Author's note: This story takes place during the summer of 2011. Matthew didn't killed Eddie Ford or end up in a coma. He and Destiny never had sex and she never got pregnant. For those who are wondering, yes this story was posted on the Mestiny fanboard (with most of my other fics), but it will be posted in its entirety on here =)

Chapter 1: Girl Talk

Destiny hummed along absentmindedly to the song playing over the loud speaker as she scanned the uncharacteristically crowded food court. Her best friend Danielle was late. She was supposed to meet her at the Llanview Mall at 4pm but it was nearly 4:30pm. Dani knew how much Destiny hated waiting especially when a sale was calling her name. On top of that she was in need of some serious retail therapy. Something about trying on a new pair shoes just seemed to make her forget all her problems and did she ever have problems, namely Matthew Buchanan.

Snoop Dogg was right on the money when he dubbed Matt "the playa from da Himalayas" on his visit to Llanview. Matthew had gone and turned their perfectly good friendship on its head by refusing to keep his hands and lips to himself. This was of course after he declared they could only ever be friends. Destiny accepted that and even became friends with his then girlfriend. Everything was going great until said girlfriend became persona non grata in Matthew's life.

After raging for months he set his sights on Destiny…sort of. On the one hand he gleefuly showed her ex-boyfriend up every chance he got, kissed her and was all kinds of awesome. On the other hand, he was a complete and total jerk, pushing her away and claiming that their kisses "meant nothing". She actually believed him until a few nights ago. Matthew was distraught after finding out that everything his parents said about his uncle Clint was true. He handled the news the way he always did: He turned to her. No sooner than he called, she was at his place, arms streatched open, ready to comfort him.

In what seemed to be becoming a habit whenever one of them was upset, they ended up kissing. As usual she tried to bolt afterwards, but that night he stopped her. Despite the tiny voice in her head that shouted run, she stayed and the next thing she knew they were on his bed making out something fierce. By the time she regained her senses and put on the brakes, Matthew was shirtless and her jeans were halfway down her hips. Clearly shaken by what had nearly taken place, neither uttered a word as Matthew retrieved his shirt and Destiny pulled up her pants. Fully clothed again, she did the only thing she could— took off like a bat out of hell.

Cringing at the memory, Destiny lowered her head onto the table she was sitting at. Her life had been one drama after the next ever since Matthew came into her life freshman year. Maybe MTV would be interested in giving her a show.

"Des," Dani called out as she touched Destiny's shoulder.

Destiny nearly jumped out of her skin. "Oh my gosh Dani! You just shaved five years off my life."

"Sorry I'm late—this is for you," Dani smiled handing her rattled friend a drink as a peace offering. "You ready to try on some dresses?"

Destiny curled her lips up into a scowl. "I told you I'm not going to prom Dani"

"Is it because you don't have a date?" Dani asked.

"No. I—"

"Well good because you have one."

"Unless someone asked me and I didn't know, I'm pretty sure I'm flying solo."

"I'll go with you."

Destiny snorted. "Umm no thanks. Besides aren't you going to Nate's prom?"

"So what? Is there some law saying that I can't go to my own prom with my bestie and to my boyfriend's the next night?"

"Prom and I don't mix," Destiny argued thinking back to past expereinces that fell far short of her expectations.

"You had a good time last year Des," Dani contended.

"Yeah until I had to tell Markko about Langston cheating on him."

"Okay so that wasn't so great. But what about the year before?"

"You mean when I had to beg my cousin to take me because I was upset with Matthew?"

"Oh…well they say the third time's the charm right?" Dani nudged Destiny's shoulder playfully before continuing, "Come on Des it'll be fun."

"I guess," Destiny replied unenthusiastically.

"And who knows, maybe you'll meet a cute guy there."

Destiny sneered. "I doubt it and even if I did, they wouldn't be able to get within ten feet of me."

"Why not?"

Matthew's name slipped out before Destiny could catch herself.

"What does Matthew have to do with this?"

Destiny figured it was time to fill Dani in on her latest drama. "He's gone all stalker on me since the last time we kissed."

Dani nearly choked on her lemonade. "Excuse me! You guys kissed, when?

"After Nate's party."

"Nate's party—wait, that was in January!"

"Yeah," Destiny replied nonchalantly.

"Why didn't you tell me!"

"Matthew said it didn't mean anything."

"But he's stalking you?"

"Yeah, but that didn't happen until after we kissed last week."

"Two kisses are mostly definitely something Des. What did he say this time?"

"I didn't give him the chance to say anything."

"Uh why not?"

"I needed to get out of there while I still could." Destiny elaborated further when she saw how alarmed Dani looked. " That didn't come out right. Things just got really intense between us."

"Intense how?"

Destiny leaned closer to Dani, like she feared someone would hear what she was about to confess. "We almost did it."

Dani stared at Destiny, eyes blinking, mind completely blank, unsure of what she'd just heard. "It as in it?"

"Sex—we almost had sex."

"Excuse me while I pick my jaw up off the floor," Dani said still processing everything. "How did this happen? I need details!"

"It just did and now he won't leave me alone. He's blowing up my phone, following me around school…"

"So why don't you just talk to him?"

"I can't do that!"

"Shh calm down girl," Dani sassed. "We both know that you can't just brush something like that off Des."

"I know, but what am I supposed to say?"

"Tell him how you feel."

That was the problem. Her feelings were all over the place. For the last two years she felt like a rag-doll, the way constantly Matthew dragged her around playing with her emotions. She was tired of it. Even so, her feelings for Matthew were always there bubbling just beneath the surface. What could she say, he was it for her. Now as for Matthew's feelings for her, Destiny couldn't be sure one way or the other. He was either hot or cold with his feelings and she absolutely hated that."look, Matthew's already hurt me once. I can't go through that again."

Dani felt a twinge of guilt. She was partly responsible for Matthew hurting Des after all. "You have every right to be cautious, but don't throw this chance away if you think you still have feelings for Matthew."

Destiny knew Dani was right. Who would have thought she'd be such an amazing friend. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

"Me neither," Dani smiled back. The friends shared a brief before Destiny announced that Logans was having a super sale. "You know the petite sizes go fastest," she reminded her.

"Does that mean I have a prom date?" Dani asked hopeful.

"Yeah, I think it does."