Alex watched the two strangers leave, now more confused than ever. Leaving Marissa had been one of the hardest things she had ever done, but at the time it seemed like it was for the best. Now she when she looked back it was getting difficult to remember why she left.

It was supposed to be for the best. She was sacrificing her feelings so Marissa could live happily ever after with her night in shining armor, but Marissa never did like to do what anyone else thought was best for her. The rich girl was always trying to make her way through life by her own plan. However that plan sometimes changed course rapidly and without warning. Watching Marissa and Ryan talking, leaning close to each other with his hand on her arm, Alex just figured Marissa decided to back track to what she knew.

Alex cringed slightly remembering their big fight right before she left. She accused Marissa of using her to anger her mother and Marissa fired back that Alex was looking for an out. Marissa claimed that Alex didnt want a relationship, she never had, Jody and Seth could attest to that.

Was I just looking for an easy out? Alex thought, returning to her unpacking.

Looking back it did seem like that. With Marissa she never thought clearly. The second the teenager wandered into her world, nothing made sense. She had fallen in love almost immediately and that scared her. For the longest time she believed that love or at least the kind everyone always spouting off about didnt truly exist. It was just some fairytale told to little kids to make them feel good about a cruel heartless world.

Marissa threw that theory back in her face the first time she locked eyes with Alex. So watching her and Ryan, it was like a confirmation that love wasnt real. So she overreacted a little and ran. To have her in West Hollywood, trying to get her back, it was just another challenge to the theory.

The image of a distraught Marissa running from bar to bar flashed through her mind. She smiled slightly picturing Marissa in her Manolo Blahnik shoes and Gucci purse wandering around in some of the less refined clubs.

It had been a tough couple of weeks. Fleeing Orange County and the friends she had made was not something she wished to do again, but staying there, it would hurt so much more. Seth called every once in a while, but the conversation mostly revolved on how to get Summer back. And Marissa, well she hadnt heard from her since their big blow out at her apartment. Alex had thought she had moved on.

Alex hurled the throw pillow at the wall. Why did things have to be so damn difficult?

Outside of house

Alright so were going to Milk tonight, Shane didnt really ask so much as tell.

Bette stopped walking and stared at her friend, What if Tina is there?

Actually thats what Im counting on, Shane tried to open the door only to find it locked. Come on, unlock the door already.

I cant go if Tinas there! Bette panicked. She doesnt want to see me.

You said you wanted her back right, Shane calmly explained as if to a two year old.

Yes Shane, I want her back, Bette snapped and unlocked the car door.

Well then you are going to show up at Milk tonight and you are going to do exactly as I say, Shane smirked. You fucked up, yes?

Yes, Bette growled a little annoyed. I think I know that already.

Well then you have to start working to gain her trust back. Im not saying this is gonna have an immediate payoff. This is going to take a lot of time and itll hurt like a *****, but you really dont have any other options. She doesnt want to be alone with you right now and you have to respect that. So hang out with us as a group. Tell her what your intentions are and let her decided. Thats what she needs right now, to feel in control, smiling Shane tried her best to make her plan seem feasible. You are going to have to work to be her friend again.

So itll take a while, with an unbelievably sad face, Bette started the car.

Yeah, it will, Shane sighed. But you dont have to deal with this on your own you know, you do have friends. Who might I add, miss you.

I thought you guys would hate me, Bette glanced at Shane from the corner of her eye.

We werent so pleased when we found out, Shane chuckled ruefully. But we are your friends, no matter what.

Thank you Shane. I needed this, Bette smiled through unshed tears. I dont think Ive ever heard you talk this much.

Shane leaned back in her chair and rested her feet on the dash, till Bette knocked them off, Yeah, well, never really had much to talk about.

What about you, Bette faced the road checking on her friend from the corner of her eye. How have you been? I know things didnt work out with Cherie.

I knew it wouldnt work out anyway, Shane mumbled uncomfortable to be the topic of conversation.

Doesnt make it hurt any less.

Glancing out the window Shane stared at some invisible point in the distance, lost in her own private world, Yeah.

