TWO

| chapter song: not about angels - birdy  |

| dedication: ciaolove - for the banner on the side ♥ |

TWO

I blinked a few times, at a rapid pace as my mind tried to piece together the unmoving scene in front of me. It took it a while, or maybe it was two seconds, for my mind to actually apprehend who was standing before me. I could have shook my head wildly, to make sure my eyes weren't playing a trick on me but with the collective gasps and murmurs that flowed around the crowd... Oh this shit was real.

"-what is he doing here?"

"-ohmigod, is that really him?"

"-no, it's not him."

"-shite, this shit is fucked up man."

"-are you okay?"

I felt everyone's attention trail over to a moaning Thomas but just as they checked he was still breathing, they looked back at the culprit in the middle. The party was still going on as the blaring music was lowered to a soft volume and I could taste the stench of alcohol in the air.

Chills ran down the back of my spine, and not because of the damp cold, but as I kept my gaze locked in his non-liberating one, it restricted my breathing. Still unbelieving, I shadowed my eyes along his body. He had his hands clenched by his long side, his jacket slightly ragged from the manhandle and his short hair spiked up at odd slants.

A hand tightened in mine and I feebly glanced down to my best friend. She was looking up at me with her glistering hazel eyes, the tears still welled up behind her eyes. I wanted to drag her into my arms and just hug it all out but my whole body was in a freeze-mode.

"I want to say we're all dreaming and that he's not back but I can't say that because then we'll be in denial and right now, even though it sounds hilariously appealing, we can't be in denial." Versa whispered quickly besides me and she moved so she stood closer to me, her shoulders brushing my upper arm.

I choked around a scoff and it sounded wrong to my ears. "It really does sound hilariously appealing." I whispered back at her, watching one of the five bulky boys that broke off the fight step out again. I knew him, he was one of Brandon's friends, Ryan. He walked over to the culprit in the middle, his steps slow and calculated. Ryan was more muscled and bigger but the animalistic vibe that emitted from the culprit in the middle was kind of holding him back. That was very clear.

"Yo, man. You need to get out of here before anyone calls the police," Ryan held up his hands, trying to reason with him.

But he only glared at the hands and stepped towards Ryan. I watched in horror as he smacked it away roughly and started to walk. Walk in our direction.

My whole body tensed and I prayed that he didn't recognise me. I prayed to God he did not recognise me.

I had changed drastically over two years and I freaking hoped it benefited me tonight. "Oh my gosh, he's coming. He's coming for us," Versa whimpered as he shoved past a few people until he was right in front of us.

I heard Versa inhale deeply as her chest puffed out. She was trembling besides me but I was immensely proud of her brave facade. We were holding onto each other, but we both knew if one was to let go, both of us would crumble in a heap of mess on the concrete.

"Versa," his voice was rough to my ears up close and my heart jittered at the mere sound. But I was more surprised when he addressed my best friend.

"Don't drop to such a pathetic level where you have to come to a party with Thomas. You deserve much better."

I nearly choked on thin air at what he said. Shock was clear on my face as I kept my eyes locked on him . He looked dead serious.

"Thank you for the concern but I think I'm fine," Versa managed to say over her own initial shock, "-Link," she finished, jutting out her shoulder slightly.

He stared at Versa before he slowly nodded at her. "Glad to see you're okay."

Versa just blinked but didn't reply. I don't think he wanted to hear a reply because he ambled away a second later. I stared at his back as he retreated through the crowd and disappeared from my line of vision.

All of a sudden, everyone crowded over Versa, bombarding her with useless questions. I was pushed aside when a group came to stand closer to Versa, trying to get in with the scoop. But a long hand came out of nowhere and literally managed to push the crowd away from me. They carried on pushing the people away until they had both Versa and I in their arms and pulled away from the curious cats.

I sighed in relief when the familiar cologne hit my nose. "Brandon." I breathed out, titling my head upwards. I was greeted with a soft peck on my lips as my boyfriend managed to get my best friend and I away from the commotion. Ryan was behind us, scaring away the others.

I heard a few girls claim they were friends with Versa and wanted to see if she was okay. I smiled when Ryan replied with sarcastic "yeah right."

"Why wouldn't I be okay?" Versa yelled behind Brandon's form and it was quite funny since she couldn't even see past him, never mind Ryan.

Brandon chuckled at her before we rounded the corner of the house. It was much darker at this end, with barely any light coming in. Versa leaned against the wall, her hand clutching her heart. For the first time I examined her outfit. She was wearing a cute ivory dress that flowed above her knees and wore high heeled wedges with pink bow ties at the toes.

