Intro:
In the five months since we last left the Final Crush characters a lot has happened...
Ashley and Aaron broke up. There was no specific reason apparently. They just decided it wasn't working. They weren't meant to be together. They're still really good friends though.
Zac and Mary-Kate are still happily married. I think.. Of course Mary-Kate's pregnancy was a big surprise. And it took a lot of getting used to. But they're both really happy about it now. The baby is due in two months.
Melanie and Malcolm have been dating ever since that night she and Michael broke up. They're really happy together. Unbelievably happy. I wonder how long it will last.
Michael has been extremely depressed since he and Melanie's break up. He hasn't got a new girlfriend or anything and devotes ALL his time to studying. He's definitely going to graduate with honors. Honors and heavy depression anyway...
Josh and Amy.. Well, they broke up too. Apparently Amy had another boyfriend who she didn't mention to Josh. He's rather bitter about it.
And that's our update on all the characters. Their last year at college is upon them and who knows? This may just be the most interesting yet...---
Chapter 1:
What is it with girls? Why do they have such control over us? Why do they hurt us so much. Why are they so impossible to get over?
I'm not talking about Amy. I got over her really quickly.
There's just this one girl, who no matter what I can't forget.. Ashley.
I miss her SO much!
Like I said. What is it with girls?
---Ashley---
My life is pathetic. There must be something wrong with me. How come I can't stay with a person for more then a month? There really has to be something wrong with me..
---Mary-Kate---
I feel sick.
And....
I really feel like some sour cream and chives chips.
I HATE sour cream and chive chips!
---Michael---
I really don't get this stuff. It's easy to learn, but are we really going to need these facts in the future?
Oh well. At least it's a distraction from my pathetic life.
Make that BEYOND pathetic life!
---Melanie---
Malcolm is just too cute. Just too funny. Just too... plain wonderful!
*sigh* He's great!
Really!
He's just....
Not Michael
---Zac---
Mood swings. Food cravings. I never appreciated all the things my father went through, SEVEN times!
*sigh*
Chapter 2:
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"Ashley! Hey, Ashley!" I stopped walking and stood in the middle of the college campus. That voice... it was so famliar. It couldn't be... Could it?
I spun around "Josh!"
"Hey Ashley" He said sounding kind of nervous.
"H-Hey" I stuttered.
"Listen I'm really sorry about the way I acted last time we saw each other, It was really immature"
I couldn't think of anything to say so I just ran my feet over the grass watching as it bent under my foot.
"I was just thinking... Well, I don't know. It'd just be nice if we could kind of put our history behind us and start a fresh. As friends" he said.
I looked up surprised. Where had this come from?
"That'd be nice" I said quietly a small smile playing on my lips.
"Great!" He smiled. "So how have you been?"
"I've been good. Did you hear? I'm going to be an Aunt!"
"Actually I did hear. Michael told me. Congratulation!"
"Thanks"
Amy walked past us and I noticed Josh's expression change a little "Sorry about you and Amy" I said. I didn't know Amy too well. We'd had a class together but that was about it.
"I'm over it" He said, his expression resolute.
"You don't need her" I said with a nervous smile. A thought crept into my mind 'I need you'
WHAT ON EARTH!?
Where had that come from?
I just shook my head and continued the conversation as if nothing had happened. But I couldn't stop thinking about that thought. It was beyond weird!
---Mary-Kate---
Zac and I were sitting on the loveseat by the window, looking out at the stars. I was curled up next to him, my head resting on his chest. He made a good pillow! lol
I yawned sleepily.
"Hard day?" Zac asked, running a hand through my hair.
"I'm exhausted! And I didn't really do anything today" I patted my stomach "I never knew being pregnant was so much work"
He chuckled "My mother was always complaining about it. By the time she had Zoe she decied NO WAY for an 8th"
I laughed too.
"Hey" He said his voice suddenly kind of serious "I found a script on the kitchen table today, I hope you don't mind but I read it. It was really great. I was just wondering what it was about"
I thought for a minute trying to think of what script he could mean "Oh!" I said "It was a movie Ashley and I were going to do, back in our first year of College. It just.. never happened though"
"That's sad"
"I know. I'd really like to make it, but I doubt I could anytime soon"
"You never know" He said with a smile.
"Guess not" I returned the smile "The futures not ours to see"
---Melanie---
"So you'll dance together and then you'll kiss" The director said.
"That'll be torture" Malcolm said sarcastically.
I smiled at him. We were on the set for our second single, the Director was telling us all the stuff that would happen in it. Once again Malcolm and I were the couple.
"Ok your places are over there" He said pointing to some tape on the floor. We took our places.
"Lights, Cameras, Action!" The director said and we started filming.
