Author's Note: I'm traveling across the country, so this is quick! And I'm exhausted. Thank you everyone for reading and reviwing! Favoriting and following! You guys are awesome! I'm so happy to hear people like the story! The final chapter will be up this weekend. The big finale is at a Halloween party so... Enjoy! Please let me know what you think!

Enjoy!

Thank you to: bellapaige88, schrooten5, guest, & aliciuhhh!

"Yet but three come one more.
Two of both kinds make up four.
Ere she comes curst and sad.
Cupid is a knavish lad.
Thus to make poor females mad."

A Midsummer Night's Dream By William Shakespeare

Chapter 6 Reversal

Today was going to be the day. Oliver was sure of it. He couldn't wait any longer. Thea's words have been swirling around in his head, since she had left last week. He was tired of pussy-footing around the issue. He had to man up and just tell Felicity how he felt.

Just do it, Queen, tell her how you feel.

It was easier said then done though. Oliver had no idea what can of worms he was opening, if he did in fact lay it all out there.

Would he be ruining Felicity's chance at happiness with Tommy? Would he lose a really good friend? Would it make everything awkward between them if he told her how he felt? Did she even feel the same way that he did?

There were so many important questions that needed answering before he was ready to lay his feelings on the line, but he knew he wouldn't get an answer until he asked his questions.

It was a vicious circle.

He needed to just do it.

Just ask. Tell her how you feel.

He stared at Felicity sitting beside him, as their Macro professor rambled on about…he wasn't exactly sure what. He hadn't been paying attention. Instead he was watching Felicity concentrate.

He knew that he had to tell her as soon as possible. He couldn't wait any longer.

He was imagining ways of telling her he had feelings for her, when she poked him hard in the arm.

"Oliver." She hissed.

He blinked coming out of his daydream where he had been proclaiming his undying devotion to Felicity as she heartily replied that she was in love with him too.

Wait – love? Did he love her?

And since when did his daydreams include revealing his feelings? And not getting 100% naked and fucking.

What was wrong with him?

Was he in love?

He swallowed with difficulty as that thought struck him hard in the gut wondering if he really did love her.

"Oliver, get up." She said again poking him hard and drawing his attention to her.

"What?" he asked confused and then looked around to find an empty room. Everyone was gone, beside the two of them.

"Are you okay? I've been trying to get your attention for almost five minutes." She said giving him a disgruntled look.

He nodded quickly trying to ignore the tightening of his stomach when her bright blue eyes met his.

"Yeah, yeah. I'm fine." He said dismissively.

She gave him a suspicious look and then gently nudged him with her shoulder.

"Do you want to go get some food?" she asked.

He nodded his throat suddenly going dry at the idea of being alone with her. If they were alone then that would mean that he had to tell her how he felt. There were no excuses to make if they were alone together and he had the perfect opportunity to tell her his feelings.

"Yeah, sure. Food is good." He stuttered his stomach twisting at the prospect of finally telling her the truth about how he felt.

She quirked an eyebrow and then nodded slowly. "Are you sure you're okay? We can skip lunch, go back to your apartment and get in bed." She blushed brightly as the words seeped from her lips.

He smirked at the red on her cheeks and let his mind drift to them in bed together. She'd be on top. He'd really like to see her on top. The perfectly round breasts bouncing up and down as she rode him. He'd finally get to find out how soft her skin was and whether she talked as much in bed as she did out of it. He knew without a doubt that she would moan his name with such titillating pleasure that it would cause him to—

"I didn't mean it like that! Obviously. We couldn't be in bed together. I just mean, if you don't feel well, we could skip lunch. But not to have sex or anything. Not that I don't want to have sex with you. Or I wouldn't mind having sex with you. But… Anyway! We are not having sex. I'm not trying to say I want to have sex with you because that would be unthinkable. I mean, we're friends, right?" she rambled blushing so brightly he peeked at her V-neck shirt to see if the red went beyond just the skin he could see.

His first thought was of Felicity and him in bed together exploring each other's bodies. His second thought was how adamant Felicity was about them not having sex.

Why was she so against the idea of them? Were they really unthinkable?

He didn't think so.

Felicity was beautiful and he'd be the luckiest man to be with her. She was smart, funny, charismatic, good-natured, warm, and sweet. She was so…remarkable.

He smiled slightly when he saw that the blush descended beyond just her beautiful face.

His momentary happiness was short lived as he let the darker thoughts of why he and Felicity were unthinkable. Was it because of Tommy? Or was it something else? Did she not like him like that? Did she think they were too different?

"It's fine, Felicity." He said quietly finally standing up and moving toward the door.

She followed after him quickly muttering words he wasn't able to make out as they walked out of the classroom, but he was pretty sure he caught her berating herself.

