Notes:

Additional Cast:

Ansel Elgort as Matt Foster

Holland Roden as Chloe Rivers

Grey Damon as Ashton Sanders

Jessica Parker Kennedy as Sam Harris

Dominique Provost as Nicky Cooper

Nathan's POV

I can't fight the victorious smile that has taken over all of my face. Too bad for you, Ass. She did bail on you. Sad but true. That ash-hole had his hands on Vanessa when I entered the kitchen. I went to get a drink and I almost had a heart attack for God's sake! Things turned out good as I am holding her hand right now, trying to make our way through the crowd. John has surpassed our so called frat parties for sure. I haven't seen so many people at a party before. And they showed up to celebrate the disqualification of our team.

"Hey, doll. Wanna dance?" Some douchebag with a breath that stinks damn alcohol leans towards Vanessa.

"Wanna get your hands cut off?" I shake him back. "She is with me." I hold Vanessa tighter while she squeezes my arm to calm me down.

"I didn't notice, man." Was that some kind of bullshit apology? Because he is checking Vanessa out from head to toe.

"I'll make you notice." I am about to grab him by the shirt when Vanessa pushes me to step forward.

"Can we go outside?" She pleads looking at me with her big green eyes. Damn it. Outside it is. I give the fucking soak a glare that should show him what I would have done to him if Vanessa hadn't interfered and we walk off.

"Don't leave my hand." I command her in a loud tone.

The music is burning my ears and everybody is dancing like a maniac, even if we are all packed like sardines. We manage to get out after what seemed like ages. There are plenty of people at the garden as well but at least here you can breathe. I spot Brenda talking with Dylan, he must be hitting on her again. She also sees me, gets up from the table she was sitting on and comes to my way. If only Dylan knew how to keep a chick occupied. I greet her with a nod from far away and walk faster to avoid her. She notices I am dragging Vanessa along with me and narrows her eyebrows in surprise. I believe the whole cheerleading team will get informed about it in no time.

"Where are we going exactly?" Vanessa asks me puzzled after we begin to walk on the street.

"Just here." I point at Steve's car which is parked some feet away from us.

"Woah!" She stops walking. "We are going over that car?"

"Yeah, you don't like it?" I smirk at her.

"What are you trying to recreate exactly?" She says and gives me a strange look. I can't specify if it is full of confusion, anger, shock, terror or a God knows what. She is damn serious, that I can tell.

"What do you mean?" I frown.

"Why did you bring me to this specific car?" Her question makes no sense.

"To leave my jacket? Why are you being a weirdo?" I chuckle and get the keys out of my pocket to unlock the car.

"Why leave it here? To this car? Where is yours?" She exclaims. Is she kind of drunk? She doesn't look drunk to me. If that ash-hole got her drunk to hit on her, I'll fucking beat him to death. "Have you been drinking?" I examine her features to make sure.

"What? No! I haven't even touched my drink." She shakes her head.

"Okay then." I open the car's door and toss my jacket at the back seat.

"I asked you why we are here." She repeats waving her hands in the air.

"Just to leave my jacket at Steve's car." I laugh with her reaction. "What's gotten into you, Vanessa?"

"And why are you leaving it to his car? Why do you have his keys? Where is your car?" She fires back at me with all these questions whose purpose is unknown to me.

"We took Steve's car to get here and he gave me the keys because he wants to drink his ass off as a payback for the time I got drunk at John's house. So as I am tonight's sober driver, I have the keys." I move them in front of her face playfully. "Are you sure you are okay?"

"Oh..." She pauses for a second. "So that's the reason why we came here?"

"Yeah... What did you think? That I would kidnap you or something?" I tease her.

"No, I just... I guess I got confused." She shrugs and starts playing with the edge of her dress. Fuschia is her colour tonight. It has no sleeves and falls lose till the middle of her thighs while pointing her waist in the meantime. She is wearing some flat shoes and her hair is straight. She looks like a cute little fairy.

Cute little fairy?

Anyway.

"I do that to a lot of girls." I smirk and take a step forward.

"Oh, please!" She laughs mocking me.

"Are you making fun of me?" I pretend to be annoyed.

"Maybe I am." She raises her eyebrows at me.

"You should watch your words, you know." I steady my left hand on Steve's car and Vanessa recoils, her back resting on it as well now. "This pretty mouth of yours doesn't think before it speaks."

"Seriously?" She eyerolls and intends to step away but I block her with my other hand. Now she is trapped.

"Seriously." I whisper lifting my eyebrows at her. Her chest is rising up as a result of her heavy breath. Is it bad that I enjoy seeing her like this? Or to say it better, is it bad that I enjoy seeing her like this because of me? "I have already told you you should be really careful when you talk to me. I won't be responsible for what's to come... If you go on this way."

"This way?" She questions frowning.

"Yeah, tempting me like a little devil." I lower my head to reach her height. She widens her eyes in disbelief. "Okay, maybe I am the devil but you are no saint."

"What's that supposed to mean?" She raises her eyebrows at me.

"It means this is your last warning, special friend. Whatever happens next is on you." I pat her nose and step away from the car.

"That's what you wanted to tell me?" She asks curiously.

"Wanted to tell you?" I repeat since this doesn't ring a bell.

"When you came to the kitchen and you said you wanted to talk to me." Oh, yeah I did say that. It was the first thing that came in my mind to take her away from that Ass. "I thought that maybe something happened. You know... With your mom maybe..."

She looks at me with eyes full of concern. If it was anybody else, I would know this is nothing but an act and fake as fuck. Anybody but her. I know she acts driven by her heart as I know she means every word she says. What I don't know is how she could care about it. Somehow care about me? I sure as hell don't deserve her kindness. I don't deserve her and I don't think I ever will.

