Present

Kenzi stood pounding her fists on Dyson's door. It was early, but she didn't care. Rapidly, quickly, she continued to knock.

Dyson opened the door, shirtless; clearly she'd just woken him up, "Kenzi what's wrong?" He asked sleepily when he saw her.

Kenzi pushed passed him, to enter his apartment.

"You have to help me break them out of there."

"We've been through this I can't."

"You work for the Light Fae now; you have access to the compound you have to help."

He rubbed his hands across his face, in frustration, "I can't. I've only worked there a few months; I don't have access to anything."

"WOW! I know you were hurt when Bo didn't want to be with you, and you've always hated that she fell in love with Lauren."

He scoffed and shook his head.

"But you've known Bo since you were a baby, you have to do something."

"I can't go against orders, I wish I could help, really, but there's nothing I can do."

She crossed her arms over her chest and glared at him. "It's Bo. Come on."

"I know that. I don't want anything to happen to her, but I know my place and we have to wait and see how all this plays out."

She turned to walk away. "You're not who I thought you were, so disappointing. I'm helping Bo with or without you. She's my sister."

"Kenzi you'll end up in a cell, next to them if you try anything. Please, wait and see how all this plays out."

She walked out of his apartment, slamming the door behind her.

XXXXX

The night before Bo's party, she found sleep to be impossible, evading her at every turn. She was restless, anxious about what the day would bring for her and Lauren, by what the consequences could be of this decision.

Finally, when the sun began to peek through her curtains, and her alarm wouldn't stop going off, Bo decided to pull herself out of bed and start her day, trying to clear her thoughts.

Bo got dressed quickly and tried to squeeze past her mother. Not wanting a confrontation at the moment.

"Ysabeau, where are you rushing off to? Your party's in a few hours."

Shit. She was not in the mood. Her emotions were on edge.

"I'm not rushing. I'm going to Kenzi's room. To get ready." Bo planned on trying to ignore her mother as much as possible, by hiding in Kenzi's room.

"We need to talk."

Here we go.

"How are you feeling? Any new urges or desires? Do you feel tired or-"

"I feel normal."

"Well listen to your body, you'll know when your powers start to come in."

Aife sensed something was off, but she didn't push. Now was not the time.

XXXX

Bo stood in Kenzi room getting ready, her eyes constantly darting back and forth to the clock, watching the time. She'd never been so nervous in her life.

Lauren had promised to come by early and help Bo get ready. Her stomach was in knots waiting to talk to her.

She stood in front of Kenzi's mirror while her friend fixed her hair. "You look so beautiful, Bo." Kenzi beamed at her.

"Thanks, I feel like a big mess in the inside, though."

"It doesn't show. You look cool as a cucumber. You worried about the ceremony?"

"No. I'm happy to finally go on record about remaining unaligned. It's something else."

Kenzi nodded. "Something about stone cold Lauren Lewis."

"Kenzi."

"I'm joking."

Bo smoothed the wrinkles out of her dress and looked at the clock, again. Lauren should arrive in 20 minutes. Her palms began to sweat.

But the time came and went and no Lauren. She checked her phone. No messages. She sent out a reminder text. Still nothing.

Reluctantly, Kenzi and Bo stepped out of her room.

"I'm sure she's just running late or she got distracted with something nerdy. You said she does that sometimes." Kenzi offered trying to lighten Bo's mood.

"Maybe." Bo sighed glancing over to her mother who was watching the interaction.

The party started, and the house filled up quickly. People seemed to be crammed everywhere she looked, mostly Fae that she didn't even know, everyone she'd ever met seemed to be there…except one.

Bo's eyes were glued on the door hoping Lauren would walk through but nothing.

"Let's dance," Dyson said as he pulled Bo close to him. "You're in a mood and we need to get you happy."

Bo frowned but let him led her in a dance.

"Here," Dyson handed Bo a silver flask.

"What's this?"

"Something to take the edge off. You really need to relax." He said, confused by her attitude.

They danced for a couple songs then Bo pushed away from him, making her way through the crowd.

"Where's Lauren, I haven't had the pleasure of seeing her this evening?" Aife asked before Bo could reach the bathroom.

