franky Blog and Journals

Okay, ladies.

Mixed pov chapter.

Because this chapter is somewhat crucial and it is important to get everyone’s standing on it.

By mixed pov, it’s EVERYONE.

So no bitching and moaning about how so and so has already had a chapter, so and so has more features, so and so this that whatever. It’ll even out in the end.

Like, I’m sorry if it’s unfair and shit, but really, this chapter is IMPORTANT.

Kinda.

Sorry, I’m a little grumpy with people complaining…

Complain and I’ll cut your noses off.

It WILL hurt.

Yeah. Enjoyyyy

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Franky’s Point of View

Late afternoon. Sunset. Early Evening. Whatever you want to call it. It was the beginning of the point where the city becomes alive, and we weren’t doing anything at all.

We, being Hayley, Xani, Alison, myself, and our latest additions Mackie (who’s here to sort out bridal and wedding stuff with us while Gabe is recording with Cobra Starship at the same recording studio as us, coincidentally) and Lyla (here for well, us. Because we’re fabulous. No, she’s here for bridesmaid stuff and to help design our merch.) were slumped out on the couches in our apartment. We had just finished laying out every single comfort food/’PMS disaster’ food known to man, or woman in this case, on the still remarkably clean and shiny coffee table.

Xani said she needed to ‘talk’ with us.

That sounds normal right?

Well, we all know her well enough to know that something, whatever it was, was up.

So we take the typical well prepared, knowledgeable, friendly, caring, feminine approach and get blankets, chick flicks, and comfort food to prepare ourselves for what was coming. We were waiting in uneasy silence, watching Xani twiddle her thumbs and fidget.

Our eyes weren’t completely focused on her. We all got bored and looked away at some point. Then it was out.

‘I slept with Pete. Last night when you guys were out, and the day we got here.’ She said plainly, picking at the seams of the cushion she was clutching to her. All heads turned. Total and utter silence enveloped the room once again.

‘I know…it’s wrong. Don’t chastise, judge, or comment with anything you’ll regret later.’ She mumbled. The latter of us all looked at each other with shock and curiosity gracing our faces.

‘So this was what I was missing out on…’ Mackie said to try and lighten the atmosphere.

Xani gave a humorless laugh. Silence shrouded again.

‘Did you feel anything?’ I piped up. Xani looked at me strangely

‘literally, morally or emotionally? Cos literally I don’t want to explain it, and morally, I don’t want to get into that either.’

‘Emotionally, you idi- I mean, dear.’

She hesitated. ‘Emotionally, I think that’s the problem. I like him...Alot. Like, a lot a lot.’

‘More than Ryland?’ Lyla asked

‘I... I don’t know. It’s too early to figure out.’ She mumbled. An easier silence enveloped us again.

Slightly easier, it wasn’t calm yet.

‘That’s it really...’ Xani said. We all nodded.

‘So. What else happened?’ Lyla asked purely out of curiosity

‘Nothing.’ Hayley said

‘Basically.’ Alison said

‘Nothing at all, really.’ I muttered

‘Oh well, Hayley got pretty cozy with Jack the morning after we arrived.’ Xani smirked

‘hey I was asleep I didn’t realise!! I don’t actually like him that way…’

‘Sure you didn’t…but then who do you like?’

‘Not Caleb.’

‘How’s that going anyway?’ Alison asked

‘Miserably.’

‘Oh okay.’ Xani and Hayley’s argument resumed.

‘well, you still looked pretty…comfortable Hayleycakes.’

‘Oh go screw Wentz.’

Xani’s comeback was interrupted by a phone ringing. By instinct, we all got out our phones.

Turns out it was mine. Billvy.

I stealthily exited the room. I pressed the pick up button.

‘Hey darling’ he cooed as soon as I put the phone to my ear

‘Hey’ I replied, a smile immediately gracing my face. Couple-y perfection. I couldn’t ask for anything more.

‘Just calling to see if you and the rest of the girls, all of them I mean, want to go to a party tomorrow night?’

‘Who’s party…?’

‘John O’Callaghan, from the Maine. Celebrating being legal. I reckon you’ve met him, Warped and all that.’

‘Oh yeah, well, I’m sure we can make it, it’s not like we really have plans.’

I heard the doorbell ring and then the buzzer noise from the living room but I ignored it.

‘Well, that’s good. All the other guys are going too, at least I get to see you again, and it’s been too long.’ I could practically hear his smile.

I giggled, blushing ‘you saw me this morning.’

‘Exactly. It’s been too long, sweetheart.’ He joked I heard the door opening and then a bunch of gasps and Hayley squealing ‘hey Hollywood!’ in typical hyper fashion.

‘Hey Bill I think someone’s here… I better go. I’ll probably call you later.’ I said quickly

‘Okay, if you don’t call back I’ll call you or I’ll just see you tomorrow. Love you.’ He said

‘Love you too’ I replied before hanging up. I stuffed my phone in my pocket and made my way back to the living room where to my surprise, Tamasyn was hugging and talking excitedly with all of the girls. I did my share of squealing and ran up to give her a bone crushing hug.