"So?" She shrugs. "Something happened back at home?"

"Um, no. No updates on the Parkers' drama. I've been avoiding every call from home. I can't deal with it now." I puff.

"Are you planning on keeping avoiding them forever?" She half smiles.

"That could happen. Maybe I'll lose my phone or something." I smirk. "But no. I think I'm going to tell my dad. This can't go on."

"You sure?" She puts her hair behind her ear. It is something she does all the time really. Whenever she feels nervous or embarrassed or upset or uncomfortable.

"Yes, I'll tell him after spring break. It's about time he learns what his wife is doing behind his back." I exhale without hiding my anger.

"I think it is the right thing to do." She approaches me and touches my arm gently. "There is still a chance you got this wrong." I give her an eyeroll. "Or not." She adds. "Ready to go back to the party?" She suggests with excitement.

"You're that eager to go partying?" I tease her.

"I am not really but it should be fun." She beams at me in an attempt to make me forget about the cheating scandal of the year. It works.

"So you're looking forward to go back to Ass then? Don't worry, I am sure he is that desperate to wait for you at the exact same spot we left him." I say in a sarcastic tone.

"No!" She gives a little punch on my arm and chuckles. "It wasn't nice that I abandoned him like that though."

"You're lucky that I came when I came. He was about to hit on you in the kitchen." I try to make it sound like a joke and hide my annoyance.

"Ashton?" She bursts into laughter. "He is nothing but a gentleman."

"So he would hit on you in a bedroom?" I lift my eyebrows playfully at her.

"Nathan!" She laughs again. "Shall we?" She points back at the house.

"You're bailing me for him? Okay." I try to maintain a humorous tone as I start walking next to her.

"Look who's talking about bailing!" She eyerolls.

"Meaning?"

"Meaning you were the one who bailed on me, Joseph, Alice, Robin and Sophie the other day when you were with Susan." Am I detecting frustration in her voice?

"Well, nobody can say no to Susan!" Let's see if this really bugs her. She gives me another eyeroll. "What? Only a blind or a lunatic would tell her no!"

"Yes, she is more than pretty for sure." She admits with no sign of nastiness.

"How do you know her name?" I intrigued.

"You were the one who introduced us. At the hallway. Back in December. After class." She gives me the necessary info. Now I remember. Susan was wearing this tight short black dress and we sure had a good time at the nearest empty classroom when Vanessa left us to go study. I gave Susan a good fuck that day. I also remember I almost lost practice because of it.

"Yeah... I'd go look for her now." I think out loud.

"I guess you should, considering she is kind of your girlfriend and all." Vanessa says indifferently.

"My what?" I can't hold my laughter.

"Isn't she?" She shrugs.

"Do I look like the relationship type of guy to you?" I remark pointing at myself. "That's not in my bucket list."

"Yeah right. That is not your style." She emphasizes on the last word. "So have fun with Susan or whoever it is tonight." She forces a smile. I think I might have hit a nerve.

"And you go have fun with your Ass." She blinks a couple times shocked. "I meant Ass-ton."

"Bye!" She giggles and gets in the house as I stay at the garden scanning around to see what's worth of my attention over here.

Joseph's POV

I stand alone like a statue, trying to recover from what just happened. What was that out of the blue?

When Alice started shouting I didn't know what to do to stop it, so while she was throwing her shoots at me I did the first thing that came to my mind and the thing that I craved to do the most. I kissed her. And I think I've made things worse. How did I manage that? Alice thought that I am messing around with her, but I don't and I have to explain to her, because she doesn't believe me. How could she? She saw me flirting with Danielle after all, but this with Danielle means nothing, while she means everything. Then it hits me like a thunder. Alice means so much more than I let myself to admit. And I have to find her. I have to explain to her.

I start running, looking left and right in the chaos of drunk people to find her. Good luck with that. The place is huge and so crowded. I take out my phone to give her a call, but it goes straight to voicemail. Fuck! Where the hell is she?

"Hey man!" I feel a touch on my shoulder and I see it's Matt. His look gets serious when he meets my upset expression. "Are you ok?"

"Sorry, I don't have time to chat!" I say in a hurry to leave, but then I turn around again. "Have you seen Alice?"

"I ran into her a bit ago! She said she wasn't feeling well, so she returned to the dorms to get some rest." Matt answers me.

"Thanks man! I owe you big time!" I poke his arm in gratitude and I turn around to leave.

"Did something happen?" Matt asks me with a concern voice. I turn around with a guilty expression. "You did something! I should've figured you were behind this." He huffs.

"I screwed up big time, dude!"I confess to him, huffing as well.

"So go and talk to her NOW!" Matt advises me as always and I nod. "I am here if you need someone to talk to." He adds.

"I know that! Thanks!" I say to him and leave at once. I run like crazy to find my car and drive faster than ever to reach the dorms.

Fortunately I am lucky that some other residents come back from John's party as well, so I enter the building right away and I find myself outside of Alice's room. I knock the door, but no answer comes. I hit it again, but nothing.

"Alice, it's me! Open the door." I ask in a demanding yet pleasing tone. No reaction again. "Alice, I know you're in there! Open the door! We need to talk!" I shout, starting to lose my patience.

"Just go away, Joseph! I don't want to talk to you!" I hear Alice's voice from the inside and it's quavering.

"But I want to talk to you!" I shout louder outside of her door. I need to explain her. She needs to know.

"There's nothing left to say." She answers in that quavering voice. Is she crying?

"There's nothing left for you to say, because it's pretty clear you've made your conclusions, but I have plenty to say." I demand with a firm voice.

"I don't want to hear anything! It will make things worse." She answers and I am sure she's crying. I made her cry. Me, who I hate seeing her crying.

"Alice, just let me explain..."

