A/N: Hello lovely people, gosh it's been a while. I could tell you all about what a year I've had, but I think we all know there's only one reason you're here. I do apologise for being so useless, but just to let you know I have the next 5 chapters mostly written up and ready to go. I will post the next one tomorrow so stay tuned! I hope everyone has stayed safe and well during these crazy times, but i'm looking forward to catching up with this fandom and the amazing readers in it :) I've missed it so much!

Josh's party was a turning point in the construct of social hierarchy at school. It changed everything. It set in motion a series of events that created a sort of butterfly effect that no one could've predicted. It all started with two petty fights, a steamy kiss and ultimately a fusion of feelings that made me feel more confused than ever, leading me to where I was a week and a half later- sitting under a tree outside the cafeteria like we always did. Only it was still just Bex, Lizzie and I.

"When's he back?" Bex asked, kicking off her shoes and laying back in the sun.

"Uhm, I don't know. After Easter sometime." I shook my head. It was two weeks until Easter break. I started pulling out blades of grass and watched them blow away in the breeze as my mind became clouded with thoughts of a certain green-eyed boy.

Zach had taken off the day after the party. After our fight. After our kiss. He'd called me saying it was a family emergency and that he had to leave town for a few days, but he'd be back as soon as he could. Since then he'd texted a few times to see how things were and to make sure I hadn't changed my mind about our "breakup", and I'd always responded saying we'd just discuss it when he got back, to which he would always apologise for not being there. Always going in circles…

Although, I couldn't help but think that something had changed between us at the party when he kissed me, and nearly said three little words that I'd been torturing myself over, I knew that I needed to distance myself from him because I would only end up getting hurt. That kiss felt like a total contradiction, just like Zach was. It was rough and intense and passionate, all in one. I could feel his anger and frustration but at the same time it was sweet, gentle and caring. Flashes of his tongue swirling around my mouth hungrily with his fingers lightly dancing along my shoulders and down my spine appeared in my mind. I remembered the feeling of my knees buckling and nearly collapsing, before his strong arms held me up as he laughed against my lips, pulling away slightly.

I'd become so lost in him at that moment that I forgot all about our fight and needing to end things and could only thinking about his lips on mine again and again. I had let myself imagine what it would be like if things were real between us, which wasn't hard since he hadn't let me out of his sight or reach for the rest of the night.

"Well, I hope for Zach's sake Josh has calmed down by the time he gets back. He's out for his blood." Liz stated, flicking mindlessly through the pages of her textbook. I had to suppress a chuckle.

"I don't think that will be a problem, Liz."

"Yeah you're probably right. I don't know what I was thinking. Josh is too scared to get back at him anyway. Not that he'd be able to manage against him." She replied causing all of us to chuckle.

"I wouldn't be so sure about that, but Zach can handle himself pretty well. Dee Dee, on the other hand, who knows what she's capable of?"

"I know. I can't believe he broke Josh's nose. He's been whining like a little bitch since the party. And Dee Dee definitely has some sort of petty revenge plan." Bex said pulling a face, "Remind me again why we were ever friends with her?"

It's crazy how much things changed in the space of a few months. "Who knows. I feel like that's a whole world away. Anyway, how are things going with Grant and Jonas you two?"

Bex and Lizzie shared a look with each other, one that told me I'd missed out on a few snippets of information.

"Well, things with Grant, they're great. More than great actually. He's..." Bex sighed, "amazing."

I nudged her in the rib and smiled widely. "I'm so glad Bexxie! What about you Lizabeth?"

Finally closing her textbook, she looked up at us with a blush brimming on her cheeks, "We've been texting a lot, and he's really sweet. We're meant to be meeting up this weekend to go over some new gadgets he's been working on."

I looked at my best friends gleefully, "Well I guess you're welcome then. I'm so unbelievably happy for you guys."

The next half hour was spent talking about their new romantic prospects, and as much as I was excited for them, I couldn't help but feel increasingly anxious about Zach's whereabouts.

"Hey guys, mind if we sit?" I looked up and saw Nick and Kim Lee standing beside the tree smiling nervously as they interrupted our conversation, two people part of the group we formerly associated with. Whilst they were both popular in their own right, Josh and Dee Dee always lorded over them and treated them as if they were merely pawns in their game to stay king and queen of high school. In all fairness to the two, they never did anything wrong and were always friendly- they were more victims that got caught in the crossfire of this, than friends who turned against me. Before everything changed, I was close with them, and not in the obligatory way that people in the same group often became, but because we genuinely got along and enjoyed each other's company.

