She walked home alone as the summer sunset. The waxing moon drew her in like it does the gentle tempered sea. It reflected in her eyes as she allowed her mind to wander. This time she could no longer prevent her thoughts from twisting back to him. All she could do was squint her eyes shut as if this motion would erase him from her memory.

She knew that she should have gone immediately home, Brian would be bitter after begrudgingly watching Bobby all afternoon. Yet, this was the first time back to the Manor house all summer and it was the right time to face what she had avoided. Honey had been careful to dodge the subject of her brother, but it came off, to Trixie, as stiff and cold. The fragile fact Trixie was now clinging to was that after tonight, she would have a peaceful weekend to herself.

She turned and continued walking up the driveway lined with the sweet smelling roses she planted. The thick wooden door swung open before Trixie even reached the stoop. The glaring look on Brian's face portrayed his discontent more than Mart's extravagant words ever could. He closed the door behind him as he stepped out to the crisp evening air.

'I told Moms I would be home late.'

He remained standing with his arms crossed. Although Brian projected an aura of responsibility, his level-headedness often collapsed under the burdens he supported on his shoulders. Trixie knew all too well to not provoke her brother during exam season, and especially this summer. He seemed to follow the same maxim with her.

'Yes, and you also promised you would look after Bobby.' He replied dryly. 'Guess who got stuck babysitting the rascal while you hung out with Honey'

'I'm so sorry Brian, I owe you.' She said as sincerely as possible, knowing Brian could read her like a book. 'Is she home now?'

'Yeah' he answered with a curt nod. Trixie's eyes lit up and she took a couple of steps back. Her brother gave her a funny look before catching on.

'Meeting tonight?'

'Hurry up slowpoke!' she called as she jogged backwards. Later turning and running in the general direction of the clubhouse.

Trixie burst through the door, the ancient door creaked as it closed. Apart from this, it was dead silent, and for a moment Trixie paused. Diana was in the far corner comforting a sobbing Honey. They locked eyes over the brunette's head. Honey looked up and sniffled, trying to form a weak smile. Trixie rushed over to rest a hand on her shaking shoulder and asked Di what was wrong. But it was Honey who spoke up.

'He's back.' she choked out before erupting into another fit of tears.

The butterflies no longer occupied the space in Trixie's chest. A deep sinking feeling of dread filled in instead. She sat down next to her friends, suddenly weighted down. The three girls huddled in anxious silence, waiting for the other foot to drop.

Trixie's mind went into overdrive, old detective skills kicking in again. It had been at most a half an hour since she had wished Honey goodbye and went to make sure her brothers remembered the meeting. She had been perfectly fine. And Jim. What happened in that small space of time and why did Diana look as confused as she felt?

Deep voices could be heard from the surrounding woods, in the direction of Crabapple Farm. The boys were minutes away. Trixie forced her lungs to fill. Reminding herself that Deja-view was just that, something already experienced. She couldn't hear his voice joking with the rest of them. She only truly let herself release the breath when she saw all three of the current male Bob-Whites. Jim had lost membership a long time ago.

Trixie immediately warned her friends and aided Honey into standing. The slender brunette wiped frantically at her eyes, not wanting Brian to see her like this. Honey was always scared to revert back to her fragile nature from before she met Trixie. And as for the tall dark haired man who gazed at her through the dusty window, she didn't quite realize the full extent of her own feelings. Or that there was a possibility that he loved her back, tenfold.

Later, after a normal meeting with little squabbling, the group broke off to head their different ways home. Brian had offered to walk Honey home, something that did not get past any of the other club members. Mart and Trixie strolled back the other way.

"Is Honey okay? She didn't look good when we came in." Mart asked with no snark or big words but it still made Trixie stiffen, scared that he knew the events of earlier. It made her go back over it again. He's back. It made her shiver. He hadn't told them where he had gone. The only way the Bob-Whites knew he was alive was the vague letters he sent Mr Wheeler which all mostly contained the subject of finance. California, that was the only information she had.

Brian's hand brushed Honey's as they walked home. The next time he got bolder, linking his pinkie with hers. She giggled and glanced over to see his cheeks flush and a grin from ear to ear. A small curve pulled at her own lips as she guided him to behind a cluster of trees. Honey perched on her tippy toes, leaning on his arm for support so she could plant a delicate kiss on his cheek.

Acting on a fleeting longing, he pulled her into his arms. Her nose brushed against his as their foreheads rested against each other. Her heart was beating out of her chest in anticipation. A war ragged under her skin as her brain fought for control. She had studied him for years, diminishing her feelings as a fleeting crush. Now his lips were hovering over hers and she felt like she would die a happy woman. If only he would close the space.

She couldn't understand what came over her, but in this most intimate moment, her brother swirled through Honey's head. Maybe it was because she was picturing what Trixie had mentioned about her own first kiss. Or possibly the movement of Reagan and the flash of ginger hair as he strode past the trees separating them from the open grounds of the Manor house.

