Lucas had been soaking there in the tub all alone, contemplating through libraries of thoughts. He could suppose, civilian's life, to him, was so much more difficult and strenuous than being pressed at the frontlines ever was. And it was the fact that Lucas was startled by Callum's hostility, making Lucas guess he assumed way too much about people, that people are actually crazy or selfish scumbags that step out line. On base, Lucas would have never ran into that type of trouble, mainly because people, soldiers, there had respect for him, they had to according to the medals and emblem stamped against Lucas's uniform. But none of that mattered here. So, what did?

And suddenly, Liam stormed in, door open, Lucas given yet another surprise that day. Lucas jumped back, and grabbed the ice bags, trying to cover as much as he could of his crotch. "Bloody hell, Liam! Don't scare me like that," he reacted in his naked state. "Well, its not everyday that I get my balls scorched in coffee and then walk in on nude..."

Lucas then listened to Liam's plan, as he grabbed a towel nearest to him. While Liam was talking, Lucas climbed out of the tub, before he wrapped the towel around his waist. "Wait, a minute... Yvette, that girl, she's deaf... and blind? Damn... No, wonder that prick was pissed off." Lucas at this point had become numb at the surprises, too many to count, and no telling what else this town is full of. But if he could help, Lucas rather know about things before they do become what is qualified as a surprise. Besides, Lucas would of never imagine all that was started over his attempt to get her number.

Lucas was at least glad that Liam was there to inform him. Who knows that would happen if he wasn't. Lucas buried it in his mind to be remembered that Mary was, as Liam said, off-limits. Lucas did not want to lose Liam, he was very helpful, so he will remember to take that order seriously. Speaking of orders, Lucas had to prepared himself for his next destination, the beach. Lucas did not know how Liam got this plan all started, but he was not going to refuse, better than sulking alone in a bathtub. "Pants, pants, pants, need pants-- Oh, Liam, could I borrow some pants, and maybe some boxers also? My stuff is... kind of... I don't know- soaked."

"No, just didn't want to make you jealous," it was a cocky comment from Lucas when Liam questioned Lucas's sudden desire for cover, but it was all in playful jeering. It was not that Lucas was ever ashamed of his body, no he will mold and sculpt it until perfection. But he just was not prepare to be seen like that, and especially what he thought was a low state at the time. Besides, Lucas knew that Liam had a roommate, Lucas did not want to introduce himself to a complete stranger naked. He was raised to be a gentleman, and growing up in a wealthy home he took etiquette sessions as a little boy. Sure he has broken and forgotten a lot of those rules, like flipping his shirt off, but he knows he has to have some kind of class, don't want to end up as some white boy trash.

So Yvette was coming over to Liam's apartment lie soon? Lucas was not sure how he felt about that. He would not have a problem to be seen with her again with Callum present, in fact Yvette was Lucas's way to strike Callum back, because he knew that it hurt Callum to see Yvette among the likes of Lucas. But what if Callum did find Yvette with Lucas, even if Lucas was simply standing next to her, Callum would be pissed either way. And Lucas had no problem in pissing Callum off, that was kind of the point of seeing Yvette in the first place, but pissing off Liam was another story. Liam's beach day would be ruined if Lucas and Callum if they started giving each other hell again, and Liam when off how he did not want his plans ruined. Lucas just knew if Callum did come at him with physical hostility, Lucas would just play the defense, and hopefully maybe Liam would jump in.

After scouting around for pants, Lucas was successful at finding a pair which he slipped into rather easy, being aware the last pair he was wearing were skinny jeans that felt like an extra and unnecessary workout to put on. For Lucas's torso, he just wore his crimson V-neck as before, at least that didn't have any coffee stains. "So, you really want this to happen?"Lucas asked as he sat down next to Liam, tossing his long blonde locks to the side of his face and out of the way of his bright blue eyes. Lucas noticed Liam was scribbling something, but wasn't too nosy to ask why or what it was. "Are you sure this is a good idea? You know, bringing me along, with Yvette there. I'm not scared of Callum, but I don't want to ruin your day if he shows up, seeing me there with Yvette, hell would unleash, and this time I would be prepared. Besides, what's their connection anyways. Yvette and Callum related somehow?"

