Flames to dust
Lovers to friends
Why do all good things come to an end?
Music was pounding through the speakers, causing the floor to shake and the people on the dance floor's dancing to become quicker. The sound bounced off the walls and made their way through Hannah's ear drums, causing her to shiver with excitement.
"I love parties!" she exclaimed, rocking back and forth on her toes.
Selena stood next to her, looking around the room nervously. "Have you seen Kevin?" she asked. Hannah shook her head, still smiling. "Haven't seen him since yesterday" Hannah answered, now looking over towards the dance floor longingly. "Well, maybe I should go look for him …" Selena started. Hannah grabbed her arm, holding her back. "No! Come on, let's go dance!" she was beaming.
"Don't you wanna find the guys though?" Selena knitted her eyebrows together. Hannah continued to pull her towards the dance floor, "We don't need guys to have fun!" she shouted over the blaring music.
Selena shrugged her shoulders and moved her body to the music, forgetting all her worries and just focusing on the beat of the music.
Demi strutted into the party, flipping her hair over her shoulder in the process. She smiled to a few other people and then made her way over towards Jake who was talking to Ashley Tisdale. "That's why you took Frankie Munez's spot? Wow, so how was Romania?" Ashley asked, excited now. Demi tapped him on the shoulder, "Excuse me one second" he smiled politely; turning away from Ashley. "What?" he growled, turning to face Demi. "Oh, it's you!" his mood changing quickly.
She smiled at the boy, "How was your talk with your friend?" she asked, bashing her eyelashes flirtatiously. "Oh, it was …" he paused, "interesting". He thought back to the other day, things hadn't gone exactly the way he had planned.
Let's just say trying to win back Miley's love and trust are two of the most hardest things you'll ever have to do in life. He didn't even succeed. "Wanna go sit over by the tables?" Jake asked. "What!?" Demi asked, cupping her hands over her mouth. "I said! Want to go sit over by the tables!?" he asked, raising his voice. Demi made an 'O' shape with her mouth, "Sure!" she smiled, linking their arms.
As the two made their way towards the VIP section, Jake snuck a quick glance over towards the dance floor; finding Hannah and Selena spinning each other round, smiling and laughing. He wished he could get back to the old days where that used to be him with the crowd of happy people. Him, laughing and smiling, dancing as if there were no worries in the world. Him, with Miley; being able to kiss her whenever he pleased. But, other people had that job now.
Selena to make her smile.
Nick to kiss and protect her.
Joe to make her laugh.
Lily to share her secrets with.
Kevin to help make her stronger; build her confidence.
Oliver to make her feel warm and fuzzy inside.
There was no more room for him in her life anymore. All the slots filled, all the positions taken. Jake Ryan was no longer needed.
"LILY!" Hannah exclaimed, calling her best friend over. Lily continued walking with Joe, Kevin and Aly. Hannah squeezed her way through her crowd, holding Selena's hand so she wouldn't lose her. "This is like a maze!" Selena giggled, following Hannah through the crowd of people. They passed Blake Lively and Penn Badgley who were grinding and began to snicker, "That's gonna be us in a couple years…" Hannah joked. Selena gave her a look, "Honey, that's us now!" she exclaimed, pointing over towards Oliver and AJ on the other end of the room.
Hannah's jaw nearly hit the floor, what happened to Oliver calling them just friends?
Selena saw that Hannah wasn't moving from her position anytime soon and was getting sick of people pushing up against her so she grabbed Hannah's hand once again and pulled her through the crowd until they were finally free. Selena took in a deep breath, "Can you smell that?" she asked Hannah. Hannah knitted her eyebrows together, "Uh, sweat and fruity drinks?" she tried. "No silly!" Selena laughed, "FREEDOM!" she threw her hands into the air.
The blond copied the brunette and the two waved their hands in the air, shouting "freedom". They earned a few stares from people around, but they didn't care. "Oohh I spot Lily!" Hannah shouted over the music. The two ran for the VIP section, tripping over their heels a few times and cracking up along the way. "Are we drunk?" Hannah joked. "Remind me to never have 8 shirley temples ever again!" Selena snorted.
"Hey!" Joe waved them over. "Hi!" the two greeted in unison, both waving their hands. The two immediately cracked up. Lily looked at them, a casual look on her face. "You two had some shirely temples … didn't you?"
Hannah nodded her head rapidly as Selena leaned against the table, trying to hold herself up. "I think you need to sit…" Kevin laughed, getting up from his seat and offering it to Selena. She gladly accepted, "Thanks" she blushed. Hannah ignored their offer, "I'm gonna go back to the dance floor. Lils, wanna come?" she smiled. Lily's eyes brightened, "Sure!"
The two glided towards the floor and started moving their hips to the rhythm. Hannah swayed back in forth, getting lost inside the music. She closed her eyes, a smile splaying across her lips. She just wanted to lose herself tonight. Drown herself in the lyrics, forget all logic and just go where the beat takes her – and most importantly … have fun.
