I'm at loss for words as I stare at the beauty in front of me. I think I may have even forgotten how to speak.

"Kat?" I hear as I feel a toxic presence behind me.

Aiden.

"Hey A," Katherine smiles behind me. I still was unable to find my voice as I stared at the girl in front of me.

"Come in," Aiden says. Although his voice sounds polite, I can tell that he was a little hesitant to invite the girl in.

I step aside subconsciously so she can come in, I can't help but continue to stare at her like a fish out of water. She was a goddess.

Katherine smiles at me awkwardly before she walks inside. Aiden walks to the living room and Katherine follows, so do I.

"About fucking time dickhe-" Toby begins but stops in his track when he sees who it was; "Katherine?" He finishes.

"Hey Toby," Toby doesn't reply and instead stares at me with an unfamiliar emotion swirling in his eyes.

Toby's eyes on me must remind her of my presence because she quickly turns around to face me.

"Hello, I don't think we've met. I'm Katherine." She smiles.

"Emily," I manage, a very forced and very fake smile on my face.

Katherine smiles at me as the doorbell rings again. This time it had to be Blake and Carter.

"I'll get it," I rush out, desperate to remove myself from the situation. No one objects so I all but run towards the front door. This time I open the door carefully, prepared for anything. Carter smiles at me and Blake grins flirtatiously.

My face must give away exactly how I was feeling because Carter looks at me with worry, even Blake was giving me a questioning look.

"Hey," I manage to the boys.

"Hey Em, what's wrong?" Carter asks, stepping closer to me.

Blake just continues looking at me.

"Katherine is here," I say, not even thinking about how my words must sound and how they have to give away my feelings towards Aiden.

Blake visibly lightens up; "really?"

I nod, Blake beams before quickly walking to where the voices were coming from.

Did everyone feel like that? Like they would prefer Katherine over me? Blake definitely did, I had never seen him so happy in my life.

I feel my eyes well up with tears, was I not good enough? Carter sees this and quickly pulls me into his comforting arms, I let him hug me gratefully, he really was a nice guy. I finally manage to pull myself together and smile at Carter.

"Are you okay Em?" Carter smiles sadly.

I nod, "yeah, I think I'm going to head home to get changed and that."

"Let me come with you," Carter offers.

I smile at him gratefully, "thank you Carter but Luke, Dale, and Charlie will be over really soon, we'll head back over together."

"Okay, at least let me walk you home," Carter smiles.

"Such a gentleman," I joke, allowing him to walk me back home.

"My lady," Carter continues the joke, holding out his arm for me to take. I laugh at him, grabbing his arm and allowing him to speak to me like we were from the 1800s as we walk back to my house.

I really was grateful for Carter, although my mood had not entirely lifted, it had definitely felt better than it had before.

"If you're not over at Aiden's within half an hour I'll send a search party," Carter warns jokingly.

"Yessir," I mimic.

"Goodbye my love, the stars shall not shine as bright until I am reunited with you," Carter grins jokingly.

I curtsy, "and you as well good sir, I will forever be grateful for the time I have spent with you, no matter how short."

I hear Carters laugh as I retreat into the safety of my home. What would happen now?

My phone chimes and I notice 2 messages, one from Charlie and one from 5 minutes ago sent by Dale.

I quickly reply in the group chat, telling them both to come here instead of straight to Aidens. Charlie sees it instantly and replies with the thumbs up emoji but I knew Dale was driving and would check his phone once he had stopped.

I walk up to my room, giving my family all a kiss on the cheek as I pass them. Today my family was a lot happier and I was definitely glad. I hated seeing my family that upset, it took an unexplainable toll on me.

Nala jumps on my bed and cuddles into me as I lie down deep in thought. What the hell even was my life!?

The guy I was in love with is in love with the most beautiful girl I had ever seen, we almost became something, but then reality hit.

He was Aiden Black, hotter than the sun, protective, kind, and most of all...good.

He may have been a bad boy, but I knew he was a good man. Why did I ever believe that he and I could actually be a thing!? I was just Emily Collins, the boring girl with a broken family.

I hear loud footsteps, breaking me out of my thoughts. Suddenly my door opens and I hear Dale's familiar voice. "I missed you baby!!"

"Dale!!" I grin, happy to see my best friend. I know I only saw him yesterday but I was always happy to see him.

Dale jumps on my bed and Nala cuddles into him as he wraps his arm around me.

"Sooo, why am I here instead of at Aiden's? What happened? But mostly; why are you wearing his shirt as a sexy dress!?" Dale questions.

I laugh at him, how he knew that something had happened I'll never know.

"I stayed with him last night, he got drunk and wouldn't sleep unless I stayed with him but I didn't have clothes," I explain why I was wearing his shirt.

"Oh yeah?" Dale grins.

"Yep," I reply subconsciously.

I turn on my side and Dale cuddles further into me, he doesn't say anything but I can almost feel his smirk.

"I thought you were done with him?" He questions sarcastically.

"I tried to be, but I can't stay away from him it seems," I admit sadly.

