Six | At Eighteen Years

Alright. So lots can happen at eighteen. This is why this one is going to be long, trust me.
= = = > < = = =

Lovely stared at herself through the mirror. Makeup was kept minimal, her hair was curled by the stylist, due to her mother's insistence, and a glinting necklace hung around her neck, depicting the Big Ben of London. The airport's bathroom was empty, perhaps because it was a private lounge. She turned around upon hearing the creak of the door.

"You have exactly ten minutes and eleven seconds to make a decision," Lyn stepped inside. She crossed her arms and tapped her foot. Lovely's gaze lingered on the watch on her best friend's wrist. They had exchanged accessories during senior prom - Lovely had the necklace and Lyn claimed the watch. Both golden, they each had two intertwined 'L's engraved on them.

Lovely smiled weakly, "Was it you who counted or Carlos?" Her arms were braced against the bathroom counter as she looked at Lyn sadly.

Lyn waved it off, "Never mind who counted, Lo. Are you backing out or coming back?"

Lovely closed her eyes. It was just yesterday that the news was dropped on her. The family was going back to America, back to their old home. As much as Lovely wanted to protest, her parents had the power, not her. Arguing with her mother, Amanda Johnson, would just put her in a worse situation. If she faced her parents, the shouts tempting to escape her lips died and the protests clogged her throat. In front of them, her parents, who were rarely there, she was a coward. She can take anyone down, but God forbid she fights with her parents.

"Besides, don't you miss your friends?" Her mother had said. She wanted to scream 'no'. She wanted to tell her that she wanted to stay as far away as possible from them. My friends are in England! Another thought missing the chance. No, she didn't want to go back. No, she didn't want to leave.

"Lo, sweetie," Lyn approached her and rubbed her arms comfortingly. While Lyn's mother had been a Mom to Lovely, Lyn was the sisterly figure she always needed in her life. "You're eighteen. You're legal here in London. You could leave them and live on your own - "

"But - "

"You could stay with us. With my parents and siblings. And every week we go to Carlos' for a sleepover. We could go to the same college and you can meet your true love . . . " As Lovely imagined what Lyn's words would be like, the dreams began to fade in her head. More than anything, she wanted to stay in London, but things were pulling her back. It was impossible.

"I don't think I can," Lovely said softly.

"Bloody hell!" Merlyn clutched her tightly. "Are you even the same girl who kicked Carlos on the crotch when he was drunk? The same girl who beat up her ex-girlfriend? If you can tell your parents that you're gay, you can definitely run away from those monsters."

Lovely bit her lip. If only she could. "That's exactly it - "

She was cut off when the door swung open again. Carlos strutted inside, who Lovely immediately tackled into a hug. "Easy there, Lo," he chuckled, rubbing her back. Lovely smiled against his shoulder. Carlos' hugs were like therapy to her.

"This is a girl's bathroom," Merlyn deadpanned as she stared blank-faced at the boy.

"Oh really?" Carlos snorted, "I thought this was 'I don't really care' land." This earned an eye-roll from Merlyn.

Lovely looked down, tears swimming in her eyes and a smile pulling at her face. She would miss these two, and their banters which she would be a referee in. She would miss hanging out with them in the coffee shop, and she would miss the junk food parties with them. Her hands shook as she fought away the tears. No, no crying. Not now, thought she.

"Lo, you were saying?" Merlyn turned back to her.

"Oh, right," she mumbled, looking at both of them. "There's a reason why my parents want to move back to America. And it's not because of their jobs. I overheard them one night. They talked about it - They always seemed like they were okay with it but I knew they never were. I know they don't like me being homosexual. In truth, they don't accept it. That's what I heard that night. They were talking about how they could change me back."

Lovely could feel the anger radiating off Merlyn. If someone was sensitive about her sexuality, it was not her self but her best friend. "They could turn you straight by bringing you to America?"

Lovely shook her head solemnly, "No. They wanted to bring me back to that place where I had a healthy relationship - they want me back with Gavin."

