(Brittney)
It had not been long since I followed Carl to the snack table, but he had already downed three cups of punch
"Come on, that's enough," I said, grabbing the ladle. His expression told me that if I didn't stop him he'd, drink himself into a coma. I've seen it many times before
"You're still here? Shouldn't you be dancing with Nick?" He said coldly walking away
"It's not like that. We were just dancing Carl," I said before he stopped
"Look, I'm not angry okay. How could I be, I mean, look at us, I'm me and he's Nick Dean. I understand so I'm not mad, but just don't treat me like I'm stupid. That was more than dancing," he said, turning to walk away but, I grabbed his hand
"Let me go, I'm going home," he said
"What about me?"
"Let Nick carry you"
"No, I came here with you not Nick and if I'm gonna leave, it's gonna be with you not Nick" I said
"Let me go, Brittney," he said
"No," I said
"I'm not going to let you go until we talk" I continued then he looked towards me. The tears in his eyes that he was trying and failing, to keep in started to fall. Heartbroken, I pulled him towards me and wrapped my hands around his neck kissing the tears away
"I'm here for you, not Nick, and believe me when I say that" I reminded him before he smiled and we kissed in the middle of the dance floor. This is good, while I do think it's possible Nick and I might have a connection I am sure Carl is a good guy and would make a great boyfriend and it would be much easier staying with someone that adores me than someone chasing someone who's chasing someone else
"That reminds me, I think I owe you a Ferris wheel ride" I smiled before pulling him towards the Ferris wheel.
(James)
After my little private time with Betty-Ann, I came back to the party and saw Rebecca on the dance floor
"Hey, Rebecca what did I miss?" I asked fixing my clothes
"Well, I met Nick." She said
"And," I asked sensing there was something else
"He's definitely as good-looking as you said. He looked great grinding on that blonde" She continued
"Blonde? So that Vanessa chick is here" I asked
"Was she the one that came with the fat redhead?" She asked
"Brittney!" I said shocked
"Yeah." She said
"Didn't expect that" I said before I noticed she stopped listening
"Yo Earth to Rebecca," I said snapping my fingers in front of her face
"Ugh sorry. I'm just thinking of something" she said
"What?" I asked
"I think I remember where I've seen Nick before," she said
"Where?" I asked
"The Palace. My roommate has a cousin staying there. We visited and I saw him along with some blonde girl her name was Vanessa. About a month ago" she said surprising me
"The Palace?! That son of a bitch" I said angrily before I marched over to him.
He was trying to get Sophie to talk to him when I grabbed onto his shirt and pushed him against a tree
"What the hell's your problem man?" He asked
"Taylor!" Sophie said shocked
"The Palace. Did you take that Vanessa chick there?" I asked pissed
"What? Where did you hear that?" He asked
"Don't even bother lying, Rebecca saw you," I said
"Nick, is that true?" Sophie asked
"Sophie it's not what you think," he said
"Then what is it, Nick. You just bring random girls to fancy hotels without sleeping with them" Sophie said disbelievingly
"I didn't sleep with her," he said
"Then what? Why were you at the Palace? Don't even bother trying to lie" Sophie asked
"I live with her okay" He blurted out
"You what? Live with her? Is that why we never visit your parents? You moved out to live with her," Sophie said stepping back before she ran off
"Way to go jackass," I said pushing him to the ground before chasing after her. I resisted the urge to punch him in the face. Even though God knows I owed him one
(Trudy)
"What the hell is this?!!" Hugh yelled walking in angrily
"Hugh?" I said shocked as Mister Estevez and I jumped off the table
"Out!" Hugh demanded furiously
"I leave after you accuse me of cheating, then I come back, and you're on the table dancing with another man," Hugh snapped angrily
"It's not like that man. We were just playing a game" Francisco tried explaining
"I don't remember asking you what it was like Estevez. You know I thought of you as a friend but you're just as bad as Stewart," Hugh said
"Why are you bringing my husband into this?" Martha said
"We all know the reason," Hugh glared at her
"No, you've always hated him so we moved but you still have some problem with him. What's your problem with my husband huh?" Martha said
"What are you people still doing here?" He yelled at Martha
"Don't scream at her man, that's totally uncalled for," Francisco said before Hugh glared at him and Francisco glared back. These were getting heated and I didn't want this to escalate any further
"I'll talk to you guys later okay," I said fearing a fight. Hugh looked like a toothpick when he was compared to the muscular Francisco and I didn't want him to get hurt
They all nodded before leaving. After they left I looked at Hugh before walking away
"Trudy," he said before he followed me.
