------------------------------------------

Thank you to Staryynight who said the song Soldier by Before You Exit reminds her of this story. :)

Dedication: 17serenity for the amazing cover!

Recap:

"I'll get some marshmellows ready for you." He grinned, smirking at my lack of enthusiasm about nature. I rolled my eyes and ducked into my tent. I began rummaging through my bag, grabbing all the essentials I needed. It was evident that Anna had already beat me to it and was already heading off to shower.

The showers were extremely disgusting here. The floor was full of grime, the curtains were stained and the walls had mould accumulating across them. It smelled like wet, old clothes that had been locked in a room for too long. Wrinkling my nose, I entered. I could see Anna's toiletry bag on one of the stools outside, along with her signature red towel that she takes everywhere. The was another shower running somewhere around the corner, but I preferred not to go around there, as it was even worse than these ones and the lightbulb had blown. I went to enter the cubicle next to her when she giggled. I paused. Why was she laughing so flirtatiously?

"Stop, you're going to get us caught," she breathed with another teasing laugh. My eyes bulged out of my head as I looked down and saw that another pair of legs was in the shower with her. I quickly turned and exited the shower block, unsure how to feel. I was marching back to my tent when I realised I had dropped my shorts. With an exasperated sigh, I headed back. Just as I was walking in, I ran head first into someone's chest. I stumbled back in surprise.

The person quickly steadied me. I looked up and locked eyes with Aiden. His hair was wet and his chest was glistening with water. His cheeks were flushed red. My stomach fell. No. He couldn't have been the one in there with Anna.

This trip suddenly just got a whole lot worse.

------------------------------------------

The rest of the trip had gone painfully slow but I was finally home. As soon as I stepped foot into my house, I sprinted to the bathroom and scrubbed myself clean of the grime and dirt that was spread over my skin. After spending an excessive amount of time shampooing and exfoliating, I emerged from the bathroom feeling one hundred percent more human.

I was wringing my hair when my phone rang. I sighed, knowing it was Anna without having to look. I had avoided her like the plague the rest of the trip, which had been hard since we were in a tent together and placed in the same group. I couldn't believe she would betray me like that. Out of all the boys she could be with, she had to choose him. I spent as much time with Carter as I could, even sitting with him on the bus ride home. She knew something was up and decided constantly calling me was going to make me talk to her. I know I should answer and talk this through with her, but I was too afraid of the answer. Honestly? I was afraid to lose her. Anna is the first friend I have genuinely gotten along with and trusted for the first time in a while. I didn't want to risk knowing she had been with Aiden. It would ruin everything between us.

I turned my phone off, eventually unable to stand the constant vibrating. I tried to distract myself in more ways than one. I went for a run, had another shower, read for an hour, watched a movie, but my thoughts still went back to Anna and Aiden together. I felt sick and betrayed. I knew there was only one person that could distract me from my turmoil of thoughts. Conveniently, he lives next door.

Slipping on a loose pair of shorts and a shirt, I headed over. I squinted as the too-bright afternoon sun met my eyes harshly. Walking in without knocking, I wound my way up the stairs to his room, his house having a rather cool chill in contrast to the humid air outside.

"Hey." I said, barging rudely through his door. He was sprawled across his bed, a textbook in his hand. I did a double take. The thought of him studying still seemed incredulous to me. I shook myself mentally and crawled onto his bed, falling back. I stared up at his ceiling.

Carter, the paramedic. Has a nice ring to it.

"Hi?" He replied, the word coming out more of a question. "What's up?"

Oh nothing, I just think my best friend and my ex-boyfriend are hooking up and I feel sick about it.

"Just wanted to come see you."

"You've been by my side the last couple days," he pointed out, placing the book beside him. He leaned over and easily dragged my body towards him. I settled back, half resting on his lap. I closed my eyes and he began massaging my scalp. "Obviously I'm not complaining, but is something up?"

"I just like spending time with you."

He was quiet for a few moments before a cocky smirk danced across his lips. "That's understandable."