Silence reigned in the bathroom. Between the three of them, the name 'Gavin' was a forbidden word. He was Lovely's first love, the first to capture her heart and she had lost contact with him years ago. Since Lovely left for England, she has not seen that boy. She never wanted to see him again, anyway, but fate came banging at the door.

"How dare they," Lyn shook, and Carlos stared at her warily. "Even more reason why you shouldn't leave, Lo. Why would you let those . . . Those people control who you are?"

"That's the thing I'm afraid of," Lovely's tone hushed down to a whisper, "I - I'm confused, Lyn. Ever since that breakup with Melanie, I was so lost. I don't know what I am anymore." She gazed down at her shirt, playing with its hem. She tried to confront her parents, but every time she did, she would trip on her words and her hands would clutch anything she was holding tightly to ease her clenched knuckles.

"Plus," she continued, "It's impossible winning against my parents. If I escape from them, I swear they will turn the world upside down, inside out just to find me. Might as well go back . . . Maybe there I could find myself again."

By that time, her friends were staring at her sadly. She hated leaving them, but it was for the best. "Six minutes before your plane leaves - " Private plane, that is " - Are you really sure, Lo?"

Lovely shrugged, feeling hopeless, "I don't have a choice."

Merlyn stepped closer to her, "If it helps you find yourself, then okay. I'll let you go." She enveloped her in a hug, one of her tightest. Carlos also joined in, giving them all a trio hug. Lovely fought to kept in her tears. These were one of the best people on her life, and it pained her to let them go.

They lasted a few minutes or so hugging (Merlyn had even shed a tear), then they all stepped out the bathroom. Lovely took her suitcase, which contained a few things of hers, and made her way to the plane gate. She gave her friends one last goodbye before she turned, breathing deeply.

Here goes America.

= = = > < = = =

He raked his fingers through his hair, his knee jumping up and down nervously. Looking up, he saw three of his friends standing in front of him, each having a different expression. Eddie looked like he had something better to do, Eric Jay was wearing a grin that translated to 'trouble' and finally, Ravine was looking at him curiously. Julian Yzen was nowhere in sight - he was busy for a summer play their school was planning out. Gavin leaned back as he stared back at his friends.

It was him who was a 'wheeler' among their circle of friends. Eddie and Sofie had been dating for months now, Eric Jay and Darcy for almost a year now (after the former had crashed the latter's 'date'), Ravine and Marie - finally - had gotten together after the numerous petty quarrels and arguments. Of course, Julian had many choices to choose from. Gavin was alone - he swore not to date anyone and wait for Lovely.

Today he was getting her back.

"Did I miss some big news or something?" Ravine looked at each of the boys in confusion. Eddie had wandered to a dresser, fiddling with a plant leaf. Eric Jay had made himself comfortable beside Gavin.

Eric Jay faked a gasp, "Oh my! The great Ravine Rellemont has been outdated. Shocking!" This one gained a narrowed pair of eyes from Ravine.

"Because he's too busy lip-locking with Marie!" Eddie teased.

Ravine ignored the two and faced his friend, "What's up, Gav?"

Gavin sighed and stared down at his getup - slacks, a button up, and polished shoes. He would have gone for a tie, but he decided it was too formal. He had tamed his hair and was prepared with a bouquet of flowers. "She's back. She's coming back this afternoon. Lovely."

Ravine's eyebrows rose, "Lovely Johnson? Really? And you're going to welcome her back?" Hearing this, Eric Jay gave an excited whoop.

"Not to be a party pooper or anything," Eddie piped up, "How are you sure she's willing to take you back? What if she's seeing someone in England already?"

Gavin slumped, feeling deflated. Since her parents had called and announced their arrival in America, anxieties and doubts had been swimming in his mind. He still loved her, and it was a far plan to let her go. "That's why you're all here," he told the boys, "Should I go with it or not?"

"Of course you should!" Eric Jay was first to blurt out, "You both are perfect for each other! Like me and Darcy . . . If you were willing to wait years for her, then maybe she's waiting for you too."

"Shut up," Ravine scolded Eric Jay, then told Gavin, "Ed's right. If you haven't talked to her in years, how do you know she hasn't got a boyfriend already? How do you know you're not hoping for nothing?"

