Elizabeth's POV

Tyler's confession played over and over in my head. It was like an annoying song I couldn't stop humming to. Could it of been the truth, I constantly found myself wondering. I never asked myself why I was so quick to hear Jess out that day and not Tyler. Was it because I couldn't believe that my best friend would intentionally try to hurt me.

All the thoughts in my head became too much and I knew I had to confide in someone. I needed advice. So I went to Blaire and Himari for it. They allowed me to vent and get everything off my chest and I felt ten pounds lighter after. They gave me advice and told me that I shouldn't let what happened in my past hold me back from making friends and trusting people.

It seemed easier to be on my own but it also felt lonely.

I eventually misplaced Tyler's business card. I remember taking it out of my pocket to wash my work uniform. I was oddly glad to be rid of it. I didn't want to throw it out but at the same time, I was unsure about calling him.

I didn't want to open that chapter of my life again with him. He was a good boyfriend up until the entire cheating incident but we've both changed so much since then.

I haven't seen Luca since that night. He would send me the occasional text message once every few days. There were only two weeks left until we had to go to England.

I decided not to tell my mother that I was going to England. I knew she would strongly disagree and I wanted to go to England.

I needed a vacation.

My bedroom door burst open and I turned my head to see Beckett barge into my room with his laptop in his hands. "I got a fifty on Villin's paper. I knew it. I knew the mean fuck would mark me down." We had finished all our projects and assignments a week ago and professor Villin was the first out of all our professors to grade our papers.

Beckett still hated Villin's guts more than anything on the planet and it's not like I was a fan of Villin either.

"Shhh, come sit. You messing up with the feng shui." He closed up his laptop leaving it on my homework desk before walking over to my bed and kicking off his shoes. He laid down upside down with me and we looked up at the ceiling.

We both released a sigh at the same time. "I've never seen you look this relaxed before." His voice was softer and calmer than when he first entered my room.

"No assignments due and I'm off," I said, with a happy smile on my face.

"You're off you say?" He said, suggestively.

"Yeah," I said, turning my head slightly to look at him.

"Let's go out then," he suddenly said. "Let's paint the town red." He picked up his hand moving it in a semi-circular motion for emphasis.

"Urgh," I groaned and turned away from him to face the window instead. "Can't I just sleep? I finally have time to do the thing I love most."

I felt the bed shift and I looked over my shoulder. He got out of bed and began putting his shoes on. "You can sleep when you're dead."

"I am dead," I whined. "On the inside." He grabbed on my hand and began tugging. "Go away," I cried and he chuckled, pulling me halfway off the bed. I gave up and sat up thinking. I didn't want to go anywhere. But being alone with my thoughts wasn't doing my mental state any favors. I put on my shoes. "Okay fine. Let's go," I yawned.

I stood and walked over to my closet and grabbed a hoodie, pulling it over my head. I could hear Beckett chuckle as I pulled my head through the hoodie. My hair messily fell in my face and I ran my fingers through it. "Gorgeous now let's go," he said, grabbing onto my hand and pulling me out of the room.

"What's the rush," I groaned.

"I'm scared you might change your mind," he laughed.

I was comfortable around Beckett and more lenient with him as the days went by. We spent almost every day together. Whenever I was off from work he was around.

We studied, ate, and watched movies together. He never left my side unless I needed to use the bathroom.

"Wait I need to tell Him-," my sentence was interrupted by a knock on the front door.

Beckett let go of my arm and I briskly walked down the steps to answer the door. 

I pulled open the door and my eyes widened in excitement. "Percy," I shrieked and he smiled broadly,  opening up his arms. I stepped into his arms and I was immediately engulfed in his familiar scent. He smelt like home.

"I missed you too kiddo," he chuckled.

"How have you been. How's work?" I bombarded him with questions as I held him at arm's length. He was dressed in brown formal pants and a navy blue golfer. His straight brown hair was combed back and he had light stubble on his chin. I moved to let him into the house.

