Keeping with the alternating POVs. This one is Lauren. Enjoy!

Lauren stretched her arms above her head and heard her back give a slight pop in response. She glanced at the clock on her laptop – 5:14p. Moving her head from side to side to work out the kinks in her neck, she took a deep breath and set about shutting down the computer and packing up for the day.

It had been a busy day, but a productive one, and after arriving to begin work at 5 o'clock this morning, she was rewarding herself by actually leaving at a decent hour for once.

As she was gathering her things, her cell phone rang. Nadia's name flashed on the screen.

"Hey, Nadia," she said, holding the phone awkwardly between her face and her shoulder as she gathered her things. This was the downside to improved technology – it was far too hard to balance a phone this way.

"Hey, did I catch you at a bad time?"

"No, just packing up for the day, actually."

"Really?" came back Nadia's incredulous voice. "It's barely after 5."

Lauren laughed. "I know, I know. I have plans tonight, actually."

"Oh, yeah?"

"Yeah. I actually made friends," Lauren said with a laugh.

She could hear the smile in Nadia's voice. "That's great. I was worried about you when you left. I'm happy you're putting yourself out there."

"Yeah, it's weird. I guess after you graduate you figure that your friends are just set or something. I actually didn't know how to go about making new ones."

"How did you?"

"Vex."

Nadia laughed. "Of course, I should have guessed. How is Vex these days?"

"Same as ever. How his liver has survived may be the greatest mystery of modern science."

"We really should have him studied," Nadia agreed.

"So, what about you? What are you up to tonight?"

"I'm going out with some friends too, actually," Nadia said. "Some people I knew from undergrad are in town."

"John and Beth?"

"Yeah, and Carol, Stacey, and Frederick."

"Great, that should be fun. I know you don't get to see them as much as you'd like."

"Yeah, I'm really looking forward to it."

The conversation was comfortable, easy, relaxed, just like most conversations with Nadia, but as she headed out of her office door, Lauren found herself running out of things to say.

As if on cue, Nadia said, "well, I don't want to hold you up. Have a good time tonight. Maybe I can get out to see you in the next few weeks?"

"Sounds great. You have a good night, too. Give Beth my love," Lauren said, referencing the friend from Nadia's group that she knew best.

"I will." Nadia hesitated for a second. "Love you."

"Love you, too," Lauren said, reflexively, coolly, like a habit. The two women bid their goodbyes and hung up.

Lauren immediately went home and started getting ready so she could meet up with the group at 7:30. After getting a quick shower, she began surveying her closet, trying to decide what to wear. She was looking forward to a relaxing night out, she told herself. She was new to the group and was still trying to make sure that she made a good impression. But she largely knew that was sheer bullshit.

You want to look nice for Bo.

Okay, fine, so what if she did? She wasn't doing anything wrong. Bo was attractive, and Lauren was attracted to her. Trying to look nice in response was natural. It was part of human evolution.

Much like birds will be brightly colored to attract a mate. A MATE.

Alright, fine, who cared if Lauren wanted Bo to notice her a little? No one was getting hurt.

Nadia might not feel that way.

But Nadia was far, far away, so how hurt could she be, really? And it wasn't like Lauren was going out in a tube top and come-fuck-me heels. There was nothing wrong with wanting to look nice; it wasn't like it was all for Bo, anyway. It wasn't entirely a lie that she was still trying to make a good impression, and anyway, didn't most people want to look nice when they went out?

The first night you went out with Vex you didn't even bother to change after work.

But that was a spur of the moment thing, so it was completely different. And, anyway, Bo wasn't available – she had that boyfriend, Kyle, Kurt, Rainy, Stormcloud, whatever his name was.

Seriously? SERIOUSLY?! You're going to get petty and jealous over a woman you aren't even in the running for? Get a grip, Lewis.