Gavin lowered his head. Rav was right; they weren't kids anymore. Lovely won't come running into his arms right away. She had a life in England - one she had just left. Who was to tell that she still liked him? He can't act as if she hadn't left at all.

He heard a slap and Eric Jay's firm voice, "Don't spread the negativity now." Then, came a whack in the head from Ravine himself. Eric Jay groaned in pain.

Gavin lifted his head and licked his lips. It was Eddie's vote now. He looked at him. "Okay, you can't assume right away," Eddie said slowly, "but you can't completely ignore her either. If you're going to talk to her, then don't rush her into things. Maybe build up your friendship again."

"What? So should I throw the flowers or - "

"No!" Eric Jay protested, "Those are pretty! You can keep them!"

Ravine shook his head, "I really don't think this is a good idea - "

"Shut your trap!" Eric Jay yelled and at the same time Eddie said, "Your girlfriend would disagree!"

In a flash, Eddie and Eric Jay (the two troublemakers) pulled Gavin - and the bouquet - out the room. Eric Jay pushed Ravine away, who was following them, then shut the door before locking it. "Eric Jay Newman! Let me out here right now!" Ravine slammed his fists in the door.

"Ravine Lennon-Rellemont," Eric Jay mocked, "No can do, sorry. We have to take a prince to his damsel!"

Gavin pictured Ravine glowering at the door. "Ed, I can't believe you're siding with him!"

"Genius, you can get yourself out!" Eddie snorted.

They took Gavin to Eddie's car, the sweetest ride they had (though Julian was beyond rich, his parents had only given him a beat up secondhand van). Before he knew it, Gavin was seated on the front seat, and Eddie was speedily driving towards the Johnson's old residence. Gavin pulled at his collar. This was going to be a roller-coaster.

They stopped in front of the aforementioned house, which now looked renovated and renewed. Gavin stepped out the car, clutching the flowers tightly. He ran a hand through his hair, making sure it was neat. Then, he checked his teeth on the car mirror.

Outside the house, boxes were piled up, as well as furniture. There was no sign of Lovely, so he would be venturing inside. "Good luck, amigo," Eddie said while Eric Jay whistled for cheer. Gavin breathed heavily.

When the car disappeared from sight, it was when he walked to the front door. He pushed the oak doors open and popped his head inside. "Mrs. Johnson?" He said to the woman standing in front of the front hall.

The woman beamed, "Gavin! That must be you! Come in!" Nervously, he let himself inside and gave Amanda Johnson a hug. "You've grown so handsome! And tall!" Her smile grew wider.

"It's nice to see you again, Amanda," he said, "Is . . . Is Lovely around?"

Her eyes lit up, "Oh! She's out for a while, but she'll be back soon. You can wait here and have some lemonade - you two can catch up."

As Mrs. Johnson bustled around with the rest of the movers, Gavin settled on the plastic-covered couch and drank some lemonade. It was quite cool for a summer day, but his palms were unusually sweaty. He set down the flowers beside him and waited.

How long has it been? One? Two years? In just those days, weeks, months, lots could have changed about her. What did she look like now? Was she still the shy angelic girl she was before? Or had she changed into something else? Thoughts overcame his mind as he thought about his Lovely.

Crystal had made her advances on him, but he held back. No one was getting him except for Lovely. That was for sure. Gavin Tyler Forque was for nobody except for Lovely.

"Mom?" A voice called out. Gavin's head snapped up. It must be her.

A girl emerged from the doors. Her hair was short, cut up to her shoulders and colored pitch black. She was quite pale, and wore dark clothes. Her face was sharp, cheekbones prominent. And he spotted a tattoo peeking out of her neckline.

For a brief second, Gavin frowned, but he immediately regained his smile. It was still the same Lovely, anyway - he could see it in her eyes. She was beautiful. More beautiful. The years served her well and molded her to a beautiful lady. Gavin stood up and held the flowers to his chest.

Lovely was looking around, but she seemed to freeze when her eyes locked with his. "Love," he muttered out her old nickname when he approached her. He offered the roses, but she stared at it, stunned.

