Skyla made her way quickly upstairs and into her bedroom. Not bothering to close the door behind her, she flipped on the light and looked around. She hadn't been back since the attack on Jack had caused the bracelet to react in such a painful way. The room was as it usually was. It was neat. Not like how she knew she'd left it.

Skipping the question of who would have done that, she walked around the bed and to the nightstand where she had left her cellphone. Checking it, she frowned. There were no missed calls and no messages. Not that anyone really called her, anyway. But not even Brandon had tried. Her frustration grew and she forced herself to calmly put the phone down.

Next she opened the drawer and smiled. There it was; her mp3. Picking that up, she fell back onto her bed and started flipping through the files. Brandon had been telling the truth. Not that she doubted him. Many new songs had been added, and multiple playlists created. Not many of which were the cheesy love songs one might expect.

Her smile grew as she realized she didn't recognise many of the new songs' artists names. He was turning her onto new bands, and she absolutely loved it when he did that. He always got it right, too. Somehow, Brandon always knew what she liked.

The doorbell rang and she groaned in annoyance. 'Lauren must have forgotten something. She's so- scatter-brained sometimes! Dammit' Skyla thought, stuffing her mp3 into her pocket and making her way to the stairs, 'Now we'll have to suffer even more awkward goodbyes. She'll probably scold me some more,' hesitating before descending the staircase, she sighed as the doorbell rang again. 'Not like I can ignore it.'

Walking towards the door, Skyla quickly fixed her hair, trying to make a show of the ribbon. 'If Lauren sees this, maybe she won't hate me as much? I'll tell her I already miss her- which isn't really a lie- and she'll just hug me and forget the whole argument we had. Again.' Taking a deep breath, she unlocked the door and slowly pulled it open. Her mouth opened to ask what happened, and her eyes fell on the figure standing outside.

"I had to come back." Brandon told her, "There is a lot more you need to know." he waited for her patiently- for about a minute. Then he pushed her mouth closed and asked, "Can I come in?"

Composing herself, Skyla gestured for him to come in. They didn't say anything until they were in the kitchen -Sky didn't want another couch scene. Grabbing a glass of water, she leaned against the counter and drank thirstily, waiting for him to say something. After a moment she showed him the mp3, "I found this, by the way. Thanks for... bringing it back. And for the music and playlists..."

Brandon casually sat down at the table, watching her closely, "You're welcome." Skyla stuffed the mp3 back int o her pocket and he sighed, "Alright. Well, the first thing you should know is that I am not sorry about what happened. I'll never apologise. Second? Lauren isn't mad simply because you cheated on Jack. She's pissed because she still loves him and that if you're going to be so unfaithful-"

"Wait." Skyla sat the glass down beside her, "Lauren doesn't love Jack. Not like that. They told me-"

"Lauren lied. She told me." he kept his calm demeanor, but Sky tensed and crossed her arms. "That... Is something I'm sorry about. She said that she loves Jack more than anything. Just like me; if she gets the chance to be with the one she loves she will take it. She'll take him. Never knew he was such a catch... It doesn't surprise me that she's moving away. I would, too. If I had that option." he smirked suddenly, "Of course; not forever. I'd come back for you."

Skyla couldn't speak. She was still processing information. 'Lauren still loves Jack? Like, really loves him? And I took him from her? And she's- No, it's not like that. I love Jack, too. I'm sorry that I did that to her, but-' her mind wandered to the night when she'd first been told the two weren't in love in such a way. 'It really was too soon, wasn't it? Pretty much everything else they had told me doesn't match. They were in love, and they were trying to make it work.' A horrible thought struck her, 'Just like Jack and I are doing now. Did it just become too much for him? Did he think I would be the easier option? Am I just an option?'

"Sky. Your brain is working in overdrive. There is literally smoke coming out of your ears and I'm starting to get concerned-"

"I'm okay. It's just... A bit difficult to process?" she offered with a weak smile. "Thanks for telling me, I guess. Now I just have more reason to doubt everything I think I know."

"You don't have to doubt me." he still kept casual, and Skyla wondered which side of his personality she was talking to. "You know me. Every part. You knew I would come back, and you knew I would kiss you-"

"I did not. I may have hoped you would come back-" she rolled her eyes when he smirked again. "but it wasn't something I knew for sure. And that kiss surprised and scared the hell out of me. You shouldn't have done that-"

"You needed it. And, when it finally happened, you enjoyed it. Call it stress relief if you want. It calmed you down and made you happy- For a moment, anyway" he frowned, "I didn't know Lauren was leaving right then. I thought I had time to maybe- erm, convince you that I was worth your time- before there was even any mention of her."

"Convince me?" she asked, confused.

