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Flashback 1 - Childhood

Day - Beck House - Kitchen

The Fishers, Jalalis, Smythes and Conklins, and Boaz, were all gathered for Belly's birthday, all of them happy, and starting with Mickey Mouse pancakes that Laurel set in front of Young Belly.

Young Belly was wearing a birthday tiara.

The kids were cheering. "Cake, cake, cake, cake, cake!"

Susannah, Adilah, Khalid, Helaena, Reagan and Laurel smiled, laughing.

Belly: (voice over) "Every birthday I've ever had has been here, in this house. It's always the same. Mom makes me Mickey Mouse pancakes. Everyone gives me presents."

Everyone was singing. "Happy birthday... Dear Belly."

Belly: (voice over) "It's the one day the boys have to include me in everything, while AJ always tries to, even when she's sick. It's my favorite day of the year."

Everyone was still smiling and having fun for Belly's birthday as she blew out her candles on her pancakes, making everyone cheer.

♾️

Now

Day One

Morning - Beck House - Hallway

Conrad couldn't get the image of AJ crying in pain as she tried to breathe out of his head, remembering how pale she had been, her broken breaths shaking her to the core. It reminded him of all the asthma attacks she had as a child, but those had begun to fade as she grew older.

Yet this attack was far worse than any of them had ever seen, and none of them knew what to expect now.

Finally, AJ was able to return home, and the kids were talking in the hallway.

"How's AJ?" Jeremiah asked.

"Better but moody," Percy answered. "We gave her a lot of meds at the hospital to open her airways, and I think we need to give her some space today. Think you can do that?"

"Yeah, yeah," Steven answered.

"Absolutely," Jeremiah agreed.

Belly nodded. "Of course."

Conrad nodded tensely. "Whatever she needs."

"The parents are waiting for us downstairs for your birthday, Belly," Steven told her.

Belly gave a smile, nodding. "Let's go."

As the other kids walked downstairs, Conrad hesitated, looking toward AJ's room in concern, frowning, turning to the stairs.

Only to stop when he heard the door behind him open.

(Song:) Little Did I Know - Julia Michaels

AJ slowly stepped out of her room.

Conrad looked over his shoulder toward AJ, looking relieved to see her upright, speaking softly. "Hey, AJ."

AJ was clearly exhausted, her eyes half-lidded, like she was ready to take a nap right then and there on the floor, but Conrad was relieved because her skin was back to its usual color to show that she was much healthier than that attack. "Hey." She looked down. "I'm sorry for scaring everybody."

Lyrics: "The summer before you / I thought love was Shakespearean / More or less a painful experience / Only ever real if you're delirious."

Conrad shook his head. "Don't apologize. That wasn't your fault." AJ sighed, tilting her head back. "You should've told us though. Percy and Reagan at least, about the attack months ago."

AJ swallowed, looking away. "It was just one attack. And we thought it was okay. It didn't happen since then, and it wasn't this bad."

Conrad closed his eyes, sighing, nodding. "I get it. Last night was just..."

"Terrifying," AJ finished. "I know. I'm..." Conrad gave her a look as he tilted his head, and AJ stopped herself from apologizing again. "Right."

They both chuckled lightly.

Lyrics: "The summer before you / I let it take up very little oxygen / Nowhere I'd rest my head, more like an ottoman / Never had someone like you to treat me like Solomon."

Conrad bit his lip. "Reagan already got your medicine for you this morning and brought it back. Steroids or something for breathing." AJ nodded, her breath still whistle-y. "And in true Laurel fashion, she opened the packages and laid the inhalers and everything on the counter next to the coffee maker."

"Like she did when we were kids, knowing I had a tendency to lose them," AJ remembered.

Lyrics: "But little did I know / You would be the one I confide in / Learn how to try with."

Conrad nodded. "And knowing how bad it could get, added with..."

Conrad didn't finish, as he didn't need to, knowing that AJ hated talking about leukemia. Especially when she didn't have to worry about it now.

Lyrics: "Little did I know / It was you before I ever decided."

AJ shrugged. "Yeah, well, luckily, I had some of the best doctors looking out for me. Dad, Mom, Helaena. Say what you want about her, but she's one of the best." Conrad raised his eyebrows in acknowledgement. "And now Percy, but I didn't..."

"Want him to worry about you," Conrad finished. "I know. We all know that, AJ."

Lyrics: "Oh-oh-oh, little did I know / Oh-oh-oh, little did I know."

AJ sighed. "Everybody was already treating me like glass, and I... I didn't think that this was another thing to be worried about. So, I thought it was better to forget about it, thinking it would never happen again."

Conrad understood this, but they both knew that AJ still should've told, or at the very least, Helaena should have so the other night didn't happen, and as both her guardian and doctor, it was Helaena's responsibility to.

Lyrics: "You can't spell "drama" with consonants / And I admit, I usually was the cause of it / Now here we are, you got me changing all of it."

Conrad sighed. "They also got you a new nebulizer." AJ sighed. "But there's another box that I don't recognize. There's not... anything else going on, is there?"

AJ met Conrad's worried, concerned gaze. "The monster's not back, if that's what you're asking. At least, that's what the doctors are thinking." Conrad sighed in relief, nodding. "It's just really easy for me to get sick. You know that."

Conrad bit his lip. "As long as it's not 'the monster', then we're good, yeah?"

AJ gave him a slight smile. "Yeah."

Lyrics: "Slow me down, I want you too / It's different when it comes to you / Hey, yeah."

Conrad hesitated for a second, frowning. "I saw Clay." AJ froze, looking up. "At the party after Never Ending Summer."

AJ looked away awkwardly, barely remembering what happened that night, getting drunk and sleeping with Clay, right before it led to a panic attack that caused her asthma attack, swallowing. "Yeah?"

Lyrics: "But little did I know / You would be the one I confide in / Learn how to try with."

Conrad hummed his answer.  "And he didn't give a fuck about seeing you like that."

AJ scoffed. "I'm not surprised."

Conrad paused for a second. "I guess I was just wondering... if he was the cause of that night. After everything last year."

Lyrics: "Little did I know / It was you before I ever decided."

AJ softened a bit, knowing that Conrad was just worried and looking out for her, but she was still tense and reserved, licking her lips. "I might have been with him... before." Conrad frowned. "It was just him being his usual intense self, and... I don't really remember much after that."

AJ: (voice over) "And that's the truth. I really don't remember much, being so drunk that night. I can only remember flashes, but enough to know what happened between me and Clay that night. And enough to know I'm not ready to deal with that on my own yet, let alone tell Conrad or anyone else."

Lyrics: "Yeah, little did I know / You would be the one that would save me / Learn how to change me. / Little did I know."

Conrad looked at AJ curiously, knowing she was holding something back, but not wanting to push because it really wasn't his business, but he was protective and angry that whatever happened between them caused AJ's state that night, which he was sure of even though AJ didn't fully admit to that. "If he did something to hurt you, I won't hesitate to kick his ass."

AJ knew that would be Conrad's reaction, managing a wheezy chuckle. "I appreciate the sentiment, but I can fight better than you and can take care of myself." Conrad tilted his head. "And a fight between you and Clay is only gonna end up with you getting hurt. You forget that we met in martial arts class since his parents were military before they died, and he went to foster care. And me because of my parents being ex-Special Forces."

Lyrics: "Oh-ooh, just look at you, can you blame me? / Oh-oh-oh, little did I know / Oh-oh-oh, little did I know."

Conrad knew she was right but was unbothered as he shook his head. "I don't care. Someone's gotta put that dick in his place."

AJ tilted her head at him. "Yeah, well, I don't want a fight to go down because I don't want you to get hurt. Besides, there's no reason for a fight."

Conrad frowned, not sure if he bought that, and even AJ didn't know if there was truth behind her words or not, given that she barely remembered that night... or the fact that Clay had taken advantage of her and wouldn't let the drunken girl think before he pressured her into having sex, as it was all blurry in her mind. 

Lyrics: "Oh-oh-oh, little did I know that it could feel like this / Oh-oh-oh, little, every time I got you on my lips."

AJ took a breath. "I'm all good. Promise."

AJ didn't know if that was true or not either, biting her lip.

Conrad knew that he had to take her word for it, sighing. He could tell that AJ seemed to believe the words she was saying, because she didn't remember enough to make her believe otherwise, letting it go for now. "All right. Everybody's downstairs for Belly's birthday."

AJ nodded. "Let's go."

Conrad nodded barely.

Lyrics: "The summer before you."

(Song Ends)

♾️

Kitchen

Laurel, Susannah, Reagan, Helaena and Boaz were greeting Belly with her birthday breakfast.

Reagan hugged his niece. "Belly." Belly laughed as she returned the embrace. "Happy birthday."

"Thanks, Uncle Reagan," Belly told him.

"There's the birthday girl," Susannah teased. "Looking like a vision in floral."

Laurel smiled. "Happy birthday, Belly."

"Thanks, Mom," Belly told her.

"Happy birthday," Helaena and Boaz agreed.

Belly gave them both a hug. "Thanks for being here, guys."

"Of course," Boaz agreed. "Every year."

Belly smiled.

AJ and Conrad walked downstairs into the kitchen to join the rest of the extended family, seeing the birthday celebrating begin.

Jeremiah walked up to Belly and scooped her up in his arms, as they held each other tightly, both laughing lightly.

"Happy sweet 16, Bells," Jeremiah told her, placing her down.

"Belly Button's getting old, finally," Steven quipped. "Happy birthday."

Percy embraced with his cousin. "Happy birthday, Belly Button."

Belly laughed. "See, at least Percy gives me a hug, Steven. Step it up."

Steven smirked, giving Belly a hug.

Reagan noticed AJ and Conrad. "Hey, you two."

The others looked over as well.

"Hey," Conrad replied.

"Morning, everyone," AJ greeted.

Reagan and Helaena both gave AJ a hug.

"You all right?" Helaena asked.

AJ nodded, sniffling. "Yeah, fine."

"Remember the appointments set up for this afternoon," Helaena told her.

AJ sighed. "Yes, I know, Hel. Reagan, is it okay if I come to work today?"

"Of course it is," Reagan answered. "Just take it easy, all right?"

AJ nodded.

Boaz gave AJ a hug. "You okay?"

AJ gave him a slight, forced smile. "All good." She walked toward Belly to embrace her. "Happy birthday, Belly."

Belly returned the embrace, apprehensive and awkward given the things she said about AJ just before her attack, and her tension with Conrad now, but grateful that AJ was still focused on her birthday. "Thank you."

Conrad was not happy because he knew AJ had no idea about what Belly did and said, knowing that was why Belly was acting weird and cagey while AJ didn't know, but he didn't want to ruin Belly's birthday or mess things up between the girls, sighing.

Laurel turned to Belly. "Your Mickey Mouse pancakes are ready."

"Actually, I'm not really, uh, hungry," Belly said awkwardly.

"Oh," Laurel said.

Susannah shrugged. "Shall we open gifts?"

Jeremiah held up his gift for Belly, in a small green box. "Oh, you're gonna love mine."

Belly grinned, until her eyes fell on Conrad. She knew he was being more distant and closed off than usual because of what happened on the beach, and while part of her was hurt, part of her also knew that she kind of deserved it.

♾️

Living Room

Everyone moved the party to the living room so that Belly could start opening presents.

Belly opened one from Helaena, which were gold hoop earrings. "Wow, Helaena. These are amazing. Thank you."

Helaena smiled slightly. "You were my niece for most of your life, Belly. And Steven my nephew. I do want to make both of you happy too."

Belly smiled, putting the hoop earrings on. "Thanks."

Reagan handed over his gift. "Here you are."

Belly grinned, taking the gift, opening it, frowning when she realized what it was, though it was shaped like B for Belly, curious and amused. "A key chain."

"Well, you're getting to that age," Reagan pointed out. "Look what's on it though."

On the keychain, Belly noticed several charms, seeing a star charm, an ocean wave charm, a mermaid charm, a tassel charm, and last but not least, a volleyball charm.

Belly laughed. "Oh, my God. These charms are awesome." She looked a closer look at the B and realized what the white pressed objects were inside. "Are these real flowers inside?"

"Yep," Reagan answered.

Belly grinned. "Thank you, Uncle Reagan. Definitely using this every day."

Reagan smiled.

Next, Boaz handed his gift to Belly. "Happy birthday, Belly."

Belly took the gift with a smile, opening it, revealing a moon phase necklace, in gold. "Oh, my God. I used to love these. I-I still do. Thanks, Boaz. You remembered."

Boaz looked over all the kids. "I remember everything you kids used to love."

The kids all smiled slightly.

Belly put the necklace on, as the pendant dangled down to her stomach. "This is awesome."

Laurel handed her gift to Belly. "Open mine next."

Belly opened one from Laurel, which was a book. "Um..."

"It's a first edition," Laurel explained. "I got it from a rare book dealer."

"Thanks, Mom," Belly told her.

"Turn it to the bookmarked page," Laurel told her. Belly did so. Laurel looked at Susannah. "It's your favorite poem."

"Oh, yeah," Belly remembered, laughing. "I remember Susannah teaching us to recite this. 'For whatever we lose...'"

Jeremiah joined Belly in for the poem. "Like a you or a me."

AJ, Conrad, Steven and Percy joined Belly and Jeremiah for the poem. "It's always ourselves we find in the sea.'"

The adults smiled at this.

This time, Belly didn't say it to her mother halfheartedly. She looked at Laurel genuinely. "Thank you. I love it."

Laurel smiled. "You're welcome."

Susannah handed over a white-wrapped gift. "Okay, open mine now, Belly."

Belly tore the wrapping off, opening the box inside, impressed when she saw a pearl necklace inside. "Oh, wow. They're gorgeous. Thank you, Susannah."

"My mom gave me these pearls for my sweet 16," Susannah explained, taking the necklace, putting it on Belly, as she pulled her hair aside to let her do so. "Radiant, isn't she?"

Helaena smiled. "They look great on you, sweetheart."

Jeremiah handed over his gift. "Oh, I'm next. Here."

Belly laughed. "Thank you."

Belly opened the box to see a small gold bracelet with a key charm on it.

Jeremiah laid back. "It's a good-luck charm to help you pass your driving test."

Belly excitedly put the bracelet on around her wrist, shaking it out as she watched it dangle with her other bracelets, grinning from ear to ear as she looked at Jeremiah. "Perfect. Thank you."

"Think fast, Belly," Steven told her, tossing his gift.

Belly barely caught it in time. "What?"

"Steven," Laurel chided.

Percy smirked slightly.

Reagan chuckled. "Seriously, Steven?"

Steven shrugged.

Belly opened her gift, taking out the Princeton sweater. "Wow, Steven, I can't believe you actually spent money on me."

"Relax," Steven told her. "I just didn't want you stealing mine next year when I get in."

Percy laughed. "Nice."

"I didn't know you were still considering Princeton, Steven," Boaz told him.

"You know, I-I think I'm gonna apply for some scholarships, and Dad thinks I can get some financial aid," Steven explained. "I-I don't know. I'll see if I get in."

Laurel frowned. "Okay. Um..."

Percy cut her off, knowing that it would lead to an awkward conversation about John, handing his gift over to Belly. "Open mine, Bells."

Belly took the present, opening it. She took out a beautiful, expensive zodiac ring with a birthstone meant just for her birthday. "Oh, my God. Percy, this is beautiful."

Percy smiled. "Yeah, I was hoping you'd like it."

Belly put the ring on. "I love it. Thank you."

Conrad, still mad about their fight on the beach, still didn't want to ruin the birthday, so he took out his gift and tossed it to Belly.

Belly was very well aware that he was still mad at her, but found it a good sign that he did still get her a gift, smiling a bit, opening it.

Inside was a stuffed giraffe, which Belly pulled out.

"You said that day on the boardwalk, you'd rather a giraffe," Conrad recalled.

AJ remembered this. "Right. When we got Tweety Bird and Junior Mint."

Belly laughed awkwardly, as she had only said that because she was jealous and hurt and insecure, but at the same time, she was touched, because Conrad remembered and he gave her that as a birthday present, while also surprised that AJ also remembered. "Right. I can't believe you guys actually remembered that. Thank you."

AJ was gazing off for a moment, a slight whispery-sound to her breathing.

Susannah noticed, concerned, but intent on keeping up the lighthearted, happy scene. "AJ?" AJ looked up. "Do you want to give Belly your present?"

"Yeah, yeah," AJ answered. "Sorry."

"I didn't know if you'd have time to get me a present," Belly admitted. "After the other night."

"I made you your present before even leaving LA," AJ admitted.

The others smiled at that, not surprised with how thoughtful AJ was.

"Wait, made?" Belly repeated.

With a slight smile, AJ stood, walking over to grab a bigger box from the table, walking it over.

"Uh-oh," Percy said sarcastically.

"Bigger the better, yeah?" Jeremiah asked teasingly.

The kids laughed lightly.

"Not sure about that, but this is more from the heart than the wallet, so..." AJ trailed off, putting the box down in front of Belly, taking her seat again.

Belly opened the box excitedly.

And they all looked on in surprise awe.

It was a collage photo frame intricately made with seashells.

In the collage, it was the pictures from each summer before this one, of the kids on the pier, from when they were babies, to last summer.

In each of the photos, the kids were in the same order and poses. From left to right, Jeremiah, Belly, Conrad, AJ and Steven/Percy. Conrad always had one arm around AJ, and an arm around Belly and messing with her hair teasingly, while Percy was on Steven's back like a piggy back ride, and Jeremiah was facing the others, making a silly pose that almost made them break and laugh while taking pictures. Some, AJ was sick, and others where she was healthy, but each one, they were all having a lot of fun.

All the kids were so nostalgic and happy upon seeing the collage.

Especially Belly with how much this place meant to her, and these pictures meant to her. "Oh, my God." She looked at the seashells on the photo frame all around it, realizing. "Wait, you make this yourself?"

AJ gave a soft smile, bittersweet. "Yeah. With the seashells that we always gathered when we went out onto the beach. When it was just you and me because Percy was working on his own thing to get so far, and the other boys were doing whatever. Whenever Conrad wasn't taking us along to make sure we weren't left out."

Jeremiah and Steven shrugged, slightly guilty for leaving out the girls a lot as kids.

Conrad nodded barely, looking down.

Belly felt guilty for the other night even more now.

Belly: (voice over) "I have to keep reminding myself that it wasn't just me that was left out as a kid. It was AJ, too. Especially since she was sick and in and out of hospitals most of the time. But when leukemia finally went into remission for good, AJ went straight into party girl mode. Finally letting loose and having fun and going with the boys because she never got the chance to do much before. It's not like it was always like that. And she's right. Percy did get to have fun with us when Reagan made sure that he could have a normal childhood, but the rest of the time, he was working away to get far in life like Helaena wanted, so he wasn't as involved with the other boys. Conrad was the only one that really involved us in whatever the boys did. Which is why I like him so much. But that wasn't to say there weren't good moments for Jeremiah and Steven, too."

Belly nodded slightly, extremely touched and awed by the gift. "Thank you, AJ."

AJ nodded, her breathing hitching slightly as she had a little issue taking a breath.

"You okay?" Steven asked.

AJ nodded. "No, yeah. Sorry."

Belly pointed at the collage. "Right, well, when everyone goes home, this is going up in my room so I can look at it year round." AJ chuckled lightly. "But, uh, your birthday's right around the corner, so maybe it'll be just as good with blending it with the July 4th party as usual, since your birthday's the day after."

AJ shook her head. "Actually, I still don't wanna do that this year, given everything. Is that okay?"

"Of course," Reagan agreed.

Helaena nodded. "Absolutely."

"What about presents?" Jeremiah asked teasingly. "Maybe you don't want a party, but I think it's safe to say that most of us already got your presents, so you're kinda out of luck on avoiding that part."

The others chuckled in agreement.

"I really don't mind if you didn't get me anything, but thank you anyway," AJ told them. "Just a lot this year."

They all nodded sadly, as they all felt the big missing gap already without Adilah and Khalid here, as they always were for Belly's birthday, and of course, AJ's, as they were the only two with summer birthdays.

Susannah looked at AJ. "You're going to have an amazing, amazing birthday, and you're gonna get better like nothing ever happened. This will be a summer you'll never forget. All of you."

AJ gave her a slight smile in return.

AJ: (voice over) "Susannah always spoke in absolutes like that, and when she did, it sounded like a proclamation, like it would come true because she said so."

AJ turned to her adoptive cousin. "But Belly? Taylor still coming for your birthday?"

"Yeah," Belly answered.

AJ nodded slightly.

(Song:) You Let Me Down - Alessia Cara

Boaz stood. "Well, since the party's over until tonight's dinner party, I got to head to work. Conrad, do you still want to start with the boat today?"

Conrad was relieved for the chance to get away for a little while, as this entire thing was pretty overwhelming after the other night. "Yeah, yes. Thank you, Boaz." He stood. "Happy birthday, Belly."

"See you guys later," Percy told them.

"Good luck," Laurel told them.

"And thank you for giving him the job, Boaz," Susannah told him.

Boaz and Conrad nodded, walking out of the house.

AJ watched them go for a moment, noticing that something was off with Conrad.

Jeremiah turned to Belly. "Hey. Why don't we take my car and practice driving before we have to pick up Taylor from the bus station?"

Belly smiled. "Sure."

♾️

On the Road - Jeremiah's Car

Belly was driving.

Jeremiah was in the passenger seat. "Okay, slow and steady. You're doing great. Just keep going straight, okay?"

Belly nodded. "Okay."

"You excited to see Taylor?" Jeremiah asked.

Belly didn't sound convincing. "Yeah, uh, of course. So excited."

Jeremiah picked up on that, chuckling. "You sure?"

Belly sighed. "Look, she's my best friend in the world, but, um, I mean, you know how Taylor is. She's like a hurricane."

Jeremiah nodded in agreement. "Oh, yeah, yeah. Hurricane Taylor."

They both laughed.

"And I guess I always feel like the supporting character around her," Belly admitted. "Or around AJ, even, but especially when I'm around them both at the same time. which, normally, I don't mind."

"But it's your birthday, and you're the main character, Belly, not them," Jeremiah told her.

Belly smiled. "Yeah. Thanks, Jere." She skidded on the road. "Whoops."

Jeremiah chuckled, clutching the dashboard. "Bells? We're gonna need a part two to this driving lesson, okay?"

Belly smiled sheepishly, nodding. "And part three and part four."

They laughed as they continued to drive.

(Song Ends)

♾️

Street

(Song:) Broken Strings - James Morrison & Nelly Furtado

AJ was about to head to work for Mako, walking out to the street.

A driver, in a much more discrete car than the limo from 1.01, was waiting for her.

AJ scoffed, shaking her head, walking up to the driver. "Let me guess. Helaena because of my attack the other night? Doesn't want me walking or biking anywhere?"

The driver nodded. "Yes, Miss Amina."

AJ looked away. "Great."

Clay walked closer. "Hold that thought."

AJ froze but tried not to show a reaction, looking at the driver. "Can you..."

The driver nodded, walking away to get into the driver's seat, away from AJ and Clay.

AJ: (voice over) "Clay has a way of crowding me. Making me feel so small and at his mercy. The kindness in those eyes of his was never genuine. He always has a look on his face like he's in on some joke I'll just never get, and to make it worse, he makes me feel like I'm the punchline."

Lyrics: (James Morrison) "But you broke me, now I can't feel anything."

"Clay, what are you doing here?" AJ asked.

Clay let out a chuckle, out of exasperation more than amusement. "I'm wondering the same thing. Even though we've already fucked..." AJ looked away, not wanting to think about that at all. "You must have rejected me about... three times by now."

"I was in the hospital," AJ reminded him.

Lyrics: (James Morrison) "When "I love you" rings so untrue / I can't even convince myself / When I'm speaking, it's the voice of someone else."

Clay leaned against the car behind him. "And that caused you to say no? I guess I just want to know why."

His expression was polite, but his eyes told a different story.

AJ forced herself to take a deep breath, crossing her arms over her chest as she briefly glanced away. She could feel his unwavering gaze, both studying her just for the hell of it and because he wanted to know what she was thinking. "You know why."

Lyrics: (Nelly Furtado) "Oh, what are we doing? / We are turning into dust / Playing house in the ruins of us."

Clay's jaw tensed some, face taut, and he nodded with a glance toward his feet. "I'm not the kind of guy I was before, AJ." He looked up with a grin, like the thought was laughable to him. "I just... wanted to talk about before. I know I didn't treat you right."

"You treated me like shit," AJ told him. "You have any idea what I went through because of you?"

"Because of me or the things you let me do?" Clay replied. "There's a lot that went down."

AJ glared him down for such a low blow but continued on. "Especially when my parents died? And you had the nerve to tell me that my changing was my fault. That I wasn't the fun girlfriend anymore that would do anything you wanted her to do when we were looped up from partying. I'm not that girl anymore, and I never will be."

Lyrics: (Nelly Furtado, James Morrison) "Running back through the fire / When there's nothing left to save / It's like chasing the very last train / When it's too late, too late."

Clay sighed, lowering his head. "I know. I see that. That you changed. I have too. I shouldn't have said that."

"No, you shouldn't have," AJ agreed. "But if you really did change, you would apologize for that, and for hurting me consistently."

Clay couldn't refrain from making a remark to that. "The times that you didn't let me, you mean?"

