We go out to a nice restaurant to celebrate and eat. It goes pretty well, everyone talking and catching up, picking on my sister, hehe. Now that Oli is getting ready to go to college this upcoming semester, we can't help but give her some tips and try to scare her a little.

I'll be graduating this upcoming semester myself. I sort of rushed through school because I wanted to be with Jade as soon as possible. Now I just want to graduate so I can start my career in track.

Who knows, maybe I'll join Aphrodite in Cambridgeshire after I graduate. Since it's summer Aphrodite is staying in London right now, but during school, she actually stays about an hour away from London.

"You're Skylar right?" Some American tourist walks up to us as we eat.

"Yeah," I say cautiously.

"Can we get a picture with you?" he asks.

I look behind him to see his boyfriend waiting excitedly to the side. I smile and nod, I put back on my medal and pose with them. My mom takes the picture for us.

"You're my idol," his boyfriend says.

"He's in track too." The guy that asked for the picture supplied.

"Well, I'm glad I could make your day, you just made mine," I say.

"Can we get a picture with Jade too?" he hesitantly asks.

I roll my eyes but smile and look at Jade.

"Phew, thought I had been upstaged there for a minute." She gets up to take a picture with them.

"Eee! I love your show." He squeals.

She laughs.

"This day will be legendary; I'll never forget it." He says.

"That makes two of us," I say as I snap the picture.

He squeals one last time before they finally say their goodbyes and leave.

"Look at you, who has groupies now?" Jade shoulder bumps me.

"Shut up," I playfully laugh.

Aphrodite narrows her eyes at me, letting me know she's unhappy. I sit back down next to her and peck her on the cheek to reassure her of my feelings. It seems to work and she deflates a bit.

Things seemed to be going well for a while until we were about to leave, and Jade stumbled and spilled her whole glass of wine all over Aphrodite.

"Oh my god, I'm so sorry," Jade says.

"You did that on purpose!"

"No, I didn't, it was an accident."

Aphrodite opened her mouth to protest but I pulled her away, leading her to the bathroom.

"She totally did it on purpose!" she says to me.

"Hey, it's okay. We are leaving anyway. Here," I take my shirt off and offer it to her.

She deflates and frowns at me before switching shirts with me, dabbing the wine from her skin. I wring out the shirt before I put it on, now I am the one with the wine stain. I smell good at least.

"Go easy on her, she's trying." I grab Aphrodite's hands in my own.

"Trying to ruin everything," she grumbles.

"I don't think she is. I of all people know Jade. I can tell she's trying to be genuine, she's on her best behavior. She hasn't even said one snarky comment to you. Jade can get pretty catty, trust me when I say you'd know if she was trying to ruin everything. Just relax." I comfort her.

"Fine," she sighs, much calmer now.

"Thank you, this is hard for all of us. But we have to work through this sooner or later. So thank you for being a team player, it means a lot." I pull her closer to me.

"This is me on my best behavior, don't push it. I'm only being nice to her because your mother is here."

"You want my mom to like you?" I smirk.

She blushes and averts her gaze.

"That's cute," I say before kissing her.

She melts into me, wrapping her arms around me.

"Come on, let's finish this night so I can rest up for tomorrow." I pull away.

"I want cuddles when we get back to the room." She pouts.

"Deal." I peck her on the cheek before we walk out to join everyone hand in hand.

"Okay, let's go," I say to everyone as they notice our shirt change.

"I'm sorry, really. It was an accident." Jade pleads.

"It's fine. It was an accident." Aphrodite snaps at her.

I squeeze her hand and she sighs.

"I didn't even like that shirt anyway," she shrugs, further downplaying the incident.

"I'm sorry," Jade says again.

"It's fine," I assure her.

"Anyway, let's go," I say.

We all head back to my hotel room and I help Mom and Oli get a room. They were overbooked but after both Darleen and Aphrodite flashed their names, a room magically opened up. Sometimes it pays to have friends in high places.

"Well, I need a shower now," Aphrodite says.

"Go, I'll be there shortly," I peck her on the lips.

