Hey guys, here it is chapter 3 and its a long one! Enjoy x

Sarah POV

I woke up to the sound of rain belting off my bedroom window, so much for it being summer! It was only eight-thirty in the morning, but I already had mom banging on my door. "Sarah sweetie, are you up?" she said softly so she wouldn't wake any of the others. Today was the day that we went bridesmaid shopping for Charlie and Ann's wedding and Ann's hen night and Charlie's bachelor yes I was asked to be a bridesmaid. Ann said something about my tanned skin looking good in photographs. I rolled out of bed which I quickly realised was a bad idea because I forgot to put my feet out in front of me and BOOM I face planted the floor. "Sarah!" mom said as she rushed into the room only to let a little giggle when she saw me sprawled on the floor. "Im okay" I said getting up and rubbing my forehead a little. "Breakfast is on the table, Lorraine is here and we are leaving soon so get yourself together… and if you're lucky we might go on a little shopping spree ourselves, just don't tell your dad" she winked as she walked out the door. I actually like going shopping with mom and Lorraine. There's less fuss than when there's a whole group of us. I quickly hopped in the shower and got dressed. I threw on a cute white sun dress with some brown sandals and my hair down. I never normally wear dresses only for special occasions and according to my mom this was one.

I tip toed up the hall being careful not to wake anyone. Lorraine was sitting at the table, wearing a long pink maxi dress, matching wedges and black sunglasses resting on her head. "Hey!" she said getting up off her chair and launching herself at me. "Believe it or not I actually missed you" she said as she hugged me. "Are you feeling okay?" I said laughing as she let go and sat back down in her seat. I sat at the opposite side of the table grabbing a slice of toast and smothering it in butter. "So how's New York" I asked Lorraine curiously. "It's going great, I'm actually waiting to hear back from a huge magazine, they read some of my work and they sent for me!...Luke and I are going really good too." she said happily. Luke is Lorraine's boyfriend. They've been together for like two years and he's really nice. I ate my toast quickly as I listened to Lorraine and Mom talk about New York and the wedding and stuff. "We need to get going, we've got to go over to the Murtaghs, apparently Ann has organised transport so no one has to drive" she said grabbing her coat and throwing me my brown leather jacket. "Let's go" she said as the three of us walked out the door and ran to Lorraine's car, the rain was pouring down.

It took us all of two minutes to drive to the Murtaghs. Ann ran out the door and beckoned at us to come inside. We all ran inside, desperate to escape the rain. "Hey you guys" she said excitedly as she hugged each of us. "The car isn't here yet so if you guys want to go into the living room and sit down while you're waiting? Serena and Becky are in there" she said and went to go get her bag. Mom lead the way into the living room where she was greeted by Serena. Becky, Lorraine and I conversed quietly on the sofa. "Cars here" Ann shouted out as she ran to the door. We all walked out to the door and I was the last. Just as I was about to close the door Ann shouted from the Limo! Yes she had hired a big black limo. "Sarah, could you go into the kitchen and get me my purse off the table". "Sure" I shouted and I went inside. I quietly walked into the kitchen trying not to draw attention to myself. As I opened the door I could hear noises in the kitchen, then I saw Elliot standing at the cooker, wearing nothing but a grey tracksuit bottoms. It was a few moments before he spotted me but when he did, he got nervous. I don't blame him having some freak staring at him. "Hey" he said turning his head to look at me and then back to the saucepan on the cooker, his voice groggy from sleep. "Hi" was all I could manage to get out. "Everything alright?" he asked curiously. "uh yeah your sister just forgot her purse" I said reaching over and grabbing Ann's purse off the table. "Ahh dress shopping, I was wondering why you were here, we're going to get our suits later too" he said with a smile. "I should go" I said as I walked towards the door. "See ya" he said and I closed the door. Trying to regain my breathing I ran out the door and jumped into the Limo. The shop that Ann wanted to go to was an hour away and the journey there was filled with laughter, gossip and champagne.

We pulled up slowly to the shop. You could tell this was the place because of Ann's eagerness to get out of the limo. By now the sun was shining so I took off my jacket and got out of the limo. Once we were all out of the car, we followed Ann into the shop. It was a wedding shop. White dresses lined the walls of the room, there was a sign pointing upstairs for men's suits and sign pointing out the back for bridesmaids and flowergirls.

