Chapter twenty seven.

'I can't believe we're finished!'

Hailey was beyond ecstatic. She was flailing her arms about and jumping up and down on the spot.

'We're finished forever B! No more exams, no more studying! We're graduating baby!'

Blair only sunk into bench outside their school in complete and utter exhaustion. They had finally completed the last exam and she felt ridiculously drained. Although she was reveling in the feeling of all the equations and meanings filtering out of her quicker then she stuffed them in.

'I'll never need to know any of this crap ever again!' Hailey whooped as Brady joined them flopping onto the grass by the bench with a happy sigh.

'Well...' Blair wheedled.

'No, no! Shut up! I don't want to hear anything about our futures,' Hailey waved her off with a grin. 'Tonight is all about forgetting everything we've learnt for the exams.'

'Sounds like a plan!' Brady grinned over at them lazily. 'Where are we going?'

'Hey guys,' Lacy joined them sitting on the grass next to Brady. 'Whose pumped that we've finished exams?'

'You bet,' Hailey whooped again and Blair had to laugh at her.

'What are you guys doing tonight? No one's having a huge party, a bunch of us were thinking of trying to get into a club?' Lacy threw the idea out there.

'Maybe I'll have one,' Brady said nonchalantly. 'My folks are heading off this afternoon for two nights. We could have a pool party...'

'Well why didn't you say!' Lacy exclaimed bringing out her phone and texting furiously on it. 'I'll invite everyone.'

Brady shrugged, way too happy about exams to care how many people were invited.

'Only seniors though, and only people who actually did exams,' Lacy scrunched up her nose. 'Don't want any losers hanging around.'

Blair rolled her eyes slightly but held back, it sure was weird hanging out with Lacy now. She was so used to the girl being mean to her. And they still had to call her out from time to time when she was being too mean to others.

Suddenly Cade stormed over grabbing Hailey in a bear hug and twirling her off the ground, 'Woohoo! We're done!'

'How do you think you went?' He turned to Blair with a wicked grin. 'Do you think I had a chance of knocking you off your number one spot?'

'Absolutely not,' she smiled back up at him. 'Although I knew you had an ulterior motive for studying with me all weekend. You just wanted to pick my brains.'

After their movies night Cade and Blair had spent the rest of the weekend on the poolside table studying for Maths together. She was surprised how easy he was to get along with once she attempted to ignore his teasing and subtle digs. When she had placed the gemstones he gave her above her notes pages he even blushed a little giving her a shy smile.

'Did they work then?' He had asked.

'I think so,' Blair has responded shrugging. She wasn't sure if it was the stones or the fact her mood had been lifted considerably but she was able to concentrate more easily.

Blair was suddenly aware of the others watching their exchange closely and she blushed slightly standing up. 'Are we going to party or what?' She asked them trying to divert the attention.

'We sure are,' Hailey linked arms with her best friend as they headed over to the cars. 'We'll get dressed and literally head straight over to yours Brady.'

'Have the shots ready,' Blair called out over her shoulder as she jumped into the car with Hailey laughing.

The Boys went straight to the party because they had everything they needed with them. The girls however started trashing Hailey's wardrobe in order to find an appropriate outfit for both a party and pool attire. They settled on sundresses with their bathers underneath and brought a bag full of makeup and jewelry for later that night.

'So you and Cade seem different,' Hailey commented as they climbed back into her car.

Blair smiled shyly, 'I don't know, ever since Friday night he's been so nice to me it's weird!'

'What happened Friday night?' Hailey asked confused.

'He asked me to the movies with a bunch of his friends!' Blair exclaimed completely forgetting to tell Hailey about it. 'He even paid for my ticket and bought me a drink,' Blair explained shaking her head in wonder. 'And once we got in the cinema, everyone was coupled up so we sat by ourselves...'

'What?' Hailey breathed in surprise. 'A group date?'

'Oh also, I wanted to leave and go home when his friends decided they were kicking on he drove me home!'

'What!' Hailey exclaimed. 'Who the hell is this guy?'

'I know right!' Blair was just as confused as Hailey. It felt like a date, it completely felt like a date. But this was Cade they were talking about! 'And then we hung out all weekend studying.'

'Have you guys hooked up again?'

