Dale had been here a while and had definitely noticed that something was up with me. I had to tell him, tonight. He was my best friend and he had every right to know, I knew he wanted to be able to support me, and I had to let him.

"Em, talk to me babe, what's up?' Dale begs.

"Noth-" I begin but get cut off.

"And don't say nothing because you've been acting like I did before I came out to my parents," Dale states. His words making me smile. He smiles softly at me.

"Dale, there's something I need to tell you," I decide after a couple of minutes. Dale looks at me curiously but doesn't say anything.

I take a deep breath, subconsciously looking out the window. I see Aiden driving into the garage, I was very aware that he had probably just gotten back from the tracks but I found that it still comforted me.

I go to the bookshelf and grab the photo album before hesitantly making my way over to the bed, Dale watches me silently as I sit opposite him.

I stay silent for a moment, knowing full well that as soon as I open the album, I would be brought out of the good place I had been in lately, and be put in a bad place again.

"Em, you're scaring me." Dale says quietly.

"I'm sorry, it's just.." I trail off.

"Em, take a deep breath. What is it that you need to tell me? Let me help you." Dale begs, he grabs my hand in a comforting notion.

I take one last deep breath; "Eli isn't my only sibling, I used to have a sister." I whisper, watching closely for his reaction.

Dale stares at me cluelessly. "What?" He asks, tightening his hold on my hand. With my free hand, I pass Dale the album, my heart pounding drastically.

Dale looks at me before he takes his hand from mine gently and opens the album to the first page. He looks at every page, his expression only getting more confused.

"She died of Brain cancer 3 years ago when she was 18," I whisper as Dale begins to see all the photos of her when she was in the hospital.

"She was beautiful, what was her name?" Dale whispers staring at the pictures.

"Maddison, she was my best friend," I admit, tears welling in my eyes. Dale pulls me into a comforting hug and I can't help but let some tears fall. Dale just pulls me closer.

Once my tears slow, Dale releases me gently and passes me the closest album. I smile at him gratefully.

"There's more," I admit.

Dale's head shoots up to look at me, "more?" He questions, a shocked expression on his face.

I hesitantly nod, "my biological father had an affair with a younger woman while my sister was dying and left us for her. I haven't seen him since but he has been texting me," I admit.

"Who else knows?" Dale whispers.

"Aiden, I haven't told Charlie or Luke that my father has been contacting me again yet," I reply, feeling guilty that I hadn't yet confided in my best friend but had confided in the guy I was crushing on.

"Did Luke know your sister?" Dale asks.

"Yeah, we were extremely close. Her and Miles were in love, they would have married if she hadn't died," I reply. Tears once again falling freely down my face.

Dale reacts immediately, once again pulling me close to him.

"I am so sorry Em, you have been through so much and you still manage to be kind, brave, and intelligent. You are literally such an inspiration and I feel blessed that you are my best friend and felt comfortable enough to tell me. I'll do anything you need me to, just let me help you." Dale comforts, kissing my wet forehead.

I smile into the hug, I really was the luckiest girl ever to have a best friend that was as amazing and supportive as Dale was. I knew that we were bonded together forever and I wished nothing less.

"Have you told Aiden everything?" Dale whispers, releasing his tight hold.

I twist myself around so I was sitting between his legs, my back leaning against his front, he loosely wraps his arms around my waist and leans his chin on my shoulder. "Yeah I have," I admit.

"You know, I don't know Aiden that well but from what I can piece together and what ma has told me, Aiden doesn't just act the way he does with you to anyone, you seem to bring out a softer side of him that only surfaces when you're around," Dale says.

I smile at him; "I really like him Dale."

"No babe, you really love him," Dale whispers, kissing my cheek again.

My breath hitches, my heart pound erratically on my rib cage and I'm once again scared that my heart is going to break out. I stay silent for a while. Do I really love the bad boy next door?

"I think I do," I whisper, Dale nods and I'm actually surprised that he hears me.

***

It was now Sunday, Robert had made us all waffles for breakfast and they were delicious, Lij especially was happy but I think that was also because he was still on a high from seeing Sophia yesterday.

