"I'm out" I say to him and nod. He gets up from his seat and I freeze.

He walks up beside me and looks out over the empty theatre.

"If you're 'out' I wouldn't have kept you here. You wouldn't have gotten the chance to be on this show. I decide who is 'out' you want to quit? Then do so. You won't get any thanks for it. Do you really want to go home or do you want to leave Samuel by himself?"

I nod and he looks me in the eye. "Samuel isn't the reason you will leave this competition."

He walks out and I follow him, he takes one door and I take another, walking back into the house.

I walk pas everyone and grab my jacket and walk out of the fire escape, I fumble through my pockets till I find my lighter and cigarette's.

I lift one from the packet to my lips and sigh. I flick the lighter again and again until it finally lights. I take a puff and hold it for what fees like a perfect minute. I open my eyes and let out the smoke with a smile. I lean over the railing and take another puff.

I throw the end of the cigarette to the ground and walk back into the house. Marissa walks over to me with Cameron "thanks for calling last night." She says to me, sighing.

"Sorry mum. Samuel didn't the other night - I didn't see why I needed to." I reply and Cameron coughs "what is that smell?"

Sam stands up "Leave her be. Its none of our business whose bed she slept in last night." He says and stares at me blankly, I walk towards him and smile. "I'm not some little slut. I don't sleep around."

"Step away from me." He growls.

"You wouldn't dare hit me" I reply and Lindsay pulls me away from him.

"STOP IT. BOTH OF YOU. I AM SICK OF THIS. JEALOUSY. BLATANT OBVIOUS JEALOUSY. NOW SHUT UP BOTH OF YOU OR ELSE LEAVE." she screams with tears down her cheeks.

"You think I haven't tried that?! Apparently falling out with a contestant doesn't give me the grounds to leave". I walk back out of the fire escape and call Skip.

"Irish, what're you doing?! Dreads rang me at 3am going batshit crazy cause he couldn't find you."

"What do you mean find me?!"

"You think he was going to leave you out in the dark all night? He searched for you till sunrise. We figured you'd hooked up with someone." He sighs and I stare at the fire escape.

"I... Uhh... I..."

"Shut up.I'll meet you at Hot Topic in 20." He says and I here the engine of his car start as he hangs up.

I walk back inside and they stare at me. "I'm going out with Skip. I'll be back later." Sam grabs his coat and I stop him.

"Its not an open invite." I say and he nods. "I'm meeting up with Scout." I nod and we walk out the main door and walk in silence towards Hot Topic, paparazzi take photos of us and he does everything he can to not have to take pictures with me. Skip pulls up after what feels like hours with Scout's in the backseat.

"I thought I'd kill two birds with one stone. Get in." We nod and I get in the front beside Skip.

We drive in silence and I can't help but watch Scout through the wing mirror, for a moment we lock eyes and she smirks at me, before leaning into Samuel's chest.

I rest my head back as Skip turns up the radio, Black Veil Brides comes on and he smiles, looking at me through the corner of eye as he turns the corner and stops outside of a restaurant. Scout opens her door and get out, taking Sam with her by the hand. Skip gets out and opens my door, I half smile and he hugs me,whispering into my ear;

"I know this is killing you. I cant stand her either. But I also know that seeing you with me will kill him."

I smile and follow them into the restaurant. We sit down at a corner table, Scout facing me and Skip beside me.

"So how is work going Scout?" Skip asks as he skims the menu, she looks up from hers and smiles,

"Great, actually. I just wrapped a music video and I've a magazine shoot in two weeks, Its pretty perfect right now but I hate the photographer i'm shooting with, he's really annoying and calls me all the time, its like man, we're doing one shoot and then I'll probably never work with you again, so please back off."

She continues to talk about her shoot and I perk up at the name.

"You're working with Him?" I ask and they all look at me.

"Yeah, why? Do you not think I'm good enough?" I shake my head.

"Not at all, is your shoot cash in hand or is it through the books?" I ask and she scrunches her nose up at me "that's none of your business!" I chuckle and nod.

