Bah! Humbug! Now that's too strong

 

Why were there so many people at Dollar Tree, thought Maddie as she edged her way with her basket. Harley followed. They were on a mission to find something for Maddie's coworkers.

"I can't believe you aren't giving them anything at work?" Maddie looked back at her friend while her knuckles had gone white, clinging to the basket.

"I don't really know them. Nobody said anything about gifts," Harley sighed. After all, she was pretty much low on the totem pole at the diabetic clinic.

Maddie pushed on, and finally she found the cosmetics aisle. "I don't want to be cheap, really, but I just don't have the time to be creative."

Maddie would be placed in Adult Services at the library at the new year. A part of her wanted to make a good impression, yet she was certain Dollar Tree presents weren't going to cut it.

"Oh, look, OPI," Harley pulled down some OPI nail polishes, of course packaged as tiny nail polishes. Maddie saw they were green. Her new boss would love it. Her color was green as in Creativity.

"Thanks." This was good. It was going to work. Just a few little things. She noticed the nail art tools. She was certain her new boss could use them in crafting, another win. Maybe she could do this yet, on such a tight budget.

"What are you getting Rain?" Maddie asked.

"The usual," she sighed. "He's really into the labubu craze, but he likes the vinyl kind.  ONE PIECE labubus. They are on sale on Amazon. I already got it. I don't care if he has it already. It's what he's getting." Harley shrugged as she looked at something she wasn't sure what it was exactly used for. She asked Maddie if it was for the lips for a blush, and Maddie shrugged. Harley put it back.

"That's it? That's all you had to get him?" Maddie looked at her wide-eyed

"Just the usual, like undies, socks, maybe flannel pants."

Maddie nodded as she watched Harley grab the Vitiamin E oil. Maddie took some too. It looked so neat. She knew she needed some.

"Boone said we were only going to get stuff from 5 Below."

"Have you been there lately?" Harley looked at her with a chuckle. "Everything is five dollars or above."

"Yeah, I know. We have like a thirty-dollar limit. And then there is Thriftmus." Maddie nodded.

"I'm so glad you thought of that. I love it. You know, having a Thriftmus party. I love thrifting," Harley smiled.

"I know. Most of my work clothes are from Goodwill."

"But Thrifties is the best," Harley smiled. They both loved the new thrift shop in town.

"Do you think Mercer will come to the party?" Maddie hadn't heard back, but she'd drawn a name for him and sent it to him in an e-mail.

"Of course, he's bringing Sterling," Harley told her.

"Oh," Maddie found herself smiling. "Do you know something, I don't know?"

"I don't know anything." Harley shrugged.

They'd found Funnel Cake Mixes. They each took a few. Someone would need those for a last-minute gift.

Happy Friendsgiving

 It wasn't exactly a Friendsgiving potluck. But Rafe got as many together as he could for a trip to the old buffet, which now served Chinese food. 

"This is just good practice with the baby when we go to the parents for Thanksgiving," he kept reminding Ruby. After all, her bestie Gabby would be there with her family. Boone and Maddie were the first to get there with Harley and Rain not that far behind.

Izzy and Cowan were busy moving into a house. Yes, they were buying a house.

"How is that possible?" Rafe heard Ruby ask Harley.

"She got on full-time at some bank and Cowan is a reporter at the local TV station," Harley told them.

"Unbelievable." Ruby sighed as if they'd won the lottery. Baby Colin was wide awake, looking at everyone as if he wanted out of the infant seat he'd practically outgrown. Rafe took him and naturally, he gave everyone a show, wobbling to stand up. Instantly, he made everyone smile, sitting in Rafe's lap as if he were meant to be there. It wasn't long until Oliver's daughter Carrie squeezed in to play with him.

Finally, Mercer arrived with Sterling. They sat across from Rafe. The rest started in on getting plates of egg rolls and sweet and sour soup.

"Have you heard anything from Brick?" Rafe felt he'd lost touch with his old high school friend. Funny, he didn't think of being that close to him then, but now he wondered how he was doing. If he was still on the basketball team at the University.

"What? You mean, is he still with Lily?" Mercer asked.

Rafe shrugged as if he didn't care still he hoped she was being good to him. He was thankful she was just somebody he used to knoow.

"Well, are they?" Rafe wanted to know.

"Of course, they are," Mercer cracked up. 

Rafe slightly smiled. He looked over at Sterling. A part of him wondered if Sterling was more than a roommate of Mercer's, but he wouldn't ask. His stomach grumbled. He could see Ruby wasn't going to bring him anything back to eat.

Rafe handed off Baby Colin to Mercer. One thing for sure, Mercer would always be like the brother he never had even if he was his twin brother's ex.

and then suddenly she turned her emotions off

 "I don't know, I feel weird lately," Maddie finally confessed to Harley. It was the first time seeing her since she got married. "I didn't think it would be this way, after getting married."

They were at the coffee shop for lunch. There was a chill in the air with a chance of snow, so they wore their sweaters and boots for cold weather.

"What do you mean?" Harley's smile was open as she forked another bit of arugula in her Cobb salad.

"It'll sound crazy. It's just I'm not used to being Maddie Hudson. It sounds so strange. And now to be a Mrs., it's just odd." Maddie didn't know anyway else to explain it. 

