Chapter 38 and the final one of Brand New Day! Enjoy, my loveyyys.

ONLY THE BEGINNING

Being draped over a lounger poolside wasn't exactly how Eve expected to wake up after homecoming but in actual fact, it was perfect. Squished up next to her was Ted, both his arms wrapped around her waist and his tux jacket covering them both up. She tossed the jacket aside; it had been cold when they fell asleep, but now the morning sun was beating strongly down on them.

The previous night had been perfect. Eve hadn't won homecoming queen but she'd gained so much more in Ted. Her best friend had become her boyfriend and what could be better than that? They already knew everything about each other, they'd even slept together; it was like starting on the sixth date.

"Ted," She nudged her sleeping boyfriend and rolled over so she was facing him. "Sweetie, wake up."

Grumbling, he opened his eyes before a smile crept onto his face. "Good morning."

"Last night was amazing." Eve smiled, thinking back. After homecoming, Brie and Nikki held a post-homecoming party at their house. The whole night, Eve stayed glued to Ted's side and she liked it that way.

"I know," Ted agreed, pulling Eve close again. "I'm sorry you didn't win queen."

"Forget about it," She kissed him on the lips. "I have."

Before Ted or Eve could say anything, the large patio doors slid open and out came Brie and Nikki, both looking fresh and groomed despite their late nights as hostesses. "Good morning," They said in unison, sitting side-by-side on a lounger opposite the couple.

"Morning twins," Ted shot them a sleepy grin. He'd known them for years and hadn't needed to tell the difference between them but now he and Eve were going out, he'd have to learn. "Thanks for last night. Where's the nearest bathroom?"

"There's one in the pool house, just through there." Nikki waved a finger in the general direction.

"Last night was amazing," Eve admitted once Ted was gone. "You guys throw an awesome party."

"I don't think you had a good night because of us." Nikki winked, stretching out on the lounger so her already slim stomach flattened out even more. "You're all over each other. You're gonna be randy animals by the time you actually seal the deal."

Eve bit back a smile. "Actually..."

"No!" Both twins squealed, in the process waking up one of their guests who was previously asleep. "When? Last night?"

"No!" She exclaimed, the idea itself just being plain trashy. "I'll tell you about it another day."

"Well, the reason we came over is that we wanted to make sure you'd be coming back to cheerleading after spring break." Brie neatly folded her hands in her lap and spoke seriously. "I get that you left because Maryse betrayed you-"

Ah yes, Maryse's homecoming speech rang in Eve's ears. It was definitely the worst apology Eve had ever heard, but she did say that painful word; sorry.

"-but please don't punish all of us for what she did. You're the best on the squad and we can't afford to lose you."

"Plus, we told Maryse if you weren't doing it, none of us were." Nikki chipped in proudly. "We're on your side, Eve."

"You heard here last night. She regrets what she did, and this is Maryse! She doesn't regret anything!" Brie leaned over to take one of Eve's hands, a move Nikki copied. "Plus, you have to admit, you've missed having us around."

Kelly and Tiffany were definitely Eve's best friends, the ones she could cry to, laugh with and trust with her deepest secrets. But Brie was right; Eve loved the cheerleaders. "Okay, I'll come back." More ear piercing squeals ensued as all three hugged it out. At least now Eve could do what she loved again; cheerleading.

"Come on," Brie got up and held out the hand Eve had previously been holding. "Everyone's having breakfast inside."

"I'll come in a minute."

Once the twins had disappeared inside, Eve stood up and stretched, her fingers and toes pointed. She looked around; the turquoise pool, the bright sunshine, the hoards of beautiful people, did she really deserve all this? Coming from a small town outside Denver, Colorado, Beverly Hills was definitely a change of scenery. But change was good, wasn't it?

"Ready for breakfast, beautiful?" A pair of arms wrapped around her waist from behind and Eve especially wondered if she deserved him.

"Who eats cupcakes for breakfast?" Kofi mused aloud, picking up one of the perfectly iced sweet treats.

"Are you complaining?" Kelly, who was sat next to him on the balcony, licked at the pink icing with catlike flicks of her tongue. "Don't you like cupcakes?"

"They taste good, but they're a little...girly," He shrugged, loosening the tie he'd been wearing the previously night and tossing it aside.

With a sly smile, Kelly stuck her finger into the pink goo and pulled it out again triumphantly. "Try some."