"Let you explain what? I think everything it's pretty obvious. I made a fool out of myself. Just GO!" She shouts and I don't know what to do. Stupid door! I want to tear it down.

"Alice, just open the FUCKING DOOR!" I shout having lost all my patience and punching the door.

"Hey man! Are you crazy? Do you know what time is it?" A sleepy guy gets out of his room, wearing his pjs.

"Why? Did you lose your watch or something?" I answer back sarcastically.The guy stands there looking at me like I escaped from a clinic or something.

"Can't you discuss your issues with your girlfriend at a more normal time?" He asks and I wonder if this person is for real.

"Next time I will remember to ask you when it will be convenient for you! Now get back into your room!" I glare at him and this guy finally understands that I am passed my logical limits.

"Fuck with this room! All the guys come here shouting in the middle of the night! I should've rent an apartment!" He exasperates going back into his room. I hope this incident makes Alice open the door, but being her stubborn self she doesn't do it.

"Alice, let me in!" I hit the door one more time. "Alice, you've got it all wrong. I had no intention to hurt you." I say on the cold door.

"But you did! And the problem is that I am not mad with you, but with myself! I knew where I was getting myself into and despite all the signs, despite all the warnings, I was running with the highest speed to you. I knew that this wouldn't end well, but I was so stupid that I hoped. I hoped to one maybe..." Her voice is trembling and it breaks something inside of me, that I didn't know it was existed. "But you is you and you can't change and I've found out tonight the hardest way. I guess I should say thank you for waking me up from my fantasy dream."

"Alice, please hear me out. The kiss, every moment I had with you was real." I say in a smooth and pleading voice. She needs to know that it wasn't only her, it was me as well and I hadn't realized it until now.

"Just stop Joseph! Don't say such things to me in order to make me feel better. I've already felt stupid enough! Don't make it worse. LEAVE!" She shouts the last word and I can hear her crying better now.

"Alice, I-"

"Joseph, GO! I won't say it again! Just let me be! This is my burden and not yours! I'll make it through! I'll always make it through..." She quavers, but I can't go and leave her like that. I want to pass this fucking stupid door and hug her and make her feel safe, like when I did the day I've found her out of the dorms crying.

"Alice, please!" I make another attempt, even if I know it's in vain.

"LEAVE!" She screams and I know when the battle is lost. She won't hear anything right now. I stand a little while longer exhaling outside of her room with my hands supporting me against the wall and my head fallen, looking at the floor and after I let a big huff, I leave.

As I am walking towards the exit, my phone rings and I see Danielle is calling me. I know for what. I don't even feel like answering it to reject her, so I just slide the call to the red "button". I don't want to see or speak with anyone now. Needless to say I don't want to mess around with any woman. All this seems so pointless to me now. I turn off my phone, because I don't want anyone to bother me and when I get to my car, I drive home as fast as I can.

I am like shit and I feel like a mess. I did the only thing I didn't want to do. I hurt Alice. My actions eventually hurt her and I feel horrible about it. I feel awful that she thought that I was trying to make her one more of my conquests, when she isn't and she never was. What is going on with me? I don't only feel like a wreck because I just hurt her without intending to, but because I feel like I betrayed her somehow. Like I betrayed myself somehow. Like I betrayed my feelings? What is going on with me?

Vanessa's POV

I am doing my best not to get stomped by the party guests. The amount of people that is here is unbelievable! I hope to find Ashton soon. I hate the fact that I left him out of the blue. He is always kind enough to keep me company and spend time with me at this type of events. Or any occasion really. Ashton might not be in a relationship but he doesn't mess around with every girl he sees. Unlike Nathan of course. It seems like this is the only thing he does. With Susan or any other blonde with model like figure. I almost made a scene and a fool out of myself with him before. When we went to Steve's car, my legs froze and I thought that maybe... There is no maybe. Nathan was way too drunk that night and he doesn't remember a thing, I have to accept that. And I think I almost had, until I found myself at this place again. It is such a strange feeling. It is like it happened but then again it didn't. Does this make any sense? It is a good thing I am not sharing my thoughts out loud because they would call me crazy. I keep wandering around to find Ashton but I see another familiar face instead.

"Hi Chloe!" I pat her back since I am not sure if she heard me. The music is so loud.

"Vanessa! Hi!" She turns around and hugs me tight. "How are you?"

"Good! How are you?" She is wearing a burgundy high waisted skirt along with a white crop top. Most of her hair is falling in loose curls while the rest is braided beautifully. She must be wearing heels since she is taller than me. I can't really see. That's how many people are in this room.

"Good! Wanna dance?" She takes my hand and tries to make me spin around.

"Actually I am looking for Ashton." I giggle. "Have you seen him?"

"Oh! Ashton yeah..." She pauses for a bit. "He was here just a while ago. I made him dance to every song he hates." She says smiling. "But he shouldn't be far. Check the next room. I believe it is the dining room."

"If only I could teleport myself over there!" I sigh and Chloe chortles. "Thank you Chloe, have fun!"

She waves me goodbye and I take a big breath, ready to get back in the battlefield. Because it is like a battlefield. There are enemies all around. Someone will step on you or elbow you or give you a deathly glare. Thankfully Ashton is indeed at the dining room, talking with some guys at the corner of the room. When he sees me, he leaves his company and tries to approach me. He stretches his hand and when I touch it, he brings me close to him. My back is on his chest and his arms are wrapping me protectively.

"Hey." He whispers in my ear.

"Hey!" I giggle.

"Let's go find a place where we can actually breathe normally." He suggests and we start walking.

