Harmony High - Sequel

Oliver Hemingway

"No, Lacey. I don't want to go if you're going to be uncomfortable. These guys, they get drunk. And it's not pretty. So, instead of going to a party, why don't we head home?" I suggested.

Lacey took a double take of me, a smile itching at her cheek. I slid my hands in hers, our fingers finding each other.

"I'm exhausted from the flights... I need to sleep. I bet you're tired too." I added with a smile.

"Yeah, I am." she smiled back.

***

The Next Morning... well, afternoon.

It was normal to wake up at this hour, 14:00, after going through jet lag, time differences. So, my mum was already at work and the house was all to ourselves. I got out of bed and got dressed, heading down the stairs to the kitchen.

I didn't notice how starving I was until I saw the plate of muffins sitting on the kitchen island. Grabbing one, I started to eat it as I found my way back upstairs and into the bathroom. Once I finished getting ready in there, I got out and walked back to my room. Lacey was now sprawled in my bed, very comfortable.

"Oli, do you really have to get up so early?" Lacey murmured under her breath.

Stifling a laugh, I walked up to the bed and leaned over it, getting face to face with Lacey. She smiled, wrapping one of her hands on my cheek. She ran her fingers on my cheek, sending tingles at the spot she touched.

"Honey, it's two in the afternoon. It's time to get up." I said softly.

I leaned closer and pecked her lips, standing back up. She started to shuffle out of bed as I found my way out of the room. My phone started to ring, and it wasn't in my pocket. So, I walked back into my room and got to my side of the bed, grabbing the phone from the table. I answered it.

"Oliver," I said.

"Yeah mate. What's going on?" My friend Caleb said.

"Eh, not much. Back in the home land, obviously."

"I heard! There's a party at Anna's, wanna stop by?"

I sighed, looking over at Lacey. or where Lacey was. It seems she managed to go to the bathroom now. I looked back at my lap and thought for a moment.

"I just ditched a party yesterday." I heard my voice quiver.

"Naaaw, that's too bad. You mean the one at Franco's? It was sick -- from what I heard anyway, I didn't go either. He was expecting you. Well, come to this one, he'll be there. A lot of people will be there. Even that famous guy from across the pond... Ashton whatever." he took in a deep breathe. "Also, that hot Bradley singer is going to come. Anna knows people in high places. So come on. It's at eight."

He sounded convincing and overly excited, just the way his voice jumped made me want to go. Lacey could like this one, there are people that she knows there. Kristin is going... never mind, they can't talk to each other. It's weird to even think that. Somehow the thought of being in the same place as Kristin doesn't faze me at all.

"Fine, I'll go." I smiled.

"Great! Great, great great news Oliver! And bring your girl, Kristin. She's a hot one."

That's when the thought of being in the same room as her made my stomach churn. People still thought we were together. I gripped the phone tighter and swallowed down my guilt.

"Sure, if I had Kristin. Heard she's with Ashton now." I said.

"That famous one?" he questioned.

"Yeah," I even nodded. "I'll bring Lacey."

"New girl, aye?"

"Yeah, see you later. I gotta run."

I didn't even wait for his reply. I just hung up and set the phone back on the bedside table, looking at the wall in front of me. Lacey walked into the room, I could hear her from the way she was humming under her breath. I turned my head and saw her with just a towel on.

"Hey Lace." I smiled.

She looked over at me, a smile shaping her beautiful face. I loved the way she smiled, it was true. A true smile, something I couldn't ever successfully have.

"What's going on?" she knew me.

"My friend Caleb just rang." I paused. "He invited us to a party. And since we skipped the one from last night... you'll like this one."

Gripping the towel tighter around her, she walked over to stand in front of me. I could still catch the drops of water still tracing on her soft brown skin.

"I'll go Oli. We have to do something for your entertainment too, you know." she had an unsure tone to her voice, but I didn't take it into consideration.

"My entertainment?" I smiled widely, running my hands down her arms, pulling her toward me. She was resistant, but then she smiled, falling into my lap. Now we were so close, I could hear her heart beating, and it was quick. "Lacey, I could entertain myself fine. Especially with such a beautiful girl like you in my life. I don't need any parties."

I cupped her face with my hands and pulled her close, kissing her slowly, so I could feel how our lips touch and the air between us. She gripped my waist, trying to get me closer than I already am. It felt like nothing was between us, not even the layers of fabric.

"You're such a sly." she snickered, our foreheads touching.

"We'll go, only for a bit. I need to make an appearance." I whispered. "But right now, all I want is you."

