8. Come back

"How did you like your New Year's Eve?" Bernice asked Peyton as she closed her notebook after taking her newest customer new requests. She looked between Peyton and her friend Brooke whom she was just introduced to awaiting and an answer and by the way Brooke's face looked suddenly interested, she knew there was a story.

"It was okay." Peyton nodded.

"Oh, I'm sure it was more than okay." Brooke smirked as Peyton immediately blushed widening her eyes; what was she? A mind-reader? Does she exist to capture any interaction between her and the dirty blond Scott brother?

"Was there a boy?" Bernice asked catching on with excitement.

"Was there, Peyton?" Brooke addressed her putting her in the spot.

"No." she rolled her eyes as Brooke raised an eyebrow, "Well, yes! But not in the way you're making it seem."

"And how am I making it seem?"

"As if there's a mutual attraction, and I'm telling you there isn't, and you need to stop pushing this, it drives me crazy."

"Jeez, you almost fooled me if it weren't for you getting all worked up about it." Brooke smirked once again and Peyton rolled her eyes for the millionth time.

"I give up. You are just not going to drop it, would you?"

Brooke shook her head with a laugh.

"God, I don't even know why I spend time with you." Peyton was furious; Brooke was always so calm and acting all sure in mentioning this topic and she has gone from claiming that Lucas likes Peyton to claiming that the blond likes him back, and it did drive Peyton out of her mind.

"Because I'm an amazing person." Brooke said in a charming cocky way flicking her hair to the side and Peyton shook her head with a smile.

Bernice, who has been watching the whole picker scene unfolding before her in amusement laughed heartedly, "You two remind me of my sister; we used to picker like a cat and mouse all the time." She said casually but it had its effect on both girls, Peyton was taken by surprise because she didn't expect to be described as being someone's sister, she's a loner and she will always be, however it brought guilt to Brooke knowing that she wouldn't be close to the girl at all if it weren't for paying Dan's debt, she only condoled herself with the fact that it is not taking much effort from her, they actually get along even though she's constantly pissing her off.

"How is Haley by the way?" Bernice asked casually fixing another customer's dress on the mannequin.

Peyton shook her head with a sigh, "I don't know, she took the day off yesterday, she wasn't feeling well."

"Ah, I'm sure it's nothing, it's probably cold, the weather is getting colder and colder and if you're not careful you'll get sick." The older chubby woman said struggling to fix the hem of the simple dress and Brooke found herself moving forward to help her unconsciously.

"I saw her leaving the other day; she was talking to Nathan Scott just prior to a dramatic departure." Brooke gossiped adjusting the hem of the dress.

Peyton frowned, "Nathan Scott?"

"Mhm." She confirmed, "Believe it or not, the Scott boys tend to be quiet charming."

"Yeah, you'd know that having fallen for one of them."

Brooke laughed, "If I didn't know you're trying to get back at me, I'd say you're jealous." She said finally fixing the hem for the older woman who was standing next her once again with amusement watching her fingers work with the cloth just right. "Here," she said straightening out the fabric with her hands softly.

"You're a natural." Bernice noted.

"What?"

"You know how to deal with cloth and fabric, don't you?"

"Oh, I do, it's nothing though, just a… just a stupid habit."

"I don't think so; you've been suggesting all the right things to your friend while choosing her dress."

"I like fashion, that's why." It brought tightness to her chest; she does, she likes fashion, she likes clothes and dresses, but, she has proven that she sucks at this; she thought she could more than just know what could fit her, and actually design garments, but she has miserably failed.

"Well, you're good." Bernice knew better than to push her seeing how she reacted escaping from the topic.

"I should be going." Peyton announced.

"Alright dear, I'll see you in a few days." Bernice said as the girls got ready to leave, "I expect to be making you a dress soon, Brooke." She said as Brooke smiled promising before they left.

"Why's the rush, Peyton Sawyer? Meeting Lucas?" Brooke sent her an evil look knowing that she's just making up things now but loving it anyway.

"Yes, I am, I'll make sure to tell him you said hello." She said sarcastically.

"You're finally learning to play along."

"If I don't you might just make me mad."

Brooke laughed and changed the topic, "Are you coming tonight?"

"I don't think so…" she answered with kinked eyebrows; the only reasons she has been lately to Karen's was either because of Dan or Haley and seeing that most probably neither of them will be there, she doesn't have a reason to, besides, only the thought of Lucas Scott glancing her way makes her uncomfortable and makes her feel stupid for not picking up on the fact that he only does to get back at Dan immediately.