The song blared over the speakers and Malcolm and I started slowly dancing. We got the the part where we kiss. We're dancing together, I move my head from his shoulder and glance up into his eyes. He looks down at me and then we kiss.
It was one of the weirdest kisses I'd ever experienced. Because the person I was seeing when I kissed Malcolm wasn't Malcolm....
I was imagining myself kissing Michael!!!!
Chapter 3:
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It was so wonderful to have Ashley back in my life! I felt like dancing with happiness!
"What's up with you?" Michael asked.
I almost fell over. Michael had ACTUALLY looked up from his studying long enough to say something. When was the last time that had happened? Back before he and Melanie broke up.
Ok so maybe I'm exagerating a bit. Michael does still talk to me. Of course he does! We're best friends. But no where near as much as he uesd to. It's like he's receeded into this whole other world, where no one can hurt him... and no one can help him.
"I talked to Ashley today" I said grinning.
"Wow!" He said.
"I figured it was about time I stopped being a baby. I missed her so much and didn't want to go through another year without her in my life. Maybe we can't be together but even friends is something."
"Yeah" Michael was starting to tune out again. His eyes were wondering back toward his textbook and his hand was moving towards the pen. Oh well. It was nice while it lasted.
---Michael---
"Would you turn that off!?" I yelled angrily.
"Woah! Chill man!" Mark said.
I just gathered my stuff and stormed into my room, leaving Josh and his imbecile friend to watch tv, or more correctly '4 U's new video, to their hearts content.
I'd hated the first video, but the second was way worse! Actually having to see Melanie and Malcolm kiss. Redefining torture is what it is.
I had found out about them dating. Mary-Kate told me. Well, more like I pestered her until she finally told me. I think I would have been better off not knowing...
I don't want to think about this right now.
Back to the textbooks!
Maybe I'll be able to learn how to get over the love of your life.
---Ashley---
"Hey Aaron!" I smiled into the phone receiever "How are things in California?"
"Great!" He said enthusiastically "Moving here was one of the best ideas I ever had"
I pretended to be upset "Moving away from me was the best idea you ever had?! How rude!"
He laughed "Come on! You know I miss you Ashley"
"Whatever" I said with a smile (even though he couldn't see it)
Aaron and I broke up about April last year. For awhile we didn't talk, since it was really uncomfortable, but I discovered I really missed him. Not us dating or anything I just missed Aaron. When we dated there wasn't much romantic chemistry. The reason we stayed together so long was more about how similar we were. We got on really well and loved spending time with each other. Basically we were best friends. And we still are. Even if he has moved to the other side of the country!
"So what did you do today?" He asked
"I.. talked to Josh"
"YOU'RE KIDDING!" I heard a thud.
"What happened?!"
"Ow!" he mumbled "I fell out of my chair!"
I burst out laughing "You are such a clown!"
"I live to serve. But seriously did you really talk to Josh?"
"Uh-huh! I was walking across the campus and he came over and apologized about being a jerk. He says he wants to be friends" I'd told Aaron about Josh. He knew the whole horrific, sad story.
"Sure!"
"What?"
"Sure he wants to 'be friend' oldest line in the book!"
"You-You think he wants to get back together?"
"Sounds like it"
Needless to say when I hung up later that night I was feeling very confused. And though I wouldn't have admitted it to Aaron- hopeful.
Chapter 4:
I guess it would be a bit much to ask for her to come with me, especially with a new born baby. And me going away and leaving her alone with a new baby is kind of cruel too. But we'll cover that hurdle when we get to it.
Right now I need to work on getting her to talk to me again!
---Mary-Kate---
Touring!
I cannot believe Zac is working on a new album! Can't he see I need him here?!
I'm more scared then I've ever been in my life. All I want is to know that he's here for me.
Is that to much to ask?
---Josh---
I walked through the supermarket reading my shopping list
Candy Bars
Ice Cream
Potato Chips
Pizza
My supply of junk food had ran out again. What a nightmare. Since of course, I wasn't looking where I was going it wasn't much of a surprise I walked into someone.
"Ow! Watch where you're going!" The familiar voice scolded.
I glanced up "Ashley!" I said with a smile.
"hey" she returned the smile. She noticed the shopping list and snatched it from my hand "Uh-oh!" She teased "This'll be scary" She read through it then burst out laughing "You're a sick boy Josh! You need help" She informed me.
"Yes I need help" I agreed "I need to find where the moved the potato chip aisle to. I can't find it!" I said in a panicky voice.
"I can't find the Sultana Bran either" Ashley said with a frown.
"Ashley" I said patting her on the head "That's a good thing" I said quietly.
She just glared at me.
---Ashley---
I took another spoonful of the icecream and licked it off the spoon "Yum!" I said with a smile "I can't remember the last time I had Jelly Tip Ice Cream"
"You poor thing" Josh said sympathetically.
