forgetxmexnot

love is just a distraction

Chapter Six ~ Bree's POV

It turned out to be cloudy today so we ditched our plans to go to the beach and went to the local mall instead. We decided to split up. Ellie and I went off while Dylan and Jackson headed in the other direction.
"You and Dylan seem to be getting on well."
"He wants to be friends again."
"Are you sure he just wants to be friends?" She giggled.
I rolled me eyes. "Yes. And even if he wanted to be more than that I would say no."
"How come?" She pouted. "You guys are so cute together."
"Because. I should be focusing on having a good time with my friends during summer, and partying, and just living life. And then we'll go back to school and I need to focus on studying, and homework. I don't have time for a boyfriend. For me, love is just a distraction."
She looked at me sadly.
"Besides, I don't even like Dylan."
"You know, Bree, shutting everyone out that you think is going to hurt you may be easier, but it also gets pretty lonely."
"I do not shut people out!"
"Your parents, Dylan, everyone that's ever hurt you."
"They shut themselves out of my life! I didn't really get a say in that!" I replied angrily.
It was silent for a moment as we glanced at different stores. Later when we were browsing through racks of clothes Ellie came over to me.
"Look, I'm sorry for before. I don't want to fight with you. It just breaks my heart to see you and Dylan like this, especially as you used to be such good friends."
"It's okay, it was my fault for getting angry over nothing."
She suddenly pulled out a short blue strapless dress and held it up to me.
"This would look amazing on you, go try it on!"
I went into the change rooms and tryed the dress on. I couldn't help feeling it was slightly revealing but when I came out Ellie a huge grin plastered on her face.
"It looks fantastic!"
I looked at my reflection in the mirror and I had to admit I did look pretty good. It hung in all the right places and since I was on this diet, it showed off me flat stomach.
"Okay you're definitely getting this dress!"
I helped Ellie pick out a cute red dress which also looked great on her. We paid and went to go meet up with the boys.
 

love is just a distraction

Chapter Five ~ Dylan's POV

I really meant it when I said I wanted to be friends with Bree again. Maybe even more than that. But the first step was friends. I missed her so bad when I was away. I know that she's mad that I didn't tell her I was leaving but I honestly didn't think she would've cared.

*Flashback*
"Well done Dylan, you actually managed to make her fall in love with you. I didn't think you'd be able to do it," Ethan, one of my older brother's friends said to me.
A month ago my brothers friends had made a bet with me to get Bree to be my girlfriend. Because we were such close friends they thought I'd never be able to date her. Although I felt bad about using her, I had won the bet. And I did have real feelings for her. She never had to know about this, we would just keep dating.
"Yeah, I was surprised when she agreed to go out with you. Anyway, you won the bet."
"What?"
I turned around to see Bree standing in the doorway. She must've stopped by to say hello.
 "Did you just say that you used me for a bet?"
When I was silent tears welled up in her eyes and she ran out of the house.
"Bree wait!" I caught up to her at the front veranda.
"You used me, Dylan. I actually thought you liked me. I thought that our friendship was worth more to you than this but I guess not. You're a jerk. I don't ever want to see you again!"
Then she turned around and walked away from me. And this time I didn't follow her.
 

love is just a distraction

Chapter Four ~ Bree's POV

I sat down on the couch while Jackson played the DVD. Dylan came and sat next to me. I guess this was him attempting to be friends again. The movie played and I felt Dylan's eyes on me the whole time. I guess I was shaking because he put his arm around me. I quickly shrugged it off. After the movie we went upstairs to bed. I got to sleep on the floor while Dylan slept on the couch. Jackson and Ellie slept in her room. I layed on the floor for a while staring up at the ceiling. I found it really hard to get to sleep after watching that movie, though it was slightly reasurring to have someone near me. I jumped as I heard a large bang followed by a burst of light. Great, lightning. I tried to ignore it and the movie but I couldn't take it any longer.
"Dylan?" I tapped his shoulder.
"What?" He mumbled with his eyes closed.
"Can I sleep on the couch with you?"
"Why?" He smirked.
"Cause the movie was scary, okay? And now there's lightning and-"
"Okay, I get it. But on one condition."
I groaned. "What?"
"We have to be friends."
"Fine."
He moved over a little so that there was room for me and I climbed in pulling the blanket over me. I got to sleep a lot quicker this time.

