Annabelle’s POV

“Something’s not working” I say, placing one hand on my hip, my other one holding the camera. I stare at the girls on front of me. I just don’t buy the whole after party/aftermath thing. They’re dressed with overly expensive clothes that don’t look at all like something you would wear to go get drunk with your girl friends & pass out at the beach. I sigh, glancing to where Zacky & Brian are playing with a ball for a second. That’s when it clicked. “BRIAN” I call him. He turns to look at me & throws Zacky the ball before walking towards me.

“Sorry. I promise we’ll keep it down” He says, immediately apologizing.

“No. Take off your shirt” I say to him. He looks at me confused.

“What?”

“Take off your shirt” I say again & he just stares at me. “Give me your shirt” I say, motioning him to take it off. He does as I ask, still a little skeptic. “You too, Z” I say to Zacky that joined us.

“And what are we supposed to wear?” Zacky asks.

“You” I say, signaling to the 2 girls with this over the top shirts to come. I hand them the shirts & I start styling them while Gena rips the collar of one so it would fall from her shoulder. & when we were done, we’re pleased with the whole trashy/groupie look. I start taking pictures again, before changing from scenery.

Brian’s POV

After watching the whole day Belle & Gena work, we’re on our way to this Cuban place that Belle visits every time she’s here. She claims they have the best Mojitos. I just want a beer & hang out with my friends. We walk into ‘Bongos’. And just as our luck, it’s Mojito Wednesday with Latin dance night. You can hear the music being played & a good size of people dancing to the beats of the songs. We make our way to the bar, ordering our drinks & hanging out. It’s been a while since we’ve been able to do this, just for fun without having a motive. “Come on” Belle says, standing up & grabbing my hand. I don’t budge.

“Where?” I ask even though I know the answer.

“To dance” She says tugging my arm again but I don’t move.

“Uh… I don’t think so” I say, freeing my hand & grabbing my beer.

“Oh, come on. Dance with me” She says pouting & staring at me with puppy eyes.

“I don’t know how to dance… especially this type of music” I say.

“I’ll teach you. It’s really easy” She says, grabbing my arm, but I don’t move.

“No, thanks” I say, looking at her. When she’s looking like this is almost impossible to say no to her.

“I’ll dance with you” Zacky says, downing the last bit of his Mojito. He stands & grabs her hand, walking to the dance floor without another word. Gena & I turn to watch Belle yell things to Zacky. They started swinging to the beat of the music, one of his hands on her waist & the other holding one of her hands, while the other rested on his shoulder. Zacky was pretty quick to grasp what he was supposed to be doing & soon they were dancing more fluidly & swiveling around, making Belle’s dress flow from the air. She was laughing & having a great time & that made me smile. It has been a really long time since the last time I’ve seen her actually enjoying herself. I often forget that she’s just 23 years old & that she should be having the time of her life.

“She’s so good at that” Gena says, turning around to place her empty glass on the bar top & asking for a refill. “I almost feel jealous”

“After all those years of classes, she should be good” I say, turning around, sipping from my beer. “Zacky isn’t that bad either” I add.

“Yeah. No wonder he’s always dancing on all your fucking videos” She says. I laugh, not really noticing that before. “She misses this, you know?” She says & I turn to look at her. “We all do. It seems since you decided to get engaged, everything revolves around the wedding”

“I know” I say sighing. Things have been going so fucking fast. 3 months ago I was a single guy with his girlfriend. Now I’m getting married in 7 months.

“And now she’s going to Chicago to spend Thanksgiving with Justin’s family” She says & I turn to look at her.

“What?”

“Yeah. She’s getting serious with the dude” I knew she liked him a lot but I didn’t know they were planning fucking trips together. Especially a holiday that we always spend together. It’s our fucking tradition. All of our families gather together at my father’s house & spend it there like the family we are. It’s a family holiday. She can’t possibly be thinking about throwing that away… can she? “From the look on your face I see she didn’t tell you”

“No, she didn’t” I mutter. Zacky walks to us at that moment, a light glow of sweat on his face.

“Where’s Belle?” I ask him, noticing she’s not walking behind him.