"Are you doing OK? Are you sleeping?" Harley asked as she bit into a cucumber.

"Um, yeah. I think so." Maddie nodded.

"You think so? Sleep is important." Harley looked at her blankly.

"Really, we're fine. I mean, we slept together before we got married. It's good. It hasn't changed. It's just I feel a little bit ditsy. Especially when they are calling for someone else instead of me," Maddie said about her trips to appointments. "I don't know, it makes me feel I don't have a handle on my ADHD."

"You have ADHD?" Harley looked at her as if that was new.

"I'm pretty sure we do. We've been talking about it at work lately. And when I listen to this coworker and about her problems. I feel I have the same kind of mindset."

"Well, you should see someone and take a test."

Maddie smiled and took a sip of her hot coffee. Really, she didn't want to change anything, but that might sound weird if she said it. Maddie gave Harley an open smile, thinking she needed to remember to keep quiet about these things.

And a flicker of the future

 "I want to ask Phil," Boone looked a little sad, wondering if Phil remembered they were friends. He hardly saw him anymore since he became a Dad. Boone had to wonder if the same thing would happen with Rafe. "I need a best man, so will you do it?"

"I guess so," Rafe scratched the back of his head in thought. "But I'm sure Phil will do it."

"Maybe. I hope you both will." Boone felt another month before the wedding was like a lifetime away. and he felt a little out of it with all the things his mom told him should have been done already. "After all, Maddie asked Harley and Izzy to be her bridesmaids.

"Wow, what about Junie?" Rafe slurped on an iced tea in the back of the bakery, where Boone slaved over a hot oven in a sweat.

"Junie?" He winced.

"She is Maddie's cousin," Rafe looked at him as if he was forgetting something.

"I don't know, it's up to Maddie. I mean, this is something I want her to know. I want to be her family because her mom's not coming. Neither is her dad." It was upsetting to him. He thought back to all those months ago when she'd made a video to send to them about introducing their engagement, and she hadn't heard much of anything in response.

"How could they do that to her?" Rafe winced with a frown.

"I don't get it," Boone sighed. "She hasn't said anything, but I know it bothers her. It's like she feels forgotten." Boone practically had tears in his eyes, even if he was in a sweat.

"Well, she needs you. And it'll be a great wedding with your Mom," he shrugged. "I mean, adopted mom."

Boone nodded. "So how are things with  your real Mom?"

"She likes Maddie," Boone said. "We see her for Sunday supper. Are things better for Ruby?"

"I guess," Rafe sounded as if he wasn't sure. "She only works in the morning now, and I think she's being careful about what she eats. You know, no sugar, no bread. We eat a lot of vegetable stir-fries, but you know, I have to have some beef. However, I mainly cook chicken breasts for her. She's gotten on this nut kick. And no salt. I don't know how she does it." He finished off the iced tea. "Oh, yeah..and I finally got insurance. Imagine that?" He smiled as if it were a dream come true. "I got on at the airport. Sometimes, I have to help out with the baggage department, but mostly I just help with the airplanes. I know I still have classes, but I think they might have felt sorry for me."

"You probably got on because you were cute," Boone teased.

"Believe me, if they needed me to clean floors and carry out the trash, I'd do it." He told Boone that insurance was that important to him.

Them silver lines, they cut like blades of glass

 

"This month is flying by. I swear it was just Monday," Harley sighed, happy to be with her friend Izzy.  They were out at a new thrift store that was still getting its act together, evidently. Despite coming too soon at the grand opening, they still had a great time going through this hoarder's paradise.

"Are Maddie and Boone still getting married?" Izzy wanted to know as she held up a sundress and Harley examined the frayed him. She shook her head no, and Izzy put it back.

"Oh, I guess so. As far as I know," Harley shrugged about the wedding. She said Maddie was so busy with the children's library program that she rarely saw her. "I think she's getting a lot of extra hours, you know."

Izzy nodded as if she understood.

"You are being awfully quiet about you and you know who?" Harley wondered if the honeymoon was over for Cowan and Izzy. 

"It is different without Mercer around," Izzy crinkled her nose.

"Mercer?" Harley had to laugh, "How could he be the glue to you and Cowan's relationship?" Harley went on to look at some faded jeans. She grabbed them as if this were a deal. 

"I don't know, he was, you know, like a buffer, I guess." 

Izzy's skinny arms shrugged, and for a moment, Harley wanted to ask her if she'd lost weight, but she watched Izzy find a baby doll dress.

"You guys are doing OK, aren't you?" Harley's eyes narrowed, trying to figure out if Izzy might not be telling the truth.

"You know, he's my best friend," Izzy said, looking at her as if there were no qualms.

Harley nodded. 

"When are you and Rain getting married?" Izzy changed the subject as if she would not give Harley any insight.

Harley picked a quirky tee that would go with the jeans. She didn't give Izzy an answer, but looked at more of the clothing. Finally, she turned to her and said. "What if we don't get married?"

"What do you mean?" 

Harley knew Izzy didn't like the sound of that. Izzy was the kind of person who always thought they should all be doing the same thing at the same time, more of a relay of life than a race. Harley knew Izzy had always wanted to be married. 

"Things are fine, the way we are. I love him. He loves me. We are good together," Harley told her about Rain. "I don't want to mess it up."