Jasmine Urbaniak

I was invited to a party in England. Was I going to go? Probably. Most Likely. Okay, yes. Anabella invited me, she wants the best fame there. So technically, I wasn't and was invited. Bradley was invited. The for sure thing I knew was that a lot of people were going and I should make an appearance.

Ever since that concert and seeing Ashton staring at me like that, I couldn't go anywhere. I sound like some weird teenage girl who's too in love to save herself. This had never happened to me before, even after just leaving him. This is worse and I don't know why. he's not my soul mate, that's for sure. Cause if he were, than that would have to be real.

Maybe I needed to have a one night stand. Or flirt with a guy. Or go back home.

"This is a once in a lifetime opportunity!" Gary practically screamed into my ear.

He was my agent and he was still in America. So, he made my life choices in Bradley-ville. I sighed into the phone and nodded, ignoring whatever he was blabbering about.

Emmett

It was my first day going back to school since the accident, and people were all staring at me like I was a freak. Some of the glares were over concerning, some just mean, but all of them made me uncomfortable.

I don't know where Jane is. I don't know, I don't know, I don't know. How much this worries me causes my breathe to catch in my throat. I don't even know her surname. Hell, I don't know much about her. I want to, because I have. I want to, because she's all I've got. WhereisshewhereissheWhereisshe?

I don't realize my own tipsiness until Taylor walks up behind me, steading me with his hand. "Emmett. Emmett, calm down. You're okay."

I take a deep breathe, the oxygen a foreign substance that fills my lungs and gives me the ability to breathe again. "Thank you."

"Least I can do." I know Taylor, a bit better than I know Jane. I think it might be, as Lacey tells me, because I saved her, but Taylor saved me. "How you feeling?"

"Better."

Taylor sighs. Today he looks particularly himself, with the grey beanie hanging off his head and the Alternative Rock group T-Shirt, drum sticks in his back pocket. He looks effortlessly cool, but I know he's not... I think I know, anyway.

"Better on what scale?"

"The one where one is feel the least crappy you can."

He laughs, a little. We're on the way to English 12, something that Taylor thankfully has with me. I can't even remember what we're covering, but it shouldn't be hard. I mean, it's English. I don't think Jane has it, but I don't know.

I'm so tired of that. 'I don't know.'

We sit down (in assigned seats, gosh darn it all, Taylor being far away and the only one I can remember.) I sit there, reading a book we've apparently been working on for weeks, one I'm pretty sure I finished when I hear-

"Emmett Lopez?"

I turn around. "Yeah?"

Anybody- he needs more interactions!

Lacey Lopez

I take 'All I want is you' to mean 'We can make-out later, and we need to hit up as much sight seeing as possible before the party.'

Maybe I'm twisting his words?

He takes me to the Harry Potter Museum, which literally IS HOGWARTS. We hit up Big Ben for awhile, and the Museum of Science, during which I take way too many pictures 'for Emmett' and run around squealing 'Oliver, look at this!'

He must seriously like me.

We get back to his Mom's house. She tells me my parents called, and sounded mostly satisfied with the situation, an opinion that could quickly be rebuked. I wish my parents liked him as much as his mom likes me. I dig through my bag, pulling out my just-in-case party dress. It's not sexy, because I'm too cute to pull off sexy, something that sort of worries me about my relationship with Oliver. It's white, covered in lace like most of my dresses, something I do for a reason. It looks like a regular tank-dress, with a large part out the back- and when I say large, I mean it doesn't really have much of a back. The skirt is full and short enough. I slip on the toe-peep flats I brought, being that I completely hate heels and can hardly walk in them. I bun my hear, due to lack of time.

I don't think I look like anything special, but Oliver gets a wide grin when he see's me. "You look... incredible."

"Thanks." Oliver's dressed up a little too, so I say, "Not shabby yourself, babe."

We're on our way to the door when his Mom catches us; but she's not the scolding type, and pulls out a camera like we're on our way to Prom.

We're in the taxi when Oliver explains. "She's a photographer. Those pictures have big plans."

"I love how exotic you guys are; I mean, a photographer?"

"It's not exotic. What do your parents do?"

I'm a little embarrassed. "My Dad's a plumber, and my Mom makes dream catchers and nick knacks for her sisters to sell on the Res."

Oliver doesn't say anything, kissing me on the forehead. I'm worried what they're going to think of me, but I don't have much of a chance to before we're there at this giant house on this party street called the Bend. It's thumping with music and people, but is still leagues beyond anyplace I've been. Oliver helps me out, and we go inside.

He's greeted immediately by a cute green-eyed guy. "Oliver, Mate. Nice to see you!" There's a female blonde, mostly cute but with cleavage spilling out of her dress hanging on to his arm. Her eyes widen when she sees Oliver, and she eyes his arm around me.