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Mackie’s Point of View

After what seemed like half an hour of hugging, squealing, etc., we finally settled down on the couches in our ‘comfortable clothes’ as I liked to call them.

‘what exactly are we doing here?’ Tam asked

‘impromptu slumber party.’

‘okay, so, what have I missed?’ Tammy said flopping down on the couch between me and Hayley.

‘not much’ Hayley tried to disclose

‘Xani slept with Pete. Twice.’ Franky said simply.

Tam’s eyes widened ‘oh gee that’s nothing at all…what else?’ she said with a slight sarcastic tone.

‘not really, that’s all that happened.’

‘Hayley got cozy with Jack.’ Alison said rolling her eyes while Xani giggled.

‘oh shut up.’

‘what do you mean by cozy?’ Tam asked

‘so maybe I hugged him in my sleep, it’s not that bad!’

‘why were you even in the same bed as him and not Caleb?’

‘Because Caleb is a lying prick.’

‘because Alison was busy having sex in the room next to the one she was staying in originally, so she went into his room’ I filled in. ‘okay. I’ll believe you, Mackie.’ Tam said with a grin.

An hour later, we were all just catching up. The doorbell rang with the pizza, so I went to get it after getting everyone’s money to pay for it. When I came back with plates and stuff, apparently it was my turn to dish about what I’d been up to.

‘okay Ms. Soon-To-be-Mrs.-Saporta, what have you been up to in the City of Angels as well as Chicago?’ Alison asked while taking a bite out of her slice of pizza.

I pondered as I chewed.

‘Nothing really happened in comparison to you four drama queens.’ I teased with a smile. The room was filled with laughter for a bit ‘surely you did something though?’ Lyla said

I shrugged nonchalantly ‘wedding planning, mostly.’

Everyone’s eyes lit up significantly. ‘speaking of which, how is that going?’

‘it’s going fine, I’m nowhere near done yet, and the wedding is in December, during the week that Christmas is in. I haven’t actually decided what day, but it’s definitely going to be during that Christmas week.’ I said uncertainly

‘awww, that’s so cool. It’s gonna be all snowy and pretty and romantic….’ Hayley said, smiling dreamily.

‘well, why not make it on Christmas?’ Xani said thoughtfully

‘Or Christmas Eve.’ Franky piped up

‘why Christmas Eve as opposed to Christmas Day?’ Lyla asked

‘so that everyone gets drunk and wakes up on Christmas day, well, noon, and has regretful one night stands or fabulously romantic sex.’ Franky said with a grin.

I rolled my eyes in the silence.

‘seeing as that was said…’ Hayley began, giving Franky a strange look

‘best to make it Christmas Day.’ Lyla finished. I nodded in agreement.

‘I think we should go bridesmaid dress shopping tomorrow.’ I said quickly, anticipating the responses and/or excuses

They all surprisingly nodded in agreement, small talk about the choices erupted.

‘is there a theme?’ Alison asked

‘um, maybe it can be kind of a wintery Christmassy theme, because it’s on Christmas?’ Lyla said with an obvious tone to her voice ‘hmmm s’pose. It’s a good idea…’

‘yeah…’ ‘but we can just decide tomorrow.’

‘OH MY GOD’ Hayley squealed

‘yes?’ I asked expectantly

‘CAN I HELP WITH THE CATERING CHOICES?!’ she asked excitedly taking my arm

I looked at Tam questioningly, about her sudden excitement ‘she loves this wedding shit. I don’t know why.’ She said, rolling her eyes.

‘um sure...you can help with anything that the wedding planner isn’t doing…’ I said slowly She wrapped me in a bone crushing hug ‘there’s a wedding planner? If so, why aren’t they actually doing anything yet?’ Franky asked

‘oh, cos we don’t have one yet. Gabe’s finding one apparently. I’ll leave it to him.’ I said Xani laughed

‘the groom has to do something right?’

‘well pretty much’

‘can we watch a movie now?’ Tam asked

‘okay’

‘what movie…’

‘you pick’

‘okay’ Tam said, getting up

She picked up ‘The Breakfast Club’ and put it in the dvd player before getting back and snuggling back into her blanket

A little while later we were halfway through the movie, during the much quieter scene. Hayley spoke up.

‘I think I should break up with Caleb.’ She said, after a long while of silence on her part.

We looked at her.

‘maybe you should give him a little more time.’

‘maybe he’ll come around....’

‘we haven’t spoken in weeks now…Jack and I have been talking…’

‘and?’

‘we’ve decided its better if we’re just good friends.’ She finished.

‘okay.’

‘which I’m perfectly fine with, but the problem here is Caleb.’

‘okay…well…give him one more chance. If he screws up again, you’ll know what to do.’ I said simply.

