The next morning Elie awoke to find herself feeling extremely crappy.

Why was she feeling so down?

Oh yeah...

Suddenly the previous night came rushing back into her memory.

The kiss and the let down of knowing it wasn't real.

Elie let out a deep groan and covered her head with the white fluffy pillow that had been beside her.

How was she ever going to face Haru?

It was going to be so awkward.

Elie let out another groan trying to play out the scenario in her head.

"Hey Haru!"

"Hey Elie!"

"So Haru I know we made out and all but it's okay because it didn't really mean anything since we were drunk. Oh but did I mention? I have feelings for you!"

Elie buried her face under the covers cringing at the awful conversation taking place in her head.

She cursed alcohol and its ability to make one unusually bold.

Suddenly an idea came to her.

"Alcohol...that's it!" Elie said aloud.

This would be the only way to ease the tension.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

The first half of the day went by painfully slow for Haru.

He just wanted to go home and forget all about how he had made a fool of himself.

He found himself cursing himself and oddly enough Musica for putting the ridiculous idea that Elie had feelings for him in his head.

I'm so stupid!

Haru continued to beat himself up as he packed the last of his things.

Suddenly Kat walked into his room.

"Knock knock." she said with a smile.

"Hey." Haru said nonchalantly.

"So you almost done packing? We have to leave for the airport in ten minutes." Kat said leaning against the door frame.

"Okay." Haru said in the same monotone as before.

Kat raised a brow, "Is something wrong?"

"No." Haru replied and zipped up his suitcase.

"Alright," Kat said still not convinced but not wanting to pry any further, "Hey can you tell Elie we're leaving soon?"

Haru suddenly felt his stomach do an uncomfortable twist.

"Can't you?" He asked trying not to sound too desperate.

Kat eyed him down with suspicion before saying, "I guess..."

Haru thought for a moment before saying, "No, no never-mind. I should just deal with it now..."

"Huh?" Kat questioned with great confusion but Haru had already left the room.

---------------------------------------------------

Haru stood at Elie's closed door, staring.

He could feel all of his insides begging to spilled.

"You can do this." He whispered to himself.

Haru took a deep breath and gave the door a little knock, secretly hoping Elie wouldn't hear it.

Haru's secret desire was shattered the moment the wood in front of him was replaced by a smiling Elie.

Wait a minute. Smiling?

"Hey Haru." Elie said in her usual cheery voice.

Haru blinked before stuttering, "H-hey."

"What's up?" Elie said leaving the door and going back to packing her suitcase.

Haru was baffled, why was Elie acting so calm?

"Uh, Kat wanted me to tell you we're about ready to leave." Haru said trying not to sound nervous.

"Oh okay. I'm pretty much done packing anyway." Elie said still smiling.

Haru stood dumbfounded for a moment wondering why Elie was acting so casual when she suddenly spoke.

"So Haru, is there anything else you wanted to tell me?"

Haru thought for a moment before saying, "Well actually I kinda..." Man this was difficult, "I wanted...I wanted to ask you about...last night."

Haru was feeling like he'd very much like to be shot in the head right about now but Elie's next sentence completely caught him off guard.

"Oh so you don't remember what happened either?"

Haru blinked a few times before asking, "Wh-what?"

Elie's face remainded unchanged, "I said, so you don't remember either? Because this morning I couldn't remember a damn thing and was actually planning on asking you what happened but it looks like you're in the same boat as me."

Haru couldn't believe his ears.

This was perfect!

Elie didn't remember last night which would spare him all the awkwardness of explaining and what-not.

"Oh yeah," Haru said suddenly loosing the tension in his voice, "well I guess we both had too much to drink."

"Yeah." Elie said with a little laugh.

"Haru, Elie! Time to go!" Kat called from downstairs.

"Well I guess we'd better get going." Haru said picking up his suitcase and beginning to walk down the stairs.

As Haru was walking he felt a little sting in his gut.

This was confusing him.

Elie didn't remember, great right?

Then why did he feel...sad?

Little did Haru know that at this same time Elie was debating with herself if it had really been such a great decision to pretend she didn't remember.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

The plane ride home had both Haru and Elie thinking that the only way coach seats could be anymore uncomfortable was if tacks were implanted in them.

"I will never ride in a plane again." Haru groaned and Elie grunted in agreement.

After they had retrieved their luggage Kat and Jed insisted that Haru and Elie sit and relax while they got the car.

Although relaxation was not easily achieved when one sat on a plastic chair.

"Not much better than the plane, huh?" Elie said with a slight smile.