"Well, someday, you're going to wish you'd gotten married."

Izzy's words were harsh, but Harley understood.

"Are you sure you're  happy with Cowan?" Harley said she thought it was kind of funny that she'd called her on her Honeymoon.

Izzy swelled a frown. They moved on to the shoes and bags. Harley tried on some sunshades, which were very nostalgic in cat eyes, perhaps. She held them as if she'd add them to the mix of clothes she'd found.

"He wants to have sex all the time," Izzy whisper shouted.

Harley burst into laughter.

"What's so funny!" Izzy snapped.

"Weren't you having sex before you got married?" Harley tilted her head with a giggly smile.

"Yes."

Izzy looked at her as if she had better stop smiling. "But we had Mercer around, so we had to plan it out, you know, when it would happen, but now." She practically rolled her eyes. "He'll come home ten minutes after he's off to work, and say he forgot something."

"Oh really?" Harley couldn't help but be a smart mouth.

"Have you ever done it, while watching the Today Show, upside down?" Izzy asked, as it might be a new kind of sexual behavior.

"You know, you love him. You do, or you wouldn't be telling me how bad he is," Harley laughed.

"I didn't say he was bad, it's just-" Izzy shook her head as if it was overwhelming.

Trees above me know I'm below

 "Do you think you'll get married?" Brick's question was a little alarming. He was at Oliver and Gabby's for burgers. Oliver was grilling at the commons, which was an outdoor area for entertaining. It was quiet now, but he was certain the place would be buzzing like a block party when the Fourth rolled around.

"You and Carrie sound so much alike," Oliver choked on a laugh as he flipped a burger. His little Carie was full of questions like that. 

The girls were still getting the sides ready to bring to the nearby picnic table, where there were already cold drinks in an iced chest.

Brick sat there like he might be a lost boy in the hot prairie wind. A smile gave away, and Brick said he didn't mean to pry. "I want to get married."

"Right now? You and Lily?" Oliver winced back at him as the burgers sizzled. He was waiting to put on the franks. He knew Brick was still a growing boy, even if he was twenty or so now.

"I'm going to wait," Brick told him. "See how summer goes and the fall too." He sighed as if he were contemplating all of it. "We get along so good when it's just the two of us, but when we're around family and friends, sometimes, I'm not sure who Lily is."

"Are you saying your girlfriend has a personality disorder?" Oliver almost smirked.

"I wouldn't go that far, but she's got a lot of angst about so many things," he shrugged. That's when he mentioned how he'd had a good talk with Rain the night of the dance. "I knew I couldn't say anything to Harley. Lily might take it the wrong way." 

"I don't know many guys who would talk with his ex's new boyfriend." Oliver shook his head, wondering how he would react if he saw Carrie's mom with someone else. He'd have to be all right with it, but it still made him wonder if he could handle it.

"She's going into diabetic education, you know," Brick mentioned. "I don't guess she would have ever thought of that, if..if we were still together." Brick sounded as if he was proud of Harley.

Oliver nodded. He liked that Brick was so positive, but he sensed it was hard with Lily. Oliver still wondered if Gabby was happy with her job. As of late, she'd slowed down and was content being home with Carrie. Still, he didn't want to keep her from her friends.

"It looks like they'll hire me in the fall at the school." 

Oliver hated to mention it because he didn't want to jinx it.

"It's about time, you've been going to the University forever," Brick's smile was open. He popped open a fresh soda for Oliver. 

"That means you better stay the course, bro. It'll be over before you know it," Oliver nodded as he took a sip of the cold root beer. Maybe there was still time for Brick to find true happiness with someone, but it might not be with Lily.

Everyday together, always

 Thank God, there was a street dance, or Lily might have been bored out of her mind. The kids were cute, or rather, too grown-up for her. She guessed she should see her own step-siblings, but never got up the nerve to even call to tell her Dad she was even in town.

No, this was better, seeing old faces. There were Harley and Rain. Of course, Lily felt she was much sexier than Brick's ex, and somehow, she kept him occupied enough not to even look Harley's way. It wasn't that they spoke to each other. Harley was off with Izzy, and then Lily saw Boone.

A bomb of emotion hit her, but she was as stoic as could be, and damn if he didn't wave and smile. Only it wasn't actually to her. Boone was waiting for someone else.

Lily couldn't help but watch Maddie practically pounce on him.

"What's the matter?" Brick asked. 

"Nothing," Lily growled back. 

Damn if Brick wasn't the gullible one when he found Mercer and Rafe too. Lily frowned and hugged herself.

"We're all meeting up at Village Inn," Mercer said.

"Awesome," Brick grinned. "Like old times."

"Like old times," Mercer smirked.

"Did you hear that, Babe?"

"Yeah," Lily faked a smile.

He went back to her and they did a few slow dances. It might have calmed her down. 

By the time they got to Village Inn, Harley, Izzy, and Maddie were already seated. Naturally, their significant others squeezed in next to them in the large circular booth. Of course, Brick took a moment to take some pictures. He included Lily in the photo next to him as he took the panoramic view of old high school friends. 

Mercer sat next to Sterling, and Lily fit in nicely next to Mercer, then Brick at the end. She felt better being away from the trio, but of course, Izzy asked if she wanted to sit with them, and Lily was cordial enough to say she was fine. She slapped her hand down on Brick's thigh, and he almost jerked it away. He looked at her out of the corner of his eye. 

