A/N: Hello my lovely readers :D

I'm so sorry that it's taken me so long to get another chapter out, even though I said it wouldn't be too long... I've had trouble writing anything just lately and that, coupled with the essay I have due in in a couple of days, had meant that writing in general was put on the back burner. But, I was inspired after a lovely-and delightfully long (!)-review, and I wrote this chapter in an hour or so (if only my essay would cooperate in the same way! haha) It's fairly short, but I think it's important, so hopefully it doesn't suck too bad lol :D

I promise to at least make a start on the next chapter tomorrow, and it shouldn't be too long until the next chapter of 4 B+B is done too, for those who might be interested in that.

Anyway, I'm going to shut up now, because it's after 1am, and I have classes tomorrow (though not until the afternoon, so it's not too bad lol). Please please let me know what you think! Reviews often make me write faster *hint hint* no actually they do motivate me, so feel free to leave me opinions/criticisms (constructive only please!)/ideas/whatever :D

Thank you for being so patient with me!

xoloveJBox

Chapter Twenty-five

Tamara didn't get back to her until the next morning, which was fine by Lydia, since she had fallen asleep in the hammock less than half an hour after calling, obviously more tired than she had realised. Thankfully, Kyle had already left for work by the time Tamara appeared in the doorway of the share-house. Lydia was sitting at the kitchen table with the back door open, letting a warm breeze filter in, bringing with it the faint salty scent of the ocean which, admittedly, didn't do much about her want to go for a surf.

"Hey," Tamara greeted as cheerfully as her curiosity about why they were meeting would let her.

Lydia's head shot up from the worn, dog-eared paperback nestled between her hands.

"Morning," Lydia replied easily, slipping the old train ticket she'd been using as bookmark between the pages "You want to go for a walk?"

"Sure." Tamara answered, somewhat confused. Lydia got up and gathered her jacket and bag, and the two headed out the door.

"Hang on just a sec," Lydia said, stopping Tamara just inside the breezeway. Lydia knocked on the door to Heath and Bianca's flat, and she had to wait a second for a loud grunt in acknowledgement "Heath, I'm going for a walk with Tamara, ok?"

Again, she was met with a groan and a few mumbled words, but she couldn't make any of it out. At least if anyone-namely Brax when he inevitably called to check on them-asked, she wouldn't have to lie about telling Heath where she was. She let out a sigh and turned to Tamara, shooting the other girl a warm grin.

"Ok, let's go."

The two of them chatted casually for the few minutes that it took them to get to the beach, and as soon as they approached the sand, both girls kicked off their shoes and strolled leisurely along.

"We're friends, right?" Lydia blurted suddenly when their conversation lulled slightly. Tamara stopped, caught off-guard by the seemingly random question.

"Yeah, of course we are Lyd." She answered sincerely, though her brows were creased almost imperceptivity in confusion.

"Good." Lydia sighed in what Tamara could only describe as relief which only added to her disorientation. "I just wanted to make sure, because what I want to talk about is in no way personal to you."

"Alright," Tamara started warily "what is it?"

Lydia took a deep breath before she answered, unsure how her friend was going to react "Kyle and Casey."

It took Tamara a second to even comprehend what Lydia meant, but when the pieces clicked together in her mind, it made sense.

"Ah."

"Yeah." Lydia continued, glad that Tamara's initial reaction hadn't been anger. Not that that would have fazed her. If she let even mild irritation stop her from confronting issues she felt needed to be addressed, Lydia knew she'd never get anything done-especially with brothers like hers. But, as frustrating as they were, Lydia knew there was virtually nothing in the world that could stop her from defending her family, even if that meant there was a possibility of falling out with people she'd come to see as close friends. "I know you have history with them both, and things are confusing right now, but at the moment, you're messing with their heads."

"The last thing I want is to hurt, them Lydia, neither one of them." Tamara appealed. She should have known what was coming-deep down, she'd was sure she'd known she wasn't being fair to either of the two youngest Braxton brothers, and she was even less surprised that Lydia had picked up on it. The girl was almost loyal to a fault to her family.

"I know that, I really do." Lydia replied honestly "But the way I see it, no matter what you choose, at least one of my brothers is going to be hurt." Lydia had accepted that, though she couldn't say she liked it much, but the last thing she wanted was Tamara to be hurt by trying to shield Casey and Kyle either.

"I don't know what I'm going to do yet." Tamara sighed dejectedly.

"It's not exactly a normal situation." Lydia joked softly before continuing "All I ask is that you make a decision and stop dragging it out."

"I'll talk to them both." Tamara promised. It wasn't going to be easy, but if she was truthful with herself, she'd known she'd been avoiding the feelings that had started to stir up again for Casey, and she needed to face them eventually. Now she had Lydia to make sure she actually did it, and with any luck, they could all come out of the situation at least not hating each other.

"Thanks Tamara." Lydia smiled, pulling the other girl into a small hug. "Can we keep this between us?" she asked when they parted "Kyle asked me not talk to you about this, and if I started actually doing what my brothers asked, they'd expect it all the time."

Tamara chuckled lightly and nodded, and the two of them carried on with their stroll, both feeling a little lighter. The problem-for Lydia at least-about feeling like one thing was gone from her mind was that it left room for other things. Like how much she missed Sam. His eyes, his smile, his laugh, his messy hair first thing in the morning, the feel of his hands on her body. She let that line of thinking wonder slightly, until she came to a staggering halt.

"Do you know what the date is?" She asked Tamara almost as suddenly as she'd asked about them being friends, but by now, Tamara was used to the jolting feel of their conversation.

"Yeah, it's the fourth." She answered simply, then noticed the colour drain from Lydia's face "Why?"

"No reason." Lydia replied, though she wasn't sure how convincing she'd been, especially since her voice had cracked slightly.

"Listen," Tamara began "I've got to head to work, but I can walk you home if you like? I'm sure Kyle won't mind me being a few minutes late for that."
"No, no you go." Lydia told her quickly, her mind whirring noisily "I'll be fine."

"Ok." Tamara answered, not convinced of her friend's casual act "I'll catch you later then."

Lydia smiled and nodded, watching almost nervously as Tamara made her way back up the beach, towards the Surf Club and Angelo's. When she was sure that Tamara was gone for sure, Lydia dug out her phone and, with slightly trembling fingers, dialled Ricky's familiar number.

"Hey Lyd, what's up?" Ricky chimed brightly when she finally answered.

"Rick, are you and Bianca at home?" Lydia asked quickly, trying-though not very successfully-to keep her voice even.

"Yeah we are." Ricky replied, noticing the small shake in Lydia's voice. "Why, what's the matter?"

"I'll be there soon." Lydia answered and hung up before she could blurt her concerns over the phone. She forced herself not to run home, not to overdo it, because that certainly wasn't going to help matters. It seemed to take forever for her home to come into view, but when it finally did, she hurried down the breezeway, grateful to find both women sitting at the table, where she had been little more than an hour before, and not a male in sight. Both Ricky and Bianca saw the panic on the teen's face as she rushed over to them, and if they were both honest, it scared them both.

"What's wrong Lyd?" Ricky asked, concern darkening her features slightly, placing her arm gently on the younger girl's arm.

The words tumbled out of her mouth before she could stop them "I think I'm pregnant."