Brandon grinned and stood up, advancing towards her, "If you insist, Angel."

Skyla panicked, pressing herself up against the counter before he could get close, "I didn't mean it like that!" He stopped close just in front of her, tilting her chin up. His brown eyes stared into her greys and she wondered if she really could resist him. Then he let go of her chin and laughed. Frowning, Skyla pushed him away, "That isn't funny. I really thought you were going to kiss me!"

"You know I want to. If I really was going to kiss you, you would know it. Want to take a guess at what I would do different?"

She didn't have to guess. 'The air itself would move differently. Time would stop- You wouldn't have such a stupid grin on your face.' Sighing, she answered him, "You go all out when you kiss someone. It's always intimate and you make sure it's okay first... In odd ways, since you're such a clever, conniving little-"

"Hey! There's nothing little about me!"

Skyla rolled her eyes, "That's funny. Really." her voice dripped with sarcasm though her lips threatened to twitch into a smile, "Can I go back to trying to insult you? Please? I was really enjoying that."

"You can try." he leaned beside her on the counter, "But it won't help anything. Another thing I needed to tell you? I really don't think you should hope for Jack to come back. I get that you love him. I do. But are you really going to be happy with him?"

"I- I want to try to be. We always work it out, you know? It's just, with the amount of fighting we do, I sometimes wonder if- If he wants to try, too. He says he does. He says he loves me more than anything. And the way he kisses me-" Brandon made a vomiting sound beside her and she elbowed him lightly, "shut up. He's a great kisser. Well, now he is. After so much practice-"

"With Lauren?" he asked. Skyla's face turned red and she elbowed him again, a little harder. Clutching his side, Brandon turned his face away guiltily, "Okay. That was a bad joke. Shouldn't have said that."

"Damn right you shouldn't have said that!" she scolded. "Dammit, I still don't understand it! If she still loved him, I mean if she was really still in love with him- Why would she let him go? Lauren doesn't do that. If she wants something- someone- she fights. And she had him! She-"

"Quiet down, would you? Yes, Lauren lied. Yes, she still loves him. If she gets another chance, she'll take him back. Any way she can. And you know how persuasive she can be-"

"Don't even start that. She's still my best friend-"

"I thought I was your best friend?" Brandon asked, acting wounded, "Angel, how could you hurt me like this?"

"Oh, don't worry. You'll always be my favorite ex-boyfriend. And the most charming Demon I've ever met," she told him smoothly. 'At this point, I don't even care how he takes my words. If he thinks those I'm flirting or insulting him. Jack abandoned me, Lauren lied about something so important- then she abandoned me. Daniel is in no place to even think about me. Poor guy. And I won't be surprised when Brandon abandons me, too. At least I had some time in the sun ... I really don't want to fall back into the darkness though...'

"You've met others?" he asked simply; mockingly. "Well, I'm glad I'm the most charming. Am I the most anything else?"

"Most persistant, definitely."

He grinned at her, "I know what I want, Angel, and I'm not afraid to go after it. After you. Yeah, that makes me persistent, stubborn, maybe a bit desperate. I'm fine with those labels. I know the path I want to take. Do you?"

"You keep asking me the same questions. Are you really expecting different answers?" Knowing what his answer would be, Skyla grabbed her glass and went to refill it at the tap. "Can I- Can I ask for a favor? I mean- Maybe Jack sent me through the magic portal. That does not mean he abandoned me. But I'm ready to accept that he won't be coming back right away. And... I can't stay here..." she didn't look at him. Taking a drink of water, her eyes roamed around the room.

"In the mood for a sleepover, Angel?"

"Not if you're going to put it like that." she answered, turning to him. He was suddenly right in front of her, his hand outstretched, showing her a key. She put the glass down, "This is-"

"I'm not asking you to move in with me. I'm giving you the option to drop in unexpected." he smirked. Gesturing for her to take it, Brandon's smile relaxed, "I'm joking. Take it. You know I'll be living there forever anyway. Maybe in our old age you'll give me another chance?"

"In my old age?" she asked, taking the key,"It's possible."

"Very possible?" Brandon questioned, leaning in. Skyla pushed him away and he laughed again, "You're fun to tease. I love you, Skyla."

"Are you just going to keep telling me that-"

"I'll tell you until you believe me."

