Her lips felt like they always did; soft and warm against his. The one difference? She wasn't wearing lip gloss. Massie had always been a fan of make up, though Cam was thoroughly convinced she didn't need it. He'd seen her at her worst, and she was still shone brighter than any damn star in the sky. And she looked even better than ever.

Cam struggled and fought and tried so hard not to fall for Massie all over again, but how could he help it? He closed his eyes and kissed back eagerly, when suddenly, he felt a cool breeze on his lips. Well, it seemed cool, compared to Massie's lips...

He looked at Massie. What had happened? Her eyes were wide and shocked, her palm covering her mouth and her fingers scattered in a line across the middle of her face. What pretty fingers. What pretty eyes. What a pretty soul.

"Massie..."

Cam whispered, like he always did when he spoke lovingly.

She remembered everything about him. He knew it. Because as soon as she realized he was speaking in hushed tones, her face visibly relaxed and her shoulders dropped miles. This might not be proof enough, but Cam just knew. Just like the way he knew she still loved him, and just like the way she knew that he still loved her. More than ever, after her disappearance.

"Cam, I'm... I'm sorry."

She was lying. She wasn't sorry. Her voice had gotten deeper. Always a sign, always a sign. Thank God nobody but he knew that. Even Claire hadn't picked up on the subtle hint. But he had, and Massie knew that he had. If not, she would have made a better effort. When she wanted to be, Massie could lie perfectly. But when she wanted Cam to know she wasn't...

The connection between them was stronger than ever. A thick silver cord binding them the two together, pulling them towards each other; Cam wanted to give in and let himself be pulled into Massie's arms. But he fought against it, as did Massie.

"I am too," he made his voice regretful, tugging on his bangs to show Massie he didn't mean it. It was like their own secret language. He almost smiled at the thought.

Then he looked at Claire, who was staring at them with utter blankess. No emotion in her eyes... At all.

He smiled. His smile seemed to be a mixture of hopefulness, sadness, and questioning. His eyes even crinkled a bit to add effect.

He could feel his connection with Massie weakening as soon as she saw that smile. Crazy woman, can't you tell it's all an act?

Claire returned his smile with a small one, and nodded her head.

Massie frowned. She didn't care if Claire knew? She didn't care if Claire knew all about their relationship, all about her feelings for Cam?

Unless she had already told Claire...

"DUDE!"

Derrick jumped at the sound of Kemp's voice. What was it now?

"What?"

"Massie's back!"

....

"You're lying."

"No, I swear I'm not. I swear on my penis."

"Damn, she's really back."

Kemp chuckled softly, and swiftly patted his back once, with enough strength to make Derrick wince.

"Go talk to her! You're the man, you can sweep her off her feet again."

Yeah, but she's not the one I want...

"I bet I could," he smirked and nodded his head, holding his fist out. Kemp punched it with his own fist, and they laughed.

But maybe it'll bring back Claire's feelings for me...

It was a foolish notion, he knew, but it was the only chance he had.

"Hey, Alicia!"

Ugh. Alicia tore her eyes off of Derrick's toned butt and glared at the redhead behind her. With her boyfriend beside her, holding her hand and squeezing it occasionally.

She felt a quick pang in her stomach, of jealousy and sadness and loneliness. What about her?

"What do you want, Dylan?"

"Guess who's baaaack?"

"I don't have times for games, Dylan."

"It's a person!"

"Dylan, I'm serious."

"And this person is a female."

Alicia was beginning to gain interest, but she pretended to be irritated, as if she already knew.

"Dylan, this is a waste of time!"

"Oh, so you know who came, huh? Then who is it?" Dylan's hands were placed firmly on her hip, Josh's hand abandoned. Alicia felt a strange urge to reach out and grab his, but Josh wasn't the guy for her. She was just...

Lonely. Single.

"It's Massie," Alicia guessed, discreetly crossing her fingers, hoping she was right.

Dylan blinked as a look of surprise washed over her face the same time her hands dropped from her hip and clung back on to Josh's. Josh was smiling wide. What was with him? Dylan wasn't even all that pretty.

With a quick glance at Dylan, Alicia knew she was wrong. Dylan looked gorgeous. Even in casual clothing, even in the clothes she would usually find disgusting. Even in the gray skinny jeans and plain torquoise top she had on today. Even in simple black ballet flats. Even with her hair tied messily in a bun that even Alicia could pull off.

"Oh. Sorry, I didn't know you already heard. But can you believe it!? Massie's back!"

Poor Dylan. She was grinning so wide, so happily, as if she didn't know that as soon as Massie was back in the picture, they would all disappear to the social crowd and pale in comparison to the Fantasic, Beautiful, Rich, Sophisticated, Happy, Coupled Four. Alicia was a good friend, right? She had to tell Dylan what was bound to happen.

And as soon as she did, all the light and joy went away from Dylan's face.

"Massie's different, though. She was so nice to me, and she was treating me like.. Like she treats Claire. I never had her treat me like that before. She's changed."

"It's her first day back. Just wait a week."

"Oh... Well... You're probably right."

Alicia knew Dylan. Dylan hated being disappointed. She wouldn't even dare to hope Alicia was wrong. She was going to follow Alicia all the way. And Josh would follow Dylan.

Alicia smirked. The only ones left were Kristen, Kemp, Chris, and Dempsey. Then they could start their own group. The More Fantasic, More Beautiful, Richer, More Sophisticated, Happier, and More Coupled...

How many were there?

Seven. Her lucky number.

Why is it that in every book, Alicia seems to be plotting to leave Massie and start her own clique? Even in this fanfiction. xD
R&R. (:
Preview of next chapter, titled Goodbye Is A Second Chance:

"Massie, baby..."

Massie stared long and hard into Derrick's eyes. Those beautiful brown ones that had fooled her into thinking she actually loved him. How stupid of her, seriously. Comparing her 'feelings' for Derrick to her feelings for Cam...

Wow. She should really say no to him.

But Cam had Claire, Dylan had Josh, Kristen had Chris... Why couldn't she have Derrick? She'd prefer him over anyone else.

"Alright, Derrick. We'll give it one more shot, one second chance."

Derrick grinned so wide, Massie was surprised his face didn't crack. It was genuine. She was touched.

"Massie, you won't regret it, thank you so, so much."

And then he kissed her so passionately, Massie couldn't help but kiss back.

And she did kiss back... The moment Cam walked into the room.