BACK TO YOU

eight. goodnight, connie

▬▬ LENNOX FELT A LITTLE squished as every one sat at the table, all laughing and talking. She reached up and adjusted the flower crown that sat on her head then she looked across the table to see Nate with one on his head – there had been an extra – and she laughed.

“What? You don’t like it?” He asked, adjusting it a little.

“No, no. You look good.” He told him and he grinned. “Flowers are really your thing.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.” He nodded and she chuckled as she looked down at her plate and Conrad looked over at her – she sat next to Cam and Nate sat across from her.

Jeremiah looked from his brother to the girl, his eyebrows pinched. It had been the second time that day he had seen the same look on Conrad’s face. And both times, he was looking at Lennox.

“So, Cam,” Jeremiah got the boy’s attention and everyone quieted down. “Mind if I call you Cam Cameron?”

“Yeah, man. Feel free. That’s funny.”

“I’m glad you’re here, Cameron.” Susannah told him. “I know your mom, Denise, from the club. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

“Thank you so much for having me, Susannah.” He told her. “My mom says hi.”

“Cam, have you ever had miyeok-guk before? It’s a Korean birthday tradition.” Laurel handed him a bowl.

“No. It looks so good, thank you.”

“Belly told me you’re vegetarian, so I didn’t put any meat in it.”

“Thank you, Laurel.”

“Why don’t you eat meat, Cam Cameron?” Jeremiah asked and Lennox wished her legs were longer so she could kick the boy because she knew that if she tried, she’d just end up kicking Steven instead.

“The meat industry is the number one contributor to global warming.” He answered, no hesitation. “And I just, I like animals.”

“Just don’t come for my leather jacket.” Taylor joked.

“I’m pretty sure you mean pleather.” Steven told her and the girl flipped him off.

“You’re all idiots.” Lennox mumbled under her breath but she looked up when she felt a foot against hers and Nate gave her a smile, she couldn’t help but smile in return – especially since he still had the flower crown on his head.

“You know, uh, actually, Belly eats meat.” Jeremiah told him. “So, you let her kiss you with those lips?”

“Guys.” Belly huffed, annoyed with them as they laughed. “Stop.”

“You guys are assholes.” Lennox stated, poking at her food.

“No, I don’t judge people for eating meat. It’s just, like, a personal choice. I don’t care.”

“So you don’t mind, if, uh, like her lips touch a dead animal and then those dead animal lips touch yours, right?”

“Jere.” Lennox warned as Belly kicked him under the table.

“I don’t mind at all.” Cam shook his head. “Um, in fact…” He leaned over and lightly pressed his lips against Belly’s.

“You have got to be the sweetest guy in the world. Where do I get one like you?” Lennox poked his arm as Steven and Jeremiah both pretended to vomit. “I’m gonna kill them, it will happen.”

“All right.” Laurel stopped the two boys. “And no killing anyone.” She pointed at Lennox.

“But they deserve it.” She argued. “Can I kill them just a little bit?” She asked, her smile wide but it faded when the woman shook her head and the girl sunk into her seat. “Fine.”

“And can you stop talking about killing people?” Laurel asked.

“I’m totally joking if that’s what you're worried about.”

“Yeah, Len couldn’t kill a spider.” Conrad added, a light smirk playing on his lips as the girl narrowed her eyes at him.

“Sorry for having morals.”

“More like fear.” He teased. “You were so scared you basically climbed up to my shoulders until I got it out of the house.”

“Spiders are scary.” She muttered, poking at her food and Laurel gently rubbed her shoulder and Lennox smiled as she patted the woman’s hand.

“So, I’m thinking, maybe we should go to Nicole's party.” Belly stated as she turned towards Taylor.

“You guys are going to that, too?” Lennox asked, leaning forward to look at the two younger girls.

“Yeah.” Belly nodded.

“Awesome. But don’t bump into anyone this time, all right?”

“Got it.” Belly nodded, a smile pulling at her lips and Lennox chuckled as she raised her glass to her lips.

“You’re driving.” Lennox mumbled as she pointed at Nate and he saluted, nodding his head.

>>>>> • <<<<<

▬▬ LENNOX LAUGHED AS NATE spun her around and pulled her into his chest. She raised her right arm slightly to avoid spilling her drink but some sloshed over the sides, though she didn’t seem to care too much as she held onto the boy.

