I knocked on Josh's door, hoping it would be anyone but Zach. Which of course meant he was the one who opened the door. I plastered a smile on my face and raised my eyebrows. "Josh home?"

"Well hello to you too." He said, not moving to the side to let me in.

"So is he?" I prodded.

"Yes." He said, still not moving. "He's playing on the Wii. But I'm guessing you're not here to join him."

I laughed. "You're right, I'm not here to play Wii. I'm here to play with Josh. But I can do both at the same time. We once did."

His eyes were blank for a second then realization hit him. "Ohh. So that's why I never see you with him at school."

I almost asked why he would notice those things about me but I kept it in, relishing the fact that he paid attention to me. I didn't say anything though, just smirked at him that he hadn't understood sooner.

"So… You're not friends." He said. "And you're not dating."

"Definitely not. We're just… friends with benefits just minus the friends part. So benefits." I explained. "Will you let me in now?"

I gave him a pointed look. Finally Josh came downstairs. "Dude, let her in." He said.

Zach scowled at me but did as told.

I walked past him grinning at Josh. "Shall we?"

He held out his arm to me and I put my hand gently on his elbow. "We shall."

Ten minutes later my coat was off and so was the flimsy dress that was underneath. Josh's lips trailed down my neck but he kept on talking. And about the worst thing. "So, you know Zach."

"Yeah. I do." I said, trying to shut him up. "He's a dick by the way."

He pulled back. "Why?"

I groaned, completely losing the mood I was in. "Josh, we don't do this. You and I," I pointed between us. "Don't discuss our problems. We don't talk. Remember? We're not friends. The only time I need you, is for this." I flopped my hand on the bed. "And right now, I'm really not feeling it." I got up, putting my clothes back on.

"Cammie, come on." He said. "I'm sorry-"

I didn't listen to the rest of what he said because I was already out of the room. I clomped down the stairs, buttoning up my coat. I sighed in frustration. He didn't even try going after me. He never did. It was just the way we did things. Get the benefiting over with, don't question anything.

As I turned the corner I crashed into Zach who spilled a cold coffee on me. I gasped as it trickled down my dress. He cringed. "Oh man, I'm sorry, I seriously did not mean to do that."

I narrowed my eyes at him, suddenly pissed off. He was ruining everything for me. "Sure you didn't." I started walking away but he just grabbed me and pulled me into the kitchen without saying a word. He made me sit down on a chair and went to wet paper towels. He started dabbing them towards me but then he realized where the actual spill was. Which was my whole chest. He gave them to me and I smirked, wiping it up myself.

"So, how was the 'benefiting'?" He said, leaning against the table right beside me.

I decided the coat was ruined and took it off, dabbing at my neck instead. "Fine."

He raised an eyebrow. "'Fine'?"

I briefly looked at him. "You heard me. Fine."

He put his hand over mine, stopping my attempts to clean myself off. "You're lying."

I smacked his hand away which was dangerously close to me and gave him the towel. "Look, thanks for spilling coffee on me and trying to make small talk, but I have to get home, so… yeah." I didn't know what to say. He hadn't really done anything for me so I couldn't thank him for anything, and couldn't say 'see you later' because it was clear he didn't want to see me at all.

When I was out the door he called my name. I turned. His expression was soft. "Cammie, I'm sorry things didn't work out for you."

Once again, I fumbled for words. I was so used to having some sort of witty comeback for him, but the kindness in what he said drove them all away. Instead I just shrugged and said, "I'm used to it."


"I have a brilliant idea." Bex said, plopping down into her chair, her earrings jingling from her movements. Her cheeks were red from the cold outside.

I looked at her, not saying anything, just waiting for her to proceed.

She folded her hands out in front of her but didn't let go of her Blackberry once. Her life practically depended on her phone. "I know it's a bit last minute, but my parents decided that we just must go to Spain for the holiday and it's going to be so boring so I was wondering," Her face went all sweet and pleading. "If you would want to come with us?"

"Sorry, hun, I can't. We're getting construction done in the house so I have to be there for it. Besides, I'm not really feeling up to anything this vacation." I sat back in my chair, knowing she wouldn't mind.

She picked up her phone, immediately texting everyone she knew as a back up plan. "That's totally fine." She didn't even lift her eyes to mine. A second later her phone beeped and she smiled. "There. Cora's coming."

I almost felt hurt at how quickly she could replace me. She'd only asked me what, thirty seconds ago? And she already had someone else to go with her.

"Good." Was all I said.

Across the cafeteria I saw Zach and Josh laughing. Zach briefly looked up at me and our eyes locked for a second. When I didn't look away he gave me a small smile and I returned it.

Bex noticed and turned. "Who're you looking at?" Her eyes travelled down my line of sight and stopped at their table. "Who's that?"

He'd already looked away and so had I. "Who?"

She shook her head, already uninterested. "Doesn't matter." She stood up. "Look, I have to go, I'll call you later okay?"

I nodded even though I knew she wouldn't. She always said she would but she never did. She was the typical blonde, acting ridiculous and forgetfull all the time. Everyone at school knew she was just a fake brunette. Sometimes I wondered why she was my best friend. Then I'd scold myself. She'd been there for me during the hard times. She had her good moments, and when she did I never questioned our friendship. I smiled. "Sure."

She headed out and across the room Zach glanced at me again. This time I waved at him then left too.


Thank you guys for waiting patiently =) I finally updated and I hoped you liked this chapter. So this story will mainly take place over their vacation so if anyone has any good wintery and Christmasy ideas please send them to me, it's fun reading your suggestions.

I got a little over 20 reviews for the first chapter and I'm sooo thankful to you guys, I so didn't deserve that many. You guys are awesome.


On a separate note, I just wanted to say that I won't be continuing writing Death Be not Proud so if anyone wants to continue writing it, go ahead. Just tell me.


Please review! I updated didn't I?

~Ivoryyy