He spotted a necklace - which looked absolutely expensive - dangling from her neck. He can't help but wonder if it had been from a lover of hers. His stomach clenched just by thinking about it.

"Gavin," she finally whispered and hesitantly took the flowers from him reluctantly, "Thanks."

He smiled at her, "So? How was England?"

She tore her attention away from the flowers and looked at him. "It's fine," shs snapped, as if he had done something wrong.

"What's wrong?" Gavin cringed, "Lovely, what happened to you?"

"I grew up," came her curt reply, "And I go by Lo now. L-O."

"I . . . I was just wondering," Gavin trailed off. So she really had changed. "Could we talk for a while? Catch up on a few things? Make it like the old days?"

"Old days?" She tilted her head, "What do you mean?"

"I want to get back with you," he said in one breath.

And it just slipped out.

Her lips pursed and she looked at him coldly. Gavin's heart raced. Was Eric Jay wrong? Or had it been something he said? Did she not want him anymore? His Adam's apple bobbed, as he stared at her pleadingly.

"I can't go out with you, Gavin," she said lowly.

"Why not?"

She shook her head, "When I was in England, I realized a few things. I was confused then, but a few people had helped me find out what I'm really supposed to be."

Gavin was lost. He opened his mouth to ask, but Lovely answered his mind.

"I'm gay."

He almost stumbled back, as if he had just been hit. She was lesbian? What about those other things they shared together? Did those mean nothing at all?

"Friends?" He croaked out weakly that word he dreaded to say. Something is better than nothing, right?

Her lip curled, but it wasn't a smile, "Not quite yet." She walked away from him, "Thanks again for the flowers."

Gavin watched her as she stepped away from him.

Now he had lost her even more.

= = = > < = = =

Eddie, as he drove, crossed his fingers for his friend.

They had just dropped off Gavin at Lovely's for the two lovers to be reunited. And not long after that, he dropped off Eric Jay at an empty lot which the latter had claimed to be his and Darcy's 'dating spot'. Eddie decided not to say anything or press on further.

He was tempted to go back to Gavin's to rescue Ravine, but he went against it - that boy could get himself out of there easily anyway. In the meantime, Eddie had much more important matters to take care of. Whistling to himself, he manuevered the convertible around the neighborhood and stopped in front of Sofie's house.

He smiled to himself as he fetched the wallet from a compartment and hopped out of the car.

He had and Sofie had been dating for a few months now, and it was absolute bliss for him. He would go around and take her on dates and she would always treat him with his favorite ice cream when he needed it. She was the best.

As for today's visit, it was because of her never-ending habit of losing and misplacing her wallet. She had this tendency and he always loved to give it back to her because she always gifted him with a kiss each time. It was a cute wallet - red with a small keychain on it.

He sent her a quick text saying that he was outside and leaned on the hood of the car. He tossed the little wallet on his hand.

Out of curiosity - just curiosity - he opened the wallet. As usual, there were cards, bills and a few coins. But Eddie squinted, seeing a little paper displayed on it. The paper was white and only had one letter scribbled on it:

G

G? Eddie frowned? Who, or what the hell, was G and why did Sofie have it in her wallet? His mind shifted to Gavin but he quickly dismissed the thought. They weren't like that.

But 'G' had to stand for something.

Carefully, he pulled out the piece of paper from its case. It was flat, with nothing else written on the back. Only G was on it. It irked his chest as he put it back on the wallet. He couldn't shake off the feeling that she was keeping something from him.

He looked up to see Sofie coming out of her house. He hastily closed the wallet and held it casually. Asking her about it would just be strange.

"Where did I leave it now?" She chuckled, approaching him and giving him a kiss on the cheek.

He grinned and put his arms around her, "In the car. From our last date."

"Well how forgetful of me," she said, her eyes gleaming.

She kissed him sweetly after he gave if back to her. He felt her sigh against his lips. He loved kissing him like that. "Sometimes I wonder if you do it on purpose," he said after they pulled away.