"Unfortunately." Haru replied with a pout.

The awkwardness between them was completely forgotten.

Well almost.

Elie still couldn't help thinking about the kiss and how great it had been.

She was finally admitting she liked Haru, even if it was only to herself.

Not that it mattered anymore, since she knew he didn't return the feelings.

Right?

He would have made it clear this morning if did feel anything.

Wouldn't he?

"Elie? You okay?" Haru said shaking Elie out of her thoughts.

"Huh? Oh yeah, I'm fine." Elie said smiling.

Suddenly a the honking of a car could be heard.

"That's probably them," Haru said getting up, "You ready?"

Elie let out a sigh and stood saying, "More than ever."

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The following Monday was almost as miserable as the first day of school.

Once again all the teens of the school had gotten used to staying up late and sleeping in only to be thrown back into the world of 8:00 a.m. classes.

"Oh why must winter break end? Why?!" Musica cried out to the ceiling of the cafeteria as he and Haru made their way to a table.

"Geez man, get a grip." Haru said beginning to bite into his sandwich.

"Hm easy for you to say. You don't have a math test today." Musica huffed trying to nab one of Haru's Doritos only to fail.

"You're right," Haru smiled, "I don't."

Musica gave a snort.

"Hey losers." Julia said as she and Elie approached the table.

"Oh Julia, when you will you learn the way to a man's heart is not through bitchy words." Musica said fluttering his eyelashes.

"Shut up." Julia scoffed.
"Now, now," Musica smiled, "Is that anyway to talk to the owner of a brand-spanking new truck?"
"Really?" Elie squeaked, "That's awesome Musica!"
"You mean that clunky old pickup I saw you driving this morning?" Julia asked with a evil grin.
"Hey!" Musica shouted, "My granny got me that! And I happen to think it's a beautiful vehicle!"
Elie giggled while Julia snickered.
"Whatever," Julia said waving her hand.

"So where's Let?" Haru questioned while trying to defend his chips from Musica's sticky hands.

"Sick with the flu. I told him not to walk around the house without slippers on." Julia said waving a finger then went on to a new subject, "So Haru how was Christmas?"

"Very jolly." Haru replied finishing off his sandwich.

"Uh-huh." Julia rolled her eyes, "How about New Years?"

At the mention of New Years both Haru and Elie's faces turned pale as they replied in unison, "Fine."

Julia raised her brow darting her eyes at Elie then Haru and then back at Elie.

"Elie..." Julia began and noticed the brunette was avoiding her gaze, "I need to pee. Come with me."

"But I-" Elie began to plead but was cut off by a very threatening, "Now." courtesy of Julia.

"Okay." Elie squeaked and the two girls made their way to the ladies room.

Now Musica was raising his brow.

--------------------------------------------------

Once the two had made it to the bathroom Julia began the questioning.

"Okay, what happened?" She said with her hands on her hips.

"W-what do you mean? Nothing happened." Elie replied rather flustered.

"Elie," Julia began, "I know something happened and you will tell me. Now whether you want it to happen willingly or forcefully is up to you."

Elie sighed, she really didn't want to talk about New Years but Julia was persisting and well she was her best girlfriend after all.

"Okay," Elie breathed out, "But this is between you and me."

"Of course," Julia smiled.

