"It looks good" I said, smiling at the large oval table Josh had booked us. I pulled out a seat near the middle and sat down.

"I still don't see why we had to come so early" Josh said with a whining tone as he sat next to me.

"It was my idea. I feel I should be here first. Besides, the babysitter arrived early"

"Besides, looks like we aren't the only early ones" I motioned to the door where Michael was walking in. Melanie was behind him. I noticed he didn't look too happy "Wait a minute. That's not Melanie"

"I'm sorry Ashley" Michael said "She kind of invited herself and I couldn't just say no"

"No! It's supposed to be a dinner for JUST us!" I could have stomped my foot for extra emphasis but decided against it.

"Yes! You can" I insisted, thugh as I said it I realized it was a little impossible. I sighed. "Melanie's gonna hate it"

So Ashley and I hadn't made up and I was quite frankly still annoyed with her. But I was still looking forward to the dinner. I just hoped Mel and Michael wouldn't fight.

We arrived at the restaurant and sat across from Ashley, who was throwing angry glances at an uncomfortable looking Michael. I assume I'm not the only one she's annoyed with.

And then I saw why. Just as Mel walked in the front door Amanda walked over to the table and sat next to Michael.

I'll be honest. My first instinct was to run, the moment I saw Michael and Amanda I could tell they were dating. The way Amanda was acting told it all. Michael was just acting uncomfortable.

I took a deep breath, determined not to cry and sat down at the end of the table, as far away from Michael (at the other end) as I could.

"Well. Everyone's here!" Ashley said, placing additional emphasis on Everyone.

I smiled. Ashley forced a smile. Michael winced. Josh shrugged. Mary-Kate threw Ashley a 'look'. Zac looked pretty oblivious. And Amanda.. well, she was just grinning happily.

Ashley and Mary-Kate's jaws dropped in twin unison. Michael looked a little pale and Josh and Zac started discussing the restaurants architecture.

I'm not sure how I felt as Melanie told everyone the details of her moving to Italy. Ashley and Mary-Kate were pretty sad but she assured them it was just for a month or two while she recorded her album. She said she need a break and to get away.

I don't know... I think it's fitting. We always belonged in an episode of Dawson's Creek"

He walked over to a table where a pretty blonde was sitting and the two started talking.

Mary-Kate was watching him too. She glanced over at me questioningly. I shrugged and she smiled. As if to say 'I told you so'

So Ashley was fuming. I'm her sister. I know these things. She's sitting there looking bored and picking at her Ice Cream, but underneath she is SO boiling!

Josh has been talking to hte blonde for the last fifteen minutes. Amanda's obliviously chattering away and Michael still looks uncomfortable.

This is so much fun! (No that is not sarcasm) Believe me, I don't ususally enjoy my sisters misery.

"Mike and I probably need a bigger apartment soon" Amanda was saying, "We have the most annoying, loud and obnoxious neighbor. I am so sick of him"

Mel was looking at the chandelier then glancing at her watch, then back at the chandelier. I can't help but feel that maybe I should talk to her..

As Amanda continued on about 'apartment nightmare room 2' as we referred to our neighbor, I tried to get Mel's attention.

First I waved my hand, behind Amanda's head so she wouldn't see. That got Ashley looking at me like I was crazy. No attention whatsoever from Melanie. Then I tried coughing a couple of times.

Mel still stared at the chandelier. Finally I kicked Mary-Kate's foot under the table, she glanced at me and I subtley nodded my head in Mels direction. Good old Mary-Kate got my meaning and whispered to Zac who whispered to Mel who glanced at me (That seriously reminds me of some kids book I used to love when I was 8)

Behind Amanda's head I motioned to the front door and made a talking motion with my hand. Mel shook her head. I did it again. She shook her head harder. Amanda glanced at me and I quickly stopped.

"I'm just.. going to get some fresh air" I told her. I stook up and walked towards the door. When I neared the end of the table and Mel I walked by her, close enough to readch out and quickly yank the back of her ponytail, then step away.

The whole restaurant turned to stare at her and she blushed "I uh, bit my tongue" she said. Everyone went back to eating and she glared at me. I once again motioned to the door and she sighed and nodded. 'In a moment' she mouthed.

