Hello darlings! Sorry I fell of the face of the Earth! Anyways, hope you enjoy!

May's POV

"Hi, I'm Andrew's ex-girlfriend." She said with a smirk.

Okay first of all, no one calls Drew by his full name. He hates it. So that either means that she's just known him forever, or she's trying to piss him off as much as she wants to hurt me. Secondly, EX-GIRLFRIEND!? What is this? Drew's never mentioned anything about having a girlfriend. Lastly, how the hell did Drew's ex-girlfriend get invited to the party?

"Hello Juliette," I respond icily. "It's always a delight to meet one of Drew's old acquaintances." I plaster my face with the best fake smile I could muster.

"Charmed, I'm sure," she retorts. She looks me up and down. "I take it that Andrew has never mentioned me before." She said it as a statement. She knew that Drew never told me about her. She said it just to piss me off.

I risked a glance at Drew. He wasn't even paying attention. He was just standing there, as if oblivious to the situation in front of him, texting someone on his dex. I was going to kill him.

"You know, I think that he might have briefly mentioned you in passing before." I lied through my perfectly glossed lips. There was no way I was going to give this witch the satisfaction of catching me off guard. "However, I can't be completely sure. Drew just knows so many people. It makes it quite difficult to remember everyone."

"I'm well aware of the feeling. After all, being shown off at all of Andrew's family parties is so exhausting. There are just so many siblings and aunts and uncles and cousins and friends. But, not that I would need to explain any of this to you. After all, you must have already been to at least a dozen family parties. They seem to happen every month." A cruel look of victory crossed her face. "Oh but wait," she continued as if she just remembered something. "You haven't been to any family parties because I would have seen you there. After all, I do attend most of them since I'm such a close family friend."

That was the last straw. I couldn't take much more of this polite bullying. I needed to leave. NOW. I looked around behind Juliette and spotted Liza talking to Brendan. She was whispering in his ear and he nodded.

"Well that must be quite enjoyable for you, attending Hayden family parties after Drew broke up with you," I countered.

Right after I said it, I kind of regretted it a little bit. I mean I couldn't really blame the girl for being so cold. I would be pissed off too if Drew broke up with me and then I came face to face with the girl who replaced me. However, the difference between Juliette and me is that I wouldn't have been a bitch to the girl. And I don't feel that bad because she was just so rude!

"May!" someone called. I gaze around to find the voice calling me, and then I spotted him. It was Brendan. He was coming this way. And he cleaned up good. He was parading around in a crisp baby blue dress shirt with grey pants that matched his grey vest.

"Brendan?"

"There you are sweetie," he said before slipped his arm around my waist. "I've been looking for you. There are still some people that I want to show you off to."

I looked over and saw Juliette. She was confused and angry. Then I looked at Drew, he was annoyed. My face was probably reflecting Juliette's confusion.

"Okay, sweetheart," I played along. After all, I was glad that someone had come to my rescue. "But wait, let me introduce you to some new…friends. This is Sophia," she waved. "Isabella," she nodded with a polite smile. "and this is Juliette," she just stared.

"So…" began Juliette. "You would be who?"

"Oh, I'm Brendan Birch. May's escort for the evening." Hm? Oh well, I guess he could have said worse. Like he could have said that he was my boyfriend or something.

Juliette was a combination of shock and confusion. It didn't go well with her pretty dress.

Sophia was amused.

Isabella was interested.

Drew was annoyed. Really annoyed. I don't understand why though, if anyone here has the right to be annoyed it would be me. After all Drew just fed me to his ex-girlfriend and stood there and watched as she tormented me.

As for me? I just stood there and looked happy. After all, what's a girl suppose to do when her possible boyfriend doesn't defend her and then her best friend comes to her rescue pretending to be her date? So I just smiled.

"Well," said Brendan. "It was nice to meet you ladies. And Drew, it's always nice to see you." Drew just nodded. "Now, we really must go now." Brendan slipped his hand in mine and led us away. I didn't dare look back out of fear of the emotions I could possibly see on Drew's face.

When we had dissolved far enough into the crowd, I twisted out of Brendan's grip and faced him. "What the hell was that about?"

"Not yet," he answered. "Just wait a few more minutes." I nodded and we continued walking through the crowd. We actually ended up leaving the room and going to a secluded little lobby. Waiting for us was Liza. She was sitting on the loveseat so Brendan and I took the couch across from her. A glass rectangular coffee table sat between us.

"May, I am so sorry that you had to go through that," she started. "I have no idea who invited the Moretti sisters, but whoever did, will be dealt with. And please don't be angry at Drew for too long."

"How can I not be angry at him? He just stood there and watched as I was harassed by his ex-girlfriend." I huffed. I still can't believe it.

"He was also the one who got you away from her." Was she even watching the scene that played out? Because it sure as hell wasn't Drew who came to my rescue.

"No, Brendan did that." Proving once again how great of a guy he really is. No wonder my dad loves him.