His one hand is leading the way by patting people's shoulders and his other one is embracing me. Our bodies are quite close but so is everybody else's in here. We get stuck for some minutes, as in front of us is the line for the bathroom. It is a good thing that there's no need for me to use the toilet. We wait patiently for someone to move so we can go on. Ashton smells really good, I haven't noticed that. Well, we have never been that close to each other so I guess that justifies it. It must be his cologne. It is sandalwood I think. Nathan smells differently. Spicier if I could say. I like that smell too.

"Finally." Ashton says in my ear and pushes me to step forward. We manage to get to the next room which is slightly less crowded. When a couple stops making out and stands up from the sofa, Ashton gestures me to sit down.

"I wasn't sure if we were going to make it out alive!" I exhale and rest my head back.

"Yeah, it is crazy how many people came to celebrate a loss. And practically the early end of the season for our team." He comments and sits on the sofa's arm. "Are you okay? Did anyone disturb you while we were getting here?" He looks at me concerned.

"No, you took care of that." I smile at him. "Thank you."

"My pleasure." He grins. "There are just too many drunks tonight so I am not leaving you out of my sight again." He points a finger at me.

"I'd like that." I comment and Ashton raises his eyebrows surprised. "I mean, you not leaving me out of your sight." He smirks. Great, I can't say it right. "I mean you make me feel safe. There are indeed many drunks around. Someone has already tried to drag me-"

"What?" He cuts me off panicked.

"No, he didn't even touch me. Nathan made sure of that." I reassure Ashton.

"He did, huh?" I nod my head yes. "So is everything alright with him? He desperately wanted to talk to you." Ashton says in an annoyed tone.

"Yeah, everything is alright. I am sorry for leaving you." I apologize.

"That's fine by me, if you had no problem with it. I just don't think it is nice of him to drag you around whenever he feels like to." He remarks.

"No, it is not like that. He is having a difficult time with something." I shrug.

"There is no doubt about it... His team just lost and got disqualified. It must feel like the end of the world." Ashton eyerolls.

"Yeah." I smile discreetly. He has no idea what is going on in Nathan's life and I have no right to tell him. "I think the team's captain is the one struggling the most with it. Nathan told us he organized this party hoping he will get that drunk he won't remember."

"I believe he achieved his goal. Look!" He points at the hallway where John is dancing on a table with some girls and drinking from a bottle. And yes, Ashton is right. He looks pretty drunk.

"Seems like he is having a blast!" I raise my eyebrows. "I could use a drink right now. My throat is so dried out."

"I'll go get you one." Ashton offers and stands up.

"No." I touch his arm and make him sit down again. "There is no way I am putting you back in that chaos. Not to mention there won't be any drinks left now, considering the time and the amount of drunks around us."

"You sure?" He asks.

"Positive." I tell him with a smile. "I just wanted some water, maybe I could attempt to go to the kitchen later."

"Here." He hands me his cup and I bring it to my nose. "It is water, I just had one drink since I am driving." Ashton is so responsible. It is quite admirable. I thank him with a nod and bring the cup to my lips. I take a slip while Ashton is grinning at me. I can taste a sense of mint. If I drunk from his cup and it tasted like mint, does this mean he tastes like mint too? Why am I overanalyzing how Ashton might taste? I bring my hand to my mouth and somehow I find myself brushing my lips with my index finger. Oh my God! I give Ashton his cup back immediately, hoping he didn't notice or praying if he did notice, he didn't find it weird.

"Keep it." He tells me smirking and covers with his hand mine that holds the drink.

"Thanks." I murmur and look down. With his other hand he lifts my chin up, forcing me to gaze into his eyes. So yeah, basically I get lost in there for a second time tonight.

"Vanessa..." My name brings a wide smile on his face. His fingers are tracing the edge of my jaw line at first and then slowly end up at my bottom lip. To say that I am taken by surprise would be an understatement! "You're so cute when you're blushing."

"I am not blushing!" I exclaim and shake my head back. I touch my cheek to check. It is burning indeed so I can imagine I am more than blushed right now. Ashton tries to hold his laughter unsuccessfully.

"Are you free next week?" He asks and squeezes my palm gently.

"Emma is coming for spring break at some point but besides that yeah, I am free."

"Perfect. Our long awaited cooking sessions are about to start." He winks at me.

"Okay." I giggle. "There is still no progress between me and the kitchen. I only enter the place for consuming purposes."

"That will be the past soon." He says and tucks my hair behind my ear.

"Hey Ashton!" A blond guy pats his shoulder.

"Hi Tim." Ashton greets him. "This is Vanessa." He introduces me.

"I remember you. You are the guy that gave us the best hot dogs ever!" I say smiling, bringing in my mind the game Ashton and I attended together.

"I will accept the compliment." Tim chuckles. "If the team had won that game, maybe we wouldn't be here now drinking over our disqualification!"

"Tim is a sucker for basketball. He doesn't miss a game. But he had found a way to make a profit for himself, even when the team loses." Ashton teases him.

"That's true! I am sad when the team loses but I am less sad when I have more money in my pocket!" Tim jokes. "Selling hot dogs during the half time can be a satisfying extra income!"

"I know Tim through Shawn. Shawn is also obsessed with our basketball team." Ashton adds.

"Who isn't? It had so many glorious days in the past! It's a pity we didn't make it this year. We had potential! With John as the captain and that Parker kid. It's a shame really." Tim comments.

"We can only hope it gets better next year." Ashton shrugs.

They start talking about some guy stuff, like when to arrange their next meeting to play video games, Tim whispers something in Ashton's ear and then leaves. Ashton begins to tell me about the endless weekends with windows and curtains closed when Shawn and Tim play non stop FIFA,drink and make the apartment look like a dump. They do have fun and Ashton plays too sometimes, but he isn't as addicted to it as they are. He prefers watching them fight over it. Ashton tells the best stories. We keep talking about other things too, as people he knows briefly stop our conversation to greet him from time time. Ashton's words always captivate me and I laugh so hard when I am with him. It's like time flies really and when I yawn I suspect it must be kind of late.