‘is that too…tough?’ she asked me

‘that’s why they call them crushes. If they were easy, they’d call them something else.’ I said plainly.

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Tammy’s Point of View

The first thing I felt was a whack.

“What the…”

“Hi.” Mackie sat up

“Why did you just hit me?”

“I’m so sorry, I just wanted to talk.” She smiled.

“And you couldn’t have done that when I had woken up?”

“Yes.” I groaned and pulled the pillow over my head, which caused Hayley’s head to fall, I didn’t realise she was sharing it with me. “Tam.” She groaned.

“Shut up.”

“You’re all moody bitches.” Mackie yawned.

“Just shut up and go to sleep.” She ignored my request and sat talking to us, we never answered anything she said or asked but she sat there talking about how excited she was about her wedding. She was talking about dresses and cake and flowers, soon though it was boring enough for me to drift into another sleep. And yet again I was woken up by my idiotic friend hitting me with a pillow numerous times.

“Go annoy Gabe.”

“No, its fun annoying you, now get your ass up and come on.” She pulled at my arms.

“Where am I going?”

“Well my bridesmaids need dresses.”

“Okay. I’m up!” I jumped up and smiled.

“I knew all I had to say was dresses and you’d be up.” She smirked walking down the hallway.

I had to quickly get ready because my eager friend isn't very patient. It was either get ready in ten minutes, or you’re out of the wedding party. And as maid of honour I wanted to be in the wedding!

‘oh yeah and guys?’ Mackie yelled down the echo-y hallway

‘yes?’ we mumbled in response, half asleep ‘can you all go and get a pair of heels from your bags, wardrobes whatever?’

‘yes.’ We replied lazily, slowly getting up

‘but make sure you all have different coloured shoes, no one can have the same coloured shoes!!!’ she yelled quickly before shutting the bathroom door.

‘I think the wedding crap is getting to her. Thanks Hayley, you probably rubbed off on her.’

‘oh well, had to happen sometime.’ Hayley said with a smile as she stretched and got up to go to her room. Later, all dressed and with the apparently ‘important’ shoes, we hailed two cabs and squeezed in.

We stopped outside one of the biggest bridal/wedding themed stores in New York, most probably. I was worrying myself sometimes her taste isn't that good after a late night up, gossiping and watching movies. But this time it was amazing, me, and the girls were bridesmaids.

We stepped inside the massive store that was dedicated to mostly clothing needs for weddings I assumed.

‘okay.’ Mackie said as she turned to us, all business.

‘basically, I’ve decided all of my bridesmaids will wear white. Dresses, knee length, and neckline however you like. I don’t mind, but it’d help if you show me first. Also, you’re all going to wear different coloured shoes from each other, but you know that already, hence why I woke you all up so early to go pick shoes out of your suitcases and wardrobes. I wasn’t kidding when I said it was necessary. The different colour thing, it sounds obsessive compulsive, but it’ll look better in the end, I promise. I’ll be over in the brides section, its pretty clear where it is. And this is not just a bridal store, it is an evening store, so you have heaps of options and...yeah. You’ll love me for it in the end. Now go psycho.’

We were about to go crazy in the store and depart from her, but she said quickly

‘oh and we’re not the only people in the store.’ We turned to her. I thought she mentioned in the cab that she somehow managed to ring a bunch of people with her ‘connections’ and close off the store to everyone except her bridal party, a.k.a. us?

She gave us a quick smile ‘the guys are here too. In the men’s section, obviously. So you may want to help them out because they went out last night and are horribly hungover, most of them anyway. You know what they’re like after a night out, their taste and perceptions may be…questionable.’

We all nodded and laughed a bit.

‘oh and Franky?’ she added quickly

‘yeah?’ Franky replied, her eyes darting to the little refreshments stand thing behind Mackie, basically alcohol and delicate little servings of food set out on a clean white tablecloth behind Mackie, kind of in the center of the room.

‘the champagne and other stuff IS for us, but don’t get drunk yet please.’ She added with a roll of her eyes before heading off to the bridal section.

Everyone haphazardly scattered. I stood in my spot for a bit.

I couldn’t believe that I was the Maid of Honour.

Me, the girl who does not believe in marriage. I guess I’ll enjoy it though.

Who doesn’t love dressing up? I wandered up to the couture section, flicking through the rail. I stopped in shock.

Ten minutes in and I had already found my dress. I hastily grabbed it off the rack but then ran off to the dressing room to get changed into it.

I think this wedding excitement is getting to me. After I changed, I pulled on the heels I brought with me.

The stilettos clicked against the marbled floor as I walked out to what seemed to be the communal mirror room-type thing for this place. There was some sort of round couch in the middle, and there were mirrors on three of the walls.

I stood in front of the longest wall, smoothing out the dress and fixing up my hair.

‘wow’ I heard someone whisper behind me I turned around, surprised.

