The thunder rolled as a flash of lightning blazed across the evening sky. Brooke looked outside the window and smiled. It had been a while since the last loud clap, which meant the storm was passing over towards the next town. But Brooke hadn't minded. There was something oddly comforting about it all.

"That one wasn't bad at all," a voice mused from the other side of the room.

Brooke smiled over at Mouth.

"I thought you had fallen asleep over there."

He shrugged and yawned, stretching his arms slightly.

"Nah, not me. I'm too excited for sleep actually," he answered softly.

The corners of Brooke's mouth turned upward into that infamous dimpled grin.

"Too excited for sleep, huh? Oooohhh, sounds juicy. Do tell the reason for this sudden metamorphosis."

Mouth returned her grin.

"Metamorphosis, huh? I'll give you a hint. My reason is probably the same reason for your new and improved vocabulary."

She playfully rolled her eyes and tossed a throw pillow at him from the couch.

"I'll share my secret if you share yours, Mighty Mouth."

They were interrupted by a knock at the door. The person on the other end didn't bother to wait for an invite.

"What's this about secrets?" a happy Bevin chimed in. "I want to know."

"What brings you by, Friend?" Brooke asked, noting the familiar scene before when the three had taken shelter from a storm at Rachel's house.

"I was just in the neighborhood and we haven't had a chance to talk in a while. I just felt like stopping by. I didn't know you'd be here too, Mouth. It's good to see you."

"Good to see you, too."

Brooke sighed.

"Okay, it's really great to see both of you and I am so enjoying this little love fest right now, which by the way is a major step up from our last cry fest but uh, the thing is…I'm kind of expecting company any minute now and, well, you know…"

Mouth and Bevin locked eyes, exchanging smiles.

"Uh oh, Bev. Sounds like marching orders to me," Mouth quipped.

"Yeah. So much for a friendly visit," Bevin teased.

Brooke put her hands on her hips.

"Guys!" she whined. "Come on. You're not being fair, it's just that…"

"Let me take a while guess," Mouth interrupted. "Chase is on his way over."

"How'd you know?"

"Because that's what has you so happy lately. Speaking of the last time we all hung out like this, we were all pretty much bummed out. Our love lives had us seriously depressed but I'm happy to say things are looking up. We've all met someone that has managed to put the smiles back on our faces."

Bevin kicked off her shoes and took a seat on the sofa, tucking her feet beneath her.

"You an Chase have been hanging out a lot, girlie. What's the scoop? Are you in love or what?"

The look on Brooke's face told it all.

"Yeah, I…I guess it is love. Whatever it is, it's this totally unexpected, amazing ride that I am enjoying every minute of."

"What's he like?"

"He's great. Chase is wonderful. I mean, he's a complete hottie and everybody can see that but it's so much more. He's sweet. He's really sweet and just genuine and considerate. And he's so interesting. I love being around him and talking to him and learning about him. When we're together, I know it's corny but it's like nothing else matters."

"That is corny," Mouth joked. "Way corny."

"Oh shut up," Bevin hit him. "You have a nerve. Rumor has it a certain Clean Teen Queen has you walking the line."

"I was actually on my way to see her when the storm caught me so I stopped here."

The dreamy look in his eyes could not be ignored.

"Tell us about the great Shelly Simon."

"She is great. I mean, she's beyond great. Really. She's something else. She is so pretty. She's sweet and funny and mature and so easy to talk to. I really connect with her. It's like we're on the same page. It was totally unexpected and I'm sure we're the last couple everybody would expect to see together but it just sort of fell into place. It's nice…really nice. I'm having a good time."

Bevin laughed out loud.

"Chase and Brooke, Mouth and Shelly sittin' in a tree. K-I-S-S-I-N-G. First comes love, then comes marriage…"

"Uh, Bev, Friend, you get to tease Mouth and me but what about all that time you've been spending with a certain hunky bald headed basketball player?" Brooke raised her eyebrows.

Bevin released a squeal of delight.