"Oh, please, come." Brooke said and Peyton looked at her unsure yet surprised, "It gets boring without someone to gossip with… or about." She illustrated.

"Aha, gossip about." Peyton nodded, "I'm definitely not coming."

"Fine, I'll keep it down and just gossip with you."

"I don't know…"

"Come on, I came with you here, and I might even give you tips on winning over a Scott, or losing one if you want, I've done both." She shrugged and Peyton laughed.

"Fine, I'll come."

"Good," Brooke smiled, "Which one got you to agree though? The tips of winning him or losing him? Or are you wishing for the whole Scott-how-to book?"

"How about tips of how to shut a Davis up?"

"Oh, sorry, there aren't. It's impossible."

XxXx

As she has said –or informed through Peyton- Haley hasn't come the day before, and as it seems, she's not coming this day either, but Nathan was still hoping for the better even though the night is already about to start and usually she's there a couple of hours earlier, or at least just before it starts so she'd get ready, so if she's coming, she must have been here by now.

"I guess she's still feeling unwell." Lucas approached him and noted seeing his eyes glance at the door probably every other second.

Nathan sighed and nodded; he has been carrying it around for the past three nights and has been feeling as bad as never before and what adds to his misery is that he wanted to hide it completely which was just impossible, whatever sadness shined through, Lucas blamed it on Haley's absence.

"It's my fault…" He decided he can't bear keeping it inside anymore.

"What?" Lucas knitted his eyebrows together in confusion.

Nathan looked at him with a sad smile, "I told her I liked her."

"What? When?" Lucas didn't know how to feel; this was supposed to be a good thing, but he judged by the funeral on Nathan's face, something went wrong.

"Three days ago, the night you disappeared between the legs of some-" he cut his harsh insulting sentence and Lucas gave him a look; he knew he was pouring his anger in the wrong direction, Lucas had nothing to do with it, and certainly neither did Peyton whom Lucas briefly admitted to have been with in a short explanation and refused to admit having any resurfacing feelings nonetheless.

"I'm sorry, sorry, I didn't mean that… I guess it's just… she has been ignoring me since the party and that punch and then I told her I did it because I have feelings for her, and then she disappeared, she said nothing more and left."

"Whoa," that was all Lucas got get and it made Nathan feel worse, "Why has she been ignoring you?" He asked after processing what Nathan said for a while.

"I don't know, that's what I was trying to find out and instead ended up admitting I freaking like her." He let out and then took a deep breath, "I feel like a moron."

"No, don't." Lucas shook his head, "Look, you took her by surprise, there must be a reason she was avoiding you… Just give her time."

"Of course there's a reason, maybe she likes Chris Keller."

"What?" Lucas laughed at that; how can he not? His brother was being ridiculous, "You can't be serious."

"Why? Why not?"

"Nate, I've seen how you two react around one another, this is not a one sided thing, she definitely meets you in the middle. Man, she came to make you dinner just because you left one night earlier." Lucas reminded, "I'm sure she was surprised and that she just needs time. It will be alright."

"That's what I keep telling myself." Nathan mumbled with a sigh.

"Why didn't you tell me though?"

"I wanted to, but then, you disappeared most of the night and by the time you're back from Goldilocks' house I have chickened out, I was already feeling stupid."

"You're not stupid." Lucas frowned then formed a smirk, "I just wish I've witnessed that; never thought of you admitting your love to someone."

"Nobody said anything about love."

"Sure." He hit his chest playfully.

Nathan rolled his eyes, "Fine, has it your way! At least, I had the courage to admit my feelings."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Goldilocks!"

"I told you what happened." Lucas shook his head.

"Luke!" Nathan whined acting out of patience, "This has been the story of your life, man. Ever since we were kids you have been denying your feelings for her."

"Those were kids' feelings, Nathan." He argued, "They're gone."

"Sure they are. That's why you've been gluing your eyes on her, or pushing her to forgive you… or even got all rude on her in the first place."

"How did you manage to switch this on me? We were talking about Haley."

"Yeah, run away, chicken!"

"I'm not."

"Yes, you are; which is absolutely hypocrite of you if you ask me."

"Why is that?"

"Because you were pushing my edges to admit having something for Haley the whole time, and now that it's the other way around, you're running away further than I ever did, at least it took me about a fortnight to admit it."

"Fortnight? It's been months."

Nathan rolled his eyes, "A fortnight since you confronted me, and don't change the subject, you know what I mean."