"Ok, what do you want?" I asked, walking out of the restaurant and over to Michael who was leaning against the wall outside.

"To talk. Forgive me, far too much to ask" He said, throwing his hands up for emphasis.

He looked a little surprised "Me too" He finally managed to say. There was a pause and then "So you're really going?

Zac shrugged, Mary-Kate ignored me and Amanda looked suspicious. "Excuse me a moment" She started to stand up then spotted the two walking in the front door. She glared at Michael then sat down again.

"Well I'd better be going" Mel said as she got her jacket from the back of the chair.

"In a moment" Michael said "I just wanted to discuss something with Zac" The two started talking and Amanda - looking a bit annoyed - went to the bathroom.

"Don't start" I nearly snarled. I started to stand up, not noticing the waiter carrying a bowl of iced water with a bottle of wine in it.

I let out an angry scream as the water fell on my head after my chair backed into his foot and knocked him over.

I stood up, walked over to Josh, grabbed him by the ear and dragged him to the door "We're leaving" I informed him.

Ashley and I hadn't said anything since leaving the restaurant. Initially I found it absolutely hilerious that was in her best dress, hair and make-up perfect (it took her hours to get it that way, personally I don't see why girls try so hard. Especially Ashley, she looks as beautiful without it all) and now it's all ruined. Now she has mascara streaking her face, half her hair has come out of it's bun and is hanging (and dripping) limply around her face.

She let out a sneeze. As far as Taxi's go this one is quite warm, but then I haven't been doused in ice cold water.

"Duh! Josh" she muttered. She hadn't even brought her coat and the dress was sleevless, she wrapped her arms around herself in a desperate attempt to be warm.

I took off my jacket and wrapped it round her shoulders. Only when I was leaning over to do that I heard her let out a little sob.

I wrapped an arm around her shoulder and pulled her towards me in a hug "One day we'll look back on it and laugh"

She snorted and glanced up at me "Sure!" Our eyes met and she quickly glanced away again, then slowly rested her head on my shoulder.

"So what were you and Mary-Kate fighting about?" I asked, my arm slipping down to wrap around her waist.

"Oh, it's not important" she said, shifting a little and acting a bit uncomfortable with the situation.

"What else gets you as flustered as discussions about our relationship?" I asked, putting emphasis on the word relationship.

"So what was she saying this time?" I asked, I was feigning disinterest but trust me, it was hard.

"Oh, you know. The usual. That I should stop messing around and stuff" she let out a laugh and I could feel she was actually shaking she was so nervous

I moved my hand to stroke her hair away from her face then tipped her chin up and turned her to face me.

She tipped her chin and closed her eyes. I gently pressed my lips to hers then.. nearly fell off the seat as the car pulled up in front of our apartment.

"Who's paying?" The driver asked gruffly. I handed him some money while Ashley slipped past me and out of the car, avoiding my gaze.

I don't care if you stare
It's who I am, It's what I wear
I see you there, you think I care
You're just another fan to me

Oh man. That song completely sums up the attitude a lot of our fans think we have towards them. The first of the law suits go through next week.

I'm thinking maybe I should put our house on the market. Property prices are really high at the moment.

If Michael thinks I didn't notice how weird he acted during the dinner, he's an idiot! And if he thinks I didn't notice that he went 'out for air' at the sime time Melanie did, then there's nothing I can say for him.

I feel like I'm in an episode of Dawson's creek. I'm Pacey. Michael's Joey and Mel's Dawson. And everyone knows it took Joey a decade to get over Dawson!

Maybe I should give up. Or I could go through my collection of 'Please go out with me' fan emails and pick a date with one. Very appealing..

I avoided looking at Josh as we took the elevator to our apartment. I busied myself muttering about how dirty the floor buttons were and wiping at them with a tissue. By the time I'd finished we were at our floor and Josh had gone ahead to unlock the door.

I looked at the dirty tissue in my hand "Ew" I said, as I tossed it into the hall rubbish bin. I wipped my hands on my skirt and glanced around nervously. Josh had gone inside now and finally I followed.

"I'm going to go take a shower" I said, slipping past him and into my room to get some clothes.

I glanced back at him for a moment to see him watching me quietly. Our eyes met and we stared at each other for awhile.

