and when i am alone,
she's with me every place i g o . . .

🌊🌊🌊

After I had dropped Brody off once our family dinner came to an end, I found myself sitting on a stool at the island in the kitchen, talking with my parents about the past couple of hours. My mom was finishing up wiping down the counter tops while my dad sat beside me, checking his emails on his phone.

Not that it was really surprising to me or anything, but the dinner couldn't have gone any better. Brody seemed to fit right in, and he had no problems talking to my parents about anything. You could have easily guessed that he'd known us for years, and that this was just one of the many times he'd stopped by for dinner.

All in all, they approved of him. And that's all I could've asked for.

"He seems like a good kid," my dad concluded with a firm nod.

"I just can't get over how incredibly gorgeous he is," my mom gushed incredulously.

"Mom, oh my God," I put my hands on my face and groaned into them. She and my dad just laughed.

I felt my dad put his hand on my shoulder, so I brought my face out again and looked over at him. "You know, you've never brought a boy over like this. Other than Noah or Caleb, but they don't count because you guys are all best friends," he explained. I attempted to smile, but the discomfort in my chest at the words "Noah" and "best friends" had me reeling. "Anyway, we just want to make sure that-"

"Is this going where I think it is?" I cut in before he could go on, cringing at the thought of the talk.

My mom stepped in now, smiling gently at me from the other side of the island. "Sweetie, if this thing with Brody is going to continue, we have to know that you're going to behave," she said, which just made me groan again.

"Just make smart decisions, that's all we're saying," my dad backed her up.

"We're not even dating or anything like that, okay?" I clarified our situation for them after I picked my head up from it being face down on the counter top. They both continued to stare at me in a way that said no matter where Brody and I stood, they were still serious about what they said. "I'll be fine – trust me."

"Okay," my mom nodded thoroughly. "But we just want to let you know that we really do like him."

I couldn't help but smile at that. "Me too," I agreed in a soft whisper, my eyes drifting down to my hands sitting on my lap. Mom, you have no idea.

Thus, the weekend went by, filled with plenty of quality time spent with Brody. I thought of it as that time during the very beginning of a new relationship, where all you want to do is be with that person and nothing could make you sick of them. But my clingy friends disagreed.

On Tuesday after we ate dinner, Jodie, Sadie and I were sprawled out in my room. We hadn't done anything too exciting all day, but just getting to spend time with them was nice. Apparently, it felt like it'd "been forever" since we last hung out, just as girls. Which was true, I have to agree.

In the middle of us talking, my phone buzzed with a new text. I stopped mid-sentence to look down at it and when I saw Brody's name, all my focus went on that.

"I guess Surfer Boy is calling," Jodie snickered along with Sadie. I would've shot them the finger or a sarcastic, dirty look had I not been trying to reply to him.

"Shut up," I mumbled, putting my phone down once I sent my response. "One of Brody's friends is having a party tonight and he asked if we wanted to go."

"Who is it?" Jodie asked, and I shrugged. It's a friend I haven't met yet, but if anything I wouldn't want to go alone since I would know about three or four people there. All Jodie did was make a face of pure unease.

I groaned at her reaction, pushing myself to sit up on my bed as the three of us shifted from my sudden movement. "Please, Jodie? It'll be fun."

"I don't know," she sighed, shaking her head back and forth. My blonde, overprotective best friend ruffled her hair around, not looking me in the eye. I was about to say something when she beat me to it. "Look... you know I haven't been Brody's biggest fan from the beginning, but because I'm your best friend, I'm putting up with him. If he makes you happy, then I'm not going to get in the way of that. I just need to get used to him being around," she explained herself as she kept her gaze down on my bedding.

Not being able to hold it back anymore, I felt myself smiling because I can tell how hard it is for her. It's a sticky situation when your friend is getting involved with someone you don't like. I know if the tables were turned, I'd make sure the guy Jodie likes would know that if her hurt her, I'd slice him up. Sadie and I both would – that's what best friends are for.

So all I can do is be thankful that she's not trying to sabotage things with Brody. She's being the caring, supportive friend that she is, and I know I'd do the same for her.

"Thanks, Jod. That means a lot coming from you," I breathed out a soft laugh, which brought a tiny lift to her previously flat lips.

She brushed it off like it was nothing, then rolled off my bed and held her hands out to Sadie and I. "Come on, we gotta make Lena look pretty for her man," she grinned at me. Sadie didn't have a problem agreeing with that and hopped right up. I just laughed and let them drag me to my closet.

Between Sadie loosely curling my hair and Jodie throwing random articles of clothing at me, they managed to do a pretty good job putting me together. I had on a pair of dark skinny jeans that Jodie rolled up at the ankles, and a white cropped cami for a shirt. She pulled out my white Converse, then spritzed each of us with a bit of perfume before we ventured downstairs.

Time flew by while we were getting ready and before I knew it, Brody sent me a text saying we could come. With a brisk goodbye to my parents, the three of us were out the door and in Jodie's car, on our way to a house on the opposite end of town.