Bo shrugged not meeting her mother's eyes. "Did you do something? Stop her from coming?"

"No, I did not. I know what battles I will not win with you Bo."

"Then maybe something happened to her, she might be in trouble. I should go over to her house."

"Oh Ysabeau. Let me call Bruce." Aife cocked her head to the side, "He keeps an eye of the Lewis' for me from time to time."

"What!"

Aife waved her hands dismissively. "I'll be right back."

Aife returned shortly after and Bo had not moved from her spot; she was getting worried that something had happened to Lauren. She wouldn't just not call or text. She wouldn't.

"Lauren's fine. In fact, Bruce saw her leaving the house with that nice human girl, Nadia, I believe."

The hairs on the back of Bo's neck prickled, her chest tightened. She couldn't meet her mother's eyes. What was going on?

And then a jealous, intensely blazing anger crawled through her, and she wasn't sure which was worse…that Lauren had stood her up or that she was on a date with Nadia. She didn't even call?

"It's probably for the best, you know. Better she disappoints you now then later. Don't let this ruin your evening, dear."

Bo continued not looking at her, "Dyson's waiting for you, go have some fun."

She rushed off and locked herself in the bathroom, checking her phone again. Nothing.

Where are you? She sent for the fifth time. After 10 minutes and no reply, she closed her eyes and fought the urge to throw her phone across the wall. It couldn't be true.

Bo noticed the flask she was holding and took a long drink. She closed her eyes tightly as she let the warm alcohol slide down her throat, burning as it went.

Suddenly she was furious with Lauren, again. She took another drink trying to suppress her frustration.

Maybe her mother was right, maybe she didn't know Lauren at all, she had her secrets, after all, she thought bitterly.

XXXX

Bo was drunk. She knew it. She wasn't entirely sure when it had happened, but suspected it had occurred after she emptied Dyson's flask.

She glided through the crowd going person to person giving her greetings, being the perfect granddaughter, Trick wanted her to be. But once the alcohol hit she abandoned that and just danced, with others or by herself, it didn't matter.

Dyson raised an eyebrow. "Did you drink that whole flask, already?"

"I'm enjoying my party."

"Sounds like a plan." He pulled Bo close, and they started to dance.

Bo danced with Dyson, letting the music and movements wash over her as she tried to shut out her thoughts about Lauren.

She'd had enough. She didn't want to think. She pulled Dyson into a kiss.

Someone touched her elbow. They broke apart, and Dyson's smug enthusiastic smiled dimmed when he saw who it was- Kenzi.

"Come on, BoBo. Let's go sleep it off." Kenzi knew her friend was drunk. She pulled her away from Dyson.

"Kenz, I wouldn't have let it go any further than that. We were just kissing."

"Go home Dyson. Bo's off the bed."

Kenzi was carrying a stumbling Bo down the hall when Aife stopped them. "What's going on?"

"I'm fine!" Bo slurred trying to get away from Kenzi.

Aife stared at Kenzi.

"Um…Bo's not feeling well. I'm taking her to bed."

Aife grabbed Bo's arm, "What have you done to yourself? Are you trying to embarrass me? All these Fae are here to see you join the Light. What about the ceremony?"

"I told…you…I'm not…choosing a side! I choose me! I choose Kenzi! I choose La-"

Those around them started at stare as Bo was yelling loudly now.

"Well shit, I guess not that! I choose-"

"Take my daughter to bed right now." She hissed to Kenzi, her voice laced with rage.

By midnight everyone was gone.

Bo had passed out for a few hours and awoke in her bed, still wearing her dress. She checked her phone for the millionth time that night, still nothing from Lauren. She needed answers. She stepped swiftly out of the house and headed to Lauren's.

XXXX

She walked the one block to Lauren's house still wearing her dress. When she arrived, she stopped a few houses down when she saw a car pull into the driveway.

She watched as Lauren and Nadia got out of the car. She couldn't believe what she was seeing. Her mother wasn't lying, it was right there. Lauren, her friend, had skipped her birthday party to go on a date. She didn't even call or text Bo to let her know.

A cold sweat swept over her and queasiness boiled in the pit of her stomach. She wanted to go over and demand an explanation, but she stood frozen in place.