AJ had to ignore that again, ashamed of what happened before. "I haven't heard one goddamn apology from you this entire time. So no, you're not sorry. And you're not changed."

Lyrics: (Nelly Furtado, James Morrison) "Oh, it tears me up / I tried to hold on, but it hurts too much / I tried to forgive, but it's not enough / To make it all okay."

Clay walked closer. "I have changed. And I'm really sorry, AJ. I don't see the point in pretending like I don't notice you when we're back in the same town. That I don't still care about you. I like you... and I'd like to take you out."

AJ: (voice over) "Truthfully, I can't tell how genuine Clay was. I never could. He can lie so well. And I would buy his lies each and every time back then. But not now."

Lyrics: (Nelly Furtado, James Morrison) "You can't play on broken strings / You can't feel anything / That your heart don't want to feel / I can't tell you something that ain't real."

AJ walked toward the driver's car. "I don't want to. I just want you to leave me alone." She opened her car door, getting in, closing the door just before Clay got up to the car. As AJ looked out the window, and her gaze met his, Clay's eyes didn't look so warm, now, seeming darker, and he wanted to say more. AJ shook her head. "Go home, Clay." She looked up to the driver. "Please, go. Mako, thank you."

The driver drove the car away, leaving Clay behind.

Lyrics: (Nelly Furtado, James Morrison) "Oh, the truth hurts and lies worse / How can I give anymore / When I love you a little less than before?"

(Song Ends)

♾️

Mako Marine Aquarium

Percy walked into the more base-like area of Mako, which was called the Tank, passing by the couches as he went down the stairs to go into the office areas, which was several connected cubicle offices.

On the main table, there was a bowl of apples on a table, with a note that said "Help yourself to one".

Percy walked past it without even looking at the apples, to go into his cubicle office.

Reagan was already here as he walked out of his lab/office with a plate of food, going across the way to Percy's office, knocking on the door. "Hey."

"Hey," Percy replied.

"I made you a snack," Reagan told him, placing it on Percy desk. "Your favorite."

Percy could barely even look at the food. "I don't like that anymore."

"How was your day so far?" Reagan asked. Percy finally looked at the food, staring. His ears were ringing, and he was really dizzy. "Percy."

Percy snapped out of it, looking at Reagan. "What?"

"How was your day so far?" Reagan repeated.

Percy nodded. "Right, yeah. It was fine. Can I get to work now, please?"

Reagan stepped closer, looking concerned. "Are you gonna eat first?"

Percy gave him a side eye glance. "I'll eat it later. Don't worry."

Reagan crossed his arms, seeing the signs that Percy wasn't eating, having to put his foot down. "Come on, Percy. Just take a bite. Please." Percy picked up a piece, hesitantly taking a bite. "Thank you."

Reagan walked away to go start work.

When Reagan was gone, Percy took out a baggie from his pocket and spit the bite he took into it, throwing it away into the trash. He looked like he was freaking out, not knowing what to do.

♾️

Boaz's Boat

Boaz was showing Conrad to his boat in the marina.

Conrad was impressed. "This is your boat? Nice going, Boaz."

Boaz chuckled. "Yeah, the issue is taking care of it while I'm constantly on the job."

Conrad nodded in agreement. "Right, yeah. Taking care of this beauty won't be a problem for me."

Conrad climbed onto the boat.

Boaz chuckled, climbing up. "I didn't think it would be." Conrad was distant and quiet as usual, but more so than usual lately, after what happened the other night. Boaz looked at him knowingly. "AJ's gonna be fine, Conrad." Conrad looked up at him, surprised, but then again, not. "Reagan, Helaena and Percy said that it doesn't have anything to do with her cancer when she was a kid."

"Then what is it?" Conrad asked.

Boaz didn't know the answer, sighing. "Maybe this'll help you get away from all of that for a while. Focus on yourself for once." Conrad shrugged slightly as he looked down. Boaz looked at him curiously. "Did she tell you or the parents the truth? About what she's been up to with looking for answers?"

"Yeah, before her attack," Conrad answered. "After that, before she left the hospital, she explained about the car chase and the guys that you arrested, but that they're innocent and their car was stolen."

"Yep," Boaz agreed.

"No other leads since then?" Conrad asked.

"Nope," Boaz answered. "The car was stolen with the kid's iPad and everything in it. Been trying to track it, but Rami's a paranoid recluse, so he made it pretty hard for anyone to track his family's belongings."

Conrad looked as if this gave him an idea. "Well, AJ's pretty good at hacking. Because of Adilah and Khalid's history in Special Forces and all that. They taught her some."

"I know they did, but I didn't want to bother her much more after the other night," Boaz agreed.

Conrad nodded in understanding. "Yeah."

Boaz tilted his head. "Look, I can't keep an eye on her all the time, but... can you look out for her? So she doesn't go off and do something that could get her hurt? Especially when she's sick right now."

"Yeah," Conrad answered instantly. "Yeah, of course."

Boaz nodded. "All right. Have fun for your first day out here. If you ever wanna use the boat and go out there, let me know."

Conrad couldn't help but smile. "Thanks, Boaz."

♾️

Beach

A dolphin laid weakly on the beach, caught within a crab trap, having washed up onto the beach without being able to get free from the rope tangled around its frame.

Cam noticed this, running closer. "Holy shit." He ran closer, pulling out his phone to call Mako. "Hello. Mr. Smythe? I'm at Neeman's Cove off the A90 and it's in the water. It looks like a dolphin. There's a dolphin on the beach at the cove trapped in a crab trap."

Reagan's voice was on the other line. "I'll be there as soon as I can with my team, Cam."

Relieved as they hung up, Cam edged closer to the dolphin, careful so he didn't scare it or hurt it, slowly petting the dolphin on the head, looking at her sadly, as she was in tears.

Cam moved to the trap, trying to get it off the dolphin's tale, but it was stuck pretty good. He took out a little foldable tool kit, flipping out a knife piece so that he could start cutting the trap away piece by piece.

The dolphin trilled.

"No, it's okay," Cam told her. "It's okay. I just have to get this off of you."

Cam got the trap broken and pulled it off of the dolphin, tossing it away. Then he got the rope out from the dolphin's mouth carefully, seeing she was bleeding from the mouth and from the tail.

To comfort the crying dolphin, Cam whistled a tune, and the dolphin repeated the tune in her trill. Cam did it again as he smoothed a hand over her frame, and the dolphin repeated the tune again.

Soon enough, Mako Marine truck pulled up on the beach, and a group of people got out from the truck, including Reagan, Percy and AJ.

Reagan pointed over to Cam and the dolphin. "Okay, guys, right over there." Percy ran ahead of them. "Percy, be careful."

Percy stopped when he realized Cam was the one that called in about the dolphin and that he cut her free, looking impressed. "Cam."

"Hey, Percy," Cam told him.

"You cut it free?" Percy asked.

Cam moved out of the way so the group could gather around the injured dolphin.

"Take it easy, Percy," AJ told him. "Cam, can I get you to move over there?"

Cam nodded, moving to where AJ pointed so he would be out of the way.

AJ, Percy and Reagan along with the others gathered around the dolphin.

"Careful, now," Reagan said. "Keep it sternal. Be careful of the fin, AJ."

AJ nodded. "I know."

"Let's get something to cut these ropes," Reagan said.

"She's a female," Percy said. "Oh, she's really shaking. It's okay. Shh, shh."

Percy gently laid a blanket over the dolpin as he soothed her as much as he could.

Reagan looked up at Cam. "Hey, how long has she been here?"

Cam shook his head worriedly. "I don't know."

The dolphin was trilling again.

AJ couldn't help a small smile at the sound, thinking of her tye-dye Tweety Bird as she said this. "She sounds like Tweety Bird."

"Yeah, she does sound like Tweety Bird, doesn't she?" Reagan asked, waving to AJ. "Bring the stretcher." AJ ran to get the stretcher, bringing it back over. It took team work, but they got the dolphin up just enough to put the stretcher underneath the dolphin. "Okay, you guys can hop off now." Everyone got off the stretcher and lifted up the ends on either side of the dolphin. "And on three, we'll lift, all right? One, two, three."

Everyone lifted the stretcher, carrying the dolphin to the truck.

AJ was not doing the lifting because of her asthma taking such a toll, and her job was mostly surveying and checking on the dolphin while the others were carrying her. "Her eyes are clenched." She was carrying a bag and a clipboard, turning to Cam. "Nice job with the knife."

Cam nodded.

AJ walked away toward the truck, as the group was carrying the dolphin into the truck up the ramp.

"My side, drop your poles just a little bit," Percy said.

"All right, my side, lift," Reagan said. They all did as told. Cam watched in absolute concern. "AJ, survey the area and question the locals about how long the dolphin's been here and meet us back at Mako."

AJ nodded in agreement. "Absolutely."

"Do you think you can handle the walk?" Reagan asked.

"It's just a block," AJ reminded him. "I'll be fine."

(Song:) I Don't Wanna Live Forever - Taylor Swift, Zayn

Note: Meant to be from the toxic standpoint from Clay, and how AJ can't seem to stay away from him no matter how hard she tries.

After the Mako truck left to take the dolphin to the aquarium hospital, AJ was doing her job and surveying and asking the locals about how long she had been there.

That was when, once again, Clay found her.

AJ was about to walk to Mako.

Clay walked closer. "Need a ride?"  AJ shook her head. Clay tilted his head. "You sure about that?"

Lyrics: (Zayn) "Been sitting eyes wide open / Behind these four walls, hoping you'd call."

Something in his tone gave AJ pause, and she narrowed her eyes at Clay, pushing past him. "I'm positive. What the hell are you doing here anyway?"

"What, you think I'm following you?" Clay asked mockingly.

AJ ignored him, walking on.

Lyrics: (Zayn) "It's just a cruel existence / Like there's no point hoping at all."

Clay quickly moved to block AJ's path; hands shoved in his pockets as he stood before her. "You don't have your little driver because you drove here in the truck with the others. You're not walking all the way to Mako after the other night."

"It's just a block, and I'd rather that than accept a ride from you," AJ replied.

Lyrics: (Zayn) "Baby, baby, I feel crazy / Up all night, all night and every day."

Clay smirked in that way that always made her want to slap him, tilting his head. "You already got a ride from me. Not for the first time, either."

AJ didn't hesitate to slap Clay clear across the face. Clay reached up, adjusting his jaw, and the way his eyes snapped to AJ had her involuntarily taking a step back.

Lyrics: (Zayn) "Give me something / Oh, but you say nothing."

They both stared each other down, AJ nervous and angry, and Clay... AJ didn't know how to place the look in his eyes, but she knew that she didn't like it.

Lyrics: (Zayn) "What is happening to me?"

In the blink of an eye, Clay seemed to relax, rolling his neck before his hands found his pockets again. "You'd really rather walk to Mako instead of letting me take you? Risk an asthma attack that can send you back to the hospital? A block or not, the other night happened when you didn't walk a block."

AJ looked away with a deep frown, knowing that he was had a point and noting how insane that sounded, sighing, nodding.

Clay walked AJ to his car, painfully close to her the entire way. He caged her in when he reached around her to open the door for her, and she held her tongue as she brushed against him when she pulled herself in.

Lyrics: (Zayn) "I don't wanna live forever / 'Cause I know I'll be living in vain / And I don't wanna fit wherever / I just wanna keep calling your name / Until you come back home / Whoa, whoa..."

♾️

On the Road

Clay was driving AJ to Mako.

"Can we just forget about the other night?" AJ asked. "It was a mistake."

"From what I remember, you enjoyed yourself quite a bit over a 'mistake'," Clay told her.

Lyrics: (Taylor) "I'm sitting eyes wide open / And I got one thing stuck in my mind."

AJ rolled her eyes. "Damn it, Clay. I was drunk and upset, and that combo doesn't usually lead to the best of choices. And led me to fucking going to the hospital." Clay didn't respond. "I know you love being an asshole, but please, just forget about it."

Lyrics: (Taylor) "Wondering if I dodged a bullet / Or just lost the love of my life, oh."

Relief filled AJ when Clay pulled into the parking lot of Mako, and she reached for the door when he turned the car off.

Clay didn't unlock it, so AJ did that herself, but he locked it back immediately.

Lyrics: (Taylor) "Baby, baby, I feel crazy / Up all night, all night and every day."

AJ turned to glare at Clay, prepared to ask him what the hell he was playing at, but she hadn't expected him to be so close, right in her face.

Lyrics: (Taylor) "I gave you something, but you gave me nothing / What is happening to me?"

Clay gazed into AJ's eyes, his own unreadable as he simply stared at her. Her breathing was heavy at his slow perusal, his gaze lingering on her shorts before settling on her face again.

Lyrics: (Taylor) "I've been looking sad in all the nicest places."

Lyrics: (Zayn) "Give me something, oh, but you say nothing."

AJ leaned back a bit as Clay leaned in, reaching around her to unlock and open her door. His nose was almost touching hers, and he didn't break eye contact once.

Lyrics: (Taylor) "Now I'm in a cab, I tell 'em where your place is."

Lyrics: (Zayn, Taylor) "What is happening to me?"

"Here you go," Clay slowly said, and AJ swallowed. "You be safe."

The usually comforting words didn't sound so comforting coming from his lips, and without another glance, AJ exited his car, making her way up to the aquarium without looking back.

Lyrics: (Zayn) "I don't wanna live forever / 'Cause I know I'll be living in vain."

Lyrics: (Zayn & (Taylor)) "And I don't wanna fit (I don't wanna fit, babe) / Wherever (Wherever)."

Lyrics: (Zayn) "I just wanna keep calling your name / Until you come back home."

(Song Ends)

♾️

Restaurant

Steven and Shayla were sitting in the expensive restaurant.

Steven nodded to the waiter in appreciation. "Thank you. Thank you."

The waiter walked away.

Shayla turned her attention to Steven. "Okay, so I know it's a little bit extra to go all the way to New York just for dress fittings, but this designer, Olivia Lim, I'm trying to work with, she's amazing. She just graduated from Central Saint Martins in London last summer, and she's just been blowing up."

Steven nodded awkwardly. "Yeah. Yeah, no, I-I think I've actually heard about her."

Shayla smiled. "And, oh, my gosh, her studio in Chinatown is so cool. She hands you Pocky and champagne in a can the minute you walk in."

Steven smiled, actually impressed by that. "Whoa. Getting customers buzzed on-on sugar and booze, that's the move."

Steven laughed.

Shayla laughed along. "Yeah. That's what I'm saying." She showed Steven her phone. "And if you look at her Instagram, she has some menswear options that might go really nicely with what I'm planning on wearing. Here."

Steven looked overwhelmed, nervous, insecure. "Oh. Yeah. I mean, yeah. Yeah, no, I mean, those look, those look great."

Shayla noticed his reaction, but mistook what it meant. "We, like, totally don't have to coordinate outfits if you don't want to. It's fine."

Steven quickly shook his head. "No, no, no, no, no, no. I-I want to. Geez, I'm sorry. No, I really, really want to. I mean, honestly, you're, like, the best-dressed girl in Cousins."

Shayla looked around the restaurant to prove her point. "It's, um... not that hard."

They both laughed.

Steven hesitated. "Look, um... I just really want to look good next to you."

Shayla realized what his insecurity was about now, taking his hand. "You will. You do."

Steven smiled.

♾️

Mako Marine Aquarium

Cam walked into the hospital portion of Mako, taking in the sights all around, seeing displays for marine animals.

Percy saw him, walking closer, his mood getting better right away. "Hey, you came."

Cam smiled. "Hey, Percy. Yeah, um..." He held out a bag. "I brought you a bagle. In case you didn't you have lunch."

Percy looked at that bag nervously. "Thanks, but I don't really eat lunch."

"Oh," Cam said.

Percy put the bag aside. "But I will totally have it later. But is this, like, a bribe so that you can see the dolphin?"

Cam shrugged. "Depends if it's working."

"Is this the moment where I'm supposed to get jealous that my boy came for someone else and not me?" Percy asked.

Cam smiled at that, stepping closer. "Oh, so I am officially your boy now?"

Percy blushed, realizing what they said, shaking his head. "Not anymore. It's all over now. Who are you again?"

Cam smiled in amusement. "Oh, really?"

Percy was entirely joking. "Yes, really--" Cam cut Percy off with a kiss, as they continued to kiss passionately for a moment before pulling away, resting their heads together. "Okay, I'm officially not jealous anymore."

Cam chuckled as they pulled away. "You better not be."

Percy waved it off teasingly. "Besides, you're, like, totally not her type."

Cam was confused but amused. "Thank you?"

Percy smiled. "How'd you get in here, anyways? We're closed today."

"The back door was unlocked," Cam answered.

Percy shoved the cooler into Cam's chest. "Oh, shit!"

"What the..." Cam trailed off.

Percy ran to the back door.

In the meantime, Cam looked around, taking everything in, looking through the windows into the pools, seeing another dolphin swimming past.

Percy ran back over, taking the cooler back. "It's my job to keep it locked but I always forget. Come on."

Percy led the way with the cooler in hand.

Cam followed him. "Is all this for the dolphin?"

Percy turned to face him. "Winter? No, she can't eat this yet. She can barely move. I named her that. We had a Summer and Autumn. They got put back in the ocean. I figure season names are good luck. These are for the other dolphins. We're picky about what the dolphins eat."

"Right, yeah," Cam agreed.

They walked up the steps to above the water tank.

"We get them from the same place as restaurants," Percy explained. "And these are the upstairs pools, where our dolphins are." Percy stood outside the railing, placing the cooler down for a moment, pointing to the two dolphins who came to greet them, knowing it was their feeding time. "And that's Krista and Panama." Krista and Panama both trilled, clicking, squealing. Percy smiled. "Wave."

"What?" Cam asked.

"Wave," Percy repeated. Cam waved to the dolphins. In return, the dolphins waved their fins back and forth fast, splashing up water as they clicked and squealed. Percy and Cam smiled. "Pretty smart, huh?"

"Yeah," Cam answered. "I love dolphins."

Percy walked over to the cooler. "Do you know that dolphins need to be in a pool with other dolphins? It's a law, because they're so social. Like us."

Percy opened the cooler and started to take out the fish food, tossing them down into the water for the dolphins, who ate enthusiastically and greedily.

Cam couldn't help but smile again. "They're great." His smile faded. "What about Winter?"

Percy looked at him knowingly, sad. "Come on." 

♾️

Sick Bay Pool

Percy led the way to the sick bay pool, where Winter was laying in the water, and Reagan by her side in the water, holding Winter, while AJ stood outside to do checkups on the dolphin without getting into the water.

Percy looked at Cam. "She hasn't moved since she got here. She hasn't even opened her eyes."

Reagan looked up. "Percy, you know I don't like interns coming to see the sick ones. No offense, Cam."

Cam shook his head. "None taken, sir. Have to protect the sick ones as much as possible."

Reagan nodded.

Percy sighed. "I know, but he's the one who got the ropes off her. He just wanted to see how she's doing."

Reagan accepted this, nodding.

"She's not good," AJ answered. "There's a lot of dead tissue. Circulation to her tail was cut off for quite a long time."

Cam frowned in concern as he looked at Winter's tail, which showed the proof of what AJ said. "Okay. Thanks."

Winter opened her eyes slightly, trilling the same tune that Cam whistled to her on the beach.

Cam's eyes went wide.

AJ, Percy and Reagan all looked at Cam in surprise.

AJ had a slight smile. "Tweety Bird." She soon got a text on her phone, seeing that it was from Conrad. "Speaking of, Reagan, is it okay if Conrad and I use the computer in the lab? Following a lead about my parents."

"Yeah, but be quick," Reagan answered. "I know you're gonna find your own way if I say no anyway, so..."

AJ shrugged in acknowledgement. "Thank you."

Reagan frowned. "And how does 'Tweety Bird' go to 'speaking of' Conrad?"

AJ looked away sheepishly.

Percy smiled knowingly. "Conrad's the one that got AJ that tye-dye Tweety Bird she got from the board walk a couple years back. The same day we all went out."

Reagan nodded in understanding, smirking in amusement. "Ah."

"Way for overshare, Percy," AJ told him sarcastically. "Nice job on the beach, Cam."

Cam smiled. "Thanks, AJ."

"Tell Conrad I said hi," Reagan told her.

"You saw him this morning, but okay," AJ replied, turning around, walking out of the sick bay.

"Is it okay if I show Cam around more?" Percy asked.

"I'd love to look around, Percy," Cam told him. "If that's okay with you, Mr. Smythe."

"Go ahead," Reagan answered.

Percy and Cam smiled, walking out of the sick bay, while Reagan was still with Winter in the water.

♾️

Lab

Conrad was meeting here with AJ, at the computer.

AJ walked closer. "Hey, sorry. We just brought in this dolphin that got caught in a crab trap on the beach, and it was so bad. Her tail might not make it, and she's really sick. Can't even be in the water without Reagan holding her right now."

Conrad frowned in concern. "That's horrible."

"Yeah," AJ agreed. "You said that you had an idea?"

"Yeah," Conrad answered, focusing. "But I wanted to know if you could handle this right now."

"Con, this is my parents we're talking about," AJ told him. "Of course I can handle it, and you did promise to help me because you knew I would do it on my own anyway."

Conrad sighed. "True. Okay. So, do you remember how Boaz said that when Rami's car was stolen, his kid's iPad was taken, too, right?"

"Yeah, it was in the car," AJ answered. "Why?"

"Because iPads have GPS," Conrad answered. AJ raised her eyebrows. "And Boaz has been trying to track it, but there's firewalls because of Rami's own history like that. And Boaz's not a good hacker, and neither is anyone in that station."

"Not like my parents because of their history, and they taught me," AJ finished. "Boaz was better at fighting in the Special Forces, while they were more medical and intellectual, like with hacking."

"Yeah," Conrad agreed, handing AJ a piece of paper. "This is the information that Boaz gave me."

AJ took the paper so she could start the hack and trace. "Thank you, Boaz. And you, Connie." Conrad chuckled a bit. "Jesus. He wasn't kidding about the damn firewalls. But give me a moment..."

Conrad found it interesting and cool how AJ focused and she was able to break through the firewalls relatively quickly. "Definitely know your way around a damn computer."

AJ smirked slightly. "All right, all that's down, now. Tracking the iPad. The car is at this garage on Allenby."

 AJ hacked into the security footage as they watched the videos around Thanksgiving until they finally found the one they were looking for.

Conrad pointed. "AJ, stop." AJ paused the video, and Conrad pointed at the black car with a ruined front end, recognizing it. "That's the car. I remember... from that night."

AJ looked down, nodding, before going to the rooftop footage. "And the rooftop footage at the same time." They saw the car drive up onto the rooftop, and two men got out of the car, walking away. AJ paused the video again to get a good look at their faces. "Fuck."

"Do you know them?" Conrad asked.

"No," AJ answered. "But that's not Rami and Nissim. Boaz's right. They're not the drivers."

Conrad looked at the faces of the men who got out of the car. "So who the hell are they?"

AJ shook her head, running a hand through her hair. "That's what I gotta figure out next."

♾️

Main Room

Percy was showing Cam all of the species in the water tank through the window. "So these are our nurse sharks. There are our groupers, and moonfish, and sheepshead. And these are our river otters. All of them are either sick or injured. But as soon as they get better, we'll return them to the wild. They're cute, huh? But if you put your finger there, they can bite it right off."

Cam nodded in amusement. "I'll bear that in mind."

Percy led Cam to the tide pool in the middle of the room, pointing at the sea life in there. "And this is the tide pool. There's a starfish, and conch and a sea urchin. And this is Fred, our sea slug. You can touch him if you want."

Cam smiled. "Awesome." He touched Fred, laughing lightly. "Ugh, feels so cool but gross."

Percy smiled. "Right?" He led Cam to the dolphin pool window. "And this is the dolphin pool."

Cam looked around. "Hmm. I'm not seeing anything."

"Just wait a sec," Percy told him.

Panama swam by.

"Which one is that again?" Cam asked.

"That's Panama," Percy answered. "She's pretty old and deaf, and can't catch fish. Because they echolocate, you know. So she lives here." Krista swam by. "And that's Krista. She was just run over by a boat. So when she heals, we can send her home." Cam smiled at Percy. "Neat, huh?"

"Absolutely," Cam answered.

Krista swam up to the glass right in front of Percy, and Percy put his hand up to the glass in a sign of comfort to the dolphin.

Cam couldn't help but smile in awe.

Percy looked at Cam for a moment before clearing his throat. "Do you want to come to Belly's dinner tonight?"

Cam looked at him in surprise. "Really?"

"It's just..." Percy trailed off. "I was thinking really hard, that maybe if my parents start seeing us around one another, in another environment, that is not as my dad's intern or the son of the woman who works for my mom, eventually, once I come out, they will be more okay with it, you know? I actually made a whole diagram."

Cam was amused. "You made a diagram?"

Percy blushed, embarrassed, turning to walk away. "You know what? Never mind."

Cam chuckled, taking a hold of Percy's hand. "No, no. I'm sorry, Percy. I would love to go."

Percy smiled. "Really?"

"Of course," Cam answered. "But you will have to show me this diagram."

Percy chuckled. "Absolutely not."

They exchanged a happy smile.

♾️

Bus Station - Outside

Belly and Jeremiah were waiting for Taylor.

Belly pointed at Jeremiah with narrowed eyes. "Twenty bucks she calls you Jeremy again."

Jeremiah looked sheepish. "I don't... I think she learned from last time."

