no one does it better.

Lyra Borwick | The One Who Got Away


It had been four years since Lyra worked up the balls to go back to San Diego. And in the course of those four years her life had radically changed, and she liked to think for the better. It all started when she got offered an English position in New York. It had been a joke as she sent in her applications, green and wet behind the ears so to speak at a private school in New York City. Halfway across the countries. Yet after each round of interviews she'd always gotten a call back, usually in the form of a Skype call, until she had been chosen. She had no real prospects in San Diego. The jobs she'd been called back for required longer hours with littler pay. Her parents weren't in the picture, they'd been absent in every sense of the word besides physically the only reason they even stayed together was because her mom had gotten pregnant with Lyra and each blamed the other. The only thing to keep her rooted down was Jaime Preciado.

She had known him since middle school, the two had grown up together and more often than not she had spent holidays and countless overnights at his parent's home. As the two grew older it was obvious that they loved each other. Neither would admit it, and when the thought of admitting that their friendship had the potential to be anything more than platonic, it was either the wrong timing or there was someone else. This was mostly a Lyra problem as she could never seem to hold down a relationship, having a habit of relying mainly only on herself. Sure she was a pretty face, but more than once she'd been told a pretty face didn't mean shit if she couldn't learn to lean and trust others. In Lyra's book, she trusted Jaime. That was all that was needed; whatever menial thing she couldn't deal with on her own; she'd go to him. And Jaime had never turned her away. Their friends had more than once tried to get them together; but there was always something that held them back.

She hadn't even told Jaime she was potentially leaving for New York until the night she'd already made up her mind. Whatever this was between them, this fragile intangible skinny love- it had to stop. She had to let him go for his own good, before he too had no prospects. Her landlord had quietly filled her slot, and all her things were already shipped out and on their way. It was the easiest way. She had tossed her phone away and would get a new one in a few months, deactivated whatever social media she had, and her email. There would be no way for anyone, save a select few to contact her. Especially not Jaime. She saved her favorite cocktail dress, and then showed up at his door like she had so many times before with a bottle of wine. That evening he could tell something was up until she finally announced she was off to New York for a job. He hadn't taken it well. Had gone silent, asked if she ever planned on telling him; which Lyra had retorted that she'd told him just now. Jaime wouldn't have that however. Whatever reservations he had about their not-quite-relationship was dropped along with his wine glass as he marched over, had claimed her lips with a dominance she hadn't expected from him.

Between kisses and love nips to her throat, he had asked her stay. Begged really. "New York is hard but not impossible." He had told her, voice gravely and throaty. Lyra had just quietly given in, and even if it was a lie promised she'd not go. Jaime had been quick to take her to bed, in every sense of the word. When the pubescent dawning was creeping through his windows, she had gently wriggled her way out of his grasp. He was such a deep sleeper that he hadn't noticed as she carefully pried his hand off her hip, dressed and after snagging her favorite sweatshirt of his; left. When he woke up he wouldn't be able to reach her and Lyra would have to come to term with that. Life went on, however painfully without her Jaime, until a month and a half later found she was pregnant. There was only a singular possibility of whom the father was; but she couldn't do that to him. The band he was in, with her other semi-friends, was beginning to take off. And Lyra wouldn't be the one to clip his wings.

But she made enough to keep her apartment and raise a baby; even made a few friends with her colleagues. And while it was fucking painful, Jaime Preciado became more and more of a memory to her. Of course she sporadically saw things about them online, and every time it was like someone had ripped her heart into shreds. She tried to do her best for her son, Quinn Banning Borwick. He looked so much like his father it almost hurt. The only thing it looked like he inherited from her, was iridescent flecks of green in his large doe-eyed browns. Eventually Lyra had begun reaching out to some friends from San Diego mostly her college roommate Aria who invited her down for the holidays this year. The great thing about private school was she had three weeks of vacation, which yes was supposed to be used sparingly, but also two and half weeks of just normal vacation. Of course she'd have papers to grade, though it would only take her a couple days. Then with her things packed and a plane ticket to San Diego she was on her way with Quinn.

She had told herself the likely hood of running into anyone was so minimal it wasn't even something she'd have to worry about. And for the first few days, she was right. On the third day of landing in San Diego, Aria had announced that she was doing some holiday shopping, and she should get on it too. She was right Christmas was only a month and a half off; and she still needed to get Quinn some things. So the two women had agreed on a local mall, and once Quinn was strapped into his carseat they were off. It was a twenty minute drive, and upon getting out the two agreed to split up they planned on doing holiday shopping for each other. Quinn as usual was being a little angel, cooing at ladies in line and gurgling baby words at them. He could say "Momma" along with other things, and everyday his vocabulary was expanding. They'd been trudging about for a couple hours, at this point more or less looking out for "Aunty Ari" when a few girls rushed by Lyra, making her wrinkle her nose. Teens.

