Warning: Hold on to your hearts, lovers. Someone's must break.

…

We Fall Between

…

There are eyes all over Boulder. Eyes everywhere. Staring. Searching. Searing.

A brick wall stained with black spray paint. Swooping black arches, black pupils and black irises surrounded by white. Its piercing stare sparks suspicion over shadows and provokes that walking-on-tiptoes and glancing-over-shoulders type of anxiety. It's unreal how paint on a wall can bring out such an uncomfortable reaction and with intent.

One day these graffiti eyes began appearing all around downtown Boulder, starting out in Sharpie over old fliers on streetlamps, but now they're everywhere. On walls and shop windows, street signs, cars, public benches and bus stops. The artistic counterculture crowd accepts it and even admires it. Their entire city acts as a giant art gallery. Meanwhile, the older generation and high society crowd aren't happy, calling it an act of mass vandalism.

Personally, Lauren Tanner finds it fucking creepy.

Even creepier is the homeless guy nearby, gloved hands gripping the plastic handle of a metal shopping cart filled with trash. Snow-white scruff runs along his cocoa-colored cheeks, the only part of him exposed. He wears at least three different thick, dirty coats, much needed with the February freeze that's typical in Colorado.

A loose wheel on the shopping cart squeals as the man draws closer, giving Lauren a better view of his disheveled appearance. What's even most striking is his eyes, black, just as prying as the set of eyes painted on the wall directly behind him. Lauren drowns in the overpowering feeling of being watched.

Before the man has the chance to get any closer, the little bell on the shop door jingles and Payson Keeler shoulders past it with a bag of ice in each hand. Her blonde hair, pulled up in a tight ponytail, swings from side to side as Payson thanks the shop owner. Lauren eyes the homeless man long enough to see him change his course. Lauren composes herself and turns her body, sending her loose, gold curls swinging over one shoulder.

"Payson, it's about time! I'm about to freeze to death!"

Eyes set, annoyed, Payson ready to respond when the bell jingles again and two strapping young men walk out. Austin Tucker, wearing a fitted leather jacket, has eyes for Payson and no one else. Following him is Conrad Cooper, an inch taller and several shades paler, only wearing a thin flannel shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, a case of beer under his arm and a happy-go-lucky grin.

"I don't know how y'all do it in Beantown, Tuck, but I was taught a gentleman opens doors and carries things for a girl, especially his special lady friend," Conrad says, speaking in a smooth, rhythmic way.

"What? She said she got it!" Austin motions to Payson. "I'm not sorry I support my special lady friend's independence and right to choose."

"Plus," Payson adds, "Austin? Gentleman? I won't hold my breath."

Austin's eyes widen significantly at Payson's teasing though his amusements shows in the lines that form around his smile. He springs up beside her and tries to steal the bags, but Payson assures him she's fine. Despite Lauren's bitter feelings towards the opposite sex, seeing Payson and Austin together never ceases to make her lust for her own special friend.

Lauren clears her throat to make her presence known and when Payson notices, her earlier annoyance returns. "Oh, hey, Lo. It was really considerate of you to volunteer us to go to the store then leave me to get the ice all on my own. You've been really helpful so far."

"Hey!" Lauren holds up a set of shiny car keys. "I drove, remember? I'd say that's the definition of helpful."

Lauren smiles at her cute Nissan 350z convertible with custom leather seats and a vinyl top, accented with shiny rims and a vanity plate that reads: BYEBTCH. It's a showy little car and Lauren wouldn't want it any other way. The two boys stand with her on the curb and give the car their undivided attention.

Payson clearly disapproves of everything she sees. "I will never understand people who just stand there and smile at their cars, which is exactly what you're all doing right now."

"Well, you're dating one," Lauren points at Austin, "and you're BFFs with another," she points to herself, "so, Pay, you need to accept us even with our automobile enthusiasm."

"Couldn't've said it better myself," Austin agrees.

"Lauren Tanner and Austin Tucker have something in common," Payson says flatly. "Scary."

