The Boy Next Door (R5 fanfic)

Chapter 35 (the final chapter)

I had been back home for almost two months now and between school and work my schedule was luckily keeping me very busy. Nicole and Mary came back from California a week after I had, just like we had originally planned. They had kept their word and haven't said a thing to me about Ross since the night of the award show when we talked on the phone and I explained the situation in as few words as possible.

They were both still dating the Lynch boys and spent quite a lot of time talking to them, especially lately. I tried to ignore the date as I looked at the calendar hanging up at work. R5 is in Buffalo and the girls are planning on meeting up with the band later today. I was grateful that they only asked me once if I was interested in going to the concert. When I declined they respectfully backed off and haven't said a word since. Yesterday the three of us had hung out to celebrate an early birthday for Mary. She was so excited because for the next few days, as short-lived as it may be, her and Rocky were finally going to be the same age.

As I drove up to my house I was surprised to see Nicole's silver car parked in the street.

"What are you guys doing here?" I asked my best friends as I climbed out of my car.

"I wanted to celebrate my birthday on my real birthday so we're going out to lunch right now," Mary explains, holding the back door of Nicole's car open for me, gesturing for me to climb inside.

"But what about the boys?" I question. "You're supposed to be seeing them soon."

"They can wait," Nicole says, shoving me in. I roll my eyes and place my feet firmly on the pavement, refusing to move them and preventing the door from closing.

"What's really going on? Have you guys forgotten that I can smell a secret from a mile away?"

"No we haven't forgotten," Nicole says.

"We were just hoping you wouldn't figure anything out until it was too late," Mary exclaims, exchanging looks with Nicole. Before I can react, they each pick up one of my legs and shove them into the car, closing the door behind me quickly. I scoot over to escape the car from the other door only to be greeted by a smirking Nicole from outside the window.

I frustratingly cross my arms in front of me as both girls climb into the front seats and Nicole starts the car. I vow to myself as we make our way down the street that I will not look at or talk to any of the Lynch's, knowing that's exactly where the girls planned to take me. Except maybe Rydel. As hard as it was, I decided it was best to not answer any of the Lynch's frantic calls that I received that night back in August.

We pull up outside of a small local restaurant and I cautiously step out of the car, wary that someone would pop around a car and suddenly confront me.

"Come on!" Nicole pulls on my arm and leads me inside. After we have been seated and have ordered our lunch I start to relax a bit as it seems that the girls may be telling the truth and that R5 really wasn't going to show up.

Once we had finished, we got back into the car and drove to Canalside which was the most up-and-coming place in Buffalo as it is constantly being upgraded and made into a nicer place. We walk along the rocks, laughing and talking until coming to the stairs of the lookout tower. I race the girls to the top, losing to Nicole because of her persistence to go to the gym every morning. When we reach the top I look out and enjoy one of my favorite views in Buffalo. From this particular spot I feel as if I can see the whole world. Straight ahead of me is Lake Erie, meeting the Buffalo River to my left and the Erie Canal and Niagara River to my right. Crossing over the Niagara River is the short bridge connecting America to Canada.

"Elizabeth..." Nicole hesitantly starts, coming up next to me. "We'll only ask you once, but would you want to come with us to the show tonight? It will be a lot of fun - I promise!"