Blair shook her head again, 'No, that's another weird thing about it. We haven't even kissed, he's tried nothing. Before whenever we hung out it was to call each other names and have sex.'

Hailey laughed, 'He's gone insane?'

'Possibly,' Blair rolled her eyes. 'God I need a drink.'

'You're sounding a bit like an alcoholic B,' Hailey grinned as they pulled up to Brady's house.

'Well after you've had the two weeks I've had...' Blair trailed off shaking her head slightly. 'Exams were the easy part.'

The two girls practically bounded into the house party with excitement. They headed straight through the kitchen and out the back door where Brady had set up a few drinks tables, a sound system and lots of kids from school were lounging around the pool in a lazy fashion. Blair spotted a few deck chairs spare and tugged Hailey to them dumping their bags and towels quickly. She flopped onto the deck chair with a satisfied smile, this was exactly what she needed. To forget everything. Forget all about exams, forget about Dean who she hadn't heard from since the break up and forget about Cade and how weird he was being. Blair was content to chill out by the pool and have a few drinks with her friends. As she looked around the group of people, she smiled realizing everyone wanted the same thing as her. They were all exhausted and overworked, there were no cliques or bitchy groups today... Everyone was mixing with each other, laughing, having fun. She realized with a start this could be one of the last school parties she went to for the year. They had finished exams, they would be graduating soon and all going off to different universities.

Blair and Hailey had always talked about what they would do after school finished. They wanted to take a semester off and travel around Europe, then start at Uni in the second semester. They were going to hopefully work and play in Europe as they went, they'd planned this trip ever since they were twelve and were constantly looking forward to it. Blair was lucky she had her life figured out for the next few years, she'd made a plan at a young age and worked hard for it.

That was something her parents taught her actually. If they taught her anything – which they didn't do much of really – it was to make a plan and follow through with it. Her father insisted it was the key to success.

'What's on your mind lovely?' Hailey peered over her new sunnies at Blair.

'I was just thinking about my parents actually,' Blair wrinkled her nose in surprise.

'Oh yeah?' Hailey asked. 'Have you spoken to them recently? I though Dad mentioned something about your Dad being away.'

Blair nodded, she had spoken to them a few weeks ago. 'Yeah they're both in China on business... I was just thinking about how they were always at us to stay focused on our futures. How Mum always lectured us saying we'd never get to where they are today if we slacked off on our studies....'

Hailey shrugged and nodded, 'I can see what she means but...'

'But why would we want to be where they are?' Blair shook her head smiling. 'They both work away from each other all the time, and they hardly ever see me. I suppose they're successful career wise but not exactly a successful family, are we?'

Hailey grinned at her best friend, 'Yeah but I'm glad they're like that. Otherwise we'd have never gotten so close!'

'What are you two gabbing about?' Brady joined them sitting on the grass in between the two deck chairs.

'Oh you know the usual... life...' Hailey smiled at him.

'Yeah there's a lot of that going around,' Brady gestured at everyone. 'We're all freaking out. I'm not though, I'm excited about next year.'

'Well of course you are,' Blair rolled her eyes playfully at him. 'You are pretty much cemented into your sports scholarship. All you have to do is pass your exams at the minimum to get it. You're set Brady.'

He grinned up at them, 'Yep, and I have a pretty sick boyfriend. Life is great.'

'Where is this boyfriend of yours? I heard Riverside finished exams today too,' Hailey commented as she sipped the fruity punch someone had thrown together. It was one of those lethal punches, the type where you couldn't taste the alcohol at all and felt tipsy after two glasses.

'He's on his way, Riverside had a barbecue for all the students afterwards. A bunch are coming here after that,' Brady shrugged and eyed Blair carefully.

Blair felt the two gazes on her and rolled her eyes, 'Stop it you guys, it's totally fine!' She knew they were worried about Dean and her. 'We're having fun and celebrating, it won't be awkward.... Well at least on my part.'

'I guess you did break up with him?' Brady shrugged. 'If anyone was going to be weird it would be him.'

It wasn't worrying Blair at all, if Dean was awkward that was fine with her. She would give him more space and time and hopefully in time it would sort itself out.

