After school on Friday everyone came round to mine to get ready for The Drag as no one except Junior was going to be in. Whilst people took turns using the showers I hunted down an old bottle of wine from my parents alcohol cabinet, some vodka and found some glasses. After a few rounds of shots the drinks began to take effect and I found myself feeling bolder. As Max was the one still sober as it was his brothers wedding the next day, I tossed him the keys to my pick up truck which had been abandoned all week, and rode shot gun whilst the others piled into Grant's car and we headed off to The Drag.

As we arrived the street dance competition was underway in the moonlit car park, the only stage being the pavement as crowds formed around the outside, and the reigning champions The Illusionists were nearing the end of their routine.

"Hey," a familiar voice caught my attention from behind. As I swung round I slapped the girl hard around the face out of anger. She looked at me with a sour face, clutching her now red cheek. Most of my friends had disappeared in search of beer, except JayJay who was now holding me back, restraining me from doing anything more.

"What do you want Katya?" I spat venomously.

"Look I know you're mad-"

"Mad?! You were my bestfriend yet that didn't stop sleeping with my boyfriend!" I cut her off and I felt JayJay's hold on me loosen as he took in what I just said.

"Listen Tee I know you're angry and you have every right to be. I just wanted to apologise I don't know how to make it up to you and I can't forgive myself. I never meant to hurt you. I just want my bestfriend back."

"I loved him!" I shot back and I could feel the tears forming in my eyes. I refused to let them fall. She couldn't see how much I was really hurting.

"I'm sorry," she whispered and turned to walk away. I noted it was in the direction Dillon was in and I made a mental note to steer clear.

"Are you okay?" JayJay asked dragging me from my thoughts.

"Yeah," but he didn't seem satisfied and pushed for a real answer.

"Liar. It's okay to be upset you know. No one blames you."

"I blame me."

"Why?" He fired back before I had time to form a response he dragged me down a side alley. "It's quieter here," he commented after seeing my puzzled expression. "Do you want to talk about it?"

"What's there to say?"

"Anything. I'm all ears."

I thought about it and my mums words from early that week sank in, people were trying to help me. Not everyone was my enemy. It was then that I realised I was probably my own worst enemy. Sighing, I looked up into JayJay's eyes and took in his calm expression and his eyes which sparkled with something I couldn't quite put my finger on. Reassurance? No. They were caring. Trustworthy. The look in his eye told me he wanted to help, so I found myself telling someone I'd not even known a week everything.

"When I was 14 I had my first boyfriend-first love. Dillon. We were together for 2 years and I trusted him and I loved him. Back then I was a calm child, getting the highest grades, my life was perfect. But then on our two year anniversary he rang me and cancelled something about his nan was taken ill. I was mad obviously but I got over it. I told him it was fine and I'd see him soon. A week or so later we had an argument. It was so stupid by the time I knocked on his front door to apologise I'd forgotten what we'd fallen out about in the first place. His mum opened the door and told me to go on up as he was in his room, but when I opened his door I caught him in bed with Katya. That was a few months back and in that time my life's been tipped upside down. My family knew we had a rough break up but I never told them why and they never questioned it. I'm guessing Katie found out as it spread around school like wildfire. Whether she told anyone or not I don't know. But after I walked in on them that day I changed. I had a massive bust up with my mum and we've barely spoken since, I was suspended three times in the space of 2 months, always argue with Harrison. I don't want to be the person I am, I want to be the old me. I'm scared that this is me now and I can't change. That probably doesn't even make sense to you but I don't like who I've become and I don't know what to do about anything anymore." I didn't realise I'd started to cry until JayJay wiped my eyes and held me to his chest while I willingly sobbed into it. I'm not sure how long we stood there in the alleyway with the music blaring in the background saying nothing, but the silence was comforting. Neither of us had to say anything and it was a silence I treasured.

Me and JayJay didn't stay much longer, but as we'd been drinking I couldn't drive us home so I left my truck in the hands of Max to return tomorrow or Sunday after the wedding and walked back home with JayJays's leather jacket draped across my shoulder as the night took on a chill. On the walk home neither of us spoke but were kept in the company of our thoughts until we reached our street. Lights were on downstairs in my house so I had no doubt my parents had stayed up to see what state I'd come home in again and JayJay walked me to my door.

"Thanks for tonight," I told him sincerely and gave him a half smile handing him back his jacket.

"Don't worry about it. I'm glad I could help. Listen if you ever need anything don't be afraid to knock on my door or send me a text. I'm always here for you Trist." He leaned forward and kissed me on my cheek before smiling and turning back down my driveway for the second time that week and I'll I could think about was how much I felt myself falling for him.

I wasn't sure how long I was sat on my doorstep deep in thought until my dad came and sat beside me.

"You're home early Princess."

"Wasn't really feeling it. Dillon was there and I couldn't face it so JayJay walked me home just now."

"You've been out here for 40 minutes, we saw the lights outside come on as you walked up the path. You never came inside so I came to check you were okay."

"Yeah I'm fine," I was just as surprised as him when I smiled as I realised for the first time in 5 months I said something I truly meant. I was fine and I knew that although I was hurting on the inside everything would be okay, I had my family and friends who would do anything for me. And JayJay. I still wasn't sure where I stood with him but I hoped our friendship could turn into something. I really liked him.

"What are you thinking about?" My dad asked, pulling me from my thoughts for the second time. I blushed, although as it was dark I hoped he wouldn't notice but I knew he did as I saw a grin forming on his face.

"I think I'm over Dillon. I think I'm falling for someone else." I'm not sure why but I always found it easier to talk to my dad than my mum, part as I was a daddy's girl, part as me and my mum have had a rocky relationship the past few months. That doesn't matter though. All that matters is I love her and she loves me, and when push comes to shove we'd fight for each other until the death.

"Good. He was a jerk anyway, especially after what he did to you."

"You knew?" I asked in disbelief.

"Katie told us the day after you split that she'd heard a rumour around school. I wasn't happy about it."

"Why didn't you do anything about it? Or ask me about it?"

"I knew if I did anything to him you wouldn't forgive me. That's the thing with love, if it doesn't work out as much as you want it to, the love you have for the person won't go away overnight. I never asked you because I knew you'd open up in your own time, and if you wanted to talk to me you'd come to me in you're own time."

"I guess. That day I never thought I'd be happy again. I loved him. But now that's slowly turning into hate. I can't forgive him for what he did no matter how much he apologises. Is that bad?"

"No and it doesn't make you a bad person either."

I removed my heels and held them in my hand and stood from the porch step, turning to the front door. "I'm sorry dad. The way I've been the past few months, the arguments with mum and my behaviour at school and getting into trouble and drinking. It won't happen again." I turned and walked away, up the stairs to my room leaving my dad sat on the step. I quickly showered and changed into pj shorts and an old t-shirt before climbing under the covers to go to sleep. Checking my phone I saw it was fast approaching midnight and I had a text message.

I really like you Trist. I'd like to take you out tomorrow, be ready for 2. -JJ. X

Clicking off the message I slept that night with a smile on my face. I was happy. Content.