I slammed the door behind me and he pulled the door and came in to see me sitting on the edge of my bed
"Trudy," he said sitting beside me
"Are you happy now?" I asked
"What?"
"My friends left 'your' house. Are you happy now?" I said
"I was upset, I mean imagine what it would look like if I brought my boss home and he saw that" He said pissing me off. I mean I had never seen Hugh so angry before. It warmed my heart and sort of comforted me that he'd care enough to get angry. Now it's telling me it was just because he feared what his boss would think
"Are you freaking kidding me?! Your boss!!! You're upset because of your image" I said upset
"Yeah it sounds worse bad but I have to keep up a certain image if I want that promotion," he said
"Promotion this, promotion that. All I've been hearing these past few months is promotion. Sometimes I think you love your damn work more than me!!!" I yelled angrily
"What? Trudy, I could never love work more than you. You're my wife. A man should love his wife more than anything. So believe me there's nothing in this world that I should love more than you" He said kissing my lips
"More than your duck collection"
"Ten times more," he said kissing me
"More than your promotion," I asked as he stopped
"A hundred times more," he said gently pushing me on the bed
"More than your busy trips," I said
"A million times more," he said getting on top of me
"More than the person you're cheating with?" I asked
"Trudy," he warned not to ruin the moment and I simply rolled my eyes at the fact that he didn't answer before he kissed me again
"Hugh we shouldn't be doing this. What if James walks in?" I asked mid moan
"He won't. He's probably having fun with Betty-Ann as we speak" he said gently kissing my neck
"So you know about that too?" I asked before he started opening my shirt
"Yeah I just hope he's using a condom"
"He better," I said taking off his shirt
(Sophie)
Conflicted, I felt like crying but the tears wouldn't come so I just sat under a tree looking up at the night sky. Not a single thought going through my head
"Hey," the green-haired brit suddenly said appearing out of nowhere
"Hey, you enjoying the party?" I said forcing a smile
"Yes, but are you okay? I overheard what happened with your boyfriend" he asked
"Just fine, I mean it's not like I found out my boyfriend lives with some model looking chick," I said sarcastically
"For someone in that situation, your eyes seem rather dry," Fred said
"I hate to say it but I'm not that surprised. This is something I expected from Nick"
"I see. But still, I'm guessing it would hurt a bit. You know it cuts when a knife cuts but you still scream out when you're stabbed. So why aren't you crying?"
"I don't know. There are just no tears"
"I myself personally believe tears are only shed for that one truly cares for."
"Of course, I care for Nick. He's my boyfriend"
"But you don't care enough to cry for him"
"I'm just not the crying type," I said
"I find it hard to believe you've never cried over someone"
"What?"
"I'm asking if there was someone you've cried over," he asked before we turned and noticed Taylor coming over to us
"I see," he said
"It's not like that"
"Un Homme peut se mentir mais il ne peut jamais mentir à son cœur" he shrugged before sitting up. Roughly translated he said that 'A man can lie to himself but he can never lie to his heart'
"You know for someone who doesn't talk much you sure are saying a lot," I said but he only smiled before walking away as Taylor came over to me
"Hey. Were you just talking to Fred?"
"Yeah, he came to see how I was doing"
"And how are you doing?"
"Fine," I said
"Really?"
"Despite everything that happened. Yeah"
"What about that Vanessa girl? Doesn't the fact that he's living with her bother you?"
"I don't even wanna think about it"
"That's probably for the best. Who knows maybe it's something platonic" he said making me smile a bit
"Have you seen her?" I sarcastically laughed
"No, but she's really that hot do you mind setting me up?" He laughed before he looked at the tree I was sitting under and the laughter stopped
"What is it?" I asked
"When was this drawn here?" He asked moving closer to the tree.