"Am I distracting you from your study?" I mumbled, his fingers feeling like Heaven. A blissful sigh escaped me. In moments like this, it was easy to picture Carter and I the way we used to be. As if that night never happened. That we were still dating and completely, obliviously in love. It was easy to forget that he broke my heart and we hated each other for over a year. Now, here we were, together but not really together, just like we were growing up. We were back to the start.

"You're always distracting me," he laughed. Carter leaned forward and pressed his lips against my forehead. "I bet you're glad to be back home."

"No kidding."

"Are you avoiding Anna?"

"What gives you that idea?" I asked with fake shock, staring determinedly at his bed comforter. His fingers ran tantalisingly slow through my hair and I let my eyes drift closed. I felt the need to seek his advice about this situation, but at the same time, I didn't want to talk to him about it.

"I'm not blind."

"Okay, I'm avoiding her." I gave in, withdrawing myself from his embrace and reclining back onto his bed. I stared up at the ceiling once more, not wanting to look into his clear, crystal eyes.

"Why?"

"I think she's hooking up with Aiden."

He grew silent beside me. I swallowed uneasily and peered up at him. His lips were spread into a thin line, a crease forming over his brow. Every time a frown formed on his features, I wanted to lean forward and smooth his face into the handsome, entrancing smile I used to be so accustomed to. He hardly smiles like that anymore. His trademark smirk was indented permanently on his lips.

"That has you pretty upset?"

"Yes."

"Because you still have feelings for him?"

Yes.

"Carter," I sighed and he shook his head, getting to his feet.

"You need to figure out what you want, Lacey." He frowned. I felt panic rise in my chest. Clambering to my feet, I reached out to him but he stepped back, shaking his head. My stomach clenched. He looked pained for a moment as if struggling with what to say to me. "You can't have us both. You need to either let him go, or me."

"I don't have feelings for Aiden," I lied.

I am still physically attracted to Aiden, yes. I can't help it.

"Stop being immature and talk to Anna about it. You're not helping anyone by being childish and avoiding her."

I flinched at the verbal slap in the face. He shook his head, his cheeks growing redder by the second. Agitatedly, he ran his hand through his hair. I didn't have anything to say back. I bit my lip, casting my eyes down to the floor.

"I really need to study." He said quietly. He wandered over to the door and opened it. I swallowed uneasily. He was kicking me out. "I'll talk to you later."

Without another word, I strode from his room. I thought spending time with Carter would help distract me from thinking about Aiden, but it only made things worse. My stomach clenched uncomfortably in my stomach, making me feel sick. I stepped out onto his veranda, the hot hair washing over my body.

I was walking through the gate when I glanced up, seeing a familiar flame-haired friend of mine, standing on my porch. She had her arms folded across her chest, a frown etched onto her face. A deep sigh left my lips as the knots in my stomach only grew tighter.

Confrontation time.

I kept walking and brushed past her. I left the door open behind me and wandered up to my room. I collapsed onto my bed and waited for her to follow. She quietly closed my door. I felt the end of the bed dip as she sat. It was silent for a few moments as the tension accumulated between us. We were both waiting for the other to speak first. Anna finally gave in.

"What have I done?"

"I think you know."

"Obviously not." She frowned. I rolled over and stared at her accusingly.

"I saw you in the shower block."

Her cheeks began to turn red. "Oh my God, you saw me naked? That tattoo was done by a friend of mine and I was drunk at the time..."

"Er- no. I heard you with him."

She cast her eyes down and began playing with a loose thread on her denim shorts. "I was going to tell you. It's only just started."

"How could you?" I asked, feeling my eyes burn with the urge to cry. My cheeks grew warm as I glowered at her. "How could you do that to me?"

"How has this got anything to do with you?" She asked in bewilderment. "Do you like him?"

I stared at her for a moment, as if she had three heads. "Are you serious?"

"I am so confused." She groaned. "I didn't know you liked Ryan?"

"Out of all people- wait what?"

"What?"

We both stared at each in utter confusion.

"Who are you talking about?"

"Ryan Steppard, who are you talking about?"

I was such an idiot. I felt my cheeks turn hot. Aiden must have been in the shower cubicle around the corner. I jumped to the wrong conclusions, letting my emotions get the best of me, yet again.