The two of us had decided to have a pig out session at the park. And that's where we were now. We'd consumed a candy bar each and shared a bag of potato chips. We were now working on the two litre tub of ice cream. Needless to say I was starting to feel sick.
"I can't eat anymore" I said putting down my spoon and lieing back on the grass. Josh just kept on eating. Did that boy ever get full?
---Josh---
Ashley and I had been talking (and eating) at the park for hours and now dusk was setting in.
Ashley sighed "I really should get home. I need to do some studying"
I groaned "You sound like Michael"
"Poor Michael" Ashley said sadly.
I propped myself up on my elbow and looked down at her "He broke up with his girlfriend and was too dam proud to take it back. Why feel sorry for him?"
"Well, when you put it that way... But I still feel sorry for him. They were perfect together"
"Not according to the latest 17 poll. Malcolm and Melanie one as the perfect couple"
She made a face "I don't like Malcolm"
"Neither do I"
We were silent after that. Ashley was just watching the stars that were slowly showing up and I was watching her. It was taking ALL my will power to not lean down and kiss her. When I felt like I couldn't fight it any more she sat up.
"I really should go study" she said with a smile.
"I'll walk you home" I offered with a sigh, getting up too.
Chapter 5:
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Josh walked into the dorm and sat on the sofa with a sigh. He musn't have noticed I was studying. Or maybe he just didn't care. Either way he just had to open his big mouth and start talking.
"This isn't working" He said sadly.
I sighed feeling annoyed, and put down my pencil "What isn't working?" I asked turning to face him.
"This 'just being friends' with Ashley thing. I can't do it I want to be more then friends" He shook his head to emphasize the 'can't do it'.
"So tell her!" I said emphatically. It seemed pretty simple to me.
"It's not that simple" Josh argued shaking his head. Why was he doing that so much today?
"Yes it is!" I insisted.
"If it's so simple ring Melanie up and tell her you're miserable without her!" He countered with a stubborn look on his face.
That was playing dirty "That's different!" I defended myself.
"How?" He retaliated.
"She's with Malcolm now!" I said turning back to my books and picking up my pen again, determined to ignore him.
"She's not over you. I can tell. She doesn't look happy with Malcolm. Have you seen their new video?" Josh rambled on and on and on and on and on and on (well you get the picture!)
Would he shut up already!?
"That kiss is so weird! She doesn't look like she wants to kiss him!"
Hmmm I'd never really thought about it like that. Oh Forget it! I broke up with her it's over she's with her popstar boyfriend now and I need to go on with my life.
---Mary-Kate---
I sat on the sofa, remote in one hand popcorn in the other. So I was having a sorry-for-myself party! I deserve it! I'm as big as a house and feel sick. And my husbands off somewhere writing songs with his brothers, right when I really want him here!
The girl on the soap opera I was watching, had just gone into labor. It looked painful. Hmmmm maybe I shouldn't be watching this...
Half an hour later I was in tears. The credits for the soap opera were rolling past and sad music was playing. The girl had died having her baby. And I was freaking out!
---Zac---
"I prefer it on C" Taylor was saying when my phone rang interrupting.
"Be right back" I said getting up and walking out of the room. "Hello?" I said into the cellphone. I'm afraid I kind of snapped. I was irritated about the interruption. Isaac, Taylor and I had been on a role. And now the interruption.
"Z-Zac?" It was Mary-Kate. There was a tremble in her voice and she was sniffling.
"What's wrong?" I asked trying to sound gentle.
"Thegirlhadherbabyandthenshedied!" Mary-Kate wailed not making any sense.
"What on earth are you talking about?" I asked. I couldn't make out one sentence of what she'd said but I could tell she was upset.
"I was watching tv and this girl had a baby then she died and I'm scared Zac!" She made a lot more sense that time.
"Mary-Kate" I said soothingly "Don't worry. Everythings going to go fine. Don't worry about it. It's still way off in the future. Ok?"
"I guess" She said quietly not sounding convinced.
"Ok good. I'll be home in about 4 hours and I'll talk to you then" I said quickly.
"But!-"
"Bye Mary-Kate! I love you!" I hung up quickly. I immediately felt a rush of guilt. But she was worrying about nothing and I was in the middle of writing.
I went back to the other room and continued working on the song.
---Mary-Kate---
Well that was a big help! I should have known. When Zac's writing he gets into this state of mind where all he can think about is the music. It's hopeless to talk to him when he's like that.
But the fact remained that I was still freaking out. In fact I was sitting on the sofa shaking incontrollably and tears were streaming down my face.
I turned to my phone and clicked speed dial for Ashley. Her answer machine immediately came on, which meant she was off somewhere studying.
I tried Melanie but she didn't answer. I then remembered she'd had a concert that night.
So who was left?
Michael.