Lucas couldn't say anything anymore; his brother was right. But Lucas knows very well that nothing could ever happen between him and Peyton Sawyer; he has known all his life in fact. Peyton Sawyer has always been the rich girl, she's spoiled, and she's used to a certain lifestyle Lucas couldn't have even began to dream of. They were kids and she was beautiful and tender and he couldn't help his little heart beating hard at the sight of her. But, being logical and rational, he knew nothing could happen then, and nothing can happen now; if now his business is going good, she's still Dan's family and he knows neither her nor Dan would want anything to do with him.

Although, this has changed in the last couple of days; he has acted rude towards the girl thinking of her as if she's Dan. But, he wouldn't deny that a part of him was being extra harsh for the fact that he can never have her, which backfired upon him in feeling extra guilty. When he went to apologize, he just wanted to do so, nothing more, but as he spoke to her, it was like a dream suddenly coming true; he was talking to her and he wanted it to last longer despite him, and as always, he was inspecting her, her eyes, and he knew Peyton Sawyer will never be just Dan's family in his eyes.

Peyton Sawyer is a fallen angle and even if held hostage in Dan's dirty world, he would always admire her.

He wouldn't dare admitting this though, not even to himself; that's why he decides to stay away from her and then all of a sudden when she's really there in front of him, he finds himself drawn to her. Because, Lucas has handed the leash to his heart and let it take the lead.

Nathan however knew that very well, he knew Lucas' goofy look of admiration ever since he has seen it when Lucas caught the love-bug as a kid. And he knew his brother saw Peyton as a higher human being than the rest of them on planet earth, that if a human being at all, and he has always thought he's dumb; Peyton wasn't another species, but Lucas was too smitten to see that, and lately he hasn't been able to call him names or accuse him of being a goofy romantic, because he has gotten a glimpse of what his brother has been feeling this whole time.

Even though he has never said the exact words, but Lucas has admitted indirectly to Nathan how he feels about her. He has told him things like he wished they were rich as the Sawyers, or that blond girls aren't dumb. He knew he have crossed it out of his options long ago that he could be with Peyton Sawyer.

"Nothing is impossible, Luke." He patted his back needing to believe so himself; he has been holding on to this one thought until he sums up the courage to go speak with Haley again. "Come on." He said wanting him to follow him.

Lucas followed him with his eyes confused before realizing the route Nathan was taking leads to no one other than Peyton Sawyer who was now seated on a table alone; when did she even get here? Why is she here when Haley isn't? Why is Nathan walking towards her?

He followed with panic pulsing in his veins.

"Welcome to Karen's." Nathan said with a smile as Peyton looked confused but smiled anyway.

"Thank you?"

He chuckled, "Um, Haley is not here today too." He started.

"I figured." She nodded.

"You haven't seen her, have you?"

She shook her head now looking more understanding as she gave him a sympathetic look, "Sorry, no! Haven't you?"

"No." He looked disappointed; he was hoping to hear any news about her, "So, you don't know if she's better or… what's wrong with her."

"No, sorry. I haven't seen her since her last day here."

He nodded, "I see. The thing is… I think it would be awkward if any of us went to check on her, I don't know if she'll feel comfortable about that, but since you're friends, I was wondering if you can do it?" He sounded unsure that it brought a smile to Peyton's lips.

"Sure, I was planning on it anyway."

"Great. Would you let me know?" He asked and she raised an amused eyebrow at him, "I mean we need to know if she's fine, and how long she needs to come back." He said trying to take things to being business-wise, however Peyton knew he took certain interest in her friend.

"Yeah, yeah, sure." She played along, "I'll visit her tomorrow and let you know."

"Thank you." He smiled genuinely.

Lucas has been standing there the whole time wondering why Nathan wanted him to follow after his panic washed over. Nathan however turned to leave and on facing him he sent him a wink indicating that he is doing him a favor. How is this a favor? How's leaving him there like a deer caught in the lights anything but a set-up?

"Hey," he said having no agenda, nothing at all.

Peyton knew this was going to happen, of course he's going to speak to her again, like always, but she has been prepared, "Hey," she didn't smile, she didn't use a nice tone nor a welcoming look, if anything, she was dismissive.

This didn't help, what is he supposed to do now? Compliment, girls like compliments, "You look nice."

She nodded, "Thanks, Mr. Scott." She made sure to emphasize where they stand.

His eyes narrowed, "Mr. Scott?" he asked with an awkward smile; weren't they past this?

