A/N: That was quite the New York minute for our gang. Luckily it had a happy ending.

This was originally going to be part of the previous chapter, but it got so massive that I decided to take that final segment and merge it with the next chapter to bring you THIS!

Shorter when compared to some other chapters but I have had an exhausting week and wanted to leave you with something before we get the reunion.

Enjoy!

Alice shot up, her heart working overtime. It felt so real, even when the dream collapsed around her, and she was back in bed; it was tough to shake the bad feeling.

"Mia? Are you awake?"

The older teen rolled over and moaned.

"I am now," she sighed with a yawn. "What's up?"

"I had a really bad dream," Alice sighed, wiping the sweat from her face. "It was us...in the park...only..." she started to tear up. "...we didn't make it."

Mia opened her eyes and was out of her bed in a flash to hug the sitting girl, who grabbed onto her tan arms. After the intense experience of getting mugged in Central Park, Alice was beyond grateful for not sleeping by herself. Having Mia in the room was a comfort. Alice was never hesitant to show her feelings on her sleeve, even if the truth had trouble passing her lips at times (i.e. Becky). Around each other, her and Mia had shared so many laughs and so many tears; they were in sync when things became overwhelming.

(Thank you, Tori for loving my mom with a radiance she deserves. And for giving me the sister I always wanted.)

In the beginning, Mia would debate about what to say or do, but now she had this sisterly instinct. They both did, really. Whenever one saw the other in distress, intuition would activate, and they would hold the other. When they were cornered by that robber, they remained calm, putting the safety of the other to the forefront of their minds. They could care less about their money or other valuables. Mia thanked God she wasn't wearing her locket that day. She stowed it in the safe of the hotel for her own peace of mind. But had it been on her person, while difficult, she would have parted with the piece of jewelry if that meant Alice would be spared. The man who gave the necklace to her as well as the photo inside were one of a kind. But so was Alice.

I want you to accept love and give it back into the world...

Those words in her father's voice were etched into her brain and in this moment, it echoed like a universal truth meant for every sentient being.

The younger girls' breathing slowed down and she ceased sobbing.

"Thanks, Mia" she sighed with a little smile.

"You never have to," the taller one shook her head. "I know all about bad dreams."

Mia prayed that Alice wouldn't have panic attacks like she used to, unwittingly being transported back to her trauma.

Alice cleared her throat and laid down, Mia sticking around to lay beside her. They both stared at the ceiling for a minute or two.

"Mia?"

"Yeah?"

"I...I need some advice."

The tan figure rolled over to face her.

"What do you mean?"

"You know how they have it in movies when you think you might die that your life flashes before you?"

Mia got chills, reliving her own moment in the blink of an eye. That horrible night when she thought that was it for her.

"I wasn't thinking about the bad choices that led us to our situation. Instead, I was thinking about what I haven't done yet, the places I wanted to see. All the cool stuff I haven't tried but was considering, you know?"

She nodded while gazing at Alice.

"But most of all...I was haunted by the faces that I thought I'd never see again. You were there, but what about my mom, what about my dad, or Tori, or all my friends?" Alice wiped away a newly formed tear. "What about Becky?"

"Isn't she a friend, too?"

Alice blushed and turned her back to Mia.

"Oh..." it dawned on the older girl.

"Before we left, I realized how much I like her. You know, the way you like Ryan."

Mia scrunched up her face, surprised that got past her. You would think being surrounded by two parental figures who were gaga for each other would make her sensitive to Alice's queer leanings. But she didn't tell her anything. Mia didn't exactly make any assumptions regarding Alice. Before tonight she hadn't mentioned any crushes at all. Mia would have been just as caught off guard if she told her anything really. This had to be fresh information for the girl, and she was still working through her emotions to keep it from her of all people. Poor Alice.

She reached to touch her shoulder with a reassuring hand and coaxed her to roll back so they were face to face again.

"So, you want to ask Becky out?"

Alice held her stomach and nodded in the affirmative.

"Then do it!"

"It's not that simple!" she protested.

Mia scoffed.

"Why shouldn't it be? Ryan asked me out point blank."

The shorter girl sat back up in a huff.

"Oh, please! Ryan is like the all-American boy, minus the playing sports part. Like there was a risk of you saying no."

[FLASHBACK]

Mia had to admit, she was like butter in those early days of them getting together. He basically had to say when and where for the first date, and it was a done deal! They talked and joked around leading up to the movie but when they sat there in the dark, just them and none of their other friends, they were stone silent. Ryan spoke first and made small talk about the movie, which was some action flick. Not an impossible plot to follow. Mia said she was having fun, while inside she was banging her head against the wall, not accepting that this date was really happening.

