Emilia's POV

I sat on the bench at the park crying my eyes out after Renae decided to give me some time to recuperate and calm down. I felt stupid for even going to the barbecue. I had a deep sinking feeling something bad was going to happen and I was right. I was staring out at the pond when I felt someone sit beside me on the bench. I took a deep breath. “Shouldn't you be at the party?” I said not looking at him.

He sighed and shook his head. “I wanted to come and check up on you. To see if you're alright.” I continued to not look at him, not wanting to see his handsome face. Brian put his hand under my chin and slowly moved my face towards him to look at him. He gave a small smile. “I'm sorry for what happened back there. She had no right to do that to you.” He let go of my face.

I nodded. We sat in silence for a minute, looking at each other. Not knowing what to say. “Although you standing up for yourself...I thought that was sexy.” I heard him quietly say. He looked at the ground after he said it and I just smiled. It was now my turn to put my hand under his chin and move it to where he was looking at me. I slowly started to move forward. He did the same. The closer we got, the closer our lips were almost touching. We then just stopped an inch from each other.

“Stay with me tonight.” He blurted out. My eyes went wide. “...W-What?” He smiled at me. “Stay with me for the night. I want to make this up to you. Think of this as a sleepover. Sort of thing.” I giggled at that. I watched him blush a little after he said it. I pretended to think about it. “Well since you're such a gentleman, yes I'd love to. I like sleepovers.” Now it was his turn to laugh. Without thinking, I gave him a soft kiss on his lips. I watched as he closed his eyes and savored the moment.

I sat there savoring it as well. As I was about to get up, he pulled me down and kissed me. This time it had more passion. I closed my eyes and felt like I was floating on a cloud. Like it was a dream. We pulled apart slowly, out of breath. “Wow.” I said. “I know.” He said breathlessly. We both stood up and started walking out of the park.

“I'll take you back to your apartment so that you can pack a few things.” He said as he lead me back to his car. “Oh so I'm staying more than a night then?” I joked. He laughed and shook his head. “That's if you want to.” The way he said it made it sound like he wanted me to stay forever. Well if all goes well with us, I may just do that.

- Few Weeks Later -

Renae's POV

I laid in bed as I stared up at the ceiling of my room. Emilia had sent me a text telling me that she was going to come by and pick up some stuff. She was staying at Brian's place for the night...or so I thought. That was a few weeks ago. I would have loved to help her out on getting over what happened at the barbecue but I decided to back off for a bit and see what Brian will do to help. I just hope he doesn't take advantage of her. Or her rushing into it with him since he 'just' got out of a marriage.

I was at Zack's place during that time she was staying with Brian. I literally felt like I was living in his house whenever I came over. His dog Ichabod seems to have take a liking to me. His other dog Majesty wasn't there too much since she was staying over at his sister's place for a while.

The dog quickly took a liking to me though when I had went with Zacky to his sister's place to go pick up some stuff. Very loveable and amazing family he has.

Thinking back, I remember when I first met Emilia. It was a year after I broke up with Ben. I was at a Green Day concert with some chick who I thought was my friend only to have ditched me and hang out with her friends that were there. They were pretty snobby and I wanted to stay as far away from that group as possible.

-Flashback-

I was inside the venue waiting in line to go use the bathroom when someone bumped into me standing behind me. “I'm so sorry.” The person behind me said in a bit of a hurry. I looked behind me. “It's okay, all good here.” I smiled.

The girl behind me had wavy red hair that was a few inches past her shoulders. She had vibrant brown eyes that made her look genuinely beautiful. She was wearing a black tank top and blue jeans. I chuckled to myself when I looked down at what I was wearing. Same colors only I had on a black v-neck shirt and blue denim shorts. I two star tattoos on either side of my chest where as she had star tattoos on her wrist. Which looked identical to mine. Very interesting.

We stood there in line, not saying much for a minute or so. I decided to break the silence. “Excited to watch some awesome band perform?”

She nodded. “Yeah definitely. This is..well...my first concert actually.” She said the last part in a whisper.

I smirked. “That's cool. You'll love it. I remember my first concert. Alkaline Trio. Amazing band to watch live. I went with my friend Arin.”

“Awesome. Oh sorry I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Emilia, Emi for short.” She stuck her hand out.

I shook her hand. “Nice to meet you. I'm Renae, please call me Ren.”

We stood there smiling at each other and continued to talk about bands, real life, and other stuff. We finally had made it when it was our turn to use the stalls in the Woman's bathroom. I quickly did my business and washed my hands before heading out and waiting for her. A few seconds later, Emilia had came out and smiled at me. We both walked next to each other inside where the stage was. Standing in front of the stage, I looked around. It was filling up fast.

