Not proofread, ignore the mistakes.

I tapped my shoe on the floor as I waited in line. Tonight is the much awaited dinner with my parents and Drew. I was on my way home from a shopping trip with my best friends when Jazzy called me, asking if I could pick up some eggs on the way home. So here I am now with an egg carton in my hand as I waited for the woman who had a big cart filled with food in front of me.

When her cart was finally emptied and she paid for all her groceries, she left. I placed the egg carton on the counter before fishing for some money.

“Paper or plastic?” the bag boy asked as I handed the cashier the money.

“Anything,” I replied, the cashier handed me the money and I turned to get the thing I purchased. I momentarily stopped to see who the bag boy was.

“Mark?” I asked in surprise.

He looked at me for a moment before an expression of recognition reined his features, “Celeste.”

“You work here?” I gaped, staring at his apron that had the grocery store’s logo and name on it.

“Yeah,” he nodded in confirmation, “I thought you lived in the city, why haven’t I seen you around?”

“I don’t exactly do grocery shopping,” I answered vaguely. This is actually the first time I’ve went inside a grocery store in a year. Jazzy always did the groceries but this time, she was already cooking when she realized we were out of eggs so I had no choice other than to buy it for her.

“So how’s your brother?”

“Same old, same old,” he said casually, “He and Lillian got back together.”

“So I heard,” Lillian was on cloud nine once again. After a thorough talk between her and Charlie, they eventually forgave each other. Since Jessica was with Blake, the issue between her and Lillian faded away.

It was great news actually. Lillian seemed that she was sincerely happy with Charlie and what kind of best friend would I be to ruin her happiness?

“Hurry up!” the old lady behind me complained.

“I better get going,” I chuckled, shooting the lady behind me an apologizing smile.

“We should hang out sometimes,” Mark suggested and I gave him a look so he quickly added, “Just as friends.”

“Why not?” I shrugged, pulling out a pen and paper, scribbling my phone number on it, “See you soon, Mark.”

He waved goodbye as I exited the store. I drove home with the paper bag which contained the eggs sitting on the passenger seat.

I took the elevator to the penthouse and handed Jazzy the paper bag.

“Thanks, Celeste,” she smiled, taking out two eggs from the carton, “You should start getting ready. Everybody would be here soon.”

I nodded before turning around to make my way upstairs. My mother came out of her room – fully dressed with her makeup and hair already done - and walked up to me.

“Get ready, Celeste. Remember to greet everybody who comes here for dinner,” she instructed before zooming to the bathroom at the end of the hallway.

I sighed and trudged my way to my room to get ready. I took a quick shower and dressed up into the dress I bought for this night.

Not only will Drew be here, so will be the Smiths, along with Jessica’s, Lillian’s and Annabelle’s families. Since we were best friends for the longest time, our parents became quite acquainted with each other. The Smith Brothers’ family on the other hand had been long time business partners and close friends of my parents so it was logical that they would invite them.

I curled my hair and pinned it to the side before putting on a light layer of makeup. My mother specified that this was going to be a formal dinner; meaning, there shouldn’t be a hair out of place.

“Celeste, they’re here,” my mother called out.

Putting on my black stilettos, I stood up then headed to the door. People were piled up inside our living room and I was surprised they even fit.

There was one person missing though, Drew Everett.

“I’m getting tired of seeing your face,” Jessica joked while she was still glued to Blake’s side.

I rolled my eyes at her and greeted the rest of the people present inside the room.

“Where’s Drew?” Lillian asked as we all piled into the dining room. I shrugged, trying to play nonchalant but in truth, I was a bit worried.

One thing I know about Drew Everett is that he was always punctual. I told him to be here by seven and it was already half an hour past the said time.

The dinner went by so slowly or is it just because my eyes were tailed on the door, waiting for Drew to suddenly emerge from it.

My parents were sending me impatient looks while entertaining their guests, while my friends offered me some encouraging ones. I picked at my food for most of the meal, and after dessert, the adults wanted to have some coffee in the living room.

When they were all out, my friends stood up from their seats and I rested my head on the table.