The pair hugged then Nadia got in her car and left.

Bo stood in the middle of the street tears started running down her face, she didn't know what to do. She could go over there knock on the door and demand answers. She knew Lauren would be sorry and have the perfect thing to say but at the moment she couldn't bear to hear it.

She walked home. Her mother was right. Lauren didn't care for Bo as she cared for her, probably never did. She decided she was done with Lauren Lewis.

XXXX

On Monday morning, Lauren tried several times to talk to Bo, but each time she was shot down.

Bo didn't return her texts, glared as Lauren passed her in the hallways.

Lauren waited at Bo's locker, hands in her pocket, eyes downcast.

Bo gave her an irritated look. "Move. I need in my locker," she muttered, sharply.

Lauren stepped aside and let out a deep breath. "You can't ignore me forever."

"Why not," she snapped pulling her books from her locker.

Lauren looked down at her hands, shifting her weight. "I'm really sorry about what happened and I messed up but…"

"I don't need an explanation, I understand completely, but next time you make a promise keep it. Or at least call," she flipped her hair and walked away, it took a conscious effort to ignore the wounded expression on Lauren's face.

XXXX

They stared at each other, Trick and Bo, neither saying a word for ten minutes.

Finally, Trick spoke first, "Bo, you must a choose a side! For the family, for yourself, remaining unaligned is too dangerous. What happened on your birthday is unacceptable. You can't avoid responsibility forever."

She sat quietly, studying her hand, as if was the most interesting thing in the world, barely offering a grunt as response.

He sensed she wasn't listening he crossed his arms and stared at her. "What's wrong?"

She started tapping her fingers on the desk. "Nothing."

"Another fight with your mother?"

"No."

"Are your powers coming in? Because if they are, you need to start going out and feeding responsibly."

"No."

Bo was not going to open up to Trick of all people over her fight with Lauren. She already knew his reaction.

He sighed. "I know you have feelings for that Lewis girl." Trick said as if reading her mind.

Her head shot up quickly. Was this posted on a wall somewhere? Everyone seemed to have an opinion on her relationship with Lauren.

"Don't bother denying it." He paused, "I will admit it's something the Fae have struggled with for thousands of years, keeping the two worlds separate. The forbidden nature of it can be very alluring."

"It's not about that."

He continued. "I can tell you with 100 percent certainty that in all my years, a Fae and human relationship has never ended well. We have these laws for a reason."

He got up and padded her knee softly, "Better you move on now before things go too far before you're in too deep."

XXXX

Lauren skipped going to the library and went to Bo's house. She knocked hoping Kenzi was home and that she would let her in.

The younger girl answered, glaring at her. "What are you doing here?"

"Can I come in and wait for Bo," Lauren asked.

"I dunno know, Bo's pretty pissed at you." Kenzi continued to stare at Lauren like she was trying to burn a hole through her with her eyes. "You messed up good, stone cold."

"I know that. I'm trying to fix it. Please." Lauren was almost begging now.

Kenzi opened the door to let her in. Lauren entered and began to walk towards Bo's room when Kenzi grabbed her arm. "FYI, if you hurt my sister again, I'll kill you. I'm not joking. They'll never find the body, I have family ties to the Russian mafia."

Lauren sighed. "I know. And I won't."

XXXX

Bo opened her door to find Lauren sitting on her bed. The room was tensely silent. She stepped hesitantly into the room. "What are you doing here?" She demanded, her temper wearing thin. Bitter resentment washed over her.

"Bo, please we need to talk."

"Ha, I'm not interested." Now she wanted to talk, funny, Bo had tried to get her to open up for years, to only have her shut down and deflect.

"If you just let me explain, please."

"No. I want you to leave." Bo pointed to the door. She was furious, the surprised, hurt look on Lauren's face was killing her, but she didn't want to give in.

"I saw you that night with Nadia, you knew I was stressed about that party that I wanted you there. I'm tired of the games we kiss, you say nothing, then skip my party to go on a date with Nadia," her anger rising. "Sheesh Lauren, the least you could have done was text me that you weren't coming!"

"Bo," she pleaded, "Please, Bo you have to believe me, it's not what you think."

Bo glared at Lauren.