Suddenly there was loud shouts and squeals as a group of girls were pushed into the pool. Blair and Hailey laughed as it was the trigger to start the pool party as everyone followed suit jumping into the pool. Even the music got louder and Blair relaxed back into her seat. Nothing could ruin her mood right now.

...

'I'm feeling tipsy B,' Hailey mumbled and then giggled away to herself.

Blair smiled at her feeling pretty similar. It was a few hours into the party now, the sun was setting and the drinks were flowing. People were starting to get drunk as they lazed around the pool area celebrating. She noticed Wes and a group from Riverside had arrived a little while ago. Although she wasn't sure if Dean was with them.

'Your lover boy is over there.'

Blair glanced over at Lacy who was sitting in Hailey's chair. Hailey must have left and Blair barely noticed which probably wasn't the best sign.

Who was she talking about?

'Dean, your ex boyfriend...' Lacy grinned as though reading her mind. 'He's over at the drinks table if you were wondering.'

'I wasn't,' Blair shrugged. She turned around trying to be inconspicuous and she looked at the drinks table.

Have you ever seen a drunk girl try to look inconspicuous?

'Honey you may as well bring out the binoculars,' Lacy giggled. 'Oh my God stop, he's looking this way!' She pushed Blair lightly and Blair toppled off the chair laughing hysterically.

Blair felt two strong arms haul her off the ground and she smiled turning around expecting to see Dean but instead coming face to face with a very sober looking Cade.

'Uh Cade,' Blair said struggling to stand up straight. Her head was spinning just slightly. 'Thanks, I'm fine.'

'Yeah, ok 'cause you look totally fine...'

Even in her drunk state she knew he was being sarcastic.

She rolled her eyes at him, 'Shut up, I am!'

He smirked at her and pushed her back onto the deck chair, 'Sit down, I'll get you some water.'

Blair turned back to Lacy who was trying to hold in her laughter, 'You guys are pretty cute.'

'No we are not! We're not anything,' Blair argued.

'Oh shit, it's Dean,' Lacy mumbled quietly. 'I'll leave you guys to it,' she jumped up and headed off in the direction of the house.

'Hey Blair,' Dean took Lacy's empty seat shooting her a smile. 'What time did you guys start here? Everyone seems pretty drunk.'

Blair smiled nervously, 'I'm not sure, pretty much straight after our last exam. So how have you been?' Even in her tipsy state she knew she should suss out the situation with Dean after their holiday.

'I'm alright, it's been good having exams keeping my mind off everything else, you don't really have a choice but to study.'

Blair nodded feeling guilty, 'I'm sorry you know.'

'I know,' he smiled at her. 'Stop apologising, I meant it.' He tried to look stern but ended up chuckling. 'I would offer to get you a drink but I think you may have had enough for now?'

Blair laughed, 'What is it with you guys and telling me I'm too drunk?'

'Because you are.'

Blair spun around to find Cade holding out the glass of water. She took it off him rather then having another argument and looked back to Dean awkwardly.

'Hi again,' Dean nodded at Cade.

'Hey,' Cade replied nodding back.

Blair sat in the middle of them almost finding the situation funny enough to start laughing but holding back because it was nice of Dean to make the effort.

'I'm going to head back to the guys, but I'll see you around,' Dean said to her before walking off back to the Riverside crowd.

Cade took his seat and scratched his head, 'Man that was awkward!'

'If you found it awkward it was yourself that did it, because I felt fine,' Blair huffed finishing off the water and handed the empty glass back to him. 'Now if you don't mind...' Blair stood up and left an amused looking Cade in her wake and she stalked off to find Hailey and Brady.

Instead she came across a stricken looking Lacy.

'What's wrong?' She asked her old enemy finding it kind of funny in her drunken state here she was asking Lacy of all people what was wrong. Usually she'd find it hilarious to see Lacy upset.

'He's here,' Lacy whispered with her eyes watering considerably.

'Who is?' Blair followed her gaze to spot Noah who must have just rocked up at the party. He was standing with the water polo team, talking, laughing but what piqued Blair's interest was the small dark haired girl standing next to him. She was tiny, almost half his height, but from the volume and bounce of her hair, her short dress and the way she held the group of boys around her captivated Blair knew she was trouble.

'That's her too,' Lacy added unnecessarily. 'I recognise her from her profile.'