"You think?" Belly repeated. "That's how she flirts with you."

Taylor walked off the bus with a big bouquet of balloons in her hand, having to squeeze them out through the door of the bus.

Jeremiah was not surprised, smiling. "Here she comes."

Taylor gasped upon seeing them, instantly going to hug Belly. "Oh, my God. Oh, my God." Belly was giggling as they hugged. "Happy birthday."

"Thank you," Belly replied.

Taylor looked over Belly's dress. "Belly, you little tart."

"What?" Belly asked.

"You finally took my advice," Taylor answered. "This outfit is snatched."

Belly laughed. "Oh, my God, Taylor."

Taylor looked at Jeremiah pointedly. "Isn't Belly looking like a snack?"

Jeremiah smiled. "Always."

Belly reacted sheepishly, smiling, flattered. "Thank you."

Taylor gave Belly a wide grin.

Jeremiah stepped closer to Taylor. "Oh, uh, here, let me get your bag."

Jeremiah took her bag from her shoulder.

"Thank you," Taylor told him. "You're such a gentleman, Jeremy."

Jeremiah glanced at Belly. "Of course."

Belly gave Taylor a look. "Um... It's Jeremiah, not Jeremy."

Taylor was still looking at Jeremiah, tilting her head. "I like Jeremy better."

Jeremiah chuckled. "Uh, should we, uh, head home?"

Taylor got an idea. "Ooh, actually, can we make a stop first?"

♾️

Mako Marine Aquarium - Lab

AJ and Conrad were still at the computer.

AJ was hacking into security footage of another building around that night. "There."

"That's the guy?" Conrad asked.

"Yeah," AJ answered. "He's the driver."

"What did Boaz say when you sent him this?" Conrad asked.

"He did facial recognition," AJ answered. "The driver's name is Tomas Polgar. The other guy is Boton Gunsberg."

"Does that ring a bell for you?" Conrad asked.

"No," AJ answered. "Neither of them do. After this, they went straight to the airport."

"Where did they go?" Conrad asked.

"According to Boaz, London," AJ answered. "They just got on the first flight that left the country."

"Because that doesn't prove they did something shady," Conrad said sarcastically.

AJ nodded in agreement. "Exactly."

"So these are definitely the guys," Conrad said.

"Looks like," AJ answered. "I just don't understand. They're Hungarians. They come to Cousins to steal a car and kill my family and then take off?"

"It's possible that they just came for what everyone else comes to Cousins for and things got fucked," Conrad pointed out.

AJ tilted her head, knowing that Conrad could be right. "Yeah, or Boaz is right and they were hired to kill my parents."

"Also a possibility, but for what exactly?" Conrad asked.

AJ shook her head. "I don't know."

"You gonna send this to Boaz?" Conrad asked.

"Yeah," AJ answered. "He's the one that knows what to do afterward."

♾️

Ice Cream Parlor - Outside

Jeremiah, Belly and Taylor stopped for ice cream, gorging on the treats.

"Wow," Jeremiah said.

Taylor hummed. "Mmm. I live. I would literally eat this every day if I could."

Belly nodded. "Me, too."

Taylor turned to her bag, unzipping it. "Mmm. Okay." She pulled out a gift bag, putting it on the table in front of Belly. "Open your present." Belly looked inside, surprised as she took out a hot pink bikini that made Jeremiah's eyes widen and his mouth drop. "I think it'll look so hot on you." Jeremiah chuckled in disbelief. "Do you like it?"

Jeremiah laughed. "Okay, Belly would never wear that."

Belly gave him a look. "Actually, I really like it. Thank you, Taylor."

Taylor grinned with a tilt of her head. "You're welcome. Okay, so, what's the plan for tonight? Where's the party?"

"Well, Susannah always plans a big lobster dinner," Belly explained.

Taylor rolled her eyes. "Boring. No. It's your 16th birthday. We have to go out."

Belly frowned. "No, no, no. These dinners are really, really fun. And Susannah had the idea to make it Midsommar themed, so she got flower crowns especially made for us and everything."

Taylor still looked bored out of her mind. "Don't you think you should be spending your birthday with people your own age?"

Belly gave her a look. "I am. You're here."

Jeremiah threw his hand up. "Hello? Am I invisible?"

Taylor tilted her head at Jeremiah. "And I guess Steven." Jeremiah scoffed. "And Percy, child genius doctor. Is AJ even out of the hospital yet?"

"Yeah, she got out this morning," Jeremiah answered.

Taylor nodded. "Right, so she'll be there, and Conrad. But still, such a boring party."

"I said that Percy could invite Cam too," Belly admitted.

Taylor smiled, tilting her head. "Oh, I'm so excited to meet the first crush of your little cousin."

"Percy's actually older than me, by a couple of months, but still," Belly told her.

Jeremiah frowned. "And you told Taylor about Percy and Cam?"

Belly shrugged.

Taylor looked at Belly. "And maybe after the fight and the other shit that night on the beach, maybe you can finally take your eyes off of you-know-who."

"Taylor," Belly warned.

"What?" Taylor asked.

Jeremiah changed the subject. "I have an idea. We can go to Nicole's big blowout at her place tonight. Maybe go after dinner?"

Taylor got excited. "Yes. Who's Nicole?"

"She's my big sister for the deb ball," Belly answered. "She's super nice and just really cool and fun and..."

Taylor got uncomfortable and quickly changed the subject. "Ugh, I'm, like, melting right now." She flicked her hair back from her face. "Can we go back to the house? I want to change into my bikini and jump in the pool."

Taylor looked at Jeremiah, tilting her head with a flirty smile.

Jeremiah was awkward. "Sure."

Taylor put her bag over her shoulder, standing. "I call shotgun."

Jeremiah stood. "Come on, Bells."

Taylor and Jeremiah walked toward the car.

Belly stood, still eating her ice cream. "Okay. Hold on. I'm coming."

Belly turned toward the car.

Jeremiah opened Taylor's door for her.

Taylor smiled. "Oh, wow. Look who decided to be nice."

♾️

Beck House - Outside

Taylor and Belly were in one side of the pool, while Steven and Jeremiah were at the other.

Taylor grinned at Belly. "Conrad is going to lose his mind when he sees you in this bikini."

Belly shook her head. "No, I doubt it. I honestly think he couldn't care less."

Taylor tilted her head. "Come on, Belly."

"No, seriously," Belly told her. "He treats me like some kid sister. And when I admit how I feel and try and get him to admit he feels the same, he called me crazy and selfish and self-centered and a backstabber because of AJ and how I was 'going behind her back'."

"What?" Taylor asked.

"Yeah," Belly answered. "Like everything has to revolve around her and what she's going through. And he said, and I quote 'I've been too busy dealing with other, actually important shit to entertain a little crush'."

Taylor groaned. "Ugh, what a little bitch."

Belly nodded. "Yeah. Like just because they get to share their little bubble of trauma and sadness that I don't get it and I never will. Said I couldn't even show compassion when I called him out on how fucked up they both are. And when I told him to go smoke some more pot, he said I should look in the mirror some more."

Taylor narrowed her eyes, already wanting revenge. "And then AJ just magically passes out on the beach from an asthma attack after that and gets out of the hospital on the day of your birthday. And they think you're the selfish one. Got it."

Across the pool, Jeremiah looked at Steven. "I can't believe you went against my very sound advice and went and got booed up anyway."

Steven stammered nervously. "I guess. I mean, she's, like, the hottest girl I've ever met."

"We know you're gossiping about us over there," Taylor called.

"Yeah, you wish," Steven replied.

Taylor gasped. "Let's play chicken."

"No," Belly said.

Taylor stood up in the water. "Yes."

"Not chicken," Belly told her. "I was like 9 the last time we played."

Taylor moved to the middle of the pool. "Oh, come on, it'll be hilarious."

Jeremiah swam closer. "Hey, I'm down. Come on, Steven."

Steven tilted his head, giving in. "Fine."

Taylor grinned. "Dibs on Jeremy."

"Oh, great, that means I'm stuck with Steven," Belly complained. "That isn't fair."

"Are you kidding me?" Steven asked. "Taylor's so much lighter."

Belly shot him an indignant look. "Oh, I'm sorry I'm so massive." Steven scoffed. "I wouldn't want to break your delicate little shoulders."

"No, you're just taller than her is all," Steven told her defensively. "That's..." Belly splashed him in the face. Steven turned away, wiping his eyes. "Oh, come on."

Taylor rolled her eyes. "You're such a complainer. Let's just switch."

Taylor moved toward Steven while Belly moved toward Jeremiah.

Steven turned to face them. "Fine. Fine."

Jeremiah smiled at Belly. "Let's take them down, Bell."

Belly giggled.

"You guys ready?" Taylor asked.

Jeremiah smirked. "You're going down." Belly laughed. "Undefeated. Undefeated."

"Let's go," Taylor urged. "Let's go."

Steven and Jeremiah went underwater and moved between the legs of Taylor and Belly, letting them sit on their shoulders before raising up over the water, hoisting the girls up high as they were laughing.

Belly squealed. "Oh, my..."

"Go," Jeremiah said.

Steven had a hard time keeping Taylor on his shoulders. "No!"

Taylor looked down. "Ugh, Steven. Why are your shoulders so slippery?"

"Uh, maybe it's all that oil you slathered on your legs," Steven answered.

"Uh, maybe if you had some hair on your chest, I wouldn't be sliding all over the place," Taylor replied.

Belly laughed.

Steven finally got a firm hold on Taylor. "Okay. Let's just go. Let's just go."

"Uh, go," Jeremiah agreed.

Steven nodded. "Come on, come on. All right. Three, two, one, go."

Taylor and Belly started to push at each other.

Belly grinned. "Hey!"

Steven held onto Taylor tightly. "Hey, hold on."

"Oh, snap," Jeremiah said.

"Oh, my God," Taylor said.

Taylor and Belly were both squealing as they kept pushing at each other, until finally, Belly shoved Taylor right off of Steven's shoulders, and Steven fell back into the water alongside Taylor.

Belly and Jeremiah both cheered as they threw their hands up. "Yeah! Whoo!"

Jeremiah held his hands up toward Belly. "Give me some."

Belly high fived both his hands.

Taylor and Steven came up from the water.

"God, that was so your fault," Taylor said the same time Steven said, "That was completely your fault."

"What?" Taylor demanded.

"Are you kidding me?" Steven asked.

Jeremiah and Belly were still cheering as Belly was still on his shoulders.

"Still the champs," Jeremiah said. "Still the champs."

AJ, Conrad and Percy walked around the house, as they just got back from Mako.

"Hey, guys," Percy said.

Steven and Taylor looked over.

Jeremiah turned in the water to face the trio outside of the pool, with Belly still on his shoulders.

"Hey, you guys," Jeremiah replied. "Done with work for the day?"

"Yeah," Conrad answered.

AJ looked somewhat amused. "Are you guys playing chicken?"

"Um, yeah," Belly answered. "It was-it was Taylor's idea."

Taylor waved, though she did not have a friendly look directed toward AJ and Conrad. "Hey, guys."

"Hi, Taylor," AJ replied.

"You guys wanna play in the second round?" Taylor asked.

AJ looked away nervously given her aversion to water after Thanksgiving. "Uh, no, thanks."

Steven, Jeremiah, Belly, Conrad and Percy were slightly awkward but understanding, while Taylor didn't get it.

Belly quickly changed the subject. "You guys want to play a real game?"

"Yes," Steven answered.

"Yeah," Taylor answered.

"Sounds good," Jeremiah quipped, tossing Belly off of his shoulders into the water, making her squeal.

(Song:) Can I Call You Tonight? - Dayglow

Percy helped them set up the volleyball net over the pool, so that Steven/Jeremiah and Belly/Taylor could play water volley as boys vs. girls teams.

Of course, the boys had nothing on Belly and Taylor as this was their sport, and each time the boys hit the net or missed the ball, the girls cheered and high fived, showing off.

Percy jumped into the boys' side. "You guys are helpless."

"Shut up, Percy," Steven replied with a laugh.

"Show us what you got, Percy," Taylor told him teasingly.

The game continued.

AJ sat at the edge of the pool, watching the game, but unable to be apart of it, looking down, sniffling.

Conrad sat next to AJ as he watched. He wasn't up for the game mentally either, and even if he was, he didn't want AJ to feel bad for being left out.

AJ gave him a thankful smile, to which Conrad returned, and Belly noticed the exchange, which made her want to choke on water.

The game continued, Percy, Steven, Jeremiah, AJ and Taylor all having competitive fun.

"Go, Jere," Percy told him.

Steven hit the ball into the net.

Taylor smiled, shaking her head. "You're slipping, Steven."

Steven raised his eyebrows. "Yeah? Yeah?"

"Yeah," Taylor answered.

Steven took the ball. "Okay. No, no, now it's on."

Belly laughed.

Steven served the ball over the net, and the game went on.

"Percy, yours, yours, yours," Jeremiah told him as the ball came back.

Percy hit the ball over the net.

Steven high fived him. "Oh, nice."

When the boys got the ball over the net again (Jeremiah's serve), the girls didn't get to it in time and it hit the water.

Jeremiah threw his arms up. "Oh!"

Percy and Steven laughed. "Oh!"

Steven imitated and explosion.

It was Belly's serve now.

Steven was dancing in the water. "What you want, Belly?"

"Come on, Belly," Percy told her teasingly. Belly served the ball and it went toward Steven. "Steven, it-it's you."

Now it was Taylor's serve, and she spun the ball in her hands as she stared Steven down teasingly. "I don't think you're ready."

"Come on," Steven replied.

Taylor tossed the ball up to serve, hitting it so hard... that it soared clear toward the side of the pool, away from the boys' side of the net, and hit AJ in the head.

(Song Ends)

AJ's hand flew to her head in pain and shock. "Ow."

Conrad was shocked as that literally came out of nowhere, and everyone looked over, surprised as well when they realized what happened.

Conrad turned to AJ instantly. "Hey. Are you okay?"

"AJ?" Steven asked.

Taylor was laughing despite what just happened. "Oh, my God. I'm so sorry."

Belly shot her a look. "Taylor."

"She just got out of the hospital," Percy told her.

Taylor's face fell. "It was an accident."

Percy tilted his head, suspicious.

Percy: (voice over) "I find that kind of hard to believe for two volleyball champions to completely miss our side of the pool and veer off to hit someone else, not even in the game's way, directly in the head."

Belly didn't seem to think it was coincidence either, turning to look at AJ. "I'm so sorry. Are you okay?"

AJ was winded, nodding barely. "Yeah, no, I'm-I'm-I'm totally fine."

Percy swam to the edge of the pool. "I can help."

"I got it," AJ told him. "Y-You guys keep playing."

AJ stood.

Conrad stood, stepping closer to look at her head, knowing how easy it was for her to bruise and bleed. "Let me see it. Let's go inside. I'll get you some ice."

Taylor rolled her eyes, looking away.

AJ sighed. "Conrad, it's okay."

"I'm so, so sorry again, AJ," Belly told her, feeling guilty because part of her thought that Taylor did that because of what they were talking about earlier. "Feel better, okay?"

AJ nodded barely. "Yeah."

Taylor tilted her head. "Come on, guys. Conrad can take care of AJ." As they were walking toward the house, Conrad and AJ both looked over their shoulders. Taylor shot Conrad a nasty look. "Let's go inside and look at ourselves in the mirror some more."

Belly gave Taylor another hauty look, but she looked scared like she thought that AJ and Conrad would think that she was apart of something purposely like that when it was just as much of a shock to her as everyone else, turning to look at AJ and Conrad.

AJ frowned in confusion, not knowing what that was about.

Conrad scoffed softly, disgusted by that behavior. "Yeah, have fun with that."

AJ walked inside.

Conrad shot a cold look to Belly and Taylor before walking inside.

Belly was equally furious with Taylor and embarrassed by the stunt and hurt that Conrad could think that she was a part of it... but at the same time, she couldn't really blame him for that after the way she lashed out at him and AJ at the beach which made it even more complicated and confusing all the way around.

AJ: (voice over) "One summer, Belly brought Taylor to spend an entire summer with us. They weren't really all that nice to me that summer. One of the few where I was in remission. And I didn't have to be a genius to know that it was because of Belly's crush on Conrad... and how she felt like he ignored her when it came to me, when we were the ones that always tried to include her while Steven and Jeremiah were ditching everyone all the time, and Percy was busy doing his own thing to become a doctor. And when Taylor started to 'hang out' with Jeremiah, Belly hated her and blamed her for ruining her summer and called Jeremiah, Taylor, Conrad, and me, all Judas-es and Benedict Arnolds just because we were friends or hooking up in Jeremiah and Taylor's case. She had always been a spy and a tattletale, and she pouted to get her way all the time while saying that we're the ones out to get her or embarrassing her or things like that, because of her insecurities. I love her, but these were the moments that made it extremely hard to deal with this shit."

♾️

Inside - AJ's Room

AJ was leaning back against her headboard, holding a hand to her head in pain.

Conrad sat in front of her, holding ice to her forehead where the ball hit. "Does it hurt?"

AJ opened her eyes. "Conrad, I told you I was fine."

Conrad raised an eyebrow. "I know. I just... care."

AJ couldn't help a small chuckle. "Well, thank you."

Conrad nodded with a soft expression. "Any time." He looked down. "Sorry. I know... it's borderline overprotective."

"Borderline?" AJ repeated skeptically.

Conrad chuckled. "But as kids..."

AJ knew why he was so worried, nodding. "I know. That's why everyone got so worried. But I'm telling you, Con." She gestured to her nose to prove her point. "If it was back, then I'd be streaming red right now." Conrad knew she was right, but he still couldn't help his paranoia and fear given circumstances with Susannah. "The monster's not back."

Conrad had to get that through his head, nodding anxiously. "Yeah."

AJ frowned in confusion at this, seeing how Conrad was reacting to all of this, but before she could ask, her phone rang. She took it out, answering the phone. "Hey, Boaz. Conrad's here."

Boaz was walking down the street. "Hey, Conrad."

"Boaz," Conrad replied. "Did you get everything we sent?"

"I got it," Boaz answered. "You and Conrad are quite the detective team now these days, aren't you, AJ? Got more done in a day than the police department did in seven months."

"Yeah, well, we couldn't do it without you," AJ told him. "You helped me find the lead to Rami's car."

"And you followed it to the actual drivers," Boaz remarked.

"And you found out their names," Conrad told him.

Boaz nodded. "Let me take care of the rest, all right?"

AJ sighed. "Anything new?"

"No," Boaz answered. "They flew to London seven months ago, and now they're gone."

AJ nodded. "I assumed they would be."

"I tried to get a hold of a guy from Interpol, but he's not there yet," Boaz explained. "AJ, Conrad, promise me that you'll stop."

"Boaz..." AJ trailed off.

"I'm serious," Boaz told her. "It's not healthy, and it's definitely not safe. I know why you and Conrad are doing this, and I would do the same thing if it was me in your guys' shoes. But I'm the adult here, and the cop, and I'm telling you to stop before you get hurt. Okay?"

Conrad looked at AJ, nodding. "Maybe we should listen."

AJ tilted her head. "They could be anywhere in the world right now. We're not in danger."

"Maybe so," Boaz agreed. "But it's not a chance I'm willing to take, and it's not a chance that either of you should take either. Now, what you've done so far, that shouldn't be enough to get anyone's attention. So if you stop now, you two can still be good. Promise me."

Conrad looked at AJ for a moment. "Yeah."

AJ sniffed. "I don't have another lead to go on, anyway. So just keep me updated?"

"Of course," Boaz answered.

AJ swallowed. "Thank you, Boaz."

"Get some rest," Boaz told them.

"We will," Conrad assured. "Thanks."

They hung up.

AJ had to take her inhaler, overwhelmed, and the hit to her head didn't help matters.

Conrad watched her take a couple of puffs in concern. "So are the medicines working?"

"We're going to see soon enough," AJ replied. "Helaena wants me to come in and see a specialist. You know, tests. To make sure it's just asthma." Conrad nodded, worried. "My peak flow, the test that measures how deep you can inhale and exhale, and how constricted your airways are, was consistently low, even after the steroids and everything. It should've gotten markedly better, but it didn't."

Conrad bit his lip. "That's why you're still whistling when you breathe."

AJ nodded barely. "Even with the medication, it feels like I'm breathing through a straw. Like I've gone rowing or for a run and then tried to breathe hard through one."

Conrad tried to show some optimism. "Maybe the meds just need time to kick in."

"Yeah, maybe," AJ said absently, like her mind was elsewhere, feeling like she could shut down again when things got so overwhelming.

Conrad knew that she was reaching that point because of everything going on, turning in his seat to face her. "Do you want me to go with you?" AJ snapped out of it, looking at Conrad, slightly surprised by the question. "I know how Helaena can be when she's working. And if you need me to go... I'll go, if you want me to. I can drive, instead of Helaena sending another car."

AJ was so relieved yet so conflicted given the past couple of days. She sniffed, nodding. "Thank you."

Conrad nodded in return.

♾️

Street

Boaz was still walking down the street toward his car, nearby the bookstore.

Laurel and Susannah were just leaving the bookstore.

Boaz waved to them, getting into his car.

Laurel and Susannah smiled and waved back.

Laurel watched Boaz get into his car. "Am I crazy, or does Boaz Campbell look... good? I mean, better than usual?" She shook her head, embarrassed and sheepish when she realized she said that out loud. "No, it's the celibacy talking."

Susannah looked at her in amusement, smiling. "Please. You've had Boaz wrapped around your finger since high school, and you know that you would've ended up with him if it wasn't for John, Irisa and the kids."

Laurel scoffed but couldn't really deny it. "I don't regret my life with John, or with Belly and Steven. And I wouldn't change it for anything."

"I know that," Susannah agreed. "But I know a part of you has always wondered 'what if' you and Boaz got a second chance?"

"I'm not ready for a real relationship after I just got divorced," Laurel told her.

"Maybe not," Susannah mused. "But I think he might just be perfect for 'sex after divorce' material."

"What about his ex from a few summers back?" Laurel asked. "I mean, after Irisa and the baby died, he's had quite a few boyfriends. He's gay."

"He's not gay," Susannah replied. "He's had girlfriends, too. He's bi. What? Does that make a difference?"

"Of course not," Laurel answered.

"Well, then what's the harm in a little summer fling between old friends?" Susannah asked.

Laurel avoided the question, while also being worried and conflicted with other feelings regarding Susannah. "I'd rather be here with you."

Susannah gave her a small smile. "Darling, you already are. Live a little."

♾️

Beach

Belly and Taylor were walking on the beach, still in their bathing suits, but with a towel around Belly's waist, and Taylor wearing shorts.

"I don't know why you're so mad at me after everything you already told me," Taylor admitted.

"Because all of that was what Conrad said, not AJ," Belly answered. "And yeah, I got jealous and pissed at her like I always do, but she never actually did anything. And like Percy said, she just got out of the hospital this morning. You didn't see her when we were kids. When she was sick. Leukemia."

Taylor shook her head in confusion. "Which is..."

Belly gave her a look. "Blood and bone cancer. She was always in pain, and a hit to the head like that could start an insane nosebleed and an asthma attack that wouldn't stop for hours or until she went to the hospital. Not to mention the insane bruises she could get and start bleeding from the littlest things. And that's why all of us freaked out when we saw her attack, because it only got that bad when she got a relapse with her cancer, and it would start all over again."

Taylor felt really guilty now. "Well, you didn't tell me any of that before. And like I said, it was an accident." Belly didn't know if she believed that still, but Taylor was adamant that it was. Taylor sighed, frustrated. "I don't know what to think about you this summer."

"What do you mean?" Belly asked.

"Suddenly, you care about clothes," Taylor answered. "You have new friends. You finally went for Conrad, even if that was a major fail."

Belly rolled her eyes. "Yeah, well, I told you this summer would be different."

Taylor hesitated. "I know. I have to admit... I'm kind of freaked out by your glow-up."

"Oh, don't you always say, 'Belly, don't be so afraid of change'?" Belly asked.

"No, I know, I know," Taylor agreed. "Can you just promise me one thing?"

They faced each other.

"Yeah, anything," Belly answered.

"We'll always be best friends?" Taylor asked.

Belly gave her a smile, taking her hand. "That'll never change. Best friends forever. Come on."

They laughed, walking down the beach.

♾️

Beck House - Kitchen

Laurel and Susannah were about to make dinner.

"I thought we were keeping dinner simple," Laurel told her.

"It's Belly's sweet 16," Susannah pointed out.

"Did AJ leave for her appointment yet?" Laurel asked.

"Not yet," Susannah answered. "But she'll be back before dinner tonight, hopefully. Conrad's going with her."

"Good, because Helaena's already overwhelmed the poor girl enough," Laurel remarked. "Have you gotten Conrad to talk to you yet?"

"No," Susannah answered. "He and AJ are so much alike like that. Always saying they're fine. AJ does it because she doesn't want to bring anyone else down, and Conrad just thinks that he can handle himself without dragging anyone into his mess either. Thinking that it'll be better that way for everyone else because he's protecting them."

"Remember that time he broke his arm and didn't tell anyone because he didn't want to be a bother?" Laurel asked.

Susannah nodded. "Classic Connie. I just wanna make sure they're both really okay." She got an idea. "AJ might not be up to talking right now because she has the big appointment, but do you think maybe you could talk to Con before they leave? I mean, you-you've always had a way of making him opening up."

