A/N – Okay, this chapter was ready two weeks ago but I couldn't get it uploaded before I was away, so finally here it is! I'll make sure there's a super chapter on Friday to make up for the delay (providing I have no more technical difficulties!)

Please R&R. All feedback is welcome and appreciated! Thanks to all that have been reviewing so far! Please let me know if you think that V and Jeff will get together? Or will Phil continue to get in the way? - K



Vanessa's POV

"Why do nights out always have to involve shopping?" I groaned, pulling the fifth dress from the rail.

Maria sighed as she grabbed another three outfits, "Because you said you didn't have anything that you wanted to wear," she reminded me. "And you want to look extra special for Jeff, though those clothes will end up on the floor anyway," she laughed.

"RIA!" I squealed, "Don't say that out loud. Don't even think it. It's me and Jeff, it's just wrong!"

She rolled her eyes as she handed me a purple dress, "You told me it nearly happened before, now go try this."

I had regretted telling Maria about the time that Jeff and I almost ruined our friendship one drunken night. It was her favourite topic of conversation ever since I had mentioned that tonight had potential to be the official change from Jeff and I just being friends, to being something more. I was more than freaking out. Which of course wasn't helped by the shopping trip which was doing nothing more than stressing me out even more. I had tried on several outfits, but nothing seemed to work. Maria had already picked out a black top and denim skirt which looked amazing on her, but I had no idea what to wear. I had no idea what anyone else was wearing, where we going or how much of an effort to make. It was Jeff, he had seen me at my worst. Hell, he'd seen me after my worst hangover, with no make up and spewing up everywhere. There was no need for me to make an effort, but I still felt that I'd had to.

"Have you picked something yet?" Maria called through the door.

"I can't get the zip on this one, give me a hand?"

Jeff's POV

I paced around the locker room nervously. Vanessa wasn't answering her cell, which wasn't like her at all. I tried both her and Maria, to find out where they both were but both went straight to messagebank. The door opened and I looked up, hoping for my eyes to fall on Vanessa, but instead, it was Matt. "Okay, we're all sorted for tonight. Maria has sorted the girls out, we're going to different bars before meeting up at the hotel at midnight. Ria's currently dragging Ness out to look for an outfit, and Eve says she's hating it."

I sighed, "They've gone shopping? Is that why I can't get through to her?"

"Probably. Were you worried?"

"Yeah, I thought something was wrong. She seemed in an odd mood before breakfast and then disappeared off while I was in the shower."

He rolled his eyes at me, "She didn't want to get spotted coming out of your room. She's worried about what people will think. Just don't tell her I said that to you, Ria told Eve and she told me. Just try not to make tonight a big deal, okay?"

I nodded, even though tonight was a big deal. It was as big a big deal could ever possibly be. No one else knew that and no one else needed to know that. But tonight was no ordinary night out with the guys, I had to make it clear to Vanessa that when we met up at midnight, that she had been all I was thinking about all night, all day, that I didn't give any other girl a second glance. That not only was she my best friend, but the girl that I loved.

Vanessa's POV

I threw the bags onto Eve's bed and sighed, "Why did I have to buy three outfits?"

"Because they all looked great on you and you couldn't pick one. And there'll be other times where you can wear the other outfits," Eve smiled.

"Which means that the next time that we go out, that you don't have to go buy something else," Maria added.

I smiled, "Does this mean you promise not to drag me out shopping anytime soon?" I asked, hopefully. They both sighed and nodded, before asking which outfit I was going to wear. "I don't know, just see how I feel when I'm getting dressed. Meet you downstairs in two hours?" I suggested.

After the girls had gone, I lay onto my bed which had yet to slept in. It did make me laugh that this room was being paid for, but not being lived in. Although I was sure that it wouldn't be long before Matt was rooming with Jeff again. We had got lucky this time, especially since that Anne would be sharing with me. I was going to have to start telling people about Jeff and I being a couple. I hated that word. It was like we couldn't be independent and that we had to be completely codependent, that we couldn't do anything without each other. I didn't want it to be like that. I didn't want to be always with Jeff and never with anyone else. I couldn't be the girl who ended up with one of her guy friends and then alienated anyone else. I wouldn't let myself be that girl. I hated that girl. But I couldn't help but wonder that I wouldn't be that girl: the one that everyone hates for swanning off with her guy and only sees her friends when he's busy. Although Jeff and I shared a lot of friends anyway, so maybe things would work out okay. Maybe it would be better than okay. There really was only one way to find out.

Jeff's POV

Matt had organised quite a gathering at the first bar, but I wasn't really into it. I wanted to talk to Ness, make sure that shopping hadn't been too hellish and tell her that I was looking forward to seeing her later. That I couldn't wait. It wasn't often that we spent a day without talking and in the past few weeks, this was certainly the longest we had gone without speaking.

I looked up to find that a bottle of beer had been placed in front of me, by none other than Phil. Matt wouldn't have invited him. Would he? "Who is she?" I looked up, "C'mon, it has to be a girl that's got you this quiet!"

"Thanks," I said, taking a drink from the bottle, avoiding his other questions.

He shrugged, "Don't worry about it. I heard someone say the girls were meeting us here later? Is V with them? To be honest, I half expected her to be here with you and Matt. She does love hanging out with you guys," he laughed, stopping to take another drink, "Anyway, who's the girl?"

I took a long drink from the bottle, my eyes searching the room to find an escape from Phil's questions. I had to find Ness and talk to her, before she spoke to Phil. Before Phil made a move on her. "I have to make a call," I sighed, getting up from the bar.

Matt appeared with another beer for me, "Drink this and fast. Eve called me and the girls are coming here first," he sighed, "So much for guys night out. Anyway, what was Phil saying?"

I groaned, "Vanessa."

Matt looked completely confused, "What about Vanessa?"

"He wanted to know where she was. She thought she'd be with us. Does he have no clue at all that I'm in love with Vanessa?" I admitted. I swear I thought Matt was going to cheer after I let those words slip out.

"Thank you," he sighed, "No. He doesn't. Because he's in love with her too." Matt took hold of my shoulders, trying to shake some sense into me. "Everyone thinks you and Nessa are best friends. And only best friends," he glanced over my shoulder and sighed. "You need to get to the bar and buy Nessa a drink. Fast."

"Why?" I asked, turning around to look at the bar. And then I saw it. Him, with her. Buying her a drink. "Oh."

I wandered over to the bar with Matt, ordering three beers. One for me, one for Matt and one for Ness. She was standing at the opposite end of the bar, laughing at something Phil was saying. She was wearing jeans and a grey shirt, it wasn't as dressed up as the other girls, but she was the girl that I was paying attention to. Unfortunately, she was the only girl that Phil was paying attention to too.

Matt took his beer and glared at me, "Go talk to her Jeff. She's your best friend, you could at least say hello."