Ryan got in the habit of tilting the big bag of popcorn toward her every few minutes, knowing she would grab a handful. He hardly touched any, mostly paying attention to his drink. At one point she turned to him and excused herself because she had to use the bathroom. Mia asked him if he wanted anything since, she would be passing the concession stand and with the movie already playing, there shouldn't be a line. He looked up at her, the light from the movie screen making her look so beautiful in that moment.

"Oh, um, yeah I like uh...pretty eyes..."

His eyes bugged out and her face burned with the Freudian slip of the tongue.

"I meant that it would be pretty cool if you grabbed an Icee?" he quickly blurted out to save the day.

Mia nodded and walked briskly away, replaying the interaction over and over again in her head.

(HE SAID I HAVE PRETTY EYES!)

After she returned with a cherry flavored Icee, the pair finished the movie and discussed it in the lobby. Ryan drove her back to her home and so started the awkward goodbyes. Mia thanked him for a fun time, and he was thankful that she accepted. Ryan confessed that he was thinking about her a lot and was hoping today would let him know if these feelings were warranted. But he ended up enjoying himself and if Mia was interested to go on another date? Mia was screaming internally but as cooly as she could told him she would like that very much.

He nodded enthusiastically and Mia smiled back before starting to unbuckle herself. Ryan apologized as the button gets stuck sometimes and he reached over to help her, but Mia chuckled that she could handle it. And in the mess of both of them trying to get Mia free, faces collided, their lips resting on the corner of their mouths. The hairs on his arms stood on end while her heart was running laps.

"Sorry," Ryan winced, feeling like he kissed her without permission, even though it was an accident.

Mia's nostrils flared and her lips curled into a smile.

"Guess we both missed."

"Huh?"

She leaned over to him, and this time shot the bullseye. He didn't touch her leg or the back of her head. Ryan just sat there, dumbfounded. When they broke apart, he couldn't help but glance down to her soft lips.

"I'm getting that second date, aren't I?"

Mia nodded and got out of the car when she saw the light of the entrance turn on. Tori gave her some time but looked like time was up.

"Goodnight, Mia" he said with a grin.

"Goodnight, Ryan" Mia couldn't help but sway like she was filled with helium and tied to the ground to keep from floating away.

[END OF FLASHBACK]

Alice's lips quivered like she was going to cry.

"What's the matter?" Mia asked.

She grabbed the pillow behind her and smothered herself, muffling a frustrated moan. Alice when uttered something incomprehensible.

"What?"

Alice revealed her face again.

"I want what you guys have!" she pouted.

"Alice...you are an amazing girl! You have a lot to offer."

She chuckled mildly to herself, turning away from Mia's sight.

"There's a problem, though."

"What?" asked Mia.

"Around the time I figured out I liked her; she told me already was thinking about...someone else."

Mia frowned, feeling bad for little sister.

"Did she ask them out?"

"I don't...think so," Alice sighed.

"Then you still have a shot!" she shook her.

"But she likes..."

"Think about it!" Mia interrupted. "Had Becky wanted to ask out this other person, she would have already. Maybe she hasn't made her decision."

The older girl grumbled and dragged Alice up to face the bureau where the TV sat. She pointed to their reflections in the huge mirror.

"You see what I see?"

Alice shook her head.

"I see..." Mia held Alice's face, squeezing her lips that she looked like a fish. "I see a pretty, wonderful girl who is always the life of the party! I'm not knocking on Becky, but I find it hard to believe that she knows somebody more incredible than you."

She smiled and Mia relinquished her.

"Why are you doing all of this?" Alice chuckled. "Saying these things?"

Mia put her arms around her and rested her head on top of hers.

"Because you pushed me to follow my heart. And because of us, our moms got together. Now it's your turn to believe in yourself! Go on and call her. Right now."

Alice plopped back onto the bed.

"But it's one in the morning!"

Mia held up her finger, "Ah, but it's only 10 p.m. back home."

"Wait, wait, wait!" Alice held up her hands. "Slow down!"

She gave Alice the side eye.

"I'm serious! Let me...let me work on what to say first."

"Alright..." Mia sighed, sitting back on her own bed. "I won't rush you but please don't wait until we get back. That might be too much time."

Alice bit her lip, starring at the ceiling.

The older one giggled to herself, how little miss hopeless romantic is falling to piece from getting struck by cupid's arrow. The girls laid down in silence, lost in their own loopy worlds as fatigue finally won out and they both drifted back to sleep.

A/N: There will be another chapter this week coming up. Just need sleep!