"Technically Brendan physically got you out of there, Drew was the one who had him do it." Not sure I believed that. What guy sends another guy to save his possible girlfriend? I don't understand.

"What?"

"I know you saw Drew texting. He asked me to find Brendan and have him sweep you away."

"Is this true?" I asked him. He nodded. That would explain why I saw Drew texting. It would also explain when I caught Liza whispering to Brendan.

"You know I always have you're back, being your best friend and all." Well that was a slight relief. Brendan knew we were just friends still. That's good. One less thing to worry about.

"I still don't understand why Drew didn't stand up for me." That's the thing that hurt me the most. Not that Drew didn't tell me about his ex-girlfriend, that he didn't defend me in front of Juliette.

"Our family has a complicated relationship with the Moretti family. Our uncle is business partners with Mr. Moretti, and they're also very good friends. And I'm not exactly sure how this came about, but my uncle convinced my father to arrange for Drew and Juliette to one day get married." Sounds twisted. Who even has arranged marriages now a days? Like besides the royals?

"So Drew was engaged to her?" The sentence tasted like venom as it rolled off my tongue. Drew was engaged. Drew had a fiancée.

"No, well kind of. It's not really what you're thinking. They were both very young when this was decided; they grew up with the idea that they would have to get married. Juliette was all for it since she had a crush on Drew, and Drew was content with it, until he met you. I don't think he's ever told you this, but he's known you were the one since the first day you met. After that contest he informed our parents that he would not marry Juliette, and they took it quite well considering. My mother never liked the idea of arranged marriages since her parents tried to force her into one, and failed. My father decided that Drew was old enough to make his own decisions, and agreed with his choice. The fact that my parents took it so well is why we have a strained relationship with the Moretti family. That's why Juliette hates you."

"So I stole her fiancé? I guess I would hate me too. But I still don't understand why Drew didn't stand up for me." As nice of a little story that just was, it wasn't helping me.

"My guess is that he froze. He hasn't talked to Juliette since he told her that he was calling off the arrangement. That was almost six years ago. And having you and Juliette in the same place really would have thrown him for a loop."

"You shouldn't be too hard on the guy," said Brendan. "After all he sent me to rescue you, knowing that I have feelings for you. That's proof enough that he likes you."

"Yeah, but, he...I…ugh I have too many emotions right now."

"I'm not asking you to forgive him, I'm just asking you to go easy on him," said Liza. "Now, if you'll excuse me I have to go find Lance before his fan girls kill him." She got up to leave.

"Liza," I said. She looked at me. "Thank you…for helping me… and everything else." She smiled at me.

"No need to thank me. You're part of the family now." With that she walked away, back to the party.

Drew's POV (back to after May and Juliette's argument)

"And Drew, it's always nice to see you," said Brendan. I could only nod in response as I watched him take May's hand and lead her away. That should be me holding her hand. But I had to send her away before what could happen next. If I started screaming at Juliette I didn't want May to see it. I didn't want her to see me like that, angry and full of hatred.

"Well thank god she's gone," said Juliette.

"You are out of line tonight," I said. "And if you know what's best, I suggest you leave now by your own free will before I have you forcefully removed."

"This is all because of her, this is all her fault!" screamed Juliette.

"No. this has nothing to do with May. Juliette, you need to understand that I was the one who called it off. I was the one who hurt you, not May. You need to let the past stay in the past and move on. I'm fine with you hating me and I deserve your attacks, but keep in mind if you ever verbally, emotionally, physically, or in any other way, shape, or form hurt May again, you will regret it."

"Is that a threat?"

"No, it's a statement."

"Come Juliette, we're leaving now," said Sophia.

"You can't just drag me home like a child!" she retorted.

"Oh, but we can dear little sister. For every minute you stay here past your welcome you're putting a blemish on the Moretti name," stated Isabella.

"We will be leaving now," said Sophia.

"Good bye Andrew," said Isabella.

Each sister looped an arm around Juliette and walked her out of the room.

Well, at least that was taken care of.

"Drew."

I turned around to find Liza.

"Where is she?" I asked.

"She's probably out on deck by now."

"Thank you." I started walking off when she stopped me.

"Wait! You should know that she's really upset right now. So whatever you tell her, it better come from the heart. An apology might not work this time. You have to tell her how you feel."

"I don't know if I can do that…"

"Well you better think of something because otherwise you're going to lose her."

"I can't lose her."

"Then tell her!" Liza wacked my head.

"What the hell was that for!"

"You needed some sense knocked into you. Now go after her! Because you're life is going to suck without her in it."

She spun me around and shoved me towards the door. I stumbled before regaining my footing. But Liza was right. I couldn't lose May. Not now. Not ever.

May's POV

"My life is a joke," I said.

"I don't see what the problem is," said Brendan. I shot him an incredulous look.

