"I'm only asking this just because you happen to be the one person I know who is affected by me. But you have to answer me honestly" Lou spoke with a serious tone. This making Mandy more intimidated, yet when he listened to his words she began to feel a little annoyed and frustrated that Lou would bring guilt on himself again.

"Lou please..."

"Mandy..." Lou placed an arm on Mandy's leg. Usually to Mandy, she'd find this very unusual and uncomfortable. But when it was Lou? She felt something. "Please, for my sake," Lou tried to build up the rest of his words but he was still trying to find out how he would say it. Mandy would encourage Lou, but she was too terrified and enticed by interest.

"...Did I ever make you feel..." Lou couldn't finish his sentence, knowing that it would pain him to even admit such an idea. Mandy knew where he was going and her heart started to beat at rapid speed. She had told no one about her past or her insecurities except for Moxy and the gang - as well as Lou. But the whole truth?

The room fell silent for which felt like an hour, but to the rest of the world the silence lasted for two minutes.

"Yes... I have had those thoughts, Lou." Mandy admitted. Lou cringed and mentally cursed at himself. "When I heard those rumours about not being perfect or not being good enough, I only imagined that- I wasn't good enough... sometimes I even went to the recycling hole, I imagined if it was worth it? Would it be better? But something always drew me back to feeling hopeful that things may change... And it's a good thing too!" Mandy finished. She was on the verge of tears, so close to falling that if one move were made, she'd break. Lou saw through her like glass. "Mandy, don't think I can't see that you are on the verge of tears. You can cry." Lou reassured Mandy as he brought himself closer to her. "No it's okay... I'm not weak." Mandy convinced herself, Lou only shook his head.

"You are not weak... You're strong for keeping this in, but you're testing yourself too much. Don't think that I don't know that. It's okay Mandy." Lou spoke ever so softly, being careful not to screw anything up. Mandy gave in and hugged Lou tight, crying all of her anger and frustration out like there was no tomorrow.

Lou cringed as he realised that he was the cause of her suicidal thoughts. It was his fault for destroying her on the inside... but if he can learn to accept that the past is past? Than Mandy can move on from how Lou used to be as well. Lou can never and will never forget how he made her feel, and probably will take time to forgive himself too. But right now? He had to get Mandy to know that it was all over.

"Shh it's okay..." Lou said softly holding her tight, ensuring that it was all over. "I-I'm sorry-" "No. Mandy. Don't apologise, just let it all out." And that she did. It was like this for what it felt like and eternity... To outsiders, they might have thought that these two together in this position was crazy, but to them, it was surprisingly wonderful. The sun eventually set and had brought an orange small light around the room as the rays of sunshine slowly diminished. Her cries had stopped and the two of them just laying on the couch then and there.
There were birds that melodically harmonised in the view of the trees that stood at Mandy's backyard, It was cooler, and so was Lou's tea. He could drink it now, but this is definitely not an appropriate time. Besides, he would much rather be in this position than having to move and drink tea. Mandy unintentionally had hugged Lou tighter, this making Lou stiffen a little bit, but at the same time, smile.
"Who knew that we'd end up here?" Mandy said as she sighed. Her tears were still fresh, but her voice had gained sustainability. Lou chuckled a little at her remark. "Certainly not me." It was silent again between the two of them. "I don't even know what to say at this point". Lou looked down at Mandy with remorse. Making Mandy look back up at Lou, her eyes glowing bright - making her look beautiful to Lou. "You don't have to say anything Lou. Honest." She puts a hand on Lou's chest calming him down, Lou didn't know that she could tell how sad he was. But he remembered that she had excellent detective skills. "I learnt from you and Moxy that I don't need to worry about that stuff anymore... And the most important thing is that you learnt from you're mistakes and I learnt from mine." Mandy said with a small smile plastered on her face, giving Lou the mood to slightly laugh, "Yeah..."

The two of them gazed at each other, looking at one another with content. Eyes gazing from each other's eyes to lips. Secretly wanting them to connect. Lou was so enticed by her eyes once again, but this time -seeing as he was only a few inches from her face - he could really see the detail of beauty. Mandy's eyes had a combination of yellow, gold and hazel. As he gazed more intently, he saw compassion, lonesome, hope, confusion, but at the same time - he saw kindness and too good of a heart. Mandy managed to get lost in his eyes, seeing remorse, happiness, but the third emotion was hard to read, possibly love? Mandy didn't get too into his beautiful, blue sapphire eyes. The two of them both started to lean in closer, forgetting their surroundings. Just an inch away from each other's lips. Lou slowly snaking his arm around her waist while Mandy's arm slowly trails up Lou's chest more...

But before both of them could continue, there were three mediocre knocks at Mandy's door. Both of them being startled by it, they then let go of each other and sat up quickly. Both eyes wider than an owls. They were both flustered and started to stammer at each other. "I-I should probably get that-" "Yeah, um... Yeah you uh- go do that." She then smiled awkwardly and walked fast towards her front door. Lou silently cursing at himself and the interruption.

Mandy opened the door to reveal a green streaked doll. "Nolan? What is it?" Mandy said with a smile, though mentally annoyed for some reason that her moment had to be ruined. "Oh um... Well I thought you asked for those leftover chocolate chips. I owe them to you for helping me with my house decor." Mandy then realised what he was talking about and put a warm friendly smile on her face. "Ah! Come in." Mandy then gestured towards her hallway. Nolan had already been to her house once, and since he had a talent of having excellent memory, he knew the place off by heart. He smiled and made his way into the house with the bag of chocolate chips and reached the area of the kitchen next to the living room - where Lou was sitting. He looked very peaceful and not sadistic at all, having the rest of his cup of tea while it was at his preferred temperature. Nolan stopped, frightened at the sight. Lou realised that there was a presence in the room and looked to Nolan's direction. Him being fully surprised too.

"L-Lou..." "Nolan..." Both of them were silent. If you didn't remember what happened, Nolan really did betray Lou when he was tossed into the washing machine. And Nolan was the very forgiving type of person, seeing as he wasn't the one who wanted to stir up trouble. Just then, Mandy walked in, also stopping at her feat seeing the awkward and tense scene unfold in front of her. "Ohhhhhh..." She said in a whisper, realising that these two weren't exactly on good terms. Lou then remembered his purpose, his change of heart and stood up slowly, hoping that he wouldn't scare Nolan away. "Nolan... I want to sincerely apologise for everything I've done to you, and to everyone living in this place. I know that what I said and did back then was unforgettable and despicable. But know now that I am trying to change. And I need your help to do that. So do you forgive me?" Lou held out a hand after he walked by the lounging area and only three metres away from Nolan. The silence was reassuring because it sensed that he was really thinking about it, but it also felt doubtful.

Nolan then walked towards Lou with a stern face, but then weakly smiled "Forgiven." The both of them shook hands and Mandy sighed in relief, happy to see that Lou was making progress. "So does that mean we're like best buds now?!" Nolan asked excitedly, hoping to make another friend. Lou only smiled and nodded. "Sure". Nolan then looked back at Mandy, but then slowly back at Lou and held in a smile. He knew what was going on, but didn't think twice about leaving. "Well, Ill leave you two alone. Great to see you guys. Bye!" And with that Nolan left in a flash, right after leaving the chocolate chips on the kitchen counter. Mandy and Lou both then looked at one another and blushed around each other like crazy. But then Mandy was able to regain ground. "Lou. I'm really proud of your change of heart." Mandy admitted. Lou only smiled. He then smirked and took Mandy's hand delicately, kissing it - making her blush.

"All thanks to you, beautiful ~" He flirted, Mandy raised a brow.

"Don't push it."