It was grade nine at the end of the school year. Flowers were just beginning to bloom through the melting snow, the air clean crisp and light. Familiar scents that dawned the upcoming summer appeared in the smell of freshly cut grass, and newly applied sunscreen. It was that time of year when excitement seemed to bubble around the courtyards, mixed in with kid's laughter, and yearning babbles about vacations to tropical places.

Mona and Lena walked together side by side, their backpacks swishing carrying a couple almost useless textbooks. A solitary soccer ball pushed ahead of them with every step, rolling across the ground.

"I can't believe it's almost over ya know?" Mona said out loud, sneaking a glance back towards the old brick building. They had spent so many years there. So many stories, moments, tests, and failed grades. Nothing could reproduce that sort of connection. It was like moving away from your hometown, a place you would never forget.

"Over? No way, this has only just begun! High school Mona. It's we've been waiting for." Lena's teenage face glowed brightly, her eyelashes perfectly covered in mascara.

"Yeah..." High school. The word seemed scary. A giant roadblock that screamed 'doom' and 'disaster' with every mention. Perhaps even foreshadowing some drastic life changing event. But Mona couldn't think that way, not now. There was no way to know what would happen, or could happen. And with Lena by her side? Well, they could be unstoppable! "I guess you're right."

"Aren't I always?" Laughing mystically, the blonde tightened her pony tail, leaning towards Mona with a whisper, he blue eyes dancing. "Oh...Here comes James! I think he wants to talk to you." Grinning with amusement she watched as her brown haired friend turned with slight horror. Sure enough, there is was. Tall with dark olive skin, his face set half in determination, and half in anxiousness. "I'll just… leave you two alone." Winking, Lena stepped away, her hips swaying in short cropped corduroy shorts.

"Hey Mona." James said as he approached, lifting a hand to his neck in a habit the female knew well. She had picked up on it the first time they had met, back in camp when she scored that one goal on him; the ball just missing the tips of his outstretched fingers. It was the way he was so positive and encouraging about it only made her liking towards him grow.

"Hey James, what's up?"

"Nothing really..." he paused, glancing down at the ground for a second before laughing nervously. "So, are you going to The Edge this year?"

The Edge was that same training camp, both of them had attended since they were ten. It was almost like a second home. Everyone knew her name, she was popular, competitive… it was a place where Mona could be Mona. And not just second hand sidekick. "Yeah, are you?"

"Actually, no."

Wait. "Why not?" A concerned look crossed Mona's features, her smile covering her braces quickly.

"I'm actually working this year. You know get some money." Mona nodded, suddenly feeling rather sceptical. James was never this nervous, nor would he skip camp. Even when he broke his ankle, he went. Plus, she was always the one that could hardly talk to him… why was it the other way around?

After a second of silence, he spoke once more with a slight inflection. "We're friends right?"

"Yeah, of course."

"I was wondering if you could maybe… do me a favour."

A favour?

"Uh.. okay. Sure, anything."

"…... could you see if Lena has a date to Grad?"

Oh.

For a second Mona stood in silence, the awkward feeling that had just swept over her falling into disappointment. That was why. The dance. It coincided with the beginning of The Edge's compition this year...

Realizing he was waiting, she blinked. "She doesn't have a date yet."

"Really?" He looked so pleased. And to think, she thought he was coming over here to ask her something. Something completely different

"Yep."

"Thats great, thanks." Smiling, he patted Mona on the back, ruffling her hair slightly in the way an older brother might.

'There will be other James's' she told herself as she watched him run and catch up to Lena, their two frames disappearing past a couple trees. By now the hurt was clear upon her face. 'You've got all of high school left, nobody gets every chance'

Stumbling upon the small wooden structure, Mona took it in through blurry eyes. It was a sun worn gazebo, the wood bleached and somewhat scratched. Moving up the steps slowly, she fell down upon one of its benches, wiping the tears off her cheeks.

What was she doing? Breaking down, and blowing off Justin so quickly. No. She couldn't let this bug her so much… It had happened too many times before.

Except- all those other times it hadn't been Lena's fault.

Lena had been innocent, un knowing. She didn't plan them on purpose... at least Mona didn't think.

But this time though. She lied. Telling her straight to her face that Justin was taking her surfing. Not anyone else, just Justin. And Mona let her go without complaint! And you know why? She was a good friend. She wanted to see Lena happy, despite all the stupid situations that she had thrown her way, and all the crushes she had so obliviously stolen throughout the years. Even all the parties she didn't want to go to, the nights she wasted sitting on a couch surrounded by drunk kids she didn't even know...

But it seemed like it was a one sided conflect. It had to be. What if she, herself, had been asked to go surfing instead? Lena would have begged to come… and well, Mona would have let her. That was the difference.

Or... Was it also her own fault? Did she just allow herself to fall into this pit of separation? How could she blame Lena completely? Lena was Lena, and she was just… Mona, the shy, boring girl.