"Same, Caleb. You were right; this is some party."

"Is this your new girl?"

Instead of letting Oliver introduce me, I take charge. "Yes. I'm Lacey, from America. Hi."

The girl at his arm seems slightly more frantic now. "This is Anabella." Caleb says.

"Hi." Anabella says, but once introduced, whispers something in Caleb's ear and run's off.

"I've got to be going, but you have fun!" Caleb also disappears into the people. Oliver meets and greet a few more people. I stand there looking adorable, trying to ignore the shocked looks I get from a few of Oliver's friends. I can see what they're thinking 'She's American, but she's dark skinned! Where'd he pick this one up?' Once I get bored of it, an Ellie Goulding song comes on.

"One dance, Oliver?"

He nods, throwing away his one drink, and we move onto the dance floor. We move close together, awkwardly dancing in the way normal people dance, his body feeling rough too close to mine. I give up, and ask if we can do it the proper way. To my surprise, Oliver takes me into a four-pointed square, twirling me in and out until the song ends and everyone has cleared away from us. I come close to him again.

"That was fabulous."

"Thank you. Those real dance lessons came in handy."

I move up to kiss him, but I see another girl, dancing with blonde-cleavage. Kristen. We get off the dance floor, and Oliver finds another friend to catch up with, this one checking me out. I excuse myself, moving through the crowd to Kristen. I tap her on the shoulder. She turns, looking surprised.

"Um... Lacey Lopez, right? Wow. What are you dong in England?

I realize Kristen doesn't even know that Oliver and I were together in the first place. She doesn't know... but she has Ashton now, doesn't she?

"I don't know if your friend told you, but Oliver's here." I say in a rush. "I don't know what happened between the two of you, but I thought you should know that the reason I'm in England is that Oliver and I are together now. And... yeah."

Kristin

"Award for sexiest yet most uncomfortable lingerie of the year goes to this shit." I say quietly to Anabella, wriggling uncomfortably in my gold corset and thong set.

"You look like sex on a stick. So shush." Anabella says chiding me.

I find myself sighing irritably and shooting her a look.

"Who wheres corsets anymore?" I ask.

"Your cousin in that sexy bordelle photo shoot she had last week." Anabella says pointedly.

"Avery can be wearing a stained wifebeater and a ripped up pair of basketball shorts, and still look as if she's wearing lingerie. I don't think that it's fair to females of the world."

Anabella laughs.

"I actually agree. I've never seen anyone like her. But your one to talk. Where Avery takes the cake for sex appeal, you've snagged that flirty innocent beauty. Are you still considering modeling?"

I sigh.

"I wasn't given the chance to consider it. The responsibility was thrown onto my lap. That Bordelle photo shoot is the only thing Avery is allowed to do, due to health issues. Both her and Leo begged me to take on the rest of her photo shoots and fashion show positions for the next few months."

"Well thats great! You have just the right...everything for modeling!" She says excitedly.

I shrug.

"I'm gonna go talk to Ash for a sec. You mind?"

She shakes her head and adjusts the neckline of her revealing halter mini. Her cleavage keeps spilling out and I know that she hates it but she's trying really hard for this guy Caleb. From how she described him I don't think that he'll be impressed.

I stand up and walk to the back of the private jet where Ash is reading through his Galaxy S Note 3. When he sees me coming up to him he smiles.

"Hey. Have a seat." He says, patting the seat next to him while worriedly looking down at my five inch heels.

"No thanks. I just wanna stand up and say this."

He frowns.

"Say what?" He asks, his dark auburn brows scrunching. Ah...so he dyed his hair a darker shade of red again. I liked the bright orangey one.

I heave a sigh.

"I've been the worst to you Ash." I say quietly looking down. "I've been manipulating you. To be with me. Just because I've been lonely since Oliver."

"But Kris-"

"No let me finish. I...I've been the worst type of friend to you. I've held you back from being from Bradley when-"

"Kris, shut up." He says rolling his eyes. "We've been using each other for affection because both of us were scared of being by ourselves. But apart from pretty damn great sex, this is more of a friends with benefits thing. Right?"

"So...you haven't been falling in a vulnerable love with me on account of me stealing your heart?" I ask in confusion.

He snickers.

"Honey, don't get ahead of yourself. I will admit, if we were basing this on looks and not actual chemistry, I would totally fall for you. But it's not. We both know that I have my eyes on someone else."

My eyes widen.

"So thats where you were the other night?" I ask in shock.

He shrugs and smiles a little.

