talking. 

Even I couldn't help to wonder what they spoke about. Regardless, she was focusing on herself which is the reason Ashton was such a mess. I don't get it, he was doing great when he met her and then he was doing better when he was with her, but once his brother's one-year death day caught up to him God he had changed. Especially after Evelyn and him broke up, I just didn't recognize him anymore. I told myself I'd talk to him tomorrow about my concerns once he'd sober up. 

Evelyn and I had become good friends, honestly aside from Ashton I don't think I have a closer friend than them two. It didn't stop the way I felt about her, but I admired her from a distance because I knew she should take this time to herself. Evelyn was taking painting classes, every time she'd go to the bookstore, she'd text me five different pictures and would tell me to help her pick one. I was proud of her she was doing good, and she wouldn't even talk about Ashton anymore. She had cut her hair; it was still long just not as long as it used to be. It suited her, it suited her very much. She looked incredible in her baby pink, backless dress. I could tell she loved those types of dresses, long ones that exposed her back.

- - -

Evelyn's POV

My life felt peaceful for the first time in a while, aside from the internal chaotic feelings that threatened to consume me here and there, I was alright. Oh, and also the ridiculous text messages from some weirdo. 

"So, you and Ashton? Is he okay?" Cody asked. I took a sharp breath in, the feeling I got in my stomach is the reason I don't talk about him anymore. 

"Umm, well I'm not sure. I hope he is, but that's not my business anymore." I pucker my lips to the side as I try to hide the nagging feeling in my chest as I say those words.

Cody looks at me unmoving with his jaw jutted forward a bit, I look at him back sucking in my upper lip, awkwardly. "Listen, it's alright if you're not over him-" 

"So! Any plans for spring??" I cut him off, and he looked away with a small smile and then back to me. 

"Yeah, I mean probably. You?" He asks with a continuous rubbing of the nose and constant sniffles that I was beginning to notice. I'd know those mannerisms anywhere and now I wanted to get away from him as fast as possible. 

"Yeah, maybe Spain with the girls and Jax or alone. I don't know, haven't decided yet I guess we'll see." I answer, trying to not look at his icy eyes. His eyes didn't have a cold expression but how didn't I notice he was coked out?

That's when I saw the white, powder-like substance in a small baggy on the floor in front of us. I swallow the excess of saliva in my throat. I look at the baggy then up at him and he catches my gaze. 

"Oh shit! My bad Eve, anyways-" He starts, grabbing the baggy swiftly off the floor. 

"Hey, don't worry about it. Just be careful, enjoy the party I'll talk to you later." I give him a quick smile before walking back inside my house. 

I see Ashton taking shots with Gianna and a couple of other people, I set my glass down on one of the waiter's trays and make my way to the bathroom downstairs. I shut the door quickly and looked in the mirror, my heart beating a thousand miles per hour. 

"Ugh!" I scoff to myself, looking at my hazy blue eyes. 

"Why the fuck are you so weak!" I ask my reflection. I close my eyes and take a couple of deep breaths to gather myself, I turn on the tap water and dampen my hand. I place the wet hand behind my neck and my forehead before shutting off the faucet. 

I hear my phone ring once and take a look at the screen.

*What's wrong Eve? Are you jealous?*-unknown

 Jealous? What the hell would I even be jealous of? I click the side of my phone, making the message disappear. People are so bored with their lives, truly. 

*They won't be hung up on you forever you know, more for me.*-unknown. 

I feel my cheeks grow hot at that text, but I don't give them the satisfaction of replying. Whoever wants Jax and Ashton that bad that they have to harass me about it, can fucking have them. It's probably just Nicky or Sarah or even Allison trying to get on my nerves. 

I step back out into the party, and I see two gorgeous women with very revealing clothes (if you can even call those strips of cloth put-together clothes) make their way to everyone. There was an area in the living room where people were dancing. The little twinkling lights in my back patio are visible through the large windows. Someone had turned off the lights and everyone had their phone flashlights on. 

The music begins to change into something that gives off a steamier vibe. What the fuck? Someone hired dancers??

"I think someone hired strippers," Gianna whispers in my ear, as I view the scene playing out before me. 