Nick ran into the party a half hour late. His dad held him back, having to "talk" to him about the other day, regarding the pool, shed and Miley. It was by far one of the most awkward talks he had, had with his father ever. He accidentally bumped into someone while making his way through the crowd. "I'm sorry!" he apologized, helping the stranger regain their composure. But, he would recognize that wavy blond hair anywhere. "Taylor!" he exclaimed. Taylor was glowing by the time she looked up at the 3rd youngest Jonas Brother. "Nick!" she smiled. "Wow! How are you?" he asked, smiling a real smile the first time that night.
Usually when he came to these things, he never really enjoyed himself. He would always have to fake his happiness so other people wouldn't ask him questions. Miley could always tell and sometimes even his brothers, but no one else could see what was hiding behind that smile of his. Miley always ended up fixing it though and by the end of the night she would have made him smile a real smile at least 10 times. She had a way of doing that.
"I'm AH-MAZ-ING!" she exclaimed, rocking back on her heels. Nick laughed slightly, "I see you've already had a few shirley temples with Miley already" Taylor's smile widened, "No! Actually, I've had a few, but not with Miley! Is she here yet?" she was jumping up and down now. Put Hannah and Taylor together and you had trouble.
"I'm actually looking for her myself…" Nick's voice trailed off. The two looked around the room, the flashing lights were not exactly helping. You could only see a face clearly for about a second before the room went pitch black again. The song changed to "I'm Back" by Ashley Tisdale causing a few "WOOHOO's" to go around the room. Ashley just blushed over by the DJ and continued talking to Vanessa and her boyfriend, Jared.
"I think I see her!" Taylor exclaimed, pulling Nick along with her as she weaved in and out of the crowd. They finally stopped in front of a group of 8 or 9 people. "Where'd you see her?" he knitted his eyebrows together. "She's inside the circle" Taylor giggled.
Nick made his way through the human-made circle and smiled. There, Hannah and Selena danced the night away, twirling, dipping and laughing. "Nick!" Hannah exclaimed, running into his arms. The people eventually cleared away, seeing as the fun was done. "I see you're enjoying yourself" he joked. She just rolled her eyes, pulling him closer. He involuntarily inhaled the scent of her hair, but was met with nothing. He liked her brunette locks more, they were real. Unlike Hannah who was just another mask for Miley. Covering up her true beauty.
"I wanna dance" Hannah whispered into his ear, causing him to shake. Selena stood awkwardly to the side. Taylor joined her, "I'm Taylor" she greeted, sticking out her hand in front of her body for Selena to shake. Selena smiled, "Selena" she introduced herself. The two smiled, "So you're friends with Hannah?" Taylor asked. Selena turned towards Hannah and smiled, "Practically sisters"
Joe watched Lily dance with Oliver and AJ. It was weird seeing Lily and AJ interact again. It was even weirder seeing them be civil, like actually hold a calm conversation.
Lily laughed at something AJ said as she shook her hips. "Weird…" Joe muttered under his breath. He then brought his attention back to his brother and Aly, sitting across from him at the table. "Oh my gosh…" Aly whispered. "What?" Kevin asked her. "It's Taylor!" she exclaimed. Aly slid out of the seat and ran towards the blond.
It was as if everyone was excited to see Taylor again, even Joe. The old group was coming back together. For years it had always been Joe, Nick, Miley, Taylor, AJ, Aly, Oliver and Lily. Kevin didn't hang out with them as much as he does now and Selena hadn't been introduced to Hollywood life yet. It seemed as if everyone was showing up for a reunion again. Usually, Joe would be scared about what Lily would think. But, Lily used to be extremely close with Taylor, same as Miley. They just … drifted apart, he guessed.
Selena wandered aimlessly around the party. Taylor had scooped up all her friends attention, leaving her alone. She spotted Jake and Demi sitting at a table, talking to a group of people. It didn't matter who, she wasn't going over there. Selena's thoughts went back to the other day when Ricky kissed her. Her mind had gone numb when that had happened and it felt as if her brain was dislocated from her body.
Selena pulled away quickly, shooting up from her seat. Her hand flew up to her mouth. Ricky immediately got up after her, walking over towards her mumbling tons of meaningless words. "I'm so sorry!" he apologized, "I had no right to do that!"
She backed away slowly from him, not saying a word. There was nothing she could say to describe what she was feeling.
Anger, frustration, confusion ... lust?
"Selena? Did you hear me? I'm sorry!" Ricky apologized over and over again, "I didn't mean-"
She cut him off, "Just stay away..." she whispered, it was barely audible.
"Huh?" he asked, closing in on her. "Wait, no! Don't shut me out like that! I just couldn't control myself and I-"
"Just stay away" she stated this time with much more force.