But it wasn't petty jealously, was it? It was clear that Bo was too good for Rainer – and that wasn't just Lauren's opinion. Her friends clearly thought it, too. And she may have blurted it out that night that everyone came over, but the fact was she wasn't wrong – Bo could do better.

Better, huh? Maybe with a blond? A doctor?

Okay, fine, FINE. Lauren took a deep breath and took in the evidence. Fact: Lauren was attracted to Bo. Fact: Lauren was getting dressed up tonight largely (but not entirely) because Bo would be there.

Fact: Bo had a boyfriend. Fact: Lauren had a girlfriend.

Fact: You can still be friends with someone you're attracted to. Eventually the friendship could win out and you get over the initial attraction. Fact: Bo was a part of the group Lauren was seeking to be a part of, therefore being friends with Bo was the most logical way to continue to build strong friendships with the others.

Fact: Lauren wasn't getting dressed up for the others.

Shut up, Lauren told herself. She sighed and continued looking through her closet, running through the facts in her head again.

Conclusion: Lauren was fucked.

Lauren was drunk. There really wasn't another way to spin it.

After lingering around the house getting ready for a while longer, Lauren had finally left and arrived at the bar about five minutes after the scheduled meeting time. She was immediately greeted by Ciara and Dyson, arriving at the same time. Kenzi, Vex, and Tamsin were already inside, with drinks in hand. Lauren had glanced around furtively, but seen no sign of Bo.

An hour in, and they were all talking, laughing, sharing greasy food, and quickly progressing towards inebriation.

Lauren was seated beside Kenzi, who was further up the inebriation path than Lauren, likely due to the fact that Kenzi weighed maybe 80 pounds soaking wet.

"Where's Nate tonight?" Lauren asked.

"He's got a gig, he'll be here later," Kenzi said. She smiled. "I love him."

Lauren laughed lightly. "I bet that that isn't something you share too often with people you don't know well," Lauren said. "You don't seem like the gushing romantic type."

"He's so pretty."

Lauren laughed again. "You guys seem good together."

"We are! Yes! You're so smart," Kenzi said, leaning on Lauren. "I knew I was right."

"Right about what?"

"Bo."

Lauren's heart sped up slightly. "What about Bo?"

"Rainer is such a douche!" Kenzi said. "She should be with someone else. And we already like you. It would be way better."

Lauren's head was spinning as she tried to keep up, the alcohol slowing down her thinking. "Kenzi, I doubt Bo would be interested in dating a woman –"

"Yeah, yeah, yeah," Kenzi said, cutting her off. "Because they're emotional. Whatever. Bo doesn't know how to pick a good man. Or a good woman. But the women are better."

Wait – what?

"And you know what, I don't even care, you know? It's like she's all, whatever, and he's just, you know, but you! Let's get a shot," Kenzi slurred out, her attention quickly being diverted elsewhere. She pulled herself out of her seat, dragging Lauren to the bar with her.

Lauren's mind was reeling. Bo wasn't straight. Or, at least, not strictly straight. Lauren's heart was pounding in her ears.

Bo.

Shit.

Bo arrived a while later, at which time everyone had sailed passed buzzed.

"BOBO!" Kenzi shouted. "Come have a shot with me." Kenzi grabbed a chair and slung it into the space between her and Lauren, patting the seat loudly. At that moment, Lauren decided she was a huge fan of Kenzi.

Bo walked over and sat down. "Hello, Kenzi. How about we get you a water and something to eat?"

Kenzi put her hand on Bo's face. "You're so pretty. You're almost as pretty as Nate. Nate is pretty."

Bo smiled and looked over at Lauren. "Wow, she's trashed, huh?"

"I AM," Kenzi exclaimed before her attention was drawn away by something Tamsin was saying.

"With her body weight and the volume of alcohol she's had, most of it high proof, I would say that she is quite inebriated, yes. She'll be very dehydrated in the morning." Lauren was vaguely aware that her words were slurred.