"So, Payson…" Lauren hops off the curb and turns to the other blonde. "Did you invite your boy and his friend to the shindig at your place? The party could use more testosterone. Lord knows Nicky Russo barely counts." Lauren bats her eyes at Austin's friend and his beer.

"And have to answer to my dad's interrogation? No, thanks," Payson replies. "Lo, you need to pop the trunk. My hands are about to fall off."

All it takes is a few giant steps for Austin to be at the back of the convertible, pulling on the latch of the trunk and swinging it open for Payson. Once she sets down the ice, Payson rubs the red imprints on her wrists and gives Austin a "thanks."

"Anytime." Austin smiles, so proud of himself. "Sorry, but it sounds like I need to do some mental preparation and meditation before meeting your 'rents. I'll be the first to admit I don't have the best track record with dads…"

"What other girls' dads have you met?" Conrad asks.

"None," Austin answers, "but I have met yours and he did try to shoot me."

Conrad nods and points a thumb over at Austin. "True story."

Payson smiles seeing Austin and Conrad playing off one another, the Gymnastics Bad Boy and the New Kid at the Rock. A few months after Austin moves to Boulder, Conrad came over from Denver Elite. He's genetically engineered to be a winner—having Olympic gold medalists for parents—and had been one of Marty's personal pet projects. The reason for his transfer isn't public knowledge, but Conrad is so much apart of the Rock family that no one questions it.

"Fine," Lauren relents, though she isn't shy about her disappointment, "but the next party I host you two have to come."

"We would be honored." Conrad tugs on that Southern charm of his without even realizing. "For now it looks like Tuck and I got ourselves a date with this twelve pack, the Godfather and surround sound speakers."

"Exciting," Lauren says sarcastically.

Not being the ambassadors of PDA like some couples, instead of attacking her, Austin gently takes Payson's hand, his fingers fitting with hers for a moment, a smile shared between them. He brings the back of her hand to his lips and gives it a chaste kiss. An action so small yet so sincere makes Payson's cheeks burn bright.

"Bye, Keeler."

"Go," Payson says, squeezing his hand before letting go. "I don't want either of you drinking and driving or drinking and doing anything stupid. Need I remind you about the New Years Eve incident when you two drunk dialed Sasha?"

Because Austin Tucker has to do everything in a dramatic fashion, when he winces, he rubs his ears at the memory. Everyone who was at the Rock that day remembers Sasha calling Austin and Conrad into his office for "a word" where he verbally ripped them to shreds. The walls aren't soundproof so the screaming traveled and went on for at least an hour.

"You have nothing to worry about, Payson. I'll keep an eye on him." Conrad clamps his hand on Austin's shoulder. "You ladies go enjoy your shindig."

Austin pulls the passenger door open for Payson while Lauren flirts a couple cans of beer out of Conrad's case and into her purse. Once the girls climb into Lauren's car, doors shut and engine roaring, they wave at the boys and speed off back to the Keeler's.

"So," Lauren says, her voice spiking with excitement. "Austin's friend gets cuter and cuter every time I see him. What's his name again?"

"Conrad Cooper. I've introduced you like twice now?"

"Well, when you put restrictions on guys I pay attention and steer clear…mostly," Lauren says. "Oh, Pay, you and your assumptions. I actually had Emily in mind. I've never set someone up on a blind date, but it sounds fun. Emily can really use a pick-me-up after the Damon fiasco. Conrad seems sweet and most importantly he's old enough to buy beer."

"Nope. He just has a pretty convincing fake ID, which I think is dumb and irresponsible, but then again, he is the men's World Champion."

"Okay, all I got from that is that my goodie-goodie Payson Keeler hangs out with boys who use fake IDs," Lauren says, playfully scolding her with the click of her tongue. "Have I mentioned how proud I am? Going from vanilla to cold sweat spicy ice cream!"

Payson doesn't even comment, just fixes the seatbelt across her chest. "Just keep your eyes on the road, Lo."

The subdivision the Keelers live in is very Pleasantville while Kaylie and Lauren's neighborhood is like 90210 and Emily's makes Chino look inviting. In the Keeler's subdivision, every house is identical with minivans parked in the driveways. Everyone knows everyone and carpool to school in the morning, soccer practice in the afternoons and games on the weekends.

