Notes:

Additional Cast:

Evangeline Lilly as Phoebe Combs

Joshua Jackson as Steven Adams 

 Jessica Parker Kennedy as Sam Harris  

Vanessa's POV

I try to find the appropriate outfit for the lgbt gathering tomorrow. I'm torn between a colorful jacket and a pink shirt. My mum, with who I talk meanwhile on skype, refuses to give me any styling advice.

"My sweet Vanessa, you know you don't have to overthink about everything, right? Just go for the first thing in the closet." She's not going to help I suppose.

"But mom, I wanna show that I do care for the cause and support the ones who invited me. Plus, I'm also going as a representer of the paper alongside with the editor and that requires something professional too." My dad gets in the screen and leaves my mom at the background.

"Kiddo, if you weren't as beautiful as you are, I would wonder if you are actually my daughter. How does that tiny head of yours go through this process everyday? Loosen up a little." I decide on my own since I'm the only one who sees the importance of this.

"I'll go with the pink shirt, it should vocalize the feminist in me."

"It doesn't matter what you're wearing, it matters that you're going, Nessa." My dad says. This makes sense I guess but still.

"Where is Alice? I'd love to say hi to her." My mom fights for some space at the camera. These two should grow up.

"She has a class. Speaking of, she's almost finished and I have to meet her at the grill. Is it okay to hang up now?" I ask as I do my hair up.

"It's food time for us too, don't you think woman?" my dad looks impatiently at my mom.

"Of course it is okay sweetie. We are gonna eat as well before your dad eats me up alive instead. Hopefully his leg will be completely fine by next month, so he can put some work in the kitchen too. Take care, we love you lots!" She blows a kiss at me.

"Love you lots, kiddo!"

"Love you both lots, bye!"

I turn off my laptop, grab my keys and go to the grill just at the moment Alice shows up.

"You girl are always punctual, how do you do that?" She smiles and greets me with a hug. I feel so lucky to have her, she is such a good friend to me.

"It's called having a program, Alice." I tease.

"Control freak much." She whispers. Since the sun is generous today, we decide to sit outdoors. It's pretty crowded but somehow Alice manages to find a table next to some beautiful planters, just before a group of players of the college soccer team take a seat.

"Dude, did you see how that chick looked at us? She creeps me out, let's sit elsewhere." I hear the shortest one saying to his friends and they go away. On the other hand, my friend sits on the chair like it is the Iron throne and with the attitude of a true winner.

"It's amazing what you can do with one glare!" she tells me and turns her hair into a pretty ponytail. Alice is seriously pretty with any hairdo, she can pull anything off.

"So what are we getting?" she passes me the menu.

"Well, yesterday we ate Mexican, the day before pizza and the day before that pizza again.."

"Burgers it is then!" she gives me a thumps up. She never loses her good mood and smile. Now that I'm thinking about it, never except that one time we went to the movies with Sophie and Joseph. Joseph is the exception as it seems. I don't know exactly what they were saying all night long but every single person at the cinema gave them multiple warnings. It was kind of funny to be honest, but and Sophie and I moved two rows in the front to be able to watch the movie.

"Earth to Vanessa!" Alice moves her hand right and left in front of my face.

"I got lost in my thoughts, I'm sorry." I apologize to her.

"Tell me about it" she rolls her eyes. " So what time are we going to this gathering tomorrow?"

"It starts at 8 o'clock but I'm meeting Ashton at the paper thirty minutes earlier so we can go together. Is it okay if I meet you there?"

"You are going WITH Ashton?" she asks. I thought I said that already but I guess she wasn't paying attention so I nod my head in affirmation.

"You didn't say a thing, you little chipmunk! When did that happen?" she speaks louder than usual and looks me like I just revealed a national security secret. I don't quite get where this reaction comes from.

"When happened what?" I look back at her trying to figure out what she has in mind. She raises an eyebrow at me drinking some coke. Realization hits me.

"Oh, no! Not like that!" Her eyebrow is still raised, sign that she didn't find my words convincing.

"He is the paper's editor, I am new at this. He thought he could show me a thing or two on how to cover an event." I explain.

"And that's ALL he thought, right?" Alice says emphasizing on the 'all'.

"Yeah? I mean it was just him being polite and welcoming."

"Is he cute?"

"Alice! It is not like that!"

"So he is not. I'll check by myself tomorrow anyway."

I cover my face with my hands. This theory was almost embarrassing and had no foundation. I slowly remove my hands and clear my sight just about to get real embarrassed this time. Nathan is about ten feet away and looking at me. He can't possibly hear what we're talking about but he saw me, no doubt, reacting to Alice's nonsense. He is surrounded by 3 girls with cheerleading uniforms. Their skirts are way too short, like that short they can't even be called skirts. They are talking to him and he talks to them from time to time. I wonder how he noticed me while having three semi-goddesses next to him. I sure wouldn't. He winks at me and I look behind me to reassure he did indeed. I can't afford another embarrassment for the day. I awkwardly wave back at him and drink some water.

"Who's THAT now?" Alice asks emphasizing on 'that' now and turns around. She obviously wants to play the interrogator today.

"That's Nathan."

"A.k.a Nathan the devil who ruined your 1st day and tried to turn you into his personal slave nerd?" she puts the pieces together.

"We kind of called it truce the other day and he promised to attend class. Besides, I never said he was a devil."

"That's the hottie I told you I met at the gym with Robin. The one with the great ass." She points out frowning her eyes to see him better.

"What?" I blink multiple times. To say I wasn't expecting it would be an understatement.