She laughed when he pulled her closer to him, one hand on her waist and the other holding his own cup, but his was non-alcoholic.

“You have an amazing laugh.” He told her and she grinned as she shuffled her feet, her Doc Martens squeaking against the floor a little.

“I’m glad I met you.” She mumbled, resting her head against his chest with her eyes closed.

“Yeah, me too.” He nodded. “And I’ll be honest, I did approach you with slightly ulterior motives.”

“I know.” She hummed, raising her cup to her lips. “I’m sorry. My heads just a little fucked up.”

“No, it’s okay. I get it.” He rubbed her back as they swayed even though My Bad by The Chainsmokers and Shenseea played throughout the house. “I like being your friend. And pissing off Conrad is fun.”

She laughed, her hand fisting around his shirt. “Thank you.” She mumbled and he lightly kissed the top of her head, bringing a soft smile to her lips but it faded when she looked up and saw Conrad watching them. He looked sad, almost. She picked her head up and pulled away from Nate. “I’ll be right back.” She told him and he nodded as he started dancing. She weaved her way through people and stopped in front of Conrad. “Why do you keep looking at me like that?”

“Like what?” He asked, raising his beer to his lips.

“Don’t play dumb.” She took the beer from his hand. “I’m actually having a good time and you just have to ruin it. You know exactly what you’re doing.”

“What am I doing?”

“Damn it.” She shook her head. “I keep letting you do this to me. I keep letting you get to me.”

“Len-” He took a step towards her and she took a step back. “I’m sorry. I just…I don’t want to hurt you, not anymore.”

“I don’t want to hurt, but I can’t get you out of my head.” She told him, tears filing her eyes. “Even when this really great guy is being so amazing and so understanding. I can’t let you go.”

“What?” He stepped closer to her, his hand on her cheek and she closed her eyes, trying to stop the next rush of tears but it was a losing battle. “Why are you crying?” He felt awful, this was definitely not his intention.

He hated it when she cried, and he hated even more that now he was the reason for it.

Her head swirled as his thumb swiped across her cheek as he pulled her closer to him, his other hand on her hip. His scent wafted around her, and the alcohol definitely didn't help. She leaned into his hand, relishing the warmth of his palm.

“Lennox, are you okay?”

She shook her head, her chest tight. Then someone bumped into her back, pushing her into the boy's chest but he steadied her. The movement jolted her out of the moment and she took a step back, looking up at the boy.

“Len-”

“I-I-I should go.” She turned away from him and made a b-line for the drink table. She filled up her cup and downed it before filling it up again and doing the same. She took a breath as she wiped her face then she refilled her cup once more.

She sipped on it for a while as she sank to one of the couches and after three more drinks, and a while of people watching, she went to look for Nate.

“Hey, there you are.” The boy smiled but it faded when he saw her face. “Oh, shit. You okay?”

“Yeah, totally.” She nodded, stumbling a little and he was quick to steady her.

“I feel like I should stop you.” He reached forward and grabbed her cup and she pouted up at him.

“Come on, it’s a party.”

“I’m taking you home.” He told her and she let out a sigh but nodded. “Come on, drunky.” He mumbled as he wrapped his arm around her and led her through the masses of people and out the front door, where Jeremiah, Conrad and another guy were playing beer pong and Conrad’s eyes were on them before the blond boy ever spoke. “Hey, Jeremiah.” He got the boy’s attention and he turned, his smile fading a little when he saw Lennox with her eyes closed and her head on Nate’s chest.

“Is she okay?”

“Just super drunk.” Nate nodded. “I’m gonna take her home. Get her in bed.”

“All right.” He nodded. “Um, aspirin, it’s, uh-” He trailed off looking over at his brother for the answer, he couldn’t remember.

“Medicine cabinet in the bathroom, second shelf.”

“Thanks.” Nate nodded. “Okay, Lenny, come on.”

The girl groaned, shaking her head a little then she opened her eyes and a wide smile pulled at her lips. “Jere-Bear!” She jumped towards him, wrapping her arms around his neck as she stood on her toes. “Where have you been?”

“Jeez, Len, how much did you drink?”

“I forgot how to count after five.” She nodded her head as she fell back to her heels and she stumbled a bit but Nate was quick to steady her, his hands on her waist. Her eyes then moved over to Conrad. “Hey, Connie baby!” She grinned but he couldn’t bring himself to smile, he was too worried about her. “Nate said I have to go home.” Her words slurred together then she hiccupped.