"You got tired of me?" He asks and brushes my arm with his palm.

"Never." I smile at him. "I just had class early in the morning today, so I guess that's it for me. I am going to text Alice since there is no way finding her into this crazy crowd."

"I can give you a ride." He offers. "I have to do some errands for the paper tomorrow so I am going home as well."

"Do you ever get a weekend off?" He is such a dedicated editor.

"When I have a reason to." He says lifting his eyebrows at me.

"You should find a permanent reason. You work so hard, you need days off." I point a finger at him.

"I am working on that permanent reason." He gives me a smirk. "Did Alice answer?"

"Nope." I shrug. "I hope she's alright."

"Of course she is. Most likely she is dancing and having fun so she hasn't checked her phone. Come on."

He gets up and I do the same. He half embraces me once again to keep me close as we make our way out. Is it possible for this place to be more crowded than before?

"Just give me a sec. I need to make sure Chloe has a way to get home." He tells me as we pass by Chloe who is sitting on a couch with some friends. We go over and Ashton lowers down to talk to her. She nods half smiling and he pinches her cheek.

"We're good to go." Ashton says in my ear and I wave goodbye to Chloe who gives me another nod while taking a gulp from her drink.

It takes us ten minutes to get out of the house. I text Alice one more time to let her know Ashton will drive me to the dorms. She has her car so she can come home on her own. Alice never drinks too much when she is driving so I am not worried about that, but I'd rather drive with her so she could have company. Maybe Nina can join her if she doesn't leave with Matt. Ashton unlocks his car and opens the door for me before jumping in the driver's seat. We spend most of the drive in silence since I feel so sleepy.

"Are you awake?" I hear a voice in the background and I open my eyes. Ashton is caressing my face and taming the hair that has fallen in front of it.

"Did I fall asleep?" I say rubbing my eyes.

"Just a bit." He tells me smiling."Do you want me to walk you to your room?"

"No, I think I can manage not falling asleep in the elevator." I yawn. "Thanks."

"Good night, Vanessa." He says and leans to leave a soft kiss on my forehead. "And sweet dreams."

"You too!" I giggle and get out of the car.

Robin's POV

"Mmmmm..." I groan at the sound of the ringtone that brutally woke me up. Blindly I search for my phone on my nightstand, ringing, getting annoying right now. With eyes closed, I grab it and put it on my ear. "Mmm" is my civilized answer for whoever is on the phone.

"Morning babe!" Sophie's cheerful voice pierces my eardrums, and I sigh opening my eyes.

"Mmmmm. It's early" I say still sleepy not functioning right now and she giggles.

"Ro, it's 9:38, it's hardly morning, wake up!" What? 9:38! Oh god, this is too early for me! What happened at this ungodly hour and Sophie is calling me?

"Too early... Saturday... need sleep...what ' pened?" I murmur and she sighs.

"Ro, it's not that early, get up! I wanna go to the mall and buy some clothes and I need you to come with me!"

"Nooooooooo, let me sleeppppp!!!" I say groaning once more. Why do people always interrupt my sleep. It's Saturday!

"Pleaseee , pretty pleasee, I promise I will make it up to you..." she says and the shivers that run through my body wake me up for good. That was definitely an innuendo, right? Oh my God, public sex has been on my bucket list for years! I need to shave! I get up quickly as I answer her.

"Ok ok I am up, babe, I am taking a shower.. I will come pick you up in 30'!" I say getting undressed, tossing my clothes on the floor.

"Wow, that was a quick change of hearts!" Sophie says surprised and I eyeroll. She should thank my hornyness for that. I hate going shopping but she doesn't need to know that.

"Yeah yeah, get ready babe, see ya!" I toss the phone on the bed as I enter my bathroom to take a shower, anticipating her, making it up to me!

30 minutes later, Sophie enters my car and I kiss her good morning as she offers me a muffin, which we share. I am not sleepy anymore, on the contrary, I am very excited about this. I find a station that plays rock music and right on cue 'can't stop' by Red Hot Chilly Peppers is on! I turn on the volume, as I love the song and Soph closes her ears complaining it's too loud, but I do not care! We stop at a red light the minute the chorus is playing and I lift my hands off the wheel and start playing drums in the air singing along while Soph eyerolls but she will not ruin my mood.

We arrive at the mall and I park the car ready for the mall craziness to begin. I hope she decides to make it up for me rather soon. I hate wandering around, holding bags.

An hour later though, I am still unsatisfied and she is still trying on clothes after clothes, and I am starting to get bored. We are currently looking for a jumpsuit she can wear on formal gatherings as I am looking at t-shirts I can wear on daily basis.

"Hey Ro, which one?" Soph draws my attention, holding a black jumpsuit on one hand and another black one on the other.

"Aren't they the same?" I ask innocently.

"No, this one has the zip on the back", she sayd waving the right jumpsuit, "and the other has it on the side" she waves the other. I still see no difference between the two so I say the right.

"Cool, I'll go try it on! Hold the other one and be close to the changing room so that I can try it on as well" she hands me the clothe and goes to the changing room area where 2 people are waiting as well, carrying at least 5 pieces of clothes. I look at a few jeans for a while and then make my way next to Soph on the line. One of the rooms at the back is now empty so she gets in and I wait, leaning my back on the wall as a few people line up again. I take my phone and send a text to Sam to come find us after shopping at the coffee next to it and she says she will come with Nicky. Afterwards I open my angry birds app but as I am about to start the level, a voice is calling me. Sophie.

