Spain. Here we come!

Bea's POV

1 month later.

I looked around the living room at our small, close-knit group of friends. It had been a tough month, with all the drama surrounding Theo, Grace, and Melanie. But now, as Christmas break approached, I had an idea to lift everyone's spirits.

I took a deep breath and cleared my throat, getting ready to address the group. They all turned their attention towards me, curiosity and anticipation in their eyes.

"Hey, guys," I began, trying to sound casual and cheerful. "I've been thinking. We've had a pretty rough time lately, and I thought, why not make this winter a warm and memorable one?"

Blank stares and quizzical looks met my statement. I could almost feel the unspoken question in the room: What is she up to now?

"So, here's the plan," I continued, grinning mischievously. "How about we all head to Spain for Christmas break?"

The room erupted in a chorus of surprised and excited reactions. Jess clapped her hands together, a wide smile spreading across her face. Ryan and Theo exchanged looks of disbelief, and Grace's eyes sparkled with anticipation. Even Melanie, who had been through so much recently, seemed genuinely intrigued.

I explained my idea further, detailing how we could rent a cozy villa, soak up the Spanish sun, and indulge in delicious food and drinks. It would be a getaway from all the drama, a chance to bond, and most importantly, an opportunity to recharge and start the new year on a positive note.

As I spoke, I could see the weariness in their faces slowly giving way to enthusiasm. The thought of escaping the cold weather and the heavy atmosphere that had hung over us for the past month was undeniably appealing.

Finally, Jess piped up, her excitement evident. "That sounds amazing! I'm in!"

One by one, they all expressed their enthusiasm and eagerness to embark on this spontaneous adventure. We started planning immediately, researching destinations, and discussing the details of our Spanish getaway. The prospect of sunny days, laughter, and a break from our everyday lives filled the room with a newfound warmth, melting away the winter chill and the shadows of the past month.

-4pm

I looked over at Josh, his face etched with concern, as we sat together in the quiet aftermath of our friends' departure. The excitement of planning our Spanish getaway had slowly dissipated, leaving a lingering unease in its wake.

"Bea, you need to talk to them."

"What do you mean, I need to talk to them?" I asked, though I knew exactly what he was referring to. The elephant in the room, the unspoken tension that had built up over the past month, was impossible to ignore.

Josh sighed, his brow furrowing slightly. "Bea, you know what I'm talking about. The whole Melanie, Grace, and Theo drama... it's affected our friendships, and I think it's time we address it."

I fidgeted with the edge of my sweater, feeling a knot of guilt and apprehension forming in my stomach. He was right; I couldn't keep avoiding the issue. Steph and Grace had been my closest friends for years, and our bond had been strained by recent events.

"You're right," I admitted, finally meeting his gaze. "I've been avoiding it because I didn't want to make things more complicated. But I can't keep pretending like everything's fine."

Josh nodded in understanding, his warm brown eyes reassuring. "They're your friends, Bea. And friends talk things out, no matter how uncomfortable it might be. You'll feel better once you do."

Taking a deep breath, I reached for my phone and sent a message to Steph and Grace, suggesting that we meet up to talk. The response was almost immediate, and we agreed to meet at our favourite café the next day.

As I put my phone down, I felt a mixture of nervousness and relief.

The following day, as I sat across from Steph and Grace, the atmosphere was tense but charged with the potential for resolution. We delved into the difficult conversations that had been looming over us, addressing our feelings, misunderstandings, and the pain we had all experienced.

It wasn't an easy discussion, but it was a necessary one. As we talked and shared our perspectives, I realised how much I valued these friendships and how much I was willing to work to repair them. By the end of our conversation, we weren't magically back to where we once were, but we had taken a significant step forward.

As we left the café, I felt a weight lift from my shoulders. Josh was right, as always. Talking it out had been tough, but it had been the first step toward healing the fractures in our friendships. Maybe, just maybe, our upcoming trip to Spain would provide the perfect opportunity to strengthen our bonds once more.

——————————————————————————

At airport.

The airport was buzzing with excitement, but it wasn't long before the tension started to seep through the cracks. As we gathered near the departure gate, I could feel the unease in the air, like the calm before a storm.

