Strings (1 of 2)

Chapter 57 - Crash

"A good friend knows all your stories. A best friend helped you write them." - Unknown

[Emily's POV]

I lay my head and back on the thick blanket over the sand and close my eyes, listening to the waves crash near our feet. It may be chilly, but it's peaceful. The beach is empty and the waves are surprisingly calm after the storm - almost like it was meant to be for us to come tonight.

"Do you remember when we snuck out with Matt and came here to get wasted?" I giggle as I take another swig of the wine bottle, lifting my head up a little so I don't choke.

Dean laughs loudly, or maybe it's just loud because we are drunk and alone on the beach.

"My parents almost killed me when I had to call them to get us." He chuckles and I shake my head, grinning at dumb we were back then. "They grounded me from seeing your brother for weeks."

That can't be right...

I turn my head towards him and open my eyes to him staring at me already. "I saw you the next day I think." My forehead creases as I frown at him, confused.

He smiles a little. "You did. They technically never said I couldn't see you..."

"Never knew you were such a rule bender!" I giggle and he smirks, amused by how quickly I got drunk I think.

"I learned from the best." He winks at me and I smirk knowingly. "It's funny, my parents always though Matt was the bad influence making me break my curfew or get trashed or stranded on a beach, but it was really you calling the shots. He - well, we both - did whatever you wanted."

I roll my eyes dramatically. "Hey, don't go blaming me for all your teenage mistakes. You were very willing to comply, if I remember correctly, Mr. Dean." I remind him.

"You sound like Anna." He laughs.

"You love it." I wink.

He grins and looks back to the sky, eventually closing his eyes. I watch his chest move up and down as he breathes deeply, his chiseled cheekbones almost glittering under the moonlight. He's too handsome... it's really not fair...

"She was so happy to see you in May." I say quietly and his smile returns. He adores her, kind of like an aunt, like I do. He grew up with her almost as much as Matt and I did.

"I only got to talk to her for a second. I wish I could visit with her, like when we were younger. She gives the best advice." He replies, his eyes still closed.

"What advice do you need?" I tease him and he opens his eyes, turning to meet mine with a different look. The humour is gone, replaced by a serious, darker stare. I know what this means. It's about me.

My face falls as I stare at him more seriously. "You can visit her anytime you want, Dean. She works until 4ish most weekdays."

"It's okay." He says after a moment with a small fake smile.

My chest tightens as I watch him chug the rest of the bottle and sit up, looking out to the ocean.

"Tell me a secret." I say before I lose my drunk nerve.

He looks back at me and nods. "What secret?"

"Do you think we will ever get back to what we were before?" I ask and sit up cross-legged to face him. "Like before anything between us. Just two kid best friends who grew up together and never stopped laughing and goofing off."