She had to get out of there, away from him and closer to Kevin. He was her safety net, always there to catch her if she fell ... and right now she was falling, fast.
xx
He was all she could think about. Selena didn't know how exactly she got to the Jonas', but there she stood -- outside their front porch step, knocking on the door. Mrs. Jonas answered, a smile plastered across her face.
"Selena!" she smiled brightly, "Haven't seen you round here in a while"
Selena blushed as she stepped into the house, "I've just been a little busy lately. But, I'm good now. Um, is Kevin home?"
Mrs. Jonas nodded, "Yup, he's upstairs..."
She climbed the stairs, two at a time; not stopping to admire the posters or the pictures of she, Miley and Frankie at the town's carnival on Frankie's door. She just walked straight towards Kevin's door and knocked, waiting for an answer. "COME IN!" she heard him call. She turned the knob and entered the room, closing the door behind her. "Hi" she practically whispered. He turned around in his swivel chair, towards her. "Hey" he greeted her.
"I um, just wanted to ... I needed to see you" she cried. The tears came now; streaming down her face. They wouldn't stop. Kevin immediately jumped up from his seat and pulled her towards his bed, setting her down into his lap and rubbing her back. "Shh...it's ok" he whispered into her ear, continuing to rub her back; trying to calm her.
"NO!" she argued, "It's not ok!"
Kevin knitted his eyebrows together, "What's wrong?"
"I'm a terrible person. That's what!"
"Tell me what happened" he reasoned.
"It wasn't supposed to happen. He called, saying it was an emergency. I got scared and I-I didn't know what to do. Please Kevin, please don't be mad!" the hot tears burned against her cheeks, they felt as if they were acid.
"You're not making any sense" Kevin stated, confused now.
"He kissed me" Selena whispered, "a-and I didn't pull away until I finally realized what I was doing"
Kevin sighed, "I'm guessing you're talking about Ricky..."
She nodded her head, ashamed. "It's ok Selena"
His confession confused her, "What?" she asked, "You're not mad at me?"
"Yes, I am mad." he reasoned. She bowed her head, ready for the worst. "Maybe...maybe we should just take a break"
Her head snapped up, "No!" she exclaimed, "I need you!" she cried.
He got up from the bed and walked over towards the door, "It's not permanent" he reasoned, "Just...just temporary." He opened the door, for her to leave.
The tears slowed, but the pain still remained. She made her way towards the door, her heart breaking into smaller pieces with each step she took.
"I still want you" she whispered, "Only you" before leaving his room, and leaving his life .. "temporarily" that is.
Selena made her way for the exit, she couldn't take this party any longer. Miley might have distracted her for a little while, but Miley was off with her other friends now and Selena was alone. Alone with her thoughts.
Oh god, Miley must have been rubbing off on her.
"Why haven't you called? Why haven't you texted? Why haven't you emailed? You know what? I'm just gonna shut up and hug you!" Aly stopped herself, wrapping her arms around Taylor's tiny frame.
Taylor laughed at Aly's attitude. "Al, I havecalled, I have texted and I have emailed."
Aly just shrugged her shoulders, "Whatever, I like drama. It's so…"
"Dramatic?" Taylor finished.
The two laughed and continued hugging. Hannah and Nick made their way over towards Kevin, Taylor and Aly. "So the groups back together now?" Hannah laughed. Taylor glided towards Hannah and pulled her into a hug, Hannah rested her chin on Taylor's shoulder. "I've missed you" she whispered. Tears pricked both girls eyes, when Selena had mention Hannah and her practically being sisters, Taylor took that as a stab.
That's how she and Miley used to be, but things just changed after a certain amount of time. "I have an idea!" a light bulb went off in Hannah's head. "Oh god…" Nick muttered under his breath. Miley brushed his joke off and continued talking. "Sleepover tonight! My house, with Lily, AJ, Aly and Selena"
Taylor considered this for a moment, catching up with them did sound pretty good. "Sounds great Miles" she smiled.
Aly rushed over to the two and brought them into a hug, they all laughed; Nick and Kevin soon joining in. "Aww … Kodak moment!" Joe exclaimed, running over towards the group. The 5 of them fell silent as he finally made it towards Taylor.
"Hey Taylor" he smiled shyly.
Her smile brightened, there was no awkwardness between them. Never had there been any, so why would there be any now.
"Joey, Joey, Joey…" she tisked, "Why aren't you hugging me right now?"
The two let their bodies connect, embracing each other. "Now this, is a Kodak moment" Aly smiled.
They all laughed as Taylor and Joe pulled away from each other. Yet, Joe was still holding onto her waist when Oliver, AJ and Lily made their way over.
"Taylor!!" Lily exclaimed, running up to her friend. But, she stopped in her tracks when she realized where Joe's arm was. "Taylor?" she asked, more then exclaimed this time.
"Hi Lily.."
So now you know what happened with Ricky, Kevin and Selena. In the next chapter, you'll probably find out what happened between Miley and Jake. Can't wait to hear what you've got to say! :)
xxEmilyKearsexx