She failed to see what the commotion was until it was too late. There was a couple of men, that she hadn't really glanced at which the teens were rushing up to. In fairness there was only about ten or so, though figuring whatever was going on wasn't worth her time, Lyra strolled by head high while cooing her now very sleepy son. She hadn't gotten more than four feet ahead of the men which had prompted the teenagers to group about them when she could of sworn she heard a very familiar "Lyra?!" Stiffening glancing around praying that her imagination was playing tricks on her she noticed spiky hair that looked... familiar. Oh shit. Feeling her stomach instantly drop into a pit of dread she lowered her head and continued to push Quinn further away from something that was inevitable. "Lyra!" A sharp note, soured by something akin to anger now stained this man's voice though maybe, just maybe she could lose herself in the crowd. Of all the people in San Diego, she had to run into him? Of course Lyra hadn't gotten a good look at him; but that voice... she'd know anywhere. The woman was about to push the stroller into a store which reeked of too much candles when a firm hand gripped her arm, and slowly turning she came face to face with her best friend. Or former... She didn't exactly think they were on good terms.

There were obvious questions swarming his eyes, though it was replaced by something cold when his eyes fell onto the stroller. "Jaime." Her voice was quiet, a plea to not do what was about to happen here. In public. She knew the second Jaime saw their son, he'd put two and two together. But for now, the hood was still up and Quinn was still sleeping soundly. She hated how flat his eyes look, that undeniable hurt clenching his jaw. She was in deep shit. Having him meet Quinn hadn't been part of the plan. At least not like this. The other guy he was with, she assumed it was one of his bandmates, seemed to have kept the attention on himself as the only people rushing past them were normal aged shoppers. "Please don't open this can of worms." The blonde prayed mentally to herself, casting her eyes away from his gaze; knowing all too well the conflict that was rolling with him. Lyra could feel her throat thicken with apprehension. The girl hadn't stopped to consider that he might of been out at an old stomping ground for holiday shopping or what have you. She'd just kind of assumed he'd be somewhere not... Here. Lyra hoped that Jaime would just let her on her way; though she doubted that was going to happen as once again his eyes rested on the stroller with a panicked and easy-to-read hurt that made her stomach drop. About them voices echoed off the walls merrily; though it felt like her world was breaking. She should of never come to San Diego.

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Josh Franceschi | The Loverboy



Another fight, this one worse than usual. Josh had lost his temper to the point where he'd slammed his fist against the wall; nearly going through the drywall. When he had stormed out to crash with Dan, Emily hadn't stopped him. She just stayed in their room, crying into the already damp pillow. He'd feel like utter horsecock in the morning for having lost his temper with her again, but for now he was just upset. Josh had always been an emotional one, he hated hard- loved harder all that sort of thing. She hadn't said a word to him as Josh had stormed out, pulling out of the driveway a little more recklessly than need be. Dan hadn't questioned Josh as he showed up in the dead of night, asking to sleep on the couch. He'd been let in, given a beer as Dan sat with him, asking him in a quiet voice what'd happened.

The worse part of this was, it was the usual stuff. A snippy comment there, an overreaction on Josh's part. Until they were dragging out all the fault with each other. That had been the first time however Josh had punched a wall. Normally he disappeared to one his mate's houses and came back when he was calmed down. Dan had been quick to let Josh stay in a spare bedroom; which he was grateful. When the duo had finally retired for bed that night, he'd lie awake and tried to think of where everything went wrong. They'd been fucking blissful when they'd first met. God those had been the fucking days. When Josh wouldn't lose his temper of the smallest thing; nor Emily give him the coldest shoulder over the smallest things. It had progressed to where even when Josh was trying she didn't care; nor did he. Though not caring wasn't the right word. Josh cared so much it hurt. That was his problem.

When dawn bled in through the windows Josh, feeling much calmer now decided to leave. He did love Emily, just things had gotten so broken between them that he didn't know where to start in order to fix it. He figured flowers would be the way to go. Leaving a note for Dan, thanking him for allowing the lanky singer to crash there, he continued on his way out, stopping by a shop to pick up some flowers. By the time he walked through the door of their home it was about eight. Flowers in hand Josh shucked his shoes off, unaware to how oddly quiet the home was. "Emily! Emily, love are you still sleeping? I got you something." He hollered at the top of his lungs, the silence seeming a bit too thick to him. "Come on love, I know you don't wanna get up yet. But I wanna make up for the proper arsehole I was last night. Should'a never lost my temper like that." Still calling for his girlfriend as Josh thundered up the stairs still blissfully unaware to her departure.