"Let's go get tacos." He suggested not really wanting to be on campus if they were going to have a serious talk. He didn't want to be interrupted.

She nodded, "okay."

They began to walk toward the small Mexican restaurant off campus. Oliver was too nervous to say anything, instead concentrating on how he was going to tell her how he felt. He wasn't sure what was going through Felicity's mind, but it must be something important, since she wasn't babbling away like usual.

Instead she was extremely quiet and it unnerved him even more.

He may have tripped a few times on the way over earning him a few more strange looks from her.

"We're here." He announced unnecessarily.

She gave him an odd look and they made their way into the restaurant.

It was mostly deserted, since it was the middle of the day. The hostess led them to a booth and they both slid onto the vinyl seats. Neither of them looked at the menu since they had both been there so many times before.

"So…" Oliver began clasping his hands on the table and regarding Felicity with an anxious look.

"So…" she responded leaning into the booth.

"What's up?" he asked when neither of them made a move to start a conversation.

She smiled slightly, "I feel like I should be asking you that. You're the one who's been acting weird."

"I haven't been weird." He said affronted.

"You were spacey all class and you keep giving me these odd looks. What's going on Oliver?" she asked leaning forward in concern.

He shifted uncomfortably before her and began to sputter out some words. He wasn't sure what words they were, but he figured if he started talking maybe he'd get there. "Well. You see…it's kind of difficult to say. Not like difficult words, but like difficult to get out."

She raised an eyebrow in interest and leaned even closer. "What are you talking about?"

"Felicity…I don't know how to say this but…I know we are good friends. Great friends. You are one of my best friends, I mean, obviously beside Tommy I've known him, since birth. But you're a great friend. You're important to me." He rambled.

Her eyebrows rose even further and a soft smile settled on her lips. "I think you've been hanging out with me for too long. Apparently babbling is contagious."

He rolled his eyes good-naturedly and then took a deep breath needing to start again. This wasn't going the way he wanted it to go. As a matter of fact, he was royally fucking this up. He had no idea what he was doing and apparently it was very obvious.

Before he could attempt to try again to explain his feelings to her the waiter came to take their order. He was only half paying attention – he was trying to form the perfect sentences in his mind to relay his feelings to her – to know what he ordered and when the waiter finally left Felicity turned her attention back to him. Her beautiful sapphire eyes settling on his face, waiting patiently for him to begin speaking.

And then all the words and beautiful sentences he'd thought of fell out of his head.

He was back to stuttering. "So…you're really important to me. I need you to know that before I tell you…"

"Tell me what?"

"What I need to tell you." He said stalling.

"Which is…"

"Which is that…Tommy and Laurel are here." He said frowning when he saw his best friend and his ex walk into the restaurant together. He watched them freeze when he made eye contact with them and then they tentatively walked over to them both looking guiltier than they really should for having lunch together.

He wondered if Tommy was worried that he'd think he was being a bad friend or something. Honestly he didn't care if Tommy spent time with Laurel, they were friends too.

"Tommy and Laurel?" Felicity asked looking away from him and over to the couple that was walking toward them.

"What a coinky-dink." Felicity said turning to them with a friendly smile.

Oliver internally groaned, but tried to put on a polite face as they came closer.

"What are you guys doing here?" Laurel asked looking between them with narrowed eyes.

"Lunching. What are you doing here?" Felicity asked looking between her and Tommy.

"Same." Tommy said glancing at Oliver who hoped that he didn't look as annoyed as he felt.

"Neat." Oliver said woodenly.

An awkward silence hung between them and then Felicity cleared her throat and looked at Oliver meaningfully.

"Do you want to join us? We could use some company." She invited.

"No, no. We don't want to interrupt whatever it is you guys are doing." Tommy said quickly.

"We were eating. Nothing secret about that." Felicity said chuckling.

Internally Oliver was yelling 'no,' outwardly the painful polite smile was becoming more strained. If he didn't tell Felicity how he felt now he knew he wouldn't be able to later. He was full on ready to go now, but if Laurel and Tommy joined them he'd have to wait to tell her. He didn't want Tommy and Laurel to join them, but he wasn't sure what to say to get them to go away without being obvious.

"We kinda wanted to be alone." Oliver blurted out.

Three pairs of eyes looked at him with varying degrees of oddness. Laurel was the first to break the silence.

"Why? What's going on here?" Laurel asked looking between them.

"Nothing." Felicity said quickly giving Oliver a pointed look.

He rolled his eyes and slumped into his seat already knowing he'd lost this battle. He also had a feeling he looked like a petulant five year old.