"Uhm." I turned to look at Bex, who just shrugged in confusion. "I guess."

"Great, thanks." Kim smiled and sat next to me.

"So, how come you're sitting with us and not with the robots inside?" Bex asked, sitting up and staring at Nick and Kim. Straight to the point, as ever.

"If I have to listen to Josh or Dee Dee go on one more time about how you and Zach will regret it, I will punch them both myself," Nick said.

"They are driving us crazy. All they can talk about is you and Zach, whether it's about the fights or just you guys being in a relationship in general. It's draining. Dee Dee is such a bitch. I can't believe I didn't see it before. And Josh. Don't even get me started," Kim complained, making us all laugh.

"Look, we just wanted to apologise to you, Cammie, for the way we've behaved. We knew what Josh and Dee Dee did to you was wrong, and we wish that we would've stood up to them sooner. We really do regret not being there for you, and we hope you can forgive us. Maybe we can be friends again, if you let us," Nick said. I was tempted to say no, to move on from them and the materialistic past they symbolised, but I wouldn't be me if I chose to be spiteful instead of opting for forgiveness. At the end of the day, I understood how hard it could be to go against the hierarchy in a school where social status meant everything. It would've been suicide had anyone chosen to side with me.

"Of course." I smiled at them. "Friends."

I may have forgiven them, but I wouldn't be able to trust them fully just yet. After all, how did I know it wasn't just one of Dee Dee's plans to get back at me by making me think I had friends and then taking them from me again? This time, I would be careful. I didn't trust anyone anymore. Except for the small group of friends who stuck by me.

The butterfly effect at its finest. A fight, a kiss, another fight, a hot make-out session, and yet another fight, all leading to two more people with me, and two less against me.

[NEXT SEGMENT]

I spent Easter at home with my mom like always. It was quiet, nothing fancy. Just a small dinner for two. It was nice to have a break from school and from seeing Josh and Dee Dee every day. Bex was practically bouncing out of her seat when she picked me up for school, with Lizzie in the passenger seat, towards the end of our first week back after Easter break.

"Guess what?" She squealed as soon as I got in the car and closed the door.

"No idea." I tried to muster up some enthusiasm for her, but I was struggling. Zach had been gone for a month now, and I missed him…a lot. Without the security of Zach as my barrier against harsh remarks and spiteful commentary, I felt the negativity getting to me more than usual. Josh and Dee Dee weren't helping, either. It was the first week back, and already they seemed to be spreading rumours and gossiping about the fact that Zach skipped town after Josh's party and wasn't home for Easter.

"Grant finally asked me to prom." She clapped in excitement. Apparently, they had fallen head over heels for each other in the space of a few weeks and that he was close to asking her to be his girlfriend.

"The dance is months away, Bex." I frowned emphasising that it was a dance and not a prom.

"Ah…no, it's not." She sighed at me, shaking her head as she pulled her car into the parking lot. "Lizabeth! Please tell our friend what the Royal Whoreness has announced." She exclaimed, pulling Lizzie's earphones out of her ears.

"Oh sorry gals, I was just listening to my French vocab playlist. Big test today! What's up?"

"Cammie still thinks the dance is in June." Bex answered.

"Oh no, Cams. Dee Dee managed to convince the prom committee and the school to bring it forward. It's the middle of next month."

"What? You're kidding?" I followed the both of them into the school. "Why?"

"Cause she's nuts. Who knows'. But I'm excited, it's gonna be so much fun." Bex said, mindlessly.

"That's great, Bex. Grant's a really nice guy." I smiled at her, hoping that she didn't notice how down I was feeling about Zach. Unfortunately for me, Lizzie was too observant for her own good and nudged Bex hard in the ribs, glancing at me as a signal for her to shut up.

"Oh shit, Cammie, I'm so sorry. That was so selfish of me rubbing it in your face like that. Grant thinks that Zach will be back soon though, we should focus on that."

"It's okay, Bex. I want to be excited for you! It's not your fault my boyfriend isn't around to offer me the same." I replied bittersweetly. Would Zach have even asked me to the dance if he were here? It didn't matter because he probably wouldn't even be back before then. Did I even want to go to it? Yes. Maybe. But not without him. When did I become so dependent on him? It made me feel useless.

"Still. I won't ramble on about it any longer. Although I do just want to say that you're coming to the prom, with or without him. I'm not letting Zach Goode be the determining factor of your happiness.