Kofi narrowed his eyes at his new girlfriend, who gave her most coy smile and kept her cake-finger stuck erect. She could be so innocent when she wanted to be.

"Go on."

Cautiously, he opened his mouth but as he did, Kelly used her free hand to grab the cupcake and smash it against Kofi's nose. As she drew the cupcake away, she giggled at his messy face. "I'm all sugary and gross!"

"Aww, poor baby." Kelly pouted. "Let me help you clean up." She leaned over to seductively lick a line up the bridge of his nose, a track forming in the icing. "Better?"

"Damn, maybe I should get messy more often." He murmured, their faces millimetres from each other. "I don't have any on my lips, do I?"

"Maybe I don't want to use that as an excuse anymore." She kissed him, their tongues curling against each other and their lips caressing, causing Kofi to melt like the cupcake icing on his face was, as the morning sun hit it.

"What're you thinking?" Kofi asked as Kelly stopped kissing him to simply stare into his big brown eyes.

Kelly tried to think back on the last time she'd been at Brie and Nikki's house. They were freshmen, probably sat by the girls pool, drinking non-alcoholic cocktails and reading Teen Vogue without a care in the world. Now, she was sat on the balcony of their mom's bedroom with her new boyfriend, curled under a Marimekko blanket and licking icing off his face. A lot of shit had happened in between those two events but the latter was where she was happiest.

In fact, they could've been anywhere but as long as Kofi was there, Kelly would be happy.

Even though the tail of her mother's prom dress creased as her legs curled underneath her and her hair was dishevelled, she didn't care. Looking at Kofi, it gave her a warm fuzzy feeling in her stomach that nothing else could replace. His friendly face, those warm brown eyes, that laugh that made her feel so cared for; he was perfect.

"How good I think we'll be together."

Kofi pulled Kelly in for another kiss. He wasn't a wordsmith so he hoped this would show just how he felt.

"Whoa, major PDA alert." The balcony doors opened and Eve and Ted joined Kelly and Kofi outside.

"It wasn't public because no-one else was there to see it." Kofi pointed out.

"Only the whole of Los Angeles."

Eve took Ted by the hand and led him over to a lounger. "Now I know why you guys chose here to set up camp. It's incredible."

It was only after Eve's comment that Kelly and Kofi realised how beautiful the view was. The sun was a gleaming yellow ball in the clear blue sky and the whole of Los Angeles was spread out before them, the city buzzing as the day began. When they'd been out there the previous night, it had been too dark to see, but in the morning glow, it was picturesque.

"Spectacular." Kelly agreed, clutching Kofi's hand and never wanting to let go.

"You know," Eve began, absentmindedly wrapped one of Ted's arms around her, something she was becoming accustomed to doing. "I can't believe you never told me you liked each other. I mean, my brother and my best friend? How did I not see this coming?"

"You had your own issues to think about." Kelly chuckled, not taking her eyes off the view but keeping her head rested against Kofi's shoulder.

"I didn't realise what was in front of me all along." Kofi said.

"And I was waiting for him to do just that."

"Which I did."

"Took you long enough." Kelly smiled.

"Can I ask you something?" Kofi and Ted were never that close, so Kofi was surprised when his step-sister's boyfriend spoke to him specifically. "Why do you have pink shit all over your face?"

"It's a..." Kofi stared at the blonde and grinned. "A long story."

It's all a long story, Eve thought to herself. Kofi and Kelly, Ted and herself; isn't it crazy how the closest of friends can become even closer? It's a very long story indeed, but looking at how blissfully happy her brother and best friend were, then seeing Ted looking at her with such love in his eyes, it was definitely a story she wanted to revisit. When you first read a book, you miss the little things; jokes, quips, the small moments.

But Eve? Eve wanted to remember every moment.

Awww, a perfect ending much?
I guess everyone got what they wanted...but there's always the sequel to mess that up! Haha, I'm evil.
Right, the sequel is called Pocketful Of Sunshine and if you go onto my page, you'll see a link under my stories :)

I do have one favour to ask.
Would you mind reviewing...just one last time? Pretty please? Haha, cheers!

Thank you to everyone that reviewed and enjoyed this fic - you are all fabulous!
But you know what'll make you even more fab? If you have a look at the sequel...

Hopefully see you there? :)
Melissa Xx