"I've missed her so much. Something in me just had to go to that show. But...I don't know if it was fear on my part, or the way that she looked so happy when she was up there, but I just couldn't bring myself to say anything to her. I didn't want to bring any unecessary drama into her life. Which I already accidentally did on New Years."

I nod my head.

"So whats your plan tonight?" I find myself asking.

"I'm gonna see if she came with anybody. A guy I mean. And if she did, I'll back off. If she didn't..." He smiles softly. "And whats your plan tonight?"

I shrug.

"Just party, I guess. But after tonight I'm flying back to the U.S to find Oli. I...I love him. And I know that he loves me. So we'll figure something out."

Ashton smiles, but suddenly the plane goes through some turbulence and I'm propelled into Ashtons lap. He looks down at me with a soft, brotherly smile and kisses me on the forehead.

"Everybody say INSTAGRAM!" Anabella says smiling widely as she snaps a picture.

Both Ash and I roll our eyes simultaneously and then just laugh.

"Ana, get that bottle of champagne. I wanna start this party early."

---------------------------
"Why don't we dance Kris?" Anabella says, her eyes look a tad nervous.

"Um sure!" I say happily as she tugs me from some french guy, Peeta I think his name is.

We smoothly head into the center of the crowd of people and begin moving our bodies in tune with the song. I feel just a little bit tipsy, and it feels like there are multicolored bubbles in my head.

"This party is so fun, no?" I ask, giggling.

"It totally is!" She says, but looks around.

Suddenly I'm being tapped on the shoulder. I turn to find Lacey, and I find myself gasping. Out of the corner of my eye I can see Anabella pinching the bridge of her nose in frustration.

"Um... Lacey Lopez, right? Wow. What are you doing in England?" I ask in surprise of course! I mean, what in the hell are the chances!

"I don't know if your friend told you, but Oliver's here." She says in a rush. "I don't know what happened between the two of you, but I thought you should know that the reason I'm in England is that Oliver and I are together now. And... yeah."

I feel my throat go dry, and I quickly turn to Anabella just to confirm. She nods sadly with a deep frown and looks down.

"Oh...I see." I say quietly, all of the happiness and enthusiasm I had from before melting out of my body.

He lied to me. He lied. He lied. He lied. He lied. He said that if I fell in love with him he wouldn't hurt me. He fucking promised. Suddenly out of nowhere I feel a burst of anger. I quickly rip the red cup full of vodka and pepsi from Anabellas hand and stalk off.

I finally see him, talking to some guy, and I rush towards him. He sees me but before he can say a thing I throw the cup at his face and without missing a beat I slap him as hard as I can.

"You fucking- you- you fucking cunt bastard!" I scream at him.

He stares at me in confusion and surprise and something else but I continue.

"I loved you! I-I was good to you! And then you just had to suddenly become so motherfucking indecisive! Not knowing which pretty girl to pick! You promised you asshole! You promised me, after I was FUCKING RAPED that if I fell for you, you wouldn't hurt me! You fucking-"

"But your with Ashton! " He says cutting me off and I roll my eyes.

"That relationship was to help him! It was bullshit! And I was only in it because I fucking missed you and loved you! You piece of cunt shit, cock gobbling, asshole strangling, mother fucker!" And before I can catch myself, my other hand is flying to his face, and is making impact so hard that I know that there will be a black eye.

I sneer at him.

"Let me just tell you one thing. Have fucking fun with Lacey. Atleast now you have no reason to be indecisive, because one of those girls never want to see you again."

I quickly walk straight out of the front door, suddenly realizing that everyone had gotten quiet during my tirade.

"Kris!" Anabella calls out as she runs out of the house. "Oh sweetie." She says quietly and takes me into her arms.

It's then that I realize that I'm sobbing.

"Kristin!" Ashton calls out, holding Bradleys hand.

When he looks down at me he looks like Dylan. All worried and brotherly.

"What do you need?" Jasmine asks, running a hand quickly through her blonde wig.

I look directly at Ashton.

"I want you two, to remain over here and be happy. But I want you to get me on a one way to NYC on your private jet. I just want to devote myself into my modeling right now."

Before anyone can say another word, Ashton is ripping his cell out of his pocket and is dialing someone. While he does that I flag down a taxi.

When I'm halfway in I hear someone call my name. I turn to see Oliver jogging down the road. I quickly shut the door and tell the taxi driver to go now in french. I don't turn back as I hear Oliver call out my name a few more times until he's too far away for me to hear it.

Harley Mae Turner

I sat up, and stretched. I'd been sleeping since I'd gotten home last night.

The house was quiet. Halana had probably taken them to the dentist, for their visit. It was 4 pm, and the sun was gleaming through my window, partially blocked by my curtains.