'Jim' she muttered under her breath.

Brian took a step back, hands still firm on her waist. 'What about him?'

It came out a bit gruffer than expected and Honey's head snapped up. Her eyes were wide and questioning.

'I- I saw him today… After Trixie left.' Their eyes locked and remained steady. A small tear dropped down her cheek and Honey broke away to wipe it with her sleeve. It seemed, lately, that Trixie was the cause of both all her suffering and joy. The hazy summer only provided a spotlight that pointed out every crack in their friendship. Her mind tumbled and turned. She couldn't avoid the fact that maybe it was easier to blame it on the girl who was always getting them into trouble instead of her dear brother. But she still adored Trixie. Honey's mind was torn in two heartbreaking pieces. She knew that Jim was wrong, but she also deep down knew that it wasn't him. He would never do this.

Brian was struggling to stay level-headed. 'What happened Honey?' his voice cracked and he saw her heartbroken look through her veil of hair. She turned back. Honey bit her lip and closed the step between, the arms that encircled her provided a comfort she hadn't felt before. She sunk into him, promising herself never to let go.

Brian only tensed. He would not get away with this.

Mart had outgrown his fascination with Cosmo McNaught space adventures books, it has been months since he has even laid eyes on one. Years ago he would have defended it against the greatest work of science fiction, now they only occupied the donate box in the basement. Slowly, an interest in agriculture lead him to join in with Jim's plan to open a boys school in the woods. It just shows how people change. Trixie had not solved a mystery in months, almost as long as when Mart last saw his comic collection. She still liked to read her lucy Radcliffe books, even though one had not been released since she was fourteen. It has stuck with her how much she has changed, along with the people around her. Hopefully for the better.

Brian was to be at work, Mart had already eaten half the pancakes and Bobby was chasing Reddy around the yard. Things start out as close to normal as they can to Trixie. But people change, drastically, detrimentally. Beguiling: that's the word Mart would use.

The promise of a mini holiday spent in her room, all to her lonesome, was ceased after a request from Honey. Although her friend had not elaborated, she understood that any favour now was not to be taken lightly. It wasn't until she saw her brothers car that Trixie began to regret her decision. This was unlike him to skip work for a girl, even if that girl was Honey.

Making her way through the gardens, Trixie could make out the low muttering of voices. Expecting to see Regan and possibly Brian, she rounding the last corner before facing the stables. Catching a glimpse of his tall frame, Trixie lurched with confusion.

'Brian!' she called before the realization set in.

There was someone else walking out of the tack room with Honey.

When Trixie was in grade school, the assemblies were long and boring. The only elementary school in Sleepyside had a low budget and did not have the luxury of a chair for all students. She would sit for almost an hour, and when she stood up, it felt like someone had cut off her feet. This feeling spread like a wildfire through her body.

His eyes that were once filled with kindness were now replaced with hatred. The green gaze drilled into her, a look that terrified her more than it should have. She knew that months earlier it would have hurt ten times more - but it brought her no comfort to think about that now.

Jim's jaw clenched. She was standing some yards away with the sun glowing behind her. Previously, he would have thought her to be an angel, but he knew the real Trixie now and she was anything but angelic. Words came bubbling to the surface, the old Jim would have pushed them down. Mr Honourable died the moment he saw them. He had given her an identity bracelet with his name on it and this is how she treats him?

'Where's lover boy? Or is your cousin back in the picture?'

For all Honey knew, Jim wasn't supposed to be there. And neither was Brian. All she wanted to do was gossip about the moment she had shared in the woods the previous night to her best friend. She was just as surprised by the young men as her friend was. Jim, who had spent the past day in her father's study, should have been there again. She had enough for Trixie to not stage a reconciliation yet. As for brian, she couldn't say she didn't like him showing up unexpected, most likely to finish their previous meeting. This was, however, not the best time.

A trembling in her gut warned Honey about what was about to happen. She locked eyes with Brian. He was visibly trying to control his anger. She desperately stared at him with pleading eyes, attempting to warn him not to do what was inevitable. She stumbled over to his side, gripping his arm. He didn't look down at her watering eyes. He was no longer the honourable medical student. This time he was going to let himself go, this was the final push. Honey saw that in the tensing of his muscles under this shirt and the glare in his eyes.

Trixie took her chance to take off towards a riding path she knew like the back of her hand. Jim paid her no notice and she was careful not to feel relief. his temper was only rising.

'Get away from him, Honey' Her brother commanded.

She didn't leave because of him, she wouldn't give him the satisfaction. Trixie was delving further into the tree line. Running towards the path, she glanced back once more. Only to catch the beginning of something she thought she would never have to experience. Honey desperately shook the image from her head before her own tears resumed.