Nick hadn't been on a date in years. Jesus, the last time he even managed to have a steady girlfriend was nearly ten years ago. Luke and his ex Beatrice were adamant on joining them out a lot- making it a double date, you know? Irene didn't mind. Of course, she broke up with him a week later because she was interested in getting married, but it was a fun night. She was one of those evangelical Catholics, which was fine and dandy, and she wanted to get married early. Like not even out of college early. Truthfully, it was probably for the best anyway and he knew back then it would never last. Nick wasn't religious, she always went on about having a large Irish Catholic family, and he wasn't ready nor could afford that family.

He wanted kids but seven to ten of them? Oh hell no, you got to be a millionaire or out of your goddamn mind to handle that shit. He still cringed thinking about how much all those college tuitions would be. And the food bills! Oh my God, the food bills!

Luke and Beatrice, though? Damn, he thought those guys were going to last forever. Everyone thought they were going to get married. They were just so in love and photogenic and absolutely crazy about each other. Yeah, as odd as it sounds, Luke was once in a dedicated, lasting relationship with someone. That vow that they made at sixteen? Luke broke it at the Homecoming dance a year later when he met eyes with Beatrice.

Beatrice was hot. She was really, really hot. Nick thought Luke was exaggerating when he said she looked like Megan Fox in Transformers, but God she really did. Most wondered what she saw in him when she could probably score any guy in the school- hell, maybe even the world.

Nick was certain six years later with a shared apartment and car, marriage was around the corner for the lovebirds. Her parents approved, his parents approved, and they were even picking out homes together. As soon as Luke was done college the plan was to propose to her. Nick only knew because he saw the ring in Luke's pocket.

Then, all of a sudden, completely out of nowhere, they broke up. No one saw it coming: not Nick, not their families, nor Pete. Luke just stood on his doorstep one night with his suitcase in his hand, mad as hell at the world. He never explained what had happened, but it had to have been ugly. She took the apartment, their car, and moved away to California a year later to become a model. None of them heard a word from her again.

After that, the business that had been on the back-burner from their high school days was born. Nights of debauchery were to be had and their house became a hotspot for college parties. It was how they met Bonnie.

She and Luke had been on and off again for years now. She was crazy about him. Oh, she loved him to death. Luke could do no wrong in her eyes. It was pretty depressing, honestly, because there was no way he would ever love her back. He even said himself that he always considered her more of a friend if anything and that any chance of a future together dissipated years ago. Of course, that may have been Luke's crippling fear of commitment talking.

Still, he never really broke up with her. Nick was sure he loved the security and support the relationship brought. Hey, she was loyal even when they were scamming Kenny, so love truly must be blind. The way Luke was going, few would give him the time of day anymore. Any girls he brought home ran for the hills after seeing the house, his income, and Nick.

Well, enough about Luke's possible emotional trauma! Nick was going to be late for breakfast!

He ran down the steps and paused when he saw Luke checking himself out in the mirror. His usual outfit consisting of an orange t-shirt and jeans was replaced with a button up, a hideous blue tie, and black slacks.

"What the hell are you wearing?"

Luke turned around. "Well, Nick, as an official faculty member of Stone Mountain High School, I have to reflect the school's values," he began with arrogance. "Respect, dignity, and pride in one's self."

"That's funny because you don't have any of those qualities."

The brunet scowled and let out a muttered "Fuck you." as Bonnie walked out from the doorway with stacks of clothes in her hands. She smiled at Nick and waved after putting the bags down on the couch.

"Hi, Nick!"

"Hey, Bonnie. What are you doing here?"

"I found out Luke didn't have any clothes for his new job, so I went out to the store the other day to make sure he was good and covered. I just need him to try some stuff on to see what fits and what I need to send back." She paused. "Oh, I knew the orange shirt was gonna look good on you!"

"It's definitely my color."

"It really brings out your eyes!" She hummed and rubbed her chin. "But the tie has got to go."