***
When I woke up Dylan's arm was wrapped around me. I tried to slowly get up without waking him but managed to fall on the floor with a thump instead. His eyes fluttered open and he smiled at me.
"Morning."
I rolled my eyes and went downstairs. The smell of bacon and pancakes hit me and I was suddenely wide awake. I entered the kitchen to find Ellie and Jackson cooking breakfast.
"Wow, you two can cook?" I joked.
Dylan entered the kitchen as well a moment later.
"We saw you two on the couch this morning," Ellie laughed.
I shot daggers at her. I looked over at Dylan and he blushed.
"Um, that was just, uh..."
"It's okay you don't need to explain, I think we get the picture," Jackson joked.
At that I turned bright red as well. We all sat down at the table for breakfast. I made sure to sit far away from Dylan.
"That actually wasn't half bad," He said after we'd finished eating.
"We're pretty good cooks."
"What are we doing today?" Ellie asked.
"How about we go to the beach again?"
"Sure."

love is just a distraction

Chapter Three ~ Bree's POV

We ended up going home soon after.
"Hey, why don't we all go back to my house? You can all stay the night," Ellie suggested as we were walking back to our houses.
"I'm cool with that," Jackson smiled at her.
"I guess we have some catching up to do," Dylan said to Ellie, but glanced at me.
"Uh, I think my parents wanted me home tonight..."
"You told me they were away for five weeks."
I glared at Ellie.
"Oh, that's right."
"That means you can come!" Ellie smiled brightly.
"Yay," I said sarcastically.
Jackson, Ellie and Dylan talked a lot on the walk home. I mainly listened. It was a short walk as Ellie's house was close to the beach.
"Did you make loads of new friends while you were away?"
"Yeah. But no one could ever replace you guys," Dylan grinned at us.
We got to Ellie's house and she let me borrow an singlet shirt and sweatpants. I was getting changed in the bathroom when I heard the door click open. My head snapped up and I quickly covered myself with a shirt.
"What the hell Dylan! Haven't you ever heard of knocking?"
"Haven't you ever heard of locking a door?" He mimicked.
I made a face and quickly put the singlet over me and left.
"Let's watch a movie," Jackson went over and browsed through the shelves full of DVDs. "How about Nightmare on Elm Street."
"Oooh, a scary movie!" Ellie flopped down on the couch.
"Awesome," Dylan smirked. "Bree?"
I gulped. I hate scary movies and Dylan knows it.
"Sounds like fun."

• click to see this quote •

love is just a distraction

Chapter One ~ Bree's POV

"Where are you going?"
I'd just gotten home from the mall with my best friend, Ellie, and my parents are standing by the foot of the stairs with their bags and suitcases.
"Oh sweetie, we have to go on another work trip," My mother pecked me on the cheek.
I rolled my eyes. "Of course."
"Bree, don't be like that. You know we only want the best for you," my father said.
"Whatever."
"We'll be gone for five weeks. I know it's a while but you can take care of yourself. If you need anything just give us a call."
"Right."
And then they left. It was the summer holidays so I would be with friends anyway. As soon as they left I gave Ellie a call.
"They're gone again."
"How long this time?" She asked.
"Five weeks," I sighed.
"I'll be right over."
Sure enough, she was there in five minutes.
"Do you want to do your hair? It's the last step in the makeover process."
For the last month Ellie had been giving me an extreme makeover. I'd changed my eating habits and been exercising every day to become thinner. I'd gotten a whole new wardrobe and started wearing make up. I did my nails and now all I had to do was change my hair. Soon everyone is going to notice how different I've become. The reason I agreed to do this was because I knew I was naturally pretty, but I needed help. I was never noticed by anyone, I just sat there quietly. It was like I was invisible. I needed to stand out, make a name for myself.
"What colour should we do you hair?"
Ellie sat me down in the bathroom.
I looked at the different boxes of dye lined along the sink. Then I examined my mouse brown hair. I'd always been fine with the way I looked, I've never really cared what anyone thought of me. But it seems like since I've started high school everythings changed. I want to be noticed. I don't want to be a nobody.
"Blonde," I said certainedly.
Ellie bit her lip. "Are you sure?."
She knows I've never wanted to dye my hair. But it's the only way.
"Yes. Are you staying over tonight?"
"Sure."
Just then her phone buzzed.
"What was that?"
She lifted her phone up and smiled.
"Jackson wants to hang out with us tomorrow at the beach!"
Jackson was our other best friend. Ellie had always had a thing for him, and I think he liked her back. I looked up at Ellie and her face fell.
"What is it?" I asked.
"Oh nothing," she said quickly.
Before she had time to put her phone away, I snatched it out of her hands.
"Dylan's back?!" I practically screamed.
Dylan used to be part of our group. He was also my first, and only boyfriend. He made me think that he liked me for months. In the end it turned out it was just for some stupid bet. We hadn't talked since and he moved away a month later. He'd been gone for two years now but apparently he was back. Great.