Disclaimer: I own nothing

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Seduction of Summer

Chapter 12: Forgive me father, for I have sinned.

I'm gonna try anything to just feel better
Tell me what to do
You know I can't see through the haze around me
And I do anything to just feel better

-Santana Feat. Steve Tyler, Just Feel Better.

Staring at myself in the mirror, I wondered if I was really ready for a party. I wondered if I were ready for any kind of 'post – relationship' life. Then I heard Luke yelling to Mum and Tony that he was going out tonight and would be back before two the next morning, and I almost punched the mirror in complete anger.

Well if he's going out then I'm definitely going out.

Walking over to my wardrobe, I pulled out a tight, short, red dress I had got on sale a while ago, then walked back over to the mirror. Holding it up infront of myself, I starred for a long time before I realised red was definitely my colour. It was the colour of a vixen. Of a evil temptress. Of a woman in control of her life. Of a seductress.

And yes, I was all of the above.

And yes, I was going to move on and be a 'post' something or other.

And most importantly, hello, rebound hook-ups.

Slipping out of my sweat suit that I had been moping around the house in, under the façade of it being my 'exercise' outfit, I jumped into the shower, letting the hot water sooth my aching body.

Letting the hot water entice my body with hopes and dreams of feelings and emotions that I would be able to feel now that I was out of a relationship and free of all those restraints that went along with it.

I was now open to one nightstands, to short summer flings, to hours of hot, passionate sex with no strings attached.

It was summer after all, and there was nothing better than a hot summer fling, with flirtatious looks across the room, with alluring looks that followed.

With those seductive hot dances, where every part of your body seems to mould into theirs, and your bodies move together as one.

When your lost because of the desire you feel.

With tantalising hours spent together locked in rooms, just being with one another, without words or emotions. Just being.

Oh Summer flings, I could have all this, then more.

There was just one itty, bitty problem with these dreams I was having in the shower.

That handsome stranger in the corner of the room who stayed in the shadows waiting for me, using his dark eyes to catch my attention before we met in the middle of the room for a night of sensual dancing with one another. When our bodies obeyed our every whim, our every craving, and things happened that I only ever dreamed of.

The stranger looked remarkably like Luke in my dreams.

Almost exactly like Luke.

Perhaps, it was even Luke, I thought to myself before I stifled a moan caused my certain arousal and anger.

Getting out of the shower, wrapping a towel around my body and beginning to towel dry my hair, I stared at myself in the mirror.

Maybe I needed to be honest with myself.

Perhaps, deep down, I wanted an all year round fling. One that would continue for many years. With Luke.

Not caring who heard, I let out a loud scream of frustration that lasted for a very long time.

Finally, when I felt as though my voice would be lost forever if I didn't stop, a strange sense of calm came over me. I would have tonight, then I would stop. I would wait for my moment, and I would get Luke back.

Admitting that I still wanted him had been a huge step for me. And now I had a plan. A plan that would be seen through until my dying day, if it had to be. Getting Luke back would be the hardest thing ever, considering I hadn't attempted to speak to him, and rarely cast my eyes on him for over two days.

Sometimes, I was glad I was so stubborn, I thought, pulling the dress over my head and applying a touch of red to my lips, before underlying my eyes with black, just as I heard Mum yell "Ric's here"

Looking at myself one final time in the mirror, I yelled "Coming" before giving myself an approving nod.

This was to be my final night of enjoyment before my judgement day, or weeks, depending on how long it took Luke to see that we were meant to be together.

Henry was getting out of the car when I walked out the front door. I'd gone in to tell Sal instead of yelling, as I didn't want Ric to hear that I was going out. It didn't matter in the end, because he was in the bathroom, his dark music blaring.

Another thing he and Maddie had in common, I thought bitterly, as I put on a bright smile when he saw me.

I must admit, it felt good to be checked out. Henry made it blatantly obvious that he was doing this, but it made me smile for real. It's been a long time since someone other than 'him' acknowledged that I was a female.

I was surprised as I approached the car, to see Luke in the drivers' seat.

"Hope you don't mind,' Henry said as I reached him 'Luke and Hilary will be joining us tonight." He finished, planting a short kiss on my cheek.

I shot Luke a look that said, "Why, are you willing to forget Maddie so soon?" however he shot me the same look back and I got the same message. We were both in the same boat. Trying desperately to think about anything other than our former loves for more than five seconds.

But from the looks of things, didn't think either of us was succeeding at this very well.

"So we're going to pick up Hilary then hit this party" Henry said while opening the back door for me before jumping in the front.