"Oh, Merc," she smiled sweetly at him. "I didn't know you and Sterling were a thing."

"What?" Mercer croaked with a squint. "He's my roommate." He looked at her as if she were the disgusting one. 

Lily sighed. "I can't have any fun with you, can I?"

"Lily, you left the spotlight a long time ago," Mercer replied with a smile. It was as if he knew exactly what she was trying to prove. "Can't you be happy?"

Her lips evened. She shut up and pointed to a breakfast on the menu that she could share with Brick. These days, they only shared one meal and drank water if they ever went out.

If there's something I've learned from a million mistakes

 "You know, he's the bestest when he puts a band-aid on the back of your bloody heel."

Izzy's words made Harley think she might be a tad drunk. 

"So the honeymoon is going OK?" Harley wasn't sure what else to ask after all, she'd been dragging this week after Izzy and Cowan's wedding. She could hardly wait for the weekend. Of course, she didn't have a thing planned. 

"Oh God," Izzy did sound tired. "I don't know if Car Camping was the best idea, but then again, we are on a budget."

"I don't know if I would like it either," Harley sighed with her feet up on the couch in the livingroom at home with Rain.

She heard Izzy yawn. Evidently, she and Cowan weren't the best travelers. 

"Oh, we've been hiking forever. We went to that hotel where THE SHINING was made," Izzy yawned again.

"Did you stay there?" Harley was excited.

"No."

"Please tell me you're not having a miserable time," Harley would hate for them to split up before they ever got home. After all, they'd never been on a road trip together.

"Oh, no. We love Denver."

Izzy spoke of a nice place they were spending a few days near the mountains. "Cowan wishes we could move here, but it won't be anytime soon."

Just the idea made Harley sad, but she knew she should be happy for her dear friend because if she ever moved to Denver it would be a good reason to go visit.

This is the day When things fall into place

 Mercer moved in with Sterling the day before Izzy and Cowan got married. Of course, he had to check on the cat every day and water the plants in the kitchen at their place. Izzy and Cowan left for a road trip to Colorado to go camping along the way.

"Sounds like a miserable time to me," Sterling said about the matter. Mercer hated to tell him but Sterling thought everything was miserable lately.

But the wedding was fun. Mercer was the best man, along with Sterling, Cowan's so-called posse which still cracked Mercer up. Izzy had Harley and Maddie by her side. Even Riley and Tess came for the afternoon with baby Maeson, so Sterling at least got some baby time all to himself while everyone else danced and ate.

Even Lily showed up, but without Brick.

"What happened?" It was a shock to Mercer. He'd seen them around campus. Sometimes, even running together.

"Oh, it's nothing," she assured him. "He just thought Izzy might feel better if he didn't show up."

"I see." Mercer had forgotten that Izzy and Brick even dated. It had been so long ago. Mercer suspected it had to do with Harley instead, but he didn't dwell on it.

She brought gifts, which were plants. She'd gotten a job at a big garden center. She was starting classes in horticulture. Her boss thought that if she wanted to get into plants, it was good to learn about them. And she seemed quite pleased about everything green. 

"So will Brick move in with you?" Mercer told her they might be neighbors.

"Oh, he's got the dorm. It's just he had to move out for the summer." So he was staying with her. He had gotten on at the big grocery store.

"So, are you going to move into a bigger place?" Mercer couldn't see them living in a studio all summer.

"Eventually," she shrugged. "But we've got to save money."

She asked about him, and he said he was just working at the drama department. He liked that he had his weekends off so he could go with Sterling to see baby Mae. It was good to see Lily, but then she had to ask if he was seeing anyone.

"Not right now," Mercer smiled. "I kind of like the way things are."

Catching up with a friend

 

Harley felt she was stretched to her limit, but then again, she was a true diabetic, and every day was like a rollercoaster. Still, she felt a little lost looking at the new apparel at the department store. She wondered if it were prom yet. It always came early, yet Easter was late this year. Oh, it would be high school graduation soon.

Why did she need to be thinking of this? She wasn't in high school anymore. But she could hear conversations around her and wondered if going shopping alone was a bad idea. She didn't do that many things alone anymore. Not that it bothered her that much to have a home with Rain. Still, she didn't talk about it much with anyone. Not even her parents.

"What are you up to?' Said a familiar voice.

Harley smiled when she saw Maddie. 

"Nothing much," she shrugged.

"Oh, you look like you need something for a wedding," Maddie teased.

"Well, Izzy's wedding is at the park, so you know, I..dunno."

"Don't forget about me, now."

Maddie tilted her head and reminded her they'd set a date for late September.

"But..but aren't KC and Mille-"

"I think they are letting that rest for now," Maddie nodded about the matter. "You know, her sister is back."

Harley didn't really know Tyra, but- "Didn't she date KC once upon a time?"

"They just had a band together."

"Oh." 

Harley didn't want to correct her, but she knew how it didn't work out with those two and then Millie came along. Harley quickly asked how Maddie and Boone were doing. Of course, Maddie gave her a crash course in Alfie and Zoey having a baby and that Boone's bio mother and a brother they didn't know were back.

