Miranda's POV

It was a risky plan that much I knew. But this was the only way to help Jess get Jamie back, and in my opinion that was the most important thing.

"Were clear on the plan right?" Tori asked peeking her head out from her closet her small frame wrapped tightly in a towel her wet hair draped along her back

"I think so" I answered no actually listening to her my mind solely focused on her body, her chest now covered in a crop top leaving her perfectly toned abs completely visible to my wandering eyes, her tan legs wrapped in denim shorts she most definitely stole from Jess. She had grown up a lot since the first time we had met, she had learned how to dress in clothes other than sweatpants and once I even saw her with a different hairstyle although I have to admit I'm a sucker for her classic side braid.

"Miranda!" She yelled snapping her fingers in front of my face pulling me from the trance I was in "My eyes are up here perv" She giggled throwing herself onto the bed beside me dropping her head onto my shoulder immediately linking our hands together

"I know where your eyes are, I was just admiring the rest of your body" I admitted placing a gentle kiss on her cheek before running my fingers through her silky brown hair. I love this dork. I loved everything about her, I loved her more than anyone could ever imagine, I loved her even when I hated her, she was the one, I knew that. Tori was the one I was going to spend my life with, Tori was the one I was going to love forever. "So.." I began pulling an envelope from my back pocket sliding it into her hand "I have something to ask you" I said my voice quivering violently as I stumbled onto my feet retrieving a small velvet box from my bag playing with it nervously "Victoria Montgomery will you please do me the honor of going to prom with me?" It wasn't something I expect her to be excited about, in fact she was basically glowing with happiness when she found out prom had been postponed till after graduation, but I still wanted to go with her, I needed to. This was our last dance at that school, and I needed to dance with her at least once.

"Miranda" She said slowly an unreadable expression on her face "Is it really the best time for this?"

"We can't put our life on hold just because of the drama that follows us, if we do that we'll never get out of this town" I argued still holding the velvet box tightly in between my fingers awaiting Tori's answer to my first question the brunette opening the envelope her eyes scanning the prom tickets harshly

"Of course I'll go to prom with you, but I have to warn you I suck at dancing" She giggled pulling me back down on the bed planting a firm kiss against my lips a smile instantly crossing my face

"I know" I confessed secretly loving the way Tori danced "Before anything else happens I have one more question" I said waving the velvet box in front of her "I realized that although we dated for, I don't even know how long"

"If you add up all the times we dated and broke up its equal to a year" Tori interrupted pushing her glasses up on her face a smirk clearly visible on her lips

"Okay so even though we dated for the equivalent of a year, I noticed that I never asked you the most important question" I said slowly opening the box "Tori will you be my girlfriend?" I asked revealing the necklace that rested in the box "I know you're not a fan of jewelry, but I thought maybe you'd make an exception for this" I said passing the brunette the box just praying that she liked the necklace

"My life, my love, my forever" She read out loud tracing her finger over the inscription on the necklace a single tear trailing down her cheek

"I've known it from the minute we met, I've known it and over and over again I let things break us apart but I'm not gonna let that happen anymore, I don't want to. I love you Tori and I will always love you, no matter what happens, no matter what obstacles we are forced to face, no matter how much things change the one thing that will never change is the fact that I love you!"

She was lost for words the younger girl simply gripping the necklace tightly as she leaned her lips into mine wrapping her arms around my neck as she deepen the kiss propelling her body on top of mine.

"Tori?" Aria called throwing opened her nieces bedroom door my gut instinct being to push Tori off of me only causing her to tumble onto the ground violently "Am I interrupting something?" She asked holding back her laughter

"Of course not" Tori groaned climbing back onto the bed putting her glasses back on her face as she fumbled with the necklace attempting to work the difficult clasp "Mira?" She questioned sending me a look silently telling me she needed assistance

"Got it" I said taking the heart necklace in my hands placing it around her neck running my index finger down her spine after locking the clasp in place Tori squirming violently the younger girl proving being extremely ticklish

"Is there something you need Aunt Aria?" Tori asked turning back to her Aunt the older woman simply leaning in the doorway wearing a pleased look on her face obviously enjoying the interaction between Tori and I, Aria always coming off as a hopeless romantic

"I just wanted to let you know that Noah dropped this off for you" She explained passing the brunette a large yellow envelop her expression changing drastically after the mention of Noah, the older woman not fully forgiving the teen for the heartbreak he caused her daughter "And, when Miranda is over I would like the door to stay opened"

"Why?" I asked a smirk crossing my face "I mean it's not like anyone's gonna get pregnant" I giggled Tori immediately blocking my mouth with her hand using her other hand to smack me in the bicep, as Aria looked on desperately trying to hold back her own laughter

"You remind me so much of your mother" She grinned tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear "She said everything that came to her mind to"

"It keeps things interesting" I chuckled Tori having pulled her hand off of my mouth after I swiped my tongue across her palm "It's not my fault I don't have a filter" I shrugged nudging Tori in the ribs the brunette sending me dirty looks

"Thank you" Tori interrupted wanting nothing more than to get her aunt out of the room as she ripped opened the evelope her face suddenly becoming solem

"Tor?" I asked turning to face my beautiful girlfriend Aria having abandoned the room leaving only the brunette and I "What's wrong?"