He chuckled. "Work is fine and I'm doing good Lizzy."

Percy caught a glimpse of Beckett standing by the steps. Both men looked at each other with equally puzzled looks. "Beckett this is Percy. My cousin."

"Hey I'm Liz's ... friend," Beckett said.

"Percival," Percy said sticking his hand out to shake Beckett's. Beckett took his outstretched hand and shook it.

"It's great to meet someone from Liz's family. She is amazing," Percy let go of Beckett's hand.

"Just the best," Percy, turned to me and smiled. "I'm sorry to drop by unannounced Liz," he said and I shook my head.

"Of course not. Can I get you anything?" I asked.

"Just a bathroom," he smiled.

"It's upstairs first door on your left." He took the stairs up two at a time.

Beckett let out a deep breath. It seemed like he was holding his breath from the moment Percy entered the house. "Your cousin looks like he wants to kill me."

"No, he doesn't. He is smiling," I chuckled.

"I don't know Liz. He is smiling but his eyes scream I'm gonna kill you motherfucker."

I chuckled. "That's just Percy. He doesn't trust the male population with me."

"Well I'm not like all those other guys Liz," Beckett said leaning on the staircase railing.

"No, you not," I said, ruffling his hair which caused him to pout.

"Hey hey watch the hair. It took me forever to get it like this." I rolled my eyes and ruffled his hair more. He stood still looking at me with a fed-up expression but soon smiled.

"You've made your point Lizzy," he smiled.

A manly scream erupted from upstairs. "Ahhh okay please, I'm sorry!" It was Percy's voice. Beckett and I looked at each other confused.

"Perc," I said and ran up the stairs. Beckett followed behind me. I ran to the bathroom where Percy's screams were coming from and as I got closer I heard another voice.

"Who are you?" Himari's voice boomed and I walked into the bathroom to see Percy with his face pressed against the bathroom mirror.

Himari was standing behind him twisting his one arm, in her free hand she held up her bath towel that was wrapped around her body and pressed her knee into his back.

"Himari no," I said and moved to pull her off Percy, but she remained in her fixed position of holding Percy in a painful position. Each time he groaned I could see her grip tightening.

"Liz you know this man?" Himari asked.

"Himari, this is Percy. My cousin."

Her eyes widened. "Well he should knock before entering," she said, grumpily.

"Again I'm sorry," Percy grumbled. "I didn't know anyone else was in the house." She let go of him and he turned to face us straightening out his shirt.

I ran a hand down my face. A lot was going on here that I didn't want Percy knowing. I didn't want him to know that I was going to England. He would just mess it all up. He would tell my mother the truth.

I told my mother that I would be staying back for a few weeks of winter break and she was disheartened. I hated lying to her but at the same time, I wanted to relive my favorite memories again. I needed to make sure the topic of Luca never came up while Percy was around.

I grabbed on Himari's hand and pulled her out of the bathroom. "Let's let him use the bathroom without any further injury." When I got her out of the bathroom Percy closed the door and I grabbed onto Beckett's hand as well. I pulled them a few paces away from the door.

"While Percy is here don't mention Luca or England. He will shut my plans down," I whispered.

"My lips are sealed," Himari said. I looked to Beckett and he had an evil smirk on his face.

"So that means he could stop you from going to England with Callum's pretentious best friend?" Beckett whispered.

Beckett didn't like Luca and it was obvious. His reaction every time he caught me on the phone with Luca spoke volumes. He would try to steal my phone or he would just end up being real grumpus about it.

We heard the toilet flush, followed by running water and soon Percy emerged from the bathroom and stopped in front of us as he eyed us suspiciously for standing a few paces away from the bathroom.

"So Liz and I were just going to hang out. Do you guys want to come with us?" Beckett asked Himari and Percy.

"Nope," Himari said and turned to walk away.