"Sounds good" I said, with fake enthusiasm, as I saw Luke's eyes convey the same sentiment through the rear view mirror. We shared another look before Henry started talking about how good this party will be, while Luke started the car and focused on driving, and I focused on looking out the window, wondering whether I really would enjoy the night with Henry.

The guy was nice. He was sweet, and he had been there for me over the last couple of days, comforting me and making sure I was okay. But he wasn't Ric.

Who was I kidding, no one was Ric.

And I would never be happy with anyone other than Ric.

I just, didn't know whether I could forgive him for everything.

As we entered the party, I couldn't help but wonder if I would've happier if we were a different foursome to the one we were now.

Wait, that would mean I would actually have to be happy now, which I definitely wasn't. I was at the opposite end of the spectrum of happy right now, wishing I were as far away from this party as possible.

I heard laughter from beside me, and for a moment I saw her, but then I realised this was a different kind of laughing. It had begun to become irritating actually, and I'd only been around the girl for twenty minutes.

Hilary looked towards me and smiled, and I tried not to throw up in disgust. With myself, for actually agreeing to come to this party with someone other than her.

It was just plain wrong. But as I downed the drink Hilary handed to me, I hoped it would begin to create a haze around everything, and dull the aching pain in my heart.

I hoped it would help me forget about her, just for one night, for five minutes… just, for a little bit. I'd been trying to think about something, anything but her…alas, everything led back to her. Something Henry would say would remind me of the time Maddie and I…, or something I saw would remind me of the time Maddie and I… or the song that was one would remind me of the dance Maddie and I had shared at the end of year dance.

There was a vicious cycle that was becoming increasingly repetitive. And apparently it was becoming something I couldn't escape, as now my current… 'date'… is what I supposed it was called… she was beginning to remind me of my lost love.

People were even beginning to look like Maddie, I thought to myself as I downed my second drink. Or was it my third? Hilary kept feeding them to me, so I kept accepting them. It wasn't like I was driving home, so it really didn't matter.

But take the girl that just walked in. Her hair was almost exactly like Maddies'. It even fell against her back the same way Maddie's did, going all wavy and sexy like. Her skin was a little lighter than Maddie's, I'll admit, and that outfit, well, Maddie would never wear that, would she? She might've, if we'd gone on a date. Out to tea or something, she would've looked stunning in it. But here was this impersonator who was beginning to mirror my love, my heart.

Downing another drink, I began to think I had lost my mind, when she turned around.

Maddie looked like she was ready to date Prince William when she walked out in that red dress.

"Thanks for the unintentional compliment Ric" she said playfully as she walked past me to get into the car.

"You know I've always wanted to hit you" I joked back, before she gave me an oddly disgusted look.

I thought for a moment, before sharing her disgusted look.

"Okay,' I said 'that was just wrong."

"Duh" she replied shortly, before pulling a tiny mirror out of her miniscule bag and checking her make-up for several seconds.

"Vain much?" I said, as I backed out of her driveway.

Her simple reply was to poke her tongue out at me before looking into the mirror again.

There are limitless boundaries in this friendship, I thought to myself as I turned onto the highway, glancing at the clock. It shone 8:43pm at me. Quickly calculating the distance in my head, I said to Maddie, never taking my eyes off the road.

"We should be there in about twenty minutes. Just fashionably late, and late enough to steal all the unopened bottles of Vodka without anyone getting angry. Then we'll get pissed as nits, sleep the night in my wonderful car, mattress included and walk it off in the morning by going to get bacon and eggs at the diner" I finished, looking towards Maddie quickly.

"And mum is under the pretense that I'm staying with Cassie at your joint. They will be none the wiser," she said back, throwing her bag full of clothes into the back.

I guessed she would need a change of clothes for tomorrow, to keep up this oh so clever act we'd created.

Ten minutes later we'd pulled up at the party, which we saw was going full swing, a handful of kids already laying on the front yard staring up at the night sky, stargazing if you will.

"Showtime" I said to Maddie as we climbed out of the car. I walked around to her side and grabbed her hand. No one would know us here, and we were basically here for the free booze, so we'd decided to pretend to be together to avoid any unwanted invitations from members of the opposite sex.

Thinking about Cassie, I knew that was the last thing we needed. Neither of us were ready, or willing for that matter, to move on. Right now the best we could do was get so drunk we forgot for a night.

That was the plan at least, until we walked through the door, and I stared across the room, and saw four people both Maddie and I hadn't banked on seeing that night. Nudging her, she looked at me, but all I could do was point in the direction, and listen to her short, shocked gasp.

Tonight wasn't going according to plan at all.

I was too shocked for words. Everyone was.