"Oh Mouthie, oh Brookie, I thought you two would never ask! Let me tell you all about him! 'Kay? 'Kay. First of all, he's hot! I mean, have you seen his ass in those basketball shorts during the games? Hel-lo! And he always knows when to say the right thing to make me laugh or just make me feel good about myself. He's a total sweetheart and we're just so in sync. Talk about the perfect odd couple but I think opposites totally attract. I feel like I've found my soul mate. I even cooked him chitterlings."

"Chitter-what?" Mouth and Brooke asked at the same time.

Bevin dismissed them with the wave of her hand.

"It's a soul food thingy, you two wouldn't know about it. Anyway, he's really nice and he's a real gentlemen. I mean, we make out like rabbits and all that Grey's Anatomy sexual tension is really there but he wants to wait. Isn't that sweet? Gosh, I feel like I'm dreaming. I have found the perfect guy. He's cute and nice and funny and smart, has a great ass, is a great kisser and totally respects my body. What more could a girl ask for?"

Brooke and Mouth just laughed. Their friend certainly had a way with words but they got the point.

"What a difference a few months makes?" Brooke asked. "Not that long ago we were all over here crying on each other's shoulders swearing off love forever. Now look at us."

"I'm not complaining," Mouth added. "It's a beautiful thing. For the first time, I feel like I have an actual chance."

"Chance for what?"

"A real chance to be a normal teenager. A chance not to have my heart broken again. A real chance at love. It might sound stupid or whatever but being with Shelly has really opened my eyes."

Brooke sighed softly.

"Of course it's not stupid, Mouth. I get what you're saying. With Chase I feel comfortable. He makes me feel safe. I don't have to worry all the time about getting hurt. I love that feeling but…"

"But what, Brooke?"

The brunette bit her lip.

"Chase means everything to me. I'm really happy but um…I don't know. Let's just say he doesn't know everything there is to know about me."

"Brooke, it's not cool to start off a relationship on a lie," Mouth reminded his friend.

"I know. I get that and I'm gonna tell him…eventually. It's just, things are going so awesome right now. Is it incredibly selfish of me not to want to lose that?"

Mouth shook his head.

"Of course not. I feel the same way. I mean, things with Shelly and me are great and I've never been happier but at the same time I feel like the whole virginity thing might be a problem later. We've talked about it and it's something we're definitely gonna have to talk about some more. But it is scary because I don't want anything to come between us."

Bevin agreed.

"I know how you feel. When Skills and I are together, it's perfect. When we're with our friends and at school, it's great but the other day we went out to eat and the waitress was really rude. She seemed to have a huge problem with a black guy being with a white girl. It was so sad and stupid really. I mean, who cares? I know we don't but I don't want it to be an issue if everyone else does."

The three friends looked around thoughtfully.

"Well, it looks like we found three great people," Mouth concluded. "I'd say we're pretty damned lucky. Yeah, it's gonna take work but so does everything that's worth having. We can do this, guys. We can iron out the kinks. We deserve to be happy. We're gonna be fine."

"You're right," Brooke nodded. "Chase and I are great together. When the time is right, I'll tell him everything he needs to know. I know he'll understand and as long as I don't have a certain backstabbing, boyfriend stealing ex blonde friend on the prowl, we should be okay."

"Yeah," Bevin chimed in. "What matters is how Skills and I feel about each other. Who cares what anyone else says? It's none of their business. No one knows our relationship but us."

"And Shelly and I really care about each other. Whatever it is, I know we'll figure it out."

Brooke smiled.

"Definitely a lot less depressing than last time."

"Definitely."

"Most definitely."

They glanced out the window to see the sun shining with no hints of stormy weather.

"Looks like the storm is over, guys," Brooke said softly.

Mouth and Bevin exchanged glances.

"Yeah…it sure is."

"Come on, Mouth. I have to pick go pick up Skills and I'm sure the lovebirds Brooke and Chase can't wait to be alone. I'll give you a ride over to Shelly's."

"One more thing," Brooke said as they gathered to leave.

"What?"

"We totally have to end it like we did last time. Come on. Group hug and I am so not taking no for an answer."

They all joined in an embrace. This time if there were to be tears, it would be tears of sheer joy.