I swung my legs over the side of my bed, and shivered. It wasn't really cold in my room, though. Rubbing my face, I trudged into the upstairs bathroom, and brushed my teeth, then showered.

After I showered, I put on a pair of sweat, a long sleeve black shirt, and my converse. I headed for the door, putting my hair up in the process.

Once I got outside, I put my headphones in, and put on some music, and started jogging down the street, going down my regular route.

The day was warm, but had a cold breeze. I shielded my face as a gust of freezing air, swept through the town.

There weren't a lot of people out.

Surprising, considering the weather.

I thought about the lyrics to the music I was listening to. It was a Paramore song.

But I couldn't remember the name.

I'd been looking at the ground. watching my feet, when I tripped, and fell flat on my face, against the concrete.

"Oh, son of a..ah.." I groaned.

Pushing myself off the ground, I sat on my knees.

I felt a trail of warm liquid trail down my lip, and down my chin. A drop of red splattered against my pale hand.

I pulled my headphones out, and shook my head. I was in the middle of a park. I think I'd been here once of twice before.

Somebody was talking.

"..Hello? Ma'am, you alright?" The voice said.

I looked around, trying to find the speaker.

"You okay?"

I blinked, and turned my body, spotting a guy. Young.

"..huh?"

He held his hand out, and pushed something back into his pocket. Looked like a phone.

"I asked if you were alright.." He replied, his voice patient.

I wiped my lip slowly, and nodded once. "Fine. I'm fine. I wasn't watching where I going.."

I looked at his hand, at his face, then back at his hand. Taking his hand, I shivered, once again.

"Thanks."

"No problem."

I looked around. "I...should probably get going."

He nodded, and smiled. "I'll see you around."

I smiled weakly back, and put my headphones back in, heading towards a bench.

My legs were cramping. I probably should've stretched them before I left. Slipped my mind.

I approached the bench, and sat down. I bent over and rubbed my legs, feeling another drop of blood drip onto my hand.

I hated blood. It was too...red.

I laid my head on my hands, and sighed. I really didn't feel like walking home.

Jasmine Bradley Urbaniak

Talk about putting me on the spot. When Kristin ran out, Ashton didn't even lift a finger. I just stared at the way she ran, dropping my jaw. Just then someone pushed passed me, almost making me hit the ground. But in my luck, Ashton caught me in his arms. The guy ran off, calling her name.

I turned my head and caught Ahton's eyes meeting mine. We were so close, I could feel his breath. My heart raced, but I did what I thought was best. Kristin was his girlfriend, so I had to think with my head, not my heart.

Pulling away, I couldn't catch my breath. He looked pretty alarmed as I stood in front of him. Jeez, he made me feel so naked.

"Ash..." I started, looking at the ground. "I am such a bad person. I can't get over you, and I know I should. You have Kristin... and you look pretty happy together. Wait." I looked back up at him. "You didn't go after her."

He shook his head. Our eyes met again and I felt my whole body shake just looking at him.

"Why didn't you go after her? You are together, right? I ruined it didn't I? Such a stupid girl. I am such a botch. Just because I can't get over you doesn't mean I have the right to ruin your relationship." My mouth was moving before I thought about what I was saying.

I felt his hand touch my arm, making me stiff. I couldn't let myself look at him, but that's what I did. My lips trembled. I wanted to kiss him so badly. But I knew I couldn't.

"Kristin just dumped me in front of your face." A smile crept on his face. "I'm happy you can't get over me."

I swallowed hard, taking in his words. He's happy.

"But, I..." I didn't know what to say. "Ashton, I love you,"

William Franco

"Where'd Harley go?" I asked Halana.

She just told me she came from the dentist and Harley was already gone. She suspects that it was her time for a run. Well, I didn't know she ran. It's good to know.

I followed Halana into the kitchen and watched her set up the water kettle on the oven. She turned toward me and smiled, sitting down at the island. I joined her, putting my arms on the table.

"So, where are the kids?" I asked.

"School," she replied simply. "William, I just want to know if you're serious about Harley."

Looking up at her, I felt my own face change as I felt disbelief shake me.

"I am," I replied.

"Good, I just don't want her getting hurt. She's a really good girl. Harley is very caring, smart, and beautiful..." she stopped talking because the front door opened.

"Halana! I'm back! It was a really bad run today. Not only the weather, but I got my lip cut." I heard Harley say.

Halana got up from the island and walked into the front room, leaving me feeling awkward and worried. Did I give off a bad impression or something? I may have a problem, but I am not a bad person. Well, she is like a mother to her, so she's just caring.

"What happened?" Halana asked, worry shaping her voice.