I stood and turned to the tree to see something I had hoped no one else would see as long as I lived
"Did you draw this?" He asked
"Yeah but I mean it was six years ago. I'm surprised it's still here" I said embarrassed as he touched the drawing of the heart with our initials on it
"What's that smile for?" I asked
"Nothing I just think it's beautiful" he smiled as I blushed a bit
We looked at the drawing before he suddenly asked
"So what are you gonna do about Nick?" he asked
"I don't know and I don't really wanna think about it now. I just wanna clear my head" I said
"Okay so how about we go for a walk?" he asked
"Sure let's go," I said. So we walked down the beach. It had happened when we were eleven going on twelve, Taylor and I were arguing about something while walking on the beach. We weren't paying attention so we headed up getting lost. We spent hours on the beach. Taylor comforted me when I got scared and tried finding food when I was hungry then together we would lay under the stars until his parents found us the next day. Those moments brought me mixed emotions. I was happy yet sad at the same time. I actually try not to remember moments like these because they always lead me to how we broke up. I was embarrassed and regretful. Sometimes I wonder what life would be like if he had said yes back then.
"Is something wrong?" he asked noticing I hadn't said anything in a while
"No I'm fine," I said
"Hey isn't that where I gave you that pearl," He asked pointing over to the log. Almost six years had passed yet that log hadn't been moved that fact brought a smile to my face. I remember Taylor had spent hours looking until he found it. I think that was the reason we came here. Taylor wanted the pearls for an experiment but despite only finding the one he gave it to me
"Yeah," I said smiling at the stop on memory lane
"What did you ever do with that pearl?" He asked
"I threw it away. I mean what did you expect I keep it in a jewelry box in my draw beside my bed haha" I said quickly and nervously
"I guess that makes sense. But why are you so nervous?" he sighed
"Hey look," I said pointing at some arbitrary thing in the distance
"I don't see anything"
"It must have already left" I shrugged.
"So do you come here a lot?" I asked happily changing the topic
"Not so much in the last two years. But freshman and sophomore year I came here a lot"
"So why did you stop?"
"I don't know. Maybe the memories were just too much for me" he shrugged
"Really?" I asked before he nodded
"The sky's really pretty tonight," he said looking up
"Yeah, it sure is," I agreed. After our little star gazing we then continued our walk
"Hey, it's late. We should probably get back" Taylor suddenly said
"I'm not in the mood for Nick's apology right now. I think I just wanna go home," I said before he took out his keys
"Let's go," he said before we walked to his car. He drove me home and followed me all the way to the door
"Thanks for the ride, Taylor," I said
"No problem. I told you you'll always have me, didn't I?" he said making me smile
"You can come in for something to eat if you'd like," I said
"Sorry. I should really head back to the party. Betty's waiting" he said as my smile faded
"Yeah. I'll see you" I said before closing the door.
I sighed as I went up to my room and opened the draw took out the jewelry box and held the pearl in my hand smiling at the memory. My brief moment of reminiscence was broken by my growing stomach. I was hungry so I went into the kitchen where I made a sandwich and sat down on the couch watching TV.
(Trudy)
It happened, I had finally slept with my husband. But I wasn't happy in the slightest because I had confirmed my suspicions. My husband was cheating on me and I was now convinced it was with one of my friends.