"No, I don't," she sighed, "I'd have probably lost it a long time ago if not for you." She rested her head on his chest as he held her.

"So what were you boys up to?" Sofie asked him.

"Lovely's back in town," he said, "Did you know that? Eric Jay and I . . . We had to lock Rav in Gavin's room and kidnap Gavin so that we could take him to her."

"I heard from Marie," she chuckled, "And that was heroic of you. Finally Gavin's not alone anymore."

"I know."

His mind drifted to the paper with the scribble of 'G'. He hated that it annoyed him so much. He searched his mind for something in her life to associate with 'G'. So far, no family relative of her was a 'G'. She mentioned having a few pets before, but he remembered none of them with a name starting with 'G'.

His breath caught in his throat. She did mention before, that she had a friend which turned to a crush - Jacob. It was before she had him. For a nickname, she called him Gerry for some reason. Eddie's heart clenched. Did the letter meant . . . Him?

"Ed? Eddie?" Sofie kissed him on the lips.

He snapped back to reality, "Oh hey."

She smiled and tugged his hand, "Come on. Let's go inside."

He let himself be swept away by his beautiful girlfriend. The mysterious piece of paper would have to wait.

= = = > < = = =

Determined to finally give her mother a piece of her mind, Lovely trudged towards the upper halls, clenched fists and teeth. Gavin wouldn't have known she was coming back unless her mother told him. And she knew it was all part of her parents' plan. To what? Turn her straight? Change her? Anger surged in Lovely's chest. Seeing him again both stung and overwhelmed her, reminding her what she had left behind . . . And what she had come back to.

She couldn't shake off the image of Gavin's pained expression.

Enough. She shook her head, clearing it. She had already tossed the bouquet into a waterless vase, paying the least attention to the roses. She continued down the hall and called out, "Mom?"

Amanda Johnson turned towards her, a smile gracing her face - a fake smile, Lovely thought. "Lovely!" At that moment, Lovely couldn't agree more with Merlyn when she said that her mother's voice was high and squeaky. "Have you talked to Gavin? Caught up with him?"

"No, I haven't," Lovely said firmly, "and I don't plan to."

All of a sudden, her mother's face was stripped of its façade to reveal a scowling woman. "Sweetie," she said with all hostility, "We returned you here to - "

"Make me straight?" Lovely crossed her arms, "Because you never approved that I was lesbian? Yeah, I know all about it." She suddenly felt all the lost courage as she stood rigidly. If Merlyn could see her, she would be proud. Lovely pursed her lips.

Her mother's jaw slackened, "You're supposed to be the good angel daughter you are. But then that girl came along and poisoned your mind. We were just trying to save you - "

"Save me?" Lovely repeated angrily as she chuckled with bitterness, "Listen, mother, have you ever saved me when I was alone at home. You weren't there when I needed you, hell you weren't there in my own graduation! What kind of mother are you . . . . And you think saving me means taking away my happiness."

"I know what's best for you. You have to listen to us."

"You're crazy," Lovely swallowed, "You're not my mother - you're just the woman who gave birth to me!" And with that, she ran to her room and locked the door.

She wanted to cry her heart out, but she wasn't done yet. She can't sit around in her room and let her parents plague her with scoldings and sermons later on. She had to escape from them, and calm herself down. Lovely tugged at her hair and put on a gray hoodie. It was always tradition for Lyn and her - whenever her parents were home in London (which was rarely), she would sneak out of the house to spend the night with Lyn.

And she did so. Fortunately, her room was not too high from the ground. Lovely hopped from the window sill and landed on the grass. She clenched her teeth, ignoring the slight aches. Then, she let herself out the backyard and into the neighborhood.

That was when she let the tears fall. She pushed her fist into her mouth as she cried and walked. Then, she fished her phone from her pocket and called Merlyn.

"Lyn," she breathed out when her best friend picked up. She walked along the sidewalk - screw anyone who recognized her.

"Oh my gosh, dear, not even a day in America and you're already crying!" Merlyn exclaimed on the other line. Lovely could hear Carlos blabbing in the background - she must be on loudspeaker. "What's the matter?"