"I thought-" I began, unsure of what to say. How do you tell your best friend that you thought so low of her, so quickly? "Oops."

She quirked an eyebrow at me. "Did you think I was with Carter?"

"Aiden, actually."

"Wait, rewind." She said, holding up her hands. "You still have feelings for Aiden?"

"No."

She gave me a pointed look.

"Maybe."

She cocked her head to the side.

"A little."

"Lacey!" She cried out in exasperation. "Honestly, you are the most frustrating person I've ever met in my life."

"Gee, thanks." I retorted sarcastically.

"You want Carter when you're with Aiden but want Aiden when you're with Carter?"

"I'm not with Carter, we've just been hanging out."

"Have you...?" She asked, her round eyes penetrating mine. I leaned back a little, her intensity hitting me like a wave. If I had, I knew she would be giving me a solid lecture about needing to figure out what I want, before letting myself get into a situation like that, blah blah.

"With Carter? Not since my sixteenth birthday."

"Okay." She nodded, folding her legs neatly underneath her. "I think you should stop hanging out with Carter if you're still confused about Aiden. Clearly you're way over your head with both boys."

"But I'm really enjoying spending time with Carter. He asked me to the dance." I whined, sounding like a spoilt brat.

"Bloody hell." She sighed, pressing her fingers to her temple. "Don't go with him. Go stag, with me."

"That's a bit slack of me, don't you think?"

"Hmm. He would look amazing in a suit." She pointed out, tilting her head, as if visualising what he was going to look like.

"And it has been my dream to go with him ever since I was five."

"Okay then." She said, actually looking a little hurt that I rejected her idea of going together. I rolled my eyes, reaching out to her.

"We'll still be there together. Besides, aren't you going to go with Ryan?" I asked.

"If he asks me."

I exhaled, knowing that I needed to apologise. I was damaged, making me being a terrible friend. Anna deserved a lot better and yet, for some reason, she still stuck by me. And for that, I owed her.

"Anna, I'm sorry about avoiding you and thinking the worst of you. I let my emotions get the better of me."

"I knew becoming friends with you would be drama, Lacey." She admitted with an eye roll. "I know what I'm in for."

"Ouch."

"Truth hurts."

I sat and stared at my best friend for a few moments. I was suddenly thankful for having her in my life. I was so stupid to distance myself from her. She was important to me and I needed her.

"You just went very serious."

I rolled my eyes, letting a playful smile dance around my lips. "Do you want some tacos?"

"Always."

With a grin, I got to my feet and pulled Anna's hand. I wound down the stairs, feeling like a weight has been lifted from my shoulders.

***

"Hell to the no." Anna said in disgust, shrivelling up her nose. "No, no, a hundred times no. Take it off, it's hurting my eyes."

I snorted, staring down at the emerald, shiny, green dress that was wrapped a little too tightly around my body. I picked it up as a joke. She played along at first but had to be honest in the end. It really was a hideous dress. With my skin colour and hair, it did not work.

Anna was probably the easiest person I've ever shopped with, believe it or not. The second dress she tried on looking positively amazing on her. First shop too, might I add. She chose a lacey, black dress that clung to her petite figure wonderfully. Her vibrant, red hair contrasted perfectly against the dark material. Her deep, dark eyes were enhanced. She was going to look beautiful. With her fiery red hair and lips, she was going to be jaw-droppingly gorgeous.

And then there was me.

Three hours in and I hadn't found anything that remotely looks nice on me. Okay, there had been a really nice navy dress that I adored until I looked at the price tag. It wasn't so nice then.

"I honestly think you would look great in red." She said for the umpteenth time, withdrawing a long, off-the-shoulder red gown from the rack. "Try it?"

"I like the idea of wearing red but when I put one on, it looks gross."

"No it doesn't." She frowned, shoving the dress into my hand. "Try it."

Grumbling under my breath, I stomped into the change room. Wearing jeans and a singlet was a poor decision on my behalf. I have had to wriggle myself back into my jeans about sixty times today and I was starting to get chafe from the rough texture of the denim. I was tired and over it. I was beginning to think there was no dress that would work for me.