“Yeah, that sounds like a good plan.” Conrad nodded. “You should get some rest.”

“What will you give me if I do?” She asked, her head tilted to the side then she tried to wink at him but it didn’t exactly work.

“Was that a wink?” The guy next to Conrad asked and the girl nodded as she turned to look at him.

“You’re cute, who are you?”

“Luke.”

“Good job, Jere. He’s super hot.” She patted her best friend’s shoulder and he nodded his head.

“Okay, we really should get you home.” Nate told the girl, pulling her with him as he started down the stairs. “Watch your step.” He mumbled as he helped her down the stairs. “There you go.”

“I’m good at walking.” She grinned up at him.

“Yeah, you are.” He nodded, a smile pulling at his lips as he walked her to the car. Conrad just watched her from the porch, which Jeremiah noticed.

“It’s you, isn’t it?” 

>>>>> • <<<<<

▬▬ LENNOX LAID IN BED, her head pounded as she rolled onto her side, the stuffed shark Conrad had won her at the boardwalk last year in her arms. She tucked her face into the shark’s back. Hoping it would take some of the pain away but with no luck she let out a huff and closed her eyes.

Then a knock came at her door and she rolled over as Conrad pushed the door open and stepped into her room. “Hey, Lenny.” He smiled, his voice a whisper. “You okay?”

“My head hurts, Connie.” She mumbled as he put a glass of water on the nightstand and sat on the edge of her bed. She turned to face him and reached for his hand and he let her pull it closer to her. She tucked her arms into her chest, holding his hand close as she held her shark with her other hand.

“You’re really drunk, aren’t you?” He asked as she nodded. “I’m sorry if I’m the reason.”

“It’s not just you.” She told him, her eyes closed again. “My dad sold the house. Gotta get my stuff out by the end of summer.”

“I’m sorry, Len.” He told her and she moved closer to him, resting her forehead against his thigh as they grew quiet. She just held onto him and he smiled a little. He liked that she wanted to be close to him, his hand against her chest, her head now on his thigh, using him as a pillow.

"What did I do wrong?" She mumbled, her words slurred. "I didn't mean to make you leave me." Tears filled her eyes but she kept them locked on their hands. "I don't even know what I did? I'm so sorry."

"Hey, it was never you." He told her, his voice low as he tucked her hair back so it wasn't in her face. "You're perfect."

"Why did you leave me?" Her hand tightened around his.

"I'm so sorry, Len. I didn't want to, I-I can't even begin to explain."

"It's okay. You don't have to." She mumbled, wiping her eyes with the back of her other hand. "I just miss you, Connie." She faded into sleep, her eyes fluttering closed but he was quick to shake her awake.

“Hey, hey, drink this first.” He picked up the glass and held it out to her. But she groaned as she shook her head. “Please? For me?” He asked and she sighed as she pushed herself up, letting go of his hand, then she took the glass and took a few gulps. “All of it.” He added as she did then she handed it back to him and laid down, pulling her cover over her. “Okay, I’ll let you sleep.” He pushed himself up but her hand in his stopped him and he turned towards her.

“Can you stay? Please?” She mumbled, her voice quiet. He stood there for a moment, contemplating what to do and she looked up at him. Her eyes glossy and her bottom lip poked out just a little and he knew he could never say no to her.

“Okay.” He nodded before sinking to the mattress next to her and when he laid down she moved closer to him, her head on his chest. He froze for a moment before he let his arm circle her waist, his hand on her hip. “Get some sleep, Lenny.”

“Goodnight, Connie.” She mumbled into his chest as she faded into sleep and he laid there looking up at the ceiling as he held onto her.

And while she slept better than she had been in months, his mind raced. He hated himself for making her think she had done anything wrong. That he made her believe she had somehow pushed him away.

But it was all him, he learned a few things and he didn't want to burden her with them. So he bore it alone, never really taking the time to think about what it meant for her. Until now.

⚘‎ nova speaks┆the way i keep forgetting about this fic is insane lol but, anyways, here's another chapter and i hope y'all enjoy it!

again, i apologize that this fic have taken a back seat to my twisters fics. it's not on purpose, the brainrot is real lol

anyways, thank for reading!!!

i appreciate all you so very much!!