"Miss Murtagh, what a pleasure to meet you" a woman dressed in a white dress suit said to Ann. "Where would you like to start first, we can go choose your dress first or we can go and get your bridesmaids sorted" she said. "Bride first" Serena chirped and we all laughed. "Ok, would you like to take a seat on the couches and I'll be with you in a moment" the woman said as she disappeared through the office door. "Okay so we have about two hours maybe two and a half before the boys arrive for their suit fittings, I already know what dress I want, so we have plenty of time to pick out yours" Ann said as she sat nervously awaiting the arrival of her wedding dress. "Wait the guys are coming here" I asked trying to give off the fact that I was pissed that I would have to see Elliot again. "I figured it would be a nice day out for my wedding party and I want to see what you guys are gonna look like with your partners before the big day!" Suddenly the office door opened and the woman returned holding a white bag, "are you ready to try on your dress?" she said and beckoned at Ann to follow. Several minutes later the woman emerged from behind a big white curtain and gave a small cough. "Ladies I give you the bride" she announced proudly. She pulled back the huge white curtain to reveal Annie in the most beautiful wedding dress I had ever seen. It was a mermaid, crystal white, sweet-heart neckline with straps and a long train. Tears were flowing from mom and Serena and Lorraine was aweing and giving Ann compliments about her dress. She really looked beautiful. She didn't have the dress on long when another woman appeared out of the office with six glasses and a bottle of champagne. She set them down, gave a little smile and then walked back into the office. I guess they were for us. I took a glass and sipped on it while we waited for Annie to get changed. "Right bridesmaids, shall we go look at some dresses?" the woman asked as she headed out the back. "Serena and I are gonna go next door and get some coffee" Mom said as she grabbed her bag.

We followed the woman into the back where we were hit by a room packed with dresses of every colour. "Where do we even start" I whispered to Becky who let out a small laugh. After an hour of looking and searching through the thronged racks of dresses we all agreed on one. A nude, grecian style dress with diamante straps and a diamante waistband under the bust of the dress and to match some sparkly five inch heels. Ouch! "Hurry up you guys" Ann shouted from outside as we adjusted our dresses. "We're ready!" I said as I pulled my hair into the front to one side. The woman pulled over the curtain and Ann squealed. "Oh my god I love them!" she gasped as she pulled at them. "Could we get the boys down here when they're ready" Ann said as she turned to the woman. The woman nodded and went out of the room and up the stairs. That means they are here…he's here oh my god please don't let him be my partner! I'll probably fall over in these shoes and make a fool out of myself. The woman returned several minutes after with Charlie who immediately walked over to Ann and gave her a kiss. "Ok girls behind the curtain let's maintain an element of surprise" the woman chirped as she ushered us in behind the curtain. This woman is very theatrical. A few moments later we could hear footsteps entering the room. "Well don't you all look handsome" Ann said "Ladies" the woman called. Showtime. Lorraine walked out first, with me and Becky right behind her. I tried not to look at him, I looked at the ground, then to Ann, then to Charlie and back to the ground over and over again until Ann moved to go talk to the woman and my eyes followed and boom there he was looking at me with those brown eyes. I politely smiled at him which he took as an invitation to come over. By now everyone had fallen into their own separate conversations and I hadn't realised that I was standing on my own. He looked amazing in his tux, like some kind of movie star. White shirt, navy blue suit and brown shoes. "Wow" he said reached me, "You look amazing". "You don't look so bad yourself Murtagh" I laughed trying to lighten the atmosphere. He just looked at me. He had a habit of just looking at me, like he was memorising my face. "Okay let's partner you guys up… Lorraine you're my maid of honour so you have to go with Calvin as he is the best man, Sarah and Elliot you two are about the same height so you two can go together and Becky and Henry, okay stand in your pairs and let me see you! Ann insisted. "Well now that is one good looking wedding party" she laughed and everyone joined in with her. "Especially that handsome chap in the middle" the woman said blushing at Elliot and giving a wink. Elliot was mortified. "Oh my god" he whispered in my ear and I couldn't help let a giggle escape from my lips. "Okay let's go take these heels off my feet are killing me" Lorraine said as she grabbed my hand and yanked me into the dressing room. "What was that!" she whispered, "what was what?" I asked rubbing my wrist. "Is there something going on between you and Elliot!" she whispered once more. "No" I said laughing like she was insane. She eyed me like she knew I was lying and I just rolled my eyes and took off those stupidly high shoes. Becky came in a few minutes later and threw off her shoes and rubbed her feet. "Ann said we are to meet her and the guys outside" she said turned her back to me to unzip her dress. I turned around and she returned the favour and she did Lorraines.

