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I groan when I awake by an annoying buzzing sound. It takes me a couple of seconds before I locate my phone on the floor next to the couch, apparently the wine bottle I downed yesterday knocked me out. My phone keeps up the sound and I groan once again, it feels like a punch to the head. Stretching my sore back, I try not to hiss by the strain in my neck. It's never ideal to sleep on the couch, not this one at least. 

Quickly accepting the call with a monotone voice, "Dakota Moore."

"Appreciate the happy greeting, best friend," The laugh that strikes my ears is extremely familiar and I can't help the smile on my lips. Dani.

"Dani!" I yell in excitement and sit up straighter. "What's up? Haven't heard from you in what feels like forever."

She chuckles and happiness consumes me, "I come bearing amazing news; next weekend my brother is getting married in Hetdale and he wants to invite the whole squad. Sorry for the late invitation, but I really, really want you there."

My mouth opens in shock by her words, "William finally settled down?"

"Indeed he did," She proudly states, I can imagine her nodding her head with a smile on her face. "His future wife is so friendly, her name is Zara. It's very new and they're fast, but I feel like this is the right thing for him."

Realizing I need some fresh air, I leave through the front door and take some deep breaths on the porch. Clutching the phone tighter in my hand, "I'm genuinely shocked, Dani. But of course, I'll be there, I wouldn't miss it for the world."

"And it gives us an opportunity to hang out again, I miss you. Relly will come as well, I just asked her."

I smile at the news, "I miss you, too. Hetdale isn't the same without you, hopefully, both of you can move back at some point."

I know she doesn't want to move back, she fancies her new big city life, enjoying the perks of being a single and attractive woman. Her life consists of working and then going out to party, she lives her dream life at the moment and she doesn't want to let go of it. It's understandable, she always has been the more outgoing type, while I was perfectly fine with movie nights every night.

"I can't speak on Relly's behalf, but you know I presumably won't do that, Dakota," She says, sounding apologetic. I can picture her tugging her brown hair behind her ears, a mannerism she has when distressed or bothered. 

"I know, Dani," I quickly emphasize, not wanting her to feel bad at all. "You shouldn't feel bad, you're living your best life and I'm so incredibly happy for you. At least we get to see each other next weekend, that's more than I could ever ask for."

"I really am happy that we're staying in touch, you're my person, you know?" I do know, she is my person as well. Always her.

"I wouldn't have it any other way, you're my person, Dani. Luckily for us, your family still lives here, giving us plenty of opportunities to see each other."

She rearranges something on the other end of the line, the noise confusing me for a moment, "And you have to come to visit me, we'll get drunk and go out clubbing! God knows how long it's been since you partied last."

"Hey!" I laugh and have to agree with her, I never party anymore. "I manage just fine without your dangerous influence on my drinking habits, the owner life and everything."

"I'm a fun influence, just acknowledge it."

"Not if you ask my mother," I joke.

"Penelope never liked me, no. I wonder why."

I laugh at her, she knows why, "For starters, you kept calling her Penelope when she asked you not to."

"It's her name though, and I'd been calling her that through middle school as well. All of a sudden a stick grew out of her ass, and then I had to call her Mrs. Moore. Can you mention any other examples of me being a bad influence?" Her laughter rings through the phone, both of us find this too funny.

"You puked all over our front yard," I bait. 

"I did not!" She laughs. "Your mom is a liar, I puked on the sidewalk, but not one single drop of puke hit your yard."

She's telling the truth, mom tried to find every possible aspect that would make me hate Dani, in the end, she turned to lies and ultimately drinking when my father got sick. It was quite funny seeing her come up with excuses in her mind, right in front of me. Daniella has never been a bad influence on me, if anything, she helped me through that time in my life without me being a bad influence on myself.

"Yeah, yeah," I brush her off with a laugh. "Who else are you inviting?"