"I like it, though," Luke cried.

"It clashes!" Bonnie grabbed a black and white striped tie off the pile. "I think this would look much better," she said as she replaced the old tie. "Oh, yeah, this is much better!"

Nick chuckled. "You look like that motherfucker from Nemo."

"Shut up, dude!"

"And where are you going, Nick?" the redhead asked, pointing to the keys in his hands.

He meekly smiled and rubbed the back of his neck. "Nowhere really-"

"He's got a date," Luke interrupted while messing with his tie.

"Really?" Bonnie gasped as if it was inconceivable that someone wanted to go out with him. Nick felt his temper flare a bit.

"I know, right? I thought he was bullshitting me at first."

"Fuck you, Luke."

"What's their name?" She began to interrogate him, getting excited. "How did you guys meet."

"Her name is Molly-"

Luke scoffed. "That's what you name your dog."

"Oh, shut up, Luke!" she snapped and glared at the other man before turning back to Nick with a smile. "It's okay, Nick. Go on."

"W-Well, Jesus…" Nick nervously laughed as he thought about how they met. He slowly brought his thumb to his mouth and began to chew on his nail. "We- We met at the grocery store-"

"You gotta hear this story, it is something else-"

"Luke!"

"I wasn't looking' where I was going and I… and I… and I…"

"And you what?"

"I accidentally ripped her toenail off with my shopping cart."

Luke busted out into loud, obnoxious cackling -sounding more hyena than human- while Bonnie's grin slowly fell. "Smooth, Nick," he said in between breaths, "real smooth."

"It was an accident!" Nick cried. "Besides, I apologized for it and she accepted-"

"Did you beg her to go out with her? Is it a pity date?"

"No, she was the one who asked me out!" He huffed and pulled his hat down. "And I'm pretty sure it's not a pity date…" He paused for a second. "At least, I-I don't think it is. She really seemed in to me."

Bonnie put a hand on his shoulder. "Don't psych yourself out, Nick. I'm sure she's just as into you as you're into her." She smiled. "Besides, she still asked you for breakfast after you ripped her toenail off. If that ain't a sign, I don't know what is!"

Nick took a shaky breath. "You're right, you're right," he said. "I'm psyching myself out over this. Everything's going to be fine."

"See, that's the spirit! Have you told Pete, yet?"

"Not yet," he replied. "I want to see how things go today before I tell him. I'm going up to the cabin this weekend to fish with him… Maybe, I'll invite her up for the day."

"You better hope to God Kenny's not there," Luke cried. "If you being a dumbass hasn't made her run, that crazy sonuvabitch will."

"I'll just worry about it when this date isn't a disaster." Nick looked down at the watch Pete got him for his birthday and gasped. "Oh, shit, I gotta go!" He grabbed his wallet off the table, making a mad dash for the door. "Shit, I'm supposed to be there in five minutes!"

"Late for your first date?" Luke called as the door slammed shut. "Smooth, Nick! You are just a real Casanova, aren't you?"

"You got this, Nick! I believe in you!" Bonnie put her hands on her hip. "Well, there he goes! I was thinking," she started, smacking her lips as she turned to Luke, "maybe we could go out on Saturday to the bar or something. You know, to celebrate your job?" She rubbed her arm. "W-We could give it another try… if you want."

"No," Luke shook his head. "Bonnie, we both know it's over-"

Bonnie took a step forward. "You always say that! You always say that, but I know you don't mean it because you always come back! You always do!" she cried.

"Bonnie, I can't!"

"Stop lying to yourself, Luke! Jesus, I'm so sick of men refusing to commit and playing women like damn fiddles just so they can get some ass!"

"Bonnie," Luke snapped, "you know I don't see you like that."

"Then what do you see me as, huh?" She crossed her arms. "Your fuck-buddy?"

"No!"

"Then what am I?"