"You guys go have fun. I think I'll just go back to my apartment," Percy said. He shared an apartment with his best friend from high school.

Even though having Percy around was a risk. I didn't want him to leave. I hadn't seen him in months and I did miss him. "Please Himi, please Perc," I begged.

Himari rolled her eyes. "Curses. I blame Blaire for teaching you how to be adorable so that you can get your way," she said, turning and walking to her bedroom. "Give me a few minutes to change."

"What about you Perc?" I asked and he smiled.

"Fine, I'm in."

***********************

A few minutes later Beckett parked in a parking lot of a carnival. We were going to go to the movies but when we saw the posters for the carnival we changed our minds.

Beckett and Percy seemed to be getting along which surprised me. Percy used to be overprotective when it came to boys being around me, but he didn't seem to mind Beckett. Then again Beckett was really friendly. He could make friends with just about anyone.

"Remember when our moms took us for one of these when we were kids?" Percy chuckled probably remembering all the events of that day. 

"Yeah, Andrew got so sick on the swing boat that he puked on himself," I laughed.

"Guy's something is wrong with Beckett," Himari said, from beside us pointing to where Beckett was standing.

He was facing away from the carnival looking in the opposite direction. I walked over to him and tapped him on the shoulder. He jumped and turned around. "What's wrong. Why are you so jumpy suddenly?"

He bit his bottom lip and mumbled under his breath. It sounded like he said he was scared. "Use your words," I smiled.

"I'm afraid of the clown," he said and I chuckled. I turned and looked at the clown standing at the entrance with a helium balloon cart. He was making balloon animals.

"Awww Beckett," I said wrapping my hand around his. "There is nothing to be afraid of. He looks so friendly."

"No no it's creepy and I'm not going in there Liz," he said turning away.

"Come on Beckett I'll buy you a pretzel," I tried to convince him.

"Nope."

"Okay I'll walk past the clown and you walk on the other side of me, that way if he attacks. He'll attack me first."

"You think he is going to attack?" Beckett asked, horrified.

"No no. He won't," I said putting my hands up. "Okay here hold my hand," I said giving him my hand. "Don't worry if the clown tries anything Himari will kick its butt."

He chuckled, taking my hand. "Well, that does make me feel better."

We walked up to Himari and Percy. They were looking in opposite directions neither one interested in indulging the other in conversation.

"Everything okay Beckett?" Himari asked, looking over Beckett in concern.

"Yeah," Beckett said, releasing a shaky breath. We walked to the ticket box. Beckett looked like he was about to have an anxiety attack. He was releasing heavy breaths.

"Four tickets please," Beckett said, handing the man in the ticket box a few dollars. The guy handed him the tickets as well as a roll of tickets to go on the rides. "Thank you."

"Have a great night sir," the man in the box said. Beckett nodded not paying attention to the man in the box but to the clown that was standing a few feet away.

The clown didn't look dangerous at all. He had a multicolored wig on and a striped colorful onesy. He had a big red nose and his face was painted white, red and blue.

Beckett squeezed my hand. "It's okay close your eyes," I said and he closed his eyes. I guided him towards the entrance and I could hear his raging breath.

The clown stepped up to us and my eyes widened. "A balloon animal for the beautiful lady?" He said.

"No no no no!" Beckett repeatedly said, pulling me away.

Himari and Percy walked up from behind us.  "Are you sure you okay?" Percy asked him and he nodded frantically. I looked at the clown who was looking at Beckett confused. If Beckett wasn't so petrified of the clown I would have laughed. I rubbed his back soothingly as an attempt to comfort him and calm him down. He smiled down at me warmly.

"Thank you, Lizzy," he said, taking my hand and giving it a gentle squeeze.

It was a beautiful cool night out. The sky was littered with stars. The energy was lively and exciting. People laughing and chatting, the lights from the various rides flashed brightly and the smell of hot dogs and pretzels hung pleasantly in the air.

