-SIN'S POV-

"Catalina, darling, it's amazing to see you! You look so wonderful, sweetie." Mum exclaims, engulfing Catalina in a tight embrace.

Lina pats her on the back, never being a huge fan of affection.

"I've missed you too Missy, so much, but I'd love to breathe."

Mum jumps back, a wide grin on her face as she notes that one thing that hasn't changed is Cat's charisma.

"So I only booked one game for bowling if that's okay with you both? I'm catching up with an old friend later, but if you guys want another game..."

"No, Mum, you never see your mates. Go out." I instruct, cutting her off before she decided to alter her entire schedule around the two of us.

Lina nods, in agreement with me. "Yeah, have fun. Besides, I'm sure Sin wants to see Beth the bitchfa- I mean Elizabeth later. And I have plans anyway."

A frown creeps upon my face. Lizzie has never done anything to Catalina, I don't understand what her issue is. She could at least pretend to respect the girl around me.

"Oh, your not a fan either? I mean, um, sorry Sin. It's just a bit odd, isn't it? The age gap." Mum gulps.

"Perhaps we can not discuss my business partner and go start our game of bowling? Drinks on me."

"Okay, as long as they are mixed slushes. For all of us."

"Can I get them? It's been a while, I should treat your Mum. Your paying for yourself though, Mr Business guy." Lina smirks, before dashing off to the bar.

I roll my eyes. "Well, looks like we'll meet you at our lane. Love you mum."

"Love you too my son."

***
Lina lunges, her foot directly behind the line you shan't cross, her face poised and focused. She flicks her short, bouncy, red curls out of her face before swinging her arm back and throwing the red ball down the lane.

Her eyes fixate on the ball as it rolls down the lane; perfectly down the middle. The spark enters her devilish pupils as it knocks down not eight, not nine, but all ten pins.

"Did somebody say I win? And you guys fucking suck?" She laughs, mocking Mum and I in a hopefully playful manner.

I forgot how nice it was to see her happy.

Mum claps, celebrating Lina's win with her. "And I came second. Sin just isn't on our level, is he darling?"

My eyes send daggers to both of them.

"You won out of pure luck. The gutters were up for your first round, dickheads."

"Awe, is somebody a sore loser? Don't worry twatface, I'm sure you're good at something." Lina giggles, knowing I'm pissed off.

I stand up, crossing my arms moodily. "I don't care."

"Oh, no, of course you don't." Lina nods sarcastically, whilst Mum just grins at me, proud to have beaten me.

Idiots.

"Rematch. Then we'll see who wins."

"As much as I would love to see you fail all over again, I need to walk back to the hotel. I actually have somewhere to be later and I cannot go in this mess. Won't catch me wearing trainers for longer than two hours, no way." Lina grimaces, her heart set on the knee-high boots waiting for her in her hotel room.

Somewhere to be? Have Rhi and Brandon made plans with her without me? Dickheads.

"Don't be silly, Sin will give you a lift. Won't you, son?"

I sigh, pretending as though it's a great inconvenience, although it would be nice to spend some time with Lina. "I guess I can."

"You don't need to. I'm fine with walking." Lina responds, her teeth gnawing into her bottom lip.

I shake my head. "No, don't be silly, I'll drop you off."

After saying our goodbyes to Mum, we get in my car. Lina instantly connects her playlist to my bluetooth stereo- apparently my music taste is no longer up to her standards.

"So, what plans have you got tonight?" I ask, curious.

She looks out the window. "I'm meeting a friend. Just going to go cinema, there's some new film with Sandra Bullock or some shit. I don't know, just anything to get out my hotel room."

"A friend? You mean Rhi?"

"No. Remember Apollo? From that wedding place the other day? We've been in contact." She says.

"Him? Why are you speaking to him?"

"He understands me, you know?"

"And I don't?" My mouth replies before my brain can place a filter over it.

Her head turns towards me. "Are you jealous, Sin? I mean he understands the whole Spain/England situation. It's nice to talk to someone who has similar issues as me."

"Jealous?" I chuckle, "why on earth would I be jealous? I was joking, you dipshit."

Lina rolls her eyes, turning to face the window in silence. My eyes can't help but stare. Every-time I see her it doesn't feel like reality, it feels like I'm dreaming.

But this is reality. Yes, she's here, which has been a desire of mine for years now but it isn't how I dreamt of it because this is reality.

I place my focus back onto the road, deciding a car crash would be of great inconvenience at the moment.

That is until I realise what song is playing.

"Skip it." I instruct, my head trying not to fill with memories.

"Replace the memory, little red."

I repeat, louder this time. "Skip this, Catalina."

All I see is her.

"Please skip it."

"Please don't leave me, Lina."

