Chapter 667: 16:00

Sunday, March 12th, Afternoon

(River Court)

After Ellie left, the three young women produced a basketball from Avril's Car trunk and tossed the ball around the half-court. None of them would mention it, but this could be the last time they would play ball together in a while. But that's why they did it, to keep a hold of their past.

The ball was passed, and Baylee's phone rang. Baylee sighed, held up a hand, and reached for her phone. Baylee looked at the phone and smiled.

"What's up, Parker?" Baylee asked and started playing with her hair with her free hand. "It's just a normal party," Baylee nodded, "Well, I'm borrowing something from Brett. Yes, one of her Brooke Davis designs. Of course, I'll look good in it. Of course, I can't wait to see you tonight."

"God, they're so cute," Avril said to Brett.

"They are," Brett said.

"Was I ever this cute?" Avril asked.

"No," Brett said.

"Thanks," Avril said.

"Was I that cute?" Brett said and nodded to Baylee.

Avril nodded, "Sadly, yes, you were," she said.

"I thought so," Brett said.

"Ah! Young love," Avril said.

"Av, you're the same age as Bay and me," Brett said.

"I was talking about the length of the relationship, B," Avril said.

Brett nodded, "Yeah, so I guess, well, I'm just an old married lady," she said.

"Nah! You're just a pissed-off woman," Avril said.

"Gee, thanks," Brett said.

"No BS here," Avril said.

Baylee ended her call and looked at her two friends. "Sorry, Parker wanted to know the dress code," Baylee said.

"Yeah," Brett said.

"It's a party, Bay," Avril said.

"Well, you know Parker," Baylee said, "Let's keep playing."

Brett smiled and passed the ball to Baylee.

(Beaulieu Manor)

After the Raven Hill visit, they returned to Beaulieu Manor and brought LK. Upon their return to Beaulieu, they settled in Sawyer's room. Keni bounced onto the bed and laid on her back. LK sat in an armchair at one side of the bedroom.

Sawyer looked her cousin LK over. LK was staring off into the distance, taking nothing in or everything in. That is the way of LK; seeming engaged while not being engaged simultaneously.

"We need to find you something to wear, LK," Sawyer said.

"I am wearing something, Sassy," LK said.

"Something for the party, LK," Sawyer said.

"I left my clothes at home," LK said.

"You can wear something of mine," Sawyer said, which is true LK is about the same size as Sawyer, maybe a few inches shorter. Keni was tiny in comparison to both Sawyer and LK.

"But it's not mine," LK said.

"You've borrowed my clothes before, LK," Sawyer said.

"I have," LK said, "But not underwear."

"You don't need to change your underwear," Sawyer said.

"Should I go with no underwear?" LK asked.

"No!" Sawyer and Keni said at the same time.

"Okay," LK said.

"Keni, could you get a few things that LK might like?" Sawyer asked.

"Sure," Keni said, rolled off Sawyer's bed, and headed toward Sawyer's walk-in closet.

Sawyer looked at LK. "The party is at Nanna Deb's beach house," she said.

LK nodded, "I like the beach house," she said.

"So, that means if you get overwhelmed, you have a place to go," Sawyer said.

"Okay, I know where," LK said.

Sawyer nodded, "Good, now let's find you something to wear," she said as Keni came out with several dresses over her arm.

(SpeakEasy Brewing)

Something told her not to do this, but she did. Ellie looked at the cart before her and saw all the bottles piling up. This wasn't her third stop for a few reasons; mainly, she didn't want people to think she was an alcoholic.

There were a few bottles, but she was here mainly to get one thing. Ellie pushed the cart to the counter. There was a young man behind the counter, and Ellie nodded. She gave a sly, vulpine smile; this would be too easy.

"How can I help you?" the counter boy asked.

"Yeah, I'd like a keg," Ellie said.

"What would you like a keg of?" the counter boy asked.

"Whatever you have in stock," Ellie said.

"Okay," the counter boy said and started ringing it up.

After a few minutes, another young man rolled a flat cart out with the keg. Ellie nodded and paid up for the bottles, keg, and tap. Ellie looked at the young man with the keg on the cart.

"Could you help me with the keg, please?" Ellie asked and batted her eyelashes.

"Of course," the young man said.

Ellie leads the young man to her loaner car. After opening the trunk, the young man lifted the keg and put it in the car. Ellie packed the keg with blankets to keep it from moving and then turned to the young man and flipped him a tip.

Before the young man left, Ellie noted that he had looked her over. Before the young man left, Ellie noted he checked out her breasts. Ellie shook her head, unpacked her cart, and put the items with her previous purchases. One more stop before she had to meet up with Brett and company. Ellie started the car and headed out.

(Fire & Ice Cafe)

After lunch with her friends, Ashlyn stayed and slowly sipped her coffee. The cafe slowly emptied as Ashlyn sat and observed. Finally, Eilish took a seat across from her.

"I don't mind you hanging out, just make sure you buy more than coffee, or Miss Cady will kill the both of us," Eilish said.

"Eilish Sheridan, it's been how long?" Ashlyn asked.

"As a student to guidance counselor, some time, but we've seen each other plenty of times since," Eilish said, "Mostly here."

"My babysitter is also named Eilish," Ashlyn said.

"There are several of us out there," Eilish said.

"Yeah," Ashlyn said.

"So, what's on your mind?" Eilish asked.

"How do you know something is on my mind?" Ashlyn asked.

"There's something on your face," Eilish said, "Besides, I practically grew up behind the counter here, and I've seen what a person in deep panicked thought looks like more times than I care to count."

Ashlyn nodded, "There is," she said.

"Well, I'm a waitress in a small cafe; we're kind of like a priest in a confessional," Eilish said.

"There is a high school party tonight. A basketball party and my daughter Brett is not only going, but she's also throwing it," Ashlyn said.

"So? This town has seen many high school parties," Eilish said.

"I just don't want Brett to ruin her life, especially with her getting into Norte Dame," Ashlyn said.

"Why so worried?" Eilish asked.

"It was at a high school party I lost my virginity to Brett's dad," Ashlyn said.

"Yeah?" Eilish asked, "That's all?"

"Yeah, that's all, except I got Brett and was only fifteen," Ashlyn said, sipping her coffee. Eilish nodded silently.