"So what do you want to do first," Beckett asked, loudly over all the noise.

"How about bumper cars," I replied loudly.

I didn't want Blaire and Callum to miss out on this so I sent Blaire a quick text telling her where we all disappeared to. She was working late at the bakery and Callum went to pick her up from work.

I turned to Himari and her eyes were shining with childlike wonder. It was hard getting her out of the house. She barely interacted with anyone other than Blaire, Callum, Beckett, and me.

"I bet you don't regret coming out now," I said bumping her with my shoulder.

"I don't," she chuckled. "It's like I'm ten years old again," she said, with wonder-filled eyes. She walked ahead and I fell into step with Percy.

"Your friend is interesting," he chuckled.

"She is the queen of the introverts," I smiled.

"She seems nice though. She just won't talk to me."

"Wait Percy," I said stopping. "Are you starting to develop a little crush?" I teased.

He laughed. "I'm twenty-five. Don't make it sound like I have a kindergarten crush. I'm just vaguely interested in her," he shrugged a small smile forming on his face.

"You poor soul. Himari is amazing but try anything funny and she'll put you in the hospital," I warned.

"Got it," he chuckled.

We walked over to the bumper cars and Beckett handed the guy a few tickets to let us in. The man opened a small gate that led to a large square-shaped ring and everyone scrambled to get a car.

I chose a red car and sat down in the small car putting on the seat belt. I saw Beckett sitting in a yellow car, Himari in a blue one, and Percy in a green one. I looked at the controls. It was fairly simple. A steering wheel and a joystick.

A buzzer went off and all the cars began bumping into each other. Someone knocked into me from the back and I craned my neck to see it was Himari. "Sorry Liz," she chuckled.

"This means war Himi," I laughed and started to chase her with my car only to be knocked into by Beckett.

I laughed in happiness and began chasing  Beckett around the small ring with the car. It was hard to keep control of it but I managed to knock into him a few times. I caught a glimpse of Percy and Himari laughing and I was glad that she was letting loose and having fun.

The buzzer went off again indicating that our time was up and then we exited the cars. "That was fun," Beckett said from beside me. "Let's go on the rollercoaster," he said and I gulped.

I didn't like the fast rides I liked the fun ones like the carousel with the horses, but of course, I was old for that. I looked at the little kids having fun under their parent's supervision.

Why couldn't I just be eight for a day .

Cold hands wrapped around my eyes from behind me and my body tensed instantly from the sudden contact.  "Guess who," a girly voice sang, I smiled recognizing the voice and my body relaxed.

"Blaire seriously," I said and she removed her hands. She gave me a side hug squeezing my shoulder.

"Wow, little bro how'd you guys find this place?" Callum asked Beckett. "More importantly how did you manage to walk past the C-L-O..."

"With two legs," Beckett said, cutting him off hurriedly and Callum chuckled.

"Lizzy who is that hottie with Himi?" Blaire whispered in my ear.

"Firstly gross Blaire. That's my cousin Percy," I said and she chuckled.

"I think he likes Himi," she whispered. "I think all Himi needs is a little nudge."

"Please don't play matchmaker tonight. Just have fun."

Blaire giggled. "But it's my duty as her best friend." I sighed. The thought of Percy and Himari together did seem like a good one, but it was Himari's decision to make. "Cal, I want the big fluffy panda bear!" Blaire shrieked from next to me looking at one of the stands that had stuffed animals hanging about it. She grabbed onto Callum's arm and pulled him to the stand.

"I'm going on the rollercoaster," Himari said and Beckett handed her half the tickets he had.

The rollercoaster wasn't hard to find. The sound of screaming people made it easy to spot. "I want to go on that too," Percy said and went with her.

My poor cousin had his work cut out for him. Himari didn't seem like she was interested in dating. She never spoke about her love life, I'd commend Percy if he could get her to give him a chance.

"What do you want to do Liz?" Beckett asked from next to me.