Elie proceeded to tell Julia all about the kiss and what had led up to it.
Julia stood listening intently with the ghost of smile on her face.
"I knew it." She said once Elie was finished, "I knew you two liked each other!"
Elie blinked before jumping in, "No, no, no, weren't you listening? I said we were drunk, drunk Julia. Haru doesn't like me..."
Elie trailed off and looked down at her feet.
Julia raised her brow with a smile, "So then, you do like him?"
Elie's face turned crimson, "Y-yeah."
Julia's smile broadened but she thought it would be best not to tease Elie at this moment.
Instead she decided to encourage her friend who was obviously lacking self-confidence.
"Elie," she began, "Just what makes you so sure Haru doesn't like you back?"
Elie looked up stuttering, "I-I told you, we were drunk. It didn't mean-"
Julia raised her arms saying, "So What?! Just because you were drunk doesn't signify that Haru didn't mean to kiss you!"
Elie stood a little shocked for a minute.
Did Haru mean to kiss her?
"But I-he-we can't..." Elie trailed off.
Haru couldn't like her it just wasn't possible.
They were best friends, nothing more.
Right?
"Elie," Julia sighed placing her hands on her distraught friend's shoulders, "you and Haru need to talk about that kiss and you need to tell him how you really feel."
Elie shot her head up in alarm, "No Julia, I-I can't do that!"
Julia furrowed her brows in confusion and perhaps frustration, "And why not?"
"Because I..." Elie looked down at her feet again, "Because I told him I didn't remember anything about that night."
Julia's mouth fell open, "Elie!" she shouted in shock, "Why would you say that? You and Haru need to talk about this! You can't just pretend it never happened!"
"Why can't we?" Elie asked still looking at her feet.
"Because," Julia said lowering her voice, "You have feelings for him and it's quite possible he has feelings for you too. I mean he's the one who kissed you. And you're the one who broke the kiss. You're sending him all the wrong messages Elie."
Elie sniffled, all this talk about feelings was making her overwhelmingly emotional.
"Oh Elie," Julia wrapped her arms around Elie in a tight embrace, "It'll be alright. Haru likes you. I know he does. All you have to do is talk to him and get this whole thing sorted out. Okay?"
Elie sniffled into Julia's sweater saying, "Okay."
"We just need to think of the right time to do it." Julia said releasing Elie.
"Yeah," Elie replied wiping away her tears.
"How about the senior camping trip?" Julia suggested.
"The one in February?" Elie questioned.
"Mhm," Julia nodded her head, "It'll give you time to think about what you wanna say and it will be a relaxing place to say it."
"I guess." Elie sighed and suddenly the bell rang.
"C'mon," Julia smiled, "lets go to class."

While Elie and Julia had been talking in the girls bathroom, Haru and Musica were having their own conversation.
"So what's up with you and Elie?" Musica asked casually.
"Nothing." Haru replied studying his can of coke, "Did you ever notice that some of the cans say coca cola while the other ones just say coke?"
Musica raised his brow, "Haru..."
"Yeah?" Haru replied trying not to sound concerned.
"What happened over winter break?"
Haru finally took his gaze off his can of coke and instead directed it towards the table, sighing.
"Can we not talk about this?" He asked sounding irritated.
"No," Musica replied, "Did-did she tell you something? You seem kinda, mad at me."
Haru gave another sigh, "It's what she didn't tell me that makes me..." Haru drove his hand through his hair.
It was the fact that Elie didn't say, "I like you" or the fact that she broke the kiss that had Haru so down and irritable towards Musica.
Musica, however, was thinking that it was something very different that was making Haru upset.
"Look Haru," he said trying to defend his position, "Elie made me promise I wouldn't tell you. I took care of it though, so there's no need to worry. Lucia won't ever-"
"Lucia?" Haru immediately shot his eyes up to Musica, "What about Lucia?"
Musica's stomach dropped with sudden realization, "Wasn't that-I thought, n-never mind. So what happened between you guys?"
Haru wasn't letting Musica go that easily.
"Wait a minute," Haru said, brows raised, "What did Elie say about Lucia?"
Musica was in a tight spot.
He knew Haru wouldn't stop persisting until he got some answers.
Musica let out a deep sigh.
Haru was going to be pissed.
"Don't be mad," Musica started looking down at the table, "Elie made me promise I wouldn't tell..."
"Tell what?" Haru asked getting rather irritated.
"About Lucia and how he..." Musica directed his gaze towards Haru, "how he attacked her."
Haru's eyes grew wide as he shouted, "What?!"
Musica just looked down again.
"When did this happen? How?" Haru asked a little quieter due to the few stares he was receiving from other students in the cafeteria.
"Halloween, at the party," Musica replied, "when you were dancing on the tables I had gone upstairs to take a piss and when I went into the bathroom..." Musica was desperately trying to avoid Haru's gaze, "when I went into the bathroom, Elie was pinned down crying and Lucia was on top of her."
Haru's eyes grew wide again, due from shock at Elie not telling him or anger at Lucia, he wasn't sure.
Perhaps it was both.
"That fucking bastard," He cursed, with a low voice, "I'll kill him."
"Haru," Musica pleaded, "I took care of him. You don't need to worry about it. He won't bother her inside or outside class anymore-"
"I don't need to worry about it?!" Haru was shouting again, unable to hold back his rage, "Musica my best friend was attacked by some fucking creep and you're saying I don't need to worry about it?!"
Haru blinked.
He had suddenly processed the second part of Musica's sentence.
"Wait a sec, what do mean inside or outside class. This has happened at school?"
Musica was starting to feel really guilty, "Well she said he had been harassing her in class. But I made it clear to him-"
"She told you and you didn't tell me?" Haru's voice had become a bit softer again.
"She made me promise not to." Musica replied daring to look at Haru.
"But why?" Haru asked, he was beginning to feel a very sharp (and annoying) pain in his chest.
"I-I don't really know. I think you two should talk it out and-"
Musica was interrupted by Haru suddenly bolting out of his seat.
"Haru!" Musica called and was about to chase after him when the bell rang.
The mob of students sitting down were now making their way to class, causing Musica to lose sight of Haru.
Musica let out, what seemed to be, the sixth millionth sigh of the day.