"CATALINA! FUCKING SKIP IT!" I yell, slamming the brakes to get her attention.

She jumps, instantly pressing the skip button on her phone. I notice the shaking of her hand and by instinct, I grab it.

"I didn't mean to scare you, I'm sorry. You were zoned out and I just- I can't listen to that song. I haven't in years. I really can't do it." I whisper softly, glad we're on an empty road as if not we'd probably be dead by now.

She looks at our entwined hands, then up at me. "I listen to it all the time. It's a special song to me, I couldn't erase it from my life. I um, I had it played at my Abuelo's funeral, actually."

"Oh shit. That song's been there for you through it all, hasn't it? I'm sorry, you can replay it if you want, I just hadn't listened to it since.. well. Yeah. It was a bit of a shock to the system."

"Since I left? Yeah, I understand." She nods, before snatching her hand away from mine and looking out the window once more.

I gulp, my hand burning from the physical contact. It doesn't mean anything, it was just because the song was on and... and....

Drive. I need to drive.

I know it's just a song, but The Night We Met is always an emotional tune; even without the layers of history behind it. But it's our song and for me to move on from the situation, I need to erase those memories.

When we arrive at Catalina's hotel, a part of me is desperate to drive off and never speak to her again, however another part of me is extremely desperate for a piss- and that urgency comes first.

"Is it alright if I use your toilet, Cat?" I ask, her face frowning upon my name for her.

She shrugs, "Whatever. Hurry up though, I need to use the bathroom mirror."

Catalina jumps out the car, slamming the door behind her. After parking up, I chase to catch up with her. We stand in silence through the everlasting lift and I remind myself to close my eyes because if I see the height I genuinely might die.

"I'll close the blinds, crybaby, stop worrying." She says in a rude, sarcastic tone but I know behind it there must be a softness: she used one of my old nicknames.

You're overthinking this, Sin. It's a generalised term.

I grin at her. "Cheers, moody."

When we enter the room, I dash into the bathroom. I head back out into the room, where somehow she has already changed.

She wears a white corset top, with a dark purple skirt , white fishnets and black knee-high, laced, heeled boots. She's rummaging through what I presume is a makeup bag, most likely searching for eyeliner and some lipstick.

"Do you need any help getting ready?" I ask, a part of me not wanting to be alone yet.

She looks at me, her head tilted. "I mean, if you could help me find my eyeliner, that would be amazing. But you don't need to, I'm sure I can do it myself..."

"I'll look in the bathroom."

I end up staying until she's nearly ready to leave.

She runs her fingers through her bouncy curls, moisturising them with a hemp oil she said Rhianna brought her, before tying them up into two tiny space buns. She's done her edges for the first time ever and if we didn't have history, I would say she looks hot. Purple lipstick matches her skirt, her tights match her top half. Her white corset accentuates her figure, showing the perkiness of her breasts and the curves of her inner waist, the largeness of her hips.

The skirt isn't too short nor too long, it's quite classy and it looks quite comfortable despite how stylish it appears; perfect for a cinema.

All this dressing up, just for Apollo.

"I'm going to dip. In a bit." I say, heading towards the door.

She calls out after me, "Sin, wait!", but before she can finish I shut the door, running towards the elevator.

*****

This whole day has been an absolute mindfuck. Seeing her with my mum, hearing that fucking song, the idea of her with another man. I don't still have feelings for her, it's just my inner younger self inside, eating away at my soul with the memory of her.

I've came so far without her. I'm in recovery for addiction, without her. I live in a flat, without her. I own a dog, I've made my own friends, I have an entire business- without her.

The only person who's been consistent the past three years is Elizabeth. She's the girl who should be taunting my mind, she's the girl who should be burning my hand just from slight contact with her skin.

And this, all this, is why I'm sat in front of her right now. Lizzie, with her comforting aura, her friendly smile. Our simple, mutual, consistent, happy connection is what has made me a stronger person.

"Lizzie, I have a question for you."

She looks up at me, her eyes wide and hopeful.

"What is it, babe?" She asks, fluttering her eyelash extensions at me.

I grab her hand, rubbing my thumb between her thumb and index finger.

"Will you be my girlfriend?"

~~~~~~

Oh. My. God.

I'm guessing this isn't the update y'all wanted but here you go!

I just wanted to say thank you so much for the support on NA and Relapse (so far). I am so sorry for the short chapter and for my inactivity, but I felt it was my duty to give you something.

My mental health has been stuck on a low for a while now. I'm hopeful for it to get better and I'm trying everything I can for that to be the case.

I promise I will try to be more active, and I can reassure you the next chapters will be longer.

Lizzie and Sin are officially an item! Lina is meeting Apollo?

Who's the old friend Missy is seeing?

I guess you'll have to read on....