Like something out of a teen drama or soap opera. To be honest, I haven't seen him one hundred percent but it only makes sense. My husband sleeps with me right after I told my friends I think he's cheating because he hasn't slept with me and now he's suddenly ready to again. That coupled with the fact that he knew about the girl's night made it clear that it was one of my friends but who could it be? I wrapped my robe around me before I went to the bathroom to wash my face then I went out to the porch to see Francisco was still there
"What are you still doing here?" I asked
"Waiting for Carlos. I was just about to head back to the beach in case he might need a ride home" He answered before noticing my robe
"I guess you and Hugh made up," he said
"It looks that way doesn't it," I said with a sad smile
"Something wrong?" He asked
"No, I'm fine. Everything's fine" I said before suddenly Carolyn walked up to us
"Hello guys" she smiled
"Carolyn? Why are you still here?" I asked
"I actually came to talk to Francisco here. Hmm looks like someone got busy tonight" she winked at me
"I guess this clears up your suspicion?" she asked but I didn't respond. I was too busy trying to figure out who it was. Maybe it was Carolyn. She was rather promiscuous and had no problems breaking moral boundaries. Considering her track record it would make her the most fitting. Maybe it could be Bethany. She always had a preference for men with money. Maybe she didn't come because she couldn't look me in the eyes. My mind wandered to Martha. Maybe she and Hugh were together as a form of revenge but I put that thought straight out of my mind. She isn't the type to have an affair no matter the circumstance plus she never leaves town unlike Hugh
"Um, may I ask what you want?" Francisco asked changing the topic seeing that I was a bit uneasy
"Nothing really I just thought introductions were in order" she smirked
"Introductions? Carolyn, I've known you for years" he said
"I meant reintroductions. I've noticed you finally taken off that darn ring of yours. So I'm guessing you're available. So I wanna reintroduce myself. Hey I'm Carolyn Forbes divorcee"
"Well I'm Francisco, widower, and your daughter's boyfriend's dad," he said in an attempt to shut down her advancement
"I'm surprised those two are still together"
"What's so surprising about it?" he asked glaring a little
"Oh, I mean nothing by it. Anyways, I just wanted to show you my apartment. It's got quite the view," she said suggestively
"I think I have to turn that down. I'm sure my son will need a ride home," he said
"Oh well, that's too bad. Call me if you change your mind," she said winking before she left
"Well, aren't you lucky?" I chuckled
"Please, don't laugh," he sighed before I forced myself to stop
"So when did you take off your ring?" I asked
"Tonight actually. Carlos helped me. We're working on moving past that accident together"
"Well, I'm glad to hear that. I hope it works out for you two"
"I hope so for you too. You still think Hugh's cheating right?"
"I'm positive he is" I sighed grief evident in my voice
"So what are you gonna do now?"
"Can I borrow your phone please?" I asked
"Sure," he said giving me his phone and I made the call
(Sophie)
I was sitting on my couch watching 'Legacies' when suddenly I heard a phone ring.
It wasn't mine because mine was on the table and it was a ringtone I had never heard. It sounded like a bird song and it was coming from the couch.
I stuck my hands in it looking for it. Soon I pulled a phone that I have never seen before. It was a red phone in a red bird covered case with a yellow duck strap on it
I answered the call.
"Hello," the person said
(Trudy)
"Hello," I said
"Mrs. Taylor?" the voice shocked me to the core the voice was Sophie'
"Sophie?" I asked my mouth trembling
"Mrs. Taylor?" she asked confused
"Sophia, what are you doing? Where did you get that phone? Hang up this instant!!" Tasha yelled before we got disconnected. So what does this mean? I know what it means but is it really possible. Could the person Hugh's having an affair with be... Tasha?
No, it couldn't be. Tasha? She was my best friend. The oldest of my friends how could she betray me like that? No, it can't be her
"Hey, Trudy are you okay?" Francisco asked
"Here. I... I need to go inside" I said before running back to my house. I rushed back to the room to find my husband quickly getting dressed
"Hey, Trudy. Glad you're back, I got a surprise text from work. I have to go in" he said
"Don't wait up," he said walking past me
"Tasha," I said as he put his hand on the doorknob. Just by calling her name, I had caused him to stop dead in his tracks
"Why did you suddenly say that name? Did she have something to tell me?" he asked turning to me
"Are you sleeping with her?" I asked
"What? How could possibly think that I..."
"CUT THE CRAP HUGH!! JUST ANSWER MY DAMN QUESTION!!!" I yelled absolutely livid
"Trudy... I... I..."
"So it's true," I said heartbroken. I looked at him dead in the eye as my heart shattered into pieces
"How did you find out?"
"Are you freaking kidding me!!" I yelled throwing the alarm clock at him. Luckily for him, he dodged it.
"Is that important right now you bastard?!" I yelled throwing the vase
"Trudy look I can explain," he dodged the glass shattering on the wall
"You can explain Hugh? What can you fucking explain? Are you gonna explain how you sleep with my fucking best friend" I yelled throwing something else
"Trudy, I didn't want you to find out like this"
"Get out! Get out"
"What?"
"I don't even want to look at you," I said my rage building to the brim
"And where am I suppose to go?" he said
"I don't care. Go stay with that bitch!! Just get out of my house. Get out! Get out!!" I yelled throwing whatever I could get my hands on. Hugh had gotten out of the damn room before I flopped down on the sheet less mattress and cried my eyes out in the mattress girls