‘you look beautiful’ Ryan said quietly, smiling in his typical shy way

He walked closer to me, brushing some hair out of my face before taking my hands in his and leaning our foreheads against each other.

Hayley walked past in a white flowy strapless dress.

‘hate to kill the moment’, Hayley said ‘but they said no sex in the store. Sorry.’ I flipped her off as she walked away giggling.

We broke apart slightly. I fondly adjusted little bits on his suit, smoothing it out a bit.

‘I think you should get this one.’

‘hmm, I’ve got time.’ He said kissing my nose Suddenly, we were interrupted again.

‘SMACK THAT ALL ON THE FLOOR SMACK THAT TILL YOU GET SORE’ Was booming through the store, by only the typical suspects I sighed.

‘I’ll come back, Ryan.’ I said, kissing him quickly before making my way to the other communal mirror room place. The sight before me was to be expected.

Franky and Alison, dancing around in fancy sleepwear, if there’s enough lace and satin included for it to count as clothing, in their heels and singing Akon, loudly and badly.

‘how did you find- well,’ I gestured to their ‘outfits’

‘oh, we took the time to look’ Franky said prancing over to me, then dancing around me in a circle

I rolled my eyes at their antics.

Hayley and Lyla were recovering from their laughing fits, Mackie still trying to stop laughing herself.

Alison and Franky took their dancing to another section of the store, our part immediately quiet again as everyone went back to whatever they were doing, Mackie returning back to her bridal wear place, Hayley to a dressing room.

Lyla stood in front of the mirror in a halter dress. I examined her reflection.

‘I think…’

‘yes…’

‘that you should go for this strapless one instead.’ I said, pondering my decision and walking over to the rack and grabbing this other white dress I saw. I handed this to her and she clapped her hands in delight

‘okay, I will.’ She said

She happily went and put it on and came back

‘yeah that’s the one’ I said with a smile

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Lyla's Point of View

Tam made her way back to wherever she was, her stilettos clicking away against the floor.

I dialed Jonathan with a smile on my face; I hadn't spoken to him since two days ago. Time to catch up.

The dial tone rang three times before someone picked up

'hello?' a girl answered giggling

'uh, hi, who is this...?' i asked quickly, smile disappearing

'oh uh, i'm An- Jonny stop it!' she said with a shrill laugh that was like nails on a chalkboard to my ears.

'sorry i missed that?' i asked as politely as possible

'I'm Anna.'

Silence on my part.

'Jonny's Girlfriend.' the two words made me drop the phone on the marble floor, the sound echoing off the marbled and mirrored walls with a *crack* noise erupting in the silence.

'hello? Hello are you there?' her annoying voice still said from the phone which was now on the floor. i used the thin heel of my stiletto to press the little hang up button.

Tam came running over still in the same dress. i think she's in love with it.

she ran as fast as possible over to me in her heels.

must've been pretty loud...

'what happened?' she asked, taking in my expression. she pulled me over to the couch and sat next to me, figuring something was wrong.

Perceptive.

She took my arm, trying to mentally figure out what was wrong.

i didn't quite realise my hands were shaking.

'i...called Jon.' she looked at me, not quite getting the significance, but let me continue.

'he didn't answer his phone.' still silent.

'his girlfriend did.' her eyes widened and darkened.

'bastard.' she mumbled, wrapping a tentative arm around me. i buried my face in my hands, putting my elbows on my knees, shaking my head. i couldn't believe him. he said he'd stick with me forever, even with tour and his demanding schedule. but then he went and plucked up another girlfriend, behind my back.

Cheater.

Liar.

Jerk.

Asshole.

Moron.

...I'm running out of names.

I didn't realise that tears were pouring out of my eyes, smearing my eyeliner. i sniffled while pulling my face from its place burined in my hands, trying in vain to wipe away the tinted tears.

'what's wrong?' i heard a familiar voice whisper to Tam as i resumed my position.

'she called jonathan and some chick claiming to be his girlfriend picked up instead.' she said through gritted teeth.

whoever it was sighed.

'he was the last guy i'd expect to do that.'

'i know' tam said quietly.

'we can't always get what we want, huh?'

'yeah.' Tam was shifting a bit uncomfortably.

'i'll take over from here.' the voice said quietly.

'you sure?'

'yeah. you get and get all dressed up.' she laughed and stood up. the leather seat next to me sank again and i was pulled onto someone's lap. i wiped away the tears again and looked up at my 'seat'.

it was brendon.

he'd gotten out of his formal attire that i saw him in previously when i was walking past and into a t shirt and a pair of skinny jeans.

he wrapped a tentative arm around my waist and pulled me to him.

i buried my face into his shoulder.

'i'm sorry if i mess up your shirt' i mumbled into the fabric.

his chest, also a bit of my pillow at that moment, vibrated with his chuckling.

'it's fine, i've got plenty.' i smiled into the fabric, adjusting my head a bit.

i'd always liked Brendon.