"Wow, that's been some April for you guys," Harley gritted thinking she should move on to shopping and not even think of what to wear to Izzy's wedding.

"What about you?" Maddie looked at her blankly.

"Oh, you know, classes. Work..that kind of thing," Harley gave her her best smile. 

"Have you heard from Brick?"

"Not really."

Maddie looked to be almost in a pout. "I was hoping you two were still together."

Harley cracked up. "Maddie, you are so in love."

"What do you mean?" Maddie looked hurt that she would even say such a thing.

"Because, you want the rest of us to be in love too." Harley told her, but actually, Harley felt Maddie was so wrapped up in her own world she had no idea what was going on with anyone else's. Of course, Harley did feel she was secretly in love, and that love was Rain.

A crazy thing called love

 

"Even your mom thinks we should live together," KC couldn't help but remind Millie. It was funny how she was determined to be married before she would actually live with him. 

Truth be told, she practically lived here, already. Her things were here. It was just that they'd put off the deal-breaker stuff, like sex. That was what it was all about. And even if he did find she gave him mixed signals, he wanted to do the honorable thing and wait.

"It's just-" She didn't look quite angry about it as she was mulling over a paper she needed to turn in and jotting down ideas for songs in her notebook at the kitchen table. "I made this decision." She shrugged then and looked at a book of poetry she needed for research.

"Maybe you just have too much going on," KC sat back on the other side of the table and crossed his arms, wondering if anything would ever move forward. Maybe this was as good as it was going to get. "I know you've decided a lot of things. Still, you are taking college classes and you are waiting for that big break." He knew she loved her music, but he felt he was trying to cover all her bases these days. She didn't want to be a starving artist like her sister.

"What do you mean?" She looked at him frantically, that he was putting an end to all her plans.

"We're good together," KC smiled. "I'm sure it's all my fault." He scratched the back of his ear, wishing he were more romantic. Looks could be deceiving. After all, music was his first love and he was happy to share that with Millie, just hanging out, figuring out notes and lyrics.

Of course, it felt like the past with Ruby and even Harley was so nothing now. Maybe he should have tried harder. Even now, he was letting Millie call all the shots. "Maybe, it's just ..you need to focus on your future. It doesn't mean, it has to be with me."

He felt a bit choked up even saying those words, because, there was so much of his place that was hers.

"What are you saying?" She frowned as if he was really messing up her day.

"Oh, I dunno," he couldn't look at her. 

"You know, I can't write without you," Millie pressed her lips. She was hurt he'd even say these things.

"Yes, you can," he told her. Even so, tears were making his eyes misty.

"But, I don't want to," her frown swelled as if she was more sad than angry. "I don't have anybody else quite like you in my life."

He agreed with a nod. KC felt the same about Millie.

She looked around the apartment. "I can't..just.." she shook her head, no. "OK, well..I'll just stay."

She stood up then.

"Right now?" KC didn't think it would come to this.

"I'm not going home."

"OK." KC thought they should go back to her place and pick up her clothes, at least. But she went to his bedroom instead and shut the door.

KC wasn't sure whether to laugh or be mad. He went to make tea and toast. There wasn't really much to snack on at his place, so maybe he needed to buy groceries. Of course, he patiently waited for her to come back out, but she didn't. 

Ten minutes later, he went to check on her. She was asleep. Evidently, she liked the left side of the bed which was his favorite side, too.

But now, there's something happenin'

 "This is so hard," Millie was ready to crash. She just didn't know what people wanted from her. "I must have been crazy thinking I could get married in May."

Of course, she didn't know she would have a table of people surrounding her at the coffee shop. Maddie and Harley were there, along with KC's little step-sister Junie. She didn't have any answers for them. She didn't even have any colors picked out.

"What's your favorite color?" Maddie asked.

"Oh, I don't know," she looked at her sleepily. "Yellow, maybe."

"Maybe?" Junie looked at her as if she needed to decide.

"Well, I know you don't have much money, but Boone said, he'd bake the cake and..and his mom always knows how to get a deal and people to help. You, said you wanted to have it at the gazebo at the park." Maddie said looking over her lovely notebook off doodles and drawings. 

"We could all go thrifting," Harley piped in.

Millie nodded at the idea. 

"We could get help from the school," Junie mentioned the drama department and the Prom boutique. 

Millie found herself softly laughing. Oh, she should have been working on a paper for an online lit class. Her legs were sore from standing too much at the bowling alley where she ran the concessions for her Uncle. She couldn't even manage three bites of her cheese burger. 

"What's so funny?" Junie looked at her a bit hurt.

"Oh, it's not you, it's just me, thinking this is just a drama production of some kind," Millie couldn't stop laughing.

Maddie sighed. "Are you sure you're really ready for marriage?"

"I think that's the easy part," Millie said the apartment was ready and they had looked into seeing how they would spend their money together and what their goals were in the future. "I don't think either of us were thinking about the wedding part." She looked at the girls who were possibly the best friends she'd ever had. "He's my best friend. We write songs together. I'm excited to say I'll be his wife."

"We're excited for you two and we want to make the best celebration we can-"

"On a budget," Millie looked at them with big eyes. "We are on a budget."

"Yeah, we better get to the Prom boutique before all the prom dresses are taken," Junie reminded her the dresses always went fast right before Prom.