"Yeah, is there something we should know about?" Tommy asked suspiciously

Oliver felt his stomach drop as the guilt seeped in and he felt all of the anticipation of telling Felicity how he felt ooze out of him. He couldn't ruin Tommy and Felicity's relationship. He wasn't going to resort back to the asshole that slept and used people until he got what he wanted. He couldn't hurt two of his favorite people. He was trying to prove he'd changed and now looking at his best friend he knew he couldn't go through with it. He couldn't hurt Tommy and he wouldn't hurt Felicity.

"Nothing at all." Oliver said tightly.

Tommy smiled and slid into the seat beside Felicity wrapping his arm around her shoulders.

Oliver felt himself stiffen at Tommy's gesture and he clenched his fists from keeping from jumping over the table to remove Tommy's hands from her.

Laurel tentatively got into the booth beside Oliver and they lapsed into silence once more.

"So what are you two up to?" Laurel asked.

"Just having lunch, Laurel." Oliver said forcefully.

She nodded slowly and Oliver looked over at Felicity who was talking quietly to Tommy. Their heads were ducked together and they were laughing softly.

He felt the familiar stirrings of jealous and he really wished they hadn't been interrupted. But then again maybe it was for the best so he wouldn't do anything stupid.

He still wanted to know what was going on between them, or at least what had happened last year. All he knew was that Felicity and Tommy had slept together at the End Of the Dorm party last year, but what about what he'd learned from Roy? About Tommy breaking her trust? And what were Roy and Laurel alluding to Felicity being hurt by Tommy? He needed to know what happened, he was tired of not knowing, of being left out of the loop.

He looked over at Laurel to find her watching Tommy with an peculiar look on her face and he opened his mouth to ask her if she was okay when the waiter came to take Tommy and Laurel's order.

When the waiter left Felicity began to talk to Laurel about Sara and Nyssa who had apparently hooked up during Sibling Weekend and Laurel told Felicity about the latest weirdness their fourth roommate who's name Oliver forgotten had done.

Overall he had definitely failed in his mission of admitting his feelings for Felicity.

Felicity was coming home from a late night of studying at the library when she rounded a corner and came across a couple kissing. And they weren't just pecking delicately on the lips either, they were full on making out, practically eating each other's faces.

She hesitated at the mouth of the hallway wondering whether she should continue walking the way she was planning, but there really wasn't another way to get into her apartment, so she knew she had to suck it up and just go.

As she walked further down the hall and toward her apartment and the kissing couple she was reminded of many times in high school when the popular jock would be making out with the popular cheerleader against her locker. It was always difficult to ask them to move and now as she closed in on the couple she realized they were leaning against her apartment door. She opened her mouth to ask them to politely to move when the girl tilted her head and her face was revealed to Felicity as none other than—

"Laurel?" Felicity gasped staring at her roommate who unhinged herself from the guy with a popping sound.

She looked at the guy who was wrapped around Laurel and her eyes nearly fell out of her skull when she saw it was Tommy.

"Tommy?" she asked looking between them in bewilderment.

Laurel and Tommy exchanged nervous glances.

"I thought you were at the library." Laurel said eventually.

Felicity felt her jaw drop. "That's what you have to say to me? Not, oh hey! I've been banging Tommy Merlyn for…how long?" Felicity paused to wave her arms around in shock. "Why didn't you tell me, Laurel? And you! You who complained for months that you were in love with Laurel and couldn't get up the courage to tell her! You who could very well have told me instead of me trying to get you to remove your head from you ass?" Felicity exclaimed waving her arms widely and looking between the guilty couple.

"We were going to tell you." Laurel said quickly.

"When? When you were getting married?"

"Soon! We just…had to figure out a way to tell Ollie." She said and then narrowed her eyes.

"You knew Tommy had a crush on me?" Laurel asked and then turned to Tommy with raised eyebrows, "Why didn't you ever tell me?"

"Because you are in love with Oliver." Felicity said in exasperation.

Laurel sighed and looked over at Tommy who shrugged. "I'm not in love with Oliver. Not anymore anyway. Listen, let's take this inside and I'll explain it to you."

Felicity frowned and then sighed. "I just…can't believe this. I really can't believe this. Why didn't either of you tell me?"

"It's not that we didn't want to." Tommy said quickly.

"We weren't sure how to tell Ollie." Laurel mumbled.

Felicity opened her mouth to respond, but then thought better of her response. "Right. Oliver."

"He's been acting weird. I don't know if he still loves Laurel and I…he's my best friend, Felicity, I can't lose him. He's been so distant these last few weeks and when I told him I loved Laurel he was just…so upset. I couldn't tell him we are together now too," Tommy nervously looked away and then back at the bubbly blonde. "Please don't tell him. I…I want him to hear it from me."

Felicity gnawed on her lip, "you need to tell him soon."

"I know, I know." Tommy said glancing over at Laurel.

Felicity looked between them a small smile dancing on her lips. "So tell me how this happened? I've been trying to get you guys together forever!"

"What?" Laurel asked surprised.