And no, i'm not saying that just because i'm emotional, hurt, depressed, fragile, and currently love-less.

but i always had liked him.

i sighed.

back to earth, Lyla.

i slid off his lap, smoothing out the dress.

'you look really beautiful. he's insane to cheat.' he said with a winning smile.

Ah, I knew I always liked him. : P

I chuckled ‘I probably have eyeliner halfway down my face, and you tell me I look beautiful?’ I chuckled, wiping my cheeks.

May as well play along.

‘yeah.’ He said quietly, biting his lip and locking his brown eyes with mine ‘you do.’

Silence shrouded us for a bit in our little moment, before I, in typical shy, nervous, awkward fashion, thanked him for staying with me before rushing off to the ladies room to clean up.

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Xani's Point of View

Around two hours later, we returned back to the apartment or the ‘coven’ as Hayley and Franky liked to call it. Little Twilight obsessed freaks.

We were all just lounging around as Hayley and Lyla made lunch, them being some of the only ones that could be trusted with a stove. Luckily for us, they were making lasagna, so we wouldn’t starve.

Franky drifted in and out of the kitchen on occasion, to help out, but eventually got bored.

She insisted on putting Pokémon into the DVD player while we waited, so the latter of us reluctantly curled up or flopped down on the couches to watch while the others cooked in the kitchen.

Halfway through Pokémon, the others came in with food. While we were all finishing eating and watching the movie, Franky’s face was suddenly shrouded in an expression we knew all too well.

The i-was-meant-to-tell-you-this-before-but-i-forgot-and-it’s-urgent look

‘what now?’ I asked her, questioning the stunned look on her face.

‘there’s a party, John O’Callaghan’s birthday party. He’s turning 21.’

‘um yeah, and?’ Mackie asked ‘it’s in’

she looked at the clock on the wall which displayed the time of 3:30‘four hours.’

As if by lightning, Hayley got up, grabbing some other peoples’ plates, put them in the kitchen, and then ran off to her bedroom whereshe shut the door. We could hear things being chucked around, probably her sorting through her closet. The rest of us followed suit.

Parties. We all knew what that meant.

Universal Girl Code for basically going all out in terms of makeup, hair, shoes, jewellery, you name it.

These times are to be cherished. You can’t really get away with overdoing it any time else.

We really didn’t have that much time.

Four hours isn’t as long as people think it is.

Or maybe it’s just cos we’re girls. I wouldn’t know.

Is there a difference?

My door was left halfway open, enough for me to hear and in some cases see the uh, shenanigans happening in the hallway.

While I was picking a pair of shoes, I heard running in the hallway.

Two pairs of feet running. I peered my head out of my door, all to see a streak of blue, also known as Hayley, and a streak of red, also known as Mackie, racing towards the free bathroom. I did a bit of a double take, and when I looked again, the bathroom door was being slammed shut and the lock clicked, with Hayley looking like there was a storm cloud floating over her head standing outside.

‘I shotgunned you know’ she said loudly to Mackie on the other side of the door

‘early bird catches the worm’ Mackie said in a sing song voice.

‘I so shotgunned though!’ Hayley complained Franky poked her head out of the door to see what the commotion was I rolled my eyes

‘it doesn’t count if you shotgun in your head, Hayleycakes.’ She turned to me with a somewhat playful glare as what sounded like the shower was turned on in the bathroom and Hayley returned back to her room muttering about something I couldn’t quite decipher.

Two hours later, everyone was happily washed up, dressed, etc., but no one was made up except Franky.

As usual, though. It’s not like she ever took off her seemingly indestructible eyeliner.

We had returned to the spots where we were just two hours prior, lounging around, most of us deliberating makeup choices.

Typical, hm? Then a thought occurred to me. With my crappy luck, Ryland would be there tonight. But Pete would be too.

Far, far too sexually awkward.

‘Hey Mackie?’

‘Yeah Xani?’ she said while carefully drawing a line of charcoal coloured eyeliner across her top eyelid.

‘uh, Ryland isn’t in town…is he?’ I asked tentatively

‘no, he’s in Chicago…stuff for the record I guess.’ Mackie said with a shrug

‘oh okay.’ ‘why do you ask?’ Before I could reply, Alison butted in and said

‘she’s scared she’ll run into him with Pete in the room, and that it’ll be totally sexually awkward, or he’ll walk in on her making out in Pete.’

I glared at her. ‘stop reading my mind, its annoying.’

‘hey, just answering the question.’ Alison shrugged with a grin.

After a little bit, I decided to trudge my way off to my bedroom to do up my makeup.

When I came back, the number seemingly doubled.

During my absence, somehow, Pete, Ryan, Gabe, William, Brendon and Alex appeared without making too much noise.

Surprising, as they’re usually as noisy as elephants. As I entered the room, freshly made up, a round of ‘hey’s echoed around in some sort of nonchalant greeting.

