I've gotten a lot of requests for a sequel but instead, I'll do an epilogue. Its been 1 year or longer since I wrote & published this story... So enjoy this little last puzzle piece?

L

ily and Vanessa were playing a game they downloaded on their tablet, keeping them occupied while I folded the laundry. They were 5 years old and ended up with Darrens wavy, sand colored hair. They were both dressed in jeans and a shirt with a cat wearing a tiara. The apartment was a mess and we were barely here for a month.

My phone rang, I looked at the caller ID, instantly declining and rolling my eyes. I'm 21 now, but some people tend to still get my inner high school mean girl out.

Madison.

Madison was my best friend for most of my life but trusting her again after we graduated was a huge mistake. Not only did she break Chances heart again, but she got together with his best friend... also more famously known as my ex. At first I acted like I didn't care, but it didn't last long. The year after we graduated, it was just like normal... Except with 2 babies.

Then, when I decided to become an RN & started online courses, that's when things got a little sketch. Althought Darren and I were on neutral terms, him only contacting me on how our kids were doing but never actually engaging on being in their lives. Which was hard on me but especially Lily and Ness.

Darren and Madison both told me they were seeing someone, but being as naive and young I was, I was just happy for them. I just didn't know they were seeing each other.

They kept it a secret from me until my 20th birthday in which they got caught trying to get it on in my old room at my moms house. I was devastated and felt those same emotions from when I was pregnant finding out that Darren and Madison both cheated.

Now a year later, I found out from Darrens sister that they got engaged. I didn't know what to feel. I felt so angry and sad. I wanted to cry but then I wanted to cut them both out of my life. But how do you cut someone out of your life if they were the only people you truly loved first?

The door opened fast and was shut pretty loudly. Lily and Vanessa glanced up at the door, both waving. I walked quickly over to see Chance with a tear soaked face. Chance was the only guy I could call, who was near by, to help with maintenance stuff. But ever since Madison broke up with him, he tried distancing himself from me because I was her best friend. Chance and I were just acquaintances, I only ever called him to help me with moving furniture in and occasionally he would babysit the girls so I could run errands.

Seeing him crying made my eyes sting with the same tears of heartbreak and betrayal. I walked to him and wrapped my arms around him, making him cry again. He leaned into me, letting himself go. I patted his back and guided him to our small living room. He sat on the couch, interlocking his hands while his elbows rested on his knees. He was staring down at the ground while tearing kept rolling down his red cheeks.

Lily and Vanessa abandoned their tablet and were staring at Chance with confused faces. I realized he probably didnt want anyone staring at him so i told the girls to go up to their room. They raced each other up the stairs and I heard them giggling as one of them fell. I slowly sat down next to Chance.

We're 2 for 2 of getting our hearts broken together.

"They told you tonight too" I stated quietly, slumping back against the couch.

"Yeah" he rasped.

I sat there, remembering the time Darren and I were togrther. I also remembered practically growing up with Madison since middle school. I hated the fact that they were together but what I hated most was that I felt like my whole world would come crashing down. Madison has been a part of my life no matter what and Darren has been too.

"I don't know what to do" I spoke, breaking the deafening silence.

Chance nodded. I couldn't help but think of what he's going through. His only real love marrying his best friend. My best friend marrying my first love.

"I don't know if I can ever be back with Madison now" I whispered quietly, "she was my person I counted on endlessly."

"Darren was mine" Chance spoke while sniffling.

"This hurts so much" I started to cry, all my emotions taking over. I rested my elbows on my knees and held my head in my hands. I cried because of heart break. I cried for my daughters, Madison's children will get the father mine never could.

But that was my fault, right?

"Are you going?" Chance asked,finally looking over at me with his eyes red from crying.

I wiped my tears away and sniffled my runny nose, "I don't know, I'm torn between supporting my best friend or throwing hands with her and Darren" I stated.

"I'm pissed" Chance clenched his fists, "She knew I wanted a life with her but she lied to me" his voice broke, making me even more angry and sad.