There's silence. Luke looked at the floor with a pitiful expression. Bonnie ran a hand through her hair, slumping down on the couch with an irritated huff.

"I don't know what went down with Beatrice, okay." She tried to remain as calm as possible. "But it's over now, alright? It's been over for nearly ten years, Luke, You can't be afraid anymore."

"I-It's not easy."

"It's okay to love again. There's nothing wrong with loving, alright? Look, if you want to be single, that's fine, but don't play me." She sighed. "Be real with me, okay… Do you love me? Be honest, please."

"I can't do it again," Luke murmured. "I just can't."

"Can't do what?"

"Get burned."

Hearing people from before talking about how addicted they were to cell phones was pathetic. How can you become addicted? They're not drugs or alcohol; it's not very hard to turn off your phone. What, are you addicted to texting people? If so, then you must have a lot of contacts. Clementine thought the whole iPhone craze was stupid- it was stupid before the dead rose, too. The only phone she had ever used was the dead flip phone her dad had given her after he upgraded to an Android.

But, then she actually got one. Oh my God, she was so wrong… so wrong. Clementine couldn't last ten minutes without checking for texts and calls. She lived and breathed her rose gold iPhone. It had everything- it was everything! With a single tap she was on the internet and could look up anything she wanted, she could go on Youtube and watch cute cat videos, or she could go on social media and see what everyone was posting about. Instagram was her favorite but she also had a Twitter account. After the whole day at Macon, she got a bunch of new followers including Duck and Gabe, and so she followed them back.

Yes, she did go back and see all their posts. No, it wasn't to be weird or anything. Clementine had to admit it was pretty adorable how Gabe usually found a way to put his sister, dad, or grandma into pictures. Then, she almost liked a post of David at the beach from a year ago, and for a second, her soul left her body. Damn her butter fingers.

Her Instagram was made up of what interested her- anything that really got her attention; maybe it was the burgers her dad was cooking on the grill, or there was an apple at the grocery store that was a different shape than the rest, or she found a cool rock. A lot of people were posting selfies, but her page consisted of the little things in life that make you feel warm and fuzzy on the inside. Perhaps, most wouldn't notice it, but going for so long without this peace made Clementine appreciate it even more. She was done missing her childhood, being a normal teenager was pretty fun.

Oh, she also got Duck and Gabe's numbers and was added into a group chat with two other girls named Sarah and Becca. Considering that apparently Duck was buddies with everyone she had ever met when the world went to shit, her Sarah being the same girl in these chats wasn't beyond the realm of possibility. If only he knew Lee- she needed to congratulate him for actually getting with Carley.

DefGoing2Hell: mall opens in an hour. who's in?

Rosetinted_Glasses: Me!

Beanie_Boy: idk…

Boy_Wonder: seriously dude come on why u gotta be like this?

Boy_Wonder: i bet clem is in.

Boy_Wonder: right clem?

God, she hadn't been to the mall in ages. The last time she could remember going was when she needed to get dress shoes for her aunt's wedding when she was eight. She grabbed her phone and began to type.

Orange: sure. i got nothing better to do.

It was true, she had nothing better to do. Her mom was at work and her dad was probably passed out on the recliner watching The Real Sports Stars of Miami again. Clementine needed to get out of the house.

Boy_Wonder: see, hah! XD

Beanie_Boy: oh i didn't know clem was going.

DefGoing2Hell: bruh werent u crying over christine last week at the victoria's secret lmao

Beanie_Boy: i did not!

Rosetinted_Glasses: It's okay, Gabe. You can admit it. We're all friends here!

Beanie_Boy: i never cried at the victoria's secrets!

Boy_Wonder: dude u totally did everyone saw u.

Orange: that's really weird.

Beanie_Boy: look i was in a bad place ok?

DefGoing2Hell: lmao u just admitted it!

DefGoing2Hell must have been Becca, the 'punk' who played 'Satanic' music to drive Kenny up the wall. There was no shame there. Well, at least she had self-confidence; you could never have enough of that these days.