"That's not a bad thing babe, you guys are meant to be," Dale comforts.

"I met Katherine," I say quietly. Obviously, Dale knew she was back and I had told him all about her.

"WHAT?!" Dale yells, sitting up quickly.

I sit up with him and turn to face him. "Yeah."

"You gotta give me more baby," Dale replies gently, obviously being able to tell that this was a touchy subject for me.

"I woke up this morning and the doorbell rang so I answered it and she was there," I explain.

"I'm so sorry sweetie, after seeing her and Aiden a couple of days ago, that couldn't have been easy." Dale sympathizes.

"She's so beautiful Dale, she honestly is the most attractive girl I've ever seen, no wonder Aiden is in love with her," I can't help but let out.

"You don't see how beautiful you are baby, you have everything going for you," Dale says.

I don't reply, instead, I smile at him sadly and fall back onto my bed where Nala decides to come and cuddle me.

"We're here," I hear Charlie's voice from the door to my room.

"Eli let us in," Luke grins.

"Finally!! Took you long enough," I joke. I was just happy to have them here.

"Luke and Dale get out, we have to get ready!!" Charlie demands. Dale laughs and Luke shakes his head as they exit together, I would assume they were going to go and bother Lij.

As soon as they leave, I tell an awaiting Charlie everything as we get ready.

***

We're ready now, we had been for at least half an hour but I had procrastinated as long as I could. Toby and Carter had shown up and my house and forced us to go with them. Well Toby did, Carter had just smiled.

"Hey Emilia, can we talk for a minute?" Luke asks me softly.

"Of course, is everything okay?" I ask, I watch as Charlie looks at me with a curious look and guilt instantly floods my body.

"Yeah," Luke smiles.

"Mills!! Hurry up!!" Toby pouts from in front of me.

"I'll come over in 5 minutes, I just have to talk with Luke quickly," I smile.

"Will you actually come?!" Toby pouts.

"I pinky swear," I laugh.

Toby grins and everyone continues walking over to Aiden's, I notice Dale also throw me a questioning look but I ignore it, I had no idea what this was about either.

I sit on the front porch steps and Luke instantly takes a seat beside me.

"So, what's wrong Lukas?" I smile.

"I just wanted to get your opinion on something," Luke replies. I give him a curious look but he just returns it with a nervous one.

"Yeah?" I push, I was getting more curious by the second.

"I don't know if you've noticed anything, but I've been spending a lot of time with Charlie lately," Luke begins. I can hear the nervousness in his voice but his words do nothing but make me excited to hear more.

"I have actually," I attempt to respond nonchalantly

"Well, I really like her and I think I want to ask her out," Luke responds, his face turning red.

"That's amazing Lukas!! You definitely should," I reply, this time i'm unable to hide my excitement. Luke smiles at me but it looks forced. "What?" I finish.

"It's just, I don't want her to think that she's my second choice or that I don't genuinely like her, I also don't want to ask her out if I think there's a possibility that we'll end up breaking up because that puts you in a terrible position as well," Luke explains softly.

My body fills up with guilt at his words; "What do you mean by second choice?"

I watch as Luke avoids eye contact and looks at his shoes; "It's just, I know that she knows that I used to like you, and I'm over it now, well as much as I can be, and I just don't want her to think that I only like her because you rejected me."

"As much as you can be?" I question.

This time Luke looks up to meet my eyes; "I was in love with you for my whole life, it's only been a couple of months that I've gotten over it and when you spend that much time being in love with someone, you'll always feel something for them. That doesn't mean that i'm still in love with you, because I'm not, it just means that some things will never fade."

I look down at my shoes, I wasn't sure I understood what he meant by that. I mean, I think I believe him when he says that he's not in love with me anymore, but I don't understand what he means.

"Lukas, you deserve to be happy. Ask Charlie out, if something happens and you guys break up then we'll cross that bridge if and when we get to it. I just want to make sure that you do really like Charlie, because I think she really likes you." I decide, I wouldn't question his words.

Luke's eyes shine a little and a huge smile paints his face; "really?!"

I smile at my best friend, I guess he really did have feelings for Charlie. I could only imagine how excited she will be when he asks her; "yes really."

Luke smiles at me; "should we go over now?"

The nervousness returns in my stomach once again at the possibility of seeing the stunning blonde; "yeah."

Together, Luke and I make our way over to Aiden's. The pounding in my chest only intensifies as we get closer, what would I do? I didn't really want to see the guy I was in love ogling at the girl he was in love with.

Toby opens the door as soon as we arrive, I shake my head at him jokingly as I realize that he was watching the whole exchange between Luke and I.

"I'm going to go find Charlie, you'll be okay Emilia?" Luke smiles sweetly at me.

"Yeah. Go!!" I push. The grin doesn't leave my face as I watch Luke walk out of sight, obviously to find Charlie.

"Are you stoned Collins?" I hear.

I turn around to look at a smirking Aiden.

"No, that's your thing remember," I grin.

"I fucking love you Mills," Toby manages from where he was laughing hysterically.