"She told me she didn't believe in marriage which is why she broke up with me" he said with anger and sorrow laced into his voice.

I wrapped my arm around his shoulders for comfort. He leaned into me and I felt his tears drop onto my jeans.

"This must be hard for you too" he spoke, "Your best friend and baby daddy getting married after a two year long secret relationship" he stated. I knew he didn't mean to sound so ignorant but it broke my heart even more.

"Thanks, asshole" I pushed him away.

We were both quiet with the faint noise of my girls playing upstairs in their room. I hated to have to deal with this whole Madison and Darren thing. Then there was a knock at the door. I didnt want to invite anyone in or even move from the couch but they knocked again. I walked over and swung the door open. Standing there was the girl with brown skin with long black and purple braids that ended at her waist. She wore jeans and a hoodie with a dazzling smile.

"Alex?" I asked in astonishment. She nodded and a smile took over my face. I hugged her and invited her in. When we got to the little living room I remembered my current crisis.

"Jesus, who made the mistake of making him cry?" Alex said with the tone of a joke and seriousness.

I sighed, "Madison and Darren".

She looked even more confused and then her face fell in realization, "Always Mads and Dar" she stated with sorrow.

I nodded, sitting back at the couch. Alex sat on the floor in front of us, glancing between the two of us.

"So... How's my girls?" She asked, trying the lighten the mood.I pointed up to the ceiling and they giggled on que. We were bathed in silence until we were interuppted by a gently knocking on the door.

"Alex?" I begged her to answer the door and she did it with no problem. The rush of footsteps made me wonder who was here. Then it was like the world froze.

Madison and Darren were breathless and standing in the mouth of the living room. My stomach dropped at the sight of their engagement rings and intertwined hands.

"Maisie, we never planned for this, i just want my best friend-"

"Stop!" I yelled. Her face held a shocked expression with extremely guilty eyes.

"Mase-" Darren began, but was interuppted when Chance suddenly stood up and stormed past them, brushing past Darren roughly. The door slammed.

I didnt know what else to say. I didn't want to say anything but I felt like I had to.

"Don't cry" Madison stepped towards me and stopped with hesitation as she was a few feet away from me. I glared at her, "You caused it" I said through my teeth, trying hard not to cry.

"Maisie, we never wanted to hurt you, we didn't even want to admit our feelings" Darren calmly told me. Then, my girls came running down the stairs and stopped in their tracks to look at Darren and Madison. They only recognized Madison and hugged her legs. She smiled down at them softly, stroking their hair. Darren was staring at them with love and envy. He looked at me with sadness in his eyes. He missed out on Ness and Lily growing up into toddlers. He was surprised and looked so guilty with a mix of sadness.

"You guys just need to leave" I said lowly and made my way to the kitchen. After a long ten minutes, I heard the door quietly open and shut. The girls ran back up the stairs and into their room where I heard them talking about their barbies and stuffed animals.

I quietly sobbed. I remember every good memory of Madison and I. I remember when we met like yesterday. We were in middle school and I had gotten frustrated finding the gym. She helped and we just been with each other since that day.

She was my other half. I loved her to death but what she is doing is shady. I also needed to understand that she didn't plan on being engaged with Darren. I knew she hated seeing me like this and hurting me. Once she loves a person, its almost impossible to stop. I just wonder how strong her love is with Darren.

"Mase" a low voice called my name quietly. I could recognize that voice from anywhere. I wiped my tears away and felt his presence in the chair next to me. We were both quiet. Darren and I. I felt him staring at the side of my face, I didn't want to look at him at all.

"I hate seeing you cry" he whispered.

His voice made so many memories rush back. I love Darren, just not like when we were teens. I love him in a way you love something that gave you happiness. I just wanted to ignore everything and shut them both out of my life. But I just couldn't.

"If you hate it then why do you do this to me so much?" I asked, looking at him. His expression changed as soom as he seen my face. He went from being pitiful to sorrow. I didnt know how I looked but I mustve look how I felt.