"Well, you, Relly, Tyler-"

"Tyler Avick?" I ask her.

"Yes, Dakota," She sighs. "You need to get over the resentment you have for him. It's been years."

I shake my head, "I don't hate him! It's the other way around, he seems fearful of me."

"Well, wouldn't you be, when the first time you meet someone they swing a bat at you?"

"To be fair, I didn't actually hit him though."

"But you tried," She sings in a laugh. 

"He jumped me during our midnight baseball game, I didn't even know him at the time, what would you have done if you were me?"

She pauses, the silence stretching before a sigh escapes the phone, "Okay, you got me there, I would've beaten the son of a bitch."

"Exactly!" I announce in the satisfaction that she finally notices my perspective on this story. But it's true, Tyler hates me with a passion and has hated me ever since that night. He's in the wrong though, what 6'2 guy jumps a 5'6 girl in the middle of the night, particularly when they've never met before. It's just plain stupid. Quite frankly, he got what he deserved. 

"I gotta go, Dakota," She sighs, the frustration heavy on her voice. "But we'll catch up at the wedding, I'll text you the details, okay?"

"That's perfect, Dani," I smile. "See you there."

"See you!"

And then she hangs up, I smile down at the phone and remain on the bench outside. Still enjoying the air and appreciating how the coldness seems to be working wonders for my raging headache. Dani is such a great friend of mine and I'm boiling with excitement because I'll be seeing her in a week's time. It's amazing how Will is getting married and how he went along with us being invited. 

As I scroll down my Instagram, a high pitched giggle to my left catches my attention. Looking towards Elijah's house, he's following a long-legged blonde girl to her car. I'm hopelessly trying to disregard the needles in my chest, the sight of him with someone that isn't me tears at my heart. I'm not allowed to feel this way, I know it, but I can't help myself. She drives off in her car and I wake up from my pity party.  

I choose to hurry inside before he sees me. Unfortunately, as I stand up he turns around and our eyes meet. He throws me a small smile, but I can't give him one in return with my racing heart practically beating out of my chest. My feet freeze on the ground under his intense stare, he walks closer and tilts his head to the side, "Hey."

"Hi," I answer and hug my arms to my chest.

"I'm sorry for interrupting your date with the boy toy, I just wanted to share the news of Will. Have you heard?" The apology surprises me slightly, but I refrain from commenting on it. The blonde girl is still ripping through my mind, although I have no right to act like this towards him. 

Nodding my head with a smile, "Yeah, never thought we'd live to see the day. Have you met Zara then?"

"I have," He smiles, the sight leaves me breathless. "She is a sweet girl, both of them are extremely into their careers. A perfect match, if you ask me."

"You'll be there for the wedding then?"

"Definitely. What about you, love?" The term of endearment renders me speechless. I realize how stupid it was of me to leave that one day in Barnsley, he clearly had something going on and instead of staying to help him through it, I left because it became too rough. He was there for me through high school, even though my mood was sour constantly. His stubbornness and care for me made him pull through, he was the biggest help I had at the time. The guilt of not being the same for him is eating me up. 

"I'll be there," I say with a small smile. 

He looks at the watch on his hand with a frown, "I have to leave for the station, even though I'd love to stand here and talk with you all day."

I nod my head and take a step away from him, a blush threatens to spill onto my cheeks by his honest words.

He doesn't move and when his curious eyes meet mine I'm intrigued, "Can I take you out sometime? I would love to make everything up to you."

My hesitation is because of the feelings that are running through my mind, I have to stay away and take care of myself. I should stay away. But being away from him for three years has been too hard, which is why I find myself agreeing with a smile, "Only as friends though."

"For now," He smiles and leaves me with a small wink over his shoulder. Butterflies erupt in my stomach and I walk into my house with no regard of anything other than him, I find myself in the circle again and it truly should scare me more than it does. I trust Elijah with everything I have, even without knowing if that will end up biting me in the ass.