Odd Couples
Ch. 10: The Photo

Thank you to everyone who has read and reviewed!! You guys are the reason I have kept writing. And a very special thanks to xXxXbittersweetxtearsXx and Josie thank you for forever reading and reviewing the chapters.

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"Why isn't this door opening?" asked Josie through gritted teeth as she tried to turn the knob for the fifth time.

Lucas looked up to watch her futile attempts to open the door. "It's broken," Lucas answered simply, and went back to rummaging through a box of brick-a-brack.

He remembered his mom fussing about getting the door fixed for years, and even though his dad promised to get it done "as soon as possible", the topic was sort of forgotten. And because of that, he too, forgot about it, until he heard the reminding click of the door locking him in.

Josie pounded her tiny fist against the door in frustration. "You could have warned me it was broken," she finally said surrendering to the broken door.

"Trust me I would have, but you came in and closed the door before I could really say anything," He had calmed down much to Josie's surprise.

He looked up, and for the first time in a long time, stared right into her eyes. She returned the look, but only for a brief moment. She tore herself away, and picked up the brown package she set on top of a box when she was attempting to pry the door open. "So I guess we're stuck here then, huh?"

"Yeah, at least until Marshall gets here," Lucas explained.

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Elizabeth tugged on his arm for a second time; he briefly turned around, gave her a smile, and once again diverted his attention back to the entrance.

"What are you looking for?" she asked, but instead of answering her, he pulled his hand away from hers, and pushed his chair back from the table. "Where are you going?"

The idea of Corrine and Greg bothered him, with unexplainable reasons why. It wasn't as if he had feelings for Corrine, or Greg for that matter, but imagining them together was very unsettling.

"The check," Vaughn answered rather hastily, all the while scanning the surrounding tables.

She looked up at him with a half confused smile. "We just asked for it a few minutes ago,"

"It's taking too long," he simply reasoned, "I'll be right back,"

He was off before she could tell him to stay and wait.

Vaughn walked briskly to the front in hopes that they might still be there waiting to be seated, but found that besides the employee standing behind the podium the entry was empty. He stood there for a minute, stalling his trip back to his date, but ultimately hoping to catch a glint of her hair, or the pleasant sound of her laughter. The employee eyed him suspiciously, and to avoid any questions, Vaughn decided it was about time to walk back.

As he turned around to head back to his table, that same familiar head of hair caught his eye, and instinctively changed his direction.

He found Corrine sitting alone at the table with her back not only to the door, but also to him. As far as he could see Greg was nowhere in sight, and Vaughn concluded he must have left for the bathroom. Standing awkwardly behind a decorative plant with suspicious eyes watching him, he eyed her conspicuously from several tables away. She was more dressed up than he had ever seen her, even more so than when she was wearing those flats that day and for a minute, he wondered if Greg was more worth dressing up for than he was. After watching her stalker-like for another minute, he decided to walk over and casually pretend to spot her on the way to the bathroom.

But suddenly at midstep, he realized how much he was acting like a fool. Hiding behind a plant, watching her from behind, pretending to bump into her, when he knew all along she was there. 'What am I doing, Why do I even care?' he asked himself turning back around. What did it matter to him if his roommate was on a date with one of his good friends? Or if his good friend dressed up more for his roommate than she had ever did from him? It didn't mean it meant anything, and besides he was on a date of his own with a girl he was honestly crazy over, and who was crazy over him. Corrine and Greg should be the least of his worries. But even so the thought of Corrine and Greg together kept creeping back.

On the way back to his table Vaughn spotted their waiter walking by with a small black leather case. Assuming it was their check; he walked up to him and very impolitely took it from his hands, and with a hoarse thank you walked away.

He tried his best to put on a genuine smile as he approached his waiting date. "Got it," he said triumphantly holding up the check book.

Elizabeth giggled. "You mean the check that I have right here?" she picked up the leather booklet sitting on the table and waved it across Vaughn's face.

Vaughn opened the book in his hands, and glanced down at the piece of paper inside. It was definitely not theirs. "Ooops," he said. And before he could turn around and return the book with an apology, the waiter came behind him looking very unhappy, and as politely as he could asked for the check back.

Vaughn smiled apologetically as he returned the book.

"Are you okay?" Elizabeth asked with concern, when he didn't sit back down.

He nodded and let her hand slide into his when she reached out. "You ready?" he asked.

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"That's not exactly cleaning," Josie pointed out as she watched Lucas flip through stacks of photos. She felt it was okay to say something, and hopefully it would help kick start a conversation. Because whether or not they were friends again or not, the silence was unbearable.

He glanced up at her. "Really? I didn't know that," he remarked with bitter sarcasm then went back to work.

Josie was astonished at his rapid sarcastic response, and was ready to bite back, but bit her tongue before any of it could get out. She didn't want to argue anymore, she was honestly sick of it, and just wanted to forgive each other and go about life as it was before. She didn't say anything, but sat her self down next to Lucas.

She reached over and grabbed a small stack of old photographs and Lucas shot her a quizzical look that asked 'did I say you could look at those?' Josie felt a little hesitant and almost returned the photos back, when she happened to look down. It was a picture of Vaughn. It was taken in Professor Z's class, as Josie recognized from the background. He was smiling with his face all flushed and his shirt sleeves rolled up, and his hair messy as if he just ran his hand through it. But even despite his ridiculous appearance Josie couldn't help but smile as she recalled his handsome features.

Then she noticed Corrine--or half of her--off to the side of the photo, and was reminded of the reality of both their absence. The two of them were off somewhere in London, and Josie wondered if the two of them had anytime to hang out, oblivious to the fact that they lived under the same roof. 'They'd be a cute couple,' she admitted, ignoring the ache in her heart.

"I'm sorry," Lucas said softly bringing Josie back to reality.

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It feels as if it's been an eternity since I last posted a chapter, and I apologize for that. Hope you enjoyed this chapter.