'She's ugly,' Blair said offering up a small smile. She was kind of lying, the girl looked quite pretty but she was hardly going to say that.

'Thanks Blair,' Lacy laughed.

'You don't need him, you could pick any single guy here to go out with,' Blair pointed out. 'Why not show him a little pay back?'

'That's what I was doing with Cade, but now everyone knows we're not dating I probably seem more lame to him now.'

'She has some nerve showing up here.'

Blair and Lacy turned to see Winona join them, she was watching Noah and his new girlfriend with a look of disgust.

'He's over there talking crap about you as well, it's so ridiculous!' Winona sounded livid.

'What's he saying?' Blair demanded not believing her ears. Noah was an entirely different person to the one she remembered dating. When he dumped her for Lacy and ignored her for the next two years, she really should have had an idea of his capabilities.

'Oh just the normal stuff...I don't want to go into it,' Winona frowned. 'I have half a mind to get one of the boys to beat the crap out of him.'

'What a...' Blair shook her head. 'I've had enough of this!' She ignored Lacy and Winona's warnings and stalked over to where Noah, his new girlfriend and two other guys were standing having a conversation.

'You are a massive dickhead Noah!'

The conversation immediately stopped, even a few others around them turned around to listen.

'Woah, Blair?' Noah's eyebrows raised in surprise.

'Noah, who the hell is this?' His girlfriend did not look impressed with Blair or the attention they were receiving.

'How about Noah who the hell is this?' Blair demanded pointing at the girl. 'You are a cheating scumbag and you did not deserve a person like Lacy or me in your life.'

'Wait...What?' Noah interrupted her confused. 'Are you seriously defending her? She made your life miserable Blair.'

'I'm not making excuses for her, I'm saying no girl deserves to be treated this way, so you better keep your mouth shut asshole!'

'You need to back off,' the girl stepped forward angrily toward Blair.

'You don't think he'll do it to you too sweetheart?' Blair laughed. 'He cheated on someone to be with you, what makes you think he wont do that again in a heart beat?'

The girl clamped her mouth shut quickly as a few snickers were heard around the party from those listening in.

'You're pathetic Blair,' Noah shook his head. 'Are you seriously jealous?'

Blair nearly toppled over at his words, he couldn't be farther from the truth. She leant forward and pushed his chest as hard as she could, which wasn't that hard.

'You're an asshole, you need to leave.'

'Are you going to make me?' Noah laughed harshly. 'I'd like to see that.'

'She won't, but I will.'

Blair felt the presence of Cade behind her before she heard him. She felt his hands close over her shoulders moving her slightly to the side so he could come face to face with Noah.

'Oh fuck off Cade,' Noah rolled his eyes. 'You fucking both my exes now are you?'

'I have wanted to do this for a long time now..' Cade smirked at Noah.

Blair opened her mouth to tell Cade to back off, and that she could handle the situation when he swung quickly at Noah with a short punch to the nose Noah fell backwards stumbling straight into the pool.

Blair's mouth fell open in a short gasp and Noah's girlfriend screamed as the others around cheered on Cade. Shouts of encouragement for Cade was heard around the party and even Blair let a small smile slip as she watched Noah flail about in the pool, blood gushing from his nose.

'I think you should leave,' Brady stood by Cade staring down at Noah. 'You're getting blood in my pool.'

'You people are fucked up,' Noah spat as he climbed out of the pool. 'Come on,' he gestured at his girlfriend to follow him. She did follow him of course, but Blair could tell she was unimpressed with him.

'Come on, I'm taking you home.'

Blair turned to face Cade with a frown, 'I don't want to go home, I'm having fun!'

'You're pretty drunk, doesn't bed sound fun right now?'

Blair froze at his words, was he inviting her to bed with him? That was a bit sudden, her mind thought frantically. They were barely back on speaking terms and here he was asking her to sleep with him in a party full of their friends? Was he insane?

Blair opened her mouth to tell him where to go with his offer when he interrupted her.

'Before you go off on a little hissy fit...I wasn't offering you my bed, I just said bed. Your own bed thanks very much.' He smirked at her, 'The indignation on your face is enough to tip me off on your dirty mind.'

'I don't have a dirty mind,' she lied easily. Inside she was thinking, crap! Why is my mind so dirty?