Once we had handed back the shoes and the dresses to the woman in the shop we left. They were all sitting outside and Mom and Serena were back from their coffee break. "Time to do some shopping" Lorraine squealed. "Wait I thought we were going home, what are we supposed to do while you guys are tearing up the sale racks?" Charlie said seriously. "You're coming with us silly, who else is gonna hold our bags!" Ann laughed as she linked arms with him pulling him along with him. We walked to a huge shopping centre down the road. It was massive. "I've got to get something to wear for tonight" I said to Lorraine letting her know I needed her help. She just smiled and pulled me into the first shop she saw. We spent hours going from shop to shop trying on clothes and buying clothes until we could barely walk with the weight of our bags. "Hey why don't you go sit down there's one more thing I've got to get" Lorraine said as she eye a lingerie shop and then she winked at me. "Ew" I laughed. "I'll be down there" I said nodding at a bench in the middle of the shopping centre. I walked slowly down to the bench, occasionally going into an odd shop, and spotting something I liked. As I approached the bench I noticed mom, Serena and Elliot had already gotten there before me. "Hey" I said throwing my bags down at my moms feet. She laughed in astonishment at all my bags. She wasn't much better. "Where's your sister?" my mother questioned. "She...uh had to get something" I said trying to hide the fact that my sister had gone into a lingerie shop to find something to impress her man, in fact I don't think I could even say it without throwing up at the thought. "Hey, why aren't you with the guys?" I asked Elliot. "Ann and Charlie are gone for dinner and I couldn't watch your brother flirt with my sister any longer" he moaned. "Im gonna go take a look in that shop over there, you wanna come? I offered. What was I doing. A few hours ago I was scared to look him in the eye and now i'm offering him to go shopping with me! "Sure" he said getting up off the bench. "Mom can you mind these?" I said leaving my bags with her and walking up to Elliot. "You two have fun" Serena shouted from behind us. We walked into the shop and I headed straight for the men's section. "Hey where are you going" Elliot asked a confused look creeping in on his face. "We got to sort you out Murtagh" I said looking him up and down. There was nothing wrong with his clothes in fact he looked hot everytime I saw him, but I was sick of shopping for me. "What is wrong with the way I dress… I like this" he said winking at me and picking up a grandad jumper. "Wow" I said with a dead tone to my voice "Come on" I said and he followed. We spent ages in shops, just looking, he would pick up the worst clothes just to watch the smile on my face drop so he could laugh at me.

Many shops and twelve bags later we decided to call the whole shopping thing quits. We walked through the shopping centre just chatting. Chatting like best friends. We talked, we gossiped and laughed. Suddenly I found myself being pulled in a different direction. "Where are we going" I laughed noticing Elliot had intertwined his hand in mine. "Ice cream" he giggled as I looked and saw a massive ice cream didn't let go of my hand until we got to the table and I sat down with all his bags. "Any preferences" he asked eagerly. "Surprise me" I said putting a little pressure on him. When we were kids we used to go to the ice cream shop every sunday at the Lake and I always got strawberry, mint and honeycomb, I don't like chocolate or vanilla ice cream, I wonder if he will remember. A few moments later he returned to the table with a huge bowl piled high with ice creams of different colours and two spoons and he handed me a spoon. All I could do was stare at the gigantic bowl. "How are we supposed to eat all of this" I burst out laughing "Slowly" he said also laughing. "Strawberry, mint and honeycomb for you and for me blu…" "blueberry, chocolate chip and strawberry right?" I cut him off. Yeah that's right Elliot Murtagh I remembered. He looked at me with a smirk on his face. "Right" he confirmed. I dug my spoon into the mountain of ice cream and began to make my way through it. We continued to talk about random stuff for what seem like ages. "You've got something on your face" Elliot said pointing to his face to show me where. "Where!" I panicked, I probably look like a right idiot. He bent over the table "righhhtt there" he said and he wiped a big blob of ice cream on my nose with his spoon. He sat back laughing. I tried to pull an angry face but I just couldn't and I too ended up laughing so much that it hurt. "Two can play that game Murtagh" I said seriously. I looked around to see if anyone was looking and when the coast was clear I flicked a huge lump of ice cream off my spoon which landed right between his eyes. "Well now we both look like idiot… then again you must be used to it" he said. "Keep it up Murtagh there's plenty more ice cream where that came from" I said threateningly holding up my spoon. He just gave me a smug grin. "What time is it? I said casually. "Four o'clock" he replied. "Shit! We were supposed to be back at three!" I said getting up from the table. I checked my phone five missed calls, crap!