"You look cute today Versa," someone threw in the compliment before I could and I turned my head to Ryan. He leaned in and planted a kiss on Versa's cheek. The action surprised Versa so much she literally reared back into the wall and smacked her head against the stone wall.

"Ouch," Ryan chuckled and I nearly laughed as Versa gawked at Ryan with wide eyes.

"Mate, you can't just kiss girls like that," Brandon chastised, shaking his head at his friend.

"Why not?" Ryan questioned and he took me by surprise when he leaned down and kissed my cheek. "I just kissed Ori. See. It's like a friend thing."

Brandon glared at Ryan and I smiled when he snaked a hand around my waist and tugged me closer to his side. "Mate. Don't fucking kiss my girl."

Ryan held up his hands in a mock gesture. He dropped it down just as Bianca came running from the front of the house. "You guys okay?" She asked quickly, her blonde hair flying around her face.

We all nodded at her and just as quick as she came, she disappeared. A few seconds later, the music was turned up a notch and the rest of the guests carried on with their party - as if nothing happened.

"I really wanted to slam his head in back then." Brandon commented and I was slightly taken aback by the violent approach. I looked up at him with raised, questioning eyebrows. He flickered his eyes down on me and answered the unspoken question.

"Yeah, I was really going to do it but the lads broke off the fight."

My eyebrows were still arched up, "that much rage?"

Brandon scoffed. "He was beating my brother up."

Ryan shifted slightly until he was also leaning against the wall, right next to a silent Versa. "Speaking of Thomas, is he okay?"

Brandon looked back over his shoulder, even though he couldn't have had seen anyone from the party. "He'll be bruised for a few weeks but he's being nursed by those girls so yeah, he should be okay."

Something passed across Brandon's face and he quickly looked over to Versa. "You okay? Thomas has lots of girl friends that like to take care of him - ah, not girlfriends. Girls as in just friends." I patted Brandon on his chest, letting him know he was understood. I personally knew about Thomas and his notorious abilities. But I knew Versa had an age-long crush on him and I thought if she could spend one night with him, she'd be tremendously happy.

Versa simply shrugged and I saw the resolve hit her. "Those girls will take care of him. I really want to go home."

"Aren't we going to talk about the return of Link Dane?" Ryan suddenly said, crossing his hands over his massive chest. My breathing hitched as I inwardly trembled.

That was seriously a topic I did not want to talk about and I was all for Versa's plan to ditch the party and go home. I was more than willing to spend my Saturday night watching reruns of Game of Thrones parody than talk about who returned.

"I can't believe he's back." Brandon softly commented, shaking his head from the absurd reality. I awkwardly shifted on my foot, hoping Brandon did not feel my sudden stiffness.

"We'll let Link be Link and we'll just carry on with life like we were, okay?" I said sweetly, smiling at Ryan first, then Versa and then Brandon. My well practiced smile seemed convincing enough as all three dropped the subject immediately.

"I'll take you home." Ryan said gently at Versa and put his massive hand on her small arm. She nodded up at him and pushed herself off the wall.

"I'll give you a ring when I get home." I told her, engulfing her in a hug. She nodded against me and clutched me tighter. I breathed out heavily before letting her go. She smiled half-heartedly up at me before she was being tugged away from Ryan. I stared after them, knowing my best friend was in good hands. The little scene back then was so out the blue even I did not know what to make out of it. Poor Versa.

But why would he just do that? Why did he even say that? Why is he even back?

"Hey hey. I can practically see the clocks turning in your head. Relax." Brandon grabbed me by the upper arm and turned me so I was facing him. I stepped closer into him and dropped my head on his chest.

"I just wanted her to have some fun but he ruined it for her. And Thomas-"

Brandon cut me short when he pulled my face up by my chin and captured his lips with mine. I sighed as a feeling of content coursed through me. We held onto each other after we pulled back. I still had my eyes closed as a soft smile overpowered my face.

"I really want to go home."

Brandon groaned softly and dropped his head on my shoulder. I cowered away from his touch against my bare neck. "You need to check up on your brother and I got my own ride."

Brandon shook his head. He was meant to pick me up for the party but since I got a wild call from Versa I came here myself. I assumed he got a call from Bianca and he rushed to come over here as well. If he was my ride, I was willing to stay. But he wasn't. And I wanted to get home.

"I'll give you a ring later?" I tried to reason, pulling his head off my shoulder. He looked down at me with a slight pout and I couldn't help but laugh how funny he looked.