🌊🌊🌊

"You are so pretty!" A drunken girl named Natalie squealed to me while twirling a strand of my hair around her narrow fingers.

"Thanks," I chuckled at her excitement. I sent Sadie an amused look, and she grinned right back at me.

Natalie and her small group of friends decided to introduce themselves to us early on in the night and they really hadn't left our sides. Jodie, on the other hand, found some of the people she made friends with at Mason's Fourth of July party and disappeared with them. All we got was a quick promise that she wouldn't be drinking tonight, clearly because she drove, and she vanished.

The girls were being super nice to us – whether it was from all the liquor they'd consumed or because they were just naturally that friendly. Either way, Sadie and I were grateful they came along because other than Brody and Peter, we didn't know anyone here. The girls were in Brody's class and we all went to the same school, but we'd never spoken before.

"It's so obvious why Brody likes her," Natalie attempted to whisper to her friend that was leaning her head on Natalie's shoulders. Her friend, Emery, nodded along vigorously in agreement. "She's so much better than..."

That was all I could make out because her voice significantly dropped off before I could hear who she was talking about. Emery's dark eyes widened, like she was terrified of hearing what Natalie said, before she looked back at me and smiled tightly.

"Who?" I managed to choke out, looking between the two intoxicated girls.

"No one!" Natalie screeched, causing me to blink in surprise at her sudden answer. "Want to get more drinks? Let's go, come on."

I didn't have a chance to ask anything else because Natalie and Emery grabbed onto Sadie and I, then dragged us towards the house since we were all previously outside. As they concocted a new drink for both Sadie and I, all I could think about was who or what I'm "better than". Brody and I never delved too far into our romantic pasts, so I wouldn't know if they were talking about a crazy ex-girlfriend or what. Part of me wanted to ask him about it, but I figured it was too soon for that.

So I shoved the thought way, way in the back and chugged the drink Natalie handed to me.

Unfortunately, drinking a lot of alcohol means I usually have to take more than one trip to the bathroom. For the third time, I excused myself from the group and headed back to the house. I would've asked Sadie to come with me, but she was too involved in a conversation with Emery and I didn't want to bother her.

I navigated my way through to the back door, passing by Jodie in the process who shot me a bright smile and a wave. I grinned back, then let myself inside and went straight to the bathroom. And of course, there was a line.

Groaning to myself, I stood behind the girl who was fourth in line and leaned against the wall. Looks like I'm going to be here for awhile.

During my endless wait in the line for the bathroom, I noticed a couple more people had come up behind me. I scrolled through my apps on my phone to pass the time, minding my own business for the most part. So when a hand tapped my shoulder, I jumped at the touch.

I whipped around to see a girl standing before me. She didn't look familiar in the slightest bit. But the way she was deviously smirking at me, and how her icy, green eyes were boring a hole through my head, I had a feeling that I should've known her. The hair on my arms stood up at the intensity of her glare.

"Hi there," she spoke with a surprising confidence, unveiling a set of perfect teeth.

"Hi," I said questioningly and furrowed my brows out of confusion. "Do I know you?"

She chuckled lowly, glancing at her friend beside her, and if I'm not mistaken, rolling her eyes. That just made me even more perplexed.

"I guess not. But you will," she replied. If this was her way of being intimidating, it's kind of working. If only she wasn't the same height as me, it might really work for her.

I raised my eyebrows at her cryptic answer, crossing my arms defensively. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"So I hear you're Brody's new catch," she went on to completely ignore my question. I watched as she pursed her lips and looked me up and down like I was a dress hanging on a mannequin.

Right now, I felt like I was on display for her to ridicule me. And I did the same to her.

Returning the favor, I inspected her appearance and took it in. Ratty combat boots, ripped fishnet tights covering her scrawny legs, and a baggy white t-shirt loosely tucked into her black high-waisted shorts. Her light brown hair fell in messy waves down to her chest, framing her seemingly flawless face. With sharp cheekbones, a perfect pointed nose and eyebrows I could never have, I suddenly felt insecure.

I'll admit, she's gorgeous. But she definitely isn't nice.

"Yeah, I am. What's it to you?" I retorted with a slight sneer.

A laugh slipped out of her mouth now as she looked to her friend again. "She's feisty. I like her," she muttered to her sidekick, but I still heard her and just rolled my eyes. Then she turned back to me and that creepy smirk of hers went into place again. "I was just wondering if the gossip was true. If I were you though, I would pay careful attention to him. You know how it is – none of your friends like him, but you're drawn to him. They don't understand how sweet he can be when it comes to you, and he's just so different. But before you know it... you love him. And he'll take advantage of that, he'll knock you down and-"

"Stop," I spat out, putting my hands up. She snapped her mouth shut at my outburst and let me continue. "I don't even know who you are. You come up to me, act like you know me, and then start talking about Brody like you know him? I'm not okay with that."

Her jaw dropped open, sputtering out a surprised laugh. I didn't know what to think of it, and I definitely didn't know what she thought was so funny.