Horrible.

"Darren," I began, "I don't know what to do now. My best friend and first love are together" my eyes began to sting and my stomach dropped, "I just cant help but wonder..." I cleared my throat from any raspyness and looked at him, "If I never went to that party, would you have ended up with Madison?" I asked myself, staring down at my hands.

We stayed silent until he cleared his throat, "You will always have a special place in my heart" Darren stated. I looked over at him, his green eyes were glossy from the tears that rolled down his cheeks, "I still love you, Maisie. I always will." He glanced up at me, "You were the first person I ever loved, you know that, right?" He asked. I stayed silent, I didn't want to speak. He grabbed my hand, not in a romantic way, but in a comforting way.

"Why did you have to choose my best friend?" I asked, my voice cracking and tears blurring my vision of the table top, "Why did you need to be with her? When did this all get so complicated?" I asked myself.

Darren rubbed my back, "I'm so sorry" he whispered.

"For what? No one expected you two to get married' I stated, still looking down at the table.

It was quiet, apart from the sound of a tv playing the girls room.

"Maisie, no one will ever get rid of the love I have for you. Even though I haven't been present at all... I look at you and I remember when we were in high school, together. I'd do anything to relive those days and fix everything-"

"But you would still end up with Madison" I interuppted him, "You love her." I stated, not for him, but for me, "I shouldnt be angry at you both, but I am" my voice started to get weaker and I could feel the tears starting to build up. I looked into Darrens green eyes, "Everything happens for a reason, and fate is cruel for doing this to me" I whispered, "Everyone I love hurts me in one way or another. Maybe it's my fault but I don't want to be the angry ex" I stated and took my hand out of Darrens, sitting up straighter. I wiped my tears away and looked over at him again, "I'm not going to be the forgiving ex girlfriend or best friend, but if you guys get married... I'll accept it" I told him in a very false confident voice. I didn't want to be the source of the pity party and I couldn't stand to look at Darren any longer. I looked straight ahead into the kitchen, composing my face to show no emotion, "I will always love Madison and you. I will accept whatever happens, but I made the decision that I will disappear from your lives. I don't want you pitying me and I definitely can't comprehend the two of you being together" I cleared my throat, "And what will break my heart even more... Tell Madison I never want to see her again" I said calmly. I didn't want to lie, all I want is to grow with Madison. But you can't grow if you're both holding each other back based on your pasts. I want Madison to live without thinking of me, I want her to live without wondering why a boy ruined our relationship.

He didn't. I did. I was the one to always fight fire with fire, and I know that at some point, we'll fight about Darren. Not because we're both jealous, but we're both petty. We're both a toxic factor to each other that's just been building since sophomore year of high school. I didnt want to be hurt by her, and I dont want to huet her either.

But the only way to even get Madison to believe I never wanted to see her again, was to be the cruel and cold bitch.

"Seriously? She misses you and-"

"No. I've made up my mind, and this is the best way to go our separate ways" I demanded.

Darren sighed with annoyance, "Look, Maisie. You act like if it doesn't go your way then there's no way. I am sick and tired of it. You say you love Madison to death but you're willing to destroy her just to cut the bond between you two" he said with disgust, "You and I both know that you blame Madison for this, but it was really my fault" Darren stared at me with sorrow eyes.

"It all leads back to high school," he sighed, "Always has" he slouched back in his chair.

I rolled my eyes, "The night I found out you both cheated? Yeah I-"

"No." He said firmly and his eyes darted to mine, "Remember when Madison said she had a fling with me?" He asked and I nodded, "It wasn't just a fling... She was my ex" my jaw dropped, "We got into a heated argument and that's when I went to the party..." He said matter of factly, "Where I met you".

I was utterly stunned and shocked. Basically five years of not knowing this? This explains so much. It explained why Madison didn't like Darren at all when I told her what happened, why she never wanted to hang out when I started to date Darren, and why always went back to him.