Orange: i'll meet you guys there at 10:35

DefGoing2Hell: its about time we got to meet you.

Rosetinted_Glasses: Not going to lie, I'm just picturing you as an orange lol :D

Beanie_Boy: nah she's pretty cool guys i think youre gonna like her

Boy_Wonder: bro i introduced her to you.

Beanie_Boy: I KNOW THAT

DefGoing2Hell: its gettin spicy in here

Orange: i'm gonna get ready. see u guys there!

Rosetinted_Glasses: It's going to be so cool finally getting to meet you, Clem!

Finding a table at Starbucks wasn't very hard. Most of the customers bustling in were eating on the go, probably on their way to work. No, the hard part was not eating until Molly arrived. Nick was starving.

After about five minutes of waiting, he checked his watch. He was late himself, but Molly said to be there ten minutes ago, and she still hadn't shown up. Maybe, traffic was bad… hopefully, traffic was bad. Still, no matter what, that nagging feeling of being stood up remained in the pit of his stomach.

Molly didn't seem like that type, though. She was the one who made the first move, so that had to mean she was into him, right? Who would ask someone out just to never show? Perhaps, a sadist, but she wasn't like that.

Yeah, she wasn't like that.

"What are you wearing to Coachella?"

"I don't know, what are you wearing?"

"I don't know."

Javier took a sip of his martini. The club was booming- literally, the music was so loud the whole goddamn place was vibrating. The floors were shaking. If he wasn't drunk off his ass he'd be worried about an earthquake. Jess and her girlfriends were sitting on the barstools beside him chatting about shit they had no knowledge of. Fuck Coachella, Lollapalooza is where it's at. God, you'd think these models would know this!

"Jess and Courtney and Jo-Jo think they know what they're talking about, but they don't," he said, turning to the camera guy next to him. "Music festivals are like an art, okay. Lollapalooza is, like, the Pieta and Coachella is the Ecce Hommos."

"I'm thinking of just wearing whatever Kylie is wearing."

"I'm was just thinking of just wearing whatever you were wearing." Jess bit her nail. "Does that make me a copycat? I don't want them to call me a copycat."

Jo-Jo slammed her fist down on the table. "Fuck TMZ and those bitches! You look way better than them anyway!" she cried and her words slurred. "Waiter, give me and my girl here another drink!"

"Thanks, you always know how to make me feel better," Jess smiled.

"No problem, girl-"

The club door slammed open. "Where the fuck is Javier!" A loud, deep voice bellowed as the music died. Most of those who weren't passed out under a table stopped their dancing to gawk. "Where the fuck is he?"

Jess put a hand over her mouth. "Oh my God, is that?"

"Damien George of the Miami Dolphins?" Javier eyes narrowed, staring straight at the camera. "Yes… Yes, it is."

"Damien and Javier are not friends," Jess began to another cameraman. "They're, like, arch-enemies, so I'm really nervous where this is going to go. I just hope we're not kicked out… " She fiddled with her hair. "We can't be banned from another club."

"Garcia!" Damien stomps through the dance floor, shoving people out of the way with his almost inhumanly large hands. "You're in trouble now, motherfucker!" His eyes widened when he and the other man make eye contact. "Oh, I got you!" He grinned maniacally. "Oh, I got you now!"

"What do you want, George!" Javier yelled. "You know, for someone who hates my guts, you sure go out of your way to find me!"

"You were talking shit about my girlfriend last night to Toby!"

"How do you know?"

"He told me."

The camera zoomed in on Javi's face as he gasped. "Oh my God."

"Oh my God is right, motherfucker! What do you got to say for yourself?"

"Toby is a fucking liar and I hate his fucking guts!" Javier cried to the camera. "That snitch! I trusted him and I thought we were cool because I thought we both hated Bea, but apparently, we're not cool. Snitches get stitches!" He punched his hand. "He isn't getting away with this!"