"Mom . . . " she replied tearfully, "She . . . I . . . She called Gavin and we saw each other and. . . . " She collapsed into sobs. Lovely breathed heavily - why couldn't I have listened to them?

"Slow down, hey," Lyn soothed her, "Tell me what happened." Collecting herself, Lovely recounted what happened with Gavin and her confrontation with her mother. She leaned against some building and wiped her cheeks clean of tears.

She heard a low whistle from Carlos when she finished. "That's pretty effed up," he commented.

A smile spread on Lovely's face despite her situation. "I know," she said softly.

"Listen up here, sweetie," Merlyn then began her calming therapy, "You don't want to listen to your parents, or follow them. But what do you think? How do you feel about Gavin now? You said so yourself; you went back to rediscover yourself. Have you, or have you begun?"

Lovely's face fell, "I - I don't know . . . "

As Lyn burst out into cheers and comforting messages, with Carlos backing her up, Lovely's attention was snagged by a car swerving uncontrollably on the road. She stood on the sidewalk, watching it, and remembering that one time she had been hit - it led her to Lyn and the Beckers. Her heart pumped into a faster beat as she froze and gazed at the scene unfolding in front of her. The car that was going crazy had turned into the opposite lane and collided with another. Fumes of smoke and fire erupted from the two. Glass shattered everywhere.

Lovely covered her mouth, tears prickling her eyes again. She hung up the phone and bit her lip hard. Two people had crawled out of the car that was hit.

Julian.

= = = > < = = =

She was now sat in the hospital.

Lovely lowered her head and played with her fingers. Ambulances and police cars were called, and she watched as four of her old friends were rushed to help. She headed to the hospital then, waiting by a hallway outside the emergency. She couldn't forget how her heart clenched at the sight of Julian Yzen injured and bloodied. He had grown up, but she was certain she recognized those bangs from somewhere. He was in the car with Daniella, and the other car held Asther and Nadine, who apparently had lost control of their car.

Lovely's shoulders shook with sobs. Could this day get any crazier?

"Where's Julian?" A shriek sounded from the end of the hall. Marie, Lovely guessed. She allowed herself to look up. They were all rushing towards the ER, all of her friends - old friends. Seemed like they were all still together and going strong after years. She was the piece who detached from them.

Gavin rushed towards her and sat next to her. He took her face in his hands and wiped away her tears. Lovely, too overwhelmed to push him away, leaned into his touch and rested her head on his chest. "Are you okay? Are you hurt?" Gavin took her hand in his.

She shook her head, "No. . . But Julian . . . I saw." She took a big breath of air.

"He's going to be okay," he whispered soothingly.

"What happened?" Darcy asked around frantically, "One minute Jay and I were on a date and then the next we heard Julian's been in an accident." All heads turned towards Lovely. Some seemed worried, other surprised to see her.

"I saw it," said Lovely, "There was this car that was out of control and then it went the other way . . . Julian's car was hit. Daniella was with him." She heard a gasp from Darcy - Daniella was her friend, too after all.

"And who the hell was in the other car?" Ravine asked angrily as the others took their seats. Lovely eyed Sofie and Eddie's intertwined hands - so people were dating now.

"Nadine and Asther," Lovely answered.

A thick silence swept over them. It was so ironic - Julian was hit by the two girls he liked so much, but couldn't decide from. They all sat wordlessly, waiting for the doctors or any of their friends to arrive. It was a grave moment, because something as serious as this has not happened before. Lovely tried to ignore Gavin's hand holding hers as they sat side by side. Their friend's life was at stake.

Gavin took her chin and faced her to him, "We need to talk about something."

She recoiled from his touch but he pulled her back, "Lovely," he said firmly. She had no choice but to look up at his eyes, "Your parents told me you sneaked out of the house. I was worried about you. What happened?"

"I had a fight with my mom," she mumbled, breaking eye contact. For some reason, she felt comfortable with Gavin, even more than she could with Lyn. Maybe - maybe - if she explained it to him, he would understand her.

"Why?" Gavin's eyebrows knitted together, "Why did you do that? Your parents are just trying to help out, you know?"