Lauren got up walked toward Bo, she looked at her intensely, eyes glassy, "Bo, I would never intentionally hurt you, ever, I'm sorry. It's just…"

"Hey, Bo," Dyson stepped into the room, he looked back and forth between the pair, he hesitated briefly, "Am I interrupting something?"

"No," Bo said as walked over and hugged him, "Lauren was just leaving."

She turned to Lauren, "Right, Lauren."

Lauren let out a long drawn out sigh, "Right."

She sat a small long white box on Bo's desk and walked out of the room.

XXXX

Bo awoke the next morning feeling horrible. She knew she should have let Lauren explain, but she was so hurt. She didn't want to hear it. She also had her mother and Trick talking nonstop about what a blessing it was for Lauren to be out of her life now before things got complicated. They wouldn't let up.

She was livid with everyone, her family, Lauren, but she was really just disappointed with herself about how she was handling this situation. Exhausted and depleted she pushed through her morning routine and got dressed.

When Lauren left, she looked so broken, so hurt, Bo deflated at the sight but she couldn't bring herself to listen to Lauren's excuses.

Bo made her way downstairs for breakfast finding Kenzi.

"Make up with your girlfriend?" She asked through mouthfuls of pancakes.

"She's not my girlfriend."

"Ok," Kenzi said winking. "So tell me what happen, I know she was here yesterday."

"Not much. She wanted to explain what happened, but I kicked her out. She really has she nerve coming here."

Kenzi laughed, "Bo, don't you think maybe you should hear her out?"

Bo frowned, "I know what I saw, Kenzi, what could she possibly say?"

Kenzi shrugged, "I don't know probably a million different things. She messed up that night, but you're not being fair by shutting her out completely," she turned to leave, "Just my opinion, of course."

Bo put her head in hands and sighed. She knew Kenzi was right, she should let Lauren explain but some reason Bo just couldn't.

XXXX

Lauren: Can we talk please?

She knew Bo wasn't likely to respond but decided to keep sending her texts anyway.

She sat in her bedroom, staring at the ceiling, her thoughts drifting back to the night of Bo's party.

Lauren had been out all day looking for the perfect present for Bo. She was stressing, she really, really wanted it to be special. What gift could she possibly get for someone like Bo, to show her how much she cared. There didn't seem to be anything in the world she could get to express what Bo meant to her. Nothing would be enough.

She knew she was overthinking it. But Bo had been her rock over the course of their friendship, saved her more times than she'd ever know.

Nothing would ever be enough, no words, no gift.

Then, she thought of it. When she was younger, she would spend weekends making bismuth crystals with her father. It was some of the best times she had growing up. It was just the two of them, and watching the crystals form, she remembers being in such awe, and that's when her curiosity about the world sparked.

She kept many of them in a small box in her closet. She could put one on a necklace for Bo. Bo always appreciated her science side and she thought Bo would enjoy getting something connected to her, in a very special way.

As soon as Lauren slipped into the house, she could tell something was off. The energy was tainted.

Lauren moved toward her bedroom but stopped something crunched beneath her.

She reached down under her foot and pulled out a badly crumpled family photo. Their last family photo, she tried to smooth the picture while taking a closer look around the house.

She walked into the living room and blinked until her eyes adjusted to the dark. She looked around, the room was in chaos, torn photos, broken glass everywhere. It looked like there had been a break-in. She panicked and quickly ran to her mother's room.

She saw Nick pacing back and forth, his face white as a ghost. He appeared as if he was a world away, lost in his thoughts.

"Oh my god, Nick. What is going on?"

He looked at Lauren as if he didn't register who she was at first then after a second said, "She's gone. She ran away because of the Fae."

"How do you know that?"

"Lauren! Really? The Fae are responsible for this!"

"How do you know that?" Lauren repeated.

Before she could even blink, he punched the wall. "READ THIS!" he screamed, he shoved a letter into Lauren's hands.

Dear Children,

I no longer want to be a prisoner. I have to go. I'm sorry.

That's it? Lauren thought. That's all she gave her children, a short, cold letter before abandoning them.

"But why now?" Lauren asked, "We should call Bo. She can help, maybe talk to her family."

