Tiffany's POV
I walked in and Joy (Amber's Mum) told me to make myself at home so I did. I'd lived in this house for years and knew where everything was. I dropped off my bag to the guest room before going to Amber's. It was still the same, our pictures plastered along her mirror so that every time she sat here she'd remember the times we did this weird and wacky things. I smiled as I searched through the pictures remembering the good times we'd had. I sat on the edge of her bed and looked at the last photo we'd taken together. It was the day before I'd left and she'd made me go out with her. We took a million selfies but she didn't care. I guess this was the best shot out of all of them. I smiled as I gently traced around her face and said "I'm gonna miss you bitch" it was a whisper and I knew she'd heard.
I sat in the room for a while just reminiscing when Joy walked in "She loved that picture" I looked as she pointed the one beside the bed.
I smiled "We'd taken so many that day. I guess this was her favourite one?"
"She was so heart broken when you left but the other girls kept her together and the calls... she'd always look forward to your calls" we smiled together
"I'm going to really miss her Joy" she nodded
"Me too but she's in a happier place now"
"I just can't believe she's gone?" we both started to cry and she wrapped her arms around me.
It was a few days later and I'd caught up with my old friends. They were handling this as bad l as I was so it was good for us to be together. Amber was the life of the group and now she was gone but we decided to never let her go so each one of us decided we'd be a little like her just to keep her going. I'd called Drake everyday as promised. He seemed sad but happy when we spoke but I couldn't help but want to call Rusty as well, I was missing him too or some odd reason. I missed our cuddles and tickles since he was my best guy friend. I'd told Amber about both of them and she couldn't wait to meet them but now that was just never going to happen and all she had were the stories and pictures I'd sent her during her time here. I couldn't help but feel sad that she didn't get to meet them because they both hold a special part of my life and it would have been great if all of them knew each other and knew how special they each held in my heart.
It was so nice to hear Rusty's voice, we talked and he joked around like usual.
I knew he was just trying to keep my mind of Amber and all the sad things happening in my life right now and the way he cheered me up was just what the doctor ordered. He made me laugh and then said to me seriously "I love listening to you laugh, it's so cute like you" I stopped and the phone went quiet
"Tiff, I'm sorry it just came out" he quickly says but I smile and say
"It's okay Rusty's. You're just what I've needed" he laughs
"Are you flirting with me Miss Jenkins?" I laugh
"Noooo, of course not. Why would I be doing that?" it goes quiet and Rusty's breathes heavily into the phone
"Tiff, I'm such an ass. You're going out with my best friend who means a lot to me and all I want is his girlfriend. God I'm an asshole" I could tell he was running his hands through his hair like he does when he's nervous
"Rusty....." I started and he stopped me
"No Tiff, there's no excuse. I'm dogging my mate....shit......this has to stop!" I bite my lip before saying
"Rusty, I like hanging with you and wouldn't want it any other way and if Drake and I don't work out I'd want......." I paused before continuing
"to see if it'd work out between us....you see Rusty I think I'm starting to have feelings for you too but I don't want to hurt Drake. He's been there for me and well it just wouldn't be fair so don't not let us remain friends Rusty. It'd just break my heart!" I hear him chuckle
"I wish I'd made the move before Drake coz we wouldn't be having this conversation and I wouldn't be feeling so bad" I laugh
"I know but it is what it is and Rusty you mean the world to me so please stay"
"Fine but I won't wait forever Tiffany. I just won't!"
"And I wouldn't ask or expect you too but I still need you in my life Rusty"
"Really?" he questions
"Oh hell yeah who else gets to come into my room and sleep in my bed without my parents yelling at them or to have a movie night where you steal all the popcorn or our chats....I'd miss you too much" he laughs
"Fine. We can be friends for now but I would be able to hold my feelings back forever"
"And I wouldn't want you too but we need to remember there's someone else involved here and I love him Rusty, really I do but I'm so confused right now but all I know is I need you both in my life" I hear a loud but long sigh
"Fine so tell me what you've been doing?"
I was glad he changed the subject, it was getting to tense and going somewhere I was ready to go with him right now. We talked until he had to go, we said our goodbyes and I hung the phone up. I looked down at the phone and realised that since being here I've spoken longer to Rusty than Drake, was that a sign that we don't get along as well? Like does Drake really know me like Rusty does? Should I even better thinking about this? I love Drake, I know I do but since all this stuff has happened I can't help but think about my life and if I'm actually happy with it. I love Drake but I'm starting to fall for Rusty. The way he smiles and tries to include me in everything he does, he's always there to cheer me up, we do so much together that no one really knows about and NO I haven't kissed him behind Drake's back beside the other day when he surprised me at school but I don't try too or flirt with him. I just like him being around him, you know?
I spent 2 weeks with Amber's family and my old friends before I decided to go back. I'd run out of tears and I could now smile when I heard her name or when I thought about her. It was okay, we'd mourned and we ready to move on. It'[s what she would have wanted I know that deep down and it's how I knew it was okay to smile, even laugh again and to love those things you love whether it's a joke or ice cream. Amber would always remain in our hearts and minds but she just won't be here in spirit. Drake was excited about me coming home and actually I was too. I couldn't wait to see both Drake and Rusty. I thanked Joy and said another goodbye to my old friends promising to keep in touch more after I get back. I felt like I owed it to Amber to do this so I'd make sure I did. The flight home was long and I fell asleep thinking of only Drake and me. Would things be different since I haven't been home for a while or would our feelings be stronger for each other? Drake had asked my parents if he could pick me up, they refused at first but then Dad said it was fine by him as long as he brought me straight home, no funny busy as I recall him saying. I'm glad Drake wasn't there to see how red I was when I had to repeat my Dad's words to him. Either way Drake was excited to be seeing me and really I couldn't wait to see him either.