I slipped the silky fabric across my skin. I cocked my head to the side as I stared in the mirror. This was by far the nicest red dress I've tried on, but still, something wasn't quite right. Begrudgingly, I wrenched the cubicle door open.

"Oh, I like that." Anna said, much to my surprise. She had disliked every dress (besides the beautiful navy one) almost more than I had, bar a few red ones. "But I don't like the top."

I pivoted and stared at my reflection. The bottom was beautiful, flaring out. The middle part highlighted my petite waist, which was very flattering. It was just the top, that didn't work. As the straps fell off-the-shoulder, my hideous collar bones were poking out aggressively. I honestly could use them as a defence weapon, they were that sharp.

We met eyes in the mirror and Anna was nodding, knowing my exact thoughts. "We need to cover those collar bones. They're freakishly prominent."

"So it's a no?"

"It's definitely the best one so far. I say we get it if we can't find anything else but we should keep looking in the meantime."

"Yes sir."

She smirked at me. I disappeared into the change room. I was just putting my foot through one of the left parts of my jeans when another dress was flung over the door.

"Try this."

I screwed my nose up as I stared at it. It was a light-pink, loose-fitting dress. Not my style at all. With a heavy sigh, I reached for it.

Scowling at my reflection, I began feeling utterly defeated. There was nothing that suited me. Maybe I should go back to the navy and beg my dad to buy it for me, pleading that the dance was a monumental high school moment for me and it was worth the three digit price tag.

"Well? How does it look?" Anna demanded.

"Terrible."

"Show me!"

With a deep frown, I walked out. Her face fell. "Aw man. Okay, pink definitely isn't the colour for you."

"You think?" I muttered, ready to stab her as this isn't the first pink gown she's forced on me.

"Okay then, what colour do you want?" She sighed, throwing her hands up. "Since all my suggestions are useless."

"Blue."

"Okay, fine. I'll go look."

I glanced up and met eyes with the shop assistant. She sighed as I handed her the red dress. She couldn't catch a break. Just as she'd put one away, she'd turn to have another two on the 'go back' hanger.

"Not the one?" She said sarcastically, looking more over it than I was.

"No." I snapped, not appreciating her attitude. She was meant to be encouraging me to try on more dresses, not make me feel even worse.

I tried to do a dramatic stride into the cubicle but the stupid pink dress didn't allow me to move at a normal, human pace as it wasn't so 'loose-fitted' as I had originally thought. I hardly had time to get the dress off before another was flung over the door. I closed my eyes and focused on my breathing. I counted to ten in my head and exhaled, feeling a little calmer.

After carefully stepping out of the pink dress and handing it out to Anna, I stared at the blue dress. The colour was amazing. It was a medium, striking blue. My favourite colour. With my fingers crossed, I slipped the smooth material over my body. I clipped it up at the back.

I held my breath as I stared at myself. It was a high neck style, covering my collarbones. It had beaded diamonds across the top. It was a very simple dress but definitely me. I did up the belt clip. It gathered in the middle, showing off my figure, but in a way that I was still comfortable. It was shorter at the front, showing off my tanned legs but fell elegantly longer at the back, making it look very formal.

"What do you think?" Anna asked in a bored tone.

"It's the one."

"Oh thank God," I heard her mutter.

I stepped out, a grin on my face. Her eyes popped open and her lips parted.

"Woah, that definitely is your dress."

"Hallelujah." The shop assistant cried out and we both just frowned at her. That was great customer service. In her defense, we had been here for hours, taking up the change rooms and complaining 80% of the time. Maybe make that 90%.

The price was a little higher than what I had been looking for, but it was worth it. I finally found a dress that not only did I feel comfortable in, but looked equally as great, if I do say so myself. Blue is definitely Carter's colour, so I know it would work well. The electric blue would contrast well with our golden-tanned skin.

I placed the dress gently down onto the counter, feeling like it was a precious, fragile item that could be easily broken.

"Is that all today?" She asked with a fake smile and over-enthusiastic voice. She must just be trying to play nice and get us to leave the shop.