Okay not everyone, but there were four people standing still, wearing almost the exact same expression.

Then there were two people looking extremely smug, with matching smirks and cocked eyebrows. As if they were anticipating the drama that was ensured.

And suddenly, something clicked into place.

Henry didn't come in the car with Ric and I because he'd gone with Luke, to get Cassie and the brunette slut, not because he was going on a date beforehand.

Technically, he was on his date. He had just planned, so very conveniently, that we would be here to witness everything.

He was beyond cruel. He was purposely ruining his own sisters' life.

This action called for an immediate reaction.

Looking back on the steps that led up to everything, I wasn't proud of my actions. Little did I know that I would be even less proud with the actions I was about to take. However, I'm a rash woman, I act first and think later, and with my blood running both hot and cold with hatred and envy, I acted as rashly as possible.

Grabbing the closest bottle of alcohol, which just happened to be the wonderful Vodka that I loved, I took Ric's hand and marched straight past the wonderful little foursome and turned into the closest bedroom I could find.

Locking the door behind me, I simply handed the bottle to Ric, led him to the bed, turned around and screamed for dear life. I screamed because Luke had come here with her. I screamed because Henry wanted to destroy my life. I screamed because Cassie was out there with the wrong man.

I screamed because I could no longer feel, and I wanted so much to feel once again.

Long after my voice had gone hoarse because I the screaming, I lay in Ric's arms, as he soothed me. I had cried and cried, letting everything out, letting the pain, hatred, and anger and fear flow from my body. I had cried until I was numb and would cry no more.

The unopened bottle lay forgotten. I had become numb without its use. But I hadn't forgotten. I would never forget. I would just remain numb. Because when you're numb, you can't feel pain.

Watching Maddie and Ric walk past like that, everything inside me crumbled once again. There was no point trying to pretend things could go back. Things can't go back to the way they were… things could never go back. Not now.

I sighed as I picked at my nail while Henry watched me anxiously. Here I was, on a date, I guess, with a hot, sweet, sensitive guy, and I was being a total bore. I think he knew I had been shook up after witnessing that, but I could do better than this. I'd dated someone after Ric once before. I could sure as hell do it now.

At least I thought I could.

Grabbing Henry by the hand, I led him to the dance floor and stopped in the middle. Surrounded by other bodies that were dancing within close proximity to one another, he immediately got the message and placed his hands on my hips, pulling me closer to his body.

I put my arms around his neck, and began to move my body to the fast paced music. The summer heat, along with the heat of twenty bodies so close to one another produced a kind of haze, at least, I thought it did. Giving into the music completely, I shut my eyes and felt it take over my body.

His hips ground into mine, my hands roamed across his broad chest, his hands found their way up and down my back, sometimes going further. I tilted my head to the side and his lips found my neck.

There was only one problem. When I opened my eyes I didn't see or feel Henry, I saw and felt him.

He was haunting me, even when he wasn't here. He was following me with his eyes, with his mind. Watching my every move. Waiting for me to return to him.

I couldn't live with him, but I couldn't live without him either.

I shoved Henry off, apologised shortly before walking away from the dance floor, finding my way into the front yard. The world was spinning around me, I couldn't stand straight. I couldn't think straight. Everywhere I turned I saw him.

I was truly losing my mind.

Suddenly I felt strong arms around me, picking me up and walking me towards the car. In these arms I felt safe. They weren't Ric's arms, but they belonged to a friend, who knew the pain I was feeling.

Because he was feeling it too.

Hilary began to hand me another drink, but I shook my head at her extended hand. After watching Maddie march into that room with that determined look on her face, all alcoholic effects had worn off. I was awake and aware of the situation, and knew that there was no turning back now. The situation could not be changed or altered, and I was beginning to think it would be unable to be fixed too.

Feeling a movement beside me, I turned to watch Hilary scoot closer to me and place one hand on my thigh, just above my knee.

I watched as she inched it further and further up my leg, before bringing her lips towards my ear, whispering in what I could only guess she believed to be a seductive manner.

"You want to dance? Cassie and Henry are out there and they look like they are having fun. I wouldn't mind if it were your body pressed against mine like that. You look so bored Luke, and I know I can be of some … amusement." She finished, before grabbing my face in her hands and kissing me on the mouth.

I sat there stunned, as she worked her lips against mine. She was rough and crude with her kisses, where Maddie was soft and sweet, innocent with a hint of something more.

When Maddie and I kissed, there was a deep, raw passion that I knew I could never feel when kissing Hilary.

So when she finally pulled away and looked at me expectantly, I could only stare back at her and ask "What?" in an annoyed tone.