Bo laughed, and Lauren's heart jumped again. "Doctor Lewis, are you drunk?"

"Indeed," Lauren said, warmed by Bo's smile.

Bo walked to the bar and ordered a drink for herself and a water for Kenzi. She returned to her seat, and after convincing Kenzi to drink it by telling her was a new cocktail the bartender had just invented, she turned her eyes back to Lauren, who was smiling at her.

"What?" Bo asked, taking a sip of her drink.

"You take care of people," Lauren said. "You're a protector."

Bo took a sip of her drink. "It's not that altruistic, really. I'll have to deal with her when she's hung over."

"It's more than that, though, isn't it?" Lauren was vaguely aware that she needed to shut up.

Bo laughed lightly. "Alright, I'm obviously way behind on the drinking."

"Yes, you are," Lauren said with a self-conscious laugh. "Sorry. I don't know where that came from."

"It's okay. You speak your mind. I respect that."

Lauren's heart fluttered. She really needed to hold it together. She took a sip of her drink. Smart. More alcohol. That should help, she thought sarcastically.

"So, what have I missed?" Bo asked, and Lauren was silently counting this as a win because in crowd of Bo's friends, Bo was still talking to her.

"Nate has a gig and Kenzi thinks he's pretty."

"I caught that."

"Vex wants Tamsin to take a pole dancing class with him."

Bo nodded. "Yeah, that seems about right."

"We're going out for my birthday in two weeks, darlings!" Vex shouted from the other end of the table.

"Ah, is it that time of year again?" Dyson asked with a laugh.

"I think I'm still hung over from last year," Ciara added.

"Why would we do that?" Lauren asked with a confused look.

Bo glanced at her. "We do it every year for his birthday. Why?"

"No, I mean, I get that, I just mean why would we do it in two weeks?"

"Because that's when my birthday is, love, you're drunk," Vex said, slightly forcefully, shooting Lauren a look.

A smile broke out across Lauren's face. "Holy shit, they don't know, do they?"

"Know what?" Tamsin asked.

"Lo –" Vex warned.

"I can't believe you're still doing that!" Lauren said, laughing.

"Leave it, darling, you're drunk!" Vex said again.

"Doing what again?" Bo asked Lauren.

Lauren took a sip of her drink, laughing. "His birthday is December 25. He tells everyone it's September 10 because he goes home every year for Christmas."

Slowly, everyone at the table turned their heads to Vex.

"Does he, now?" Dyson asked.

"He started it when we were kids. At first he did it because he wanted a birthday when school was in session. Then he kept doing it because he realized he could have two parties, one wherever he was living and one with his friends back home."

Kenzi looked at Vex. "You lying little –"

"Does he also tell you that his parents forget to call him every year, and then show you his phone as proof, to guilt you into buying him drinks?" Lauren asked, taking another drink.

"You son of a bitch," Tamsin said, looking at Vex.

"Alright, in my defense…I really like having two birthdays," Vex said.

"Does he also tell you about Dave, the man who broke his heart, and make you take him out every year in the Spring on the anniversary of the day they broke up?"

"What the hell, Dave isn't real? We took you to a strip club!" Bo exclaimed.

"It did make me feel better," Vex offered.

"How often does he tell you his father called and they got in a bad fight, and poor his heart out over drinks that you buy for him to make him feel better?"

"Who's up for another round? This one's on Vexy!" Vex asked, jumping up from the table.

Lauren laughed to herself, taking another drink, and everyone turned to her as Vex walked away.

"You have much knowledge," Kenzi said.

Lauren shrugged. "Different town, same Vex," she said.

Vex returned a few minutes later with the drinks, and everyone turned their attention back to him. Bo, instead, turned to Lauren.

"I like you like this," Bo said with a laugh.

Lauren smiled. "He's never had a puppy, either."

"VEX, WHAT THE HELL?!" Bo exclaimed. Lauren just laughed.

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