Laurel nodded. "I'm on it."

Susannah smiled thankfully.

♾️

Outside

Conrad was waiting outside by his car, looking around nervously.

Laurel walked toward him.

"'Sup, Laurel?" Conrad asked.

"I just wanted to check in with you," Laurel answered.

"Okay," Conrad said.

"How have you been?" Laurel asked.

"Fine," Conrad replied.

Laurel tilted her head, teasing. "'Fine'." She stepped closer. "We used to talk."

"We still talk," Conrad pointed out.

"Barely," Laurel countered. She reached up to brush back a piece of Conrad's hair that was blowing in the breeze. "You're still my special guy, you know. You're the first baby. You can talk to me about anything."

Conrad nodded. "Thank you."

Laurel frowned, concerned. "You know... you don't have to hold everything in all the time. You don't always have to be strong."

Conrad took a deep breath. "I know. I'm just..."

Conrad swallowed, not knowing where to begin.

"Worried about everybody else?" Laurel finished. Conrad nodded. "I know what you and AJ went through was terrifying. For both of you."

"You give her the same speech?" Conrad asked.

"A couple months ago," Laurel answered. Conrad nodded, not surprised. "But now everything with what happened on the beach the other night, we're all scared that it could mean that her sickness' back, but Helaena, Percy and Reagan say it's not. We just have to trust them, okay?"

Conrad knew that Laurel was trying to be as reassuring as possible, and it did help a bit, nodding appreciatively, as this was a lot of his fears and concerns, but he was also worried and fearing something else happening to someone even closer to him, sniffing. "Yeah." He didn't know if he could talk about it though, since Laurel wasn't bringing it up, because she thought he didn't know. "Um..."

AJ walked out of the house, and Conrad and Laurel looked over.

AJ took a deep breath. "Hey."

Laurel gave her a comforting smile. "Hey." AJ walked closer. "Reagan still at Mako with the new dolphin?"

"Yeah, Winter," AJ answered.

"Okay," Laurel agreed. "I'll call him and let him know that you're heading to your appointment." AJ nodded. Laurel brushed back AJ's hair. "You've got this, AJ. You're gonna be okay."

AJ nodded in agreement. "Thanks, Laurel." Laurel gave AJ a hug, kissing her head, walking away toward the house. AJ looked at Conrad. "She give you the 'strong, tough' speech?"

"Yeah," Conrad answered, turning to his car. "You ready?"

AJ nodded, looking nervous. "Thank you, again."

"You don't have to thank me," Conrad told her. "Come on."

♾️

Cousins Hospital - Waiting Room

AJ and Conrad arrived, walking in.

Walking across the hospital site in the middle of a blistering summer heat with humidity took a lot out of AJ, and she was dreading her appointment.

It brought back all of the memories of being diagnosed with leukemia as a kid which changed everything and had almost killed her so many times already as it kept going in and out of remission, so she grew up a lot in hospitals, especially with Khalid as a doctor, and Adilah as a therapist, other than their other company profession with Mako and such, but they made sure that she was okay physically and mentally as much as possible because of their professions, while being there for their daughter in every way possible.

And now knowing that Khalid and Adilah were gone, and AJ had to do this without them, nearly made her cry as she looked down and locked herself down so she didn't break down in front of everyone in the waiting room. She was collapsing inward, like she always did, and she didn't have the mental energy to pull herself out of it.

Conrad noticed this, knowing that just talking to her could help when she got like this. "Hey." AJ looked at him, that distant look in her eyes. "It's gonna be okay. You said that it wasn't leukemia. That it's not back."

"Yeah, but I'm still freaking out," AJ admitted. "And I just want this to be over with. And being here, it's bringing everything back, and they should be here..." Conrad knew she was talking about her parents, and remembered everything about how they were always there with her when something like this happened, nodding in pained understanding and sympathy. AJ took a deep breath, letting it out. "But I'm glad you're here."

Conrad gave her a slight smile, a little bit forced, but genuine all the same, taking AJ's hand. AJ held on tightly.

Finally, her name was called. "Amina Jalali."

♾️

Cousins Hospital - Emergency Room

Percy met up with resident doctors, Noelani and Charles.

"So what's the latest patient that you had trouble figuring out?" Percy asked.

"Caleb Jones," Charles explained. "We picked up from his hotel, paralyzed from the waist down."

"Pool accident?" Percy asked.

"Not this time," Noelani answered. "He said that one minute, he was hiking and went home to the hotel and was using the elevator and then his legs just stopped working."

Percy frowned, nodding. "So MRI, initial workup of LP, CBC and electrolytes? Copper, vitamin B12, vitamin E levels?"

"All done, and all clear," Charles answered. "No family history of any diseases either."

"This case is driving me crazy," Noelani admitted. "I mean, I feel so far from a diagnosis. Percy, if anyone can figure it out, it's you. Your brain is basically a computer."

Percy rolled his eyes. "I'm just a fast reader. I mean, what is life? One day, you're walking, and you're breathing just fine, and then suddenly, you can't." He knew he got too personal with that because of AJ's health now, and he struggled to focus as he sighed. "Don't worry, I'm gonna help figure it out."

♾️

Testing Room

The appointment took longer than expected, mostly because it ended up being multiple appointments.

AJ: (voice over) "Helaena is, of course, right there with me as she administers the tests, before I get to see the specialist. Lab work, chest x-ray, lung function. Conrad keeps me occupied while we wait between tests by writing messages for me to decipher into my palm, letter by letter. It's something that he used to do whenever he was in the hospital for both Susannah and me to take our minds off of things. A well-needed distraction that we were all relieved for back then, and I am eternally grateful for now."

As the next voice over played, there was the montage of Helaena giving AJ the tests that she spoke of.

AJ: (voice over) "The lab work goes fine. I'm so relieved that when the needle did prick my skin, I didn't bleed as much as I would have been bleeding if leukemia was really back. Given how easy it is to bleed even at the slightest of cuts or pricks. So since I only bleed a drop, I take it as a good sign, and so do they. Same with being hit in the head earlier and it didn't start an attack or a nosebleed that couldn't be stopped. The chest x-ray is quick and painless. Holding my breath's the hardest part. The lung function test, though, is an absolute nightmare. Thank God I'm not claustrophobic. The clear box they do the test in is smaller than a closet. The plastic clip on my nose isn't too bad, but the second they make me breathe in from the little mouthpiece, I can feel my lungs tighten. Pushing myself to focus and finish the test, listening to them tell me when and for how long to breathe in and out at different intervals."

Finally, Helaena let AJ rest in a bed, as she was exhausted, pulling out a nebulizer.

AJ hated constant breathing treatments, but her lungs were burning from exertion and she wanted relief. She didn't realize until she took a few good breaths of the medicine, though, that it was doing the complete opposite of what she expected it to.

AJ pulled the mouthpiece out and examined it, as her lungs grew heavy, wheezing. "What is this?"

"I'm doing a methacholine challenge to see if your airways react," Helaena answered. "Then we'll repeat what you did before."

Conrad gave Helaena a look. "You couldn't have warned her before hand?"

Helaena remained focused on taking notes.

AJ struggled to breathe, trying to take as deep a breath as she could. "I can't... finish this."

"If we stop, we'll have to start it all over again," Helaena told her, sympathetic. "Each dose is only about two minutes."

AJ's eyes went wide. "Each dose? There's... more than one?"

"We double the dose every round and check your lung function in between," Helaena explained.

AJ was trying not to freak out, as this meant being purposely being sent into an asthma attack. She shook her head, gasping, tears in her eyes, because each asthma attack she had, it took her back to Thanksgiving night, which would result in a panic attack joining her asthma which was an absolute disaster. "Hel, please. I don't want to do this."

Helaena cupped AJ's face, rubbing her thumb over her cheek. "I know, AJ, but we need the data from the test. You can do this." AJ closed her eyes, tears falling. "Take a few breaths and then try to finish this dose. We'll do it together, one dose at a time."

(Song:) Soon You'll Get Better - Taylor Swift

Conrad hated to see AJ like this, in pain and helpless, panicking, knowing that she was seeing and reliving Thanksgiving night all over again which was making this worse and could end up knocking her out like on the beach in 1.02.

Conrad took AJ's hand in his, squeezing comfortingly. Hoping that the contact would pull her mind away from the memories and keep her focused on the present.

AJ opened her eyes and met Conrad's, surprised that it did kind of help pull her mind away from Thanksgiving memories.

Lyrics: "The buttons of my coat were tangled in my hair / In doctor's-office-lighting, I didn't tell you I was scared."

Seeing that it was helping even a little bit, Conrad didn't let go of AJ's hand. Not when her wheezing intensified as she continued each of the doses, nor when she had to get back into the box and repeat breathing into the mouthpiece again and again, and not even when she stood at the end and her legs were shaking, barely able to hold her up.

Lyrics: "I know delusion when I see it in the mirror / You like the nicer nurses, you make the best of a bad deal / I just pretend it isn't real."

Helaena looked between AJ and Conrad knowingly, just glad that this was helping even a little bit. "Okay, Amina, we're all done here. I'll get you a wheelchair so we can take you to the specialist."

AJ was so spent that she didn't argue that she could walk herself, knowing that she likely wouldn't be able to after all this.

♾️

Hallway

Conrad pushed AJ's wheelchair through one of the many hallways.

Helaena was standing in front of them, on the phone with Reagan.

Conrad looked at AJ. "One to ten?"

AJ curled up in the wheelchair, looking like she could pass out here and now. "A solid six. Actually, make it a seven, because she's on the phone with Reagan, and they're gonna be fighting, and her and Percy. And that's making my anxiety worse. Kind of glad Reagan has work at Mako and Percy has a case of his own, so they don't have to worry about me here."

Lyrics: "I'll paint the kitchen neon, I'll brighten up the sky / I know I'll never get it, there's not a day that I won't try."

Conrad frowned in concern at that but leveled out his expression, leaning in close to AJ's ear as he continued pushing the wheelchair. "You did really good, by the way."

AJ sighed. "You don't have to lie, Conrad."

"I'm not lying," Conrad insisted. "I don't know how you did that."

Lyrics: "And I hate to make this all about me / But who am I supposed to talk to? / What am I supposed to do / If there's no you?"

AJ: (voice over) "'You', I want to say. 'That's how I got through it'. But neither of us are ready for that."

AJ gave Conrad a tense but thankful smile. "Thanks. It actually sucked a lot, and I never want to have to do that ever again. I'm glad you were there. That you're here. This is... this is a lot more involved than I thought it would be."

Lyrics: "This won't go back to normal, if it ever was / It's been years of hoping, and I keep saying it because / 'Cause I have to."

"I know," Conrad agreed. "I had a feeling it would be." AJ bit her lip. "I'm glad I'm here too."

When AJ looked up at Conrad, he gave her a slight smile that she returned.

Lyrics: "Ooh-ah, soon you'll get better / Ooh-ah, soon you'll get better / Ooh-ah, you'll get better soon / 'Cause you have to."

(Song Ends)

♾️

Doctor Workstation

Percy was still working on his case.

Helaena walked closer. "Hey, any update on the case?" Percy stood, surprised that Helaena just walked up to him after she had been giving him basically the cold shoulder after she learned about the party in 1.01. "Reagan said you were working on it when I called him. I'm working on AJ now, about to see the specialist."

Percy: (voice over) "So she's just gonna pretend that she hasn't been blocking me out since the party. Even after our 'talk' the day of the festival. Fine. Two can play at that game."

Percy sighed. "Right, well, help AJ, then. I have to crack this case."

"Well, don't forget, the best way to get a definitive answer is to go back to one of the building blocks of medicine," Helaena told him. "The scientific method. You can apply it to almost any question."

Helaena walked away.

Percy realized she was right. "The scientific method."

Percy, realizing that he had to go back to the building blocks, meaning historic cases that could help them find out about this case, ran off toward the archives room.

♾️

Archives Room

Percy was going through all files and books he had his hands on, speed reading like a demon, until he finally realized what could be the problem.

♾️

Caleb's Room

Percy ran into the room, looking at the paralyzed patient, Caleb. "Did you surf?"

"What?" Caleb asked.

Charles and Noelani ran in.

"Before you were paralyzed, did you surf?" Percy asked.

"Yeah, the day before," Caleb answered. "But it was just my first lesson. I didn't wipe out or anything."

Percy smiled in realization. "It's surfer's myelopathy. It's an extremely rare condition, only about 50 cases worldwide. When the back's hyperextended, a blood vessel leading to the spine becomes kinked, depriving the spinal cord of oxygen."

Charles crossed his arms. "Hold up. Only 50 cases worldwide?"

"Wow, Percy," Noelani told him. "That's a tough diagnosis. How did you figure it out?"

"I just read all 578 patient reports of spinal cord injuries ever treated in this hospital," Percy answered.

Charles raised an eyebrow. "You just read all of that?"

"What?" Noelani asked.

"Yeah," Percy answered. He looked at Caleb. "And I found this guy in 2008, and then 2003, and more. Surfing lessons mentioned in almost all of them. Here I was, thinking Caleb might have Guillain-Barre, turns out it was a spinal stroke." He looked at the doctors. "Excuse me. I was a spinal angio with intra-arterial tPA, start methylprednisolone and up his IV fluids. I'm gonna induce hypertension to improve blood flow to his spine."

"Really?" Noelani asked.

Charles nodded. "Yes, doctor."

"What does that mean?" Caleb asked.

Percy sighed as he tried to find a way to explain it in a way Caleb would understand. "It's like if your phone battery was really low, and you found a really fast charger. I'm gonna do that, with oxygen and your spine."

They smiled, knowing it would work, and Caleb was so relieved and grateful.

♾️

Specialist Appointment

AJ let Helaena do most of the talking with Dr. Maines, the specialist, rehashing AJ's symptoms and the medications they gave her in the ER, as well as the ones prescribed, and her history of leukemia, and of course, Thanksgiving and what caused the attack months ago.

Maines clicked around on the computer. "X-rays show your lungs are hyperinflated, which is to be expected with the restriction in your airways. Let's look at your PFT results from today." AJ closed her eyes. "See how this is concave?" AJ forced her eyes to open, looking where he was pointing at the screen. "This is quite a severe asthma exacerbation. When were you first diagnosed, Amina?"

"When I was four," AJ answered, giving a small cough, brushing her hair out of her face.

"And leukemia?" Maines asked.

"Seven," AJ answered. "Technically on the eve on my eighth birthday, if that makes a difference."

At the end of the lung function test, Helaena had finally let AJ take her inhaler. She snuck a few extra puffs when she wasn't looking, which had opened her lungs up enough to get anything and everything moving. She coughed again to clear her throat, which made her cough even more. She sounded terrible, and with the way Conrad was looking at her, all apologetic, she wanted to disappear.

Maines stood and readied his stethoscope. "Deep breath for me."

AJ complied with his directions as he listened, feeling herself wheeze deep within her chest on every inhale and exhale.

AJ: (voice over) "I know what he's going to say. I don't know how, but I just know."

"This isn't going away, is it?" AJ asked, though it sounded more like a statement, like a fact she already knew.

Maines returned the stethoscope to its place around his neck and turned to face her. "I can't definitively answer that, Amina."

Meanwhile, AJ was about to lose it, and Helaena must have noticed her face twisting and her sniffling because she came over to rub her back in soothing circles.

"But we can say that it's definitely not because of a relapse," Helaena said softly in reassurance, knowing that was what AJ and Conrad were both afraid of.

"She's right," Maines agreed. "It's not leukemia returning."

"So what then?" Conrad asked.

"I think that the trauma of what happened last year simply brought back a childhood affliction, but made worse because of what happened," Maines answered.

"Then why would it be one attack, and then nothing for months, and then it's worse than it's ever been?" Conrad asked.

"That's what we're trying to figure out, Conrad," Helaena told him, giving him a look.

Maines looked at AJ. "My main concern here is that your lung function is lower that I'd like it to be, but you've also just started treatment, so we'll give it time to start working. The ER doctor did a solid job setting you up with preventative and rescue meds. We'll fine-tune the regiment to give your lungs a break and see where that takes us. The goal would be to eventually stop the preventative meds if possible, but Amina, I need you to listen to me carefully on this point. I don't want you to think that needing maintenance meds is a personal failure, because it's not. Some people need them long-term, some don't. It's not always something we can control, even when we try our absolute best."

AJ sniffled and nodded, taking in what he was saying. Even when she knew this was coming after the other night, she couldn't help the tears in her eyes, knowing how hard it would be for her now, with dancing, singing, Juilliard, and finding answers if possible about her family.

Conrad looked at her in concern.

AJ was overtaken by an intense surge of emotions that she couldn't focus on anything but the pain in her chest.

AJ: (voice over) "Memories from the hospital and any hospital I have been in over the years flooded back without permission. Beeping noises and voices I heard when I was sick and confined to hospital beds, or for asthma attacks that got out of control as a kid. Masks over my face with needles in my arms, the way they tugged whenever I tried to move. Hours it took for my lungs to unclench enough for me to actually breathe. Bruises and bleeding easily caused by my sickness as my entire body ached with bumps, lymph nodes, and rashes over my skin until they healed. I'm so close to 18, being an adult, but in that moment, I felt like a little kid. Terrified of the monsters, the darkness inside of me, sicknesses out to destroy me at every turn even when they aren't active as they're lurking and waiting to strike, and just yearning Mom and Dad to be here so they could hold me and tell me everything's gonna be okay. To protect me and love me and care for me like they always did before without fail. Until they were taken away from me."

♾️

Waiting Room

(Song:) The Joker and the Queen - Ed Sheeran feat. Taylor Swift

AJ and Conrad had to wait for more test results, sitting in the waiting room.

AJ was so lost, helpless. Even though she was relieved that her cancer wasn't back, she was scared because of her asthma alone was enough to kill her if it got bad, as proven on the beach, and there was always the chance that leukemia did come back.

Lyrics: (Ed) "How was I to know? / It's a crazy thing / I showed you my hand / And you still let me win."

Conrad was just worried, though he was just as lost and helpless, scared. He already had to deal with this with Susannah, so it was terrifying of thinking that it might be AJ next... all over again. It was hard to accept, and neither one of them wanted to accept it.

Lyrics: (Ed) "And who was I to say / That this was meant to be? / The road that was broken / Brought us together."

AJ curled up into a ball in her seat.

Lyrics: (Ed) "And I know you could fall for a thousand kings / And hearts that would give you a diamond ring / When I fold, you see the best in me / The joker and the queen."

Looking at her sadly, Conrad patted his thigh. AJ looked up, looking small, her eyes silently asking if he was sure. Conrad nodded in confirmation.

Lyrics: (Taylor) "I've been played before / If you hadn't guessed / So I kept my cards close / To my fool-proof vest."

AJ let out a soft sigh of relief as she laid down with her head in his lap, finally getting comfortable. Conrad played with AJ's hair, and it helped her slip into a light sleep, the whistle of her breathing loud but even.

Lyrics: (Taylor) "But you called my bluff / And saw through all my tells / And then you went all in."

Lyrics: (Ed, Taylor) "And we left together."

AJ: (voice over) "Of course I wonder what it would be like to be with Conrad. I knew how we felt wasn't exactly a secret, but... I keep thinking, does he deserve this? To be with someone as sick and damaged as I am? If I got sick with leukemia again, and everything with my breathing treatments and medicine already without the cancer... did I really want to put him through that? Or anyone, for that matter? It isn't fair, and I don't want anyone to suffer along with me. I don't want to drag anyone down with me. At least if I'm alone, it's just me that's hurting. There's no one else as collateral damage. But... there's also the part of me that knows pushing him away... could hurt both of us even more."

It was almost night by the time that Percy and Helaena walked up to them.

Conrad noticed them and woke AJ up, speaking softly. "Hey, AJ."

AJ stirred, looking up at Conrad as he helped her sit up, frowning in confusion before realizing where she was, turning to face Percy and Helaena. "Hey."

Lyrics: (Ed, Taylor) "When I fold, you see the best in me / The joker and the queen."

(Song Ends)

"Hey," Percy replied.

"What'd you find?" AJ asked tiredly.

"It seems like bronchiolitis stemmed from a severe case of respiratory syncytial virus," Helaena answered. "At first, we just thought it was RSV which is why we released you so easily this morning, because if it was just a virus, then that was that. You would be better with the corticosteroids and breathing treatments within a few weeks. And all of this is likely caused by what happened seven months ago, but it didn't start showing completely until now, especially with your weakened immune system because of leukemia and chemo rounds as a child..."

"It hit me like a bitch," AJ finished.

"Wait, so it is RSV or bronchiolitis?" Conrad asked.

"Both," Percy answered. "Sadly, for severe cases with both of these, hospitalization is necessary as we've seen, and we can provide oxygen and intravenous fluid treatments. Antibiotic medications don't work against them, but some medications can help open your airways, which is what we already got for you, thankfully, so we can begin using those immediately. But, um..."

"What?" AJ asked.

Helaena hesitated, licking her lips. "There is some scarring in your airways from Thanksgiving and what happened. Leading from bronchiolitis dangerously close to obliterans."

AJ did not like the sound of that, and neither did Conrad.

Percy: (voice over) "Of course, AJ and Conrad know what that means, since AJ's parents were doctors, and now her adoptive family, and Conrad wants to become a doctor to help people like AJ and Susannah. Hell, Conrad even helped me study when we were younger some days during the summers."

"Why are the signs only showing up now?" Conrad asked.

"There were smaller ones before, with Amina's first attack months ago," Helaena answered. "But given that we didn't think it was that bad... and it never happened again... sometimes it just takes a while, or it's activated by something else. A panic attack, another virus, which both seem to be the case."

AJ looked up at that, as she remembered that before her asthma attack, she had been having a panic attack because of Clay. It was the only thing she really remembered from that night on the beach after they slept together.

Percy gave Helaena a look. "Another reason why you should've told us about the attack months ago."

Conrad frowned. "What's the other virus? You said that another virus activated all of this."

"Another respiratory virus, but we're looking to see which kind now," Helaena answered. "It's only been in her system for a  few days, so likely..."

"I got it the night of my attack," AJ finished.

Percy nodded. "Yeah. And it's only respiratory viruses, so anyone else wouldn't be harmed much, but someone with your conditions would be."

"So I don't have to worry about getting anyone else sick?" AJ asked.

They weren't surprised that was what AJ was worried about.

"No, you don't," Percy answered.

Helaena went on, looking at AJ. "And corticosteroids can help clear the airways and open them up for you, and you'll need oxygen treatments and immunosuppressants to regulate your immune system so that you don't get more infections that could make this worse or last longer than it has to."

AJ swallowed. "Isn't the worst-case scenario a lung transplant for things like this, because it can get to be fatal?"

"Yes," Helaena answered. "But we're nowhere near worst-case scenario right now, AJ. I promise you."

"If this remains as just a virus, properly treated, it can go away in about three or four weeks," Percy explained. "Sometimes longer given... circumstances."

They didn't need to ask to know that Percy meant people with AJ's circumstances.

AJ closed her eyes, looking away. "So, I'm gonna be gasping for breath for a month or more? And that's the best-case scenario."

Helaena and Percy didn't answer, looking extremely worried and concerned.

AJ put a hand to her head.

Conrad looked down with intense worry and sadness. It wasn't as bad as they were fearing, but it was definitely bad enough where they were all scared.

♾️

Night - Beck House - Dining Room

Dinner had already started before AJ, Conrad, Percy and Helaena got back to the Beck house for Belly's birthday dinner.

Of course, Belly, Steven, Laurel, Reagan, Susannah, Jeremiah and Taylor were already here, laughing and chatting away.

AJ, Conrad and Helaena took their seats.

AJ noticed the flower crown that was set out for her, putting it on.

Belly, Taylor and AJ were the only ones with flower crowns at the table.

Percy led Cam into the room. "And here's my family and extended alike."

Cam smiled. "Hi, guys."

"Hi, Cam," Reagan told him, looking between the two boys.

"Mr. Smythe," Cam replied.

"I said you could call me Reagan before, and all of us here prefer casual than formal," Reagan explained.

Cam took the hint that he could call them all by their first names, nodding. "Got it. Thank you... Reagan."

Percy smiled.

"Belly's never really let Percy invite one of his friends over for her birthday dinner," Helaena remarked. "Or any of the boys, to be honest."

The kids exchanged an awkward look since they knew it was more about Cam being Percy's boyfriend more than anything, but Percy was not ready to come out to his parents yet.

"Yeah, well, people learn," Belly said. "People grow."

Conrad couldn't help but scoff at that after the way Belly and Taylor had been acting. "Right."

Of course, he didn't know that Belly got onto Taylor afterward, but even if he did, that didn't excuse the rest of her behavior.

Percy and Cam sat down, smiling.

"So how did your appointment go today, AJ?" Susannah asked.

AJ looked down, swiping a finger across her cheek. "Can we talk about that later?" She saw Belly's expression, how she was not happy about Susannah asking immediately about AJ as soon as she sat down at Belly's birthday dinner. "It's Belly's birthday, so..."

Belly relaxed slightly.

"Yeah, of course," Susannah answered.

Percy, Conrad and Helaena all knew that AJ was also buying time before she had to tell the others how sick she actually was, not wanting to ruin the night for Belly.

To change the subject from something he could sense was touchy, Cam pointed to the food. "This is delicious."

"Of course it is," Susannah agreed.

Percy put his napkin over his lap.