I took in her words and processed the idea. Of course, I wouldn't let the fact I didn't have a man to go with, stop me, it was just the fact that I'd be alone, again, that made me pause for a moment. My thoughts were interrupted by the busy stream of students bustling in the hallway. We were headed for our lockers when we heard the shrieking. Screaming, like a banshee.

"What in the bloody hell?" Bex asked and pushed her way through the small group of people forming just ahead of us.

"Look what you did!" Someone screeched, the high-pitched sound piercing my ears sharply.

Dee Dee.

Lizzie and I followed Bex to where she was standing. She was staring dumbstruck at Dee Dee, who was standing over a freshman with a look of pure hatred in her eyes. The poor girl couldn't have been older than fourteen. She was tiny, which made it all the worse as Dee Dee continued to tower over and insult her. The girl was apologising profusely and fumbled to find her books which had been scattered to the floor in a puddle of what appeared to be orange juice. She had tears in her eyes as she looked up at Dee Dee, trying to explain that it was an accident.

"I don't care if it was an accident. Watch where you're going! Are you retarded or what?" Dee Dee stomped her foot onto one of the books the girl was trying to collect.

"No, I'm sorry." She sobbed. "I'm really sorry. I was just in a hurry, and I didn't see you. I'll pay. I swear."

"You're damn right you'll pay. You'll buy me a new shirt and…" She trailed off and looked around at the students that had gathered. Her eyes landed on a boy with glasses. In his hands was a can of orange soda. She…No…She wouldn't.

"Mind if I borrow this?" She asked sweetly, not waiting for a reply.

What am I saying, of course she would. This was Dee Dee we were talking about. I'd seen and heard enough. I was not going to let her embarrass the poor girl any longer. I pushed Bex to the side and stepped into the circle.

"What are you doing?" Bex hissed from behind me, grabbing my arm to hold me back.

"I'm not letting her get away with it, Bex." I shrugged off my friend's grip, and caught eyes with Liz who seemed to send a message of support through her glance. She'd told me before, what she used to experience, back when the seniors from a few years ago were still here; believe it or not, Dee Dee was an angel compared to her older sister, Tina Walters (even saying her name gave me shivers). She knew what it felt like to be an outcast. This was justice not only for the girl in front of me, but for my best friend too. I turned back to Dee Dee and the girl. But I was too late. The girl shrieked, and Dee Dee cackled like a maniac as she poured the orange soda over the girl's head.

"What is your problem?" I said, pushing Dee Dee away from the now soaked freshman. I heard a few people gasp and quietly root for a fight. I ignored them and turned to the girl, pulling her to her feet. I pushed her behind me and faced the now furious person I used to call my friend.

"She ruined my shirt." Dee Dee narrowed her eyes and stepped closer, grabbing a fistful of my top. "No one destroys my stuff."

"Back off, Dee Dee. When did you turn into such a horrible person?" I muttered. "It was an accident. She apologised." I slapped her hand away and stepped back. Lizzie rushed over and Bex led the girl away from the crossfire just as Dee Dee shoved me hard in the chest. "Are you seriously trying to pick a fight with me?" I asked, laughing drily. "Or did you not learn your lesson from last time?"

"You think your tough cause you're dating Zach? You think you can disrespect me like that?" As Dee Dee laughed, the silence around us seemed deafening. "Wake up, Cam! Zach doesn't care. He doesn't want you. You're pathetic, Cammie. Always have been. You're just making a fool of yourself."

She was wrong. The sneer on her face pushed me over the edge, and I snapped. "You're the one making a fool of yourself, Dee Dee." I turned, attempting to leave the situation civilly when she lunged at me again, taking both of us to the ground. Luckily, I was able to twist so that I had the upper hand, despite a mixture of orange juice and orange soda seeping into my jeans. But I didn't care. Dee Dee thrashed beneath me trying to buck me off. Her screams were wild, and her voice was hoarse, but the hall was silent except for Lizzie and Bex quietly cheering me on. "Bullying a kid like that. Really? Did that make you feel important?"

"Get off me." She struggled, but I held her down until she finally looked into my eyes.

"I'm telling you, Dee Dee. You are the one who's pathetic. How about next time you pick on someone your own size?" I said slowly. "I have no idea what Josh sees in you, but you deserve each other." I pushed myself up and grabbed the books that were still scattered on the ground. Dee Dee was still spread out in a pool of sticky orange liquid.

"I may be a bitch, but you're so unbelievably tragic, Cammie Morgan, I'd rather be me any day," she called after me as I walked away from her. "I'll be the one who's wearing the crown at prom. Where will you be? Crying into a tub of ice cream because your boyfriend ran away to avoid you. Ha! Why do you think I had the date brought forward? Do you even know where he is or what he's doing?" She hissed her voice venomous.