Lauren pulls up to the house and parks across the street, getting out to admire her parallel parking job while Payson retrieves the ice. Lauren is considerate enough to hold the front door open for Payson and even takes one of the bags. It's much warmer and noisier inside where friends and family are gathered for Mark's welcome home barbeque. With the job keeping him constantly on the road, this is the first time Payson has seen her dad since October.

Walking through the living room, Lauren's eyes immediately pinpoint Steve Tanner in his casual designer polo and khakis. He's with Chloe Kmetko, big hair piled atop her head like a tower, dolled up in cheetah print and an abundance of costume jewelry. They were in the exact same position—close and chatty—when Lauren decided she needed to get away and volunteered to drive Payson for the ice run.

Payson nudges Lauren and they walk through the sea of adults to the kitchen. The other half of the Four, Kaylie Cruz and Emily Kmetko, sit at the kitchen table with Payson's little sister, Becca, thirteen, and Emily's younger brother, Brian, fourteen. Playing cards are spread out all across the table, delicately propping and placing cards together, building a house.

"Careful, Bry," Emily warns. Her hair has grown out some since the summer, the effortlessly straight strands touching her shoulders, bangs sweeping to one side across her forehead. Lining her eyes with the top of the house of cards, Emily watches as her brother continues to build the third level.

"Emily, it isn't brain surgery." The high school sophomore (he skipped a grade) laughs at how serious his sister is.

"Kmetko kids!" Lauren shouts as she enters. "You need to tell your mom to back that thang up off my dad. I left because their 'catching up' was a little too nauseating for me. I come back and now it looks like they might actually be flirting."

Sitting back in her seat, Emily's face shows how deeply disturbed she is. "That's why we're hanging out here and not out there. Any more of that and I would have barfed on site."

Completing the third level of the house of cards, Brian agrees, "Ditto."

"Isn't she dating someone?" Kim Keeler, with gossip as a guilty pleasure, walks into the room and subsequently joins the conversation. "I'm always at the supermarket and that nosy Gloria Wilson, the one with the daughter who used to train at the Rock, is always asking me like I'm control the live coverage of Chloe Kmetko's love life."

Becca gives Emily a reassuring glance. "Mom basically tells her to shove it."

"That I do," Kim says. Both Emily and Brian give her smiles to show their thanks. Kim Keeler, super mom, to the rescue and not just on behalf of her own kids. Smiling sympathetically, Kim spares the kids from having to try to explain their mom's current relationship status. "It's complicated?"

"Definitely," Emily replies.

"Say no more," Kim says. "Maybe I'll head back in there and run interference."

"You're the best, Mrs. Keeler," Lauren says sweetly. She heaves the bag of ice up onto the kitchen island. "Oh, and here's the ice you asked for."

"Thank you, Lauren," Kim replies. Though she knows the trouble that Lauren can sometimes get into, Kim has always been willing to give her the benefit of the doubt. "So, your dad tells me you've been driving everywhere and anywhere since getting your license?"

"Absolutely," Lauren replies. "I am a fantastic driver, aren't I, Pay?"

"Yeah, sure." Payson is distracted, following Kaylie's line of sight out the glass sliding door to where Mark is by the grill with Nicky Russo. They're both in thick coats, trying to fend off the cold while cooking. Nicky has a spatula in hand, carefully flipping burgers while Mark standing next to him, looking rather proud. "Kay, it looks like my dad is stealing away your boyfriend."

"It's fine. I don't mind sharing, especially with Mr. Keeler." Sitting next to Emily, Kaylie straightens her pink sweater, switching her attention over to her two blonde best friends. "It took that long for two bags of ice?"

"Let me guess," Emily hums. "Shoe sale on Main or hot boys jogging on the side of the road? Lo likes to slow down and watch them. Extra slow if one or more of them is shirtless and then she starts to honk the horn and scream 'mush' over whatever Britney song is playing on loop."

"Do not!" Lauren squeaks. Glancing towards Kim, she nervously laughs. "Who knew you were such a comedian, Em?"