Now here you go again

 "She probably hates me," Izzy needed to talk to someone about Lily. At least, there was Harley, who was always up for some thrifting. Since she quit working at the school, there was more time for excursions and she drove down to Lincoln. After all, the snow was thawing and it felt almost like spring.

"I wouldn't worry about it," Harley told her she doubted Lily even noticed. "You know how she is, she's a very ME person."

"I guess, but maybe that visit from Brick's grandmother worried her," Izzy agreed. She just didn't like this feeling. 

"Just think about about a wedding this summer, OK?" Harley smiled back at her.

"Aren't you worried about Brick at all?" Izzy frowned, thinking how could Harley be over her high school boyfriend.

"Oh, he's a big boy, it'll hit him sooner or later," Harley shrugged about the matter, "There is only so much you can do."

"I told you about Mercer, didn't I?"

"Yeah, that was sweet of him to have a Valentine's date," Harley said she hoped he was moving on.

"What did you and Rain do?" Izzy had to ask as she found a cardigan that would be great for spring.

"Just stayed in." 

"Is that all you did?" Izzy teased.

"We watched War of the Gargantuas."

"Oh." Izzy nodded wondering if that was code for something else. She'd noticed a change in Harley after living with Rain. She had a feeling they might be more than roomies. 

Of course, Harley moved on to the bags. She'd discovered a Ted Baker tote for only $4.99.

I've had enough

 Izzy wondered how long Lily might stay. It was unexpected, but Izzy had the time. She warmed up the leftover eggbake and got the coffee on. All the while Lily was unloading her big event with Brick's grandmother.

"Do you know her?" Lily said rather bitter.

"No, I..we..um, no." Izzy thought the less she said the better. She served up the breakfast and Lily talked more and ate most of the eggbake just to tell Izzy she thought it was too salty.

Naturally, Lily didn't ask about Izzy's Valentine's day. Izzy was sporting an engagement t ring, but of course, Lily hadn't noticed. 

"Guess what," Izzy said with enthusiasm. She could at least tell her this much.

"What?" Lily gave her a soured look that she didn't have time for Izzy's side story.

"Mercer went out with a girl,"

"I'm sure he did it out of pity," Lily didn't look surprised.

"They are good friends with all the plays they do together," Izzy smiled as if she liked the idea of Mercer seeing someone.

Lily shrugged and sipped her coffee. She pushed away the plate when she was finished. Izzy meant to ask her how her Valentines Day went with Brick, but what was the point. She already knew too much information of what was going on with Lily and Brick, who was practically living with her now, even if he had a dorm free room and a meal card at the University.

"Look, maybe his grandmother is concerned," Izzy said. "Maybe she'd worried you'll change your mind about him, like that guy you were planning to marry. I'm sure there was a lot of money involved with that, not your money..but maybe his money or your mother's money." Izzy sighed. 

"What are you talking about?" Lily snapped.

"Just think about, where are things really going with you and Brick? I mean, he was the best boyfriend Harley ever had, and they weren't ..well, you know, no where nearly as sexual as you and Brick are."

"What?" She snarled. "What are you trying to say?"

"Just don't treat him like he's fast food," she shrugged. "Ever thought about Boone? Wasn't that fleeting, too?"

Of course, Lily didn't have a comeback. She was ready to leave. Izzy suspected their friendship had left the building too.

We're gonna see what tomorrow brings

 Brick knew it was a close one. Thank God, Izzy didn't have to go the bathroom when she was at Lily's.

Still, it felt kind of fun now, when he thought on it. Although, he heard what Lily said about him while he was hiding in the bathroom.

"Why did you say that?" He snapped after Izzy left. "Why didn't  you tell me you wanted the steak?"

He was serious, and she looked up at him and burst into laughter. After a while, she kissed him, pulling him in to stay. "Don't you know? I don't want her to know we got back together."

Sure, he wanted to say it was a one-off, but the winter was a cold desert and he wasn't exactly on the starting basketball lineup just yet. A part of him wanted to reach for his lifeline (as if he were on a game show) maybe Oliver would know what to do, but he wasn't exactly winning it either when it came to a relationship.

He felt blinded somehow by being with Lily. True, he'd known her since she was just a girl, but they'd never had intercourse before. But it was just so dang cold.  He winced hard, wanting to blame it on the weather. He knew he asked for this.

But he wasn't going to mention anything about Harley. They'd just have to get through January and hope February would be a month for true lovers. By the looks of things, Lily was taking off her hoodie now the her sport bra was being pulled off too.

Of course, nothing Izzy said was on Lily's mind. What had gotten into her? Didn't she love art and all things textile? Not HIM. He thought of all the times they'd go off on their own adventures way back before middle school, just to come back home and her putting him through some new craft with balloons and yarn. Now she was all over him, and he followed her lead with his lips and his fingers, investigating along the way in the most eager dance.

Was this the next adventure of being together? He could tell she didn't want him to think. She had an hour before she had to go to work and of course, he didn't mind making the most of it with her in her warm bed.

Don't say words that you don't mean

 

Izzy didn't know how Lily could have a job in the cold like that at the grocery store. It had been so bitter cold, this January. Occasionally, they ran into each other, and sometimes, Izzy would drop by if she found some extra soaps and detergents that Lily could use. After all, they did live in the same apartment complex. Only it felt Lily lived in a different world, going solo in a studio.

