Chapter Three

Reid fixed his tie in the mirror over Tyler's dressing table. The navy jacket with black lapels looked good over his black shirt and black tie. He liked the colours Victoria picked, rather than some of the neons they had seen at the tux place. He looked over as one of his best friends came to stand beside him, checking his more classic black bow tie in the mirror.

"So, what is your guys plan for after?" Caleb asked looking at Reid in the mirror.

Caleb and Reid had always had a slightly combative friendship. Sure Reid would take a bullet for the guy, didn't mean he had to agree with everything Caleb said. Since they were young, Caleb had always been the golden boy, not in an obnoxious kiss ass kinda way, but he just naturally did the right thing, like it was just his nature. Reid however, from the time he could walk decided it would be best if his disregard for authority was well known by everyone. After all why set people up for disappointment?

So things had been a little more tense than usual to say the least since Reid and Victoria started dating. For the first two months it nearly tore Caleb and Reid apart, let alone Caleb and Victoria. But somehow, and Reid had no idea how, Victoria got Caleb to see the light, and get over the fact Reid had no intention of breaking up with Victoria.

Reid stood with his shoulders back watching Caleb, "Same as you," Reid smiled.

"Fairmont in Salem?" Caleb asked raising an eyebrow. "Pricy, aren't you the same guy who gave his freshmen crush a piece of gum for Valentines?"

Reid shrugged, "It was cinnamon,"

Caleb shook his head, "Well, good to know you know how to look after my sister," Caleb said giving Reid a tight lipped smile. Reid considered making a joke about what he had planned they do in that hotel room but decided not to go there. Why ruffle feathers so early in the night? He had worked damn hard to make sure tonight would be perfect for Victoria, he wasn't gonna shoot himself in the foot just to make Caleb mildly uncomfortable and pissed off.

Tyler came in to his enormous bedroom, "Hey man," He said smiling at Reid, "Saw Vicky's birthday present back at school. Pretty bad ass man,"

Reid smiled putting his arms out, "I know, boyfriend of the year. Giving lessons boys, anytime."

Pogue rolled his eyes, "I'm gonna get some air," He pushed himself off Tyler's couch and walked out the room.

"What's gotten into him lately?" Tyler said shaking his head.

Caleb was looking at Reid though, "What did you get her?"

Reid smiled, raising an eyebrow, Tyler spoke first, "Oh dude, wait till you see it. Brand new, Ford Cobra, sick."

Caleb stared at Tyler, then looked at Reid with his mouth open, "A car? You got her a car?!"

"Uh, are you ok?"

Victoria turned blinking and looked at Sarah, "Oh, uh, yeah."

"Are you sure? Cause you seem kinda spacey."

Victoria looked at her brother's girlfriend. Victoria had gotten a chance to spend more time with Sara recently, especially since they had a few of the same classes together and found she actually liked her. A rarity for Victoria. But Sarah was good for Caleb, helped him relax and remember he was eighteen not forty-eight. She looked gorgeous, her hair curled beautifully, over her red column gown. Victoria shook her head, "No, uh just a headache. You know I am just gonna grab some air."

Sarah nodded, "Want company?"

"No, I'm fine just need a minute."

Victoria left the guest bedroom and walked down the hall to the balcony. She stepped out into the hot evening air and took a deep breath. Even though it had been a crazy few months Victoria was still happy to be home. There was no where like it any where else.

Victoria turned to walk over to the balcony and nearly jumped clean out of her skin when she realized she wasn't alone on the balcony, "Ohmygod!" she couldn't help but squeal. Pogue Perry jumped on the balcony and spun on his heel at the sound of her voice. "Jesus, you scared me."

He scoffed, "Uh, I could say the same about you,"

She shrugged and walked over to the balcony to stand beside him, "I still blame you." She smiled, nudging him with her shoulder.

"Not fair," Pogue said raising an eyebrow.

"Life isn't," Victoria looked out over the Simms jungle like property. "Soo, needed some air too, huh?"

"Yeah, didn't sleep well,"

"Ahh," Victoria said, she looked back at her brother's best friend, and to her great embarrassment, first and only childhood crush. His hair was falling in front of his face, "You ok? Since the whole Kate thing? I know this can't all be easy." Victoria motioned to her prom dress, a long mermaid style navy gown.

Pogue shrugged, looking at her. He looked good in his tux, thin 60's style tie and all. "Fine, don't care too much about prom honestly."

Victoria looked at him, laughing, "Whatever, like you and Caleb totally didn't search every tux place in the Tristate for the perfect bromancing look."

Pogue rolled his eyes, "Oh whatever you know we are total Dapper Dan's."

Victoria burst out laughing, "Oh my god, you are such a loser," She leaned on the railing brushing against his jacket sleeve and Pogue seemed to tense at the light touch but when Victoria glanced at him he was already clearing his throat and shifting onto his other foot.

"You know my dad has like three memory cards for photo's here right?" Pogue said looking at Victoria.

"Come on, let's climb down the drain pipe and avoid photo evidence of outfits we are gonna think are totally outdated and ridiculous in like twenty years."

Pogue looked at Victoria, "I don't think you could look ridiculous if you tried, Danvers,"

Victoria felt her mouth drop open at the unexpected compliment. In an instant she took a deep breath and smiled, ignoring the blush that coloured Pogue's cheeks, "Well a lady does like to try," Victoria took a deep breath, and her temple throbbed, she flinched.

Pogue watched her with a furrowed brow, "You okay?"

Victoria smiled at him, "Fine. Nothing, just a bit of a headache. All the hairspray," Victoria said waving a hand at her french twist. "Well, I am gonna go find Reid," Victoria for some reason found herself putting her hand on his arm briefly, just a second before turning and walking off the balcony. By the time she reached Tyler's bedroom door she couldn't believe she had done it, after all what a ridiculous thing to do to Pogue of all people?