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If Mary had thought this day could have not gotten any stranger, she was very wrong. Not only did Callum just ignore her when she spoke to him but he just walked off. He didn’t even have the decency to start making her her order, not like he could make it like the god Liam could anyways. But now Liam was hitting on her. At least, she thought he was.

”If you want your usual you’ll have to wait, or you could blow off school and we could run off to the beach. Feel the sand between our toes, the sun in our hair. You’ll learn more in a day with me than at school.” His fingertips ran on along her jawline and stopping at her lips. Heat radiated out from where he touched her.

Mary could only imagine what and afternoon with him would teach her. Butterflies fluttered around in her stomach. Had she ever felt butterflies with Callum? She didn’t think so. She bit her lip then smirked devishly at him after he whispered in her ear. She was trying to change her imagine. Maybe she needed to change the arm candy too. Callum didn’t seem to appreciate her anymore.

"You’ll just have to wait and see if I show up.” Mary told him before he left. She stood there, plotting away. Sure, there was a beach about an hour away. Beach shops always had bathing suits so she didn’t have to worry about that. But what about Yvette? Sure, she didn’t mind Liam corrupting her but sweet Yvette? But then again she couldn’t remember her friend ever mentioning going to a beach. Callum always kept his step sister so shelter. It was definitely strange.

The blonde sat next to her friend, scooting close so her boyfriend would not be able to guess what she was signing to Yvette. This would be the perfect time to write it all down and have her read it or whisper about their plans but Yvette didn’t have that luxury. This is where her obsession with learning things came in handy. She quickly explained to Yvette Liam’s proposition. ”Can you imagine the beach? It would be such and adventure.” She signed in Yvette’s hand.

"I’m going but if you don’t want to I won’t force you to. Do you want to go?" She finished and waited for her friend to answer. She really hoped her best friend would decide to go with her but at this point she really didn’t know. Other than going to the library, a store, or a restaurant, she and Yvette never really did anything adventurous together. If Callum found out she brought Yvette to do something wild, he’d probably skin Mary’s hide. But who cared?

Maybe he wasn’t man enough to be with her anymore. Maybe it was time to stretch her wings and move on to someone else.

She ducked her head when she noticed her favorite teacher walk into the shop. At least he wasn't focused on her. She put her back to him, watching Yvette. This was their chance to be alive for once. This town suffocated Mary so. She needed to be free, to feel alive. She looked out the window at the apartment across the street. He would wait for her right?

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The blonde chewed on her lip. It seemed like she was waiting forever for her to get just a yes or no answer. Maybe it was too unfair of her to ask her this but Yvette deserved the fun as much as Mary did. When had either of them actually left Brewster. She glanced over her shoulder at Callum and was happy to see he was too busy to see what they were plotting. Well, what she was trying to plot.

When Yvette suddenly moved, Mary took notice. She grinned at her friend. She seemed to lose all fear in that moment and be triumphant as she responded. 'Let’s go', she signed in her hand, standing up. She put the brownie back in the box so they could eat it on the way and took Yvette’s hand. She led her outside with their box of goodies. She didn’t bother straightening the chairs, more work for Callum since he seemed to want to be an ass that day.

Mary paused at the street, looking both ways for them before she led them over to the apartment building. She opened the door, letting Yvette go ahead of them. She took her time with the stairs for Yvette, no matter how much she was dying to get there. Would Callum be mad that she went off with another man? Would he even care? Did Liam actually like her in more than just a friendly way? She didn’t know but she wanted to.

When they reached his apartment, she knocked in a playful way, if there was such a thing. She took Yvette’s hand again and gave it a gentle squeeze, hoping to convey how excited she was with just a simple gesture. Even though communicating with Yvette was sometimes harder, Mary always felt like Yvette understood her the way no one could.

Mary didn’t exactly know who this ‘friend’ Liam planned on bringing but she did trust him. If he trusted this person, she didn’t have a reason not to. Then again she wasn’t just going to leave her friend stranded. She was too protective of her to do that.

Suddenly before they answered the door, Mary turned to her friend and told her. 'If you are scared or anything tell me and we will stop. I will not let anything happen to you.' She reached out and gave her friend a hug. She had been lonely over the years but Yvette had been there for her. With her friend’s disabilities, she couldn’t imagine what Yvette went through on a daily basis. She wanted her friend to feel and be safe.