Pete kept his gaze with me to the point where it got a little uncomfortable, so I just silently sat down next to him, pretending to fix my shoes so I could avoid eye contact.

Everyone seemed to be making pretty avid conversation, Billvy and Franky being their typical love struck selves, Ryan and Tam talking and laughing, Lyla and Brendon trying to subtly flirt with each other even though it was completely obvious, Gabe just gazing at Mackie as she applied her makeup, with that dumb look boys get on their face when they’re looking at a girl they think is absolutely, amazingly, goddess-standard beautiful. Ah, to be completely and totally in love with your fiancée. Hayley was applying her eyeliner while laughing with Alison and Alex about something.

Pete and I were the only ones who seemed to have some sort of invisible awkwardness barrier around us, preventing all of the happy, un-awkward energy from coming into our imaginary personal bubble. I felt his stare on me as I looked away.

The whole Time Flies When You’re Having Fun crap is true, even if it’s not working to your advantage.

What seemed like years later, even though it was just an hour and a half really, Alison looked at her phone and said something about hailing a few cabs now to avoid the typical New York Rush Hour.

It’s Party Time.

---------------------

Alison’s Point of View

We got to Kennedy Brock’s apartment, where the party was being held, ten minutes early, and the party was already buzzing.

People drunk.

People dancing.

People laughing.

People talking.

People making out.

Nonetheless, it was quite the epic party. As soon as we got in, everyone peeled away to do their thing.

I wanted to find the birthday boy, I don’t recall ever meeting him before, I’d seen him around on Warped but I don’t think we ever had a proper conversation.

After a while of searching, I made my way over to the drinks, where a furious looking Hayley was standing. I could practically see the black storm clouds floating over her head.

‘why so glum old chum?’ I asked putting on a terrible fake British accent while concocting a vodka soda on the table behind us. She didn’t reply. She just stared ahead of her, her eyes a scary almost black colour and sipped her drink, which I just assume was tequila. I just finished putting together my drink, shrugging off her lack of response.

I got a little closer to her and questioned again.

‘what’s wrong?’

This time she answered ‘stupid fucking Caleb fucking around behind my fucking back.’

I did a double take ‘uh sorry what?’

‘he’s screwing around behind my back. Caleb.’ She said plainly.

I empathized ‘you don’t know for sure. Remember that chance thing we talked about?’

She gave a humorless laugh ‘I do know. He unknowingly, single handedly fucked it over. His last chance, blown.’

‘how do you know?’ I asked with a quirked eyebrow

‘turn around, stand the way I’m standing.’ She said. I did as she said, confused.

‘look straight ahead, 12:00.’ She said, glaring at whatever was in front, crushing her empty red cup in her hands before turning around, stealing the bottle of tequila, and storming off somewhere, her heels clicking against the wooden floor.

Straight ahead of me was a sight that perfectly explained Hayley’s utmost fury.

Caleb was busy making out with some girl in the cluster of people dancing on the floor. Coincidentally enough the girl shared most of Hayley’s features, short, long dark hair, tanned. But even if he was drunk and ‘thought’ this girl was Hayley, his intoxication wouldn’t count as a valid excuse after all the stuff he’d pulled in the past few weeks. I lost sight of Hayley as she stormed out of the door to one of the small balconies.

I decided to continue my search for John O’Callaghan, slash Birthday Boy. I made my way over to the couch in the center of the room to see if I had a better view from there. As I walked across the dance floor, quite close to the little lounge area, a pair of strong arms wrapped around my waist.

‘hey’ someone breathed into my ear in what seemed to be a bit of a seductive tone that made my heartbeat accelerate.

I turned in his arms to look at whoever this guy was, and when I saw, I put on my best ‘lure-‘em-in’ smile.

Give me a break, I’m a tiny bit tipsy. I’ve never really been able to hold my liquor.

‘hey there birthday boy.’ I said, slurring my words just slightly, a giddy tone to my voice

‘hey there, I don’t think we’ve ever been…introduced. Formally.’ He said with a dashing smile that made my stomach flip.

‘well. I’m Alison. I’m in-‘

‘Make or Break. I know. I always watched your sets on warped tour…or should I say I watched you?’

Okay, I’m either tipsier than I first thought and a total lightweight or this guy has a serious way with words and charming semi-drunk girls.

I giggled and fell against him a bit. I'm only a tiny bit buzzed but i tend to flirt shamelessly nonetheless. I can’t be the only one who does that, right…?

He pulled me against him to steady me.

In my slightly drunk state, I leaned up and placed a chaste kiss on his lips.

‘it’s a little crowded in here…want to go outside?’ he whispered in my ear, for only me to hear. I nodded; sober enough to walk in a straight line. I may have been partly faking my intoxication, but its okay if he believes it.

He pulled on my hand and dragged me out onto the empty balcony at the back where he unlocked the French doors. I’m convinced no one saw us.

But how wrong I was.

Someone was watching, and very intently at that.

