I'll start by saying I'm so glad you guys liked the last chapter! See, I did get them back together eventually!

I'M NOT THAT MEAN! Aha.

I just thought I'd say I've been feeling slightly down over the last week, let's just say things just keep going wrong and I'm very unlucky...it's pretty personal. But you're comments and messages really make me smile so thank you!

For this chapter you may want to revisit the very first chapter, as it is related to the events that happened...enough said. I hope you like it! (The picture is of Emma, I picked it because it relates to this chapter...kinda. As I said, chapter 1 reference :) )

Only one chapter+epilogue (and QnA and Final Author's Note) to go! :(

I love you all so much :)

I'll stop waffling now! Aha

-Lx
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Hazel POV

I stumble forward as my shoe gets caught in the drain, I'm thrown forward but Dan's hand slips around my arm to steady me as he tries not to laugh.

"Oh fucking hell" I curse loudly, causing several posh looking art critics in the car park to turn my way and stare.

"Careful now" Dan whispers reassuringly, ssh-ing me as I begin to fume, he rubs his hand on my back as Matt sniggers.

"Classic Hazel" he chuckles, shaking his head at me as I glare at him, he raises his hands in defence.

"Watch it Lloyd" I hiss at him; Dan and Matt glance at each other and both start tittering quietly, I roll my eyes and carefully lift my red high heel out of the grate.

Dan links his arm around mine and we start to walk the last part of the carpark towards the art expedition centre. Matt walks to our side with his hands stuffed into his black jean pockets, a slight breeze blows and he pulls his smart blazer around himself.

"Third wheeling like a pro over here" he smirks as we both turn to look at him. I roll my eyes as Dan opens his mouth, probably to say something apologetic.

"Don't complain, we're back together! That's what you wanted isn't it?"

"Yeah, I organised that song by the way, knew it would work" he smiles cockily.

"And besides, nothing has changed, I still see you every day and talk to you like before"

"True, I just...you're all in couples"

"Well then. We'll have to find you someone won't we" Dan adds, smiling at me as I giggle and Matt rolls his eyes.

"I don't think I'm ready yet, that's the next step after becoming a better person. Which thanks to Hazel, I managed to achieve"

"Don't flatter me" I laugh at him, he looks at me seriously, his forehead creasing.

"Hey, I mean it"

"Thanks" I beam at him as Dan walks ahead to the door, he pushes it open and holds it open for the two of us.

***

"Guys! You made it! I'm so glad you came!" Emma squeaks as soon as she spots us, she bounces over on her toes looking very excited.

"Well we would wouldn't we?! Even if Dan and I weren't the one's posing for your painting! We're all here to support you Emma"

She smiles and hugs me strongly, I gasp at her almost-deathly grip and laugh nervously.

"I don't think I'll win" she shakes her head, looking crestfallen "The talent this year is really stupendous"

"Nothing like our Emma, I'm sure" Matt smiles, Ollie joins the little gathering and pats his shoulder thankfully as Emma's face brightens.

"You think so?" she almost whispers, a hand over her mouth as her lips quiver behind it.

"We know so!" Dan virtually cheers, I smile at him and back at her as she appears more confident.

"It would be such an honour to achieve Best Young Artist of the Isle of Wight. To be nominated is an achievement in itself!"

Ollie and Emma excuse themselves as Emma's two art teachers, the one from the art centre and the one from college, call her over to finalise some last things.

"I'm going to grab us some drinks, what do you want Dan?" Matt turns to us, his hand rubbing at the back of his neck as he looks between us.

"I'll have a coke please. Thanks Matt" Dan smiles.

"I'll have the same"

Matt nods, he pulls his blazer over his plain white t-shirt and secures his arm other it so that it doesn't move.

Dan turns to me, we're alone again, loud chattering from around us seems to hover in the space between us, but muffled, he smiles and opens his mouth to talk when-

"HAZE, DAN! Hiya!"

I snap my head round to find Kirsty waving frantically with an embarrassed Josh stood at her side, a hand at his forehead, he rolls his eyes and quickly kisses her, her eyes widen but she shuts up. He leers at her and walks ahead towards us as she stands in shock.

"Works every time, I'm a good kisser" he admits proudly, folding his arms over his simple black dress shirt.

Kirsty's nude heels click on the wooden floor, she scowls at Josh and flicks her fiery red flames over her shoulder and turns to us.

She beams and examines the two of us, I'm suddenly very aware of Dan's grip on my waist, the security of his arm on my lower back and the warmth from his palm. I glance at her with nervous eyes as she looks between us.

"It's weird seeing you two all loved up again. A good weird though" she adds quickly when he pulls me even closer looking defensive.

"If you don't mind me asking though, what did you spend all your time doing, what was going through your head? I'm curious" she looks at Dan with a sudden great interest.

"Oh god, don't ask him that, Ollie and I...well mainly me, was the one sitting around with him" Josh moans, Dan grins sheepishly and pats his shoulder.

"Thanks for that by the way. And sure I'll try to come up with an answer"

I look up at him as he stares straight ahead, forming an answer in his head with his mouth twisted in thought.

"Well I guess...I spent a lot of my time in the dark; I lost a lot of sleep, I barely talked to anyone, I spent a lot of my time sitting on the roof of my house. Looking at the stars you know? I watched chick flicks, which by the way is my sister's fault for getting me into them. And I cried, a lot"

Kirsty nods, only looking half satisfied. She twists a strand of her auburn hair around her finger as she tilts her head, seeming immensely interested in what he has to say however, maybe to get some idea to how Josh was feeling inside when he seemed happy outside.