"You think I don't know him? That's really cute," she uttered, an ominous tinge to her voice now. Every hair on my body stood on end at the sound. She crossed her arms and slowly started to turn away from me, all while keeping her eyes locked with mine. "You'll figure everything out. But in the meantime, let me know if you ever need someone to talk to about Brody. When it comes to him, I'm your girl."

With her mocking tone lingering in my head, she and her friend stepped out of line and sauntered away. What. The. Fuck.

The girls who were originally behind her stepped up to take her place. I stood completely frozen until they gestured that it was my turn to use the bathroom. I gave them a quick smile and then ran in, standing at the sink for a minute, staring at my reflection.

It took me some time to gather myself after that confrontation with the girl whose name I still don't know. After I washed my hands over and over again and rinsed my mouth out with water, I left the bathroom and went back outside. On my walk over to where the rest of the girls were, a pair of arms wrapped tightly around my waist.

For the second time tonight because of sudden contact, I flinched. When I spun around to see Brody, I smiled with relief.

"Hey you," he cooed at me, resting his hands on my hips and pulling me in closer. "I feel like I haven't seen you all night. Are you having fun?" He asked, and I nodded with a convincing grin. I was having fun until that girl ruined my night.

I would've been swooning at the way his eyes lowered to my mouth and the provocative look on his face. If it weren't for mystery girl's words echoing in my head, I would have let him kiss me, too.

"I have to tell you something," I sputtered out right before his lips were on mine.

His eyes enlarged and I felt him stiffen up a bit. His hands fell from my waist and hung by his sides now. "Okay. What?"

I took in a deep breath, preparing myself for what I was about to say to him. "I went to the bathroom and ran into someone who, apparently, is the girl to go to when it comes to you," I mimicked her words and put air quotes around the last part.

"S-she's no one," he immediately responded, shaking his head. That lame stutter wasn't fooling anyone.

"She's not 'no one', Brody. I'm not an idiot, who is she?" I demanded, grabbing onto his arm to make him stay.

He sighed, running his hands nervously through his hair and hanging onto it. He looked like he'd rather be anywhere else than talking about this with me. But if he wants to keep being with me, he has to tell me the truth. I'm not asking for an elaborate explanation right here in the middle of a party, but I'd like to know something. Maybe her name, for starters.

"Alright, listen. Her name is Sky... she's my ex," he explained in a hushed tone. I nodded my head and put the pieces together – now it makes sense. "We broke up last year, and she's someone that I want nothing to do with. Long story short, just do what you can to stay away from her. She's not all there, if you know what I mean, and I don't want you involved in that. But as long as I'm here, you don't have to worry."

When he didn't go on anymore, I gave him a tight-lipped smile and an approving nod. At least I got that much out of him.

"Okay," I murmured. His eyes finally latched onto mine, so I leaned up and gave him a small peck on the lips. He just turned it into a hasty make out anyway.

Brody's P.O.V.

Standing with Peter on the back deck, we both kept to ourselves while we drank our beers. The party was simmering down by now, and we were planning on leaving soon. At this point, I just wanted to go home and face dive into my pillow.

"Dude, what's wrong with you?" Peter chuckled at my current state of distress, raising a dark eyebrow in concern. "You've been fidgeting nonstop and every time I say something, you just smile and nod. It's freaking me out."

"Sorry," I breathed out raggedly and rubbed the back of my neck. "Lena ran into Sky earlier and she said some shit about me, so I had to tell her who she was."

Peter grimaced, taking a quick sip from his beer. "Yikes."

"I know," I sighed. "I really didn't think she'd be here tonight." Peter gave me a knowing look at that statement.

"You know how Sky is. She's always been unpredictable, and sneaky as hell. What makes you think she wouldn't try to follow you around? Even after everything that happened between you guys. She's fucking crazy," he said, and I knew he was right.

I ran my hands over my face in agony, suddenly feeling sick to my stomach as the image of Sky's emerald gaze flashed in my mind. No pair of eyes could give me so much to remember, but so much more to regret.

She's the one, sole reason why I was hesitant on starting anything with Lena. She's been the only reason why I haven't had anything serious with a girl in about a year. After our break up, I was wrecked – and not in the sense of "missing her" or because "she broke my heart".

Sky left a wound in me that has no way of healing. A traumatizing, remorseful scar that I don't think anyone can repair. The kind that comes from seeing the person you think you love in such a terrible state of mind. When that person turns out to be nothing like the one you originally fell in love with. I just hope Lena's the type of person who can see past the mess and still want to be with me.

It scares me how much I like her. But it scares me even more that if she were to leave, she certainly wouldn't be the first person to do that.

🌊🌊🌊

A/N - so what do you think of the new character that's been introduced here? what's brody mean when he says she's not "all there"? did you like the bit from brody's pov??? talk to me!

i forgot to update last week ugh. i have to get used to my new schedule at school. so stupid. i hate it. being an adult is stupid. but hey anywho, thanks for reading! i love ya lots.

dedicated to: reckless-paranoia :)

song: guru by coast modern

photo: sky (willa holland)

xoxo, sabbbycat