She tensed up and looked at him coldly. "You don't know what happened, Gavin. You don't know how they were to me. So keep your mouth shut because you don't get to have a say in it."

"Lovely - "

She stood up and brushed him off, "It's Lo." She pulled herself away from him and leaned against the wall, seeking comfort from her best friend. Her phone vibrated in her pocket and she pulled it out hastily. Lovely ran a hand through her face. She didn't want anything more in that moment than to cuddle with her sheets and eat ice cream while watching a movie.

"You stupid bi - !" Merlyn yelled from the other line, "I was worried when you hung up then I heard sounds . . . Idiot, what happened? Were you hit again? Because if you were, I will fly there to you and I swear I will - "

Lovely's fingers found the hem of her hoodie, "I'm fine, Lyn. It was . . . . My friend. He got hit."

"Oh."

She told her everything - the accident with Julian, and what Gavin told her. She always had this sense that she could tell Merlyn Becker anything and everything about her life, and she would definitely understand. "I'll call you back, Lyn, I promise," she said and hung up despite her best friend's protests. Nadine and Asther were out of the ER.

At first, the two were silent, avoiding anyone's gaze. They both had casts and bandages on, but besides those they can still walk and no serious damage was found. Lovely stared as a tearful Darcy hugged Nadine. Then, Asther and Nadine were off, mumbling to themselves. Lovely briefly wondered if Julian had decided between them.

Then came Daniella. She was crying, too, as she embraced Darcy. She had bandages on, no cast and compared to the others, she looked fine. "Julian," she sniffed.

"Where is he?" Ravine asked breathlessly.

"They had to put him in a room . . . " said Daniella, "The doctors are still busy with him . . . "

"Why? Why are his injuries worse than yours?" Marie asked, crossing her arms.

"He protected me," Daniella bit her lip, "Before the crash, he shielded me."

While the others listened to the doctors and Julian's parents, Lovely gazed at Daniella, who took a seat, still crying. Lovely looked back once at the ER - inside there, Julian might be clutching his lifeline - then she looked at Daniella. Slowly, she sat next to the girl and rubbed her back comfortingly. Daniella looked up at her, "Lovely? You're back."

She offered her a smile, "That's the least of your worries right now. You can talk to me about it - I was there anyway. Saw the whole thing myself."

"It's my fault," Daniella said, "We were arguing when we got to his car. I was mad at him because he broke my best friend's heart. But I'm the reason why he got the most from the accident."

"You think it is, but I think Julian wouldn't like you blaming yourself. The accident wasn't anyone's fault, Daniella. There are just times when fate decides to test us."

"But what if he . . . ?"

"He's going to be okay," Lovely assured her. Though I don't know for sure. "Julian's strong. He'll make it through this. You know him, don't you? If he can survive emotional and mental pain, he can survive this."

"Thank you," Daniella said.

Lovely looked around to make eye contact with Gavin. He gave her a small smile but she looked away.

That would have to wait.

= = = > < = = =

He stared out the window and bumped his forehead against the cool glass. It was drizzling outside, a rare occasion for summer. Maybe it matched the situation's mood. Like Zeus was playing some kind of joke in him. It has been one week since Julian's accident and the boy has not woken up yet. He rubbed his face. He and Marie had been visiting him whenever they can but he can't help noticing that it was Daniella who was frequenting Julian's room. Ravine guessed that she still blamed herself and was doing anything she can to make up for it. Somehow - just a bit - Ravine had a funny feeling about that.

Now he sat in his bed, going over the paper. Due to Julian's absence, the leading man role of the summer play had to be replaced. The next candidate was him, unfortunately. It was supposed to be Julian - he always did these things right. Ravine's eyes skimmed the script once again. He can't pull it off, even when a few are insisting that he was perfect.

Meanwhile, Darcy was pacing in front of him, her eyes glued to her script. She abruptly stopped, as if realizing something, then turned to Ravine. "Have you told Marie?"

He avoided her eyes, still staring out the window, "Told her what?"

"About the play!"