"Urm..." I looked around the park. I didn't like fast rides. I didn't want that adrenaline rush. My eyes fell on the Ferris wheel.

"How about the Ferris wheel?" I suggested.

"Let's go then," Beckett said, sticking out his arm for me to wrap my hand with his. I took his hand and he leads me to the Ferris wheel.

Beckett handed a man dressed in grey overalls a few tickets and he lifted a silver chain to let us through.

We took a seat in the passenger car and the man put the bar down to ensure we were secure in the car.
He started the ride and as it went up. New york city in all its beauty hit me. "Wow," I said breathlessly. "It's beautiful."

"Yeah, she is," Beckett said from next to me. He suddenly chuckled and then I turned to him. "What is it?" I asked.

"Remember our first day of college when you looked at the mural and said it's beautiful and I agreed. You said if I was referring to you, you  were going to walk away."

I chuckled. "Why are you bringing that up?" I asked. "I didn't think you'd even remember that."

"Every moment with you is worth remembering. Memories of me and you are my favorite and the truth is I was referring to you that day."

"So cheesy," I said ruffling his hair and he took my hand in his. A look of  Seriousness on his face. He shut his eyes tightly releasing a shaky breath before opening them up again. For the first time in a while, I noticed the depth of his eyes as they bored into mine. They were light brown.

He tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, his hand lingering on my cheek. "You have no idea what our time together means to me," he whispered, while his thumb brushed my cheek, and my heart began to beat erratically. He leaned into me, his face coming just inches away from mine and I gulped visibly.

I remained still blinking rapidly it's like I couldn't move or talk. His lips pressed against mine in a slow kiss and my body tensed. I remained still in disbelief that Beckett was kissing me. His lips were soft and he was gentle.

But Beckett was kissing me!

I pulled away immediately from shock."Beckett," I breathed with wide eyes as I ran a hand through my hair.

What was he doing.

Friends don't kiss!  

"I'm sorry," he said and turned away.

"No it's okay," I said clearing my throat. My eyes were wide as I sat in place dumbfounded. "I just didn't think..."

"That I liked you," he finished the sentence for me and I swallowed hard.

"Yeah." The words were too busy running around my brain to leave my mouth. So I just stared blankly at him.

"I was going to wait for the perfect moment to tell you," he started and every hair on my body stood.

"I like you, Liz. Like a lot and I understand if you're not at the same place I'm in. Just think about it and if it turns out that you don't like me the way I like you then we can remain friends. I just don't want to lose you."

"Beckett, I don't know what to say. I mean..." I trailed.

"Don't say anything now. Think about it first. But I'd like the chance to date you." The ride came to a stop and the guy lifted the bar for us to get off.

We walked away from the Ferris wheel and my phone buzzed in my pocket. I reached for it while I kept my eyes on Beckett. It was a text from Blaire. "Blaire says they by the concession stand."

He smiled at me and stuck out his arm for me to take again. "Shall we then," he chuckled. I gave him a small smile and took his hand.

"You're such a dork," I smiled.

He was a good friend.

Feelings were just going to complicate the relationship we had and I didn't want to lose Beckett as a friend. He smiled warmly at me as we walked to the concession stands and I returned his smile.

I was left wondering what it would be like to date him. We did spend a lot of time together. All I had to do was add feelings and maybe fall for him. Would it be so hard to love Beckett. I knew I could trust him and I felt safe around him.

Why did things have to be so complicated.

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A/N

Thank you wonderful humans for reading. Since you humans are so wonderful I decided to update early. 😊💜

Abit of a long chapter. So what do you guys think about Beckett and Liz finally dating? Do you think Liz should give Beckett a chance?

💋Team Beckett and Liz???

💋What about team Himari and Percy???

Will Percy manage to get Himari to like him???😱

Blow up my comments. I don't mind. 😉 I live to know the thoughts of my readers!!!

💜P. A