"Hey Ro! Can you come zip me?" she says with her head peeking out of the changing room, giving me a smirk! Oh god, this is it! Finally! I put my phone in my back pocket and swallow hard, over excited and aroused at this point. I nod like a maniac while the girl next to me eyes me confused, so I say " Sure thing, cousin, I'll come help ya" to make it sound like Soph and I are family and I am going to help her and not have sex with her in the changing room.. wait, if this girl hears any moans, she is gonna think it's incest! Oh who cares!

I walk to Soph with a wide smile and she looks at me confused. Once I get in, I hang the jumpsuit I was holding and turn to her excited and ready.

"How did you know this was on my bucket list? Baby, you are awesome! Ok, we have to do this as quickly and silent as we can, people are lining up and I can't promise I won't make a sound." I say unzipping my jeans not looking at Soph.

"Wait, what? What are you doing?" Soph says and I look up. Her eyebrow is raised and her cheeks are red. We stare at each other for ages. As I take my eyes off her face, I scan her body. She is wearing the black jumpsuit which needs to be zipped indeed. And then it clicks.

"You really want me to zip you, don't cha?" I say disappointed and she notices.

"Yes. What did you think?" she says and now it's my turn to raise my eyebrow.

"Jesus, Ro! Seriously?" she asks once it hits her as well. I nod pouting.

"You said you would make it up to me!"

"And you thought I would do that sexually? I meant coffee!" she says eye rolling and I puff zipping my own jeans.

"Whatever, turn around so that I can zip you." She follows the order and once I zip her, with one final look, I get out.

We spend the rest of the time at the bookstore until Sam calls me to tell me she is at the coffee shop. We leave the mall and make our way there, me still pouting and Sophie still flustered that I wanted to have sex with her in a public place.

I spot the girls at a table in the back, holding hands and smooching like 16 year olds.

"Stop being gross." I say annoyed with Soph next to me, and they stop kissing. Sam is the first to speak.

"What's gotten into your honeypot, bitch?" she says sipping water from her glass and I glare at her.

"I will tell you what didn't... Sophie!" I say and Sam chokes on her water and Sophie punches me on my shoulder hard.

"Dude, no! Fucking bitch, I did not need to know that!" she says coughing while Nicky is giggling and Soph is red as a tomato.

"Oh my god, Ro! They did not need to know that!" Sophie is fuming next to me as I sit down. "Excuse us girls, Ro here is pissed because somehow she thought that we would have intercourse in the changing room, which didn't happen, because who does that?" she says sitting next to me. And as I thought the show is over..

"We do" Sam says and Nicky hides her face with her hands. Sophie is stunned, Sam is being cocky, and I am pissed! I turn to Sophie with a annoyed face.
"See? Even Nicky is going that! Sorry Nicks." I say to Nicky who is still hiding her face, while Sam is laughing hysterically.

"Ok, I need to go to the restroom." Sophie says and gets up, leaving us alone.

"You lucky bitch!" I say to Sam, giving her the middle figure. Nicky puts her hands down and looks at me flustered. "Don't worry Nicks, I have heard worse stories that that." She smiles and Sam kisses her cheeks. I look at them pouting again as Sam turns to me.

"Don't fret, bitch, I give your girl 3 months till she agrees." She winks at me and I eyeroll. Give me some credit, Sam.

"Please, I give her a month. She can't deny me for long." I say as Sophie sits next to me again. Sam and I exchanged silent looks to each other, agreeing to end this convo and enjoy the coffee and talk about it later in private.

Sophie's POV

I push the button of the elevator to our apartment and patiently wait looking at my watch. 12:24. I was supposed to return home an hour ago but Robin wouldn't let me since we had the house all to ourselves and I had to make it up to her for yesterday's misunderstanding, which was not my fault. I never said 'come shopping with me and we will have sex in the changing rooms', but automatically in Ro's mind the phrase 'make it up to you' means sexual favours. On the other hand, I can't say I didn't enjoy making it up to her, on the contrary, the hickey on my left breast still hurts from last night, along with the ones on my thigh and hip.

Anyway, the elevator stops and I get out carrying my bag and march towards the door. I take my sunglasses off, unlock the door quickly and get in. I take my shoes off, leave my jacket on the hanging and make my way to the living room.

The sight is weird. Joss is sitting on the couch, pouting, looking intensely at the TV ,watching sports. He is wearing his tracksuit and a simple white T-shirt he uses as pjs. His eyes might be locked on the screen but he has this lost expression on his face, like he is not really watching.

"Hey Joss, morning." I greet him approaching him. He gives me a glance with the corner of his eyes and his whole attitude looks really indifferent. Like he doesn't care about what's happening around him. Oh no...

"Hey!" It's all he says. His eyes move back to the TV. Ok, usually he would make a comment about me returning from Ro's or tease me but when Joss is like this, something is up. I could tell from the look in his eyes. He has that every time something happens with his dad, I have seen it a lot over the years, so I know something is up.

My first reaction is to think I did something to piss him off, but I haven't seen him since yesterday and our convo was normal, so it is not me. Then, moving on to the second option, we have Harry. Maybe he called and said something to my Joss and he is upset and down. Mr. Nelson often has that effect on him and it pisses me off. Then maybe something at college happened, but Joss is an exceptional student so that is a no in my mind. What if something is wrong with Aunt Laureen? But.. I would definitely know, my mom would have told me.

"Hey, is everything ok?" I sit on the couch next to him.

"Yeah! Everything's perfect!" He retorts, without taking his eyes from the TV.

"You sure? Is aunt Laureen ok? Did something happen with your dad?" I try to make him open up, like I do with him.

"Everyone's fine last time I checked." He talks still watching this stupid match. "No, everything's good with dad. Whatever definition you can give to this good. For us, it's good." He says indifferently. Ok.. he refuses to talk, which is normal behavior, but I won't have it. When we were younger, and Joss or I were sad about something and we didn't want to talk about, we did this: a hug and then food.