Felicity nodded energetically. "So, what happened?"

Laurel smiled and moved toward the door. "Let's go inside and I'll tell you how Tommy poured his heart out to me."

"After I got her into bed of course."

"Of course." Felicity joked.

The three moved inside the apartment and settled onto the couch. Laurel launched into the story and Felicity patiently listened. She was happy for her friends, but she couldn't help feel a little upset that they felt compelled to hide this from her. She understood their reasoning, but she was still distressed that they wouldn't tell her about them until she had to find out for herself. Especially the way she had found out too.

As she thought back to their encounters over the last few weeks she began to wonder how she had missed the obvious clues. Tommy running to console Laurel after the Sara incident. Laurel being so happy and going out with Tommy all the time. The weirdness they both seemed accustomed too and how they both disappeared together. She had no idea how she had missed all the signs, but then again her own head wasn't exactly in the game currently either. She had gotten an A- on a test recently because all she could think about was a way to tell Oliver how she felt.

As the night wore on the three of them hung out until Tommy had to leave to finish a paper.

Felicity was munching on a bowl of popcorn that she made when she decided to ask the one question that had been bothering her.

"Do you think Oliver still has feelings for you?"

It had been a constant question on her mind since she'd finally admitted that she liked Oliver more than a friend, at least to herself. Whenever anyone asked or gave her a look she always said they were friends. Platonic friends. Nothing more. They couldn't be anything more. It was unthinkable.

Laurel looked over at her in surprise and a hesitant look crossed her face. "Why do you ask?"

Felicity shrugged ducking her head. Sara's words coming back to haunt her as she thought about how Sara seemed to think Oliver was over Laurel, but she couldn't help wonder whether he really was. Especially after Tommy revealed that he was upset when he told Oliver he loved Laurel. Obviously if Oliver was feeling upset and hurt about Tommy sleeping with Laurel he'd be very upset about them dating.

So did Oliver still love Laurel?

Beside this was Laurel for God's sake! She was gorgeous and smart! Felicity was just…smart. Very smart. But still. She knew she was attractive, but nowhere near Laurel's level.

"Felicity…do you have feelings for Ollie?" Laurel asked softly.

She bit her lip unsure what to say to that. She could say yes and make Laurel hate her or she could lie and say no. She seemed to be in a pickle. So instead of answering she shoveled a handful of popcorn in her mouth and tried to find something to say.

"Felicity, I still stand by what I said when you guys first started hanging out…but I've noticed he's…different. And you don't have to tell me whether you do or don't have feelings for him, but know that I support you and I'm here if you want to talk. And to answer your question I think that…Ollie is confused. He asked me about the End of the Dorm party and looked kind of lost and, like Tommy said, upset when I told him what happened between us. I don't know if he still has feelings for me, but I know that I'm happy with Tommy and Ollie and I are done." Laurel said quietly.

Felicity nodded taking in that information. "So if I were to…make a move on Oliver…"

"I'd tell you that you should be careful and know that…I'm only looking out for your best interest when I tell you that he's an asshole." Laurel said with a slight smile.

"But you can make your own decisions and I trust you." she added before Felicity could protest.

The two girls smiled at each other and then Laurel reached over to give her a hug.

"Please be careful. I've had my heart broken by him a few too many times and I don't want that for you. If he hurts you I will come after him. And make sure that this is exactly what you want before you pursue him." Laurel cautioned.

Felicity nodded giving her a gentle smile. "I'll keep that in mind."

Laurel smiled and Felicity felt more prepared than she ever had to tell Oliver exactly how she felt. No more day dreams she was really going to do this. There were no more obstacles and the only way they could go from here was up.

Unless of course he didn't feel the same way about her, but she wasn't going to have those thoughts.

No sir, she was going to tell him exactly how she felt and she was going to tell him as soon as possible. Except maybe wait a little while until she figured out exactly what to say without damaging their relationship. So maybe a few more day dreams. Yeah, that sounded good.

"I know about Tommy." Oliver stated.

Felicity dropped her pen on her notebook and looked over at him with anxiety coloring her face.

"You do?"

Oliver nodded slowly and Felicity began to gnaw on her lip. Silence descended about their table.

"So what's going on with Tommy?" Oliver asked wanting to finally find out once and for all what was going between Felicity and Tommy. He needed to know, for his own sanity. But at the same time he wasn't completely sure if he wanted to finally find out. He wasn't sure if he was ready to face the fact that Felicity and Tommy were an actual thing.

Like a couple or whatever.

If he finally knew they were a couple he'd never have his chance with Felicity and he'd be a terrible friend for wishing they'd break up.

Or actually breaking them up.

They had this history between them, something had happened between them last year. They had slept together at the End of the Year Dorm party and Tommy had broken her trust.