Damien snapped his fingers. "Hello, motherfucker, I am talking to you! He told me everything!"

"Everything?"

"Everything!"

The baseball player ran his fingers through his hair. "Odio mi vida," he muttered under his breath before pausing. "Wait, he didn't tell you that I said that her lips made her look like that guy from Monster's Inc. after he gets the air sucked out of him, right?"

"He did!" The NFL superstar grabbed the other's shirt and yanked him forward. "He did. Shut up, she is beautiful!"

"Oh… "

"Javier definitely shouldn't have told Toby all those things about Bea," Jess said to the camera. "It's, like, really mean, but at the same time I hate Bea, so she deserves this. Her lip injections suck, fuck her."

Damien growled and leaned forward, nearly touching noses with Javier. "You know what I'm going to do to you?"

"Are we going to hate fuck?" Javi asked nervously. "Because, y'know, if we get any closer we're gonna start making out-"

"No! I'm going to kick your ass!"

"Dad?"

"You're not going to kick my ass because I'm going to kick your ass first, George!"

"Dad?"

Jess jumped up and tried to pull her boyfriend away. "No, there will be no ass kicking! We can't get banned again, Javi!"

"Dad!"

Ed's eyes shot open and he nearly jumped out of the recliner, clutching his chest. Clementine is standing over him with a smirk. She's got the TV remote in her hands. "Oh, Jesus, Clem," he began, still recovering. "Don't scare your old man like that."

"Sorry," she replied.

"It's all good," he smiled. "So, what do you need from your old man? I can make you breakfast-"

"I actually need a ride." Clementine rubbed her arm. "My friends and I are going to meet up at the mall for a couple hours." She paused. "I-If that's okay…"

Ed sighed. "Jesus, you're really sounding like a teenager, you know that?" He slowly stood up with a grunt- making Clem's eyes roll to the back of her head- and searched for his keys.

"Well, I am one."

"Of course," he chuckled, "it just makes me feel old. I remember when we took you home from the hospital and you were so tiny. Your head fit in the palm of my hand." He held his hand out. "Your head was here and your little butt rested right near my elbow."

"Was I a cute baby?" Clementine asked.

"The cutest." Ed's smile fell. "It makes me feel old seeing you go off and doing these teenage things. On one hand, I'm proud to see you growing up, but on the other hand, I want you to stay little."

Clementine put a hand on his shoulder. "I'll always be your little girl, Dad. Nothing will change that."

"I know, darling. I know-"

"Javier, oh my God! You got us banned again! Where are we going to go to now?"

"We'll make our own club, babe, and we'll ban Damien from it!"

The teenage girl glanced at the television and rolled her eyes again. "The Real Sports Stars of Miami, really?"

"It must have come on when I fell asleep!" Ed cried.

Clementine's brows raised.

"I don't watch this-this mindless television, I swear!"

She smirked.

"Alright, alright, you got me, but don't tell your mother. It was just starting to get real good, too. Javier Garcia was making fun of Damien George's girlfriend because she got these really bad lip injections and no one likes her because she's a horrible person and-"

"How about you tell me more about it in the car, okay?"

"Oh, yeah, of course."

Ten minutes. It had been ten minutes and Molly still wasn't here. Nick groaned, resting his head down on the table. Where the fuck was she? Their date was supposed to start fifteen minutes ago.

She wasn't coming; that was the only conclusion he could come up with. She decided not to show or was messing with him- in all honesty, it didn't matter now. He was stood up. It looked like he was having breakfast by himself. Great, his already low self-esteem took another hit. If it got any lower, he'd be in the center of the Earth.

Hey, at least she could've called him or something instead of making him come all the way here. If she didn't want to go out with him anymore he would have understood. The last thing he needed was Luke finding out. He'd never hear the end of it from him.