"I swear to god Lauren you better not call that Fae bitch."

The doorbell rang.

"Who is that?"

"I called Nadia to take you out of the house for a few hours while I clean up."

"What!"

"No discussion. Period. Go with Nadia. Keep your mouth closed." He got right in Lauren's face. "We are in danger now. You must promise not to call Bo. Do not involve her." He grabbed Lauren's arms and squeezed tightly. "You promise me."

She looked down, a sob caught in her throat. She clutched the silver chain she'd bought Bo, "I promise."

He stepped away from her, "I have to decide what we're going to tell them. I need a plan."

Lauren sighed and rubbed her eyes. She should have texted Bo that night. Why did she listen to her brother? One text just to let Bo know she wouldn't be at the party, and none of this would be happening. God she screwed up so badly. She didn't seem to be making any right decisions lately.

She glanced over at her microscope and sighed, normally she could get lost so easily in science but her thoughts could not leave Bo and how much she had hurt her.

XXXX

Bo's phone jolted her to consciousness early on Saturday morning.

"Hello?"

"Bo, I need you to cover a shift at the Dal tonight." Her grandfather said.

"What?" Her response came instant and annoyed. "No way. I don't want to work tonight."

Her temper had been on edge since her party, and she didn't want to deal with demanding customers.

"Ysabeau, you're almost a full grown succubus it's time to start taking on some responsibilities."

Bo did a mental eye roll, chiding herself for answering the phone. God, Trick was good at lectures, Bo thought.

"Ok. But I don't want to waitress, I'll make drinks, but that's it."

"I suppose."

She should have said no. It was so busy that night and of course they had her on the floor serving.

She was hit on more times than she could count by drunken men and women.

One particular handsy patron had grabbed her arm, ogling her up and down in a way that was disconcerting, licking his lips. Bo untangled from him quickly and told Tamsin, the Dal manager, she would no longer be on the floor.

She hesitated, giving Bo a dismissive glare.

"I'll leave." Her voice turned hard. "I shouldn't have to deal with gross people groping me all night."

"Fine." Tamsin rolled her eyes, and walked away briskly.

An hour later she spotted Nick, Lauren's brother, enter the bar. She watched him from behind the bar. It was strange seeing him, she rarely saw him outside of dinners with the family.

Bo watched as he chatted up a red haired Fae woman. It surprised her she never heard him say more than two words at once.

Tamsin surprised Bo by telling her to take off early, which she was only too happy to do.

She glanced back over her shoulder at Nick and the Fae woman, hypocrite, she thought, so he could socialize with the Fae all he wanted, but Lauren couldn't. Hypocrite.

XXXXX

Bo watched for Lauren, everyday. She didn't talk to her, but she looked. Keeping her eyes on her from a distance. She couldn't help it.

She was so mad at Lauren, but at the same time wanted nothing more than to go over and hold her close, kiss her, protect her.

Bo sat in the cafeteria with Kenzi and Dyson, scanning the room for Lauren. She never showed.

"We should go to a movie tonight," Kenzi said, excitedly to Bo and Dyson.

"Nah," Bo answered, her head down.

"Still sulking I see."

Bo glared at her.

"About what?" Dyson asked, confused.

"Nothing." Bo got up abruptly, leaving to two behind, and walked away.

"What was that about?" Dyson turned to Kenzi.

"Oh, you know Bo, she's overly dramatic sometimes. She'll be fine."

Bo sighed deeply as she entered the hallway. She needed to get away, to be alone.

That's when she saw her. Sitting alone, reading. Bo was crushed seeing how alone she looked. How sad she looked.

Bo planted her feet, fighting the desire to rush over there and pull her into her arms.

She watched her.

When Lauren finally raised her head, their eyes locked. Bo lost her breath; it was as if all the air had been pulled from her body. Momentarily Bo forgot her anger, looking at her now, she was just Lauren, the girl she loved. The anger, the hurt, the disappointment seemed to slip away, even if only briefly.

The seconds they stared at each other felt like hours to Bo.

After those fleeting seconds, students came rushing out of the cafeteria behind her, filling up the space between them. Quickly, Lauren was lost from her view.

Bo walked away, getting lost in the sea of other students.