"Can I come over later? That sounds way better." A mischievous glint appeared in his eyes and the plans for later was clearly smacked on his face. The end of my mouth titled upwards as I shook my head at him.

"Parents are in. We'll have all-day tomorrow to cling to each other."

A confused look appeared on his face and I frowned up at him. "My father's company anniversary? Ring any bells."

Brandon's eyebrows raised up. "Oh yeah. Sorry babe, I completely forgot it was tomorrow."

I pecked him on the cheek. "It's fine. I would have forgotten myself if my mum didn't constantly drill it in my head. You'll pick me up?"

Brandon nodded as he chuckled along with me. He knew about my mother's persistent personality and her drilling ways. He even saw it live in action and he never looked so frightened before in his life. I intertwined my fingers through his and started to walk back to the front. Brandon let himself be dragged by me silently as we came to the front. We spotted Thomas instantly. He was sitting in a chair at the front, a swarm of overly-caring girls surrounding him. One girl was pressing a wet cloth on his head and another was wiping blood off his chin.

I flinched when Thomas let out a moan. He looked really battered to the pulp. "He looks bad." I voiced out loud.

Brandon dropped my hand and started to walk over to his brother. "He'll make it. Catch you later babe." I waved at Brandon just as he turned to his brother. Thomas glanced up at his twin brother and he immediately started cussing out. Brandon tried to calm his brother down as the girls slowly dispersed. I didn't linger around since the whole party vibe annoyed me. My car was parked a couple of blocks down and I started to walk, the music slowly fading behind me until the only thing I could hear was the steady beat of my own footsteps.

"Funny how you thought I didn't recognise you."

I nearly flew out of my own skin. I let out a sudden sharp scream and stumbled backwards. I lost my footing and tumbled down, landing smack on my arse.

A shadow hovered over me and they shifted on their foot until the moonlight gave me a clear view who it was.

He was laughing.

If the shaking of his shoulders wasn't a clear indication I didn't know what was. Then I heard the short bursts of laughter and I scowled up at him.

"Thanks you pathetic prick."

"Now now. You wouldn't want to insult your dear ol' friend."

I realised how vulnerable I was, sprawled on the floor the way I was. I pushed myself up by my arms, flinching when a sharp pang sprang up my backside. I straightened my back and proceeded to brush off the dirt on my dress. I adjusted my side bag before facing him.

"You never were a friend."

His fake laugh irked me. "You sure about that?"

I answered back through gritted teeth. "I'm sure." I dead-panned, hoping his humour time was done and he'd leave me alone. I still was in denial about his return and how he was here, talking to me? And it didn't go by unnoticed that he did recognise me. But why didn't he say anything at the party?

"Why did you attack Thomas like that and come to Versa?" I suddenly asked him, beating myself up for starting a conversation. The most clever thing to do was to keep my head down and to just walk on. Head down and walk on.

He titled his head to the side as his eyes scanned my whole body. "Why did you change your hair?"

I felt uncomfortable under his questioning and watchful gaze but I didn't tell him that. I acted as though he didn't bother me before answering him coolly. "Thought a new change was in order."

He raised one eyebrow at me, crossing his hands over his chest. "Did you seriously think a new hair would also give you a new life?"

I nearly fell over but I forcefully kept both my feet planted on the ground. I could feel beads of sweat run down the back of my spine, the blood racing through my veins as he hit right on the bull's eye.

"No." I lied straight through my mouth, hoping he didn't catch on. But who was I fooling?

"Friends don't lie to each other." He mused out loud, taking a step forward.

"We're not friends," I said hoarsely, hating myself for speaking with such a pathetic, whimpering voice.

He did well to ignore me. "They also keep secrets." Another step.

He was right in front of me then, so close his chest was practically up against mine. I didn't know what to think, or feel, or do. I was dumbstruck and speechless as my breathing started to speed up. Feelings I stored away two years ago slowly started come up to the surface and I nearly broke down at the hazardous emotions. I knew I couldn't handle it again. I knew I couldn't.

This time I was going to crumble for real.

"But friends also like to fuck each other up," he whispered in a low voice but I could hear it clearly. I gulped down loudly, staring straight ahead. But I wasn't seeing the long-stretched street. I was zapped back to two years ago.

"And I'm back to fuck you up."

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> if you have any covers or banners, pm me them! I'll dedicate a chapter to you :)

> if you see any errors point them out! Especially the Oliver/Thomas mix up.

Thanks for waiting and sticking with me <3

-n