I couldn't stop thinking about last night, I actually love Aiden? Like I'm in love with him? I can't believe that I'm actually in love with the bad boy manwhore. I'm no better than all the other girls that are falling at his feet.

Charlie had been on some cheer camp this weekend and wouldn't be coming back until Monday so she wasn't around to come to our sleepover last night. Dale had decided that while he was here he would choose the clothes I would be wearing to the snorkeling trip. I was nervous to agree but I gave in when I remembered that Aiden would be there and as much as I hated to admit it, I wanted to look my best.

"Emily, are you even listening to me?!" Dale asks, bringing me back to reality.

"What, yeah," I reply instinctively, once again looking out my window and seeing Aiden's closed one.

"Babe, he's probably getting changed or something," Dale soothes once he sees what I was focussing on.

"For the whole day?" I ask pointedly, "I don't want him to cut me off again."

"Sweetie, he won't. You haven't done anything and you said he was fine before I came so hes' probably just jealous," Dale explains.

"Why would he be jealous, he doesn't like me like that," I sigh.

"For fuck sake Em, for a straight-A student, you're really naive. That guy is crazy about you," Dale chuckles.

"Dale, why would he feel like that about me when there are girls like Tiffany out there?! I'm fighting a losing battle and I know he won't ever see me as anything but a friend, but that doesn't mean I want him to cut me off again," I admit.

Dale looks at me like he wants to say something but then chooses against it, instead he walks over to me and wraps his arms around me in a secure hug. I react instantly.

"Promise me something?" Dale asks.

"What?" I reply into the hug.

"Tell him how you feel about him, or show him. You might be surprised." Dale convinces.

"I can't, I don't want to ruin the friendship," I reply.

Dale sighs. "Just think about it?"

"Fine," I reply, Dale smiles at me and I find myself glad I gave him some hope, I liked making my best friend happy.

"Okay so now back to clothes, I think you'll need at least one bikini per day so bring at least 5," Dale continues his clothes obsession.

I laugh at him; "Dale I'll probably need to take 3 max," I point out.

"4 then, it's in the middle," Dale grins. I roll my eyes but agree with my best friend.

"So what are you wearing on Tuesday?" Dale asks, going through my wardrobe.

"Something comfortable?" I question in an obvious tone.

"Babe, you have to look hot as, there are other schools going as well so you might meet a sexy football player," Dale grins.

"I'm pretty sure football players are your type, not mine," I giggle.

"Yeah because you're into sexy bad boy neighbors," Dale winks.

I laugh at him. He was right after all.

***

Today was the day, and by the day I mean Tuesday. Charlie had stayed over last night with Luke so we could spend some time together before Charlie and I left. I wanted to invite Dale but Luke wanted Charlie and I to himself for old times sake and I had to admit, I understood why. We had spent barely any time lately with just the 3 of us.

I had tried to leave Charlie and Luke to themselves as much as I could without being obvious and I was pretty sure it was working. I think that he may have even started looking at Charlie the way he once looked at me and I couldn't be happier.

I had to admit though, as much as I wanted them to be together, I was terrified. If they ever broke up, I would have to choose a side and I couldn't do that. Luke was like my brother, he had been there for me forever and would have done anything for me. His mother was my mother's best friend which meant that I would still see him. Charlie was my cousin, she was my biological family and I couldn't afford to lose any more of my biological family. Again, I would continue to see her as our mothers were super close, even for sisters.

There was literally no way for me to choose, but if I absolutely had to, I would choose Charlie. Family meant too much to me after everything that happened with Maddi.

"I'm going to miss you girls so much," Luke pouts.

"Awww Lukas, I'll miss you more," I respond, hugging him tightly.

"We'll be home before you know it," Charlie comforts.

"Call me every day," Luke says, although it sounded like he was talking to both of us I couldn't help but notice his eyes linger on Charlie. The thought makes me smile.

"Promise," Charlie agrees, hugging him. Both of them hug for longer than needed and I know Charlie notices this by the huge smile on her face when they finally release each other.