“He didn’t come,” I breathed, trying to hide the disappointment in my voice but it was pointless.

“I’m sure he had a valid excuse for it,” Annabelle tried to assure but with the lines forming on her forehead, I’m sure she was trying to convince herself with the idea.

“Or he was just scared of Mr. and Mrs. Graham,” Lucas deadpanned, “I mean, they are pretty intimidating.”

“Lucas!” Blake scolded his twin.

“What?” he asked sheepishly, “I was only telling the truth.”

“I know,” I sighed, standing up myself, “How about we occupy ourselves while our parents talk about boring stuff?”

They all nodded in agreement and our whole gang headed into my room. They were all at home inside, Jessica and Blake claimed my bed, Lillian took her place on my office chair, Annabelle and Lucas each got a bean bag chair and sat down on the floor. It was quite amusing looking at Lucas while he sat on a hot pink beanbag.

“Let’s play never have I ever,” Blake suggested with a devilish smirk.

“As much as I want to see my parents while I’m drunk,” Lillian said sarcastically, “I’ll pass on that one.”

I kind of agreed with her. Never have I ever required drinking and as much as I want to get some alcohol into my system so I could stop worrying about Drew, all of the adults were downstairs chatting in our living room. Facing them while we’re all drunk will only end us all in trouble.

“How about a little less messed up,” I suggested, walking to my desk and grabbing an empty water bottle, “Spin the bottle?”

“That’s better,” Jessica nodded, grabbing the bottle from my hand as we all gathered around in a circle on my carpeted floor.

My best friend set down the bottle the center of our little circle and spun with a flick of her wrist. It went around a few times before landing on Annabelle. She gasped for a split second before gathering back her composure.

“Truth or dare?” I asked, setting my chin on the back of my hand.

She eyed us carefully before making her decision, “Dare.”

Lillian suddenly lit up and leant into me, whispering an idea into my ear. I grinned at this, it was actually a bright idea.

“I dare you to go on a date with Charlie’s little brother,” I challenged.

“What?” she let out in surprise, “Please tell me you’re bluffing.”

“Sorry,” Lillian wagged her finger in front of Annabelle’s face, “You picked dare and we gave you one.”

Annabelle was actually afraid to date again. She once had a steady boyfriend for a year but that ended up in a huge heartache. The guy cheated on her and she sulked for a week. She didn’t go to school or anything, she was a complete zombie. I think Mark will be the perfect guy to get Annabelle back on track with her love life.

“I’ll set it all up,” I told her, “I can picture it already.”

“Stop!” Annabelle quickly halted me with her hand, “I’ll do the stupid dare.”

“Yes!” I grinned.

“Back to the game…” Jessica said, spinning the water bottle again.

This time, it landed on me. I wasn’t really that daring and these people already knew about every single thing about me, so what’s the worst that can happen?

“Truth.”

They exchanged some looks and I gulped audibly. Okay, I was taking back my words; this is going to be pretty scary.

“Why do you even like Everett?” Lucas let out.

Every single pair of eyes was on me. They were all giving me curious looks as they waited patiently for my answer. I tapped my finger on my chin, thinking of an answer.

Why did I like Drew?

“I like him,” I replied simply, “He’s not sweet in his own way, he’s caring, he’s not a jerk,” I listed out before soft smile crept on my lips, “And he’s genuine.”

“That’s rare,” Lillian muttered.

I nodded, my smile never fading. Something I did notice though was Lucas. He visibly stiffened and his eyes were wide as saucers.

“You okay?” I asked him.

He shook his head before smirking, “Looks like somebody’s whipped.”

“Shut it,” I dismissed before spinning the bottle.

Ah sweet, sweet karma. The tip of the bottle pointed as Lucas who suddenly stopped in moving.

“Truth or dare?”

He met my challenging gaze with one of his own, “Truth.”

I didn’t even think of my question, it just went out of my mouth before I could stop it, “Why are you dating Rebecca?”

“Because I like her.”