What had he done to break her trust?

All he could think of was Tommy hurting her and he really didn't want to think about that. Thinking about Tommy hurting Felicity was something that got his blood boiling and he didn't want to think like that.

He also couldn't forget the rather large issue of the fact that Tommy thought he was in love with Felicity.

That was problematic.

"What do you mean?" Felicity asked shifting uncomfortably.

Oliver took notice of the nervous tapping of her leg and wondered whether she was planning on never telling him about Tommy. Was that why she was so nervous?

"What's going on with Tommy?" He repeated.

Felicity gnawed her lip and then shrugged uncertainly. "I don't know…"

"Felicity."

She sighed heavily and put down the pen she'd been writing with. "I guess…I mean you were going to find out eventually."

"You were keeping it a secret? Why?"

Felicity shrugged, "I guess he wanted to. I don't understand his thinking process."

"He wanted to? What about what you wanted?"

Felicity frowned, "what about what I wanted? What do you mean? I don't really have a say in it."

"Why not? You're involved now, you have just as much of a say."

She blinked rapidly and Oliver decided to plow on. He felt angry on her behalf for not being able to speak her mind. Was Tommy controlling? Why didn't he want Felicity to say anything? Why was it a big secret?

Oliver froze wondering if they had figured out that he liked her and Tommy being the friend he was didn't want to say anything until he could break it to him himself.

"Is he happy?" Oliver asked quietly.

Felicity nodded slowly.

"Are you?"

Felicity nodded and gave him a brief smile. "And La—"

"Why wouldn't you tell me?"

Felicity looked even more nervous. "I think it should come from Tommy and it's really between you guys. When he tells you, though, try to act surprised. I don't want to get in trouble."

"Why would you be in trouble?"

Felicity gave him an incredulous look. "How did you even figure it out?"

Oliver sighed, "I asked. Is it serious?"

Felicity nodded, "yeah."

"How serious?"

"Pretty serious. I don't think Tommy would date if he wasn't serious. You know how he is." She said reluctantly.

"So it's…serious?"

"Yeah, Oliver, are you okay?"

Oliver shrugged dismissively feeling sick to his stomach. So it was serious. Thea had been wrong.

He realized as Felicity stared at him in concern that he'd never get to taste those beautiful colorful lips and he knew in that moment that he was in love with the girl across from him.

He'd never be able to tell her.

She was with Tommy and that was it.

He now knew what it felt like to have his heart broken.

It was like falling to the earth from a mountaintop, the impact on the ground knocking the air from you lungs and bashing you unconscious, back to reality.

He felt numb suddenly and he wondered briefly if he'd ever be happy again. His stomach was in knots and he wanted to demand to know why he wasn't enough for her to choose him? But then again he had never been able to tell her how he felt so maybe he deserved this.

Karma was a bitch.

It was awful and Oliver desperately wished that he could change her mind or at least have the courage to tell her how he felt or ask her to change her mind and stay away from Tommy.

But alas he couldn't get the words out and all he could do was perseverate on his missed chance and love her from afar.

Because now that he couldn't have her, he was finally able to admit it to himself.

He was in love with Felicity Smoak.

"Hey, what are you doing tomorrow night?" John asked as they finished studying one night a week later.

Felicity glanced over at John and Lyla and then at Oliver who was texting under the table.

Like he had been for the majority of the night. She was annoyed by it, but every time she went to ask him to stop he somehow sensed her irritation and ceased without being asked to.

She knew he knew that she was aggravated by it, especially because they had exchanged maybe a few words since he'd confronted her about the Tommy and Laurel relationship. She wasn't sure why he had suddenly become so standoffish, but she was growing tired of it.

"Nothing, probably watch a movie or something." She said.

"You should come out with us. There's a rave tomorrow night and we were going to go." Lyla invited.

"A rave?" she asked excitedly. "I love those!"

Oliver glanced up from his phone in surprise.

That got your attention.

"What?" Felicity asked seeing his shocked look.

"You've gone to a rave?" he asked glancing over at Lyla and John who didn't look surprised at all. But then again she'd gone to multiple raves with them.

"I grew up in Vegas. We always had raves out in the desert. One year we even snuck into Electric Daisy Carnival. I wasn't exactly popular in school and I didn't have a lot of friends, but the ones I did have liked to push the limits. Nothing dangerous or anything, just little stuff. Sometimes, I think we were too smart for our own good. Like, some of the stuff we did was just…crazy. Goth Teens cruising the City of Sin. I don't know how we didn't get arrested. Anyway, they're fun. Are the DJs local?" Felicity rambled.

Lyla nodded, "yeah, but it seemed like fun. So do you wanna come?"