I stood staring at her, dumbstruck. I didn't have a response. I couldn't form a coherent thought. She had changed prom just so that I couldn't go. For what reason? Was she worried I'd steal her precious crown? What a joke. I couldn't care less about a stupid piece of plastic. Was I tragic, though? Waiting for a boy who I knew had dark secrets? A boy who I wasn't even dating? I had no idea where he was or what he was doing. He'd promised to explain it eventually but left me completely in the dark for now. I glared at Dee Dee, and in a real act of maturity, I flipped my finger at her and turned, walking through the crowd.

A few people clapped and cheered, slapping me on the back, but most just stood there in shock, probably trying to process the entire event. Bex, Lizzie and the girl caught up with me as I reached the front doors.

"Are you okay?" I asked the girl. She nodded slightly and sniffed back her tears. "What's your name?"

"Amirah."

"Well, Amirah, would you like a lift home to get cleaned up?" I asked her softly, handing her books to her.

"Thank you." She smiled. "That would be great."

"Come on then. Let's go," Bex said, ushering us through the door.

"Lizzie, go back into school and take that French test. I've got it from here." I said, smiling at my friend.

"But-" She started to protest.

"Elizabeth. I love you and I'm so thankful you want to make sure we're okay, but I know how important that test is. It's one of the last credits you need! We'll speak to you later." I argued back.

She stared at me for a moment, before hugging me tightly.

"Liz, you're gonna get all wet and sticky!" I exclaimed, trying to push her off of me.

"I don't care." She whispered. "I wish there was someone who could've stood up for me the way you just did. You are my hero, Cameron Anne Morgan. I mean that."

My eyes started pricking with emotion at her words. Despite the fact that we hadn't spoken for the majority of our high school experience, my heart was so filled with love for the dainty girl with her arms wrapped round me. And in that moment, I realised what the meaning of family was really all about. "Love you too, Lizzard. I'll see you in a bit."

With that, she made her way back into school and the rest of us jumped into Bex's car.

"Thank you for sticking up for me. I didn't mean to run into her or spill my drink." Amirah said, blushing.

"We know. It's okay. Someone had to put her in her place, and I couldn't stand by and watch her treat you like that." I replied.

"But everything she said…" Amirah trailed off, a look of determination crossing her features as she continued, "She's going to pay. I promise."

I looked back at her, over my shoulder. "It's not worth it. Believe me."

[NEXT SEGMENT]

The days went by slowly, each one of them a reminder of how long Zach had been gone for. I was almost tempted to cross of the days in my diary, but that would only depress me more. He'd been gone so long, and the rumours had started getting worse.

"Zach left because she was a head case.", "Zach left because she was no good in bed.", "Zach cheated on her because he couldn't commit.", "Zach left because he didn't want to be seen at the dance with her." They just kept on going. I only wished he were there to set the record straight. He knew how to handle situations like these so much better than me.

I wasn't surprised when Nick and Kim Lee joined us again for lunch the day before the dance. They'd been eating with us on and off for a few weeks, talking to us in class more and we'd even hung out at the local café a few times after school too, much to Josh and Dee Dee's dismay. Slowly, but surely, more and more people were talking to me and interacting less with them. You could see the shift in the social structure, particularly at lunchtime in the cafeteria.

Once upon a time, Josh and Dee Dee's lunch spot was the most popular table. Everyone sort of just congregated around it whether they were friends or not. But now the table was empty except for their few close friends who just sat there quietly eating their lunch. The other tables that were now full of laughing students having fun were a stark contrast to Josh and Dee Dee's.

I was relaxing under the tree, as it wouldn't be long before it got too cold and we would have to start sitting in the cafeteria with everyone else, when Jake and Courtney approached us slowly.

"Mind if we sit?" Jake asked, looking from me to Bex to Lizzie, while Courtney uncomfortably shifted from foot to foot.

We shared a look with each other, getting confirmation. "The more the merrier," Bex replied, moving over so there was room for the two newest additions to our rapidly growing group of friends.

"Thanks." Courtney smiled slightly, "We've wanted to come over since Josh's party but were worried how you guys would react."

"Like Bex said, the more the merrier. You guys didn't betray me, they did. And I'm not about to hold any grudges against people." I nodded in the direction of the cafeteria where Josh and Dee Dee were sitting, throwing the occasional nasty glance in our direction. We fell into easy conversation about our weekends and other random stuff, completely avoiding the topic of Zach or the two who must not be named, which I was grateful for.