We sprinted out of the mall and down to the car park. "There you are!" Charlie said relieved. "Sorry it was my fault, I was supposed to be keeping track of time" Elliott said. Did he really just take the rap for both of us? "It's ok you're here now… let's go! The girls are gone ahead in another car" Charlie said "and Lorraine said you're to come straight back to the house, something about doing your make-up I don't know". "She ain't touching my face" I protested as I got in and sat beside him. Elliot went up and sat beside Calvin and Henry. The ride back seemed longer than the journey here and I ended up falling asleep on Charlie's shoulder. "Wake up sleeping beauty" Charlie nudged. I moved my head and I opened my eyes. The boys at the end of the limo were all asleep except Henry. "See you tonight" Charlie said deviously. "Hey, its a hen night no boys allowed" I warned and walked inside. "There you are" Lorraine shouted "Go get showered I wanna do your hair and make-up". I didn't even question her, I just went straight to my room and showered. All my bags were on my bed and the floor. I got out of the shower threw on an old trackie bottoms and a black string top and headed up to Lorraine's room. I knocked on the door gently and she opened it. Her make-up was already done and she had heated rollers in her hair. I walked in and closed the door and sat on her bed. "So tell me… why do you wanna do my hair and makeup so badly" I asked, she was up to something. "You need to get over Jack" she replied. That name hit me like a thousand daggers into stomach. "And a little extra lippy is gonna help that how?" I said confused. "Just shut up and come over here and sit down. I went over and sat on a chair in the middle of the room where she started on my hair. She blow dried it curly but not like poodle curly, like soft curly, sexy if you dare say it. She then did my make up. She was an expert at this sort of stuff. She contoured and blended my face until it was perfect adding blush, liner, mascara, eye shadow, lipstick and gloss and probably more things. "I want you to bring these with you in your bag" she handed me her red lipstick and lipgloss "If you lose them your dead". "Thanks" I said. "Okay go put your clothes on we're going over to Ann's for pre drinks in a half hour or so" she said as she opened her door. I walked through the sitting room when I spotted Jake outside on the steps, head in his hands uh oh. I open the door and went out and sat beside him. "Hey everything ok?" I asked him worriedly. "Yeah just girlfriend problems...woah you look different!" he said completely changing the conversation. "Good different or bad different?" I asked him. "Good" he said and he smiled a little. I got up off the steps and went to head back inside, "I'm here if you need me okay" I reassured him. He nodded and I went inside. I went into my room and closed the door. I pulled out my new red dress which Lorraine chose for me when we were shopping. It was bodycon, tight and short but not too short. I also got white chunky sole platform wedges to go with it and a white clutch. I put on my dress which I had to wriggle in for a few minutes to get it to sit right and I put on my shoes. The moment of truth was now upon me, I had to look in the mirror. Up until this point I hadn't I actually seen my makeup or my hair properly. I stood up, eyes closed and walked carefully over to the mirror and slowly opened my eyes. Wow… I looked so different it was insane! I spent a few minutes ogling at myself in the mirror and fixing myself. I put Lorraine's lipgloss and lipstick in my bag and also my phone and purse. Suddenly there was a knock at the door. I opened it to find Lorraine standing there. "Are you ready… okay you look HOT" she said. She looked amazing herself. She had a baby pink loose dress on and matching heels with a silver clutch. "So do you" I said in amazement. I grabbed my bag and together we headed up the hall.

Everyone was in the living room. All the boys including dad were going to Charlie's stag night and all the girls were going to Anns Hen. Everyone was looking incredible. "Wow" Jessica said as I walked into the room and everyone turned. "Beautiful honey" Mom complimented. "We are gonna go now because we are gonna walk and it might take sometime to get everyone there in one piece in these kinda shoes" mom explained. All of the girls were in heels. We headed out the door one by one. Lorraine, Nora and I linked arms the whole way over for support. If one went down we all went down. Thankfully we made it there in one piece. We all stood at the door as mom rang the doorbell. One of Ann's work friends Kayleigh answered the door. We walked in and she eyed me as I passed her. "Heyyyy" Ann chimed as she appeared from the kitchen, dressed in white dress naturally. "Drinks are on the patio, food is in the kitchen". We walked into the huge kitchen and Lorraine who I was still holding onto kept walking out onto the patio. Serena was out there already, sipping on a martini. "Hey girls, you look beautiful, I presume Kate is inside?" she said as she walked inside. We sat down at the big table and Lorraine handed me a vodka and blackcurrant and got herself one. Eventually everyone was outside talking, music blaring in the background. "Taxi's are here" someone shouted from inside. "Come on I don't wanna be stuck at the end of the line when we get to the club" Nora said grabbing me and pulling me after her and I pulling Lorraine. We got the first taxi with Ann in the front. I had only had a few drinks but I already felt a bit woozy. When we got to the club we didn't even have to wait in line, apparently Ann had already had it pre booked. Hours passed, drinks flowed, and guys came up to me every few minutes asking if I wanted a drink but I brushed them off. I guess Lorraine's plan was working. I was up dancing with everyone when the microphone came on over the music. "Laaadiesss you've got an incoming" a voice said and within in seconds Charlie and the guys were all running in with camouflage paint on their faces and chanting. I turned around to hug my brother who looked a lot better than he did earlier on. He went over and sat down beside Lisa Murtagh and the two began talking.