"You're right, its not. But I do know that he can be rather, grabby, if I were you I'd be careful. And make sure you've a legal document saying you're working with him, just in case." I reply and she rolls her eyes at me. "What would you know?" I nod and sit quietly.

Skip orders us a bottle of merlot and pours us each a glass, he edges his chair closer to me, at Samuels dismay. I smile and take a sip as I take a final look at the menu. A waitress walks towards us with a faded smile and takes our order. Scout and Skip discuss random people and their lives and I try to keep up, but I eventually just sit there in silence. Samuel joins in when he realises how lost I am and I feel even more alone. I excuse myself and walk outside and hide from them, I grab my cigarettes from my pocket and light one, I take a long smooth drag and smile as I exhale I smile and close my eyes for a second and when I open them I hear shuffling. I look up and see Skip coming around the side of the building with a cigarette hanging from his lips.

We stand in silence for a few minutes before he hands me his phone.

"Is she OK?"

"Where'd she go the other night?"

"She makes me so angry sometimes"

"She's probably the closest girl friend I've ever had"

"Go find her."

All from Sam.

I nod and hand it over. "So Irish, what's next?" I shrug my shoulders and blow out the smoke slowly before inhaling again, "Now I get my butt back to the house, rehearse like crazy and hopefully not get kicked out." He stares at me and shakes his head. "And Dreads?" I bite my lip, "he has Scout. I'm just a pawn in his project." I reply before we stamp out the cigarettes and he hugs me. He keeps an arm around me as we walk back inside and sit down with them. They stare at us our dinner quickly arrives. Skip and Samuel tell stories from years gone by and its nice seeing them smile and joke, as proper friends, until Scout butts in;

"And that's when you meet me" she says to Samuel with a smile. He smiles back and a look of lust overcomes his eyes.

He has never looked at me like that.

Not that he would, we were just friends. After we finish eating I look at the three sitting around me and freeze.

What am I doing?! These people aren't my friends. One is in a competition with me and the others are a part of his life, not mine. I cough and they look at me.

I awkwardly smile and they continue talking. We eventually split the bill and part ways with Scout, getting back into Skip's car. He drives us back to the house and I sit awkwardly. I look at Skip and he turns to face me.

"Thanks for asking me to come out tonight, it was, fun." I smile and he nods.

"Yeah" I smile again and he leans over and whispers to me "just go with it" He gets out of the car and comes round to my side, we both watch him and he takes my hand and closes the door behind him.

"I like you and all but you're dreads' best friend and I need him to realise how much you matter, understand?" I nod and so does he. "Now giggle and smile at me and countdown to three." I nod and do as he asks. He kisses my neck. I look at him and furrow my eyebrows. I push him back and he keeps going "just go with it" he whispers and I shake my head "No." I say and start pushing him off. He keeps coming back. Samuel walks over and pulls him off of me and Skip laughs. "C'mon man, give us Some privacy" Sam nods and let's him go, but I run up the steps and here Skip drive away.

Samuel walks up behind me and sighs. "Thanks Samuel" I say and walk into the house. He walks up to Marissa and Lindsay whilst I walk into the girls dorm, I grab my things and get changed in the bathroom. I hear them rehearse and walk in to look at them, I nod and sing my part, standing with my arms folded.

This is one of my favourite songs and I don't even get to enjoy it. When they finish Alex walks up to me with a smile "try loosening up a little, yeah?" He chuckles and everyone walks out except Sam, he crosses his arms as he comes towards me.

"Look, Nic.." He starts and swallows hard. "I have to tell you something"

I nod and bite my lip, he takes my hand and smiles.

What is this?

"I miss having my best friend around, and things with Scout aren't working out. I thought it would work... But it hurts to look at her, and remember." I smile and hug him.

"I missed you too" I muffle into his shoulder and smile.

He let's go of me and looks me in the eye biting his lip, I close my eyes and he kisses my forehead.