Aiden just smirks; "you coming for a swim?"

I only realize now that Aiden was shirtless and in his swimming trunks, Toby had on a shirt but he was also in swimming trunks.

"Is everyone else swimming yet?" I question.

"Nah, they're all waiting for a trendsetter," Toby grins.

I laugh at him but notice he and Aiden exchanging mischievous looks. My laugh falters instantly.

Oh no.

Before I even register what's happening, Aiden picks me up and puts me over his shoulder.

"Aiden!! For fuck sake, let me go!!" I yell, laughing along with he and Toby.

I hear everyone else laughing when we get outside and notice everyone sitting in different groups and talking. I get eye contact with Dale who just laughs with Carter, I see Charlie and Luke looking at me with grins on their faces, and finally, I see Blake and Katherine. Blake was laughing while Katherine was smiling but I could see the pain in her fake smile.

The last thing I see is a tear fall down Katherine's stunning face as I'm tossed into the freezing cold water once again.

I emerge, glaring at Aiden but before I can come up with a master plan, he and Toby sprint towards the pool and jump in. Well, Aiden does a flip and Toby does a cannon ball.

They emerge, both grinning at me and I can't help but laugh with them.

🎵🎶🎵

It had been 4 hours since Emily had come back over, 4 agonizing hours of watching Aiden fall even harder for her.

As soon as I saw her this morning in his clothes, he didn't have to say anything. I knew it was her, she was the girl that had stolen his heart.

I hadn't spoken her since this morning, it seemed like she had an array of people constantly surrounding her. There was her best friend Charlie who Blake told me was also her cousin, there were her other best friends Dale and Luke who always seemed to be smiling when she was around. There was Carter who had been hanging with them for half the time, and us the other half. There was Toby who absolutely adored her, I had to admit, that one really hurt. Toby had never really liked me.

And of course, there was Aiden who hadn't taken his eyes off of her the whole day. I remember when he used to look at me like that.

"I'm sorry Blake, I'm just going to run to the bathroom quickly," I apologise, cutting him off from his conversation about who knows what. I was thankful for Blake, he hasn't left my side the whole day, but right now, I just needed to be alone.

As I turn towards the house, I can finally let my tears stream down my face. I wanted to talk to her, to find out what she had that I didn't, apart from the obvious that is. She just seemed to lighten up the room, everyone was happy around her.

I hated the jealously that I felt even with her being close to her cousin, I didn't have any cousins, both my parents were only children. My whole family was broken, I wondered how it felt to be close to your family, to have a strong family. It seemed that Emily had that as well, Blake had told me that she had a younger brother and her mother and father were still so in love, it must be nice.

I try to wipe the tears from my eyes with tissues when I finally make it to Aiden's bathroom. My mascara was running but there was nothing I could do. I hadn't even been in the pool today because it seemed like I would be interrupting something.

It seemed like I was never good enough, I wasn't good enough to keep my parents together, I wasn't good enough for Aiden. I wasn't even good enough for myself.

I had lots of friends at school but I was certain that they only hang around me for my status. I was the golden girl at my school back in Australia, the popular nice girl. I couldn't complain, but even when surrounded by people, I had always felt alone. I had never had any friends like Charlie, Luke, Dale, or even Toby.

I think I was only popular at school because of my typical Australian look, well minus the tan. I guess I was also pretty good at netball which helped. I was introduced to netball when I moved to Australia, it was a popular sport and it turned out that I was pretty good at it.

I finally manage to stop the tears from falling, I had to go back, I desperately wanted to talk to Emily, to find out her secret.

I take a couple of deep breathes and go to leave, but Aiden enters as I exit. "Hey Kat, everything okay?"

"Yeah," I manage, sitting on the corner of his bed, Aiden sits beside me instinctively and I almost smile at the familiarity.

"That's the girl, isn't it?" I can't help but question. Aiden nods and my heart sinks, I had already known but hearing it was different.

"She's beautiful," I smile sadly.

"I know," Aiden replies subconsciously.

I take a deep breath, I knew I would regret this as soon as I said it but it kind of just came out; "tell me about her."

Aiden looks at me, "are you sure?"

"Yeah," I manage and I actually sounded strong.

"She's beautiful obviously, but she's also so kind and innocent. Anyone who talks to her loves her instantly, well mostly," he begins, breaking my heart even more and obviously thinking about someone, a girl that hates her probably; "She doesn't notice all the attention she gets, she's confident when you get to know her and she's always up for anything, she's always smiling, even when something is not okay with her, shes brave, probably the strongest person I've ever met." Aiden continues, my face must give away exactly how I'm feeling because as soon as he looks at me he stops talking.

"I'm so sorry Kat," he apologizes.

"Don't be sorry, you're in love," I reply, my eyes filling up with unshed tears.

Aiden sees this and pulls me closer to him, I dwell in the comfort and familiarity.

"I'll always love you Kit Kat," Aiden smiles. I knew he'd always love me, but I also knew that he was no longer in love with me and that really hurt.