"Mona?"

Turning to her right, Justin re-appeared, his board ditched, and face thoroughly concerned.

"Ah, I'm fine…" she told him, trying to hide her eyes which had turned slightly pink; makeup smeared ever so. "I'm just PMS-ing. You know." Trying to laugh, the sound came out slightly distorted, not really helping her case.

Running a hand through his wet short cropped hair, the male frowned, taking a step closer without a word.

"I'm okay, really."

Placing himself down next to her, Justin turned, hazel eyes glinting, as if in a silent questioning. "No, you're not."

Okay. He was right. But why would she talk to him about this whole situation? She doubted he wanted to hear it. He hadn't even talked to her yesterday.

Staying still, she looked down at her hands. "I'll live."

"Living really isn't the issue is it?"

Studying Mona, he squared his jaw in thought. From this angle he looked much more tanned than the day before, the contrast to his eyes startling.

"Uh..."

"What happened?"

Okay, scratch any way to back out. He was definitely not going to leave her alone. The persuasion in his voice, so reserved, yet forceful...

"Lena happened." The two words slipped out of her mouth before she could think it through. Her eyelids lifting up in a wide gaze.

"Lena?"

"What I meant to say was, there was miscommunication."

"... Miscommunication?" A look of dismay flashed across his face, the freckles on the bridge of his nose standing out with a brief break in the shadows. "What are you two, engaged or something?"

A sigh escaped her chest as she bit her lip is surrender. For some reason Justin seemed trustful. Maybe it was just the quiet nature of his character so far. But, having someone to vent to, even just a little, would be nice anyhow. For so many years she had kept her feelings inside. Maybe letting some of them out wouldn't be very bad. Maybe a good thing.

Lifting her hands into the air, a frustrated motion began as she spoke. "She... she told me you were taking her surfing alone. That the both of you were going to be off together..." Seeing how stupid this sounded, she began to ramble quickly. "She just always gets her way. Every guy she wants, every pair of shoes, trip, concert... No matter who it affects! or who she hurts. And incidentally, it's usually me." Sounding fairly bitter she sniffed, shifting awkwardly against the sand dusted seat.

"You were invited." He finally said, allowing the close roar of the waves to wash over his sentence.

"What?"

"You were invited." he repeated , confusion seemed to float off the tone of his voice. As if his thoughts had suddenly changed... Maybe how he felt towards Lena, now that some truth was being revealed.

"Today?" Twisting to face him, her eyebrows raised, teeth clenching angrily. "And she didn't ask me?"

"I guess not."

Standing up rashly, she scowled, marching past Justin. Oh, this was it.

"Mona? Where are you going..."

Where was she going? Where did he think she was going? Lena was gunna have to face her... Now, ready or not.

This time, she wasn't going to let things slide. She was fed up.

"Don't do it." He said, following after her slowly, before picking up his pace. Reaching out to touch her shoulder, the brunette shrugged his touch off, trudging back into the sand.

Mona could handle parties, clubs, and even a random heartbreak or two. But downright ignore her, lying about something she could have been a part of for her own benefit? That was low.

"Mona.." Justin said one last time, staring after her undecided. As if wondering whether to let her go, or keep trying to slow her down. Though, it really wouldn't matter. This was happening.

"Hey Lena!" Mona called out as she reached the waters edge, her eyes dark and stone cold, landing on the females floating frame. "LENA!"

The blonde, who had been laughing turned, looking as if she had only imagined her name.

"Mona, come on. Lets talk about this first. Don't do anything stupid." Justin had approached her again, moving to block her view of her former friend; stepping into the water.

"Talk?" she retorted. "I need to talk to Lena, not you." Moving to shove him to the side, not really caring how crazy he thought she was, another voice spoke out, his frame moving beside Justin's with a lanky step.

"Mona! I thought you werent coming." Luke sounded happy and upbeat, obviously not registering the nature of her current state. "You ready to rock the waves?"

Justin gave his brother an intense stare, before tilting his head towards Mona with small cough. "Actually... Mona wasn't invited."

"Wasn't invited? what do you mean?" Glancing down at her curiously, Luke tensed his face, weight transferring from one foot to the other in an impatient gesture.

Suddenly, a small splash followed by a giggle erupted behind the two males, causing them to turn; then creating a perfect triangle view for Mona's face.

Lena had clambered back to solid ground, slicked back locks falling smoothly against her back. "Hey guys you coming back in?" Glancing up, the smile that had lifted her playful face fell instantly. "Oh."

Oh, indeed.

"Yeah, Hi."

Hey guys. I wanted to thank you all for reading my story, even though I know it isn't the best written thing out there!
I've noticed lots of people story alerting and I would like to thank all of you too! You know who you are. Please review as well, it would make me happy. :)