I could feel the stare on me, as if this person was watching me scar mine and Alex’s relationship. I didn’t know who, but I felt someone’s eyes on my back.

He came a little closer to me, making me completely lean against the cold red brick wall, the street lamp reflecting off something and making his eyes appear lighter. He opened the door for me and then locked it behind us, so it was just him and me on the small balcony. The balcony overlooked the back street, which was the quieter side, laced with silence. I smiled to myself, a blush creeping up my neck. We stood there in the surprisingly not awkward silence, just enjoying each other’s company.

'you know' he breathed, his breath visible in the chilly night and coming closer again, putting one of his hands above me on the wall and leaning forward, so there was very little space between us

'I always found Australian accents very,' he paused to brush his lips against my temple

'very' he pressed his lips a bit below where he just brushed his lips 'attractive.'

at this point the rest of the night's events were already flashing before my eyes.

we'd drink like teenagers at a high school party, catch a cab to his place still drunk, sleep together, and regret it the morning after. but we were intoxicated, so it didn't matter anyway.

He gently trailed kisses down to my pulse point, but then I grabbed his face, leveling it with mine.

He took the upper hand, cupping my cheek with his hand and leaned in, closing the space between us.

this was wrong.

but felt so, so right.

--------------------------

Hayley’s Point of View

I placed the half empty bottle of tequila on the hard, cold cement beside me as I sank down, leaning against the brick wall until I hit the ground.

The door was securely shut, and I could still hear the blaring of the party through the glass and the brick walls.

Squeals of laughter, Cobra Starship’s ‘Good Girls Go Bad’ playing through the speakers, I can only imagine the neighbours that were going to start complaining soon because of the noise.

I pulled my knees up to my chest, wrapped my arms around then and then hid my face in my knees in front of me.

How could I have been so damn stupid?

I should have figured out earlier.

He was practically blatantly expressing every sign of cheating in the book, and yet I had too much faith in him to even twig it.

I felt the tears brimming my eyes but they didn’t fall.

I’m so freaking stupid.

I loved him. Loved him.

The most utterly retarded thing was that I was jealous, and missed him.

Someone wise once told me that a man that made you cry wasn’t worth your tears.

Does it still apply?

I’m dying to know.

I kept my knees close to me but adjusted myself so I had my head propped on my hand.

I looked at the scene below.

People walking down the street, laughing. An old lady walking with an old man, maybe her husband. A very young couple, making out under the streetlamp.

Yeah, it’s all so freaking hot two weeks in.

I’m clearly very bitter.

People like me shouldn’t fall in love.

People like me. The cynics, the skeptics. Maybe it’s just not meant to happen.

A single tear trickled down, followed by another, then another, probably horribly smudging my carefully applied eyeliner.

But who cares about that.

I hastily wiped them away, but they kept replenishing. I gave up.

Suddenly the door opened.

What the hell?

I swear I locked it. I looked away; I didn’t want anyone to see me in a state like this over a boy.

Pride. It’s a burden.

‘oh sorry I didn’t realise anyone was he- Hayley is that you?’

I nodded.

‘hey’ the voice said in a softer tone, flipping the lock on the outside of the door and kneeling down next to me ‘are you okay?’

‘yup’ I choked, sounding a lot more upset than I intended.

‘you don’t sound it.’ Alex said, sitting close next to me. No comment. I just continued to sit there with tears streaming down my face and not bothering to wipe them away. He looked around as I silently wept, placing his hand, the one furthest from me, on my knee, his thumb tracing circles. He wrapped his other arm around my shoulders and pulled me a little closer to him.

He squirmed a bit, and then pulled out the object that was jutting into our sides and disallowing us to get closer.

Ah, my tequila!

‘whoa, how much of this did you have?’ he said lifting the somewhat large bottle up to the light to see how much was left.

‘it was over three quarters full when I brought it out here.’ I mumbled

‘okay, you’re pretty small, so I think it’s already too much for you…’ he said simply, subtly putting it next him on the other side, further from me before his arms resumed their previous position.

‘I’m not slurring my words yet.’ I argued back

‘still.’ He coaxed gently We sat in silence for a little longer.

‘why aren’t you getting wasted and dancing and making out with Alison? You don’t have to stay if I’m wasting your time or anything…’ I managed to sniffle out after I was a little more composed.

I leaned my head on his shoulder. In a friendly way, thanks.

He tensed up significantly, like he turned to stone or something.

‘well?’ I asked

‘why were, well, are you crying?’ he asked ‘I asked first.’

‘I saw you upset first.’

‘that doesn’t make any valid difference at all.’

‘why are you crying? Say or I won’t say.’ ‘

why don’t we just say it at the same time? Fair?’

‘fine.’

3

2

1

‘Caleb was cheating with another girl in front of me’

‘Alison was flirting with and kissing JohnOh in front of me.’

we looked at each other with shocked looks, partially because our situations were so similar but also because of what the other said. ‘you’re kidding’ he said

I gave him a look ‘if I was kidding, I wouldn’t be in tears.’