She raised an irritating eyebrow that looked like could never go down, "Isn't it your surname?"

"Yes, but-" He started confused but she cut him off.

"Excuse me, my friend is here." She said getting up and walking towards the door and he followed her with his eyes feeling as if he was slapped; why was she being an ice queen like that? However, his surprise was much more increased on seeing her friend and recognizing her as no one other than his former girlfriend.

"Brooke?" he spoke to himself; when did this happen? How did those two ever become friends? They were so much different, at least that's what he always thought. Is this why she's acting coldly all of a sudden? Sure, they haven't even started acting warmly towards one another, or at least from her part, but they were heading that way. Is it because of Brooke? Is it because they used to be together? Did Brooke say anything about him?

Whatever the answers to all of these questions are, he needed a drink to process it, so, he turned on his heel towards the bar.

XxXx

"What did you do, boozy?" Brooke threw herself between Lucas and his friend Mouth with whom he was having a meaningless conversation by the bar as she rested her upper half on the bar looking at the blond chugging down his drink carelessly with frustration.

"What now?" he asked her looking her way.

"Earlier when I came in I saw you talking to Peyton and for some reason she was in a bad mood for the whole half hour she spent with me before deciding to go home. So, what did you do?"

"Me?" He frowned offended, "I didn't do anything. Literally. Nothing." He said and then took another chug down his throat with a humorless chuckle.

She narrowed her eyes at him, "What happened then?"

"I don't know, ask you friend." He shrugged then faced her once again, "Hey, when did this happen, anyway?"

She raised an eyebrow, "What, do you hold a record of her friends now too?" she asked sarcastically knowing it will withdraw any effect the alcohol had on him.

And she was right, he raised a warning fore finger in her face with infuriated eyebrows, "Don't, don't go there, Brooke."

"Relax, Luke. I'm not." She rolled her eyes, "However, you are. It seems to me you have regained your gazing eyes back," she smirked as he collided his folded punch with the marble surface in annoyance and she clicked her tongue, "Don't worry, it suits you, Luke, it's who you are."

Lucas wondered if Brooke Davis ever knows when to stop talking as he tightened his grip even more and his knuckles started hurting; why would she come all of a sudden and start talking of the past? Isn't it over? Haven't they been through it? "What are you doing, Brooke?"

She sighed and shrugged, "You like her."

"Is this why you started being friends with her?"

She laughed and shifted her wait from one feet to the other looking at him with a head shake, "The world doesn't revolve around you, Lucas Scott, and I don't care where your heart lies believe it or not."

"Have I been gone that long?" They both looked to Mouth from where he has been sitting behind Brooke and he had his mouth slightly opened in a dumbfounded way trying to process what is unfolding to his ears; he has been grieving the loss of his job lately and he wasn't up for any outings, until he decided enough is enough and that he should regain contact with the outer world, and once he did, he is there to find he's already missed things taking place.

"Mouth," Brooke exclaimed, "I haven't seen you in a while." She said cheerfully; when Brooke was with Lucas, although they were trying to keep away from prying eyes and ears, but she became acquainted with his friends eventually, his most trusted friends though, and when they ended it, there was no reason for her to cut connections with anyone when she has eventually agreed to stay friends with Lucas himself.

"That's because you were giving me your back." He side-smiled and she laughed.

"I missed you, Marvin."

"Here I am." He smiled, "And apparently, I have a lot to catch up on." He noted.

"No, not too much. Lucas likes Peyton Sawyer is the main topic here, but then again, it's not flashing news, is it?"

"Is that it? Is it why you're acting like this?" Lucas snapped; he thought of it earlier, and there it is the same thought of Brooke having something to do with Peyton's reaction earlier nagging him again.

"I told you the world doesn't revolve around you."

"Your words don't say the same, do they?"

"My words are nothing but the truth, Luke. Deny me if I'm wrong." She frowned.

"You have no right…" he shook his head getting up. "You have no right to do this, Brooke."

"Don't I?" she challenged.

"Not anymore, no." he challenged back and they were now standing face to face with a mirrored facial expression of kinked eyebrows and fierce eyes, Mouth's existence long forgotten once again.

She gave a side sarcastic smile, "Despite what your ego says, I'm not trying to guilt you, and don't let your brain trick you into believing I'm anywhere near jealousy; because this is not the case."

"Enlighten me please of what it is you're doing then."

"Only observing the events." She shrugged with a smirk and her palm was resting on the bar as her arm extended making her shoulder bone pop up.