"He's gone" She said sadly passing me the crumbled piece of paper that held the distinct chicken scratch that was Noah's handwriting "He left"

"Hey Tor, I'm not really sure what to say, I mean this is a pretty crappy goodbye but it's better than nothing at all. I got accepted into Atlanta State, nothing special but it's something. I don't want to leave, trust me when I say that cause I don't, but if I don't leave now I'll never leave, I'll find a reason to stay whether it be helping Jess, desperately trying to woo Emma, or apologize to you for my shitting behavior. The only other person that knows I'm leaving is my mom, so do me a favor tell Jess that she was a better sister than I could have asked for, tell Miranda that she was the most entreating frenemy that I've ever encounter, tell Emma that I love her, more than I can say, and Tori tell everyone that this is not a goodbye it's simply a see ya later.

Love you Tor-Noah"

"I…." I stuttered searching for something to say. As much as I hated to admit it, Tori loved Noah yes not in the way she loved me, but in the way she loved Emma, in the way she loved Jess. And when Tori loved she loved hard which can be both a good and a bad thing, unfortunately at this time it was a bad thing. She loved Noah with all her heart, she loved him like a brother and there he was abandoning her like her father and her mother. "Tori"

"I'm fine" She admitted pushing my hand off of her shoulder getting back onto her feet gripping the envelope tightly in her fingers a determined look on her face "I have to go talk to Jess"

"Do you want me to.."

"No, I have to do it myself" She said letting out a harsh breath "But I'll see you later, okay?" Tori said leaning into my lips planting a soft kiss on my mouth before darting out her door

She hated Noah for doing this. She hated him for leaving even if it was in his best interested, Tori had lost enough people for a lifetime. Her father abandoned her, her mother died, all she had was Aria, Emma, Jess and I. She didn't deserve this and you could bet your ass that if I ever ran into Noah again I would beat him for putting her through more pain

"Em" I groaned into my cell phone pacing back and forth in front of his room "Emma!" I drew out her name as I waited for her to pick up the ringing phone. I hadn't seen her all day, the brunette most likely spending her afternoon in the grille with her nose stuck in a book reading all about what to expect when you go to college, Emma already stressing about leaving in a few months

"Hey Miranda" She greeted finally answering the phone "What's up?"

"I need you here, now! The plan is in motion, I repeat the plan is in motion"

"Are you trying to sound like a spy?" She question giggling quietly into the phone

"Shut up and get your ass over here" I demanded conveniently leaving out the news of Noah's departure. It was a good plan, it had to be Tori the brainiac came up with it. I didn't have to do much, just grab a few things from his room and plant them inside Emmerson's house, it wasn't hard, at least that's what I was hoping. Emma arrived at my house a few minutes later instantly sensing my anxiety as she found me pacing in front of his bedroom door

"Are you sure you want to do this? We can think of something else" She suggested sliding her hand into mine

"No, this is the quickest way to get Jamie back with Jess. We need to do this" I said firmly giving Emma's hand a quick squeeze before barging into my little brother's room for the first time since his death. It looked exactly as it did before he was gone, everything untouched and in its proper place as if Connor never left, as if he was gonna come home any minute as if he wasn't murdered.

"Do you know where he kept it?" Emma asked tip toeing into his room nervously looking around

"No" I answered wiping the few tears that escaped my eyes. I tried my best to forget about him, to forget about how much I loved him despite his annoying behavior, despite his betrayal, despite his attitude, I loved him, he was my little brother I had to love him. I missed seeing his room, the walls littered with dozens of posters dedicated to numerous bands, tv shows and sports that I doubted he actually watched. "Think like Connor" I whispered to myself "Somewhere accessible, yet somewhere mom and dad wouldn't suspect" And that's when it hit me "There" I said pointing to the large novel that sat on his nightstand "Open that up" I instructed watching Emma strut over to the book prying it opened a shocked look crossing her face as she realized that the book had been hollowed out "Genius" I laughed to myself catching the bag that Emma tossed in my direction scrunching my face as the stench of pot filled my nose "Ready?" I questioned practically speeding from his room the immense amount of emptions I was feeling beginning to take its toll

"Let's go pay Emmershit a visit" She chuckled proud of the nickname she had just created as she quietly closed Connor's door