One of the barista's washing the tables comes over and places a muffin down. She has dark red hair, but unlike Bonnie's its frizzy curls are nearly uncontrollable; her green eyes are prominent as a sympathetic frown forms. "Hey, sorry you got stood up," she said.

"It's fine," Nick replied. He eyed the pastry, pointing at it. "Is this for me?"

"Yeah, it's on the house. I just felt bad."

He sighed. "Don't- it's fine."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah, it's alright. Shit happens, you know?"

"I guess," the barista frowned, holding her arm. "I'm waiting for someone, too," she began as she wiped off another table. "My roommate was supposed to come here this morning with her date." Her eyes widened. "Unless…"

"Are you Sandra?"

The barista gasped and put a hand over her mouth. "Are you Nick?"

He nodded.

"Oh my God, I'm so stupid! Of course, you're Nick!" she cried, beginning to hit herself with her rag. "Stupid, stupid, stupid!"

"You know about me?"

"Molly's told me all about you!" Sandra plopped down in the chair across from him. "You ripped off her toenail at the grocery store over juice pouches!"

Nick frowned. "Is that all she said about me?" On one hand, he was happy Molly cared enough to talk about him to Sandra, but who knows what she was saying. She could have been making fun of him behind his back or something.

"Oh, no!" Sandra laughed and waved him off. "She joked about how she doesn't have a thing for rednecks, but that she'd make an exception for you!" She paused when his eyes narrowed. "I don't think I was supposed to say that. There's nothing wrong with being a redneck, though. I mean, you live your own lifestyle I guess and-"

"Anything else?"

"She said you had the prettiest eyes she's ever seen. According to her, they, like, glow in the dark." She pursed her lips. "Oh, they're doing it now!"

Nick turned away and pulled his hat down, blushing. The only people who ever thought so highly of him were his mom, Pete, and sometimes Luke. If she cared so much, though, why didn't she come? He took a deep breath. Traffic was probably bad, he thought. Yeah, maybe there was an accident or something. She'd arrive, eventually.

Hopefully, it was before he ate his muffin, or he was leaving.

"Will twenty dollars be enough?"

"Yeah, I'm probably only getting lunch."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, dad."

"Well, what if you want to buy something, but you can't afford it and-"

Clementine sighed, shaking her head. "Dad, I'll be fine!" she cried. "Trust me, I'm good money wise."

"Okay, okay!" Ed put his hands up. "I'm just trying to help you out here, kiddo," he said before pulling out his wallet. He slowly handed her another twenty. "Here, make this a forty, and do not tell your mother, understand?"

"Dad, come on."

"It will be our little secret," Ed whispered, "cause if she finds out I gave you this, I will be a dead man."

Clementine glanced at the money and then at her father. "You're not going to leave me alone until I take the dollar, are you?"

"Nope."

She groaned and put it in her pocket. She then opened the car door and hopped out right near the entrance of Macy's. Ed pulled his window down, leaning over a bit. "You'll text me when you need me to pick you up, right?"

"Of course, dad," Clementine replied as she pulled out her phone.

"Make sure to take note of the emergency exists, okay?"

"I always do, dad."

"Oh, and if you see any suspicious characters, make sure to report them to mall security!"

"Yes, dad."

Please, she didn't need any lectures about safety. Clementine could handle herself just fine; she did it for years by herself with a toddler. If anything, she should be lecturing him.

"Also, make sure to cover your nose when you walk by Abercrombie and Fitch. I know the cologne they spray aggravates your sinuses-"

"Goodbye, dad!" she cried and waved, already walking into the doors of the mall. Clementine had heard enough out of Ed for the time being. Now, she needed to figure out where her friends were. They said they would be at the food court, but where was that exactly? She could remember the mall having three floors; which one was it on, though?

Well, if she was in Macy's now, which was on the bottom floor, she'd better start walking. It would be quite a distance. Thankfully, it wasn't too crowded. No one shopped on a Monday morning- everyone waited until Friday or Saturday night, causing aggravation. If she hadn't found her way in about ten minutes, she'd try texting them to get directions.

