Dedicated to sassybishhere, who is my biggest supporter of all even though we met online. Love you girl. And be warned guys, shes reallly a sassy personnn!

CHAPTER FOUR

I take a deep breath. I look at myself in the mirror, my dull brown hair falling to my waist. I had applied some concealer to hide the bags under my dull blue eyes. I look at my reflection in contempt, from my unruly brown hair that I brushed so now they looked semi-decent, to my dark complexion. I hated it. My skin color isn't that dark. It's bronze, a mix between tan and light skin. I used to love my complexion but the bullying I faced in the later years of my life made me hate my appearance. I thought back to when I was in high school, I was so popular, well liked, pretty, and confident. Look at what my life is like now. I shake my head of the negative thoughts and attempt a smile. Immediately my smile falls into an unhappy frown.

"You're beautiful. You're honest. You're kind. Know it. And believe it." I say to myself in the mirror.

I sigh, I so do not believe it.

I'm wearing my favorite plain dark blue top with long sleeves with the first blue ripped jeans I got my hands on in my suitcase. There was zero effort in my outfit and makeup since I didn't even want to go. Cara had texted me about some reunion party she was hosting at her house the day the whole gang would be in town plus some other people from high school. When Sam found out that I didn't plan on going, he practically forced me. What is it with my old friends blackmailing me?

I sigh once more and pick up my black purse making sure to put some money, my phone, pads, a copy of the house keys dad recently gave me, and... pepper spray and taser! You never know when you might need it, it's always good to be prepared for assailants! Hm. Maybe I should keep a pocket knife too? I hear a car honk and run downstairs.

Dad is waiting for me by the door and says, "So, Kevin went to a friend's house for a while, sorry you didn't get to meet him."

"That's OK, I'll see him when I get back," I say with disappointment swelling inside me at missing him once again.

"Bye, dad." I kiss both his cheeks and open the front door running towards Sam's grey sedan. I get into the backseat of the car and close the car door.

"Thanks for picking me up, Sammy."

Sam scoffs as he drives, "We're friends, Holly. No need for formalities like that. You've made me and Brent do worse errands than picking you up, remember?"

I laugh, "Yeah, I remember. That was so fun."

"No, it wasn't!" Sam wrinkles his nose. "Although I will admit, I'm glad I have someone calling me Sammy again. Remember how I only let you and Cara call me that and that one time when Max was mocking me so I punched him and broke his nose? I told Ari about that and she didn't believe that I was capable of punching someone!"

Ariana and Sam exchange a look of sincere affection. I smile almost wistfully at the look Sam gives Ariana.

In an effort to engage in a conversation with her, I ask, "So, how did the two of you meet?"

Ariana throws her head back and laughs, Sam glances at her with a small smile on his face. That look of pure adoration makes me envy them for having that kind of love.

"It's a funny story, brace yourself, Holly!" Ariana cackles while Sam keeps looking at her with happiness. "So, what happened was..."

***

I watch as Sam rings the doorbell and we stand waiting. I can hear the faint thump of music from outside but not too loud. Guess we're not high schoolers anymore. I rub my hands together and blow air on them, I'm suddenly wishing to quickly go inside in the comfort of the warm house, a stark contrast to what I was previously feeling when I was scared of meeting the gang again after all these years. I should've worn a jacket, it's the start of December and cold as hell. Wait, hell ain't cold. That doesn't make sense, Holly? Oh wow, now I'm talking to myself. Could I get any crazier?

Suddenly I feel a hand on my shoulder and look up, startled at Sam who gives me a small smile. "Don't be nervous, they'll be happy to see you."

Before I can reply the door swings open and I hear a high pitched squeal. Yup, definitely a highschool reunion.

"HOLLY ALEXANDERS HERE, EVERYONE!!"

I'm suddenly pulled inside in a flash, surrounded by everyone grinning at me, eager to talk to me. I'm pulled into hugs with people before I can even recognize them, everyone firing questions at me from all directions. I try my best to give them vague answers without giving anything about my life away but before I can finish, someone else is hugging me and looking at me as if I'm their best friend ever. It's overwhelming, really.

It all stops when a loud voice screeches. "Hey! That's my best friend and maid of honor you're harassing! Leave her alone!"

I spin around to face Cara and Brodie with gratitude painted on my face for getting everyone away from me.

Cara's blonde hair is pinned up in a fancy updo, she went for smokey eye makeup with her soft amber eyes standing out. She's wearing a knee length silver dress, hugging her curves. As I admire my best friend's makeup, all of a sudden the air is knocked out of my lungs as Cara crushes me in a hug. God, she and her bone crushing hugs, I wonder where she gets all that strength from?

"I can't believe you actually came! I thought you wouldn't come and I would have to find another maid of honor!"

"C-can't breath" I croak out, tapping her back aggressively for her to let me go.

"Oh right. Sorry." Cara lets go and gives me a big grin.

"The answer to your first question is that it's not like I had a choice, you blackmailed me into coming!"