I was the one who caused the chain reaction. I was the one who hurt her first.

"Why didn't she tell me?!" I angrily asked.

He shrugged, "She didnt think it was important to your situation".

I sat back in the chair with disbelief, "I was the one who started to ruin out friendship" I whispered, "Not her..."

"It was both of us" a voice spoke, making Darren and I turn around quickly to see Madison standing in the kitchen archway, with a dried tear stained eyes and cheeks.

"If we weren't in competition with each other, maybe this wouldnt have happened" she said with her voice quivering, "I mean, if we weren't so petty" she corrected herself.

I turned back to Darren, "But you said your ex's name was Piper or something" I eyes him.

"That was before Madison" he sighed. I glanced between both of them,still shocked about this whole revelation.

I looked back at Madison, looking so... Regretful? I fidgeted with the hem of my shirt, trying to figure out what to do. This new stuff I just got told kind of changed everything. Except the fact that they thought it was okay to cheat when we were in high school. I couldn't concentrate with both of their eyes on me.

"I need some time alone. You guys need to leave" I said quietly and looked down at the table top. Darren silently got up from the table and whispered something to Madison. Then, they were gone.

Madison and Darren?

Dating before I even knew Darren?

Now they're engaged?

I couldn't wrap my head around the whole situation at all. I didn't want to think about it, but I had to. I couldn't even understand my own feelings right now. Was I sad? Angry? Hurt? Heartbroken?

I was definitely all of those things. I wanted to support them both, but I just couldn't. I didn't want to believe Darren and Madison were getting engaged but it was real.

I want to keep them both in my life some way or another, but... I don't know if I can.

I don't know if I can see them living a life I wish I had. I didn't want to go to their first apartment or house and see the things they bought, created, or did together. Everything would be Madison and Darren, not just Madison, not just Darren.

In a weird way, I'm happy Madison gets a life that I probably won't ever get. She'll get married, go on a honeymoon, buy their first apartment, travel together, and just create a life.

With each other.

~~~

Today was the day.

I haven't talked to Darren or Madison since they gave me an unexpected visit months ago. I still got a wedding invite, which was nothing fancy. They were having a wedding ceremony (which won't be recorded by the state) and it was simple. Everyone had to wear a light color of blue and were encouraged to bring a dish for everyone.

I wore a grey, simple dress I found in my closet. Even though I wasnt following the dress code, I wasn't going to be there for long.

I dropped the girls off at my moms and drove out to Darren and Madison's wedding venue.

The car ride there wasnt long, but it was hard to find a parking space at this little park with a small lake. When I finally found a spot, I headed off to where a group of people were standing. It was outdoors and a flower archway was put up near the lake while a few rows of chairs were set out with ribbon decorating them. I was frantically looking around for the bride and groom.

Even though I got a few unwelcome stares as they looked at my gray dress, I didn't care, I just had to find Madison and Darren.

"You came" someone said breathlessly. I looked around me, spotting Madison with her hair pinned up and wearing a flowy white dress. She was stunning.

I grinned, "Yeah... I need to tell you something" I told her, and her excitement in her eyes died down. She nodded and motioned us to follow her.

She led us to a gazebo near the lake. There was a table piled with gifts for the newlyweds.

Madison was looking at me nervously, messing with the wedding band on her left finger. My heart aches, I always wanted to be at my best friends wedding... Just not under these conditions.

I took a deep breath and stepped towards her, grabbing both of her hands into mine.

I stared into her green eyes, they held a sadness when she looked at me and I hated it.

"Madison" I began, "I'm happy for you, you get your dream wedding" I glanced around us, "you get to marry someone you love, and have a life you dreamed of" I stated with a small smile,but she didnt smile back. Instead, her eyes welled with tears and her mouth slightly morphed into a frown.

"But you didn't get to see it" she stated in a shaky voice. She blinked a few time to get rid of her unshed tears and took one of her hands out of mine to raise the back of it to her nose as she sniffled.