The trick always works and I know it will now, so without permission I turn my body and wrap my arms around his waist and rest my head on his shoulder. "Wanna go grab a bite? I am hungry." I say simply.

"I don't know, Soph... I am not in the mood..." He replies softly.

"We don't have to talk, I can tell something is not ok, but I won't push it. I am just hungry... Robin tired me." I say hoping this will make him chuckle at least. I might hate it when he teases me about Ro, but I am cool with that now, if it makes him make fun of me.

"Ok, let's go have a quick bite... Those suckers aren't going to win anyway and they irritate me even more.." He turns off the TV and stands up.

Ok, he didn't even chuckle, or say something lame to me. "Go change, I am waiting." I tell him and he goes to his room. While he is changing, I grab my phone and text Ro.

To babe: babe, can we cancel our plans? Roommate obligations.

From babe: sure babe, but you are making it up to me tmr :P

I shake my head at that and then putting the phone aside, I stare at the TV. Five minutes later, Joss is ready to go.

"Who's driving?" He asks, more of obligation.

"Do you want to? I can do the driving, we could take your car, we both know you make fun of my Couper." I joke.

"There's no way I am letting you drive my car! I'll drive! Just tell me where you want to eat." He says sharply, taking his car keys and getting out of the house.

"Let's go to the rich part of the city, I am craving Sushi." I say which earned me a weird look, and then I follow him to the elevator after locking the door.

The drive was as predicted in one word 'silent' but he kept giving me glares. Under other circumstances, I would have stopped the car and got out due to his attitude, but today I am feeling generous and in mood for charity. Besides, he has been there for me so many times, so now it is my turn, even though he is being difficult. He always puts up with my childish tantrums so I guess it is my turn now.

We reach the sushi bar and without saying anything we get in and sit on a table for two.

"Nice place, huh?" I try to make small talk.

"Not bad." He snorts and starts reading the menu. Seriously? This place has ⅘ stars.

"Hmm... are we gonna keep conversing like that, 'cause if so, I'd prefer to eat in silence." I try to get a rise off him.

"What do you want, Sophie? I told you I wasn't in the mood. I know it's unusual, but it happens!" He states with a heavy voice.

Ok, he wasn't so difficult when we were kids, I liked it better back then, it was easier to cheer him up, now his is being a drama queen, and the only drama queen I can handle is Ro, and I handle her with sexual favours.

"Ok... what should we order?" I try again.

"To tell you the truth, I am not really hungry, but I will join you. Take whatever you like." He suggests.

"Well thank you your highness for this great honor." I mock him. "I always order Number 10, but I am fed up. Maybe we should try something new... hmmm... you know, if Alice was here she could suggest something good, she has lived in Japan and all, she knows stuff, Ro prefers chinese so I can't ask her. You think we should call Alice and ask her?" I look up from the menu and look at him. His eyes are wide and his jaw is clenched. Is he angry?

"Why do we need Alice to make a simple order? It's not even sure if she's going to answer. We don't need to rely on her." He grumbles. "Let's take 5 and 7!" He bites back abruptly and it confuses me.

"Well, for starters, if I am about to pay 40 dollars for Sushi, I want to know for sure I am getting the best plate, and second, Alice is our friend, she is an expert in Japan culture, I don't want to waste my money on something horrible." I tell him taken aback with his attitude about Alice.

"I am not going to bicker with you, because I know you're going to do what you want, so go ahead and call her!" He gestures with his hand really frustrated.

Pfff childish... anyway, I reach for my bag to fish my phone out but... damn it, I forgot my phone at home. Seriously? Damn it, what if Robin wants something?

"I forgot my phone home, call Alice and then give me your phone to let Robin know I have no phone with me." I inform Joss, whose eyes narrow.

"Seriously, Sophie? Robin has left no brain in there at all!" He huffs in exasperation and I glare at him.

"Shut up, call Alice now and ask her dumbass. The waiter has been glaring at us." I command.

He huffs again and takes his phone out. He unlocks it and stares at the screen moving his thumb over it, in hesitation and finally he calls her.

"She is not picking up!" He exasperates and throws his phone on the table, some seconds later.

"Damn it... I sense disappointment and regret about our food choice... anyway, let's order 5 and 7." I say disappointed and wave at the waiter. While I order though, I steal glances over Joss, who keeps looking at his phone... glaring at it actually, and his eyes are really narrow. This confuses me again, but I am letting it drop.

20 minutes later our order is here and well, number 5 was a bit disappointed for its 35 dollars, but 7 was good.

In another attempt of making conversation, I start talking about Robin and I. I will definitely regret it.

"Have you ever had public intercourse?" I ask him seriously. Please don't make me regret it. He raises an eyebrow.

"I have plenty of experience on the subject. Did you have public sex with Robin and you've got caught?" He smirks, although this is not his usual teasing smirk.

"Ok, first I did not have public se... intercourse and secondly, I am pretty sure if I did, I wouldn't get caught, thank you very much." I mock him, but at least we are conversing. "I just wanted to ask your opinion on that matter."

"You know I have no taboos on that matter. The excitement of getting caught is arousing. It gets you off. I have done it even in high school." He remarks and he seems somehow more eager to talk, but still the way he talks is not the cheery and bragging Joss style.It's more of like telling the news.But either way the topic... Ew, ew , ew.. "It gets even better when you have the right girl! She can set you really on fire! I think the right girl can set you anywhere on fire, without even trying... just standing there..." He muses and his mind seems to run somewhere else.

"Good to know." I say nodding my head. "Um... what else... hm... Oh... is there a party soon? I am thinking of joining this time, do we have something coming up?" I ask not really interested but I couldn't come up with something and parties is Joss' thing. Even that caught Joss' attention for good.