"Yeah right." He humorlessly laughed, "On the expanse of my-" he cut his furious sentence short realizing she has got him right where she wanted him. He looked away with a huff.

Her smirk grew into a smug look, "Of what, Luke? Your feelings? I promise you I had no intention of doing that." She said mimicking a much familiar conversation that has taken place long ago. "I really didn't." she said more sincerely this time, "Now, tell me how you pissed her off."

Lucas' head snapped towards her; he couldn't believe her, why is she holding on to something that took place between them years ago? Haven't they been fine all those years? Haven't they been friends? He was even a kid. He thought she has forgotten, she said she has forgotten everything, but apparently she forgot but never forgave; for she's standing there in front of him now throwing everything in his face once again and stabbing where she knows would hurt the most; his pride. She knows Lucas hates being seen weak and loathes being made fun of especially when it comes to his feelings, yet, she's standing at the shore and foisting her hands in his depths, snatching out his feelings and stomping on them, right there.

"You have no right." He repeated with a glare and took a leave as she stood looking at him leaving.

"So…" Mouth said awkwardly, "Is that it or did I miss on anything else?" he asked as Brooke gave a chuckle and shook her head looking back at him.

"Don't go disappearing on us again, okay? We need you." She said giving him a sincere look, and Brooke rarely give away those. She's mainly after fun and following the spare of a moment. And even though this has caused her more problems than she could count, she still does. She had no intention of irritating, fighting or hurting Lucas when she got there, but she ended up doing all of that.

She really wasn't hurt about Lucas having feelings for Peyton, just like she said it's not like it's flashing news at all, but she didn't like him feeding his ego with the idea that she cares and might actually be jealous, she wasn't about to let him have this idea and live with it. But, she wasn't hurt, no, was she? Sor some reason though she found it much easier to tease Peyton than Lucas.

Mouth on the other hand, has always been the sweet friend, always there when needed, and always has something nice to say to make the worst situations better, so, to say she needs him in the middle of the mess she calls her life is only understandable.

"I won't." Mouth promised.

"Good, because I'm not about to let you disappear again." She said softly and shifted to stand straight, "Well, I'll be going then. I'll see you later."

"Okay, be careful."

"Thanks."

As Brooke left, Mouth was left still overwhelmed of the scene that he witnessed, Lucas and Brooke used to have heated moments, yes, he knows that being a friend, only never witnessed one, it was during their relationship together and he didn't know about this until the relationship was already over, but, judging by this, this heated conversation didn't look good, and if it's anything like they used to have, then it wasn't a good relationship after all.

The thing is, Brooke said Lucas liked Peyton, and she didn't seem happy about it, he just hoped, it was just this one heated conversation, not the start of many to come.

He sighed and looked to his right to find Owen and ask him for one more drink before calling it a night, but his eyes caught the small piece of accessory that is Brooke's clutch lying on the bar. He hopelessly scanned the place with his eyes knowing that she must have already left. He reached out and grabbed it, looks like his night will be extended for a little longer.

XxXx

It has been three days since Haley has seen the sunlight, she has been laying in her bed, tossing and turning or pacing back and forth in her room or around the apartment, cooking a simple meal to feed herself that eventually end up being untouched, turn on the radio for distraction, gaze aimlessly at a book… anything that would help prevent a mental breakdown, but it seemed inavoidable.

Her dominating thought was run! She wanted nothing but to run and pretend like Tree Hill never happened, but at the same time, she didn't want that, and wasn't sure that she could ever erase Tree Hill!

She jumped with a pounding heart when her apartment door knocked; who could it be at such a late hour? So far, nobody knocks on her door but her landlord, and he never comes at night, he knows she works at nights.

The steady knock sounded once again and she anticipated wither to answer the door or pretend to be dead for the night; it could be Nathan, no, who else could it be in the first place?

But, what if it's not him? What if something has happened? The world doesn't exclude in the fact that Nathan said he has feelings for her, it could be a number of things. Without, thinking anymore, she skipped to the door at the third knock and opened it curiously only for her eyes to widen.

"Hello, Haley." Dan Shaw said with his infamous smile, "How are you?"

"What are you doing here?"

"Is this how you treat your guests? You're much nicer at work!"

"Don't play games on me, Dan, I'm not in a-"

"Games? I don't play games." He deprecated, "Let's talk inside." He offered nicely and she skeptically moved out of the way so he would enter; she knew it was probably a bad idea, but, she was tired of thinking already, she just wanted things to happen, then they might take her mind off of her little issue.