I was in my first class seat on a flight to Italy. It was a few days since the disastrous dinner and I'd said my tearful farewells to all my friends. Ashley and Mary-Kate had agreed to come over for a vacation in a few weeks. We planned to pretend like we were teenagers again and have a sleepover and everything.

Josh and Zac were pretty nonchalant about saying good-bye but I dunno, I think they might just miss me.

In fact. I'm already checking out the other fish in the sea. And there's a really cute one up ahead.

I yawned and walked into the kitchen where Amanda was sipping a cup of hot chocolate and reading the newspaper.

"Looking for a new apartment" She responded as if it were the most normal thing in the world.

"What?!" I nearly dropped the bread I'd finally found "This isn't about that dinner is it?"

She thought for a moment "No... I just, I just don't like living in the same apartment as the person I'm dating. It's just.. weird. I prefer the old fashioned kiss goodnight on the doorstep and long phonecalls each afternoon. So yeah, I'm moving out. That is unless you want to" She winked at me.

"Wow.." I sighed "Well, if it's what you want." I dejectedly set to making toast.

"There's a really good one a few blocks over. Two rooms. Second floor. Sounds pretty good. Heck, second floor I might stop being lazy and actually take the stairs" She grinned.

"Cool" I was still feeling dejected about the fact that she was moving out. I picked up my toast and walked out of the kitchen "Hey, check for people looking for apartments there. I can't cover the rent on my own"

"Sure" She said, and then though I couldn't tell I thought I heard her say: "Hey, soaps always need new characters"

It's been a while since I reported in. I seriously think the author forgot me. But anyway, I'm over that creep and I've mainly been concentrating on school. The good news is I'm getting straight A's in pretty much all of my classes.

Melanie said before she left that when she gets back I better be flunking and happy. She's certain I'm lonely and alienating my friends far too much. I just think she's paranoid.

For a new flatmate. See with Melanie gone I'm going to need someone to split the rent with.

An intriguing collection of actors and actresses have come in. There's Beth the dark goth punk rocker. Anna the silent girl who barely said a word. Suzie the girl who never stopped. Michael the bookworm type who had a laptop with him and Philip a relatively normal guy.

The phone rang, Amanda had called to invite me to go see the new Brad Pitt movie, we got to talking and somewhere in there she mentioned that she was moving out.

It's funny how things can work out huh? So anyway, I'm currently cleaning out her room and she's at home packing. Brad had to wait.

For the first time in ages I'm actually really looking forward to something other then exam results.

I'm sick of worrying and I'm sick of stressing! Mary-Kate and I finally talked and I've agreed to stop trying to be the macho geek. She's going to cover the bills at the moment and we're going to move. We were both a bit tired of our DIY disaster home and it looks like we have a potential buyer anyway.

We've decided to move into a small apartment in the meantime. I talked to Lizzie earlier today and it seems like everyones moving lately.

Mary-Kate's old college roommate is in Italy and our baby Anna took one of her first steps this morning.

I'm back in New York. Things with Katy didn't go too well. We didn't break up. Well, yeah we did. But supposedly in the future there may still be hope. We both want time apart and in 6 months I'm allowed to call her. We'll discuss whats happened in our lives and assess whether or not we want to give our relationships another try.

I'm staying with Zac and Mary-Kate for the next couple of days then I'm moving in with Michael.

I really predict this is going to bring about a new chapter in all of our lives.

---Melanie---

I'd been in Italy for a week when I decided to take a trip into Rome. I didn't see the logic in living two hours outside the city and not playing tourist.

Rule #1 on my list of priorities was to get a car. I'd quickly discovered I knew even less about cars when the ads were in Italian. I guess I should ask someone at the record label to arrange it all for me.

So anyway. I totally felt like Britney Spears as I waited at the bus stop! Some popstar I am!

The bus must have been late cause I was waiting longer then I'd expected. (And yes the bus is at fault. Not my expectations)

I did some people watching. Observations for my album. I was determined not to record an album of unoroginal love songs. Just seeing different people on a street could inspire you.

Unfortunately the street was pretty quiet. An elderly couple strolled past, a teenage guy, and then it was quiet for ages.