She smiles at me before walking back to our room.

"Well, we should probably go check on Sprinkle," Kenzie says.

"That dog is driving me crazy," Darleen sighs.

"You know you love her," Kenzie teases.

"Yeah," Darleen smiles at her before she kisses her cheek and the two walk out.

I smile after the two. I'm glad they found each other. Although seeing Kenzie's new engagement ring did sting a little, I'm still happy for them. If anyone ever deserved to be happy, it's those two.

"Where are the cats?" Jade asks me.

"In London still, Aphrodite hired a pet sitter for me."

"Well, Skylar you should probably go get changed and rest." Mom pats my head.

"Okay."

"I can walk you to your room." Jade offers.

I eye her but decide I'll have to face her sooner or later, so I agree. This is the first time we've been alone together since we broke up.

I stick my hands in my pockets and keep my eyes on the ground as we walk down the hall and over to the elevator.

"You just going to keep ignoring me?" Jade asks.

"I'm not ignoring you," I say without looking at her.

"Feels like you are." She presses the elevator button.

I finally look up at her as the elevator doors open.

"I'm not. I just know that if I look into your eyes... I'll probably start crying." I force a chuckle.

"How do you think I feel?" she reaches into her shirt and pulls her necklace out, showing me our engagement rings on a chain. They sparkle with luster and warmth.

That stinging pain is back again, just like when Kenzie showed me her ring. Reminding me of what could have been. What almost was.

I can't help but reach out and touch them. To think this ring was my biggest problem once upon a time when I couldn't get up the nerve to ask Jade to marry me.

She reaches out to touch my face, but I step into the elevator to avoid it. She sighs and follows me. I press the button and the doors slowly close.

"Is it always going to be like this between us now?" she asks.

I shake my head no but don't look at her.

"Talk to me."

"What is there left to say?" I ask.

"So much... there is still so much left to say." She pleads.

"Maybe for you, but not for me."

"Skylar," she reaches for me again but this time I don't pull away. I have nowhere to go.

Her hand traces the curves of my face, I meet her jade-green eyes then. I feel my chest tighten and my heart speeds up. I wish she didn't have this effect on me, that my body, my brain, and my heart didn't all come together in unison to ache for her.

"I meant what I said. If this is the life you want. Then I support you. I just want you to be happy. That's all I've ever wanted for you. I'm not going to get in the way of your new relationship."

"Why are you like this?" I ask. "Why couldn't you care this much when we were together?" tears slide down my cheeks in silent protest.

"I'm sorry," her voice shakes.

I take a deep breath and pull away from her wiping my face of the evidence that shows that I still care deeply for this girl.

"I don't want it to always be this hard between us. I don't want the room to feel like it's closing in on me every time I see you. I just... I want my best friend back." She says.

"It won't always be this hard Jade. We just need some time, that's all. One day we will be able to be around each other and feel like it used to." I say as the elevator opens to my floor.

We walk to my room and my hand lingers by the doorknob. I can hear the shower on inside, I know Aphrodite is taking a shower.

"I'm going to be cheering you on tomorrow too. I made a team Skylar t-shirt," Jade says.

I smile and shake my head, "You would." I say.

"Damn right I would. I'll be cheering the loudest."

I turn to her and sigh.

She forces a smile for me, trying to hide her pain. But the silent tears that slide down her cheeks give her away.

I grab her hand in mine.

"Come here," I say as I open the door.

She follows without a hint of protest.

I go and sit down on the sofa in my room, pulling Jade into my arms. She instantly melts into me, nuzzling her head into the crook of my neck.

"It's going to be okay; we are going to get through this," I assure her as I rub her back.

"Don't ever let go of me." she whimpers.

"I got you." I hold her tightly.

She's warm and her snuggling up to me has an instant effect on me. I feel lethargic and my energy level is low. I close my eyes and before I know it, I'm down for the count. Something about Jade always did make me feel so comfortable and at home. When she's around, I know I'm in safe hands and my body can let its full guard down.

I didn't even realize how tired I was until she was in my arms again.

Oh Jade... what am I going to do with you?