“I noticed you have star tattoos on your chest. I got a similar one on my wrist.” Emilia said as she held up her wrist to show me. “That's awesome. It's like we're twins in a way.” I laughed. She laughed also. I was about to say something else when suddenly the lights turned off.

The crowd around us started cheering as we both looked up on stage. The members of Green Day slowly came out one by one. Once the lead singer was out, he stood there staring at all. Then the music started going and be began to sing.

Emilia and I started screaming and cheering. We were having the best time of our lives.
-End Of Flashback-
I smiled as I thought of how much fun we had at the concert. I had a feeling that after I met her, I knew her and I would be the best of friends. Even after getting to know her when the show was over and we had exchanged numbers, it was like she opened the door to something I missed. Friendship. I did have Arin and his wife Kimberly but they were starting to get super busy with other stuff so I never got to hang out with them for a while.

My phone buzzed next to me on the bed and I looked down at it, noticing I got a new text. Well apparently a few new texts. One from Arin, one from Zacky, and...one from Matt? I decided to read his first.

'Hey Ren, just wanted to apologize for my sister-in-law's rudeness towards you and Emi. Let's meet up and hang out next time? Arin said he'll come along too. He was too lazy to text so he gave me your number and had me send you a text for him. Well he just sent you one probably telling you that I'm a butthead and don't believe a word I said lol. Anyway see ya later.' - Matt

I giggled at his text then went to the next one.

'My lovely sis! Don't listen to Matt, I was bound to send you a test but he's being a meany pants and kept hiding my phone for who knows what reason. I shall have my revenge! Muahahaha. Can't wait to see ya. ;p' – Arin

I laughed even harder reading Arin's text. Jeez these guys are crazy. I scrolled down to the last text which was from Zacky.

'Hey baby, was wondering if you wanted to go with me to Thanksgiving dinner at my parent's place? I also want to take you somewhere today. I'm coming by to pick you up in 10 minutes so get ready.' - Zacky

Rubbing my eyes, I looked closer at time he had sent the text. 11:25am. I looked over at the clock on the night stand. 11:31am. Shit.

I quickly grabbed a teal colored tank top and black shorts before heading out into the living. No one was home anyway so why not change here for once? I then noticed that the living room was a mess. Who knew one person like me could be this messy? I sighed and put on Pandora on the iPod and began to clean. Hate by Plain White Ts was playing and I couldn't help but sing along.

Love love love love love love

You were everything I wanted
You were everything a girl could be
Then you left me brokenhearted
Now you don't mean a thing to me

My phone started to ring on the counter. I walked over to it and picked it up. 'Unknown number?' I thought to myself. I was debating on whether to answer it or not. My curiosity got the best of me and I decided to answer it.

All I wanted was your
Love love love love love love

Hate is a strong word
But I really, really, really don't like you
Now that it's over
I don't even know what I liked about you
Brought you around and you just brought me down
Hate is a strong word
But I really, really, really don't like you
I really don't like you

“Hello?”
“Well hello my dearest Renae. Missed me?” The voice said.
I gulped as I knew who it was. How the hell did he get my number anyway?
“What the fuck do you want Ben?”
He laughed which sent shivers up my spine. And not because it turned me
“I was calling to apologize for the way I've acted. I'm very sorry.” He said, with a hint of sincere in his voice. Sadly I wasn't going to fall for it.
“Apology accepted, goodbye.” I said as I was about to hang up.
“Don't you fucking dare hang up on me Renae Athena Lam!” He shouted. I had to pull my ear away from the phone so that I wouldn't go deaf.

Thought that everything was perfect (perfect)
Isn't that how it's supposed to be?
Thought you thought that I was worth it
Now I think a little differently

All I wanted was your
Love love love love love love

Hate is a strong word
But I really, really, really don't like you (I really don't like you)
Now that it's over
I don't even know what I liked about you (liked about you)
Brought you around and you just brought me down
Hate is a strong word
But I really, really, really don't like you

Now that it's over you can't hurt me
Now that it's over you can't bring me down

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. What the hell is wrong with this guy?
“Okay you got my attention. What do you want?” I said calmly.
“Good girl. Well besides apologizing, I was calling to ask if you wanted to come and meet me at this beautiful cafe for lunch say the day after tomorrow? My treat.” He said. I could tell he was smirking after saying that.
Of course, I gave him my simple answer. “No..”
“This is the moment of a life time baby! You, me, and food while catching up on old times. You say no to that? I'm hurt.” He sobbed, though I knew he was faking it.
I rolled my eyes. “Get over it. I'm not hanging out with you.”
Oh oh oh oh oh oh
Oh oh oh oh oh ohAll I wanted was your
Love love love love love love

(Hate) Hate is a strong word
But I really, really, really don't like you (I really don't like you)
Now that it's over
I don't even know what I liked about you (liked about you)
Brought you around and you just brought me down
(Hate) Hate is a strong word
But I really, really, really don't like you
(Oh oh oh oh oh oh)
I really don't like you

“Oh you are and you will. Wanna know why?”
I was getting tired of this. “I have to get going.” I said as I noticed Zacky had already arrived. He stood there in a dark gray shirt with dark denim jeans on staring at me.
“One word: revenge” He said before hanging up.