"My mind went sort of blank really. Everything seemed different, I looked at things differently, My Mum panicked and took me to the doctors, Dad kept a close eye on me and Ellie made me cups of tea when she got home from school. But I guess I was just...." A small smile appears on his face and his green eyes look down at me "...remembering our summer" he emphasises.

The three words seem to be directed at me even though he is supposed to be talking to Kirsty. I put my hand on Dan's shoulder and I hoist myself up to kiss his cheek gently.

"Hey Dan, want to come with me to help Matt, looks like he's struggling"

We look over to see Matt's hands slipping on the wet glasses and struggling to find an effective way of picking up three glasses at once. He grins sheepishly and Dan nods, giving my waist a tap before dispersing after Josh in the crowd.

"Hazel you look so happy! You're practically glowing!" Kirsty exclaims, I look back at her grinning and I giggle, muffling it with my hand as my charm bracelet slips down my arm.

"I do?"

"Yeah? Do you know how I can tell?"

"No..."

"Your eyes. You're smiling with your eyes. A real smile you know? He makes you happy"

***

"Emma if you could come up and accept your award" a fair-haired man in a very professional suit says, he grins as she looks at us shocked. We all hug her and shriek for her as she walks up to the stage and then over to the little wooden podium.

"Oh my goodness, thank you so much" she says, looking at the glittering metallic art pallet in her small hands with a silver plaque ready to be inscribed with her name. "I can't believe this"

I look to my left at the sound of sobbing, Emma's Mother sobs on the shoulder of Emma's Father. I smile at him as he nods in response tearfully.

"Speech!" Ollie yells, looking immensely proud, I too feel proud, not for being a part of the painting that got her the award but for all the dedication and passion she put into her painting over the last few years.

"A speech? Oh I couldn't..."

She glances over at the board who decided on the award placements, they nod and the man in the grey suit gestures with his hands for her to continue and nods.

"Okay um...well then. Thank you so much to my parents for inspiring me to paint and for supporting me with every step I take to one day becoming a great artist. Without the two of you I would not be where I am today and I truly am thankful. Thank you to Ollie for not straying away when things got difficult..."

Josh, Dan, Kirsty and I glance at each awkwardly, I scratch at my wrist and play with my hair.

"I um...love you a lot Ol" she mumbles and her cheeks go red as Ollie blows her a kiss and everyone laughs and claps her "Thank you to Jim from the Art Centre for teaching me everything I know and to Mr Wainwright from Cowes College for helping me perfect my work and giving me a new perspective. I'd like to also thank my dear friends Kirsty, Josh, Matt, Dan and Hazel. Which speaking of which..." she turns to look over at the smart man again "can I talk about the painting?"

He nods enthusiastically, the crowd seems to become even more interested on what she has to say.

She puts the golden pallet down; straightens her back and clears her throat.

"Even though painting is my passion, I also have a love for photography. One day, I was walking along the beach when I came across the most beautiful little setting. I phoned up the best couple I knew and got them to pose with their backs to the camera, they were so nice about it. Both of them being such lovely people" she smiles at us and I signal for her to carry on.

"It took me a while to paint this if I'm honest, at one point this perfect little rock couple went through a very bumpy patch. In fact, they broke up. The boy was in a very bad condition, I bought him some of his favourite cupcakes and I went round there with two of my friends. He lay on the sofa, surrounded by DVD'S, his eyes were swollen, and he wore his Pyjamas even if it was 4 in the afternoon. His hair was messy and longer, his green eyes had lost their positive spark and he had lost a lot of weight. He was not the same boy in the photograph or the painting.

Dan's hand meets mine and I grip it tight, laying my head onto his arm, I can feel eyes on us, making my skin prickle. But I continue to concentrate on Emma.

"Anyway, I didn't know if painting the picture still was a good idea, I asked my boyfriend who is very good friend's with the pair and he told me that he had a very good feeling about it and that I should continue, so I did. The couple slowly rekindled their friendship from a little walk down the road to the busy streets of London. Then they gave their little romance another go after dancing to a very meaningful song.

I smile at Dan and he smiles back, we both look at Emma, waiting for her to conclude her point.

"My point Ladies and Gentlemen? When you feel like everything is falling apart, like the young boy in my painting or like me when I had to witness it all when I wanted to paint it, you have to believe that it is fate and that things are only falling into place. If you look at a painting and you think that something is not right, have the courage to make it right, have the faith that you could be up here, speaking to you all like I am now and share what you have learnt. Even if people laugh at you, because someone will listen and it will help someone. Thank you and goodnight" she picks up the pallet and waves it in the air and then makes her way towards the steps, people rise to go and congratulate her.

"That was powerful" Dan whispers, wiping tears from his eyes. I smile at him and take over, sliding my thumb over the moisture cheeks.

"All true though. Wow if she doesn't go into painting, she should be an inspirational speaker"

And then we cramp through the small spaces of each seat to go and hug Emma and thank her for everything she just said.

For putting it all into perspective.

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A/N QUICK REMINDER! THE END IS VERY SOON! Any questions you have now that the story is nearly finished please feel free to comment as I will be answering them very soon! On any characters, plot lines etc. :)