His first stop was the bedroom, and pushing the door open felt his jaw slack and fingers loosen around the flowers at the sight that was waiting for him. Their closet was open, her things missing. As if possessed Josh jogged into the room, yanking open anything that she kept her things in; only to find they were all gone. Her underwear, bras, anything from the closet, shoes, laptop and when Josh had made a mad dash for the shower found that her shampoo and conditioner was even gone. "Emily! This isn't funny! Where are you?" Josh shouted to the empty house, feeling as if someone had punched him in the gut. No, no this couldn't be happening. He knew their relationship had gotten fucked up, but Josh knew that he wanted to fix it with her.

What hurt him the most was she didn't even have the guts to wait and say this to his face? Flowers long since forgotten Josh wandered around in a daze until he found himself slumped on the couch, face blank and his body completely numb. Fuck. This was all his fault. If Josh had just stayed last night, tried to work things out; remembered to tell her he loved her than Emily would still be there. This didn't mean he was ready to let her go; no this was the beginning. With a heavy sigh Josh pulled out his cellphone, and gathered his laptop. He'd call every single of her friends if he head to. He'd would grovel and beg and plead until she agreed to come back; to let him try to make this up to her.

Jaime Preciado | The One Left Behind


It was strange how quickly four years had gone by. In those four years, despite everything that had happened between them, there wasn't a single day that went by without Lyra crossing Jaime's mind at least once. It honestly fucking sucked. She'd successfully managed to break his heart. He didn't understand how, after the night they'd shared, she could just up and leave without so much as a goodbye. He honestly figured that, after the night they'd shared, he could have somehow managed to convince her to stay, but clearly that hadn't been the case at all. But that wasn't the worst part about it. No, the worst part was that, despite her leaving and everything else, he still fucking missed her like crazy. He didn't get how that was even remotely possible, but apparently it was, and he hated it.

He didn't sit back and sulk in his apartment over the course of those four years though. He continued on with his life, and in those four years, his band's fanbase had grown immensely. In all honesty, the music, the band, the guys and his fans were really what had kept him going this whole time. They helped him get through the rough patch he went through after Lyra left, and they were still here for him to this day. Something that, ironically enough, the girl who he was certain was his best friend, couldn't do. Okay, yes he was still rather bitter about her leaving, but he never actually let that stop him from succeeding in life. He still got where he wanted to be without her, though there had always been a part of him that wished she was there by his side this entire time.

He tried not to dwell on the past too much though. Life still went on as per usual, and weeks turned into months and months turned into years. With each year came each of the holidays and that was what brought Jaime to where he was on this particular day. Last minute Christmas shopping at the mall with the guys. They'd been off on tour up until roughly a week ago, and while Jaime had managed to get some gift shopping taken care of online, there were still a few things that he needed to pick up. Some of the guys had been complete slackers and hadn't bought any Christmas gifts for anyone yet at all. Aka Mike. So, being the brave souls that they were, they'd all decided to endure the crazy crowd of people at the mall shortly before Christmas.

Jaime was just expecting to get the last of his Christmas shopping done. Clearly someone had decided to throw a curveball his way. Moments after being stopped by a couple of fans by the food court, an all too familiar blonde walked past, wheeling a stroller through the crowded shopping mall. He tensed up for a second, and tried to process what he was seeing. It couldn't be, could it? Was it really her? Well, he figured he might as well try his luck and he called her name, excusing himself from the fans he and the guys had been talking to so he could get a better look and check to see if it was in fact her. She tensed noticeably when he called her name, and he knew that he had his answer already, even though she kept on walking. Now that just pissed him off. She'd runaway from him once, he wasn't about to let it happen again. He called her name again, this time his tone was a bit sharper and he started after her, grabbing a hold on her arm to stop her.

When she turned and looked at him, the anger was momentarily masked by confusion and maybe even a little hurt too. He didn't understand why she'd left in the first place, let alone that she'd just tried running away from him a second time. Why was she running from him? And then the fact that she was wheeling a stroller through the mall sunk in. She had a kid, or, well, he was assuming it was hers. The thought that it might be his crossed his mind momentarily, but he shook the thought from his head rather quickly. No, even if she had left, she would have gotten in touch with him when she found out she was pregnant. She wouldn't keep something like that from him, right? She just wouldn't do that. Or would she? "You're busy?" He let out a bitter laugh, shaking his head as if in disbelief. "It's been four years and that's all you have to say to me? Really?"

---

Emily Sommers | The Runaway


There wasn't a day that went by without Emily thinking back to that night. The fight was no different than any other one they'd gotten into. The thing was, they were all over something meaningless and stupid, and, realistically, none of them should have really happened. Well, maybe they should have, but maybe the lack in severity should have made working things out a lot easier than it was. While they always forgave each other, clearly they never really sorted out any of their actual issues as a couple. And maybe that was why Emily had left. Maybe she was fed up with it all. She honestly couldn't tell you what possessed her to leave that night. Maybe she was finally giving up. She didn't really know, but what she did know was that, despite how things had been to the bitter end, she missed Josh terribly.