"I went out with Brick," Lily said while Izzy was over. She made hot coffee while looking through the bag of goodies. Lily smiled as if she might be having Christmas all over again.

"Brick?" Izzy laughed as if she wouldn't think much of it. Yes, she and Harley usually managed to text about the weather and what was trending on Tic Toc. 

"What? You think something is going on with us?"

Izzy didn't know what to say. Maybe there was that tone in Lily's voice.

"Did you have a good time?"

"We at too much. He ended up eating my steak too and I was hoping to bring some of it home to make stew."

Lily shrugged about the matter as if she didn't really like Brick, after all.

"You should have told him?" Izzy looked at her blankly. "Remember, you can always drop by and eat with us."

"Oh, I dunno."

Lily winced, hugging herself at the small table that wasn't much for dining. It was quiet then. Izzy wasn't sure if she should stay or talk. 

"You used to be with Brick," Lily said out of the blue.

"Oh, that was very short-lived," Izzy didn't want to think about that time in her life. "Besides, I'm very much with Cowan now and well, maybe we'll get married this summer."

"Married?" Lily grimaced as if that were the worst idea. "Are you still going to have Mercer living with you?"

"Who knows, he seems to be taking off, you know with the acting, and he's done some local modeling gigs."

Izzy could tell Lily wasn't pleased with Mercer's success. 

"He doesn't talk about Cade at all?"

Izzy shook her head, no. That's when she mentioned that Rafe and Ruby were going to have a baby. Naturally, Lily snarled a look of disapproval.

"I think it's good for you and Brick to reconnect," Izzy said. "He's your oldest friend."

Maybe they did belong together.

So I'm back to the velvet underground

 

"It's not that I envy them," Maddie looked back at Boone wide-eyed about the Rafe and Ruby news that stole their thunder on their engagement party, but she might have been in a slight fret.

His arm was around her on the couch. They were close, well they'd been inseparable since the Christmas engagement. After all, they might as well have made a fort in the livingroom during the holidays. She couldn't remember the last time she slept in her own bed, just his or the couch. 

Of course, she could see his smile; it was playing into a laugh, and then she laughed, too. 

"Look, Rafe and I are friends, in spite of everything," he shrugged. "We do work together."

"Well..he's in school now," she pressed her lips in protest and of course, he kissed them very longingly as if she might forget they were even talking about Rafe.

"Uh-huh," Boone broke free from the kiss but looked her in the eye. "You are taking some classes this January too."

"Well." She wished he hadn't brought that up. Maybe she was sleepy after all even if the ten o'clock news hadn't came on yet. After all, they only got antenna TV, and she was not staying up for the old Carol Burnett show.

"OK, you say you can't decide on a major, I get that, but think about it, you need to start taking Library Science classes because you know how much you love the library,"

"I know, but, I'm just going to take, you know the usual stuff, and wait." Maddie shrugged. 

"We could all be learning about jet engines, you know," Boone smirked.

"He better stick with it," she sighed. 

"Oh, he's got a baby to feed, Rafe we'll figure it out," Boone nodded.

"But..but do I have to like Ruby?" Maddie found her a bit snooty, and she was Harley's friend, after all.

"Well, if you can try to be Ruby's friend, then surely I can be Rain's friend," he smiled.

Maddie nodded. She'd give it a try. She didn't feel Rafe nor Rain as big Xs anymore that she had to avoid.

Or do we know what we know

 If only she could keep her mouth full of popcorn. Harley didn't want to think, but with each bite, it came back to Rain.

Yes, the unexpected happened. It wasn't supposed to. She clearly knew it was her fault. It had to be. After all, she'd drank the wine first and he kept drinking because he was afraid she'd drink to much.

"You'll regret it," he'd said on New Year's. Maybe he was right. But in the end, Harley didn't think so. 

OK, it might have been murky waters, but it felt like pink champaign at the time. Let them call her an alcoholic. It was her first time. Maybe her last. Yet, it felt a little like heaven that night. Thank God, none of it was caught on camera. 

It was probably the most pitiful act of love anyone would want to know, but it was the best she'd ever had. Or just a first time, anyhow. Well, a great way to ring in the new year.

She gobbled up handfuls of popcorn now. It was probably the worst time Rain ever had. After all, he'd been with her cousin and well..that must have been...something. 

Harley was in her room and her phone rang forever on her bed. Finally, she turned with a mouthful of popcorn in her mouth. It was Brick. It had to be Brick. She almost coughed up the popcorn. Did she really have to talk to him? Were they really together anymore? She didn't think so.

She wished she was drunk now with Pink champagne. Of course, she might have been on top of Rain if she were.

Oh, she was a terrible person, indeed. She wanted to hate herself, but not really. It was Rain and well...IT WAS RAIN.

She took a deep breath and answered.

"What do you want?"

"What's wrong with you?" Brick asked.

"Nothing." She crunched more popcorn in his ear. "Did you have a good Chrismas?"

"I tried to call."

"Oh really?" She didn't remember such a thing on her phone.

"I was sick."

"Sorry to hear that." 

Harley kept in a monotone. She didn't feel the need to give anything away.

"When do you go back to school?"

"Oh, I'm not going," she finally confessed. Rain found her a better job. "I found better pay. I get insurance now."