Jax is being dragged to the middle of the floor by one of them, she pushes him down gently on the chair that someone placed in the middle of the living area. I suck in my bottom lip gently watching it all unravel. The dancer focused on Jax starts rubbing her hands all over his chest as she stands behind him, the crowd of people in my house starts screaming words of encouragement as the dancer's smile turns into a cattish smirk. 

Jax had rolled his eyes but hadn't moved, that's when I saw Ashton being hauled to the chair across from Jax and the other dancer with long, black curls flowing down her back taking the lead. My eyes dart in between them both, wondering who thought this was a great idea. 

*Hmmm, you seem a bit jealous now. It's okay, I only hired them for two dances, but you won't be able to see what they do to your two favorite guys on the second one. It's private."-Unknown 

My eyes dart around the room in a state of panic, they were here. But I didn't see Nicky, I didn't see Ally, I didn't even see Sarah. So, who the hell was messing with me, they were in my fucking house? Maybe they weren't, maybe they had anonymously hired the dancers. 

I get that familiar, sick feeling in my stomach that makes me nearly taste the bile in my throat. I stare at Jax and then at Ashton, the dancers grinding over the places I had once touched. I look away, but when I look back Ashton isn't sitting down anymore and the dancer with the dark hair had a look of annoyance on her face. Jax looked incredibly bored, and I darted my eyes around the living area, but I don't see Ashton anymore. I look back at Jax but the more I stare at the girl touching his torso and placing her body on him, I realize I had my fists clenched the whole time. 

He's none of your business anymore Evelyn. Neither of them is. 

I suddenly feel like there's not enough oxygen for me in the room and dart outside to the patio. I need to get to my rooftop, there's only a few people from school outside and I look at them suspiciously before climbing the narrow staircase that leads to the rooftop. Once I make it up there, I'm met with a breeze that makes me take a deep breath. 

I walk across the roof and focus my eyes on the sea of cars in my driveway. I hold on to the edge harshly, taking a couple of steps to the right side of the wide top. Wondering who the hell wanted to drive me mad and why?

*It makes me laugh seeing you squirm, it really does.*-Unknown 

"UGH!" I throw my phone against the ground and see it shatter into a hundred tiny pieces. 

"Well, that's one way to get rid of the problem," Jax says, I turn back around at the sound of his voice. I put my hands to my face, embarrassed that he saw me throw that tantrum. 

"Weren't you just busy?" I remark coldly, my patience running extremely thin. Jax walks over to me hands in his pockets, he takes out his box of smokes and offers me one. I take the cigarette from him and wait for him to light his and mine. 

"What's wrong Evelyn?" 

I look at his eyes, closing my own for a second too long. I bite the inside of my cheek before I answer him. 

"People are just so cruel. I feel like the more I try to protect my peace the more someone else is trying to ruin it." I whisper turning away from him. I hear him walk up behind me and then next to me. 

"Who's fucking with you?" 

"No, Jax. You and the girls and not even Ashton or my brother should be fighting all of my battles for me, what the hell am I going to do when one day I don't have you guys anymore?" I say, drained to the point my voice cracks. 

"We're not going anywhere, how much clearer do I have to make that?" He says, looking at me so intently that I have to look away once more. 

I sigh and bring a hand to my face. I thought college meant something simpler, I thought it meant people wouldn't care to be a bother as much, the gossip stopped, and yet other things started. 

"This is exactly why I want to go on that trip, to get away from this fucking town for a while," I say, pacing around the rooftop as he stands to the side of it, watching me. 

"Well then pack your shit and let's go." He says, eyebrows drawn together. His dark hair and his even darker eyes tempt me to just run away with him. 

I smile apologetically and walk back to him. "I'm sorry, tonight's about you. I'll meet you downstairs, just give me a second. I need to.... breathe alone for a moment." I smile, his long lashes fluttered for a second with confusion and then acceptance. 

"Don't take long, in about ten minutes I'm going to kick everyone out." He starts walking down the stairs, to the patio. Once he's not in my line of vision anymore I reach in-between the strap of my heel, pulling up the baggy I had found. 

I rub my fingertip over the clear packaging, this isn't coke. This is something else, someone really wants me out of the way.