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”Maybe I should get a boat, sail the open sea!”

A smirk played on her lips as Liam almost purred into her ear. ”Would you sail the ocean with me? If I asked?” His hot breath sent shivers down her spine. She glanced over at him. She would have answered had he not pulled away and changed the subject. She rolled her eyes. ”You are such a tease.”

Had her shoes not been so expensive she would have tossed one at him. Not in a way that it would actually hurt him just to tease him. She turned back to Lucas, giving him a once over. ”So what are your intentions with my Yvette?” She crossed her arms. If he thought she was just going to let him do whatever he wanted to do with her best friend he was sorely mistaken.

She took her friends hand. ”Why don’t you come with us to buy bathing suits and you can tell me about yourself. I’ll translate for her and you can tell me of your intentions.” She told him. She guided Yvette across the sand to the shop across the street. The store was opened but there was no one besides the worker in it.

Mary brought Yvette’s hand up and asked her what type bathing suit she wanted; bikini or one piece aka sexy or sweet. She even that last bit to make her friend smile. She looked over at Lucas. ”You gonna get a suit or go for boxers like Liam?” She smirked.

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Lucas was nervous, anxiety pumping through his heart, and trailing down his veins. He always became edgy when it came to company of others, sure, Lucas is out-going and a people-person. But the thought of failing- defeat lingered his head, and he could not let that happened. He had already been shamed by the whole Callum catastrophe back in the café, and Lucas was not planning to experience anything similar to that ever. But eventually, he took a deep breath, told himself that this was his second chance, and there is no point in being embarrassed again.

Their trip to the beach did not only consist of Liam and Lucas however, but also Mary and Yvette. Lucas had already been told by Liam that May was not to be flirted with, and Lucas understood, he would not stoop so low to take the woman Liam is after. But then there was also Yvette, Callum's step-sister, the girl he got his crotch brunt over, knowing that she had a disability, one would think Lucas would now be uninterested in her because communicating with her would be a challenge. But the thing about Lucas was that he enjoyed challenges, he wanted to understand her, and one big reason of that was to get Callum back. Lucas was not sure, how far he would go with Yvette, friends, or maybe more? Being friends, would anger Callum enough, Lucas's quest for revenge would be completed there. But Lucas, knowing himself, he would probably turn to the urge to gain her approval- Yvette's fondness for him, become the Prince Charming he wants to be to ever girl, a polite gentlemen that entertains light flirting, and maybe some alluring humor.

They had arrived at the beach and Lucas delighted in the sandy shores and the ocean tattered with waves. The beach was a place to relax and bask in tranquility, maybe this what he needed after all, to relax, forget about war and violence, he was after all- off duty. Lucas witnessed Liam's affection for Mary, it was quite obvious, the way he leaned in, when he whispered something that was a mystery to Lucas. Lucas thought Liam was being adorable, and he was good at it. But then came a time where Liam stripped himself of pants and charged into the waters with only his boxers. Lucas prepared for a more classy attire though, a pair of swimming trunks would of done him fine. So when it came to the question of whether or not he was going to join, he confidently with a raise of his eye brows and his sweet pretty-boy smile cracking again, "Of course, a suit sounds excellent." Lucas followed Mary and Yvette, walking alongside with them, "You want to get to know me? My intentions, this is staring to sound like an interrogation." Lucas joked, chuckling as he finished his sentence.

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Mary looked at Lucas, serious for a moment. ”Who says this isn’t an interview? You think I’ll let just anyone hang out with my best friend? Callum will guard her like a pitbull but if you want to be able to talk to her, you have to gain my trust first.” She explained to him and shrugged. She pointed out the guys’ section. ”Maybe you should grab a pair for Liam, just in case.”

She laughed softly when Yvette responded. She took Eve’s hand and made it like a “bun” and put her own finger in it. ’Hot dog, someone’s going sexy! She smirked, turning to the racks she finally decided on a two piece for Yvette and a one piece for herself. She smirked, grabbing a bag that they could put their clothes in and lead her to the changing room. It was easier just to get the ‘family’ room so they could change together and she could help her friend if she needed.