"Oh."

She could tell he knew they were drifting apart.

"I hope you have a good season," she said about basketball. It was sad, but they were in different worlds now.

The near and the dear ones

 It was good catching up with KC. Mercer met KC's girlfriend Millie (they'd spent most of the holiday with her parents) but after Christmas, they asked if he wanted to join the rest of the gang at the Coffee Shop after hours. Maddie wanted to celebrate her engagement to Boone even if it was a foggy and misty night.

Naturally, Boone made the food, omelets, and French toast with lots of fruit. The menu might have been small, but it was tasty and included plenty of good coffee.

Mercer chatted with Harley and Rain along with a few people he hadn't seen in ages, like Brooklyn who was no longer at the University. She'd somehow ended up with the horse stable out in Plattsmouth, against her parent's wishes, and she was making a go of it.

"So what about you and Cade?" Brooklyn asked. After all, she wasn't with her boyfriend from the University anymore who was a teammate of Izzy's ex-boyfriend. 

"Oh, you know, some things just can't be set in stone," he shrugged.

Brooklyn understood. "But you two were so cute together."

It gave Mercer a chuckle. He'd never thought the two of them cute. Although, he'd been sad a lot of Christmas even if he came home to spend time with his Mom and Dad. He felt so alone and wished he was back at the University keeping busy.

He'd even had a checkup with a specialist in Omaha who had been there since the beginning of his epilepsy. Mercer checked out fine, which kind of shocked him. He knew he had to be thankful for that, but he was cautious of his diet. It was mostly a plant-based diet, with no processed foods. 

Still, he wondered how it would be if he were with Cade. What else would have gone wrong? 

Just as he was thinking of leaving early, he knew no one would miss him, in waltzed Rafe with Ruby. Oh, they had news to tell everyone. And they both seemed to be past having enemies, at least at the moment. 

Ruby would have a baby in late August. They both might as well have been walking in the clouds. Mercer smiled but felt a little sad. He doubted Rafe said much to him, but he gave Mercer a hug soon enough. 

"You'll always be this baby's uncle," Rafe told him. 

Mercer tried to smile, but suddenly he felt a lump of raw emotion in his throat. He could not speak.

"It's not because of Cade, you were always a better brother to me than Cade ever was," Rafe looked him in the eye and put his arm around Mercer. 

 Rafe yelled to Maddie to get out the pie. He was buying pie for everyone.

No one knew where Cade might be, and Mercer wouldn't ask. He wanted to pass on the coconut cream pie, but he was served first.

If you're lost, you can look and you will find me Time after time

 

Christmas was coming. Maddie finally had a Saturday to get the Christmas shopping done. Although, she felt as if she could hardly move. That was when Harley said she would drive when she saw her at the library the Friday before.

Maddie felt more comfortable in her old car. Here Harley was driving Rain's Ford Focus.

"What is going on with you two?" Maddie took a moment to ask while stuck in traffic.

"What do you mean?" They were on their way to the outlet mall. Harley kept her eye on the road.

The farther they got there, Maddie wished she'd done all her shopping online, or at least at the Dollar General that was right around the corner from where she lived. True it was an old lady place, but still, she even found the Vapor Cream for a dollar on the bargain aisle was divine on these cold winter nights.

"Oh, I don't know, are you back with Brick or have you and Rain-"

Now Harley gave Maddie the eye. She knew instantly that Harley was perturbed with her. So she shut up as if Harley didn't have to say a word.

"I'm thinking of changing my major," Harley said out of the blue.

"Really," Maddie hugged herself. At least the car was warm and Christmas tunes from the radio played in the background ever so softly.

Harley kept driving. Finally, traffic was letting up. They made it to the acres of parking, just to get out, and felt they were walking through a force field of wind just to get to Hot Topic.

Of course, neither found a thing there. Harley said it was just too dark. Maddie nodded. Yes, they were both past their Goth days now.

"Rain mentioned I should go into diabetic education."

"Is there a need for that?" Maddie wasn't aware of such a thing. Harley nodded as they finally went past some of the in places that didn't have any magical steal deals. They ended up in Vera Bradley and found plenty they wanted to buy for themselves. Finally, after much consideration, they decided to buy each other something.

Maddie got a mini backpack and Harley found a sling bag she couldn't live without. 

"Rain seems to think I'm overworked at the school, and I don't get paid enough," Harley finally mentioned when they stopped for flat whites at a local coffee shop.

"It sounds like he cares about you a lot," Maddie said as she sipped her hot drink, thinking she should have gotten Boone something already for the holidays, but she was always with him.

"Yeah, he's terribly sweet," Harley seemed sad about it.

"Who are you the happiest with?" Maddie asked her.

"Why?"

"You need to be honest with yourself," Maddie told her it was OK to be with Rain.

Harley nodded. 

"I know he's sweet. He's a really good guy, but are you happy?"

"Were you?" She looked at Maddie as if this could mean trouble.

"Oh, I felt I was the one hurting him. It was good to meet someone like him," Maddie shrugged. Of course, she had no idea what to get her boyfriend for Christmas.

"He does make me happy," Harley finally admitted. "It's just, I don't know what to do about Brick."

"I thought you broke up."

"So did I." 

Harley took a sip of her hot drink then.