Almost eerily quiet..

---Amanda---

Life had been pretty quiet since Lizzie and I strated flatting together. She'd been busy with school and spent most of her spare time fielding phone calls from guys asking her on dates. It was sad; such a pretty young girl in the prime of her life spent so little time just having fun. Sure the majority of guys are losers but getting to the point where you discover that can sometimes be fun. And at teh very least she should go to a movie once in awhile.

That's why I dragged her to see the new Chad Michael Murray film. We both had crushes and I'd be working with him on a new romantic comedy in a month, so it made sense!

The theatre was full and I made sure I sat next to the old granny and Lizzie the cute guy who looked like he belonged in a boyband.

About a quarter of the way into the movie I first noticed he was giving her a hard time. He wouldn't stop whispering things to her and had this creepy look in his eyes. We ignored him for another ten minutes but when he tried to grab her hand I leaned over and glared at him.

"Drop ir or I'll go get security" I warned, my voice seething with anger.

He rolled his eyes but backed off for about 10 minutes. When he started running his hands through her hair I grabbed her hand and started manuevering down the row. People were complaining and throwing popcorn at us but we finally reached the aisle.

"He's following us" Lizzie whispered.

I pushed her in front of me so I was between her and the guy. I'd trained in self defense and felt I was altogether tougher then Lizzie, who was still kind of timid.

We reached the exit about the time an usher ran over.

"May I help you?" He asked.

"This man is bothering us" I said, pointing at the guy who was practically breathing down my neck.

The usher looked a little scared, I'm sure he'd never dealt with this kind of problem before. He got out his walkie talkie and I assumed, called security.

The man made a hissing sound and leaned toward Lizzie "See you soon" He said before running out of the exit door.

Things calmed down a little after that. Security went in search of the man and assured us we'd be safe in the theatre. The movie was kind of soured though, I called Michael and asked him to give us a ride home. I'd admit I was a bit shaken.

And somehow I belive the man when he said he'd see us again.

---Josh---

Things had been so weird between Ashley and I since that kiss. We never talked about it. If I tried to bring it up she'd change the subject. I guess if things hadn't been that way I wouldn't have started dating Judy, but I was sick of dancing in circles. It was time to move on. I knw Ashley didn't like it. She hardly talked to me anymore and spent most of her time in her room. Life can be so complicated sometimes.

I wish we could just stand on the same ground at the same time. Or maybe if we could just tell the other how we felt. But no, relationships have to be complicated. And who knows? I think we kind of enjoy fighting. It's sick..

Crash.
That was you and me,
Started out so innocently.
Shattered on the ground
I hear the sound.
Crash
Ringing in my ears
I still feel the sting of my tears.
Someone wake me?
I can't seem to break free

(Lyric Credit: Hilary Duff: Crash World from the album 'Hilary Duff')

---Mary-Kate---

Zac arranged for a new smaller apartment for our little family. It's a small world I guess, or maybe we'd flown into an episode of friends, whatever it was we eneded up down the hall from Josh & Ashley. It was just like she and I had always planned when we were kids.

When I announced the news it would be time to put fueds between sisters aside. Ashley was a big help when I was pregnant. Zac was going back into the studio with his brothers. Only this time they were working on solo projects (but still producing together). They'd decided it was the best more anonymous route to take while the court cases were still against us and all through the media.

---Melanie---

I'd been taught Stranger Danger when I was a kid. I guess when you're in your 20's you don't pay quite so much attention.

When the foreboding black car with the tinted windows parked acorss the road and the guy got out and started walking toward me I probably should have been concerned. Paranoid maybe, but you should have seen the guy.

I REALLY should have been concerned!

---Zac---

Mary-Kate and I were busilly unpacking our apartment, we didn't talk much as we did. Only to argue about the placing of certain items. Josh and Ashley were helping and were even less talkitive then Mary-Kate and I. Which is kind of a step backward if you ask me.

I didn't pay much attention when the phone rang. Mary-Kate was closer so I left her to answer. The conversation soon caught my attention though.

"Hello, yes, I'm Mary-Kate Olsen... Yeah, she was my roomate in college... What? ... But she's in Italy recording her album.. No! She can't be missing!"

Read the next season These are the days