"Don't get me wrong, if I was in your situation, having a conversation with my girlfriend's ex-boyfriend would have been really awkward. But you handled yourself so well in the process. And as for Drew, well he's a good guy. A great one actually. I can see why you like him."

"Not so sure about that anymore…" Brendan slapped the back of my head. "Ow! What was that for?"

"That was for sounding like an idiot. His family adores you and has welcomed you with open arms. And Drew, well just think about everything he's done today. His best friend came to him for help and he responded by throwing together the party of the year. He introduced you to all of his sisters and their boyfriends. He sent you shopping with his mother. And he sent his competition to come save you. The boy doesn't just like you, he loves you."

"You think he loves me?"

"I think he's in love with you. Now you better get your act together. Stop dwelling on the one little mistake he made. In case you haven't noticed, news flash! He's a guy, and guys make a lot of mistakes when it comes to girls. You are like a foreign language."

"Thanks Brendan, I appreciate everything. And you're probably right."

"I know. And I'm going to leave you here now; I have to get back to my date before she wonders where I wandered off to." He squeezed my shoulder before getting up and leaving.

Ugh. I slumped back into the coach. What was I even suppose to do now? Stay angry at Drew and sulk around? Not an option. Act like nothing happened? Defiantly not an option.

I needed some air, so I got my gloomy butt of the couch and managed to get myself to the deck. Well, maybe not the deck, like the big main one, but it was a deck. I glided over to the railing and rested my arms on top. My feet were killing me so I slipped off my heels and flung them aside. What I didn't notice was that one heel slipped under the railing and went sailing down towards the water. Plink! It sank away under the waves.

"Oh shit," I said. "I really liked those too."

"I really hope you aren't thinking about going in after that." I didn't have to look to see the face. I knew the voice. I would know that voice anywhere. It was Drew.

"I was thinking about it." A nice little dive into the water, it wouldn't be too hard. However, my dress wouldn't look so hot afterwards; and this dress was meant to look hot.

"I would follow you in." Maybe diving in wouldn't be that bad of an idea… Seeing Drew dive in after me, while he's wearing a tuxedo, would be quite the scene. It might just be worth ruining this dress.

"I know you would." Because he totally would follow me in. I think he would follow me almost anywhere.

"Do you hate me?" Good question.

"No." As much as what happened earlier annoyed me, I could never hate Drew over it. There would be no real point.

"Are you angry with me?" Another good question.

"No." Same answer as before. Being angry with Drew would also be pointless.

"Are you going to keep giving one word responses?"

"Maybe." I only said that to mess with him.

"Listen, May…" I put up my hand to stop him.

"Save it. Liza explained everything to me and Brendan even defended you. You don't have to say anything, I'm not angry at you anymore." And I meant it. Drew had his reasons for how he acted today, and that's okay. It's not like I haven't royally messed up before.

"May..." I was still gazing out at the sea.

"Would you please look at me?" I couldn't, not just yet.

"I don't have to say this, I want to say this. No, I need to tell you this. I'm sorry that I was a grade A douchebag. I should have said something to Juliette, she was out of line. I'm not going to offer any excuses for my actions because there are none, and you deserve better. I know that it's going to be difficult to try and make this up to you, but you better believe that I'm going to try." I could feel his gaze burning into my skin.

"Please say something."

"…I don't know what to say." And it was true. I didn't expect this kind of apology from Drew and I was shocked. But at least he had my full attention now.

"Then listen. I know that I don't deserve you, and today was a prime example of why. And I keep telling myself that I should just leave you alone and let you go because you deserve so much better than me. You can do so much better than me. I even tried to give you some space with the last region, going to a different one, but that didn't work because you might have been out of sight, but you weren't out of my mind. But that's the thing, you're the one. You've always been the one. And the most frustrating thing is that everyone can see it but you! My whole family, your family, our friends, and even strangers can see it but you still remain oblivious to how I feel about you! How is that even possible? Sometimes I tell myself that it's a sign, that you don't like me. But then I have to remind myself of what my life would be like without you in it. And I can't have a life like that. Granted I would still go on, but a part of me would be missing and I would never be able to find it if you were gone. May, I'm in love with you."

Whoa. What. Just. Happened. There was no way those words just came out of Drew's mouth. That had to be the speech of the year. I mean I've kind of known that he's liked me, but I would have never guessed that he felt this way about me. But then again, it's not surprising at the same time. I think I've always unconsciously known how Drew's felt about me.

"Drew, why did you wait so long to tell me?"

"I've never had the courage until tonight. I knew you would be angry with me, but I wasn't sure just how angry you would be. And then the possibility of losing you crossed my mind and I knew that couldn't be an option, so I finally had to man up and tell you how I feel."

"I can't believe this."

"Well you better believe this. May, will you grant me the honor of being my girlfriend?"

"I'm in love with you too," was all I could respond with.

Yay! Well stay tuned for the next installment of the Rose Islands Saga! And if you liked it, review it!