I sorta zoned out after that and was texting a few people on my phone. It was the only thing I could think of doing. This house felt oddly quiet without the kids around.

"Will?" Harley asked from behind me.

Turning my head, I caught her with a tissue at her lip. My heart raced, what had happened?

"What are you doing here?" she urged.

"I just wanted to see you. I haven't bothered to even call... and I wanted to apologize for that. What happened to your lip?"

By the way she was standing in front of me, we were eye to eye. So, I reached my hand to her face and pulled off the tissue, looking at the wound. Ouch. There was a scratch on her top lip, the blood stopped going and replaced it was puss. Not good.

"I was running and I fell." she explained.

Our eyes met and I smiled, putting the tissue back. Halana walked in with her first aid kit, getting it ready for Harley. She pulled out some napkins and Neosporin, starting to dab it on her lip.

"Don't talk for a little, Harley. It'll help with the healing process." Halana said with a soft tone.

All Harley did was nod. Once Halana was finished, she took the kit and walked back into the bathroom to put it away. I took Harley's hand in mine and pulled her close, brushing my other hand on her cheek. She tried to smile, but couldn't due to the cut.

"I'm happy that's all you hurt." I said. "I missed you."

Oliver Hemingway

I didn't know why I was doing it. Kristin was with a new guy, a better guy. So why did she care that I moved on? I had to make sure what she was mad at me about. When girls get angry, they just yell and don't think. So, I followed her out. The taxi drove off and there was no use, I was standing in the middle of the street.

"Aye, you bloke! Get out of the bloody road!" Someone yelled form behind me.

Turning my head, I saw a ginger sticking his head out of his car window. I smiled, running back into the house. The party was still alive, so I looked for Lacey. She was sitting at one of the couches, on her phone. I took it easy, walking up to her. When she caught my eye, she didn't even smile.

"Lace..." I started.

"I understand. She's your ex. But why does she have to go around and try to ruin everything? We just started dating and I want to see how this goes. Don't you want to see how this goes? And she doesn't care. She just tries to ruin it." Her voice was both weak and strong as she spoke.

I knelled down to her level and took her hand in mine. She slipped her phone back into her purse and gave me her full attention.

"I want to see where this goes. Kristin just has problems. Now, I am going to dance with you. Join me on the floor."

"You think that dancing will solve any of this?" she said, her voice jumping.

"No, I'll talk to her. I swear. Just not now, I want to forget about her."

Her eyes didn't meet mine, she just looked ahead of herself. "You chased her,"

My heart dropped and I swallowed hard, standing up. I pulled her up with me and put my hands on her waist.

"I chased her because I wanted to talk to her. Lacey, I am here with you. I want to be with you. Please, forget about Kristin." I practically begged.

"How can I?" just hearing that made my inside churn. "She's your ex, and she obviously still has feelings for you. Do you still have feelings for her?"

The thing was, I did. I really did have feeling for Kristin. But she left me and I left her. We grew apart. It was too good and then it stopped altogether. Because I wasn't sure if I still liked Lacey. I did, and I didn't want to make my relationship with Kristin a cheating one, because I wasn't that guy. I wanted to be with Lacey to see what I could have missed. I liked her. And I like Kristin. But the thing was, who do I like more?

Let's say I'll be with Lacey. For a long time. And then I still like Kristin but Lacey and I are so great. I wouldn't want to breakup with her. Never.

"No, I don't have feelings for her." I lied.

She took a moment to process what I said, than pulled me with her, leading us to the dance floor.

***
The next thing I knew, we were back home. I wanted Lacey. Like really badly. So, I took her upstairs and made sure we were alone. My mother left to go see Aunt Polly for the weekend, so we got lucky.

I started to kiss her. She gripped my back and I had my hands on her waist, kissing her wildly.

Jane Elizabeth Wills

I made sure that when I was at school Emmett wouldn't notice me. He needed a breather from me. I was too much. I wanted the step further, but he wasn't there yet.

All I wanted was for him to come back to me.

After school, I found myself at a Starbucks, reading a book. It was one that Emmett gave me before we broke up. He said that I'd love it. It was by George Orwell, 1984. I never got the chance to read it because, well, I felt bad for thinking about it. I cheated on him and I didn't think I should. But this is all I have left of him.

Now I'm making him sound like he's dead. Shoot me.

"Jane?" I heard a familiar voice say.

Looking up, I see Avery with her new guy Leo. They are holding hands and smiling like a married couple. Well, just married couple. Sometimes married aren't as happy.

"Hey Ave," I smiled.

"How are you?" she asked, obviously noticing my sadness.