Sixth and seventh period went great, well for Elie anyway.
Haru had spent the two class periods thinking about a number of things.
First and foremost he was wishing he could punch the crap out of Lucia and then make him eat it.
Secondly he was wishing he could punch the crap out of Musica for not telling him Elie was in trouble and for putting the ridiculous idea that Elie had feelings for him into his head.
Third, Haru was pondering why Elie had decided not to tell him about Lucia in the first place. He also found himself feeling hurt and angry towards her for choosing Musica over himself.
And lastly Haru was wishing he had never kissed Elie and gotten his heart damaged over it.
Elie, however, was feeling much different.
Julia's talk at lunch had made Elie feel inspired and ready to talk to Haru.
She was beginning to sprout a growing hope inside her that was saying Haru felt for her what she felt for him.
Elie was also in quite the chipper mood due to Lucia's absence in seventh period.
Yes, things were going quite well for Elie and quite not-so-well for Haru.
When the bell rang for school to end Elie hopped out of her seat and nearly skipped down the hallway to the school parking lot.
At the lot she spotted Haru walking to his car, in an unusually fast pace.
Elie sprinted towards him feeling giddy and hoping to get a ride.
"Hey Haru," Elie said smiling once she had caught up to the silver-haired boy, "What's the rush?"
"What do you think? I wanna get home." Haru replied coolly.
Elie blinked a few times due to shock and confusion.
"O-okay," she said trying to ignore Haru's cold tone, "so you think I could catch a ride with you?"
Haru turned to Elie saying, "Why not ride with Musica, since he's the one you seem to trust."
Now Elie was really confused.
"Haru?" she asked, "Is everything alright?"
Haru gave a mock laugh, "Yeah everything's fucking fantastic. Jesus, Elie why don't you just go bother Musica? And leave me the hell alone."
With those words Haru slammed his car door shut and sped off leaving Elie deeply confused with tears in her eyes.
Musica had seen Haru drive off and rushed to Elie's side.
"Elie? Are you okay?" He asked and Elie turned to face him revealing glossy eyes.
"What happened?" Musica asked.
"I-I don't know," Elie choked out as she felt liquid fall down her cheeks, "He just went off on me when I asked him for a ride, saying I should just ride with you because I trusted you more or something."
Musica put his hand on Elie's shoulder as she continued to cry.
He knew he needed to tell her what had happened at lunch.
But the parking lot was not the place.
"Look Elie, I know what's wrong with Haru." Musica said letting go of her shoulder.
"Y-you do?" Elie asked wiping a tear from her eye.
"Yeah but we'll talk about it on the way to your house, okay?"
So Musica explained what had happened at lunch and how he accidentally told Haru about Lucia.
"Musica!" Elie shouted, "How could you?"
"It was an accident!" Musica cried getting tired of being yelled at, "And anyway, you really need to talk to him Elie."
The car stopped at Elie's house and Elie directed her gaze to her feet.
She knew it had been wrong not to tell Haru but he always worried too much!
This was exactly why she didn't want to tell him!
She knew he would act this way.
But as it was, Haru did know about Lucia and how Elie hadn't told him.
Elie sighed feeling guilty.
"I guess I really do." she said and grabbed her back pack.
"Elie?" Musica asked and the young brunette turned to face him, "Please don't be mad at me."
Elie got back into the car giving Musica a hug, "I'm not mad," she said sniffling, "I just wish all this hadn't happened."
"It'll be okay." Musica said and Elie let go of the embrace.
"Yeah," she said, "I'll just talk to him."
Things were so much easier said then done.

AN: GAH!! I'm such a horrible person!
I'm so sorry everybody! You all take the time to read my story and how do I repay yo
u?
By giving outrageously delayed updates!
I'm so sorry, I hope everybody is still interested in the story and wants to read it.
Thank you all for being so patient with me:) I will try to update sooner but school is just so time consuming:(( Do not fear though! I will not discontinue this story. So no matter how late my updates may be, just know they are coming. I hope everyone enjoyed the latest chapter. *sigh* high school drama