I tossed my phone onto the couch and closed my eyes. What did he mean by that? Then it hit me. So it seems he's going to try to get back at me somehow for dumping him. But what was he going to do?
The song ended and I just stood there, not moving. Zacky's eyes slowly started wondering down my body. I then realized I was only in my blue bra and black panties. I swallowed thickly as I saw lust in his eyes. He looked up into mine and began to move closer. But he stopped for a bit and saw that I was not happy. His look changed to concern. He continued to walk forward.

I took a deep breath and started walking to him. We met half way and stood there looking at each other. He reached out and pulled me into his body. Holding me close. I inhaled his scent and sighed. Who knew he would make me forget my past just by way he holds me, kisses me, or speaks words that make me weak.

Zacky pulled away a little, putting me at arms length. “Are you alright baby?”

I nodded, looking up to him. I gave him a weak smile. “I'm fine. Just having a moment of reflecting.” I said and gave him a kiss. He smiled as I moved away from him and quickly put on my clothes.

I walked back over to him and tiptoed up, kissing him again. He returned the kiss and it was a nice sweet kiss at first. Soon it turned into a full on make out session. After a good 5 minutes, we pulled away trying to catch our breaths.

Zacky took my hand into his and lead me out of the apartment. We headed downstairs and straight to his car. We both got in and drove off.

“So I know I sent you a text but I just want to know what your answer is. Would you like to meet the rest of my family for Thanksgiving?”

Hearing him ask, I wasn't really paying much attention as I stared out the window. Although my body seemed to know what to say because my head started moving, nodding a yes to his question. He smiled and took my hand into his while his other hand was on the steering wheel driving.

“When is Thanksgiving?”

“Tomorrow.”

My head quickly snapped over to looked over at him, wide eyed. Great I needed to find something to wear. I sat there thinking about an outfit and how his family will react to him dating someone 7 years younger than him. His sister and I already get along. Though I'm not sure how his younger brother and parents will act.

As I continued to think about it, I didn't know we were already at the place where Zacky wanted to take me to. Which I had no idea what it was.

He parked the car and got out. Walking around and opening my door. He stuck his hand out and I took it, helping me step out of the car. He closed the door and guided me to what it looked like a nice little park. There were kids playing in the playground area as well as there were people just walking around or sitting on the benches.

Zacky walked us over to a little secluded area and I noticed there was a red checkered blanket on the grass and a basket sitting on top of it. We both sat down on top of the blanket. Zacky started to take out the food from the basket. There were sandwiches that had turkey, ham, and cheddar cheese in them, chocolate cake for dessert, and some sparkling wine.

“Babe this is amazing!” I said as I grabbed a sandwich and took a bit. Zacky beamed and did the same by biting into a sandwich of his own. We sat there eating our food. He brought up something about Johnny falling asleep some nights ago when they were all hanging out at the bar. He and Brian decided to draw on his face, making him look like a cat and had the word 'pussy' on his forehead.

I nearly choked on my food but quickly regained myself and laughed. Zacky took out two wine glasses and poured some sparkling wine in both of them. He handed me one glass as he held out the other in the air.

“I'd like to make a toast. To a wonderful day this has been and to a wonderful lady I have in my life.” We clinked our glasses and both took a sip. I stopped drinking mine as I went to go dig into a slice of chocolate cake. That's when I noticed something off.

Zacky chugged the rest of his wine then poured himself some more. He was acting a bit strange. “Are you okay?”

He nodded his head. “Y-yeah I'm fine. Nothing t-to worry about.” He said quickly before chugging the glass that he refilled. I laid my hand on top of his and smiled. What ever it is that's bothering him, I hope it's nothing too bad.

Notes

What happened between the days of Emi hanging out with Brian? Will Ben ever reveal how he got Ren's number? Will Ren go on with meeting up with him? And what the hell's wrong with Zacky that's making him so nervous? Stay tuned...

There you go, another lovely chapter. Had to kind of rush it a little bit just to get this story really going. And hey, gotta balance the lovey dovey stuff with some drama/craziness bound to happen. So for now, it'll possibly be 1 chapter a week or so. Got so many ideas going on that I don't know what to put next. Thank you for reading.

- LadyRevenge