Luke drives us to school and my face breaks out into a huge grin when I see a familiar car already there.

"Dale!!" I squeal excitedly, running into his open arms. He beams back at me and catches me effortlessly.

"I had to see you before you leave me for 4 days!!" Dale pouts.

"I'm going to miss you so much," I reply, pulling him into another tight hug.

"Hey man," Luke grins when he sees Dale, he walks towards us with both mine and Charlie's bags over his shoulders. They do the bro shake and then Charlie hugs him as tight as I did.

I look over Dale's shoulder and notice Aiden looking at us intently. When he sees me looking he grins at me before turning back to Toby.

"Have fun girls and don't replace me with another hot man of color," Dale winks. Charlie and I fall into fits of laughter.

We hug the boys tightly goodbye and walk over to the awaiting untouchables after grabbing our stuff.

"Mills!!!" Toby yells excitedly, picking me up and spinning me around. I laugh at him.

"Hey girls," Carter smiles. We both hug him.

"Looking beautiful girls," Blake grins, charming as ever.

"Hey Blake," I laugh, hugging him as well.

"Forgetting someone Collins?" Aiden smirks.

"Is there someone important here that I missed?" I joke.

"You break my heart babe," Aiden smirks.

I laugh, hugging him finally and my heart automatically begins beating faster. I don't understand how someone had his unknowing power over me.

"IS THAT DALE?!" Toby yells, before I get a chance to reply he's running towards Dale. Carter sees what Toby is talking about and follows him with Blake. It was only Charlie, me, and Aiden now.

Charlie looks at the situation and then smiles mischievously before 'suddenly' seeing Justin and Lindsay. She rushes off to them leaving Aiden and I alone.

"You excited to spend a whole 4 days with the hottest guy on the planet?" Aiden smirks.

"Is Justin Beiber coming?" I feign excitement, I quickly change the fake excitement to fake curiosity; "wait, I forgot, If Justin Beiber was coming then you would be following him around and gawking at him and I wouldn't get the chance."

Aiden's smirk goes even wider; "touche."

I laugh at him. "But I actually am really excited!!"

Aiden grins at me. The grin quickly turns into a frown and I look at him curiously. "Are you doing okay after everything that happened with your dad on the weekend?" He asks.

"I'm doing just as good as I was yesterday when you asked me," I laugh.

"What? I can't worry about my second favorite neighbor," Aiden begins jokingly, "actually, make that third favorite," he finishes.

"Third favorite?!" I question jokingly.

"Well obviously Eli comes first and I gotta say, I'm really loving how much your mum loves me," Aiden smirks, the joking tone still evident in his words.

"Fair enough, I mean the twins and your mum come before you as well, actually whos that crazy old cat lady that lives opposite me, she'd have to beat you as well," I continue the banter.

"You mean Mrs. Jenkins?" Aiden asks, scrunching up his nose.

"Of course," I grin.

"You know, I'm pretty sure she tried to hit on me yesterday. Then again, who can blame her?" Aiden replies smiling, he tenses his arm to prove his point and it takes everything in me to see unbothered and unimpressed. I swear he gets hotter every day.

"I don't know, I reckon Mrs. Jenkins could beat you in an arm wrestle," I reply nonchalantly.

"I'd like to see her try," Aiden smirks once again.

Before I can say anything else, Mrs. Wilson begins to talk in front of a bus; "Okay everyone, please make your way on to one of the two busses, my class in this one, and Mr. Reid's class in the other one."

Everyone begins slowly making their way to their seats and I notice Charlie, Toby, Blake and Carter quickly walk back over to us.

Blake walks aboard the bus followed by Carter, then Toby, then Charlie, then me and finally; Aiden. Blake keeps walking to the back of the bus and sits down on one of the last seats, Carter sits beside him. Toby sits on the seat in front of Blake and Carter and instinctively, Charlie sits beside him. My heart pounds erratically when I realize what this means; I would be spending 3 hours pushed against the guy I was very possibly in love with.

Someone needs to send help. And they need to do it fast.