‘You and Caleb weren’t particularly close though, remember at the airport?’

I waved my hand ‘please don’t go back to that. That was tragic.’

‘sorry. But it is true; you weren’t really that close after warped…’

‘yeah, we were fighting. A lot. He kept trying to make it my fault, even though I was really just making the typical call every so often. Catching up and all that.’

‘and he didn’t like that?’

‘no. we fought frequently. But he said he’d make an effort to try and fix it up, and I said I would too. But he couldn’t even meet me at the airport.’ I mumbled, tears threatening to fall.

He pulled me closer, silently comforting me.

‘what you said is a surprise too.’

He laughed bitterly ‘you’re telling me’

‘are you sure you’re just not getting very, very jealous, like any other guy would? You can admit it, I won’t look down on you for it, partially because I literally can’t, but it’s kinda natural.’

‘nope. She kissed him. In front of me.’

‘she was probably drunk; you know what a lightweight she is.’

‘yeah, but that doesn’t mean its okay.’

‘of course not. But if you take revenge, I’ll have to kill you if you hurt her back. Two wrongs don’t make a right, remember?’

‘s’pose. What do I do though?’

‘nothing. Let it slide. It’s a one off, give her a chance. I gave Caleb a chance, he totally fucked it up, but that’s one time.’

‘damn. I was about to suggest that I’ll be your rebound if you’ll be mine.’

I wiggled my finger at him ‘nu uh. No rebounds till the breakups. That’s the rule, honey.’

‘well… that’s fair. Have you actually broken up with Caleb yet?’

‘no. thank you for reminding me.’ I said, taking out my phone and quickly typing and sending a message.

‘that’s a little harsh, not doing it to his face?’

‘he made out with some whore in my face. I’ve had enough of the whole physical ‘getting your message across’ thing.’

‘good point.’

‘don’t break up with Alison. Give her a chance. She’ll redeem herself. She really does care for you, you know.’

His face was expression-less. Completely blank.

I busied myself with wiping away more black stained tears.

‘god, I can’t believe I messed up this bad. My first real relationship in what seemed like forever…and I completely fucked it up. Actually, I can’t believe I dressed up for him. It took me hours to get this done. Hours, Alex.’

He looked at me, his eyes a soft, chocolate brown. ‘you look pretty.’

I turned red and looked away.

‘you’re just saying that.’ I mumbled

‘I’m not, you really do look pretty.’

‘thank you, but, okay, moving on.’ I said quickly, trying not to make it awkward.

‘he doesn’t deserve you.’ He said quietly.

‘maybe he doesn’t, but it’s not my job to decide.’ I said, deftly managing to swerve the conversation to my advantage, as opposed to saying what he probably wanted to hear, the same thing he said but about Alison.

Men love sympathy. It’s a fact. They’ll never admit it though.

I examined his eyes briefly, him looking into mine thoughtfully. They were a soft brown, but they looked…hurt. Puppy like. I’m sure as hell hoping Alison is completely wasted right now and when she kissed John because he doesn’t deserve this.

Alex shrugged ‘love’s love. We don’t decide. It’s not our place.’

‘I guess… I guess you’re right.’

Comfortable silence covered us again as we looked at our environment.

He put his head on top of mine in a comforting fashion. Then he said the most triggering, relevant, important, honest, yet heartbreaking words I’d heard in a long time.

‘Love.’ He sighed ‘we’ll never learn, will we?’

---------------------

'Wide awake, my mistake

So predictable

You were fake, I was great

Nothing personal

I'm walking

Who's laughing now? (Who's laughing, who's laughing now?)

I'm wasted, wasting time

You talk for hours

But you're wasting lines

A pretty face but the chase

Ain't worth the prize

I'm gonna break your little heart

Watch you take the fall

Laughing all the way to the hospital

'Cause there's nothing surgery can do

When I break your little heart in two

I'm gonna break your little heart in two'

-'break your little heart' by All Time Low

totally in love with that song.

uhh

so that was a MEGA long chapter.

you all should love me.

i toiled over it.

toiled.

lol.

:)

you all know what to do now :D

comment.buzz.message.buzz.drop a note.buzz.add me as a friend.

please? <3

:(

oh! and the party outfits!

sorry if they're totally inaccurate, but i hope you like them if they're accurate enough. they're all relatively similar. i tried to stick to one trend....:/

Tam:

Xani:

Alison:

Lyla:

Mackie:

Franky:

Hayley:

hope you like them! :D

(:E  <--------- it has a crown!!! :D

well

oh

yeah

tomorrow i'm going to the orthodontist!

i might get my braces off. i've had them for two years.

pray for me.

please.

i'm dying to get them off :(

i'll cry if he says no. i really will. lol.

so yeah.

you all know the drill.

have a good rest of the week!

comment limit is 14.

'cause i'm damned if i do ya, damned if i don't.