"Actually, we ran into Austin and Conrad at the corner store and both of them were wearing shirts." Watching Kim remove ice from the bag, Payson adds, "Mom, the boys say hi."

"Aw, why didn't you invite them, Pay?" Kim asks. "Judging by how long your dad and Nixon have been out there, those two look ready to feed a hundred men. Lord knows Austin and Conrad eat enough for an entire army." Busily moving around the kitchen, finding a bowl to put the ice in, Kim goes on, "And what about Kelly? Did you invite her like I told you to?"

Kim thinks she's just having a conversation while Becca and Brian bicker over building the fourth level of their house of cards. The four girls, however, aren't lucky enough to be so oblivious. All eyes skirt to Kaylie. If she didn't tense up when Kim called Nicky "Nixon" then she surely does at the mention of Kelly Parker.

"I did," Payson lies. Her voice jumps as she says it and that alone screams deception. "Mom, you know how busy Kelly gets. She already had plans and she was willing to cancel for a Scrabble rematch, but I told her we could just do a rain check."

The truth: Payson isn't stupid enough to invite Kelly when Kaylie and Nicky are there. That's equivalent to slicing off an arm and jumping into a tank of hungry sharks.

"We'll do that sometime before your father goes back on the road," Kim continues. She tilts her head towards her daughter, telepathically saying she's willing to drop it for now, but they're going to talk about it once everyone goes home for the night. "Kelly's welcomed any time. I miss having her around the house. Faith too."

Payson smiles sadly, eyes drifting to the Keeler refrigerator that's decorated with photographs, reminders and a dozen of postcards from all over Europe with nonsensical, random notes from Faith Giancana scribbled on the backs.

With the bowl of ice in hand, Kim speeds out of the kitchen to rejoin her guests. Feeling the level of unease start to rise, Lauren distracts herself by sneaking up behind Brian and placing her hands on his shoulders. "Hey, good-looking! Nice house."

The purr in her voice, right over Brian's shoulder, startles him. He flinches, seconds away from placing the next card. That one wrong move brings down the entire structure. One card collapses and the next and the next. In a matter of seconds, all the cards fall flat against the table. What was once something fragile and delicate is now reduced to nothing.

"Shit," Lauren curses. "My bad. Sorry, Wheels."

"It's alright," Brian says. "What goes up must come down. Einstein."

"Another perfect nickname for you." Lauren winks. By his reaction, Brian loves the attention even if he knows Lauren is just messing with him to entertain herself.

"Okay, stop flirting with my brother. It's creepy," Emily says, tugging on Lauren's arm and moving her away from Brian. "Now is the perfect time to head upstairs for some denim business, don't you think?"

Kaylie nods. "Exactly what I was thinking."

"What business?" Becca looks between the four older girls while collecting all the playing cards, forming a neat little stack.

"None of your business," Payson sings, moving around the kitchen island and towards the back staircase. "We'll be right back. Just stay here with Brian. Play go fish or something."

"Speed, Payson," Brian corrects. "It's all about speed."

Becca snorts. "Duh, Pay. I haven't played Go Fish since I was, like, seven."

"Which was what? Just last year?" Payson shoots back. Her friends start to get out of their seats and follow her to the stairs. As an afterthought Payson shouts, "Oh, and Becca, please don't let mom and dad break out the old gymnastics tapes while we're gone!"

"No promises!" Becca laughs.

Cringing at the thought, Payson starts up the stairs. On the journey to Payson's room, Lauren takes it upon herself to fill in Kaylie and Emily about their run-in with Austin and Conrad, complete with Lauren Tanner commentary, of course. She's sure to point out how she referred to Austin as Payson's boyfriend and no one corrected her.

Once safely behind the locked door of Payson's bedroom, Lauren opens her purse and carefully pulls out the sacred jeans. The faded denim is folded neatly, the brass button secured and the zipper in place. The decorations they made at the end of last summer have survived months of hibernation, mostly iron-ons and code words that trigger memories in some way significant to one or more of them.