Reagan and Helaena were watching Percy.

Percy was picking at his food.

"How's the food, Percy?" Helaena asked. "Is it good?"

"Yeah, it's great," Percy said.

"You're barely eating it," Helaena told him. "You're just picking at it."

Percy looked down. "I'm not that hungry. I had a really big lunch."

Cam reacted to that, since Percy told him before that he didn't eat lunch.

"Are you feeling okay?" Reagan asked. "You've been looking really thin lately."

"I said I was fine, okay?" Percy asked, looking from his parents to Steven and AJ, since they both checked to try and make sure he was eating too in 1.02. "Stop worrying so much." Everyone was awkward. "I'm sorry. I just... I'm fine."

AJ and Steven looked concerned.

"Have you spoken to Dr. Sullivan?" Helaena asked.

"We're figuring out our summer schedule, so I haven't seen her for a real session yet," Percy answered.

Belly frowned.

Belly: (voice over) "I don't know why Helaena and Reagan are making a big deal about this. Percy has a recurring stomach bug where he can get sick, and it affects his eating. Whenever it happens in the summer, it usually happened when AJ and Susannah were relapsing with their cancers, so the Jalalis and Fishers were all focused on them at the time, but they all tried to make sure that Percy was okay too, even when Helaena and Reagan told everyone that it's okay to begin with. It also happens outside of summer most of the time, and then only Steven, Mom and I would see him at the time, since the families only gather for the summers, before Adilah and Khalid died and AJ moved in with Percy and Helaena seven months ago. So we're used to it."

To lighten the mood, Jeremiah felt like teasing Cam and Percy. "So, Cam. You mind if I call you Cam Cameron?"

Knowing Jeremiah was teasing, Percy gave him a halfhearted look that Jeremiah smiled back to.

Cam chuckled. "Mm-hmm. Yeah, man. Feel free. That's funny."

"I'm glad you're here, Cameron," Helaena told him. "I hear from Reagan that you're one of his interns that helped with the dolphin that he, Percy, AJ and the Mako team helped rescue on the beach today." AJ, Percy, Reagan and Cam nodded, and Conrad chuckled a bit. Belly, Jeremiah, Steven, Taylor, Laurel and Susannah looked really impressed. "And I know your mom from the club. I have heard a lot about you."

"Thank you, Helaena," Cam told her. "And thank you so much for having me, Susannah. And Belly for letting Percy invite me. My mom says hi."

Laurel set out food. "Cam, have you ever had miyeok-guk before? It's a Korean birthday tradition."

Cam raised his eyebrows. "No. Looks so good. Thank you."

"Percy told me you're vegetarian, so I didn't put any meat in it," Laurel explained.

Cam smiled in appreciation for that. "Thank you, Laurel."

"Why don't you eat meat, Cam Cameron?" Jeremiah asked.

"Uh, the meat industry is, like, the number one contributor to global warming," Cam answered. "And I just, I like animals."

Taylor chuckled. "Just don't come for my leather jacket."

Steven raised a skeptical eyebrow. "I'm pretty sure you mean pleather."

"Ooh," Jeremiah said.

Taylor smiled sarcastically, flipping off Steven, which caused Steven and Jeremiah to laugh, and for Conrad to stifle a scoff of his own as he was taking a bite of asparagus.

AJ took a deep breath, which was difficult.

Helaena set out AJ's steroid medicine for her, and AJ took them with her water.

Reagan watched in concern.

Jeremiah looked at Cam. "You know, uh, actually, Percy eats meat. So..."

Percy shot them a look to shut them up while in front of his parents. "Guys." Steven and Jeremiah laughed a bit. "Stop."

"No, I don't judge people for eating meat," Cam told them. "It's just, like, a personal choice. I don't care."

Jeremiah was genuinely curious. "So you don't mind if, uh, like, someone you date, their lips touch a dead animal, and then those dead animal lips touch your lips, right?" Even though Jeremiah didn't say Percy specifically, it was still a close call in front of his parents, and he kicked Jeremiah hard in the leg. "Ow."

Percy put his hand down under the table, closing his hands into fists like he did when he got overwhelmed.

Cam noticed the reaction, reaching down underneath the table, taking a hold of Percy's hand to stop him from hurting himself as they intertwined their fingers.

Cam turned to look at Jeremiah as he chuckled. "I don't mind at all."

Cam didn't want to out Percy in front of his parents, knowing that he didn't want to come out yet which he understood, so he left it at that.

Percy sighed, annoyed with Jeremiah, but thankful to Cam, as he gave his hand a soft squeeze before they let each other go.

Taylor perked up. "Who all here has had their first kiss here?" Steven and Jeremiah raised their hands. "Steven, Jeremy, put your hands down. Everybody knows you did."

Cam frowned, turning his head to Percy. "Jeremy?"

Percy shook his head. "Don't ask."

Taylor tilted her head, trying to involve the still silent AJ in the conversation as a way to try and make up for earlier. "AJ? First kiss happen yet? Anyone here?"

Belly shot Taylor a glare; even though it was a casual question, Belly was still not happy about it because of Taylor asking if it was Conrad or not.

Conrad narrowed his eyes at Taylor.

AJ looked up, guarded, but took a deep breath. "Yeah. No one here though."

"Conrad?" Taylor asked.

"Yes, no one here," Conrad answered.

Belly relaxed somewhat, but she was annoyed that this was her dinner party, and yet it was focused on almost everyone else. "Um, no first kiss here yet, but planning on it, soon."

Steven and Jeremiah both pretended to retch, causing Belly to glare at them.

Reagan waved them off. "All right. All right, all right."

Laurel gave them a look. "Belly's allowed to kiss." She looked at Belly. "But that's it."

Laurel laughed, a bit buzzed.

Belly was mortified, shaking her head. "Mom, please. No. You're so not funny."

Reagan looked at Laurel in amusement. "No more wine for you, okay?"

Steven looked at Belly. "I'm sorry. I just don't understand why anybody would want to kiss somebody who once fully shat in the bathtub."

Belly shot him a look. "I was like two years old."

"Two?" Steven repeated skeptically. "More like..."

Steven and Jeremiah both said, "Six."

"Shut up, Steven," Belly snapped.

"Steven," Laurel warned.

Susannah tilted her head in remembrance. "Aw, I remember that. God, that feels like a lifetime ago."

Taylor narrowed her eyes at Steven. "I remember when I visited last summer, and you dared him..." She pointed to Jeremiah. "To pee in the fireplace, and you stunk up the entire house for days. Do you remember that?"

There was laughter from the kids across the table, as Belly smiled smugly; this time, she was perfectly content with Taylor getting 'revenge' for her as no one got hurt, but Steven and Jeremiah both looked busted and sheepish as Susannah, Laurel, Reagan and Helaena looked at them in surprise.

"You did what?" Reagan asked.

"Seriously?" Helaena asked.

Susannah gave Steven and Jeremiah a look. "I blamed the neighbor's cat."

Steven pressed his lips together. "We were drunk. We were drunk."

AJ looked at them skeptically. "On like half a White Claw."

There was more laughter at the table, this time including the parents.

Percy looked at Steven and Jeremiah smugly. "She got you there."

When no one was looking, all distracted by the conversation, Percy was sneaking chunks of food off his plate and into the napkin on his lap, folding it up so that no one saw, giving the impression that he was eating when he wasn't.

Helaena put a glass in front of Percy. "Here, drink."

"I don't want it," Percy told her.

Helaena shot him a look. "Yes, you do. Drink it."

Percy rolled his eyes, drinking.

Belly turned to Taylor. "You know, um, I'm thinking maybe we should go to Nicole's party."

Taylor got excited. "Yes. Oh, my God. I love you. I'm so excited."

AJ ran a hand through her hair as she pulled it back, pulling in a wheezy breath.

Conrad glanced at her in concern before looking away.

♾️

AJ's Room

AJ was sitting in her room.

Jeremiah stood in the doorway. "Hey."

AJ looked up at him. "Hey."

Jeremiah walked closer. "I didn't get to talk to you earlier, work, doctors and everything, but..."

"Yeah," AJ agreed.

"You don't have to talk about the hospital or whatever," Jeremiah told her. "I know you hate the place and everything in it so much given everything." AJ nodded. "But, uh, just wanted to check in."

AJ gave him a slight smile. "Thank you."

AJ looked at the book next to her on the nightstand pointedly, causing Jeremiah to follow her gaze.

With a laugh, Jeremiah picked up the book. "Can't believe you actually brought this."

AJ seemed to have a little life in her eyes back as she remembered all the times she had tried to convince him to read, which seemed to be Jeremiah's goal as he smiled at seeing AJ's cheering up even a little bit.

"Jere, seriously, that series is a masterpiece," AJ told him. "How many times have I told you to finish the book series?"

Jeremiah hummed playfully. "Uh, about 8,000 times."

AJ pushed his shoulders softly, rolling her eyes. "Well, since I've told you that many times, will you finally get out of your 'I don't wanna read books anymore' phase and finish it before the TV series comes out?" AJ held both hands tightly around each other, giving him the 'You can't say no, so do it please or I'm never talking to you again' face. Jeremiah ruffled AJ's hair playfully, making her fix her hair. "Hey!"

Jeremiah laughed softly before letting his hand fall. "Fine, okay, okay. I will finish the last two books before the show comes out. Then we can binge watch it together and talk about it. How does that sound?"

AJ couldn't help a small smile. "Yes. Okay, I brought both of them already because I knew I was gonna con you into saying yes." Jeremiah snorted laughter. "You have a month to finish both because the series comes out next month."

Jeremiah nodded. "All right, fine. You wanna come with us to the party?"

AJ was kind of worried given her medical issues right now, but she knew that more than anything, she just wanted to drown it all out right now because of how intense and overwhelming it felt, nodding. "Yeah. Yeah, I'll go."

Jeremiah gave AJ a big smile. "All right. Party duo in action tonight."

AJ couldn't help a chuckle as she did her handshake with Jeremiah that finished with a hug. AJ held a little more tightly than she normally did. Jeremiah smiled at having more of his best friend back, wrapping his arms around her in return before they pulled away.

♾️

Belly's Room

In new party outfits, Belly and Taylor were doing their makeup before the party.

Belly kept poking her eye with mascara. "Ow. Oh..."

"It goes on your lashes, not in your eyeball," Taylor told her.

"Uh, yeah, that's what I'm trying to do," Belly told her.

They both laughed lightly.

Taylor turned Belly to face her. "Just let me do it." Belly sighed, letting Taylor take over. Taylor easily did Belly's makeup. "Tonight is gonna be so much fun."

"Yeah, I just hope it's not a disaster like the last two parties I went to," Belly admitted.

"Yeah, the first party you went to for like 20 minutes," Taylor told her. "It barely even counts."

"Yeah, and I embarrassed myself in front of everyone, and did the same thing at the second one picking a fight with Conrad," Belly told her.

"No, you made people notice you," Taylor told her. "You made him notice you, even if it's not the way you wanted. Enjoy it. Don't spoil it."

Belly considered. "I mean, I guess it was pretty badass having a black eye for a day."

Taylor smirked, finishing her mascara, putting it away. "Zero clumps. I'm a genius."

♾️

Hallway

AJ had also gotten changed for the party, sighing heavily as she placed her flower crown next to Belly and Taylor's on the table in the hallway.

On the wall in front of AJ, there was a mirror.

Belly and Taylor walked out of Belly's room when they saw AJ, both awkward after everything.

"Hey, AJ," Taylor said. "I really am sorry for earlier. It really was an accident."

AJ looked over her shoulder toward them before turning to face them. "That's the least of my problems, Taylor. You're forgiven."

Taylor nodded, relieved. "Okay, cool."

"You're going to the party?" Belly asked. "Even after what happened last time?"

AJ sighed heavily. "I need to get it out of my head for a while."

Taylor pointed at AJ. "That's what I'm talking about." She noticed the flower crowns on the table in front of AJ, walking closer. "Oh, we should totally wear these to the party."

Belly frowned, walking closer. "Wh... I mean, Susannah got those as, like, a fun thing for my birthday dinner. Isn't it weird if we wear them out of the house?"

Taylor put on her flower crown, picking up Belly's to place it on her head. "No." She picked up AJ's crown to place it on her head. "It's hot." She turned the mirror in front of them. "Look at us." Belly turned to look at their reflection alongside Taylor and AJ. "We're hot-ass bitches."

(Song:) Best Friend - Saweetie feat. Doja Cat

Taylor and Belly smiled as they continued to check themselves out in the mirror for the moment.

AJ scoffed a laugh, shaking her head. "Let's go. The boys probably already left."

AJ walked toward the stairs.

Taylor and Belly shrugged, following her.

♾️

Foyer

Helaena was waiting in the foyer when the girls came down. "I knew you were gonna end up heading out to that party once they mentioned it at dinner, AJ. For the love of God, just take the driver I called. You shouldn't be walking far, and the boys already left, so... take Belly and Taylor with you."

AJ didn't know what to say to that.

Belly and Taylor lit up.

"You called us a car?" Belly asked.

"Not a limo, so don't get your hopes up this time," Helaena warned. "But... at least the car's fancy still. Consider this another birthday present to you, too, Belly."

Belly and Taylor squealed.

AJ shook her head, but couldn't help a slight smirk.

♾️

Nicole's House - Outside

Nicole's house was decorated with lights wrapped around columns and windows for the party, where a lot of people were at.

The fancy driver service car pulled up to the party, causing everyone to stare.

AJ, Taylor and Belly got out of the car, still wearing their flower crowns, and very well aware that everyone was staring at them.

While AJ didn't like all the attention, Taylor and Belly loved it. They walked up to the party together as everyone watched.

♾️

Inside - Foyer

The party was going strong, a regular high school party.

Percy went to greet the girls. "Now that's what I call an entrance."

"Courtesy of your mother," AJ replied.

Percy chuckled as he hugged AJ and Belly both and did a handshake with Taylor.

"That was actually so awesome," Belly admitted.

Taylor grinned. "Totally."

Nicole walked closer. "Belly! You came! AJ, it's so good to see you. How are you?"

Nicole embraced AJ, much to her surprise.

AJ awkwardly returned the hug, but appreciative of the gesture. "I'm fine. Thanks. Hey, Nicole."

Nicole then hugged Belly.

Percy chuckled at how awkward AJ was with this crowd, the deb crowd.

Belly seemed to be at ease in the moment, even though she was still a bit awkward and very insecure with these girls, she liked joining them and acting like them for a little while, which made Taylor roll her eyes.

Belly looked at Nicole. "You look so pretty."

"Oh, me?" Nicole asked. "Look at you. Oh, my goodness. Are those real flowers?"

"Yes," Belly answered.

Nicole smiled. "Incredible. Well, we have to show Gigi."

Belly nodded. "Yeah, yeah, totally."

Nicole took AJ and Belly's hands.

AJ looked back at Percy and Taylor. "You want to come?"

Percy shook his head. "You have fun over there."

"Okay," Belly agreed. "Okay."

Percy walked off to go find Cam.

Taylor was not happy. "I'm gonna go find a drink."

Taylor walked away, pouting and jealous as she went to get a drink.

Nicole led AJ and Belly up to the other deb girls. "You guys, look who's here."

The girls smiled at Belly. "Birthday girl. Happy birthday."

Shayla touched AJ's arm. "And we're so glad you're okay after that night at the beach."

"Thank you," AJ told them.

Belly nodded. "Thank you, guys." She looked at all of the birthday stuff on the table. "Um, is this for me?"

"Who else would it be for, Belly?" Nicole asked as she lit the candles on one of the cakes.

Belly laughed. "Oh, my... Thank you, guys." The girls laughed along. "These cakes are amazing, Nicole."

Nicole smiled. "I never miss a chance to have a Sofia Coppola moment."

AJ took a breath. "Okay, well, Belly, make a wish."

Belly giggled. "Okay."

Belly blew out the candles that Nicole just lit.

Gigi, of course, immediately asked about her current obsession. "Belly, AJ, where's Jeremiah?"

"Um, I think he's over by the drinks table," AJ answered.

"Who's thirsty?" Gigi asked.

"You, clearly," Marisa answered.

The deb girls laughed, including Belly.

AJ shook her head, looking away; she didn't find it funny, and she was distant as usual, barely connecting despite trying.

♾️

Living Room

Jeremiah was sitting with a guy on the couch named Luke, flirting expertly and fluidly. "Yeah? Well, I'll give you some lessons."

"I'm really good, actually," Luke told him.

Jeremiah nodded. "I'll hold you to that."

Luke chuckled. "Hey, all about it."

Jeremiah tilted his head, his arms resting on the back of the couch behind him. "So, how come I've never seen you at the pool?"

"My parents had one put in, so..." Luke trailed off.

Jeremiah hummed. "Hmm. Does your parents' pool have all this?"

Luke looked at him curiously. "Queerbaiter."

Jeremiah chuckled. "No, Luke, I'm just equal opportunity."

Luke cupped Jeremiah's cheek and they started kissing.

(Song Ends)

♾️

Dining Room

(Song:) Too Simple - Relaye

The deb girls were still talking. (minus Shayla now)

"So, Nicole, you and Conrad a thing or what?" Dara asked.

AJ lowered her eyes, and Belly glanced at AJ, both of them awkward.

"I think 'or what'," Nicole answered. "And I knew it wasn't likely from the start. We didn't want strings, and he still doesn't, but..."

Marisa looked at AJ and Belly. "Wait, you live with him. You should know what he's up to. Has he been hanging out with other girls this summer?"

Belly sounded jealous to her own ears, and she hated it. "Besides AJ?"

AJ frowned at Belly, giving her a look for throwing her under the bus like that in front of the other girls, and she answered truthfully because they didn't start anything and neither of them were ready for that anyway. "As friends. We're best friends. I'm not in the right mind space for a real relationship. Wouldn't be surprised if he's not either."

Nicole considered that, tilting her head before changing the subject. "Okay, well, new topic. Have you two asked anyone to the ball yet?"

"No," Belly answered.

AJ shook her head.

"What you should do is find a guy that you like and take them to empty bedrooms and ask them there," Gigi told them.

Dara shook her head. "No. Do not do that. They'll get too excited."

Gigi gave her a look. "That's the point. They'll say yes."

Nicole laughed. "Gigi."

"That was my plan," Gigi said.

"I know," Nicole replied.

Marisa laughed. "That's bad advice."

Belly was smiling and laughing with the girls.

AJ was getting overwhelmed, looking away, her breath slightly fast as she tried to keep it under control.

While looking away, AJ looked into the kitchen.

Conrad was standing in the kitchen while running a hand through his hair.

Now, the music and the voices all seemed to fade briefly.

Conrad took a drink of his beer, glancing over, noticing AJ's gaze. Even with a look, he seemed to see how overwhelmed she was and gave her a nod and slight smile.

AJ returned the gesture a bit, and her next breath was easier, as the simple exchange and tuning out the rest of world for even a moment helped her calm down a bit.

Belly noticed the exchange while the other girls didn't, shaking her head, scoffing, reaching for a beer on the table, bumping past AJ to get it, which got both her and Conrad's attention, drinking it in a rush, determined to get drunk herself.

Belly: (voice over) "Well, popped the little bubble. See how they like it."

"What's wrong?" AJ asked.

Belly shook her head bitterly as she ignored AJ, walking away.

Conrad saw the way Belly reacted and rolled his eyes with a sigh.

AJ rolled her eyes, walking away to go get drunk too.

♾️

Hallway

Steven was in the line for the bathroom, looking at his phone at the Olivia Lim line that Shayla showed him earlier.

Taylor walked up next to him, looking at his phone. "That looks fancy. Personally, I'd rather be comfortable."

Steven put his phone away. "Yeah, uh, well, fancy isn't always better, so..."

Taylor tilted her head. "I don't think Belly and AJ agree. They seem fully on board with the fancy girls."

Steven shook his head. "No, no, no, no. Look, they're just trying it out. Look, girls like that, they're cool in theory, all right, but AJ and Belly are never gonna feel fully comfortable around them, even if Bell's better pretending that she is than AJ." Taylor scoffed. "Come on, look, Belly's always gonna need you. All right? You're, like, her number one."

Taylor wasn't sure if that was true, but she looked around in consideration for a moment. "This line hasn't budged. Do you want to go upstairs and see if there are other bathrooms?"

Steven nodded. "Yeah, sure."

♾️

Elsewhere

Percy and Cam were walking together through the party.

Percy was telling him all about his patient. "So Caleb was okay completely until one surfing lesson and that spinal cord issue, and then he lost his legs, but I've been getting updates from Noelani and Charles, and they said that the treatments they started him on this afternoon are already starting to work. They think that he might be able to stand tomorrow morning and start walking again, slowly, by tomorrow afternoon at the latest."

Cam smiled, proud. "That's freaking amazing, Percy." Percy smiled. "You know, I never got to ask. What's it like being a 16 year old doctor?"

"Well, I love being a physician," Percy admitted. "But, I mean, I can't really compare my life to anything else. This is the only 16 I know."

Cam nodded in understanding. "I get that."

Percy and Cam looked at each other, smiling.

Percy: (voice over) "There's something about Cam that seems safe and comfortable. His eyelashes. They're so long they practically hit his cheekbones. Granted, his cheekbones are high, but still. Also, he has a slight underbite, and his skin's clear and smooth, the color of toasted coconut flakes, the kind you put on ice cream. His skin is perfect. To my eyes, everything about him is pretty perfect."

Percy took a deep breath. "Thank you. For tonight at dinner with everybody. My family and friends. I don't wanna make you feel like you're a secret or anything. I just..."

"It's okay, Percy," Cam assured. "You're not ready to come out yet to your parents, and that's okay. That's your decision. I'm just kinda sorry about how Jeremiah was pushing earlier, even if he wasn't doing it to be mean."

"He wasn't," Percy answered. "Jere's just insanely curious about things, but so oblivious to everything that he doesn't know when to stop. Susannah likes to joke that he's like a golden retriever."

Cam laughed. "Personally, I think he exudes a little more border collie."

Percy laughed. "Yeah, I can see that, too. Yeah. Definitely felt like punching him earlier during that close call."

Cam frowned. "Are you really that worried about how your family will react, Percy? I mean, I know the other guys know, but your parents?"

"More my mom than my dad," Percy answered. "But, uh... a little bit."

Cam looked at him sympathetically. "I get it. We'll go slow. At your own pace."

Percy looked at Cam gratefully, smiling. "Thanks, Sextus."

Cam returned the smile. "No problem, Livia."

Percy: (voice over) "Like I said. He's perfect."

(Song Ends)

♾️

Elsewhere

(Song:) My Strange Addiction - Billie Eilish

AJ was getting drunk while seeing Conrad with Nicole.

Clay walked closer, smirking, not caring that Conrad glared daggers at him when he noticed him walking closer to AJ. "How are you?"

AJ hated how smug and mocking his eyes were. "Are you high? Like right now?"

Lyrics: "Don't ask questions you don't wanna know / Learned my lesson way too long ago / To be talkin' to you, belladonna / Should've taken a break, not an oxford comma / Take what I want when I wanna / And I want ya."

Clay simply smirked, briefly turning his head to away to look toward Conrad, seeing his glare, smirking. "You and Conrad, huh? You sure you don't have a chance? Because he looks like he wants to fight me for your honor. Again."

AJ glared at him for that reminder. "What the hell do you want?"

Lyrics: "Bad, bad news / One of us is gonna lose / I'm the powder, you're the fuse / Just add some friction."

Clay faced AJ again. "That's one way to talk to the guy who's just trying to return something to you." AJ glanced down to see Clay fiddling with something in his pocket, freezing at the brief flash of familiar pink lace, feeling like she was punched in the gut, looking back to Clay with wide eyes. Clay chuckled. "Now, that I have your attention..." He nodded for AJ to follow him. "Or would you rather I give them back to you here?"

AJ: (voice over) "If there's one thing you can say about Clay Drake... it's that he always knew how to set a trap."

Lyrics: "You are my strange addiction / You are my strange addiction / My doctors can't explain / My symptoms or my pain / But you are my strange addiction."

AJ huffed in resignation, following Clay without a backwards glance to her friends, so that they were away from their sight.

Clay took out the lace underwear to hold up for AJ to see, smirking. "Wasn't so hard, hmm?" AJ tried to take them, but Clay held them out of her reach. "Play nice."

Lyrics: "Deadly fever, please don't ever break / Be my reliever 'cause I don't self-medicate / And it burns like a gin and I like it / Put your lips on my skin and you might ignite it / Hurts, but I know how to hide it, kinda like it."

"You're a sick bastard, you know that?" AJ asked.

Clay stared AJ down. "Guess that's your type, then."

"Fuck you," AJ snapped.

"You already did," Clay replied.

AJ went to slap him. Clay caught her arm, head tilted back some as he glared at AJ. Her breathing was heavy, and his hold on her wrist was tight enough to hurt. AJ pulled on it, but he wouldn't let go. With his other hand, he placed her underwear in her trapped hand, and she tightly held onto them as best as she could.

Lyrics: "Bite my glass, set myself on fire / Can't you tell I'm crass? / Can't you tell I'm wired? / Tell me nothin' lasts / Like I don't know / You could kiss my askin' about my motto."

Clay's face was centimeters from hers, brows drawn together as he held her graze, letting her go. "Get that out of your system yet?"

AJ turned her back to him. "Fuck off."