Melanie's friend, Bella, had launched into a argument against Theo, accusing him of betrayal. Her voice carried across the waiting area, drawing curious glances from nearby passengers.

"Bella, calm down," Melanie pleaded, her eyes darting between her friend and Theo.

Grace, never one to back down from a confrontation, fired back with a sharp retort. "Maybe if you weren't so ugly, you would have a boyfriend and you could worry about him instead."

The exchange escalated quickly, and I exchanged a weary glance with Josh.

Taking a deep breath, I stepped forward, attempting to defuse the situation. "Hey, guys, come on. Let's not start this now. We're about have the best fucking trips of our lives, and I don't want any drama ruining it."

Steph, who had been chatting quietly with Lily, chimed in, her voice carrying a tone of determination. "Bea's right. Let's leave the drama behind and focus on having a great time together."

My words seemed to have an effect, and the tension eased slightly. Bella and Grace exchanged one last heated glance before turning away from each other.

Sitting beside Lily on the plane, I couldn't help but be curious about her connection with Steph. The gentle hum of the plane's engines filled the cabin as we settled into our seats.

"So, how did you and Steph become friends?" I inquired, leaning in slightly to hear her response.

Lily smiled warmly, her eyes reflecting the memory of their friendship. "Oh, it all started with these amazing parties that Steph's ex boyfriend used to throw. We just clicked instantly."

I nodded, understanding the kind of bond that can form over shared experiences, especially the memorable ones from wild parties. "Sounds like quite a story. Who was this man of Steph's, if you don't mind me asking?"

Lily leaned in a little closer, lowering her voice. "Well, he's quite the looker, I'll give you that. He told me he broke up with Steph so we could, you know, hook up."

My eyes widened in surprise. It was an unexpected revelation. "Wait, so he... he said he broke up with Steph just to be with you?"

Lily nodded, a mixture of amusement and disbelief in her expression. "Yeah, pretty much. But I didn't know he was still seeing her at the time."

"What's his name?"

"Josh."

Josh? My Josh? The Josh I'd spent so many wonderful moments with, the one who had held me through thick and thin, lied to Steph and Lily to hook up with her? It couldn't be true.

I mustered up the courage to ask, "Wait, are you sure about this? Josh, the boy you're talking about, are we talking about the same person?"

Lily gave me a puzzled look, obviously unaware of any connection between Josh and me. "Yeah, I'm pretty sure that was his name. Why? Do you know him too?"

My heart pounded in my chest, and I struggled to keep my composure. I couldn't let on that Josh and I were intimately involved. "Uh, yeah, I know him. I just didn't think he'd do something like that."

Lily chuckled, oblivious to the gravity of the situation. "Well, I guess people can surprise you sometimes. But like I said, he eventually apologized to both of us."

I How could Josh have kept something like this a secret from me? And what did it mean for our relationship now that I knew?

As Lily and I settled into our seats on the plane, the revelation about Josh still gnawed at me. I couldn't help but feel a pang of hurt and confusion. To make matters more complicated, Lily had no idea that Josh and I were together.

When she asked if I was okay, I put on a brave face and nodded, forcing a smile. "Yeah, I'm fine. It's just... surprising, you know?"

Lily's eyes widened with realisation, and she gasped. "Wait, you mean Josh, the guy you're dating, is here with us?"

I nodded, and Lily looked around the cabin, her eyes scanning the passengers. "I haven't seen him yet," she admitted, her voice tinged with embarrassment.

"It's alright," I reassured her. "We've only just boarded, and it's a big plane. Don't worry about it."

Lily seemed relieved but still curious. "So, how long have you and Josh been together?"

I sighed, deciding to open up a bit. "We've been dating for a while now. He's been incredible."

She gave me an understanding smile. "That's great to hear. Josh can be a really sweet guy when he wants to be."

I hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Could you tell me more about your life back then? About how you and Josh and Steph were friends?"

Lily nodded, her expression growing thoughtful. "Sure, it feels like a lifetime ago, but I can tell you all about it." And as the plane taxied down the runway, Lily began to share the story of the past, slowly unraveling the threads that connected our lives in ways I never imagined.