Mary locked the door and signed to her friend that they were in the changing room. She hung up Yvette’s bathing suit, letting her touch it so she knew where it was. She hung her’s up on the other side before she started stripping. She pulled on the one piece with ease then checked herself out in the mirror. She was normally not into wearing one piece but there was something about it that sort of had a lingerie vibe. She hoped it would make Liam really notice her. She left her hair down. She put her clothes into the bag and then added Yvette’s clothes and shoes as well.

Mary helped her friend when she needed it and made sure she was secure in the bathing suit before she led her out again. She paused at a rack of flip flops. She grabbed a pair of black ones for herself and a pink pair for Yvette. She went to the register and laid out their spoils. The man had already ran up their bathing suits. She waited for Lucas to get done while she helped Yvette into the flip flops and then put her own on.

She went ahead and paid for their things. It wasn’t like they got to go road tripping every day. ’You look hot. That guy Lucas will be drooling. Still trying to figure him out. I know he is a solider or something but that’s it.’ She told her friend.

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When Mary returned Lucas's joking comment seriously, he felt a knot in his stomach. First Callum and now Mary, he was starting to see people get really defensive when the matter involved Yvette. But Lucas understood that Yvette was Callum's step-sister and Mary's best friend, so they had really no choice but to be defensive. However, he wished they give a chance and sound less aggressive and hostile, they did not even know him, why make assumptions? But Lucas, is not the one to judge quickly, and was aware it is better to be careful than sorry. Besides, he would be a fool to hurt Yvette, not because he was scared of Mary or Callum, but even Liam would be angry with the rest of the town. So, Lucas made it a priority to be careful with each step he takes, and each word he speaks.

Lucas shuffled through the swimming trunks, remembering that Mary suggested, more to Lucas- commanded him to get Liam a suit. It was obvious, like if she did not want Liam to wear trunks then why did she suggested it? Well, that was at least how Lucas had interpreted in is mind. So Lucas pulled off two pairs of trunks, a blue one for Liam, and red one for himself- Lucas knew he always looked good in red. Lucas then went into the changing room, he wanted to make sure the trunk fit on him, he was not planning for another accident to occur.

While in the changing room, he feeling discouraged by the past event of the day, and being new to the town, concerned that he may just make another mistake, suffer another failure. So he looked into the mirror, wearing his red trunks that he was trying on and said, "Lucas, you are pretty." It was a quirk of his, to admire and compliment himself, but some people believed in pep-talks, some of those people being Lucas. And in the way he did it, it was with telling himself how legendary his good looks were. "You are handsome, you are beautiful- body of a god. You have this, this being your second chance. Don't screw it up." He was talking to himself, but in a quiet matter, hoping no body else could hear him, it kept this as a secret, sometimes he was not discreet enough as he would like for others not to notice.

After he had finish basking in his own self-appreciation, he felt better as he marched over to the cash register. Being the wealthy young man he was, he delighted in showing off his possessions; he couldn't lie, he was a material person, driven by his trinkets and toys. It was a way he was raised being rich, son of a successful business man. So at the register he would usually flip his cash around, telling the clerk to keep the change, but with Yvette's company and especially because Mary was there, Lucas did not want to get a bad name, and he also just met both of them. So he instead paid with his credit card, and saved his bragging for perhaps a later time.

When Lucas had finished paying, he met up with Mary and Yvette, but he immediately made his way to the door, holding it open for him, minding his matters would be a great thing to keep in mind. Besides, he is a gentleman, helps his Prince Charming image. .

Bella Whitmore

Bella drove with her dad back to the house and walked in. She walked to the kitchen and smiled at her mother. "Here is the stuff you wanted. I need to get to school. Talk soon." Her mother seemed shocked. "When did you begin to like school?" She smiled at her mother as she handed her her lunch. "New teacher he is very .... studious and very well .... good at ...umm teaching." She smiled grabbed her lunch and walked out the front door.

-Well duh he is cute and so sooooooooooo enjoyable to stare at during the lessons he teaches.- It was really the only class she really paid attention or made sure she made it too. She got to school and did her other classes.

When it finally got to his class. The one where Mr Lovell taught. She got into the class and sat down on the seat she always took two seats behind the first rows head sitter. She looked at the door waiting for the moment he walked in. She was texting at the same time some friend in the classroom.