“She found a new dance partner. Thank God, cuz I thought I was gonna fucking pass out. I’m so out of shape & she’s like the fucking Energizer bunny swirling around and around and around” He says, ordering beer & almost finishing it up from the first sip. I turn to see her dancing with this tall tanned man. She’s laughing from the things he’s saying on her ear while never missing a beat. She looks stunning. But when he grabs her hands & places them around his neck, both of his hands wrapping around her small waist, is when I feel this pang of jealousy run through my body. I’m not used to feel this way. God knows I’ve seen her dance way dirtier with other guys, but to see her actually enjoying his attention, made me feel so jealous that I didn’t even realized that I had gotten up & walked to where she was, til I was standing right behind her.

“Mind if I cut in?” I say, more like growl. She turns around, her smile faltering a bit, before it grew.

“Not at all” He says, letting go of her waist, all the while my eyes fixated on his. “I knew a girl so pretty couldn’t be here alone” He says. “Nice to meet you. You’re very good dancer, Anita” He says, kissing the back of her hand before walking away.

“Well, well, well, if it isn’t Mr. I-don’t-know-how-to-dance” She says, placing her arms around my neck, while mine found her waist.

“I thought I should give it a shot” I say, looking into her eyes. “Besides, I didn’t like seeing him fondle you like that” She laughs loudly.

“You’re hilarious” She says. I feel a tap on my shoulder & turn to see Zacky & Gena standing there.

“We’re heading out. I’m gonna crash with Gena, so you guys are paired up together for the night. See you guys at the airport” He says, kissing Belle’s forehead, before walking away. I turn to look at Belle.

“You wanna leave or should we stay here?” I ask her.

“I think I’m ready to go. These shoes are killing me” She says. I look down to see her high heels adorning her tiny feet. Even with freaking high heels she’s shorter than me. We walk outside & feel the warm air of Miami hit us. “How about a short walk on the beach?” She says, looking at me. I nod & we cross the street to get to the beach. She takes off her shoes & we start walking, not saying one word, just hearing the waves crashing & the faint sound of music that is blasting from the night clubs along the shore. “I missed this” She says, sitting on the sand. “I feel like we don’t talk anymore” She says.

“I know. I feel that way too. Everything is happening so fast that we don’t have time to talk anymore” I say, sitting next to her. We stay silent for a couple of minutes before I talk again. “Why didn’t you tell me that you were going to meet Justin’s parents for Thanksgiving?” I ask her & I see her take a deep breath.

“I don’t know” She says. “I didn’t thought it was a big deal”

“Are you serious? Of course it’s a big deal. We haven’t spent a Thanksgiving away from each other ever. Not even when you were on NY” I say, a little bit more aggressive than what I intended. “I didn’t know you were so serious with… him” I couldn’t even muster saying his name. Belle knew it too. I really don't like the guy. She could do so much better.

“He just asked me & I thought it was a good idea. I mean, he knows all my friends & family. I thought I should do the same”

“But, Thanksgiving, Belle? That’s our holiday” I say, drawing small stars on the sand.

“Nothing is ours anymore, Brian. Everything is changing. You’re getting married, Jimmy & Matt got married. It’s a matter of time before Zacky pops the question. & Johnny… well, him & Lacey live in their own little world” She says, casting her eyes down. “I hate fucking change but we can’t help it. We’re changing too & I think is finally time for me to grow up & try different things”

“You make it sound like if we’re never gonna see each again” I say, looking at her. I see her gaze is still down. I lift her chin & make her look at me. “Things aren’t gonna change between us. I’ll be the same asshole that gets drunk & mess up & you’re gonna be the same Belle that’s saving my ass” Her eyes are glistening with tears that refuse to spill. “Just because I’m getting married doesn’t mean I’m gonna forget you. I couldn’t even if I tried. I love you too much” I say, kissing her nose & hugging her. I know that really comforts her cuz I’ve seen her mom do it a million times. We stay like that for a few more minutes, until she peels away from my embrace & looks at me.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to have a meltdown” She says, a small smile playing on her lips.

“Don’t worry” I say. “We should get back to the hotel. Gotta wake up early tomorrow” I say helping her stand. I bend down a bit & she immediately jumps on my back for a piggy back ride.

“Remind me to give you dance lessons when we’re back home. I don’t want you stepping on Michelle’s feet at your first dance together as Mr. & Mrs.” She says & I laugh. I seriously need some dance lessons. & I can’t think of a better teacher.