"Been better," I said, though I heard the weak tone of my voice. "How about you? You seem happy."

"Yeah, I really am." She looked over at Leo for a second, then back at me. "How's..." she took her words carefully. "How's Emmett?"

I swallowed hard, looking at my book for a moment. I could just imagine the day he gave me this book again, as if it happened just seconds ago. I looked back up and her.

"He's getting better, I hope."

"Well, all the luck to you. I'll be grabbing some coffee, see you around."

She scurried off with Leo to the counter and I went back to reading. I can barley read this anymore. All I could think about was that day Emmett gave me this book. And, that day we broke up. My heart hurt just thinking about it.

I needed my best friend back, but she's not even here. She in France with her new boyfriend. She's having a good time. I can't bother her. But yet.

I dial up the number she gave me. She said in Europe they can't use American numbers. So, I wait on the dial tone then hear her voice.

"Hello?" she asked, I could hear something odd about the way she spoke.

"Kristin?" I asked.

"Jane?"

Lacey Lopez

His lips taste like tea. His lips taste like fricken' herbal tea, the kind you drink when you're feeling sad for no reason, the kind you inhale until you're practically drunk.

I've been sad, but I am getting drunk.

I know this is bad. I know, in that back section of my mind that this is such a terrible idea, that the whole thing was a terrible idea. I missed being loved. These past few months with no boyfriend have been pretty rough; Hakan and I started dating when we were fifteen. We went slow, but I'm used to this full on make-out stuff now. I sort of crave it.

Oh, I sound like a whore.

He tastes so good. So we keep going, barely breathing in between, the space between our bodies nonexistent. When we do stop to breathe, clothes seem to keep flying off the bed; my dress, his shirt, his pants. I don't care. I force myself not to care until I realize that, somewhere in the mess, my bra was gone. I know where this is going because, despite all his sweetness, Oliver is that sort of guy. He looks at me and I kiss him, long and sweet and kind. On my own lips, I can taste salty tears. We take off our underwear.

We're only starting when I'm unable to stop it, and my sobs rack me. I cannot be a graceful Princess crier anymore.

"Lacey! Oh, Lacey, I'm sorry, I didn't think- Did I hurt you?"

I curl up against him, feeling his body heat. "No, I'm sorry, I just... I can't... I... can't."

He just holds me, the seconds on the clock ticking by. "I won't be mad." He said. "I know, I always do this too soon. We should take it slow, like we agreed on the first time. I'm sorry, I don't know what happened."

"It took Hakan two and a half years; it takes you two an a half days." I laugh a little. My eyes are shut under my tears. "I thought I was pregnant. That's so miserable. Two and a half years, and I still rushed into it the last time. I'm scared of making a dumb decision. I want to, I want you so bad, but I-"

He interrupts me softly. "I understand. I need to be taught a lesson on love and speed, and you need to be the one to teach it to me, Lacey Lopez."

We don't talk. He strokes my bare side, and eyes slump with sleepiness. He draws circles on my body.

"I've never done this. I usually just screw her. I don't usually get to look."

Hearing his words, I smile with the beauty of them. He is not angry! He does not care! He is beautiful! I wait a moment, and climb out of bed, standing in the moonlight of the window.

"With me, you cannot screw, but you may look all you like."

He smiles, a gorgeous smile, and it is better than any 'love making' that would have occurred.

So it goes.

_____________________


I wake up to an empty other side of the bed, the smell of crepes wafting through the house. I remember last night, and it warms me like the tea he tastes like, from the head to the toes.

I manage to get out of bed, contemplating walking around naked for the sake of laziness, but find a pair of underwear and a sleeping shirt and go out into the kitchen.

Oliver gives me one of his smiles, which seem so much prettier than before. I realize that, in his actions last night, Oliver has squeezed out the last of my love for Hakan; that truly love is dead, the soil ready for new roots. He pulls out a chair for me and serves me breakfast and I'm pretty much over here swooning and he acts like he doesn't even notice.

I mean, he makes me food! The only possible thing that could overwhelm the fact that he's British.

I am in Britain, and I am happy.

Ashton

I find myself smiling widely, and just unable to stop. But at some point the recent events catch up to me and I tug Jasmine outside with me to find Anabella hugging Kristin tightly.

"Yeah...I'll need my jet ready asap. Thanks. Bye." I say, after Kristin tells me what she wants.

"I'm heading to your place and getting my belongings. I'll be out by tomorrow morning. I kind of just want to sleep." Kristin says quietly as she flags down a taxi.

"Kristin!" I hear Oliver calling out to her, but she just shakes her head with a sneer, slams the taxi door, and books it.