"Oh don't be silly! Everyone has a choice and you, my girl, chose to come rather than have the Miami story be released" Cara practically sings as I give her a sour look.

"I, for one, am glad she did that" Brodie comments. "It wouldn't be the same without you. Everyone else is here as well. Some people from high school were in town so we invited them too. I kinda forgot how much loved you were by the whole community. Our social butterfly, Holly Alexander!"

"Hello, Brodie. Looking dashing in that suit!" I wink at him and erupt into laughter when Cara gives me the stink eye. I sober up and say. "You know, I forgot too, I've been so busy with life, I never once stopped to think about this place, makes me feel guilty."

"I know what you mean." Brodie nods. Oh, you have no idea, buddy.

"Hey, Holls. Brod and I will catch up with you later. We have to go greet the guests arriving."

"Right. Of Course, bye." I nod and smile fakely.

Once they're gone, my smile is long gone from my face. Somehow in the whole confusion during entering the house, I had lost track of Sam and Ariana's whereabouts. I sigh, looking down at my casual outfit, and can't help comparing myself to the fancy dresses everyone else is sporting. I can't believe I'm regretting not making an effort in my appearance.

I quickly weave my way through the clusters of people in the hallway. As I pass, almost everyone greets me individually, stopping me multiple times by engaging me in conversations I want to run away from. I keep my answers vague and short, telling them nothing of my life. When I finally reach my destination-the back porch- I slide open the glass doors and step out in the fresh air breathing a sigh of relief.

"Did you fall from heaven? Cause I swear you look like a beautiful Angel I once knew."

I gasp when I hear the familiar voice and whirl around in a flash, "Brent!"

I throw my arms around him, hugging him tightly. Immediately, his arms wrap around my waist and he spins me around, laughing loudly while I squeal.

"Wow, I got a better welcome from Holly Alexander than any of the other people inside, I'm honored." Brent laughs as he puts me down, his ocean blue eyes laughing at me, and runs his hand through his light brown hair messing up the styled hair.

"Hey, where'd your spikes go?" I tease him.

Brent removes his hands from my waist and sits down on the steps, rolling his eyes. "Seriously, don't remind me of my embarrassing dorky days."

I scoff as I sit down beside him, shivering slightly in the cold breeze, wrapping my arms around myself. "I told you a thousand times to not put up your hair in spikes but did you ever listen to me? No."

Brent stays uncharacteristically silent.

I'm about to ask him what's wrong when I hear it. Barely above a whisper.

"Cara liked them."

I pause. The atmosphere turns tense.

I turn my head to look at him but he looks away, not meeting my eyes.

"Brent," I say, softly.

Brent lets out a loud laugh. "Oh god. What am I even saying? I must be crazy, I'm just kidding Holls. What? Don't give me that look. Seriously, I don't like her anymore. It's been years."

I'm about to say it doesn't seem like it but think better of it. No good will come out of poking into this. Cara's getting married to Brodie whose best friend is her ex who still has feelings for her. What good can come out of this?

"So. What about you? Why're you out here? Avoiding someone?" Brent quickly asks, turning the conversation on me before I can decide to prod into it.

I laugh nervously and start twiddling with my fingers, scratching my nails on top of each other, and bite my lip, avoiding his gaze suddenly. "Who could I be avoiding?" Great. Add fuel to the fire by providing him an opening, Holly.

"I don't know," Brent smirks knowingly. "A certain ex, perhaps?"

I flush up at his mention. That is exactly what I was trying to do.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

"Come on, Holly. Are you stupid? You're hiding from him and in my opinion, this was a very stupid way to go about it. You literally secluded yourself allowing him to corner you."

"What are you saying? I-I don't" I stutter with flaming cheeks.

"Wow, am I really that bad that you don't even acknowledge who I am?" I hear a deep familiar voice behind me and I freeze immediately, my shoulders tense and I swallow.

He found me.

A/N

I tried proof reading it but I'm sorry, my eyes are too tired right now. Working on 2 and half hour sleep atm. it's literally only like 10pm here, been awake since 6am. I had an exam today. And yes, if anybodys wondering, which are a few close friends reading this book, my CAIE result came out a week ago and I got an A* and 2 A's. I don't even have the energy to add an exclamation mark. Yeah, I'm dozing off. 

Let me know your thoughts on this chapter?

What do you think will happen next? Next chapter is sorta exciting. And dissapointing. MUHAHAHAHA. *Evil author laugh* I've always wanted to do that! (I'm feeling more awake now. Maybe I should proof read once!) 

Ok, so almost all characters have been introduced right now. There's only Max and Kevin left. And another very awesome specific person we have yet to meet, who we alll know is in the next chapter! But meanwhile, how did you like Brent? You liking the drama of him liking Cara etc etc? Were you surprised?

Also, what about Cara? What is your impression of her now compared to the first chapterr?

Until the next chapter, ya'll. 

Ps. can you all promote my book a little? Recommend to your friends etc, maybe?

Kudos,

-Sal