No one has worn the jeans since the summer. Lauren, being the one to physically buy them, the holder of the receipt, is the designated keeper of the jeans. She stores them on the top shelf at the back of her giant, walk-in closet and she brought them today for a special deliberation.

"And I got a little something extra!" Lauren pulls out the two cans of beer she scored from Conrad, holding one in each hand like a prize.

Seeing it, Payson puts her foot down. "You've got to be kidding. No. Not in my house, Lauren."

"Pay…"

"Kaylie, you're up," Payson says. Lauren's shoulders drop, action prompted by defeat. She shoves the beer back into her bag. Pleased with herself, Payson tells Kaylie, "The floor is yours."

Payson stands by the door with her arms crossed while Emily takes a seat at the foot of Payson's bed. Lauren is distracted, on the other side of the room, curiously rifling through the jewelry box on Payson's dresser. Kaylie goes to stand in front of Payson and Emily and doesn't even try to get Lauren's attention, assuming the blonde thinks this is stupid, which she does.

Kaylie bounces on her heels, hands tucked behind her back. "Okay, so I know we all agreed to only wear them during the summer, but I've been thinking…"

"Oh, here we go…" Lauren joins Emily, linking their arms. "This should be good."

Irritably eyeing Lauren, Kaylie goes on, "Rule #11 of the Sisterhood, which, if some of us forgot, we added right before the jeans went into hibernation, states that one sister may put in a formal request to reawaken the jeans prior to the beginning of the summer—"

"However," Emily cuts in, "if two of the four sisters object then the jeans remain dormant."

"Okay. Let's hear it, Kay." Lauren loudly clasps her hands, wiggling her hips in an excited little dance. "Who? What? When? Where? Why?"

Kaylie hesitates, already starting to blush. "I will be wearing them, obviously. What? Valentine's Day." Already Lauren and Emily's interest begins to waver. "When? February 15. Again, that one was pretty obvious. Nicky and I are going to the Valentine's Day dance and it's going to be really romantic and most importantly…I think it's time. I think I'm ready."

Looking down at her boots, Kaylie bashfully smiles and the entire room goes quiet. No one really knows how to respond to that. Payson nods like she understands, Emily tries really hard to understand and Lauren is downright confused and not afraid to let it show.

"So you want to get laid in our jean?" Lauren asks bluntly. Of everyone, it had to be Lauren who voices what everyone else is thinking. "That's why we're doing this right now when I could be downstairs keeping Chloe Kmetko from sucking out Daddy's checkbook?"

Not finding that one bit funny, Emily elbows her. "Lo."

"I'm kidding, Kemmy-Ko," Lauren says sweetly.

"Guys, can we stay focused here? It's…it's my first," Kaylie says with a special emphasis in her voice, almost desperate for them to understand her intentions. "Your first time is supposed to mean something and mine is going to be with Nicky and you know I really like him so I want it to be extra special. These jeans are practically the definition of special and not to mention magic. I was wearing them when we met. I can't think of a better way."

"So, wait, I think I'm a little behind here," Lauren says. "You and Nicky haven't had sex yet?"

"No." Wrapping her arms across her chest, Kaylie grows self-conscious. "What did you think?"

Lauren thoughtfully ticks off her fingers. "But you've been together…six months now. And I distinctly remember talking about wanting to lose your V-card after that basketball game last month. You haven't complained since then so I just assumed…"

"Maybe you just turned on your selective hearing and zoned out because we were just talking about Kaylie and Nicky's latest date yesterday," Emily reminds her. "Remember? Over smoothies?"

"Must have slipped my mind…"

"Why is it such a surprised?" Kaylie asks. With her, every day is a constant struggle, attempt after attempt to fight off the insecurities that anchor her. Lauren's ability to make Kaylie feel judged and claustrophobic with everything she says does not help. "Sorry, Lo, I'm not the type of girl who jumps into bed on the first date."

The thinly veiled accusation pierces Lauren and something in her snaps and brings her to her feet. She was only trying to give Kaylie the truth she's always trying to pry out of people. Through a clenched jaw, Lauren growls, "Implying something, Kay?"