Clay walked up behind AJ, his chest against her back, his hands on her arms. "So, Fisher, huh? That's gotta hurt like a bitch."

Lyrics: "Bad, bad news / One of us is gonna lose / I'm the powder, you're the fuse / Just add some friction."

AJ rolled her eyes, stepping away from him, leaning against the wall. "Go away, Clay."

Clay followed, hands coming down to rest on either side of AJ on the wall, body flush with hers. "I always thought Nicole was pretty hot, so I get it." AJ shrunk in on herself, attempting to get away from him. Clay leaned in, lips softly grazing her ear. "But I always thought you were hotter, so maybe I don't get it." Clay stepped closer and pinned AJ between him and the wall, one of his hands on the wall on either side of her to box her in, a devious grin on his lips. "Is that why you spread your legs so easily for me?" AJ shoved against him, trying to move away, but Clay's hands prevented her from going anywhere, and she really didn't want to start a scene in the middle of a party especially when her breathing was holding her back from putting up much of an actual fight. "Hey, I'm not complaining. That's the last thing I'm doing." His nose brushed against hers. "'Cause if you're trying to get his attention, then yeah. Fucking me, that'll do it. After what happened in LA."

Clay was enjoying himself way too much.

AJ glared at him. "I wasn't... I was just drunk and upset."

"Drunk and upset," Clay hummed with a nod. "Like you are now?"

AJ pushed Clay off of her, walking away.

Lyrics: "You are my strange addiction / You are my strange addiction / My doctors can't explain / My symptoms or my pain / But you are my strange addiction."

(Song Ends)

♾️

Elsewhere

Belly was buzzed from alcohol, but not drunk-drunk. However, she was moody and bitchy.

Jeremiah was talking with Luke and Marisa. "So, what are you guys doing after the party?"

"I have plans, but I think..." Marisa trailed off.

"Oh, you're busy?" Jeremiah asked. "That's a shame." He looked over to see Percy and Cam sitting on the couch and laughing together, getting an idea. "Yeah, I'll be right back." He walked up to a karaoke machine, turning it on, speaking through the mic, with some feedback that got everyone's attention. "Testing, testing, one, two, three. Checking out, checking out. All right. This one goes out to Cam Cameron and our favorite little lightning Percy."

Percy nodded sarcastically at the Percy Jackson reference. "Oh, Jesus."

Percy and Cam put their hands over their faces.

The deb girls, including Belly, were nearby.

Summer Nights from Grease started to play from the machine.

Jeremiah smiled, singing. "Summer loving, had me a blast."

Jeremiah held the mic up to Percy.

Percy shook his head, sheepish and embarrassed. "No, please no."

"Oh, come on," Jeremiah complained. Percy moved the mic out of his face. Jeremiah continued on with Danny's line. "I met a girl crazy for me."

Nicole, Gigi and Dara were dancing in a line, singing along with Jeremiah for Sandy's line, as Jeremiah leaned against Nicole's back and sang in a girly voice. "I met a boy as cute as can be."

Marisa and Luke were dancing around behind Jeremiah.

Cam and Percy were laughing but so embarrassed, but Cam seemed to be very into it, and Percy was halfway into it.

Belly was not amused as she looked over the scene with narrowed eyes.

Jeremiah continued with the song. "Summer days drifting away / To, oh, oh, the summer nights."

Cam stood and grabbed the other mic, singing with Jeremiah. "Oh, well-a, well-a, well-a."

Percy smiled in disbelief, but enjoying this even though he wanted to get back at Jeremiah in playful, mock revenge for this. "Oh, my God."

Jeremiah threw his arm around Cam as they bounced in place and continued to sing. "Tell me more, tell me more / Did you get very far?"

As the boys continued to sing, the deb girls joined in. "Tell me more, tell me more / Like, does he have a car? / Uh-huh, do, do, uh-huh, do, do / Uh-huh, do, do, do, do, do / Uh-huh, do, do, uh-huh, do, do / Uh-huh, do, do, do, do, do."

Percy shrugged, standing up to join in on the fun since he saw that Cam was okay with it. "She swam by me, she got a cramp."

Belly was annoyed that this was her birthday and yet it didn't feel like it, though to be fair, this party wasn't her party and they crashed the party Nicole was throwing.

Belly walked out of the room, looking for her best friend. "Taylor?"

The boys sang in high-pitched voices with the girls. "He ran by me, got my suit damp."

The boys sang normally. "I saved her life, she nearly drowned..."

Percy suddenly got dizzy. "Whoa."

Cam stopped singing instantly, going to Percy's side. "Percy? Are you okay?"

Jeremiah and the girls stopped singing.

"Yeah, I just got really dizzy," Percy murmured.

Cam frowned in concern. "Hey, it's okay. Let's get you sitting down."

Percy nodded.

♾️

Hallway

(Song:) Happier Than Ever - Billie Eilish

AJ and Conrad were talking.

"How are you, after earlier?" Conrad asked.

AJ nodded barely. "I'm okay. Better, at least."

Conrad nodded in return.

Belly walked by while on her way toward the stairs, scoffing at AJ and Conrad. "Of course you two are together, but never actually together even when you act like it."

"Excuse me?" AJ asked.

Conrad gave Belly a warning look that she ignored.

Lyrics: "When I'm away from you, I'm happier than ever."

"I'm talking about how even if you two aren't together, you can't be with anyone else, right?" Belly asked. "But let me be the one to tell you that you're barking up the wrong tree here, AJ. Conrad will never love anyone as much as he loves himself, if you know what I mean."

Belly lifted up her hand and wiggled her fingers.

Lyrics: "Wish I could explain it better / I wish it wasn't true."

"Shut up, Belly," Conrad warned.

Belly shrugged.

Belly: (voice over) "It's a low blow, but I don't care. He deserves it. They both do."

AJ frowned in confusion. "What is she talking about, Conrad?"

Lyrics: "Give me a day or two to think of something clever / To write myself a letter / To tell me what to do, mm-mmm."

Before Conrad could even begin to explain, Belly cut him off bitchily. "Oh, I'm sorry, do you not know what the idiom 'barking up the wrong tree' means?"

AJ scoffed softly. "Okay, you know what, Belly? I don't need this shit from you. Go be a brat somewhere else."

AJ walked away.

Belly scoffed.

Conrad glared at Belly for pulling something like this now, after everything, walking away. "AJ, wait."

Lyrics: "Do you read my interviews? / Or do you skip my avenue? / When you said you were passing through / Was I even on your way?"

Clay walked into the hall, seeing AJ and Conrad. "Conrad." AJ blinked, eyes falling to the ground, having no patience for this on top of what Belly just did. "Nice to see you again."

Conrad glared at Clay, rolling his eyes, his tone light, but the tension in the air anything but. "Hello to you too, Clay."

Clay smirked haughtily, turning toward AJ with the familiar dark look in his eyes. "Excuse me, miss, is this guy bothering you?"

AJ didn't know if he was trying to be funny or genuinely trying to pick a fight (again), but her eyes were pleading when they met his, shaking her head slightly. "No."

Lyrics: "I knew when I asked you to be cool about what I was telling you / You'd do the opposite of what you said you'd do / And I'd end up more afraid."

"I know you like to pretend you're unaware of everyone you think is beneath you, but you know we're best friends, right?" Conrad asked. "I've known her a lot longer than you have, so if anyone is the odd man out, right now, it's you."

Clay raised his eyebrows knowingly, nodding sarcastically. "Ah. Is that so?" He glanced at AJ, his question directed at Conrad. "That's right, you two go way back, don't you?"

"Clay, come on," AJ softly said. "He's just hanging out with his friends."

"Not what I saw," Clay drawled, leaning in toward Conrad. "Looked like he dumped his friends to hang out with a pretty girl."

Conrad just gave a sarcastic smile in return. "You'd know that well, right? Oh, wait, you've never had any real friends, so there's that. Guess that's your excuse for trying to be with girls that you don't deserve and treating them like shit."

Clay's jaw ticked as a darker look took over his gaze and he glared Conrad down.

Lyrics: "Don't say it isn't fair / You clearly weren't aware that you made me miserable."

AJ shook her head nervously. "Con, please."

"Yeah, Con, please," Clay mocked.

AJ turned to give him a scathing look. "Clay."

Clay and Conrad both seemed to assess just how worried and uncomfortable AJ was, eyeing each other up.

Lyrics: "So if you really wanna know / When I'm away from you / I'm happier than ever (happier than ever)."

Clay let out a scoff, pushing past Conrad, but not without roughly bumping his shoulder on the way, shockingly not fighting with him at the moment. "Whatever."

AJ was relieved when he walked away, knowing that the Clay would rather fight than leave, pressing her lips together, turning to Conrad to apologize. "I'm sorry."

Conrad shook his head. "Not your fault he's a dick." AJ's gaze fell, and she didn't know what to say. Conrad was more concerned about her. "You okay?"

AJ shook her head in a silently honest answer but didn't know where to begin about all the reasons why.

Note: For the fact that the show tuned out the song during Taylor and Belly's fight until the last line)

Lyrics that continue to explain how Belly treats her friends during all this, and how Clay treats AJ: "I don't relate to you / I don't relate to you, no / 'Cause I'd never treat me this shitty / You made me hate this city / And I don't talk shit about you on the internet / Never told anyone anything bad / 'Cause that shit's embarrassing, you were my everything / And all that you did was make me fucking sad / So don't waste the time I don't have / And don't try to make me feel bad / You ruined everything good / Always said you were misunderstood / Made all my moments your own / Just fucking leave me alone."

♾️

Upstairs Hallway

Belly walked upstairs, looking for Taylor so that she could rant about how bad tonight was at the party, looking into a room. "Taylor? Are you in here?"

A boy was coughing from inside the room. "Yo, close that door!"

Belly chuckled. "Sorry, sorry." She closed the door and continued on. "Taylor?"

♾️

Another Room

Belly opened the door to this room to see Taylor's flower crown laying on the bed. She opened the door completely and stepped inside. And was shocked to see Taylor and Steven making out, angry and betrayed. "Oh, my God."

Taylor and Steven quickly broke away.

"Belly?" Taylor asked.

Steven was mortified. "Oh, my God. Uh..."

Belly scoffed. "Jesus."

Steven ran out of the room.

Taylor took a step after him. "Steven..."

Belly stepped in her way, her incredulous voice stopping Taylor in her tracks. "Oh, my... You're hooking up with my brother?"

"I swear it just happened," Taylor told her.

"Well, what, you got bored?" Belly accused. "H-He's dating someone, you know. Someone he actually likes."

Taylor was hurt, insecure. "You saying he couldn't like someone like me?"

Belly shook her head. "No. No, no, no. That's not what I'm saying. I... This could get really messed up. I mean, he's taking her to the deb ball." Taylor was immediately fed up, looking away in annoyance. "And all those girls are her friends."

Taylor looked at Belly. "Oh, my God, I'm so sick of hearing about this fucking deb ball. I don't even know who you are anymore."

"Oh, why?" Belly asked. "Because I'm not just going along with everything you want to do? Is that why you threw yourself at my brother? So that you could get back at me?"

Taylor scoffed incredulously. "You know, you act so innocent, Belly, like you're the victim."

"Victim?" Belly repeated.

"Yeah," Taylor answered.

Belly glared. "How do I... I'm sorry."

"I think you're the self-absorbed one, Belly," Taylor told her. "How do you not know that I've had a crush on Steven for years? And everything that you keep complaining about, with AJ, thinking that she's taking Conrad away from you, and you only tell half the story and then get mad at me when I do something about it because, oh, I didn't know how sick she actually fucking was. Maybe Conrad was right about the things he said. If you weren't so obsessed with him--"

Belly glared in hurt betrayal and incredulity, shushing her loudly, looking toward the door. "Shh. What is wrong with you? People are going to hear."

"Who cares?" Taylor demanded. "AJ never tried to take attention away from you, did she? It just happened because of all the fucked up shit that happened, and you couldn't get enough attention for yourself. Like you do with me." Belly didn't have anything to say to that, though she tried. "There's more than one story happening here, but you seem to only care about the one where you're the main character."

Belly scoffed, shaking her head, not able to hear this because it was the truth. "I... I can't deal with this right now. I got to go."

Belly stormed out of the room.

Taylor watched her go, wiping tears from beneath her eyes as they broke free.

Lyrics: "Just fucking leave me alone."

(Song Ends)

♾️

Living Room

After seeing Clay twice tonight and having to stop a fight between him and Conrad already, AJ was getting even more drunk than she was earlier.

Cam walked by to get some water. "Hey, AJ."

"Hey, Cam," AJ replied. "Where's Precy?"

"Oh, he got a little dizzy, so I came to get him some water," Cam explained.

AJ frowned in concern. "Is he okay?"

"Yeah, yeah," Cam answered. "He said it's because dinner didn't settle well. That's why."

AJ shrugged slightly. "Oh, that makes sense."

"Yeah," Cam said.

AJ remembered something, turning to Cam. "Oh, I never said thank you for the concert thing."

"Which thing?" Cam asked.

AJ tilted her head. "Come on, you know the whole...." She started to chant to demonstrate. "AJ, AJ. That thing."

Cam nodded in remembrance, chuckling. "Oh, don't worry. You guys were amazing."

AJ smiled slightly. "Still, thanks."

Cam smiled before returning serious. "Hey, so that dinner was... right?"

AJ shook her head. "Don't get me started."

"Was that about me?" Cam asked. "With Percy and his parents?"

"Oh, no," AJ answered. "I mean, the Reagan and Helaena of it all, that's how they are with Percy."

"How do you mean?" Cam asked.

"Well, Percy sometimes gets really sick," AJ explained what the Smythes had told the rest of the extended families. "Like this rare stomach bug thing that comes back irregularly. Helaena and Reagan explained it to us. It started when he was a kid. He loses his appetite and gets skinny, so we all get worried when he doesn't eat and then he gets better and just eats a lot. But he's eating normally, so it's a false alarm."

Cam seemed to come to a realization, nodding. "Right, uh..." He held out the water. "I should go get this to Percy."

"Good luck," AJ told him.

Cam noticed that AJ was getting really drunk. "But, oh..."

Cam took AJ's drink from her, putting it on the table.

AJ pouted. "Cam Cameron."

Cam gave her a water bottle instead. "Here, you should drink this. Like, a lot."

"I'm fine," AJ told him.

"You will be better once you drink that," Cam pointed out, walking away, giving her a thumbs up.

AJ rolled her eyes, shaking her head, with a slight smile.

♾️

Outside

(Song:) Have Mercy - Chloe

Cam walked outside to join Conrad, Percy and Jeremiah at the beer bong table, filling half the cups on the table with water instead of alcohol. "There we go."

Percy smiled slightly, feeling a bit better after his dizzy spell. "That's awesome."

Conrad and Percy were on one team at the beer pong table, while Cam and Jeremiah were at the other while the four boys played the game, but Conrad and Jeremiah were drinking for Percy and Cam since they didn't drink, though Percy and Cam's side of the table, the cups were filled with water.

Jeremiah had his arm slung over Cam's shoulders. "You're not gonna make it. You got nothing."

Percy was lining up his shot. "So much shit you talk..."

"Try," Jeremiah replied. Percy tossed the ping pong ball, but missed it. Jeremiah imitated a buzzer teasingly. "Oh."

Cam picked the ping pong ball up.

Conrad tossed a ball, tilting his head when he missed. "Really? Not even close."

Jeremiah put his arm back around Cam as he stood up with the ball.

Cam tossed the ball, but missed.

"Oh!" Percy teased.

Conrad chuckled. "Psych."

"Oh, that was close," Jeremiah said. "All right, that was close."

Cam smiled at feeling included like one of the guys and just having fun. "All right, ready? Go ahead, man."

"Don't mess up," Percy teased.

Belly walked outside, ready to go home, walking up to the boys. "Hey."

"Hi," Percy replied.

Jeremiah gasped in delight, clearly drunk, but still flirting hardcore as he wrapped his arms around Belly tightly. "Belly!"

Belly laughed, holding Jeremiah tightly. "Hi."

Conrad seemed to notice the different vibe between them now, critical yet uncaring.

Percy also seemed to notice, frowning.

Jeremiah let go of Belly. "Where have you been?"

Belly didn't answer. "Yeah." She noticed the boys were playing beer pong, frowning at Percy and Cam. "Um, I-I thought you didn't drink."

"Oh, it's water," Cam said the same time Percy said, "It's water."

Cam and Percy smiled at each other.

"Conrad and Jeremiah have been drinking for us," Cam explained.

Percy looked at Conrad and Jeremiah. "Thanks for that, by the way."

Conrad shook his head, patting Percy fondly on the shoulder. "Not a problem."

Percy smiled.

Jeremiah pointed at Cam. "Mm-hmm. I love this kid so much. So fun."

Even with Percy being slightly annoyed at Jeremiah tonight given the dinner, he was relieved that he really liked Cam and approved of his boyfriend, and that he gave them a fun time and sang the song for them.

Conrad chuckled knowingly. "Yeah, Cam Cameron's not bad at all."

Percy grinned at Conrad.

Cam smiled, liking that they approved too.

Belly quickly realized that Conrad and Jeremiah were both too drunk to drive, sighing. "Percy, can you drive, or..."

"You know I really don't like to, Belly," Percy told her.

"But we did come in my car," Cam offered. "I can drive."

"Thanks, Cam," Belly told him. "Can we leave? Like, now?"

Percy frowned. "Um, yeah. Sure, that's cool."

"What about AJ, Steven and Taylor?" Cam asked.

"AJ can call Helaena and get another car to come get her," Belly said snarkily. "Steven and Taylor can find their own rides."

Percy and Jeremiah frowned at the nastiness in Belly's words for her best friends and her brother.

Conrad, while he didn't know what her deal with Steven and Taylor was about, knew what hers with AJ was about and rolled his eyes.

Cam looked to Conrad and Jeremiah. "What about you guys?"

"I'm good," Jeremiah answered. "I'm heading with Luke."

Conrad shook his head. "I'll be fine. You guys can go."

Percy, Cam and Belly nodded.

"Yeah, have fun," Jeremiah said. "Good luck, good luck." Percy, Cam and Belly walked away. Jeremiah turned to Conrad. "One v. one, all right? You're going down." Conrad smirked slightly. "Ready?"

"Yeah, right," Conrad replied.

Jeremiah threw the ball, and landed in a cup right in front of Conrad. "Oh!"

Jeremiah whooped.

Conrad did a fist. "Nice shot."

Jeremiah grinned. "You owe me five bucks. I told you..."

Cam walked up to his car to get it unlocked.

Percy turned to Belly. "Can I ask you something?"

"Yeah," Belly answered.

"What happened with you, AJ, Steven and Taylor?" Percy asked.

"Anything but that," Belly told him.

Percy rolled his eyes. "Okay, fine. Next question. What was your problem when you pouted and skulked out when Jeremiah did karaoke for me and Cam? Do you just have a problem with everybody tonight?"

Belly scoffed. "Not answering that either."

"Fine," Percy replied. "Moving on. Are you into Jeremiah now?"

Belly frowned slightly. "You mean Conrad?"

"I know you've been obsessed with Conrad for years," Percy remarked. "But no. No, I mean, Jere. There's a different vibe you guys got now."

Belly shook her head dismissively, though even she didn't believe it completely. "No, no, no. That's--that's just Jere. You know he flirts with everyone." Percy didn't buy that, and Belly quickly changed the subject, needing someone to vent to, even if she was technically lashing out at Percy. "And you know what? I'm allowed to be pissed, Percy."

"For what?" Percy asked.

"For what?" Belly repeated. "Are you kidding me? Today's my birthday. And yet it's been focused on everybody else."

"Are you kidding me?" Percy asked. "You had your birthday present bash from everybody. You had your dinner party. You got so many cakes from Nicole. Taylor came to see you for your day."

Belly shook her head. "So you missed the part where everyone was more focused on AJ because of just getting out of the hospital because of asthma which isn't even that serious, like everything all summer has been about her and Conrad because of Thanksgiving." Percy was about to cut her off right there because of how serious it actually was and how fucked up the last part she said about Thanksgiving was, but Belly kept going. "Even playing games at the house ended up about her because Taylor hit her with the volleyball. Then her appoointments, and she, you, Conrad and Helaena showed up late because of them. And when you did get there, it was mostly about Jeremiah making things about you and Cam, and then Taylor asking everybody about first kisses. Even this party, and Jeremiah's making a song about you and Cam, and Conrad's focused on AJ again, and Steven and Taylor are hooking up because of God knows what--"

Percy had enough, shaking his head. While he wasn't angry and he kept perfectly calm, he wasn't going to let this slide. "One, AJ's attack was fucking serious. You have no idea what the hell you're talking about, so stop right there. And how can you even say that about Conrad and AJ when Adilah and Khalid died and they almost did? And the fact that AJ's going through this right now is because of Thanksgiving, so you don't get to be mad about any of that or her appointments today or us being late to your birthday dinner. Two, it's not fucking AJ's fault that Taylor hit her in the head with the volleyball when she wasn't even in the damn game. And I find it hard to believe that a volleyball champion like Taylor did that on accident. Three, so what if Jeremiah wanted to do something nice for me and Cam? Maybe he just wanted to get to know my first boyfriend. And he likes him. So do Conrad and Steven. So why are you being a bitch about it? And Taylor's had a crush on Steven forever that anybody could've noticed. Except for you, apparently. And this party wasn't yours to begin with. Nicole was throwing it long before she knew it was your birthday and we crashed after you asked if we could, so no one was obligated to make the entire party about you, but she still had time to order you cakes and have them delivered, so isn't that enough?"

Belly swallowed, shaking her head. "You don't get it."

"No, you seriously don't get it if you're pissed off at everyone who is going through their own shit if you blame them for not circling all around you," Percy replied, getting into the car with Cam.

Belly hesitated, not knowing what to do, tears in her eyes. She sighed, getting into the car so they could go home.

♾️

Beach

(Song:) Mirrorball - Taylor Swift

After dropping Belly off, Percy was sitting by the beach, listening to music through his headphones, overlooking the ocean.

Cam walked closer, touching him on his shoulder. "Percy."

Percy turned to look at him, taking his headphones off, seeing him. "Hey."

Cam held out a water bottle. "I brought you some more water."

Lyrics: "I want you to know / I'm a mirrorball / I'll show you every version of yourself tonight."

"Oh, thanks," Percy said, taking it. "But I'm fine. I was just dizzy for a moment. Must have been something I ate."

Cam looked at Percy, worried, sitting down next to him. "Does that always happen?"

"Sometimes," Percy answered.

Lyrics: "I'll get you out on the floor / Shimmering beautiful / And when I break it's in a million pieces."

"I just..." Cam trailed off, biting his lip anxiously. "When you grow up with other people, you kinda realize you have to play a role, I guess. Like before my sister got sick, she was like this free spirit. Um, she, uh, just... like jumped from thing to thing. Drove my mom crazy, but she was really struggling, and she kept it to herself." He looked at Percy. "She had an eating disorder."

Percy seemed to realize that Cam had figured it out, shaking his head. "Cam..."

"Wait," Cam said. "I think she was worried about what we would think, but I wish she hadn't, because she got sick after that, and later, she... she died."

Lyrics: "Hush / When no one is around, my dear / You'll find me on my tallest tiptoes / Spinning in my highest heels, love / Shining just for you."

Percy was stunned, upset for him, apologetic and empathetic, taking his hand. "Cam, I'm so sorry."

Cam wiped a tear that fell. "It's okay. But I don't want you to feel that way, ever. So why don't you talk about what's happening?"

Percy struggled to find the words. "It's just... I know I'm not Conrad who has issues with his dad, or Jeremiah who has issues with Conrad because of their dad. And I'm not AJ with cancer or asthma or dead parents. Or Steven trying to get into a good college. Or Belly dealing with her self esteem. Or AJ and Conrad with their trauma, depression and PTSD after Thanksgiving."

Lyrics: "Hush / I know they said the end is near / But I'm still on my tallest tiptoes / Spinning in my highest heels, love / Shining just for you."

Cam shook his head. "Just because your problems are different doesn't mean they're not important."

Percy bit his lip, tears forming in his eyes. "Not me. I'm always the person people go to with their problems, and I am always fine. That's what everybody expects of me, and I..."

"And?" Cam prompted.

Percy shook his head. "I don't know how to be anything else."

Cam brought Percy into his arms, holding him close while Percy returned the embrace, sniffing. After a moment, they pulled away.

Lyrics: "I want you to know / I'm a mirrorball / I can change everything about me to fit in."

Percy wiped his eyes. "God, this is embarrassing. I'm sorry."

Cam wiped his own eyes. "No, no, it's okay. I need to ask you something."

"What?" Percy asked.

Cam struggled with saying it, but he really did want his best, to try and help him. "At the party, I saw AJ. And don't get mad at her. I don't think she actually wanted to tell me, but she was drunk and rambling. She told me about the stomach bug you sometimes get since you were a kid, and I notice you don't really eat like a lot. Maybe I'm wrong."

Lyrics: "You are not like the regulars / The masquerade revelers / Drunk as they watch my shattered edges glisten."

Percy knew that Cam figured it out over everyone else because he saw his sister go through the same thing; part of him felt touched, but he was also scared. "I'm sorry. I'm really sorry."

Cam held his hand reassuringly. "Percy, no. You have nothing to be sorry about. I just... I wanna understand. I want to help you."