"Yeah, sure. Oliver do you wanna come?" Felicity asked not sure whether or not he would say yes. He had been acting weird since he'd asked her about Tommy and Laurel dating. She assumed that he still had feelings for Laurel, so she decided not to talk to him about her feelings for him. She figured it would be a lost cause. Oliver would never be over Laurel and that was something she had to deal with.

What bothered her the most about all of it though was the fact that he was being so odd to her when she'd done nothing wrong. And they were supposed to be friends. She could live with them not being a couple, but she really liked his friendship and didn't want to ruin that. Which may also be another reason she didn't reveal her true feelings. She didn't want to damage their friendship, even if it came at the cost of her own pain.

"Sure. Tomorrow night? Do you wanna ask Tommy?" Oliver asked avoiding her eyes.

Felicity frowned momentarily and then shrugged, "sure. I'll invite Laurel too."

Oliver nodded and looked back down at his phone, like he'd disappear if he wasn't staring down at it. Felicity exchanged a look with John and then finished packing up her things.

"I'll text you the address." Lyla said taking John's offered hand and leaving the library together. John tilted his head toward Oliver and Felicity nodded slightly to say she understood the message.

She knew she should confront Oliver about his odd behavior, but she had no idea how to start. She wasn't sure if he was just upset about Laurel and Tommy or if he was upset at her for not telling him anything in the first place. Regardless she should probably try talk to him.

"Oliver, is something wrong?" Felicity asked quietly.

He glanced away from his phone and over to her still doing the whole avoiding her eyes thing he'd taken to doing, since their conversation about Tommy and Laurel.

"Nope. I gotta go. I'll see you tomorrow night." He said grabbing his notebook and dashing out of the library as quickly as possible. She was left standing there with a pit in her stomach and a question on her mind of what had gotten into Oliver Queen.

The next day went quickly and soon enough Felicity found herself getting ready to go to the rave with Laurel. They had invited Nyssa too, but she claimed to be allergic to raves.

Laurel had decided on skin-tight jeans, boots and a slinky top. She let her loose waves fall down her back and she went heavy on the make up making her eyes pop.

Felicity on the hand decided to go with a bright red crop top and a short black pleated skirt. She wore her old black lace up combat boots and forwent her usual glasses for contacts. She straightened her blonde hair, went heavy on the eye-liner, and decided on bright red lipstick.

They began to pre-game as they got ready and by the time they left the house to meet Oliver and Tommy they were already a few shots deep.

"Are you ready to party?" Laurel called out when she saw Oliver and Tommy in the Quad.

Felicity giggled at their identical surprised expressions when they saw Laurel and she tried not to concentrate too much on how Oliver seemed to avoid looking at her if possible even more.

What had she done that made him not want to talk to her? Or even look at her? She kept racking her brain to try and figure it out, but nothing was coming to mind. What had she done?

"I'm totally ready." Felicity answered when all Tommy did was stare at Laurel and Oliver down at his phone. Again.

"Let's do this." Laurel sang wrapping an arm around Felicity and they began to walk toward the warehouse where the rave was located.

The walk was only a few miles and with the alcohol Tommy and Oliver had in a flask they were more than prepared. As they neared the warehouse Tommy stopped them to take out a small baggie with some pills in it. Felicity recognized the ecstasy and briefly thought about taking one.

"You want to partake?" Tommy asked waving the baggie.

"I'll have one." Laurel said holding her hand out.

Felicity raised her eyebrow in surprise and then shook her head when Tommy turned to her.

"No thanks. I'm fine with alcohol." She said.

"Oliver?" Tommy asked.

Oliver shook his head to everyone's surprise. "No, thanks." He said shortly.

Tommy frowned and waved the baggie closer to his face. "Are you sure? It's good. Promise. Not like the last time." he said chuckling.

Oliver scowled and shook his head, "Not tonight."

Tommy's frown deepened and then he took two out and gave one to Laurel and took one for himself.

"Fine." he said tucking the bag into a pocket. Felicity looked back and forth wondering what exactly had just happened. Then again there could be a lot of reasons for the animosity between them.

They finished walking toward the warehouse and quickly descended into the mass group inside. They had to yell over the thumping bass, but it was quickly understood that Felicity and Laurel were getting drinks. Tommy handed them some money and they made their way toward the bar yelling their excitement to each other. They did a shot before making their way back to the boys with their drinks.

Felicity glanced at Oliver out of the corner of her eye and saw that he was still sullen. She sighed heavily knowing it was going to be a long night. She figured she might as well enjoy it despite Oliver's behavior.

Once she was finished with her drink she dragged Laurel out onto the dance floor with the other gyrating bodies and they began to dance to the thumping music.

Felicity let herself get lost in the bass music as it flowed through her body. She just wanted to let loose for one night. She needed this to relax.