"Okay, we're losing focus again!" Payson goes to stand between Lauren and Kaylie, acting as a human barrier. "Kaylie, do you have anything else to say or can we vote?"

Taking a moment to refocus, Kaylie starts again, "I didn't want to jump into things, especially with how my last serious relationship turned out. It took months for Nicky to get Kelly Parker and Faith Giancana out of his system, but now he's over them and I'm ready. I think we both are."

By the way she goes from neutral to uncomfortable, everyone can see how Kaylie pulled on one of Payson's heartstrings and not any of the right ones. Anyone can guess the trigger.

To Kaylie, Kelly and Faith are nothing more than flies to be shooed out of her kitchen, pages to be torn out and tossed away to make room for Kaylie's perfect fairytale storybook. To Payson, Kelly and Faith are two of her closest friends.

While Payson is too kind to call Kaylie out on it, Lauren can never pass up an opportunity.

"I'm not feeling it," Lauren says, letting her distaste shine through. "The whole point of the pants is the four of us. I don't see how you using them to get over your sexual frustration benefits our friendship."

"Lo, you don't even care about the jeans," Kaylie says. Lauren raises an eyebrow, defiant. "Are you really doing this just to spite me right now?"

"Oh, did I forget I'm just a guest in a world ruled by Kaylie Cruz? My mistake," Lauren says. "Seriously, I love you, but who do you think you are assuming I don't care about the jeans, oh, and right after you implied that I'm a slut?"

Kaylie's gaze darkens. "Is there really any question about it? Your track record says it all."

"I vote no," Lauren says, sure to look Kaylie in the eyes when she spits it out. "Em? Pay?"

Feeling awful about how this entire discussion turned out, Emily glances in Payson's direction, seeking a little support. Payson seems a little irritated, which is to be expected. Thinking to save Payson from having to make the decision, Emily does it herself. "Sorry, Kay, but I have to go with Lo on this one."

Kaylie takes a step towards Emily. "Why?"

Moving to break the shared gaze between Kaylie and Emily, Lauren says, "Like you need a pair of jeans to get some. Kaylie, you're hot. Nicky is a boy. It's straight up biology from there. I know you want to pout, but rules are rules. The Sisterhood has spoken. Now let's head back downstairs. I swear if my dad is still flirting with Chloe Kmetko, Em, you and me are going into the Reverse Parent Trap Playbook."

Payson smiles faintly. "I think you two would make great stepsisters."

Emily laughs at the mental image, pulling her weight in the effort to move on from Kaylie's rejected proposal. "I'm all for us being related, but my mom and your dad? Can you imagine?"

"Only in my nightmares." Lauren groans, finding a similar mental image in her head and not liking it one bit. Turning to Emily, Lauren giggles. "Maybe I'll just marry your hot brother one day. Nerds grow up to be millionaires. It's just a bonus that he's adorable."

"Lauren! That isn't even remotely funny!" Emily shouts. "He's my baby brother. I've seen what you do to innocent, impressionable boys."

"Like a python eating a deer."

"Thank you, Payson, for the imagery." Lauren moans in mock agony.

When they run out of things to talk about it becomes harder and harder to ignore Kaylie and her pout. Luckily for everyone, Lauren's phone starts to light up and Ke$ha's electronically altered voice sings a few lines for them.

You should know

That I love

You a lot

But I just can't date a dude with a vag

Emily sniggers, Payson pretends she doesn't want to join in on the sniggering and Lauren grins because she loves that song and Ke$ha and fuck everyone who thinks otherwise. Lauren slides her finger to unlock the screen and check the text. Curious, Emily reads it from over her shoulder while Payson casts Kaylie a little sympathy and gently places a hand on her shoulder.

"Operation Soul Skater is in motion," Emily reads aloud. "That cannot be good." Emily doesn't look very impressed by the fact that Lauren is up to no good, especially when it's proven to do her harm in the past. With how the two of them have grown closer, Emily is practically desensitized to Lauren's less than behaved behavior. Instead of asking for details Emily just says, "Tell Ike he better have those practice questions done by Monday morning."