Percy: (voice over) "Is this really happening? I am really about to let Cam know something about me that I've been hiding my entire life. But then again, I have been hiding it forever because I didn't want people to see me differently. To see me less than. But when I look at Cam, he doesn't see me like that. He's so safe and comfortable. Of all the times I drew him, it's like I haven't actually been seeing him. I was wrong. He's not perfect. He is real and human. And that makes me like him more."

Lyrics: "Hush / When no one is around, my dear / You'll find me on my tallest tiptoes / Spinning in my highest heels, love / Shining just for you."

Percy took a deep breath. "I know I don't eat like normal people. Some days I'm fine, but other days I feel like I need to... control it. It started when I was a kid. I just... I couldn't figure out how to escape my parents." He thought about Helaena as he said the next part. "And then I figured out food doesn't yell at you. Or makes you feel like you're not doing enough." He thought about Reagan as he said the next part, before Reagan settled down in Cousins. "Or miss your birthday because they're ot traveling the world." Once again, he thought about Helaena as he said the next part. "Or makes it about how you want everybody else to see how perfect your child is." He started to cry. "So I just ate and ate. But I knew I wasn't going to change anything, but I kept eating, and I realized food was the only thing I could control. My whole life was decided by the problems my parents had for each other."

Cam was so sad and empathetic. "Percy..."

Lyrics: "Hush / I know they said the end is near / But I'm still on my tallest tiptoes / Spinning in my highest heels, love / Shining just for you."

"I just needed everything to stop," Percy admitted. "I needed to be in control. But I realized I couldn't actually control how much I ate, so I figured if I can't control food either, so..."

"You stopped eating altogether," Cam finished.

Percy nodded in shame. "And I was hungry at first, but then, uh... after a while, I got used to it, I guess. And I liked having the extra time to study. And the more I thought about it, the more I figured... 'if I don't need lunch, maybe I don't need breakfast or dinner, either'. And then it just kind of, um... i-it kind of became a new project for me." His voice was breaking. "You know, seeing how long I could go without eating any food. Not eating was all I thought about. I didn't care about the fact that my parents were making everything miserable, or that I was so alone, or that my family and friends didn't seem to notice that I was screaming for help. Because I just accepted everything and made everything seem okay so that no one would know, and no one would see me differently. All I cared about was making it through another day without eating. I know it doesn't make sense."

Lyrics: "And they called off the circus / Burned the disco down / When they sent home the horses / And the rodeo clowns / I'm still on that tightrope / I'm still trying everything to get you laughing at me / I'm still a believer but I don't know why / I've never been a natural / All I do is try, try, try."

Cam spoke quickly. "It does make sense. Okay, maybe I don't totally get it. I know I could never really understand, but... I still wanna know if you're feeling like that. If you're having a bad day, or... if there's anything that I can do to make things less stressful. Cheering you up. I'm your boyfriend, Percy. And I... I really care about you."

"Really?" Percy asked emotionally.

"Obviously," Cam answered in a light tone to make Percy feel better, which did get a chuckle out of him, before they returned serious. "But I think you need to tell your parents, Percy. It's not gonna get better if you don't get help."

Lyrics: "I'm still on that tightrope / I'm still trying everything / To keep you looking at me."

"I know," Percy whispered.

"But I'll be right there with you, boyfriend or not," Cam promised. "When you tell your parents, I'm gonna be right there, I promise, Percy. Okay? Promise me you're gonna let me help. Please."

Percy nodded shakily. "I promise."

Cam nodded, pulling Percy into his embrace again. Percy returned the embrace tightly as they held each other close.

Lyrics: "Because I'm a mirrorball / I'm a mirrorball / I'll show you every version of yourself tonight."

(Song Ends)

♾️

Nicole's House - Party - Porch

Conrad and Jeremiah finished their game.

Jeremiah walked up to Luke, looking back at Conrad, winking. "Wish me luck."

Conrad smirked slightly, shaking his head. "Make good choices."

Jeremiah walked away with Luke.

Once Conrad was alone, Clay walked up to Conrad, patting him on the shoulder just as he turned around. "I was wondering if I could steal one of the beers you got over there, my friend. Why don't you get one for me?"

Conrad was not amused, pushing Clay's hand off. "Get it yourself."

Clay waved to two of his friends. "Yo, guys, Conrad's gonna give some drinks."

Conrad rolled his eyes, knowing that this would lead to a fight one way or another even if he didn't add to it, finishing his drink. "Get lost."

The two guys walked closer.

Conrad tried to walk away, but the guys pushed Conrad back toward Clay.

Clay grabbed Conrad and shoved him against the side of the house. "You know you don't stand a chance against me, Conrad."

"Yeah, even with military training, you still have your goons to back you up," Conrad replied. "Three against one? Very Clay of you."

Conrad punched Clay in the face, snapping his head to the side and nearly making him fall.

Clay started to laugh.

Quickly, the two other guys grabbed Conrad and pulled him back before he could really fight back.

Clay stood up straight, spitting out blood. "Hold him still." One of the guys held Conrad in a chokehold, and Conrad was drunk enough to where he couldn't really get out of it. Clay acted like he was setting up a golf club. "What do you think, a four iron, right? Keep his head still. I'm gonna line this up."

Conrad struggled and couldn't get free. "Fuck you, Clay."

Clay gave him an annoyed, mocking look. "If you could please stop talking? It's very disrespectful. I'm trying to hit a ball. Learn your etiquette, my friend." Conrad spit in Clay's face. Clay laughed, wiping it away. "Shit. All right."

Clay punched Conrad in the face viciously a couple of times, and while restrained, Conrad couldn't punch back, but he managed to kick Clay back angrily.

Nicole walked out to see this. "Hey! Knock it the fuck off, Clay, or I'm calling the cops."

AJ heard the commotion from inside, slowly walking toward the door.

Clay and his friends let go of Conrad.

Clay raised his hands innocently, smirking. "Sorry about that, Nicole. Conrad and I just have a little issue to settle."

"I don't give a fuck," Nicole replied. "Not in my house." She glared at all of them, including Conrad, blaming him for getting into another fight even though this time, he was jumped and ganged up on. "Get the hell out of here, all of you." The friends shoved Conrad away. Conrad was stumbling a bit, slightly in pain, but mostly because of being drunk, looking at Nicole, feeling guilty for being in a fight he didn't even start and 'ruining' her party, shaking his head, walking away, leaving the party. Nicole ran after him, even though he was one of the ones she just kicked out of her party. "Conrad!"

The other two guys left the party, but with Nicole gone, Clay stayed.

AJ walked outside in time to see the end of what just happened, and while she wanted to go after Conrad, she knew that Nicole was with him, and she didn't want to overstep, but she needed to see him at the same time and make sure that he was okay, and apologize for what Clay did. She was furious because of what Clay just did, scoffing, shaking her head, absolutely exhausted with all of this.

(Song Ends)

Warning: Dubious consent, dark. Mentions of self-harm and attempted suicide, complicit domestic violence.

(Song:) Love the Way You Lie - Eminem feat. Rihanna

Even as she was trying to leave, AJ was stumbling drunk.

Clay saw this and went after AJ, grabbing her arm. "Hey, AJ, where are you going?"

AJ turned to give Clay a look. "To make sure that Conrad, my best friend, is okay. Why don't you give me a call when you stop being a dick?"

Clay frowned at the words. He stared at her for a minute, hands on her arms and holding her in place. "Wait, you're seriously mad at me? After you've been staring at him hurt all night because of Nicole?"

Lyrics: (Rihanna) "Just gonna stand there and watch me burn? / Well, that's all right, because I like the way it hurts."

AJ scoffed, shaking her head. "Don't even try to pretend that this was for me, because you knew it was only gonna hurt me." Clay didn't respond. "Conrad is my best friend, and he's not doing anything to hurt me. And you can't go around hurting my friends."

"Whoa, whoa," Clay warned, leaning in, licking his lips, glancing away with a huff, letting her arms go, and AJ hadn't realized how tight he had been holding her until the blood started to rush back into it. Clay touched AJ's cheek, gaze softening slightly. "He said something about me, and he made me snap."

AJ frowned, thinking that had to be a lie, which she would be right about. "What did he say?"

Lyrics: (Rihanna) "Just gonna stand there and hear me cry? / Well, that's all right, because I love the way you lie / I love the way you lie."

"Doesn't matter," Clay replied. "You don't have to worry about it again." AJ sighed, looking away. Clay turned her head back to look at him. "I promise you, as long as you're with me, I won't fight your friends. I won't hurt them."

AJ glared at him. "I'm not with you, and Conrad--"

Clay was losing control of his patience quickly, tired of having this conversation, snapping. "What about Conrad?"

AJ flinched at this tone of voice, moving to get away. Clay blocked her path.

Lyrics: (Eminem) "I can't tell you what it really is / I can only tell you what it feels like."

AJ sighed. "I'm worried about him, and I want to make sure--"

"So what?" Clay asked. "You're ditching me to go check on that asshole?"

Clay prevented AJ from leaving, fingers pressing into her arms, keeping her between him and the wall.

AJ became nervous. "I'm not here with you in the first place, so I'm not ditching you. And he looks way more hurt than you do. In fact, you look perfectly fine. He's the one who's bleeding."

Lyrics: (Eminem) "And right now, there's a steel knife in my windpipe / I can't breathe, but I still fight while I can fight."

"Conrad has your gaggle of friends and his girlfriend ready to lick his wounds," Clay replied, putting emphasis on 'girlfriend' to hurt AJ more, even when she knew that it they weren't truly girlfriend/boyfriend, as they were just hooking up. "Meanwhile you're the only thing that made this night enjoyable for me." He stared at her with a frown, exhaling through his nose, relenting. "I shouldn't have touched him, all right? But you can't leave me here to deal on my own."

AJ hesitated, swallowing. "Your friends--"

"They're not you," Clay whispered, moving closer. "You know they're not you. You know they don't care, and they never did, and they could never help me when I get like this. Not like you. And they already left." He forehead touched hers, kissing her on the forehead. "Please, stay, AJ. For me."

Lyrics: (Eminem) "As long as the wrong feels right, it's like I'm in flight / High off of love, drunk from her hate."

AJ didn't answer, wriggling as she tried to step past, her drunkenness not making it easy for her to think straight, and she felt dizzier and out of it by the minute. "Let--"

Clay tilted his head, hips flush with AJ's, and her stomach churned at the feel of him poking against her. He cupped her cheek and pressed his lips to hers. AJ sharply inhaled, eyes wide, and she pressed her hands against his stomach. Clay didn't budge, forcing AJ to bend back as he moved his mouth against hers.

Lyrics: (Eminem) "It's like I'm huffing paint and I love her, the more I suffer / I suffocate and right before I'm about to drown."

AJ sank her teeth into his lip, and Clay ripped himself away from her. His chest was heaving when he reached up, blood on his finger when he pulled it away. AJ's own breathing was heavy as she pressed her hands to the wall, warily eyeing him. Clay laughed, a soft sound that made her shudder. His eyes snapped to hers, a twisted smile on his lips.

Lyrics: (Eminem) "She resuscitates me, she fucking hates me / And I love it."

"That can't happen again," AJ whispered. "It won't."

Clay didn't buy that. "Whatever you say, AJ. Did you take something?"

AJ shook his hand off, immediately regretting the action as she swayed, unable to think clearly, as her breathing picked up, unable to fully take a deep breath. "I have... I have to get home."

Clay reached for AJ again, and in her effort to step away, she almost fell. The only reason she hadn't hit the ground was because of Clay before her. She was unable to stop herself from leaning into him.

Lyrics: (Eminem) ""Wait, where you going?" / "I'm leaving you" / "No, you ain't, come back"."

Clay wrapped an arm around her waist. "Walking home this time of night sober is crazy. And you can barely stand. Not to mention your breathing."

He was right, and that fact made her heart race.

AJ tried to reach for her phone. "I have... I have to call..."

Clay took AJ's phone. "I got it." AJ struggled to put one foot in front of the other as Clay led her back inside. One hand was curled around her waist, the other on her arm as his chest grazed her back. "It's late. Just crash here." It was hard to sort through AJ's thoughts long enough to protest, everyone else preoccupied as he guided her up the stairs. "One at a time, baby."

Lyrics: (Eminem) "We're running right back, here we go again / It's so insane 'cause when it's going good, it's going great."

♾️

Inside - Hallway

The hallway was tilting. The outskirts of AJ's vision were blurry, and she felt her head lolling back to lean against Clay as they both slowly made their way down the hall.

♾️

Bedroom

Clay led AJ into the room, letting her go only when she was on the bed, letting her fall to lay down.

AJ was trying to focus on her breathing.

Clay closed and locked the door.

AJ lifted her gaze, a brief bout of sobriety hitting her as she forced herself into a sitting position. "Clay..." She didn't sound as threatening as she wanted to, trying to scoot away as he neared her. Clay pressed his knee into the mattress. "I'm going home."

AJ tried to move, but one slight shove to her shoulder from Clay had her falling back. The movement made the room spin, and when it finally stopped, Clay was on top of her.

AJ pushed at his shoulder. "I told you this is not happening again." Clay ignored her, lips meeting the corner of her mouth as she turned her head away. "Get off of me."

Clay finally pulled away, frowning as he stared down at her. "And what are you going to do if I don't?"

AJ blinked a few times as they stared each other down.

Lyrics: (Eminem) "I'm Superman, with the wind at his back, she's Lois Lane / But when it's bad, it's awful."

Clay pressed one hand onto the headboard, the other beside her head on the pillow, effectively caging AJ beneath him. "You what? Everyone saw you walk into the house. Everyone saw you come upstairs with me. Are you fucking him now? Conrad?"

AJ blinked, violently thrown by his question. "What?"

"You heard me," Clay sneered, getting closer. "Did one of you finally have the balls to open up? Are you finally getting what you wanted? I can only guess that he doesn't know about the things you let me do to you after Thanksgiving. Until I left you, and you broke things off." AJ closed her eyes. "Because there's no way in hell he'd even touch you if he knew you used me to hurt you, just as much as I use you for this. Over and over. Especially after that fight. It's better than you hurting yourself and risking the worst, right? Like you almost killing yourself. I'm guessing no one else knows about that either, do they?"

Lyrics: (Eminem) "I feel so ashamed, I snapped, "Who's that dude?" / I don't even know his name."

AJ flinched, and she couldn't think straight. "Shut up. I wanna go home."

"Why?" Clay asked. "So, you can tend to Conrad's wounds?" He tilted his head before shaking it, exhaling. "Nah. You need to tend to mine first."

AJ: (voice over) "I know it isn't right. And it hurts so bad until I can't feel anything anymore. Until I'm completely numb. But in a way, he's right. I think that I deserve it. I'm not even supposed to be alive. And the two people I loved most are dead because they sacrificed themselves for me, only for me to be completely broken. So... isn't this what I deserve?"

Lyrics: (Eminem) "I laid hands on her / I'll never stoop so low again, I guess I don't know my own strength."

Clay leaned down to press his lips to AJ's. His body was hard on top of hers, heavy, and she gasped. He didn't miss the opportunity to taste her, moaning into her mouth.

As the seconds ticked on, AJ's brain became more and more foggy. Clay's lips ghosted over her skin, light as a feather, undressing her, taking off her dark rainbow studded jacket, groaning at the sight of her in a rainbow butterfly crop top, reaching beneath AJ's back to undo the tie for the crop top, sliding it off her arms one by one, taking her black shorts with chains on them off and tossed them aside, along with her multi-colored boots, followed by her black underwear and bra. The air in the room was cold, making her shiver, and his lips attached to a hardening bud, making her gasp and arch up into him.

Lyrica: (Rihanna) "Just gonna stand there and watch me burn? / That's all right 'cause I like the way it hurts."

Clay's fingers danced down AJ's skin, and as he sat up to reach back and pull his shirt over his head and toss it aside, she sat up too. Another gentle shove had her falling back, and his pants were quick to follow. She swallowed when he leaned in again, a low groan escaping him as the tip of him brushed against her.

Lyrics: (Rihanna) "Just gonna stand there and hear me cry? / That's all right 'cause I love the way you lie / I love the way you lie."

Clay was like a man starved, vehemently kissing AJ and nipping at her lips. His hair was a mess, and one arm wrapped around her, holding her to him, his other hand taking his cock in hand and aiming it at her core. AJ was breathing heavily, half-wanting to push him away, but the other half was giving in, which she hated more than anything, that he had that power over her to make her give in like this.

Lyrics: (Eminem) "You ever love somebody so much you can barely breathe when you're with 'em? / You meet, and neither one of you, even know what hit 'em."

Clay's eyes set on the sight of his thick cock slowly stretching AJ apart, making room for him as she let out airy tiny moans. Her muscles were completely lax, making it easy for him to slide in her without having to stop because she was so tight. A honeyed layer of cushion enveloped all around him, yielding to the intrusion of his steel hard length, like softened butter getting sliced with a knife, until he was all the way inside.

AJ let out a broken cry, words jumbled together. "Please, please, move. It hurts."

"Shh, shh," Clay shushed, smirking smugly. "I know it won't feel good until I move. I got you, AJ. That's a good girl. Beg for me to fuck you."

Clay stayed like that for another moment, testing how much non movement AJ could take, liking the power he had over her, how she squirmed and begged for him to move, smirking at seeing her at her lowest and most desperate. Finally, he pulled out to the tip, grunting when he slammed back into her. It was a punishing pace.

Lyrics: (Eminem) "Got that warm fuzzy feeling, yeah, them chills, used to get 'em / Now you're getting fucking sick of looking at 'em."

AJ gasped. "Clay..."

"Shh," Clay repeated. "I'm just helping you give yourself what you deserve, AJ." AJ swallowed at the words she had just thought, as if she truly believed it. "Invading my thoughts without even fucking trying. Hiding this perfect pussy that needs my cock. Thinking that you could leave me."

Clay used all the strength he had to pound into AJ. And she took it, fingers crumpling his bedsheets, sweat peppering her hairline as her body moved without her volitation, responding and recuperating without her even wanting to or realizing it at first.

Clay's sharp teeth dragged anywhere they could get; AJ's shoulders, chest, neck, breasts. He needed to make sure she bore his markings, turning spots of skin into red and purple, soothing her bruises with his tongue only to bite her again, making her moan and groan in both pleasure and pain, all the while still thrusting into her as punishingly as he could.

Lyrics: (Eminem) "You swore you've never hit 'em, never do nothing to hurt 'em / Now you're in each other's face / Spewing venom in your words when you spit 'em."

It was hard for AJ to catch her breath beneath the ministrations of Clay's steady pace. The music of the party was faint, and as the alcohol swirled in AJ's system, it became harder and harder to remember why she didn't want this before. As soon as he got her like this, like before at the party in 1.02, all of her reservations fell away even though she didn't know how she got there. She couldn't help the way she clenched around him, desperately trying to draw him back in with every thrust. She felt like she was floating, and she hung onto him to ground her.

"That's it," Clay whispered. "Atta girl." Every movement of Clay's hips had AJ's head spinning, and she closed her eyes. It was hard to remember anything at this point, and his lips on her neck felt like flames. Clay wrapped his hand around her throat. "I wish your friends were still here. So they could hear you scream for me. So they can see what you really get up to when they turn their backs on you." AJ clawed at his hand, breathing heavily, shakily. "So Conrad could watch me ruin you right after I ruined his face. That'd be great, huh, AJ?"

Clay rested his forehead against AJ's with a small sigh, a small chuckle escaping him as he curved his hips into hers.

AJ gasped. "Clay..."

Lyrics: (Eminem) "You push, pull each other's hair, scratch, claw, bit 'em / Throw 'em down, pin 'em, so lost in the moments when you're in 'em."

Clay murmured into her ear. "You're so pitiful, you know that? Every time you open that mouth to say something I don't like, I just want to shove my cock in it." AJ's eyes widened at the words. "But that's all you'll be good for, huh? To be split open and filled up like this, over and over." AJ reached up, grabbing his wrist. Clay leaned in and nipping at her cheek. "And if it's going to be someone, it might as well be me, right?" Clay brushed his lips over AJ's trembling ones as he thrusted into AJ harshly, violently, making her clench her eyes closed, and she couldn't make a sound with his hand around her throat. "This is all you needed, huh? Someone to fuck your dumb little brains out. Teach you some fucking manners. Give you what you wanted so badly. You wanna hurt, right? Ever since that night you died, you wanted to hurt. So fucking much. I'll help you with that, baby."

AJ's lashes fluttered, and Clay was blurry through her tears, but as she blinked, he cleared up. He leaned in to press kisses to her face, hips snapping against hers, the sound of skin slapping against skin loud in the room. She couldn't focus on much besides his cock in her, hands tight on her and holding her in place so he could fuck her like he wanted.

Lyrics: (Eminem) "It's the rage that took over, it controls you both / So they say you're best to go your separate ways."

"You know how many times I wanted to bend you over today?" Clay asked. "Wanted to stuff you full of my cock just so you'd shut up and make you accept your place?"

AJ whimpered, hands grasping at his back and arms as Clay leaned over her. His forehead was pressed to hers, one of her knees completely pushed back as he drove himself into her. He was hitting something in her that had her breath hitching with every thrust.

Lyrics: (Eminem) "Guess that they don't know ya 'cause today, that was yesterday / Yesterday is over, it's a different day."

When Clay sat up, pushing both of her knees towards her chest, AJ cried out. She could see his eyes focused on where he disappeared into her, sliding into her and watching the way she dripped around him. She could feel herself squeezing him, greedily trying to suck him back in.

Clay chuckled. "Nothing to say? Too busy taking my cock?" When she didn't say anything, he laughed again. "Hmm? I like you best like this. This is right where you belong, AJ. Spread open and desperate for me. Underneath me, taking me, looking thoroughly fucked." He hummed, pressing open mouthed kisses to her neck. "My baby, only good for milking me dry." He continued when all AJ could do was whimper. "Isn't that right? It's why you're even alive."

Lyrics: (Eminem) "Sound like broken records playin' over / But you promised her, next time you'll show restraint / You don't get another chance, life is no Nintendo game / But you lied again."

Clay's fingers danced towards AJ's hips, tightly grasping them to yank her closer, sliding her down the bed. Her thighs were completely splayed now, causing her to gasp as he drove in deep.

The sounds of the party faded, and all AJ could focus on was her breathing, Clay's breathing, and the wet sound of him pushing himself into her over and over again. One hand moved to her breast, brushing his fingers over her, and she dazedly reached up to place her hand over his.

Lyrics: (Eminem) "Now you get to watch her leave out the window / Guess that's why they call it windowpane."

"I have... I have to go home," AJ slurred, lashes fluttering and head moving from side to side.

Clay leaned over AJ, lips brushing over her jaw before finding her lips. He kissed her, hungrily at first, and then it dwindled to pecks. He peppered kisses down her throat. "You can go home tomorrow. You gotta keep my dick wet tonight."

Lyrica: (Rihanna) "Just gonna stand there and watch me burn? / That's all right 'cause I like the way it hurts."

True to his word, Clay fucked AJ all throughout the night. He had her on her side, one leg hoisted up to his shoulder, hugging it as he pumped into her. He had her on her stomach, hips smacking on her ass as he kissed his way down her back.

It was like once Clay had had AJ, he couldn't stop, her lips at his ear as she cried out, coming undone around him. AJ had lost track of how long he had been inside of her. And when he would be done, she would be so sore and tired.

Lyrics: (Rihanna) "Just gonna stand there and hear me cry? / That's all right 'cause I love the way you lie / I love the way you lie."

Clay couldn't focus on anything but having AJ, losing himself in the feel of her as he sank into her again and again. His hands had clasped with hers, teeth scraping against her skin, legs preventing hers from moving, from doing anything but remaining open for him. AJ cried out when Clay fucked her to climax, making her clench around him like mad until her body triggered his own release, coming into her deeply with a satisfied sigh.

Lyrics: (Eminem) "Now I know we said things, did things that we didn't mean / Then we fall back into the same patterns / Same routine."

The rhythmic pulses around Clay had him snarling, struggling to push through AJ's tightening walls as he continued to use her. Abusing that poor pussy as hard as he could, knowing she couldn't feel half of the pain her body would remember in the morning. But knowing that she had the tendency to hurt herself and let him hurt her in the past because of it, he knew that he had her where he wanted her, even if she would still put up a fight when she came back to her senses.

Lyrics: (Eminem) "But your temper's just as bad as mine is / You're the same as me, when it comes to love, you're just as blinded."

♾️

Near Sunrise

AJ was struggling to get her stuff together to get dressed and go home, a numb look in her eyes, knowing she didn't want anyone to know about this, the way she let him hurt her because of all the things he said. "Oh, God."

Clay was sitting back in the bed, still naked, underneath the sheets at the waist, smirking slightly. "I guess it's true. Tequila does make your clothes fall off."

"And that's all I can take for one night," AJ said, finding her phone where Clay put it on the nightstand, pulling on all of her clothes, except for her top which she didn't see.

Lyrics: (Eminem) "Baby, please come back, it wasn't you / Baby, it was me, maybe our relationship isn't as crazy as it seems."

Clay watched her. "If you're about to give me 'this was a mistake' speech again, save it. Because it's a mistake that's gonna repeat, and you know it." AJ shook her head barely. Clay sat up, moving closer. "Yeah, it is. Like it always did before."

AJ stood, walking away from him, looking away. "I'm living a nightmare."