Everything lately had wound her tighter and tighter and she felt like she was going to burst. It wasn't school, exactly, although she was nervous to graduate and get ready for the real world. It was Oliver. He was being so aloof that she could see the cracks appearing in their friendship. It was worrisome, but every time she tried to talk to him about it he seemed to disappear.

She needed another drink.

She didn't want to think about this.

She mimed to Laurel she was going for another drink and she wandered up to the bar. She sat there for a little longer than necessary taking a few shots and trying to forget her current predicament.

What it really came down to was that she liked an emotionally distant jackass who was still in love with his ex. She had been warned though so she shouldn't even feel that upset about it.

But that didn't mean she couldn't feel upset about it. Sighing heavily she moved away from the makeshift bar and wobbled into the crowd in search of Laurel or at least someone she'd recognize.

"Shit." She mumbled realizing she was much drunker than she thought.

Straightening her back she began to make her way back to where she thought she'd left Laurel. She waded her way through the crowd of sweaty bodies and finally came to someone she knew, although it wasn't the person she wanted.

"Oliver." She slurred.

He looked down at her with raised eyebrows and finished off the rest of his beer.

"Felicity." He greeted.

She pouted and swayed looking up at him. She opened her mouth to give him a piece of her mind, or at least ask him why he'd been so distant, but instead she asked:

"Do you wanna dance?"

He looked away and over toward the bar. "I don't really dance." He said over the music.

She scowled and without saying another word she turned around and began to make her way toward the heart of the dancers. At least there she could let herself be free and wouldn't have to worry about men named Oliver Queen. She needed to forget for a little while. Just a few hours she needed to pretend she was someone else and that she was free of inhabitations.

It could've been hours later or just a few minutes when she felt someone's hands wrap around her waist and pull her close. She had been dancing with her eyes closed so she hadn't seen the person come up behind her. Slowly, she opened her eyes and glanced over her shoulder to find the one person she had been trying so hard to not think about.

Of course, he'd be sending he mixed messages.

Typical Oliver.

"Oliver." She breathed leaning further into him.

He seemed to curve his body into her's and he pulled her tighter against him. So she could feel the hard ridges of his body press against the soft contours of her own.

"You look so beautiful. I couldn't help myself. I just…I had to touch you." He whispered in her ear letting his breath tickle her ear.

She shivered as his whisper caressed her ear and she melted into him.

He wrapped his arms tighter around her waist and their bodies seemed to ft like puzzle pieces as they danced together. She leaned her head back against his shoulder and shut her eyes letting their bodies flow to the beat. She moved one of her hands up and tangled it into his hair to keep him right against her and just as she grinded particularly hard against him he spun her around so their was only a mere inch away from one another.

She looked up into his eyes searching the brilliant blue and she let an easy smile grace her features as she moved to close the inch between them. Her lips brushed against his and then suddenly he was taking a large step back.

She scowled confused as to why he moved away.

Didn't he want to kiss her?"

"What's wrong? Oliver?" Felicity asked coming out of her daze. He wasn't looking at her though and instead he was watching something over her shoulder.

She glanced away from him and followed his gaze to see Tommy and Laurel dancing in a silly manner a few feet away. They were so wrapped up in each other Felicity doubted they had noticed anything else, much less them dancing.

"What's wrong?" Felciity asked.

"I'm sorry. This is wrong." He blurted out loudly trying to be heard over the music.

"Wrong? How? Oliver, what are you talking about?" Felciity demanded to know.

"I'm sorry. I can't do this." He said taking another step away from her.

"Why not? Oliver, talk to me!"

"Felicity, this was a mistake."

"Mistake?" she asked suddenly feeling a lot more sober.

"Tommy." Oliver said glancing over her shoulder again and looking at his friend.

"Right. Tommy and Laurel. " Felicity mumbled looking away from him. She took a deep breath and turned back to Oliver to confront him, but instead he was gone and she was left to try and figure out if he'd ever get over Laurel.

Instead of going back to dancing Felicity wandered over to the bar and ordered a few more shots. She was tired of being the good girl. She was tired of having her heart stepped on. She was just tired of all of it.

But most of all she was tired of Oliver Queen and his antics. So, she drank a few more shots and somehow she ended up at the makeshift seating area downing a beer and talking to some random people.

"…didn't even kiss me. I mean, what the fuck." She exclaimed waving her hands.

The girl she was talking to nodded absentmindedly and then pulled a pill out of her pocket to swallow.

Felicity sighed and looked around the rave wondering where Laurel was and then magically Laurel plopped down beside her looking haggard.

"Felicity? What are you doing?" Laurel slurred taking her hand and pouting.

"Sulking! You're right, Laurel! I take back every thing I said about Oliver." Felicity announced matching her drunken pout and looking at Laurel with big eyes.

"What happened? Felicity! You need to tell me." Laurel demanded staring at her friend with big glassy eyes.