I spotted Elliot looking around him, looking for me probably so I saved him the bother and walked up to him. Definately the alcohol. "Hey" I said into his ear from behind. The music was so loud that if I talked normally he probably wouldn't have heard me. He turned around quickly stepped back. He eyes looked me up and down and leaned in and said "You look amazing". Thank god it was dark in this place cause I was probably blushing by now. "Do you want a drink?" he asked a question I was all too familiar with tonight. I nodded in response. He held out his hand for me to hold while he led me through the massive crowd. He got me a drink and we sat down back at the table. We sat close and talked like we talked earlier today. To be honest I forgot I was at a hen party by now. "Do you wanna go out and get some air?" he asked standing up. "Yeah" I mouthed back and and stood up and followed him out the back. He held open the door, as I walked outside, the fresh air hit me and I stumbled a bit and he caught me. "One too many" I said laughing as I regained my balance. I walked over and leaned against a wall and he leaned beside me. I looked down and noticed that he was holding my hand, his fingers intertwined with mine but I didn't freak out I just left it because to be honest I didn't want to let go. The sky was cloudy and dark tonight and it wasn't so cold out. I let out a yawn at which he chuckled. "You tired?" he giggled as I rested my head on his shoulder. He moved so that he was standing in front of me, so close reminding me of the night of the barbeque so I knew where this was going. "You look incredible tonight" he said sincerely. "Thank you" I smiled at him but that smile quickly disappeared when he brushed his free hand over my jaw bone and he leaned in slowly and I found myself doing the same. He was so close now that another move and his lips would be on mine, if I was going to back out i'd have to do it now but I didn't and he kissed me. His lips were soft and I couldn't resist kissing him back, so I did just once. I pulled away, just looking into his eyes and I could feel the tears coming. "I'm sorry, I can't do this" I whispered and I ran inside. I heard him call after me but I didn't respond. I wiped my tears before I got to my family who were now all sitting down chatting. "Are you ok" Nora asked me seriously. "Yeah" I smiled not showing that something was wrong. "We're gonna go home soon its getting pretty late" mom said and in fact it was it was nearly two in the morning. Everyone got up and got their things together and we all made our way outside. The Murtagh's were already outside including Elliot. "Kids we're gonna walk home, it's only a fifteen minute walk" Dad said as he began to walk down the road with mom. Jimmy followed them, clearly we were all walking home. I walked alone. Everyone else had grouped up and were talking and laughing but I didn't feel like joking tonight. "Hey" a quiet voice said from behind me. I turned around to see a very sad, confused looking Elliot. I waited until everyone had past us by before I acknowledged him. "Please don't Elliot…" I whispered back. "Why are you so scared, everytime I get a little closer to you, you push me away, is it him… Jack, do you still have feelings for him" he asked seriously grabbing my hand. The truth is no I don't still have feelings for Jack but that doesn't stop me feeling this hurt and pain that he has caused. I can't, I won't put myself through that again. I shooked my head as a response because I could feel the tears rolling down my cheeks. He gently wiped away my tears with his thumb and let his hand rest on my cheek. I looked him straight in the eye, his eyes were soft and full of concern. "He put me through a world of heartache, he made me lose my trust in everyone. Im a mess Elliot, and you deserve someone better, you shouldn't have to settle for me" I sobbed "Im sorry" and with that I removed his hand from my cheek and his hand from mine and ran down the road after my family. I caught up to mom who was walking on her own as dad chatted to Jimmy. "Sarah, sweetie what's wrong" mom questioned, a worried tone in her voice. "Can we talk about it tomorrow, I'm not in the mood" I said and I gave her a small reassuring smile that I was okay even though I wasn't. We walked in silence until we got to the turn off for our house and then we said goodnight to the Murtaghs. When I looked around, I saw Elliot, his head down not talking to anyone. Well done Sarah. That night I got into bed and replayed that conversation over and over in my head. The more I thought about it, the much more stupid I felt, Elliot would never hurt me, but could I trust him? What happens if things do happen between us this summer, will it continue when I go back to Chicago and college, what if I get into the University in California and he ends up in Yale or some place. Whats the point in starting something great only for it to end so fast and why would Elliot chose me over all the pretty college girls he could have. Im nothing special, im just swimming my way through the big sea that is life, trying to stay afloat.