"Yeah! He seemed really polite and nice, but he's the typical womanizer guy. He was at the frat party the previous Friday and I saw him making out with two girls. I guess he found more later, but I didn't stay longer to watch his inappropriate underage show." Alice starts saying without taking a breath, making a disgusted grimace at the end.

"That doesn't surprise me." I take a quick glare at him. Of course it doesn't shock me a bit. There he is giving justice to his reputation talking with half of the cheerleading team.

"Me neither. The majority of boys are like that, even though I don't want to put them all in the same bucket. Maybe Steve is like that as well, though he was trying to persuade me otherwise. Anyway it doesn't matter now, since nothing is going to happen with him." she remarks with a straight face.

"You made up your mind on that already? You told me your dates weren't that bad!" I comment with excitement. Alice deserves the world and considering how nice Steve treated her on their dates, she could continue hanging out with him on a steady basis.

"They weren't bad, but they weren't something special either. I might sound too cheesy, but there was no spark. He is a really good kisser and the make-out sessions were good,but that's it. No fireworks and stuff, you know? Also I had this feeling that I would get bored of him or something. I need something to get me off. You think I am too picky, right?" Alice says in a huff and at the end looks at me with soft eyes and a coy smile.

"No, you are not. We are looking for THE Mr. Perfect for THE Miss Perfect herself!" I wink at her and Alice chuckles. Then strikes a hilarious super model pose and I burst out laughing.

I can totally relate to that firework feeling. I mean, I haven't felt it yet, so I can't talk by experience but I know that I am seeking for the exact same thing. And the butterflies at the stomach.

"You are right! Although I think this quest will be endless, but I don't give up!" She cheers up right away. She's a person with such a positive energy. "Anyway I explained to him that this was not going to work and he said he was not going to push me any further. I really liked that about him." she finishes her narration on the Steve subject.

"I always admire a guy who understands what no stands for." I remark.

"Well, I can say that Steve wasn't the typical frat boy and that was really surprising. Look at Nathan over there who is the definition of the word. I am sure there is a picture of him next to frat boy at the dictionary." Alice comments and then fixes her ponytail.

"Really? I didn't know Nathan was a frat boy." I admit.

"Well, let me tell you something you should know by quoting Taylor Swift: he's a nightmare dressed like a daydream. Look at him, he's drawing all these girls' attention and yet none of them was with him last Friday. I'm guessing he has a whole list of them waiting for one call. He's definitely bad news. He thinks he owns the place, just like Joseph, that we all should kneel at his behalf because he's a 100% arrogant who thinks women have no respect for themselves and he can cast a spell οn them making them fulfill his desires even into a freaking elevator with other human beings inside!" Alice has now turned red. She takes a big breath after her non-stop speech about Nathan which turned into a Joseph one along the way.

"Are you feeling okay?" I ask concerned.

"I'm just fine. When I'm hungry, I don't really know what I'm saying..Ah! Thank God! The burgers are here! As we say in France Bon appetite!" Her mouth is already full and it's obvious she doesn't want to speak about it anymore. I guess that was the end of our conversation.

Robin's POV

The radio is on to the maximum volume as I dance in my room, jumping on the bed like a kid. Damn, The Black Keys are great! I get down and grab my phone to upload 'Lonely Boy' on facebook, when I see a new friend request from Sophie. Smiling I accept the request, thinking how quickly our 'thing' has progressed. My eyes lay on the leaflets on my desk about the gathering tomorrow and grimacing, I open the messenger app to Sophie's facebook icon.

To Sophie: Hello! You beat me to the friend request! How are you?

The dots appear and I smile, waiting for her answer.

From Sophie: Yeah no big deal! I followed you on instagram as well, I love instagram! I am fine, reading a book actually. You? Do you need anything?

To Sophie: Always working that brain of yours huh? Actually yes, I wanted to ask you something.....remember the leaflet I was about to give you the day we met? Well it's tomorrow...........

I hope I am not crossing the line again pressuring her..I mean, I didn't actually ask her to come...I left it open, right?

From Sophie: Um...I think Joss and Vanessa will come too, so yes, I will be there.

What? I didn't expect that! That's amazing!

To Sophie: Yes? That's amazing! We can meet there and walk around? I can guide you and help you if you have questions! I am sorry, I am getting ahead of myself again..:P

From Sophie: Yes, I can't promise anything but I will see you there! I did more research if you must know, I know things now :)

To Sophie: Great! I guess I will see you tomorrow! Text me the time and we will meet there.

From Sophie: Yes you shall...oh, tonight I plan on watching a movie from the list you gave me... maybe I can text you later?

To Sophie: Yes absolutely, I will be waiting!

I toss the phone on the desk and jump on the bed again dancing to 'Lighten up' singing on the top of my lungs, releasing the day's stress.

Tucked in, hours later, I receive her texts about the movie she had just watched and the sad situation she found herself in again, with another miserable end. Well, I did warn her that happy endings were not available, so it is all on her...we also talked about Monday's class and about our day in general, cracking up jokes and sending funny videos to each other. That girl had never used youtube for cat videos! Who doesn't do that? Cat videos are a must-see thing! We stopped talking around midnight saying goodnight to each other and confirming once again tomorrow's meeting.

Seconds after I set my alarm, I get a text from Sam.

From Sam: We kissedddddddd bitchccc!!!! Roooooooooooooo I have a girlfriend !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You are meeting her tmrw at the gathering! See ya tmrw!!!!!!!! I kissed a girl and now she is my gf! Suck on that loser!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Luv yaaaaaaaaaaaa <3

Smiling to myself, happy for my friend, I close my eyes and thinking of tomorrow's event. 

A/N: Thanks for reading! Please comment to know what you think! ;)