"Sure thing, Tutor Girl. I have to meet up with him after dinner tonight." Lauren replies to the text from her partner in crime when her face suddenly lights up. "Oh, my God! We so need to have a date night in Tree Hill! How about after I meet up with Ike, we head to my place? Daddy's been strict about 'upholding my so-called curfew,' which basically means goodbye my so-called life. If I'm hanging out at home he has no grounds to complain. It'll be fun. We haven't done a TV binge in, like, forever."

"I'm so there," Emily quickly responds. "I've been trying to stay out of the house as much as I can these days. Bruce has been over so much lately. I wouldn't be surprised if he's there right now even though we're all here. I'll run it by my mom and see what she says."

"And I'll run it by daddy," Lauren echoes. "Awesome. Any other takers?"

"Sounds like fun, but I don't know how long my dad is going to be in town this time and I kind of want to spend as much time with the family as I can," Payson explains. Everyone nods. Family time is just as sacred, if not more, than Sisterhood time.

"I can't. I have Nicky." Kaylie is obviously upset and it makes the tension rise even after they tried so hard to beat it down. "Plus, my mom doesn't want me staying out too late."

"Fine. Looks like it's just you and me, Em." Lauren nudges her. "One Scott brother each."

Before Lauren and Emily can get into which Scott brother belongs to, there's a knock on the door. Since their deliberation is basically over, Payson answers it. Nicky Russo with his coy smile and signature, mess of a hairdo, pops his head in and waves. Kaylie is instantly lifted from her mood and goes to meet him.

"Hey, you." Kaylie rounds her arms around Nicky's shoulders and drags him into a kiss. He's caught off guard, but the longer her lips rest against his the deeper Nicky melts into the kiss. It lasts long enough for Lauren to make a face at Emily who tries not to laugh and Payson sends both of them a warning with her eyes. When they finally pull away, Kaylie hugs him.

"Jeez, Princess." Nicky chuckles. "You'd think I've been gone for years or something."

"No kidding," Lauren murmurs beneath her breath, to which Emily elbows her again.

"So, um, what have you girls been doing up here?" Nicky asks. Standing in the doorway, Kaylie clings to Nicky by his waist and he hugs her back just as tight.

"You know," Emily says. "Girl…talk."

"Dishing shit about boys like you," Lauren translates.

"Sounds fun," Nicky says distractedly. He walks away from Kaylie and invites himself into Payson's room, zeroing in on the pictures that line the mirror above the dresser. Majority is of the Four, but there's one snapshot from gymnastics camp that Nicky pays careful attention to. "Hey, Payson, I saw all the postcards from Faith on your refrigerator. Your mom was telling me that she actually called you? Is she back in New York?"

"Not that I know," Payson replies. "It was a couple weeks back. She was in London, eating fish and chips outside some castle that she was really excited about. She said she found a calling card on the ground and decided to use it. We talked for a while, going off on different tangents." Payson laughs. "Still seems like the same Faith."

Turning to face the gymnast with a faint smile, Nicky says, "It must have been nice to hear her voice. I get postcards now and then, but she moves around so much it's hard to know where she really is or how she's doing."

Lauren lets out an uncontrollable laugh, glancing over at Kaylie. "Out of his system, huh? Doesn't seem so 'over it' to me."

"I'm sure Faith is capable of taking care of herself…or getting out of whatever trouble she's definitely getting into," Payson goes on, drawing Nicky's attention away from Lauren and Kaylie and the new storm brewing between them. "She sounded really happy."

Nicky nods. "Good. That's what matters."

Payson and Nicky don't really know each other, but it seems they've bonded over their mutual love for Faith Giancana. Even if they might never be close or really know each other, they connect over missing Faith and knowing what it's like to have her in and out of their lives.

"Well, um, Mrs. Keeler sent me up here to call you to come eat. Food is ready."

Kaylie makes a sound of uncertainty, again moving across the room so she's right at Nicky's side. "Hmm, I don't know. We all saw you cooking. Are you sure it's safe?"

"Says the girl who couldn't boil water." Nicky slides his arm around her hips. "How are you even questioning me right now?"