Those words stopped any words from forming on her tongue. 'It's just like I say to Jack, isn't it? I just want him to believe me that I love him but- But I know Brandon loves me. And he knows I love him. Why- Why is my relationship with Brandon so easy and the one I have with Jack... So difficult? Jack is the one I want- It's my fault, isn't it. My fault that Jack doesn't believe my words. My fault that the words come out wrong. All of it-'

"Skyla? Your brain is melting down again. If you're thinking of Jack right now-"

"I am." Skyla sighed then continued sadly, "There's a lot you've been left out of. I haven't told you everything and- And I really need someone to talk to. If you think you can handle it-"

He replied with concern he didn't try to hide, "I can handle anything you throw at me. I worry about you, Sky. If this is something I can do for you- Then bring it on! I'll hear all the disgustingly lovey dovey details if that's what it takes."

He kept true to his word. After they arrived at his apartment, the two sat down to talk. Skyla did most of the talking; telling Brandon everything and getting more descriptive than she really needed to. For the most part, he held a frown on his face while Skyla tried not to laugh at his discomfort. By the end of it, he was on the opposite side of the couch from her with his arms crossed over his chest.

"Didn't I tell you." he started, "That if there was another reason for him to be here, it would hurt Lauren? Well it did, and now it's hurting you. I can't forgive this guy. Not that I'm a big fan of Lauren-"

"Brandon" she whined, "You're not helping!"

"I am. You said you needed someone to talk to. I'm here. I'm talking to you and letting you talk my ear off. I've listened and I've paid attention without complaining even while you were going on about him holding you and kissing you and- I think I deserve a bit of credit for that."

"Thank you" Skyla sighed, hugging her legs to her chest, "I really do appreciate it. But can you stay on topic? Whatever problem you have with Lauren is- Well, I just don't care right now."

"Right. Stop worrying about how he feels for you. I hate to say it, but this guy loves you. A lot. You're probably the first person in a long time to care so much about him. With all the crap he's putting you through; he's lucky. He doesn't need to know everything about you, but I think he could handle learning more. The raspberry thing? Great start. Middle name? Cute. What about telling him what happened before you moved to this city? The reasons why you ran away."

"I could... But if I keep out the important details-"

"Then don't. You either tell him or you leave him. You can't keep those secrets from him if you plan to stay. Not only does he deserve to know, but he would understand you better. Your relationship would be stronger. And if anything ever happened; he could help you deal with it. Tell him."

Skyla thought it over for a while. Resting her head on her knees, she replied, "I guess. If that doesn't work, what's the worst that could happen. I'm surprised, Brandon." she laughed, lifting her head to look at him again, "You're actually being helpful. And serious- You're practically an adult!"

"I'm more of an adult than Jack Frost" he mumbled.

"What was that?" she asked loudly, "I think I heard you comment about Jack Frost? Who you don't even know?"

"I know enough, Angel. I can still give you life and dating advice. Just because I don't like who it is we're talking about, doesn't mean I won't try to help you. Besides, I'm still sure you'll come back to me one day. I can let you be with him for now. Then when you compare us later on, I'll win out for sure." Brandon smirked. Standing up he said, "Okay. Can that be enough for one night? I need some sleep. You can take my bed and I'll-"

"I'm not tired. You go ahead." Before he could argue with her she added, "You need your beauty sleep, Demon. You're not as pretty as I remember."

He waved a hand at her dismissively, "If you care to join me later, I don't mind going another night without sleep. You've been keeping me up all these nights anyway. Goodnight, Skyla." he yawned, walking down the short hallway to his bedroom.

'I've been keeping him up? So it is my fault... Has he been like this since the break-up?' she wondered. Shaking her head, she stood up and walked to the kitchen. Looking in the fridge, she found it mostly empty. Sighing, she closed the door and grabbed an apple off of the counter. 'Maybe it was only because Lauren told him what happened? Maybe it's only been since I started staying at North's Workshop. Maybe that's wishful thinking...'

Sky wasn't tired. She'd only woken up a few hours ago after all. She turned on the TV, ate her apple, tried to figure out what was different about Brandon's apartment, and did whatever she could not to think of Jack. 'He's not going to know to look for me here...' She mentally slapped herself and went back to watching the screen in front of her. 'this show is really dramatic. All the close-ups and deep voices and demon killing- Maybe I shouldn't be watching this here. Demon might get the wrong idea.' Skyla tried to cover her laugh at the thought and kept on watching.

She'd thought she wasn't tired but, after a couple of episodes, she was drifting off to sleep.


Notes:
Well, okay.
So I have moved to Victoria
And it's taking a while for me to get settled
I'm working on it though *thumbs up*
Thanks for reading
Please review, if you can spare the time
Love Y'all *hearts*
P.S
HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY TO THE IRL LAUREN WHO WAS THE INSPIRATION BEHIND THE CHARACTER NAME
(And name only
Since character-Lauren's personality and hinted back story has taken on a life of its own)
(Also, IRL-Lau is a Pitch Black fan whereas C-Lau is most definitely not)
LOVE YOU, LAU!