"You... want to... go to a party.... Voluntarily? Without anyone dragging you to go?" He exclaims, raising an eyebrow.

"Well... kinda, Robin gets invited almost every Friday at parties but she always says no so that we can be together, and Sam is a bit pissed, so I thought it would a good idea." I shrug. "We can tell Vanessa, Alice and the others to join, right?"

"You can go if you want, but don't count me in. I am not really hyped for a party at the moment... Not to mention, I have a lot of projects on my way, so I guess it would be better to catch up a bit. I've been in so many parties... Missing a couple it's not a big deal." He says indifferently, playing with his chopsticks.

Since when is Joss Nelson saying no to parties? I get the whole 'i have to study' thing, but he has been a student for 3 years and he partied nevertheless. Whatever it is he is going through, it is huge.

"Hey Joss!" A brunette girl suddenly appears. Her hair is really long that I notice, but other than that and a good figure, the girl is plain, and apparently she knows Joss.

"Lindsay... hey!" Joss greets her with a forced smile. "How are you?"

"I am fine! Am I... um... interrupting something?" She says in her sweetest voice, but then she gives me an annoyed look.

"No not at all. This is my best friend Sophie. Sophie, this is Lindsay. She's the volleyball team captain." Joss introduces us just to be formal, but without paying any attention really.

"Nice to meet you, Sophie." She says cheerfully, now that she found out I am not threat to her. Like, girl please, I love boobs and really blonde people.

"Hi." I say back trying hard not to eye roll and she turns to Joss again.

"So Joss, where have you been? I have a long time to see you... you know in private... I have missed that... I have missed you." She coos to him, bringing her long hair on the right side of her neck. Bimboooooo. Seriously I am gay and I hate this move. Watch Joss get his smug smile back and start flirting.

"Yeah I know... There are a lot of things going on! Anyway... I don't know if I am available any time soon." Joss answers politely, but his whole attitude neglects her completely. Guess Joss is not interested.

"Not even tonight? I had a tough game and I really need a good massage." She purrs. My gay stomach is about to explode.

"No, I can't!" Joss retorts and Lindsay frowns. Ouch, guess Joss had an epiphany last night, and bimbos are lame today. I have never seen him turn down any girl, especially the ones who throw themselves at him. This leaves me a bit shocked. There is really something wrong with him.

"Ok.. I hope you will be available really fast!" Lindsey says a bit puzzled, touching Joss' arm. "Anyway, they are waiting for me! Have fun!" She smiles and leaves. Good riddance.

"Nice girl, extra desperate, the way you like them." I say with a fake smile, concerned at this point.

"She's just like the majority of girls in campus. Nothing special." He says, without giving a glance to the direction this bimbo went.

"You turned her down, should I be worried? Like, are you feeling ok?" I continue giving him a weird look. "You never say no to trashes... no offence." I joke.

"There is always a first time for everything and it's not that sex is what I have first in my mind." Joss exclaims and I give him an 'Are you kidding me' look. Wow that's a first for sure. Of course he understood that I don't buy this, by the disbelief look on my face and he sighs, before he talks again. "Alright! To tell you the truth, I am not in my best days, but I will figure this out." He tells me in a soft voice. Ok... this is getting heavy.

"Ok, I will not pressure you, but if you want to talk, I am here, like old times." I say shrugging. There's no point trying to make him talk.

"I know, Soph! Sorry for being an asshole and all, but I promise you it won't be for long." He gives me a warm smile.

"Well thank god, 'cause if you keep this up, I will have to take you out for lunch till you get better, and I would very much prefer to spend my money on other stuff." I joke but smile afterwards. "Shall we get the check?"

"Maybe I will take advantage of that then! Yeah let's leave..." He tries to find the waiter. When he comes back with the check, I get it first. Joss offered to pay half but I wouldn't have it, and after the mild heart attack for the 80 dollars I half ate in sushi, I give him my credit card and watch 80 dollars leave my account... in one move. They will be missed, but Joss' worth it.

"Ok, let's go home, Drama queen. Next time in crisis, I am buying you ice cream." I remark and we both get up and leave the place.

"It's a deal! Let's hope I will overcome this crisis soon... It's really irritating!" Joss admits.

"You don't say! I know, I had to endure your drama act while eating sushi. Go back to being Joss." I say and playfully, before we reach the car, I jump on his back only but for a bit.

"Ok, you wished for that... So you told me something about Robin made you tired? And public sex? What happened at the mall, little sis? Did you come behind the hungers?" He jokes, carrying me around.

"Oh my god, I never mentioned the mall! Did Robin tell you? Noo... Sam did, didn't she?" I ask mortified.

"I can't disclose my sources!" He's being mysterious. Oh nooo, Sam told him... damn it.

"Fine, and no, we did not have se-- inte--- sex, in the changing rooms, can you forget I said anything?" I plead him.

"Since you were a good friend today, I will do the same for you as well!"

"Thank you dork, now put me down, let's go back to our less rich part of the city, I had enough glamour for the day. Don't you love being rich for a 80 dollar plate?" I beam at him as we get in the car.

"I'd prefer a 15 dollar burger, but I wouldn't say no to one night at a suite in MGM in Vegas." Joseph beams turning on the engine and I eyeroll, before we go back home.

The dinner was a failure but at least he seems less broody. Let's hope this crisis goes away pretty soon.

A/N: The party is over! When it comes to Vanessa, are you team Vashton or Nessa? Joseph and Alice had a big moment! What should be their next moves? Hope everyone is having the summer of their lives! It means the world you're still here with us, still reading and showing your support! Thank you! Waiting for your comments and your reactions. xx