“Cut the bullshit,” Blake surprised us all by snapping at his brother, “I know you, bro. I clearly know you well enough to see if you’re really happy with somebody and I can honestly conclude that you’re not happy with Rebecca.”

Lucas’ lips clamped shut as he casted his eyes down on the floor.

“Tell us the truth,” Blake continued.

“I still like Celeste,” he whispered, lifting his head and trailed his eyes on me, “I need to find a way to forget her.”

“And you used another girl to do it?” Jessica asked in disbelief.

“You don’t know what it’s like!” he yelled suddenly, “To see the girl you’ve had a crush on since the second grade be wrapped around another guy’s finger.”

“Lucas,” I tried to calm him down but he was on a roll here.

“No, for once Celeste, please don’t try to take charge of something you can’t control,” he gritted out, “You can’t control what I feel for you. What you’re trying to do is to make me forget I ever like you, that’s not happening!”

The whole room fell into silence aside from the deep breaths Lucas was puffing out from his little rant.

“Look,” I breathed out slowly, “Do whatever you want. You’re still one of my closest friends but I hate seeing you use a girl like that.”

“Celeste, don’t,” he stopped but I shook my head.

“If you like Rebecca then continue to date her,” I said, “But if you don’t, do both of you two a favor and end something that’s one-sided. She’ll get hurt in the end if you continue this.”

He didn’t reply, he just looked everywhere except to my direction. I frowned at this and lied down on the floor, “This is frustrating.”

A few minutes passed by and none of us said a word. We were all silent, waiting for somebody to make a move to cut this uncomfortable air roaming around the room.

Well, that somebody turned out to be a something, and that something was my phone.

I shot up from my spot and raced to my phone that was on my bedside table. I didn’t know what the hell I felt when I saw Drew’s name flashing on the screen.

Relief, worry, concern… the list could go on.

I answered it and placed the device on my ear, “Hello?”

“Celeste,” I heard Drew’s voice that was laced with sadness, “Hospital.”

My eyes went wide, “What?”

“Please go to the hospital,” he said, “My mom…”

“I’ll be right there,” I told him, saying my goodbye and picking up my bag from the floor.

“What’s wrong?” Lillian asked, sensing my mood change.

“Something happened to Drew’s mom,” I explained, making my way to the door, “Tell my parents I went out.”

I didn’t spare them another glance when I made my way out of my room and downstairs, avoiding the living room at all cost. I pressed the down button on the elevator and when the metal doors opened, I got inside.

When the doors where closing, a hand stopped them and it opened once again. Lucas stepped inside the elevator and leaned on the wall.

“Can you forgive me?” he asked.

I sighed and stepped forward to his direction, I wrapped my arms around his torso in a hug, “You’re my best guy friend, Lucas. Of course I’ll forgive you.”

“I’m sorry,” he breathed out.

I nodded, “I’m sorry too.”

“Everett’s one lucky dog.”

I ignored his statement for we were already at the lobby. The elevator doors opened and I stepped away from him, “I’ll see you soon, Lucas.”

“Bye Celeste,” he waved as I got out and headed to the parking lot.

I just prayed to God that nothing too horrible happened to Drew’s family. They have enough troubles to face with already.

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

What's up my little peaches? i think my immune system finally gave out because I'm sick and stuck in bed with only my laptop as my only company. Maybe it had something to do with the fact I came home from my classmate's house at midnight because we were finishing a school project.

Whatever.

So anyways, I pushed myself to finish this chapter... HA! Next week will by my exams so I have to study all weekend. By the way guys, don't tire yourself with reading this story. I'm actually flattered that you guys stay up till the morning to read my books but I don't want you guys to get sick or something. Sleep is important!

I've also created a new tumblr. Think of that as a blog for my characters, the ones who'll post  there would be Celeste, Jessica, Drew, and the other members of our quirky gang. See the external link.

Anyways, comment, vote and follow.

P.S. For Filipino readers out there who's near megamall, I'll be there on the 26th because it will be the launching of Big Time Rush's new album at Odyssey. If you're also a fan of theirs, I can't wait to meet you!