We're all just left standing out there after that. Anabella sighs and begins walking back towards the house and Oliver turns back with a shocked but dejected look on his face. Jasmine looks up at me, her eyes wide.

"Will she be alright, do you think?"

I shrug my shoulders and put an arm around hers.

"I'm not sure. I haven't seen her as passionate and in love with anyone like Oliver, so i'm not quite sure how all of this will work out. I'm really worried about her, but she obviously needs to just get away and devote herself to something. The modeling will do that for her hopefully."

Jasmine sighs, and puts an arm around my waist and leans into me. I look down at her with a smile, and stop us both in our tracks.

"So...you love me?" I ask, a large smile finding itself onto my face.

She blushes a bright red and shrugs looking down.

"Yeah...I do." She says quietly.

"Well...I guess that I should tell you the truth. I kind of sort of love you too, Bradster."

She rolls her eyes at the nickname, but the smile on her face remains radiant.

"You do?"

I nod my head.

"I definitely do. That whole relationship with Kristin...was fake. I just wanted to protect you and the life you've made for yourself. I didn't want to ruin that for you just because of a stupid kiss on New Years."

She shakes her head, the blonde locks shaking and looking way too real.

"It wasn't stupid." She says, letting go of my waist and turning to me.

I face her and smile.

"Then what was it?" I ask, my smile growing wider.

"It was...it was...beautiful. Wonderful. Lovely-" I put an arm around her waist and pull her closer.

"Yeah?" I ask, my voice growing deeper.

She nods her head and I smile.

"And what else?"

"Glorious. Magnificent. Time stopping."

I pull her closer with each word she says.

"And...and..." She looks up at me. "The best."

We just stay there for a few seconds until my lips slowly close the space between hers, and I kiss her softly and soothingly as she puts her arms around my neck. It feels like there are fireworks in my body, and when we pull away I shake my head.

"You're amazing." I say, and then peck her once more on the lips.

Leo

"Goodmorning beautiful." I say, smiling at Avery as she sits up and stretches, her now waist length hair tumbling down her back in beautiful copper and bronze ringlet curls.

She turns to me with a bright smile and cuddles into my chest.

"Goodmorning Sir Sugar-Lips-McHoney-Plum." She says in her adorably sweet and sleepy voice.

I roll my eyes.

"You can't just call me...I don't know...Handsome or baby or Love?" I ask sarcastically.

"Nah. Way too generic. I prefer that one."

I roll my eyes again and pull back up the book I had been reading.

"Do you wanna watch the boy in the striped pajamas again?" She asks turning to me and giving me her wide puppy dog eyes.

I sigh.

"You sob every single time. I'm gonna have to call Martha so that we can get more tissues."

"So...is that a no?" She asks, pouting.

I sigh and shake my head.

"Of course not. What do you want for breakfast today?" I ask beginning to get up.

"Bread and jam please." She says, entranced by the television.

I walk downstairs, dragging my feet out of sheer laziness. As i'm bringing the tray up for her, full of a bowl of fruit, her bread and jam, turkey bacon, decaf coffee, and a glass of orange juice, I hear the phone ringing.

"Hello?" I ask, as I attempt keeping the tray from falling.

"Hey Leo...i'm heading back home."

"Back to Germany?"

"No...back to the U.S. with you guys. I'll be landing in about six or seven hours. I just wanted to warn you guys."

"Mmkay. Can't wait to see you. Avery will be ecstatic."

Kristin chuckles nervously.

"I'm not all of that sure about that. But yeah. Can't wait to see you guys. Ciao!"

I'm confused by her hasty goodbye and weird tone but I just shrug it off. When I walk back into the room Avery is enamored by the movie. I decide to just put off telling her until later. I'm sure that she'll be excited.

Kristin

"Hello?" I ask as I answer the phone hastily, right before i'm about to step into my limo to get me back home.

Ashton just had to go over the top with it.

"Kristin?" A familiar voice asks.

"Jane?" I ask already knowing it's her, but wanting to confirm.

"Yeah...hi." She says, awkwardly.

"Hey! Whats up?" I say enthusiastically as I hand my luggage to the driver.

Jane may not know this but she is just the person I had to hear from. Unbeknownst to her, I really need a best friend right now.

"Nothing I...I just really need a friend here right now."

She practically read my mind.

"Well thats good because i'm about..." I look down at my gold Hermes watch "Thirty minutes away from Harmony. Starbucks tomorrow?"

I can practically hear her smile over the phone.

"Definitely."

I lay down along the long limo seat and finally work at getting some sleep. I couldn't sleep at Ashtons, on the jet, anywhere. But now that i'm back in Harmony it's just instantaneous.

.