Felicity frowned trying to recall what had happened on the dance floor and then she snapped her fingers. "We almost kissed."

"What!"

"I know."

"And then?"

"And then he said we couldn't!"

"Why?"

Felicity sighed heavily and gave her a look. "You! He just said 'Tommy' but I know what that means. Tommy and Laurel."

"Felicity…" Laurel said sympathetically.

Felicity shook her head and leaned back in her seat. "Nope. Nope. Nope." And she finished her beer before standing on shaking legs and made her way back to the bar. Laurel watched her go looking forlorn.

Oliver was leaning against the wall feeling morose with John watching the crowd dance before him. He wasn't interested in dancing. He wasn't interested in being here.

What he was interested in was finding Felicity and finishing what he'd started. But he saw Tommy in the crowd and couldn't do that to his friend. He couldn't betray his friend's trust like that. And he was so close to tasting those bright beautiful lips.

So close.

But his conscious got in the way.

His fucking conscious.

There seemed to be a first time for everything.

That was why he couldn't be around her. There was too much temptation and now…now he knew he had to stay away.

So he found Lyla and John and decided to hang out with them. John didn't seem to be a dancer either so that really helped. They both hung out on the wall and drank from their matching beers as Lyla danced with some of her friends. He was content standing with John, thinking about how to stay away from Felicity.

He didn't feel the need to make small talk and it was nice hanging out with someone who didn't always need something from him. Plus, John seemed to find a majority of the things that went on around them just as ridiculous as he did.

If he'd been paying the slightest amount of attention instead of talking to John about sports he would've seen Laurel coming.

But since the last few days of his life had been abysmal he didn't expect tonight to be much better. So yeah, he really didn't see Laurel coming because if he had he would've ducked into the crowd.

She had a fierce look on her face and as she came to a halt in front of him Oliver knew without having to look twice that she meant business. And with a sinking in his stomach he knew that he was in for some lecture, no doubt from Laurel about staying away from Felicity because he was going to ruin her relationship with Tommy.

He really didn't need Laurel lecturing him either. He was already feeling guilty enough.

"Ollie! What the hell?" Laurel slurred and he knew automatically that this was going to be a long lecture. Probably with a lot of hand gestures and drunken slurs.

He glanced over at John and saw him shift uncomfortably beside him. He could tell that John was debating on leaving him to his argument with Laurel or stepping in and helping him out.

Oliver hoped for the latter.

"What?" he asked finally when he saw Laurel open her mouth to begin berating him.

"What did you do?" Laurel demanded.

Instead of answering Oliver lazily brought the beer to his lips to take a sip.

"Felicity was just telling me about what you did to her! She's heart broken! I knew you were a jackass, but I didn't realize the extent of your behavior. She's really hurt right now and I expect you to go fix this."

He swallowed with difficulty when he heard Laurel tell him that Felicity was hurt and upset. She was probably upset that he had almost ruined her relationship with Tommy.

"I didn't mean to hurt her…I just want her to be happy." He said letting the lazy mask drop and show the hurt he'd been carrying around for days now, ever since he realized Felicity and Tommy were serious.

Laurel frowned and took a step closer to him. "Then why did you do what you did? She told me the story! A guy who claims to want a girl to be happy doesn't do what you just did! Now, you know who is going to have to fix your mess? Tommy and I! Like always!"

Oliver scowled and leaned further into the wall already feeling indignation well up within him. Where did Laurel get off telling him that she was always cleaning up his messes! He wasn't that much of a screw up.

"I care about Felicity, okay! I was just trying to do the right thing! She deserves the best and I'll be honest I don't think To—"

"You trying to do the right thing? Since when? You never do the right thing! How many times did you screw me over? How many times did you fuck up and Tommy had to bail you out? You are right about one thing though, Felicity does deserve better. She deserves the best because she is a great person and if you can't see that then you…you need to stay away from her." Laurel said and then she turned around and stalked away on her heel into the crowd.

Oliver watched her go feeling if possible even worse than he had before she'd confronted him. He was feeling torn.

He didn't want to listen to what Laurel had just said, but she was also correct. Felicity was a great person and he probably should stay away.

A path with her would only lead to trouble and as shown by his dating history he didn't have the best track record and he knew in the end he'd end up hurting Felicity. And he knew if he ever treated Felicity half as bad as the way he treated Laurel he'd never forgive himself.

So instead of thinking about what had just happened with Laurel, Oliver glanced over at John who had the good graces to look like he hadn't hurt any of it and he told him he was going to the bar.

The only way he could deal with this unhappy realization was drowning in more alcohol. But he knew that there was no getting lost in the bottom of a bottle, he'd already tried that and it proved impossible. He was in love with Felicity and there was no coming back from that.

(A/n: please review! The last chapter will be up soon!)