I sighed, curled up to Stu's chest as he had his arm around me. "So what now?" he asked me quietly, almost shyly. This was the opposite of what I wanted to happen, but I couldn't keep my distance from this anymore, not when he admitted he was in love with me.

"I don't know, I just... this is what I didn't want to happen" Stu's face fell at my words, making me lean up on my elbows quickly trying to explain myself "not like that, I'm glad this happened. I just didn't want to be the reason you split with Tatum".

Stu brushed a piece of hair out of y eyes, giving me a broad smile "you may be the reason, but you were also the reason for me being with her in the first place" my nose scrunched in confusion as he twirled my hair around his finger as his other arm lay behind his head.

"I never thought you'd see me as anything other than your best friend, so Tatum was just... there" he explained as I nodded slowly in understanding. I hadn't really thought I'd date Stu; sure, I always thought he was good looking, but I never imagined we'd be together.

Smiling, I leaned in a gave him a soft kiss as his fingers gently brushed over my skin. "I think we're ready now. I don't think I can watch you with her anymore," I whispered against his lips as he pulled me to lie on him.

"You don't have to; I'll tell her it's over at the party," Stu promised as he stole another kiss from me,

giggling, I looked at the clock on his nightstand "fuck" I shouted as I jumped up and started putting myself back together.

Fixing my makeup and awful sex hair, I chucked when Stu followed my gaze before jumping up and searching for his clothes "everyone will be here soon," I panicked, throwing Stu his shoes as he pulled on a red velvet robe.

I blinked slowly for a second before letting out a snort, "What the hell is that?"

Stu turned to me as he twirled, showing off the robe. I laughed as he tied the rope, looking proud. "It's my host outfit."

I put my arms around him, laughing as I gave him a soft kiss and patted the red velvet mockingly. "You look ridiculous."

He pulled away from me, looking shocked. "Oh girl, you're in for it now."

Squealing, I ran out of the room as he chased me down the stairs before grabbing me and pushing me against the front door, sweetly kissing me.

"So what do you call this" a smooth voice called. Jumping away from Stu, I turned to see Billy.

"Billy!" I gasped, stumbling over my words as he walked closer to me with a blank expression, but I saw a glint of something in his eyes.

"When did this happen?" Billy started as he looked into my eyes after hugging me, "Is this what you want?" I turned to look at Stu, whose eyes were trained on us.

I nodded slowly before looking back at Billy. "It is, it really is," I tell my other best friend, who nods once before looking over my shoulder at Stu, who was now standing closer to my back.

I felt Stu stiffen behind me as Billy's gaze locked on to him. "So you know something has to happen with Tatum" I knew this would be the next step, and Stu would have to tell Tatum, but as I looked at Billy he eyes gleaned like there was a double meaning.

"Yeah, I know, man," Stu replied quietly as if he was afraid of what Billy would say, but we were all best friends. Nothing would tear us apart, not even the two of us going from best friends to lovers.

Billy tapped my chin, giving me a wink as I smiled "three musketeers," my dark-haired friend let out a small chuckle. "It's the three of us until the end," he said, making me grin. It was always going to be the three of us.

Frowning, I crossed my arms when Billy walked past us and opened the front door. "Where are you going?" I jumped in, wondering why he was leaving.

Billy turned slowly to look at me. "Uh, I gotta go. Sid probably wouldn't be comfortable with me here."

My eyes lowered to the floor, sadly. "I want you here. You're my best friend."

Billy's eyes softened as he walked forward and kissed my head. "This is for the best just remember that, okay?" I nodded as Billy took his hand from my chin and left.

There was an unpleasing silence for a couple of minutes before Stu opened his mouth. "So you like me then," he asked cockily, following me as I walked to the kitchen, rolling my eyes at my friend, no, my boyfriend's words.

I slapped him gently on the chest before going to grab myself a beer until he pulled me back into his chest, holding me tightly. "Don't worry, I like you too."

Raising my eyebrow at him, I smirked, "I would hope so, or it's going to be really awkward after what we've just done."

Stu laughed when I walked away and pulled a beer out of the fridge just as the front door flew open, "Woo, the party is here!" Garrett, a jock from school, shouted as he walked in with a keg over his shoulders.

Santana and Brittany walked in behind him with their arms linked, my two favorite cheerleaders and the two people that always had my back other than Casey, "Hey Kat," they both greeted, pulling me into a trio hug.

Pulling away, I walked over to the stereo and turned the music on full before turning to the girls who were now dancing with each other. They both had wide smiles on their faces, sometimes I wondered about those two, but I would never judge.

Seeing Garrett and Stu fitting a pipe onto the keg, I felt excited, knowing this party would be another success. "Let's get this party started," I shouted, raising my beer as the four of them cheered along with me.

🔪

Gale and Kenny are sat in the news van, secretly following behind Dewey's trooper stopping in the shadows so they wouldn't be seen. Gale quietly opens her door as Kenny slides open the side door. "Shh," she whispered, this could be her big break.

"Were we spotted?" Kenny asked her tentatively as Gale shakes her head

"I don't think so. Go get the camera," she points to Kenny before she turns to get a better look around when a figure pops up, causing Gale to jump.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare ya," Dewey apologized, kindly giving Gale a small smile while he blushes.

"Deputy, that's okay," she replied softly, giving him one of her winning smiles that showed all of her pearly whites.

"So what brings you to these parts?" Dewey quizzed, trying to look around her to see what was going on, but Gale just smiled

"Well, you never know when or where a story will break," she answered smoothly.

"Not much of a story here, just a bunch of kids cutting it loose," The deputy told her, nodding in the direction of the Macher house, which was now occupied with high schoolers and playing loud music.

Gale looked at him skeptically, "Then what are you doing here?"

Dewey stopped sort before motioning to the house again. "Just keeping an eye on things," he stuttered unconvincingly. "I'm gonna check the party out." he went to move on before Gale stopped him.

"Do you mind if I join you?" She inquired subconsciously, turning her body towards him

"Not at all," he affirmed, shocked but played it cool as the beautiful new reporter smiled and nodded.

"Let me get my coat" Gale leans into the van picking up her coat and taking the camera Kenny had subtly handed her. "Alright," she smirked slyly at the deputy.

"I'm fine," he grinned excitedly before realizing what she meant. "Oh, yeah," they walked off towards the house together.