"What do you mean 'what'? Well, are we going to dance, are you going to kiss me again? Or take me somewhere more private so we can deal with your little virginity problem?" She asked, in an irritating tone.

Taking her hand away from my groin, I stood up and turned to face her, saying "No, no we're not going to do any of those things, because I wouldn't even do any of those with you. Even if hell freezes over, I wouldn't touch you again with a fifty-foot pole. Your nothing more than a whore in training, that's what you are. Maddie is more a woman that you'll ever be. So I'm leaving. Don't ever speak to me again."

Walking off, I could hear Hilary muttering under her breath. Smirking to myself, I was happy that I was finally managing to do something right in my life. Maddie may have hurt me, but I wasn't going to hurt myself even more. Not with that cheap excuse at least.

Out in the cool night air, I looked around for a while, before I Cassie, wobbling and spinning around as if she was loosing control. I ran to her, and caught her up in my arms. Carrying her to the car, I unlocked the passenger door before placing her in and shutting the door. Walking over to the drivers side, I was about to get in when I caught eyes with a familiar face, and a familiar person in their arms.

After Maddie had lost it, I did the only thing I seemed to be good at these days. I stayed quiet, pulled her into my arms and soothed her until her sobs had subsided to a quiet sniffle here and there.

After sitting like this for lord know how long, I turned her face towards me and asked quietly "Are you ready to go home now? I think we've had enough excitement for one night."

She nodded her head slowly at me, while looking up at me with her tear stained face. She looked about five years old, shy and vulnerable as I scooped her up in my arms and carried her out past the party in the rooms of the house towards my car.

The fresh air shocked both of us as I felt her shudder slightly in my arms despite the fact it was still quite warm. I pulled her closer and began to unlock my car when I looked up and saw Luke staring at me. Walking towards me with Maddie still in my arms, I knew she would be too out of it to hear the conversation I was about to have.

Reaching him, I looked at him for about three seconds before he automatically reached his arms out for Maddie. I gladly gave her up to him, knowing that he had been wanting to hold her since their fight on Saturday.

"Nothing happened Luke.' I said quietly, as I looked him in the eye. 'Nor would anything have happened, not between us, not between her and anyone else. She was only thinking of you. She's only ever thought of you since you got here."

He looked at me, and I thought I saw a glimmer of tears in his eyes. Then he spoke softly, "Cassie is in the car, if you want to take her. I found her out here by herself, and I didn't want to leave her. She's been drinking a fair bit, probably trying to get her mind off you. I knew the feeling, so I helped her."

"I think we all know that feeling." I said quietly, while Luke and I both reflected on the past and all the mistakes that had been made.

Walking slowly to the passenger side, I opened the door quietly and pulled Cassie out easily and hugged her towards my chest. She snuggled up closer to me; as if realising she was finally home.

I nodded to Luke and then walked back to my car, putting Cassie safely in the passenger side before opening my own and quickly driving from that party. I knew Luke would do the same with Maddie, but neither of the girls would remember the exchange in the morning.

Maybe that was a good thing, I thought to myself as I looked sideways at Cassie's sleeping frame.

That way, I'd have the rest of the night, and possibly more of tomorrow to figure out how to tell her I was beyond sorry for everything that had happened.

It was funny, now a simple sorry didn't seem to be enough.

Now I felt as though I needed more.

After watching the exchange outside between Luke and Ric from inside the party, I knew something had to be done. The not so awesome foursome looked to be well on their way to being awesome once again, despite my best efforts to tear them apart.

Despite my best efforts to win Cassie over.

Turning to the brunette beside me, I said quietly and vindictively, "We need something more. I need something more to ruin this for them. We've got to completely ruin their prefect little lives here in the bay."

After sitting down, she looked at me for a long time before straddling my lap and kissing me passionately.

"Forget them for tonight baby' she said quietly as she began sucking lightly on my neck. 'Tomorrow we'll figure that out. I'm sure together we can ruin their lives. But now,' she said as she reached down to undo my zipper of my pants 'I've been craving you all day. I need you…' she said, standing up and taking off her dress, reveling that she wore nothing underneath, 'I need you in here." She smiled, before crawling onto the bed behind her, knowing that I would follow within seconds.

Shedding myself of clothing, I joined her quickly. And as I reached down to move inside her, I knew that at least I would be having a good night tonight, despite the fact it had not gone to plan.

There was always tomorrow, wasn't there.

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AN: Woot that was a long one. I hope it's not becoming repetative, but I'm drawing it to a close soon I think. I've got four more chapters planned out and an epilogue. But the question then arises, sequel or new story