The small diner was empty except for a few whitecapped old people scattered about. The smell of eggs and bacon permeated the air, wafting over to him, half making him feel sick. Like a nursing home, or maybe worse.

Purgatory.

He felt warmth again as a hand placed itself on his thigh. Her fingers rubbing small circles into the fabric. It incited a small gasp from Gary. Which only made him cringe.

Idiot.

Lola poured creamer into the heavy duty porcelain cup. The spoon chiming inside of it as she stirred.

"You sure are quiet. I was expecting something else."

"Can you blame me? It's like I've seen a ghost."

Meanwhile, Gary returned to thumbing a packet of jams. Using it as a stress ball. Trying to ignore the mood Lola seemed to come over. Gary cleared his throat, charming as ever as he spoke. "Did you hear that Johnny came back? Looks like he didn't find you."

"Obviously. Though, I'm not surprised. He's usually a little more enthusiastic." Lola placed the cup to her lips. Speaking before sipping. Clearing her throat. "Anyways, back to me. My vacation, oh god Gary. There's a whole world out there. It helped me clear my head but coming back to this shithole never helps. It's no good, you know?"

She set the cup back down on the serving plate with a clank. Hair curtaining her face as she rose the spoon that was sturring her coffee between her lips.

"But isn't that what a vacation is?"

She removed the spoon with a solemn expression. "It hasn't been the first time I took off and it won't be the last. Sometimes I like to take a break from it all. Stretch out my wings. I don't want to settle down in some ocean side town forever." Lola let out a little sound of insecurity. The pressure on his leg increasing. "Sometimes I think that maybe... maybe I can just hop on my scooter and runaway from everything. Maybe, when I come back everything will go back to normal."

"Who's the hobo now?" Gary said with a bit of disdain. "When I left Bullworth for a little while, I was a "troubled soul" and now here you are, doing the exact same shit."

"I guess, we share the same soul then." She stretched out, her bones creaking loudly. Lola's lips curling into a big smile. "Besides, I had a lot of fun. Too bad you were too busy at a dumb school. Next time, we'll go, just the two of us. We can see the sights and-"

She cut herself off. Overcame in a moment that only she seemed to be apart of.

Gary was quiet for a moment. Turning his head towards the window. Dawn was breaking in colors. "You think Johnny just gave up?"

"You didn't find me either."

"I didn't look for you."

"At least Johnny looked for me. I looked for you. It's only fair."

It was quiet again. Lola's eyes down at the coffee. Stirring the liquid again. Watching billows of creme mix with the black substance, turning it a caramel color. "Have... have you seen him and Mandy? Have you heard anything?"

"Mandy and Johnny? Well, old news from Halloween. You already know about that though." Gary rested his cheek in the palm of his hand. "Did you break up with him or are you guys on a break...?"

"It's complicated." Lola said with a charismatic smile. "You know, I prefer it that way. I hate dating someone exclusively. I'm someone who always wants more. But I hate it when someone wants more than me. I mean, I'm the most striking woman in Bullworth!"

"When is it enough? Those who want everything end up with nothing, afterall. Quit being stupid."

Lola rose the cup to her lips. "And pride comes before the fall. Midget."

Gary picked at the jam containers. Peach jam? Fucking disgusting. "Touche."

"I can't believe you chose a school over me. What a fucking joke." A hand spread across his crotch, fumbing down, rubbing him roughly. "You know I never finished you off. I wanna pop that cherry."

Gary placed his hand on hers, struggling to pull her off.

"Lola, Jesus. Can you not jerk me off here."

"Admit it! You missed me."

Gary felt helpless as the curious hand of Lola's fumbled with fabric before undoing a button. It made Gary uneasy. Sure it was incredibly quiet in the diner but he hated this type of shit. It something Zoe and Jimmy would do.

Gary couldn't speak so instead he put a firm hand on top of hers. Cupping the hand making busywork of his pants.

Gary's rough hand and Lola's smooth hand. He gripped it. Hand almost holding hers. It was a moment of awkwardness.

Showing affection was one thing. Accidently showing affection was another.

Lola noticed this and pulled her hand away with a cackle. "You've changed a bit while I was gone. All that character development for me?"

"As if!"

He looked at her smug face as she interlaced her fingers with his.

Her perfect red polished nails and his chipped ones. Her hands were slightly calloused from long journeys while his were smooth.

There were invisible ribbons in his stomach appeared once more. The feeling of them tugging tightly into knots and then the feeling of heat in his face and crotch. Something about the woman destroyed him. He hated it.
Hated her.

Why did she have to come back.

A twinge of lust rippled through him. His heart beating a little faster as she pressed her body closer to him. Her breasts nudging his upper arm.

But her physical presence was welcomed. Maybe, for a little while longer.

Lola's eyes narrowed. Probably sensing it. Knowing it.

"Would you like to start where we left off, Gary?"

"You're an idiot."

"And you're my baby boy."

Lola's lips landed on his for a moment. And he was half tempted to move into her lips.

Gary jumped when the old wrinkled hag shuffled to the two, pouring more coffee for Lola. Gary, spotting the crow, practically tossed Lola away. The waitress (if you could have even called her that) gave the two a look of repugnance.

"Anyways, about Johnny. Could you... I dunno, see how he is doing? Who he's doing?"

"Is this why we're here? To discuss your dirty work?" Gary's brows furrowed. "You're too afraid to find out he doesn't really care or something?"

"Look. Can't you shut up and do what you're told?"

Gary, tempted to pour the scolding hot coffee on the woman' head, decided to answer simply. "I don't take orders from you."

"Then you're useless to me." Lola got up from the booth seat. "Thanks for breakfast."