take it to the limit one more time

 Izzy didn't like the looks of this. It seemed the pair showed up quite often and they never bought anything. But the grunge girl seemed very quaint with Brandon and the guy in the suit... Izzy shook her head, she didn't know what to make of him.

Of course, Brandon was always friendly. Sometimes, he might give the girl a free treat as if she might be someone special to him.

It didn't look right, thought Izzy. Why was Brandon doing this?

She wished she knew him better. Oh, she thought she knew everything about him and then a little inkling of despair would come and she knew it was all wishful thinking on her part.

Brandon didn't eat anything he made, actually. It was unhealthy, he said. He ate a lot tuna and veg. Oh, he was so busy..he never gained weight.

"But..you should treat yourself to something nice," he said. That was the day he brought her some samples of soap from the other place where he worked. "We're more than a Bath and Beauty shop." He told her. The soap, clothing detergent, and soap bombs were made on site. Even the lotion and lip balms were all in store made. Kind of pricy, but well worth it. According to Brandon. 

At least, Izzy got a little information out of him about the grunge girl. They just worked together.

"So is that her boyfriend?" Izzy wanted to know about the guy.

"Hardly." This cracked him up. She didn't know why. Of course, Brandon was aloof as ever. She didn't know where he lived. So much she wanted to know, but it didn't happen.

"You seem so restless," Brandon finally picked up on her mood and of course it made her giggle, yet she tried to remain calm. "Maybe, maybe you need a change from here."

She blinked at him wide-eyed with hope.

"Like what?"

"Maybe a new job," he said she was young. There were so many possibilities. "But you're going to the Uni." Brandon nodded. "It won't be long, you'll be in a brand new world." 

She guessed that was true, but it was far from a Disney film. She only sighed.

"I hear they're opening a SOAP FACTORY down in Lincoln. Maybe if you got on at this one, you could have a job in the future." His smile was enlightening. Actually, she was in awe of knowing him. The thought of touching him was quite a dream. Unfortunately. Because he never let it happen. "Something to think about." Brandon backed away with a nod. Of course, he had to get to his next job. And it all left Izzy breathless.

Declan felt this was his last chance with Brandon. At least, Brandon would go where ever Yuki drove. He was certain Brandon wouldn't go anywhere with him, but he felt a little helpless with Brandon in the passenger side of Yuki's old Honda while Declan was in the backseat. 

"I'm not going home with you," Brandon was adamant about Declan's offer for him to come back to his place. "It's not even your house, is it?" Finally, Brandon looked back at him. Declan paused with a sigh. His frown was a small circle as if he had nothing of a punch to give back. He guessed he could see where Brandon was coming from.

"What do you want me to do?" He found himself asking.

"What do you think you should do?" Brandon looked out the window. "You think you'll be happy there? They got married, didn't they?"

Declan winced hard. Of course, he thought of Simon and Chevy immediately came to mind instead of Reese and his long-lost love. This was so upsetting. Everyone seemed to be a couple, but him. Honestly, he did dread being around Reese and his significant other. 

"Maybe..maybe Reese is..is trying to tell me something." Declan was even lipped as he thought about it. Of course, Reese had been the only one to count on. His parents were rather old school. He hadn't talked to them in close to a decade. Not after they kicked him out. "It's just..you know, he's family."

"I get that, but you shouldn't expect him to...pay for everything." Brandon's words made Declan uncomfortable. 

"Just..just..can you be here for me?" Declan knew it was a simple question, but he needed Brandon.

"FINE." Brandon awoke Declan's phone with a text. Brandon was getting out now. He had to go to work at the Soap Factory.