Nick's muffin was done, he was absolutely defeated, and all he wanted to do was go home. Molly never came. Of course, she wouldn't come, what was he expecting? Jesus, he got his hopes up just for this! Sandra tried to remain supportive, but as five minutes turned into ten, her cheery attitude dulled. What was there to say? What could she do? It wasn't like she could keep going on about how interested Molly was in him or that she said his eyes were beautiful. That stopped working fifteen minutes ago.

You know what, fuck this.

He stood up and threw his wrapper into the trash can. He then slapped five bucks onto the countertop for Sandra- anyone who stayed by him for this long when he was in such a sour mood deserved it- and pulled out his keys. He ignored the redhead's dismayed expression.

"Wait, don't go!" Sandra pleaded. "She's going to come, I know she is!"

"You said that five minutes ago," Nick replied.

"She's probably on her way!"

"I've been here for nearly a half hour waiting!" he snapped. "Look, thanks for trying to cheer me up and all, but she stood me up, and I'm leaving now."

"But, she's coming!"

"Bullshit."

"No!" Sandra cried, pointing out the window. "Look, she's running across the street now!"

Nick turned and his breath hitched. Sandra was right; Molly was sprinting towards them at a breakneck pace. He had never been much of a runner growing up- his muscles always cramped up if he went too far- so he couldn't help but be impressed. And with how damaged her foot had been just two days ago? Wow, she was like Superwoman.

Wait, he was mad at her.

Molly threw the door opened and immediately slumped into a booth, panting. She was drenched in sweat; absolutely soaked. Nick cringed when he saw it drip off her nose onto the table.

Oh, gross.

Sandra tossed her a water bottle just as she began to get her breath. "My car broke down…" she gasped, ripping open the cap and chugging it down like her life depended on it. Judging from how she looked, it probably did. "I was starting it up… and it wouldn't start… so I ran here…"

"Molly," Sandra scolded, putting her hands on her hips. "You should've called an Uber! It's, like, a hundred degrees out!"

"It would've taken too long… Besides, I needed the exercise." The blonde turned to Nick and frowned. "I guess I missed our date, huh?"

"You should've told me," he said. "I would've picked you up."

She shook her head. "I didn't want to put you through the extra stress."

"I would've done it, though. Better than waiting for almost forty minutes."

"I'm really sorry, Nick." Molly frowned. "I-I really am. Look, if you want to leave, that's totally fine and I get it."

He smirked and sat down across from her. "What and miss the belle of the ball-"

"Stop flirting!" Molly groaned and covered her face. "I'm gross."

"Eh, I live with another guy; you're not gross, trust me." He glanced at her and Sandra as his grin grew. "I mean as a redneck I've definitely seen worse, you know? Luke stinks up the shit-hole we use outside all the damn time."

Her eyes narrow for a second before gasping. "Sandra!" she cried, slamming the table with her fists. "Oh my God!"

"I'm sorry!"

"And my eyes are the prettiest you've ever seen, huh?"

"Sandra!"

"I'm sorry!"

A/N: So, another chapter's done! I wanted to get this out when Episode 5 finished but real life got in the way. Whatever, though, I'm happy with it. We got a bunch of new characters introduced or mentioned: Bonnie (Luke's on and off again girlfriend who wants more), Damien George (Javier's arch nemesis), Sandra (Molly's roommate with a heart of gold), Jo-Jo (Jess' best friend who's always drunk), and Beatrice (Luke's mysterious ex). Yes, Beatrice is the same girl from the beginning of Long Road Ahead and Nick's ex is Irene from A New Day.

Will we ever find out what exactly happened to Luke? Will Kenny ruin Molly and Nick's budding romance? Will Ed stop watching shitty reality shows? Tune in next time to find out. Also, your reviews keep me going, so if you have the time please put down a comment!