"What is it?" she asked taking a seat in front of him on the small table she has in the small kitchen.

"I heard you're sick, and wanted to check on you."

She raised an eyebrow, "Really?"

"I'm not made of evil despite what you think, Haley."

"Well, I'm fine." She sighed.

"Good to hear." He nodded, "Did anybody mistreat you?" he frowned, "You know at Karen's."

"No. Why would you assume that?"

"Give me credits, Haley." He cocked his head to the side a little, "I'm not stupid, you actually look fine physically, but it's so obvious something is bothering you and seeing you are not attending your job –which used to be something you love- gives away the fact."

"Well," she gulped, "It's fine, Dan, nothing is wrong."

"It's clearly not, but you know what… I'm not going to push you." He shook his head and she frowned.

"It's either a dream or I've spent too much in here and the worked is actually ending." She said sarcastically and he gave a chuckle.

"No, I… I'm not a bad guy, Haley. I know I was at fault though, I admit that." He started before taking a deep breath, "I took you for granted, and I mistook you for the wrong kind of girl… which was disrespectful, I shouldn't have done that."

"Cut the acting, Dan, you're faking and I'm not buying it." She said but he caught on the skeptical tone in her voice.

"I'm not. I swear I'm not. Listen, I let you go, you broke the contract, Haley, but I let you go, because I realized I was wrong, and that I scared you enough to drive you away…"

"Dan," she laughed, "It's not a matter of days or weeks, I worked for you for months, and you were the worst employer ever."

"Right, I'm not expecting you to believe me." He offered a nice smile, "Nor am I asking you to. But, I want you to forgive me."

Haley looked at him with a dumb look wondering what is going on; her mind couldn't process it, but there was definitely something off.

Dan took her silence as his cue to carry on talking, "Haley, you're a talented singer, and I hate that I drove you away, but it has happened, however, such a talent like yourself should be treated gracefully, and should always be appreciated. Just because it didn't work out between us the first time, shouldn't mean that it can never work out."

"What are you saying, Dan?"

"I'm saying that, if you ever feel mistreated, not appreciated, if you have got a bad employer or a crappy salary, my door is always open for you once again if you want… one doesn't really know the worth of what he has unless it's gone, and you have left and now I know exactly your worth."

He wants her back at The Comet. Dan wants her to work for him again. She has sworn to never set a foot in this place again nor go anywhere near Dan and his filthy business, and she knew she would never need to, but, she has to get out of this apartment sooner or later, the thing is she didn't want to get out and face Nathan, wouldn't it be easier? Wouldn't this solve her unsettling debate of needing to leave without actually leaving? This would get her just the right amount of distance away from Nathan, but would still have herself calling Tree Hill home.

But, then again, what's the point of calling a place home when you're feeling imprisoned in it?

She thought having Dan inside would take her mind away from the whole Nathan thing, little did she know how horribly mistaken she was; Dan ended up adding tons of aching thoughts inside the volume of her little head.

XxXx

Mouth knocked on Brooke's door wanting to return her clutch back to her and get going to the warmth of his bed; although he has walked the distance to her house in the fresh cold air, but he was still dizzy from the alcohol in his system, however, as the door opened, it did what neither the disagreement of Brooke and Lucas earlier, nor the fresh air could do, it sobered him.

The sight of the confused girl who answered the door came as a rush of delicious excitement that erupted in his belly and then spread all over his body.

"Yes?" she asked.

"Oh, um, I, I'm Mouth." He stuttered realizing he has been staring. "Brooke's friend." He illustrated further.

"Oh, Brooke is… uh… she went to bed, can I help you?"

He heard muffled sounds inside and he stared at her for a while as she laughed,

"It's the radio." She explained covering for Brooke and her night visitor.

He chuckled nervously, "Yeah," he honestly didn't care nor did her care of Brooke's whereabouts right now, "It's, she forgot her clutch and I wanted to give it back as soon as possible in case she needs it." He handed it over.

"Oh, that's nice of you. She said she'd look for it tomorrow. Thank you, she'd be released." Millie said gratefully.

"You're most welcome." He smiled genuinely before getting his cheeks flushed, "I'll be going now. Good night." He said in a panicked voice and quickly turned around to leave,

"Most welcome? Smooth, Marvin, real smooth." He scolded himself muttering as he took hurried steps out of Brooke's gate. Mouth has missed out on several things around him, but that night he has made the decision of missing no more.

Hope you enjoyed it, don't be a silent reader please. If you guys are losing interest let me know, please.

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