A lot had happened those days. Julian's accident, the play, and of course, Lovely's return. Ravine figured that if he didn't tell Marie, she wouldn't press on about it. It was nothing, really, like a school project. It didn't mean he had a relationship with her that he told her everything.

His tongue swiped at his bottom lip, "No."

When he glanced at Darcy, he saw that she was staring at him in disbelief, "Really? She's your girlfriend! This should matter between the two of you." She stared at him with wide eyes.

"It's just a play, Darce. Should it really matter?" Ravine shrugged.

"Of course!"

"Have you told Eric Jay?"

She faltered for a moment then narrowed her eyes at him. "Yes. Hell, believe me he didn't want to agree at first with Julian - because he was still single and I quote, 'insanely charming'." She rolled her eyes. "But he agreed with it soon, then there came the accident then suddenly you were the replacement. Jay said yes. He trusts you that much."

Ravine stayed silent.

"And I know Marie trusts you, too. So you should tell her," Darcy said softly.

"Fine," Ravine sighed. Girls. "I'll tell her after practice." He stood up and read over his lines again, making sure he memorized it verbatim. He paced along with Darcy.

She beamed, "Now that's what I like to hear." She released a big breath, shall we start?"

Ravine nodded. He had read the full script and story overnight; the plot did not center around romance, but mystery and suspense (one of the reasons why Julian had been interested in it). Their part, though, was for the additional drama and spice of it. That's why they had to practice with all the time they had - there were some tricky parts that involved kissing. They had to work on that first so they can be comfortable with each other.

His character was hard to portray, mainly because he was complicated, but Ravine tried to decipher the whole thing. He put on a straight face, a calm and collected mask and stood rigidly. He put himself on character like he wasn't him anymore.

Judging by Darcy's expression, she was in character as well. Ravine opened his mouth and approached her in slow strides, beginning. "You want me to give you something baffling? An enigma? You see her yourself everyday. You . . . You're an enigma."

Darcy backed away a bit, as her character was reserved and innocent. "I'm quite simple, monsieur. Unlike you - you are hard to figure out."

Ravine tilted his head, gazing into her eyes. Damn, she was good, even maintaining the French accent. "If . . . Say, you had not been widowed. Say you had not met your man. Would you have given me a chance?"

Her eyes widened as she cowered away, but he kept on stepping towards her. Ravine caught her hands and snaked an arm around her waist, trapping her close to him. "Stop - stop it," she stuttered. All of a sudden, she giggled and burst into laughter.

"Hey!" Darcy pulled away from him, "Your hand was tickling me!"

Ravine chuckled, "No, it wasn't."

"Don't break act!" She pointed a finger accusingly at him. She sighed, blew away a piece of hair from her face, "Again?"

Ravine held out his arms, "Come here."

They went back to the old position - his arm around her waist and the other at her hips, and her hand on his chest. "We should not do this," she whispered, looking into his eyes.

"Oh?" Ravine murmured, rubbing Darcy's hip, "Are you denying that you don't succumb to my touch? That you don't secretly want me? Tell me - I want you to tell me - do you wish for me? Have you dreamt of my kisses?"

Her breaths shook. "What if I have?"

He hummed, tracing her jawline, "I need straight answers, darling. Yes, or no?"

"Yes."

"Yes, what?"

"Please kiss me."

And he did. Ravine lowered her head and brushed his lips with hers. There was no fire there - no gut feeling that sent him flying whenever he kissed Marie. Kissing Darcy was simple, just a platonic kiss which meant nothing. His lips pressed on hers, Darcy relaxing and melting against his. His eyes fluttered shut.

When they pulled away, Darcy broke into a smile. Then, both their heads turned, upon hearing silent sobs. Marie stood there, on the doorway, her fingers tightly clutching the knob. She stared at them, crying, then turned back and ran.

"Marie, wait!" Darcy pulled herself off Ravine and went after the girl. She disappeared out of the room as Ravine stood alone, massaging the bridge of his nose. He breathed out and closed his eyes. Yet another problem to add to his ever-growing list.

It was then he heard a slap outside the room.

= = = > < = = =
Told you so.

So what will happen now?