Itching to change the topic and erase the depressed look on her friends face, Bette smiled, Well Doctor love, now all you have to do is fix this whole Alice-Dana-Tonya mess.

Shane groaned resting her head on the window, I am not dealing with that one on my own. That reminds me, I have to call Al. Oh, idea, Ill invite Dana and Tonya as well.

Because that sounds like a fun evening, Bette sarcastically added.

At the very least itll draw attention from you and Tina, Shane smirked. Besides tonight is going to be chock full of uncomfortable, awkward, and ***** even misfortunate moments. Why in the world would you want to miss that?

Just call Alice, Bette laughed.

Alices Apartment

Hello? Alice grumbled into the phone.

Well hello to you to, Shane replied, laughing at her friends tone of voice.

Oh, hey Shane, Alice smiled, she had presumed it was her editor pestering her about the knitting story. Why are you calling?

Me, you, Tina, Bette, Dana, Tonya, Marissa, and hopefully her ex Alex are going to Milk tonight, Shane explained rushing the names a bit.

Wait, you want all of us and out exes or irritating fiancs of friends to be in the same club at the same time? Alice voice clearly displayed her displeasure at the idea.

Yep, Shane nodded.

Have you by chance been doing any of the drugs recently? Alice laughed.

Nope, be there at nine, Shane hung up immediately after.

SHANE! Alice yelled to the dial tone.

It wasnt as if she wasnt going to go, if Shane had invited Bette it meant she had a plan on how to reunite them. That alone was worth sitting through a few hours on Tonya time. But if Tonya was there, so was Dana. The same Dana who couldnt even look her in the eye since the now famous four a.m. kiss.

She didnt regret it though. Deep down Alice always harbored a tiny crush on the tennis player, but until now didnt have the guts to act on it. So of course she finally realize she was in love with Dana at the exact worst time. Alice flopped down on her couch and covered her head with a pillow and stayed that way until Tina walked in.

Hey, Alice, Tina cautiously approached the still blonde. You okay?

Yeah, just trying to smoother myself, her voice was muffled by the pillow.

Wanna talk about it, I mean, I would hate to have to find a new roommate, Tina smiled pulling the pillow away from Alice.

Shane wants us all to go to Milk tonight, Alice explained. All of us.

Sitting down Tina frowned, You mean Bette.

Yeah, Alice sat up. If you dont want to go, I can call her back.

No, its okay, Tina smiled at her considerate friend. Im going to have to deal with her sooner or later. Besides, Shane wants us all there.

I just cant figure out why? I mean she also wants to invite Dana and Tonya.

Well Dana is our friend.

Alices face expressed mild disgust, But Tonya? I really dont want to spend the night watching them make googly eyes at each other.

Whats going on with you two, Tina asked. Ever since they announced the wedding, you and Dana have been all weird around each other.

Grabbing the pillow back, Alice put it over her head again, I kissed her.

You did! Tina smiled. Aww, thats so cute.

She wont even look at me, Alice mumbled through the pillow.

Come here, Tina pulled Alice into a hug. Itll be okay.

Well make it through tonight, wont we? Alice looked up sadly.

Yeah, Tina smiled down at her friend. Dont worry, itll all work out.

Tina looked up at the chart linking everyones name. Her eyes focused on the line connecting Bette to Candace. The anger was still there, Tina was afraid it always would be, but it was beginning to lessen, leaving only pain in its wake. It was horribly confusing. She wanted to see Bette tonight, she wanted to run up and kiss her and pretend nothing had ever happened, but she also never wanted to see her again. Since she found out, life had gotten far more contradictory.

It wasnt supposed to be like this. She always imagined that if someone had cheated on her she would simply hate that person and move on. But with Bette, she could never hate Bette. It would be so much easier if she could, but it was Bette. Bette who used to make her pancakes shaped like hearts, tape every show she would even contemplate watching if she was out of town, and just hold her when something, anything really, upset her. Tina loved Bette, no matter what it turned out. If this was how love felt, really truly felt, was it worth it?