Kaylie laughs and grabs Nicky's hand, leading him to the door. They talk quietly as they make their way down the hallway and then the stairs. When the floorboards cease to squeak, it lets the others know Kaylie and Nicky are out of earshot and so they can talk openly.

First things first, Payson turns to Lauren. "Was that really necessary?"

"Was what necessary?"

"Oh, just you unnecessarily provoking Kaylie like you always do," Emily points out, innocently looking up at the ceiling. Lauren pretends to be shocked at the accusation even if Payson and Emily aren't buying what she's selling.

"Hold up. Why am I the bad guy here?" Lauren asks. "I was just giving Kaylie a daily dose of brutal honesty. She's the one who got all defensive about it and started implying that I'm some big slut just because I don't think sex is what dreams are made of. Plus, did you honestly want her using our jeans for her own selfish intentions? Guys, think about it. We share those jeans. No wash rule. Nicky Russo jizz."

Payson grimaces. "There goes my appetite."

Emily heaves a heavy sigh. "You don't think she'll stay upset, right?"

"She'll get over it." Lauren bounces to her feet. "Her and Nicky will have sex in the back of his car on Valentine's Day as planned or even sooner and she'll forget all about wanting to make the jeans apart of it. God, right when I think she's done chasing fairytales…"

"Well, it's hard not to when you have a fairytale sitting in your lap like Kaylie does." Emily carefully folds the jeans and hands them to Lauren with the same reverence as if she were handling a priceless relic. "I don't think we can blame or judge her for taking what she has and trying to live it to the fullest. Isn't that what we're all trying to do?"

"I don't blame her and I can't judge, but Kaylie has everything she could possibly want. If she's so happy then why is she so insecure?" Lauren asks. "Ditching us for Nicky the first couple of times, okay, but ditching us to hang out with Maeve Benson and now this with the jeans? I'd ask her what's up, but I don't enjoy her deflecting." Lauren's fierce exterior fades as she runs her hand down the denim. "You know I wasn't, like, trying to be a bitch, right? Put Kaylie and me in a room and it just sort of ends this way all the time. I'm getting sick of it."

Emily frowns. "Lo…"

"It's just something we have to work at," Payson says. "No one said friendship is easy."

"Understatement of epic proportions," Emily says. It seems like her life is filled with these.

"Come on, we don't want to keep everyone waiting." Payson grabs Emily by her forearm and hoists her up off the bed. Once Lauren carefully places the jeans back into her purse, she spends a good five minutes in front of the mirror and another five touching up her makeup.

"PAYSON! GIRLS! THE FOOD IS GETTING COLD!"

"Okay, mom! We'll be right down!"

Emily skips out of the room and Lauren follows after her at a much slower pace (she is in heels). Grabbing a hold of the doorknob, Payson is about to shut it after her, but something catches her eye at the very last second. It's the same photo that had Nicky's undivided attention. She remembers getting it in the mail, snug in a standard envelope. The return address cites Florida and a certain Summer Van Horne.

With a Texas sunset as their backdrop, Payson's hair looks like ropes of gold and Faith's skin is as flushed as her smile is wide. The two of them sit on the front steps of cabin nine with Kelly between them, mid-laugh, so unusually unguarded. Austin is a step down from the girls, his eyes on Payson and a smile tugging at his lips.

Payson doesn't know why exactly, but it's the last picture she looks at every time she leaves her room. It's become somewhat of a routine. Hearing her mom calling out for her yet again, beckoning her back to the real world, Payson snaps off her bedroom light and closes the door, leaving behind the frozen, suspended memories.

...

Authors' Note: The turnout for the prologue was amazing and unexpected. It's so good to see so many people excited to read this story since we are excited to share it with you!

So, which side are you on? Lauren or Kaylie? Why are we even choosing sides? Well, a lot of things changed since the summer and we'll jump right into that next update. For now, review! We'll send more personal thanks and replies soon enough.

You know the drill. Updates = Sundays (for sentimental reasons).

Review.

#WeFaB #LLD2 #LLDforever