Clay stood, walking closer, holding her top. "You and me both." He dangled the rainbow butterfly crop top from two fingers by the string straps, smirking. "Cute."

Lyrics: (Eminem) "Maybe that's what happens when a tornado meets a volcano / All I know is I love you too much to walk away though."

AJ glared at Clay, taking her top from him, pulling it on, tying it up at her back. "How about we just forget this ever happened? I barely remember the beach as it is. This is just gonna be the same."

Clay shrugged. "Likely with how wasted you got. But it's something I won't hesitate to remind you of every chance I get."

AJ couldn't find her voice to respond to that, and even if she could, she had no idea what she could say to that, grabbing her jacket, pulling it on.

Lyrics: (Eminem) "Come inside, pick up your bags off the sidewalk / Don't you hear sincerity in my voice when I talk?"

Clay smirked. "Don't pretend like you don't like it. Don't pretend like it didn't feel good to forget about everything for a few hours." AJ turned her head away. Clay walked closer, blocking the door. "Under the influence or not, you can't get enough of me once I get my hands on you. And you love the way I hurt you... because at least then you're not hurting yourself... or worse. If it wasn't for me, I don't think you would still be around. Do you? You likely would've tried to kill yourself... again. And you probably would've succeeded. So be thankful for me instead of fighting me at every turn, AJ."

AJ swallowed, sneering her words. "You're disgusting."

AJ tried to get around him.

Surprisingly, Clay let AJ pass him, only to grab her, turn her to face him and push her back against the door, placing his hands on the door on either side of her, effectively trapping her.

Lyrics: (Eminem) "Told you this is my fault, look me in the eyeball / Next time I'm pissed, I'll aim my fist at the drywall."

Clay leaned in closer to AJ, whispering seductively, mocking. "If Conrad could hear how you scream for me once I get you going... if he knew the way that you use me to hurt you so that you don't do it and worse to yourself... I don't think you'd have to worry about whatever feelings he may or may not have, AJ. He'll never look at you again."

AJ's lips parted slightly in hurt to the words. Clay's eyes fell to them, lingering as his own lips parted, and AJ swallowed when he moved closer.

Lyrics: (Eminem) "Next time? / There won't be no next time / I apologize, even though I know it's lies."

Clay had a smirk dancing along his lips before his gaze met hers again. "Do you think he'd try to fight me if he knew? Again? Wonder how badly I could hurt him then. I was holding back that night in LA, and tonight, which you know all too well. If he tries to attack me, I won't hold back at fucking all."

AJ: (voice over) "I can't find the words to stand up for myself because part of me thinks that I deserve this. But I can't let him do that to Conrad. Not again."

AJ glared, pushing against his chest. "Don't you fucking dare."

Lyrics: (Eminem) "I'm tired of the games, I just want her back, I know I'm a liar / If she ever tries to fucking leave again / I'm a tie her to the bed and set this house on fire."

Clay only pressed himself closer to AJ, staring at her, drinking her in. He suddenly reached down to twist the door handle, slowly opening it and forcing AJ closer to him as he did. AJ sharply inhaled as her chest brushed his.

Lyrics: (Rihanna) "Just gonna stand there and watch me burn? / Well, that's all right, because I like the way it hurts."

Clay slowly leaned in to brush his lips over her jaw. "I'd offer to drive you home, but I just know it's going to be a fight." AJ stumbled away from him, unable to break his stare as he leaned his hand against the door, tilting his head to the side. "Hurry up before Nicole wakes up and starts asking questions about us, because if she asks if we're fucking, I'm telling her 'yes'. Then it'll get back to Conrad so fast and I wonder what'll happen next."

AJ's lip trembled, because they both knew that Conrad would know that Clay took advantage of her and her spiraling, self-destructing mind state, and then try and fight him like he said he would, and then Clay would just hurt Conrad like he promised, and AJ could not take that risk.

AJ turned around and hurried out of the house.

Clay smirked.

Lyrics: (Rihanna) "Just gonna stand there and hear me cry? / Well, that's all right, because I love the way you lie / I love the way you lie / I love the way you lie."

(Song Ends)

♾️

Day Two

Morning - Beck House - Kitchen

Jeremiah was hungover, making a cure for himself with his breakfast.

Belly walked in. "Morning."

"Good morning, Bells," Jeremiah replied, taking a bite. "Want one?" Belly grabbed the Lucky Charms box and poured some straight into her mouth. Jeremiah laughed softly. "Okay. I take it you haven't made up yet with Taylor, Steven or Percy? Or Conrad or whatever the hell's going on with you and AJ?"

"Nope," Belly answered. "I haven't talked to any of them since last night."

Jeremiah slid a bowl and a glass of milk toward Belly. "Mm. Here."

"Thanks," Belly replied.

"Well, when does Tay-Tay leave?" Jeremiah asked.

"Uh, in a couple hours," Belly answered. "She's upstairs packing now."

Conrad walked into the room, sighing. "Morning."

"Morning," Jeremiah replied.

"Where is everybody?" Conrad asked.

"Percy headed out for Mako before going to the hospital," Jeremiah answered. "Steven headed out to God knows where, but I'm sure he'll be back soon. And I have no fucking idea about AJ. She didn't come home last night." Conrad was concerned, and Belly looked up; obviously even when she was angry at everyone, she was still concerned. "But I called her and she seemed to be okay. She's probably heading for Mako right now."

Conrad nodded barely. "Okay. Thanks. I'm gonna head out. Gotta meet Boaz at the boat soon."

Jeremiah smiled at the wording. "Boaz at the boat."

Conrad scoffed softly in amusement, shaking his head.

Belly couldn't help but grin, smiling at Jeremiah. As if more to try and make Conrad jealous more than anything, but genuinely too.

Conrad noticed this with a narrowed eyed look, more sure about what he saw between the two, walking out of the house.

♾️

Mako Marine Aquarium - AJ's Office (in the Tank)

AJ was at work, having managed to get a change of clothes from her stuff at the aquarium. She was really beating herself up about the night before and she didn't know what to do. She made sure that all of the sex marks that Clay had left on her were hidden by her clothing and her hair.

She paused when she saw the bruises on her wrists from when Clay gripped her arms so hard to keep her from leaving him at the party. She quickly grabbed the black leather/lace gloves from her drawer, glad that she had them here, pulling them on so that they were also not shown.

AJ: (voice over) "Things with Conrad are more complicated than ever. Things with Clay is a fucking mess and has always been. I have no idea what the hell is happening with Belly and why she's so mad at me. It feels like everything's falling apart and I feel like I can't stop it."

Of course, after the night before, Conrad had to check on AJ before going to Boaz's boat. He walked into the aquarium. "AJ?"

AJ froze at the sound of his voice, biting her lip in both relief and dread and guilt, closing her eyes. She turned toward Conrad. "Hey."

Conrad walked closer. "Hey."

AJ was relieved to see that Conrad's face wasn't as bad as she thought it would be. "Are you okay? Last night..."

Conrad sighed. "Yeah, I figured you'd hear soon enough." AJ gazed off expressionlessly, feeling more distant and locked down than ever. "Yeah, I'm fine. Clay's just a jackass."

AJ sniffled. "Yeah, that's an understatement."

Conrad looked at her in concern. "What about you? You didn't come home last night, and we were worried, because..."

Conrad gestured to his lungs to prove his point.

AJ: (voice over) "I want to tell him so badly. But if there's one thing that Clay's right about, is that as soon as Conrad knows, he'll go on a rampage, and he'll only get hurt. And I can't let that happen. And I really can't lose him. And once again, I tell the truth as much as possible... except for that one major thing. Because I know that when he knows about what I let Clay do and why, that could make me lose him too."

AJ was still shaken up, taking a deep breath, looking away. "Yeah, I just... I got so drunk and I barely remember anything, again. And I passed out for a little while before finally being able to call for one of Helaena's cars myself. Had to come right here for work."

Conrad frowned slightly, nodding a bit. "Okay. Just wanted to make sure."

He couldn't shake the feeling that there was something he was missing, but he didn't push.

AJ looked at Conrad, exhaling. "Thank you." Conrad nodded a little bit. AJ rubbed a hand over her forehead, looking so exhausted. "God."

"You good?" Conrad asked.

AJ sighed heavily. "Yeah. Just not sure if this exhaustion is from being sick or from being hungover."

Conrad chuckled a bit at the attempt of a joke. "Probably both."

AJ rubbed her eyes. "Yeah, probably." She looked away toward the dolphin food nearby. "Can you help me with those before you go, please?"

"Yeah," Conrad answered, walking over to lift one cooler while AJ grabbed the other. "Where to?"

"Dolphin pools and sick bay," AJ answered. "You actually get to meet Winter."

"The new dolphin from yesterday?" Conrad asked.

"Yep," AJ answered. "Percy, Cam and Reagan are up there right now. And I swear to you, she sounds like Tweety Bird. Come on."

Conrad chuckled.

They walked upstairs to feed the dolphins in the main pool, Krista and Panama, before moving on.

♾️

Sick Bay Pool

AJ led Conrad inside with the last cooler, which he was holding. "And that's Winter."

Reagan and Percy were in the water, taking care of Winter.

Cam was standing outside the pool and smiling at Winter.

Winter was trilling at Cam.

"Hey, Conrad," Reagan told him. "Helping AJ, I see."

"Yeah," AJ agreed. "Just fed Krista and Panama."

Conrad looked at Winter, in awe though somber with how hurt she was. "How old is she?"

"She's just a kid," Percy answered. "Dolphins stay with their moms for years, though."

Reagan patted Percy on the shoulder. "Percy's her mom now."

Percy looked at AJ, Reagan and Cam before looking at Conrad to explain. "Well, actually, we're all her mom."

Conrad smiled slightly.

"So how is she?" Cam asked.

AJ sighed sadly. "Looks like it's just getting worse."

Cam nodded. "I got it."

"Well, the circulation was cut off for so long," Reagan pointed out.

"What do you think is the problem?" Percy asked.

"We've done everything we can for her," Reagan told them. "It's just a massive infection."

Cam and Conrad watched as they were treating Winter's tail.

"Increase the topical antibiotics?" AJ asked.

"They're not really working," Reagan said. "There's just too much dead tissue."

Percy frowned. "Poor thing. It just looks like she's giving up."

"We can't make her wanna live," Reagan pointed out. "She's gonna have to do that part on her own."

AJ looked like that struck a chord with her, and Percy, Reagan and Conrad knew it as they glanced at her.

Percy and Reagan moved Winter over to the edge of the pool, careful not to hurt her, close to AJ, Conrad and Cam.

Winter's eyes landed on Cam, and started to trill again.

Conrad was stunned, looking at AJ. "You weren't kidding about the Tweety Bird thing."

AJ smiled, shaking her head. "She makes it for Cam."

Reagan considered this for a moment before waving to Cam. "Come on over here for a minute, will you? Come on, it's okay. I want you to help me out with something."

Winter was bobbing her head in the water, trilling at Cam.

"That's more than she's moved all day," Percy told them.

Reagan nodded to Cam. "Go ahead and put your hand on her. It's okay."

Cam gently put his hand on Winter's head. She clicked and relaxed, easing the stress in her body noticably.

Percy smiled. "Dad, come here. She really likes him. Is it okay if he comes back?"

Winter squeaked, causing everyone to smile and laugh.

♾️

On the Road

(Song:) Your Type - Carly Rae Jepson

Jeremiah was driving.

Belly was in the passenger seat.

"You good?" Jeremiah asked.

Belly frowned. "I just--I don't get Conrad this summer. I know that he and AJ went through something horrible on Thanksgiving, but that was seven months ago."

"So they need a little time to get over it," Jeremiah told her. "With Adilah and Khalid, and what's happening now because of it, can't really blame them, can you? Just forget about it. I, for one, am really glad you let Percy invite Cam over last night. He's really cool. I-I know Steven and I were giving him some shit, but I think he's really cool."

"Yeah," Belly agreed. "Cam's a good fit for Percy. I really shouldn't have flipped out last night over them getting so much attention. On my birthday and everything, but... Percy was right about a lot of what he said, but wrong about so much, too. Also, what the hell is going on with AJ and Conrad? I mean, if they're too fucked up for relationships, then what are they doing? And Nicole really likes Conrad. And if he's not into her, that's just messed up. Not to mention whatever the hell happened last night with Clay and Conrad getting into a fight. Nicole texted me about that, and isn't Clay AJ's ex? Like what the hell?" Jeremiah sighed heavily, annoyed at this point about Belly's obsession. "What?"

Jeremiah laughed it off. "Nothing. It's just you can't stop obsessing over Conrad and AJ. So what? Everybody has known that they have feelings for each other for, like, ever. And who cares if they act on them or not? Their choice. Plus, Nicole's nothing serious, and neither was Clay. Just let it go."

Belly scoffed. "Why are you so grumpy, huh? Did this not go well with Luke last night?"

They both chuckled.

"Stop," Jeremiah told her. "Actually, things went really well. Want to hear details?" Belly shook her head. "You sure?"

Belly swatted at him. "Oh, shut up."

They laughed, and finally, Belly was really smiling, letting go of her obsession for a moment, which caused Jeremiah to smile in return.

(Song Ends)

♾️

Boaz's Boat

Conrad was already at the boat.

Boaz walked closer, raising an eyebrow when he saw Conrad already there, chuckling. "Conrad. You're early."

"Yeah, that's even after stopping by Mako this morning," Conrad agreed. "Got to see a new dolphin that AJ, Percy and Reagan helped rescue. Our new... friend Cam Cameron helped out too."

Conrad didn't want to out Percy to anyone outside of who already knew, not against his wishes or knowledge.

Boaz raised an amused eyebrow. "Cam Cameron?"

"Not his real name," Conrad answered. "I actually don't know his real last name, but..."

Boaz smirked. "Right. Well, at least they saved another one." Conrad nodded in agreement. "Maybe you being busy here, and AJ being busy at Mako and with the deb ball can be a good thing and keep her out of trouble. Out of danger. And you too."

Conrad considered that. "Yeah, maybe. But she won't give up. And I'll help her. Whatever she needs."

Boaz smiled slightly. "I know you will. And I will too."

Conrad nodded. "I know. Thank you, Boaz."

Boaz nodded in return.

♾️

Cousins Hospital - Caleb's Room

Percy walked into the room. "Morning, Caleb. How's treatment going?"

Caleb couldn't help a smile at the genius doctor. "Check this out."

Caleb eased himself out of bed, standing upright.

Percy smiled happily in relief. "Oh, my God." Caleb chuckled. "You're walking! Look at you! Go, Caleb!"

Percy clapped supportively.

Caleb smiled. "Thank you, Dr. Smythe."

"Oh, you're welcome," Percy told him. "Really. It's so good to see you up and about. And I'm hopeful you will make a full recovery. So when physical therapy clears you, you can hike, maybe even take a second surf lesson."

Caleb shook his head. "Oh, one was enough. Hey, I'm so happy to be on my feet again, I may just keep walking for a bit."

Percy nodded in understanding. "Just take it slow."

Caleb nodded. "Thanks again, doctor."

They smiled at each other.

Another doctor walked over to lead Caleb out of the room slowly down the hallway.

Helaena walked up to the door, watching Caleb go, turning to her son with a slight smile. "Percy, you cracked it." Percy walked closer, smiling. "That is amazing."

♾️

Bus Station - Outside

Laurel had taken Belly and Taylor to the station.

Taylor got out of the car, walking toward the bus.

Belly was pouting in the passenger seat.

"You're not going to say goodbye?" Laurel asked.

Belly shook her head. "I don't feel like it."

"She's your best friend," Laurel pointed out. "And she came out here on your birthday because she loves you."

Belly sighed, giving in. "Fine." She got out of the car, walking up to Taylor. "Hey."

Taylor turned to face her, slightly surprised. "Hey."

Belly was tense and awkward, halfhearted in the conversation. "Have a safe trip."

"Thanks," Taylor told her. Belly turned to go back to the car. "Uh, and about last night, you'll be happy to know that it'll never happen again. Steven said that it was a mistake and we never should have gone there, so... you know, it's whatever."

Belly nodded barely, letting a moment of silence pass. "Look, I'm not mad." Taylor clearly didn't believe her after the night before. "I... I'm just kind of weirded out. I need a minute to take it all in."

Taylor nodded. "Okay. I better get going."

"Bye," Belly told her.

Taylor got on the bus.

Belly returned to the car with mother, buckling back in.

Laurel sighed. "You know, boys might come and go, but a best friend is once in a lifetime. We have to hold tight to our friendships. Because we never know what the future will hold. Not just you and Taylor, but whatever's going on between you and AJ. You already almost lost her once. And many times over when you guys were kids. Do you really wanna keep this up and see what happens in case something like this happens again?"

Belly paused at the words, as they hit deep, but she wasn't ready to fully forgive Taylor yet, and she wasn't ready to talk to AJ about everything, still angry and resentful.

♾️

Beck House - Outside

Steven was sitting by the pool.

Belly walked up to the house, seeing Steven, walking toward him, crossing her arms.

"What, did Taylor leave?" Steven asked.

Belly scoffed. "Why? Do you want to go make out with her some more?"

"Belly, don't give me shit," Steven told her. "All right? I feel bad enough."

Belly let her arms fall. "You should. She's my best friend." She pointed at Steven. "And not to mention traumatizing me."

Steven rolled his eyes. "Oh, my God."

Belly dramatically put her hands up to her eyes. "I mean, my eyes. I..."

"Stop being so immature," Steven told her in annoyance.

Belly sat down on the chair next to him, scoffing, letting a moment of silence pass by. "She really likes you."

Steven looked down. "Yeah, I know. Look, just... Can you please... please not tell anyone?"

"You mean Shayla?" Belly asked.

Steven sat up to face her. "Yeah."

Belly raised her eyebrows. "Not that you deserve this right now... She seems really into you."

Steven looked down. "I don't... I don't know, I just feel like she's used to being with, like... you know, like, the kind of guys who were at Nicole's party last night."

"Yeah, but weren't you a guy at Nicole's party last night?" Belly asked.

Steven looked up. "I guess I mean she's used to... guys who treat her like a queen. You know? And I don't got it like that."

Belly frowned. "So, you were feeling insecure, and that's why you hooked up with my best friend?"

"Uh, yeah," Steven answered. "Yeah, I guess."

Belly frowned, not sure what to make of that.

♾️

Inside - Kitchen

(Song:) Beach Baby - Bon Iver

Belly was finally getting her Mickey Mouse pancakes, pouring a heap of syrup onto it, putting a candle in it, lighting it. After a moment, she blew the candle out and began to eat.

Belly: (voice over) "I've wished for Conrad on every birthday, every shooting star, every penny in a fountain. What if now I have the power to make my wish come true? Is Conrad still my wish?"

♾️

Beach

Laurel and Susannah were sitting on the beach together in beach chairs, both laughing.

"Um, I was doing some research last night," Laurel admitted.

"For your next book?" Susannah asked.

Laurel shook her head. "I was looking into alternative therapies." Susannah looked away. "Apparently, a lot has changed in the last three years."

"Have you been speaking to Adam?" Susannah asked.

Laurel sighed. "I know you said you didn't want to do chemo, but..."

"I'm not putting myself through treatment again," Susannah told her. "I know how much time I have left."

Laurel was in pain. "Beck..."

Susannah shook her head. "No, it's okay. I'm at peace with it. I'm gonna tell the kids when we get back to Boston. I just want one last perfect summer at Cousins. For all of us. That's all I want."

Laurel hesitantly nodded, wanting to give Susannah whatever she wanted. "Okay."

(Song Ends)

♾️

Beck House - AJ's Room

AJ was sitting in her room, and instead of being numb, she was finally starting to process all what happened yesterday. Realizing how sick she was, even if it wasn't leukemia, and everything with Clay and Conrad, the weight of her parents' death still weighing on her. Her lip started shaking and she was so close to crying, but she couldn't let herself do that again.

After a moment, AJ turned to her keyboard in the room, and started to play a song that she had written herself, My Heart's Grave. "My feet are on the ground I swear / But I'm not moving anywhere / My lungs say that I'm breathing / But when did my heart stop beating?" Conrad heard the piano and AJ singing as he was getting home, heading up to his room, when he heard, given that AJ's bedroom door was open. "I don't know who I am / Or who I used to be before / You broke me in a thousand pieces / Now tell me, how am I to fix this? / Don't you try and help me 'cause I know / I know / Only time can heal, but it's running out / Running out / Tell me how to feel okay / Tell me how to feel to feel okay / 'Cause I don't know / I've been feeling pretty low / Ever since the day you dug my heart's grave / Tell me how to feel okay / Tell me how to feel to feel okay / 'Cause I don't know / I've been feeling pretty low / Ever since the day you dug my heart's grave / Dug, dug my heart's grave / Du-du-dug my heart's grave / Oh, I'm been feeling pretty low / Ever since the day you dug." Conrad was concerned with the song and the darkness and meaning behind it. "My empty heart is bruised / Broke down my walls because of you / And though I'm six feet under / My anxiety is taking over / I feel like such a fool / I put my trust in you / Tell me how to feel okay / Tell me how to feel to feel okay / 'Cause I don't know / I've been feeling pretty low / Ever since the day you dug my / Grave! / Tell me how to feel okay / Tell me how to feel to feel okay / 'Cause I don't know / I've been feeling pretty low / Ever since the day you dug my heart's grave / Dug, dug my heart's grave / Du-du-dug my heart's grave / Oh, I've been feeling pretty low / Ever since the day you dug."

AJ finished the song, and she was breathing heavily. Not just from overwhelming sadness, guilt and anger, but wheezing slightly for breath.

(Song:) Little Do You Know - Alex & Sierra

Conrad could hear the gasping, walking closer, knocking on her open door, looking upset and concerned, worried. "Hey. AJ?"

AJ wiped her eyes, clearing her throat, trying to get her breathing under control. "Hey. I didn't know you were back yet." She turned toward Conrad. "Um, is there anything I can do around here? For everybody, or... I know things are tense with everybody after the last couple of days and I don't even know why, but..."

Lyrics: (Sierra) "Little do you know how I'm breaking while you fall asleep / Little do you know I'm still haunted by the memories."

"It's not important," Conrad told her. "Just senseless drama."

AJ nodded barely, looking down. "Let me guess. You heard the song and wanted to check in." Conrad shrugged slightly, walking closer. AJ shook her head, looking up, pressing her lips together, putting on an act. "And here I thought everybody was gone, or at the very least downstairs. I'm fine. Really."

Lyrics: (Sierra) "Little do you know I'm trying to pick myself up piece by piece / Little do you know I need a little more time."

Conrad knew better than to believe that, sniffing. "AJ, I know the others aren't really here for you, besides Percy, because they think you're fine, because that's the way you act around them. But I just want you to know that I am. Here for you."

Lyrics: (Sierra) "Underneath it all, I'm held captive by the hole inside / I've been holding back for the fear that you might change your mind."

AJ was touched, but still tense, nodding. "I know. But like I said--"

Conrad nodded, looking away slightly, going through all the lines that AJ would say if someone asked her if she was okay. "You're fine. You can handle it. It's all good. I know. That's what you keep saying. Ever since you got sick the first time."

Lyrics: (Alex) "I'll wait, I'll wait, I love you like you've never felt the pain / I'll wait, I promise you don't have to be afraid."

"And you don't believe me," AJ told him.

"Because I know how I feel, and I'm definitely not okay," Conrad answered. "So I can't imagine how... you must really feel. But you go through it alone. So that you don't bring anyone else down. Thinking that your problems are just gonna make everyone else sad and depressed and ruin things for them when you want them to be happy."

Lyrics: (Alex) "I'll wait, my love is here, is here to stay / So lay your head on me / Little do you know I know you're hurting while I'm sound asleep / Little do you know all my mistakes are slowly drowning me."

AJ crossed her arms, giving Conrad a pointed look. "Sounds very familiar, Conrad."

"I know it does," Conrad agreed. "Because I do it too. I know that. But... doing that, dealing with it alone... after what happened... it's not working for me. And I don't know if it's working for you, but I... I want to help you. Be there for you. If you'll let me."

Lyrics: (Alex) "Little do you know I'm trying to make it better piece by piece / Little do you know I, I love you till the sun dies."

AJ had tears in her eyes, glistening as she looked away. 

Conrad gave AJ a slight smile. "But it doesn't surprise me that you're still thinking about other people with all of this going on with you. And that's pretty amazing to me."

Lyrics: (Alex & (Sierra)) "I'll wait (I'll wait) / I'll wait (I'll wait)."

AJ looked at Conrad, a few tears falling as she finally couldn't hold it in anymore, shaking her head. "Conrad..."

Conrad slid closer so he could wrap his arms around AJ, just holding her as she cried into his shoulder. "Shh. It's okay. I've got you. You're gonna be okay."

Lyrics: (Alex & Sierra) "I love you like you've never felt the pain / I promise you don't have to be afraid."

Conrad closed his eyes in pain as he nearly cried himself, kissing AJ's head, smoothing her hair with his hand, and just letting her cry.

Both of them were so hurt, in a world full of pain that hardly anyone else could see or bring themselves to care about, but they felt less alone when they knew they had each other. Like they didn't have to do it all on their own.

Lyrics: (Alex & Sierra) "I'll wait, my love is here, here to stay / So lay your head on me / Lay your head on me, so lay your head on me / 'Cause little do you know I, I love you till the sun dies."

(Song Ends)