I decided to send Zach a text since it had been nearly a week since I'd heard from him. I didn't want to come across as clingy, but I still didn't know where we stood after Josh's party. I had no idea where he was or what he was doing, just that he was taking care of family stuff and would explain it all to me eventually. We hadn't even discussed the dance, but Bex made Lizzie and I go dress shopping the week before just in case he came home. "You don't want to be caught off guard, do you?" Bex challenged. I'd argued back with her that it was unlikely he'd be home for prom. He'd been gone more than a month as it was.

"If I'm wearing a dress, you can make an appearance," She'd said before I reluctantly followed her and Liz into every dress store in town until we'd found something we all liked.

Pulling out my phone, I typed a quick text.

Hey, you. Just wanted to check in, hope everything's ok? It's getting kinda weird around here, wish you were here with me x

I tried to join back in with the conversation that Nick was having with Bex about some movie he'd seen over the weekend but found myself always checking my phone for a response from Zach. The bell rang, signalling the end of lunch, so I got up and said goodbye to everyone before making my way to class. People smiled and waved at me as I passed them in the hall. I even got a few hellos, which I responded to as confidently as I could. I wasn't sure why they were taking an interest in me or even acknowledging me, for that matter. Nothing of importance had occurred since the party or since Zach had left, except for that minor incident with Dee Dee in the hallway, but that was her own doing.

I checked my phone one last time before chiding myself for being so consumed by a guy, and took a seat at the front of the classroom. I couldn't help but feel disappointed to see that Zach still hadn't replied. Perhaps he'd changed his mind about this whole thing, or maybe he was busy with another girl. After all, I had kept him from his usual activities the past few months. The thought of him spending time with another girl while I was waiting for him to reply and come home made my stomach churn.

"Cammie." I heard my name. I looked up to see Lizzie standing at the door to my classroom. Everyone else had gone.

"Wha-" I started to ask, but she cut me off.

"You're really in your own world. School's over, gal. Let's go to the bookstore and have some biscuits." She grabbed my books from the table, and I stood up and followed her out.

After walking ten minutes, we had stepped into the only place that felt completely safe and detached from everything else happening in the outside world. As I breathed in the comforting smell of worn books and powdered cocoa, I felt myself let go of some of the anxiety that had been building up inside of me. We spot a note left on the table from the Solomon's explaining they had gone to pick up a new delivery of special edition novels and would be back soon, so, Liz and I spent the rest of the afternoon listening to music on the antique record player and dancing away our problems.

"See how much fun we're having?" Lizzie exclaimed, "Imagine how it will be tomorrow when we're dancing under the twinkly lights with the live music playing…"

Her statement was met with silence. "You are coming tomorrow, right?" She asked hopefully, stopping in her tracks after a minute of silence.

"No, Liz. I'm not." Zach still hadn't responded, and I doubted that he'd miraculously make it back in time for the dance.

"Cammie, it's senior prom. You have to go. This is the last time we have to make these cheesy teenage high school memories." Lizzie said, looking at me with her big, doll-like eyes.

"I don't want to be the person that everyone is staring at because her fake-boyfriend boyfriend decided not to show. I'd rather not have the night tainted by my incessant thoughts about…him." I explained, "It would be depressing."

Liz sighed, engulfing me in a hug. "It won't be the same without you."

"You're going to have an amazing night tomorrow, and I can't wait to hear all about it." I replied softly.

Not long later, we closed up the store and I made my way home. I didn't hear from Zach all that night, and I was beginning to worry something was wrong. He never took this long to reply. Was he okay? Was he coming back? Even my mother seemed concerned, asking where he had been and if he was coming back soon.

"I don't know." I sniffed, feeling the tears well behind my eyes. I didn't want to cry. We weren't even really together, and I was acting like an obsessed girlfriend. "I don't know anything," I told her at dinner before excusing myself for bed.

It came at about three a.m. The sound of a message alert echoed in the dead of the night.

Zach: Sorry, Gallagher Girl. Everything is okay. Wish I was there with you too. A few more days and I should be home. X

I tried not to feel disappointed that he wasn't going to make it to the dance and forced myself to focus on the fact that he would be home in a few days. A few days and things might start to go back to normal.

A/N: THIS WAS SOMEWHAT A FILLER CHAPTER IN THE BIGGER SCHEDULE OF THINGS, BUT GET EXCITED FOR TOMMOROW... XXXX