A little over a year had passed since Emily just up and left in the middle of the night. It was hard to say what her stance was on the whole thing now. While there was a part of her, whether she was willing to admit it or not, who truly did miss Josh, there was a part of her that had known that she'd done what was for the best for both of them. Things just clearly weren't working out between them. Sure, maybe she shouldn't have just up and left like that without even leaving him a note, but she didn't know what else she was supposed to do. If she'd stayed, he probably would have convinced her, yet again, that they were going to be okay and that they could work this out. If she'd left a note, well, it would just make things all the more difficult for her in her eyes. Just leaving was a clean break for her. Sure, maybe it was slightly impulsive as well, but that was a completely different story altogether. The fact of the matter was, she'd had her reasons for leaving, and no matter how much she might regret it now, it was what it was. She couldn't go back and change the past and that was that.

Her friends very easily saw a change in her the last year, and it certainly wasn't for the better. No matter how much they'd fought with each other until the end, it was quite clear just how happy Josh had made Emily. And they were fed up with seeing her unhappy. Needless to say, they were going to try and be good friends and help her out if they could. So, they'd called up a few of Josh's friends, who were also tired of how moody and sulky their friend had become as of late, and they had devised a plan. You Me At Six had a show coming up in Los Angeles. It just so happened that Emily had been staying with a few of her friends there since the breakup. All Emily's friends had to do was get her to the venue for the show, and they'd go from there. And that's precisely what they did.

"Isn't this better than sitting at home, binge-watching How I Met Your Mother on Netflix?" Her friend asked over the sound of the music blaring through the speakers. Emily shrugged her shoulders, she preferred the couch and Netflix. "Yeah, I guess...I'm going to go get another drink, did you want anything?"

Lyra Borwick | The One Who Got Away


It hurt, more than she thought possible. She was a being that prided herself on the ability to be able to retreat into herself, to never need anyone. But there was Jaime before her, all hurt and anger; clenched jaw and soulful eyes and it took all of her conviction for Lyra to try to push him away. Something she'd been good at in the past. Tucking a flyaway strand of golden tresses behind her ear she paused. Was this right? Pushing him away? Inside his stroller Quinn had begun to whimper; waking up to the the sound of his unknowing father's laugh. Not the kind that she used to revel in, but something twisted, cold and bitter. Lyra probably deserved worse. Immediately she stiffened, her jaw going slack with the need to runaway; and the fact that if Quinn was ever to have a relationship with his father now was the chance. "You don't know anything." It was true, she was not the woman she'd been four years ago. Her stomach was just a pit at this point, and there was a moment Lyra thought she might throw up. Conflict had never been her strength- instead avoiding it was.

About her chatter bounced off the walls but the only thing she was really able to pay attention to was the fact that from within the stroller, that last fail-safe to get away from Jaime without ruining him, or his career, was her child beginning to coo "Momma." Deciding that this was some fucked up fate or someshit to run into her former lover, Lyra closed her eyes for a moment. When she opened them, they flickered down to their child and with careful arms picked him up. Quinn's hair was still sticking to his forehead, her baby tended to sweat while he slept and Lyra could say with a confidence that he didn't inherit that from her. Still half asleep the child's arms fastened themselves around Lyra's neck as she took a moment to very carefully jostle him. He'd only just begun sleeping, so she wasn't surprised when he whined a soft cry behind his voice as he tried to keep his eyes closed. He was going to be a grouch for the rest of the night. Jaime was still standing before her and with a sort of defeated air she shifted, so Jaime could see Quinn's face.

He looked equally horrified, probably with her, upset, and just shocked. The resemblance was clear as day, and since Lyra hadn't actually been with anyone in the past four years, and five months before she'd slept with Jaime; there really wasn't any question about who this boy's father was. "This... This is Quinn." She finally whispered, unable to keep meeting his gaze. There was really no point anymore of trying to hide their son, it would just prolong what she felt was inevitable. Still Jaime said nothing, his body tense and rigid. "I didn't find out until I was in New York and by then I had already changed all my things and I didn't know what to do." She finally managed to grit out, while trying not to lose her composure in a mall. She didn't want to do this here, not with people watching them. Still he was silent, and that was the worst part. She could deal with him yelling or calling her names. She could deal with the fact that what she'd done was probably a shitty thing. But his silence hurt more than she cared to admit. "The band was taking off, and I didn't want you to miss out on it because when we were together you'd always talked about not wanting kids until your stuff kind of settled down. He's turned three three months ago."

Having nothing left to say she fell silent, Quinn finally picking his head up as he quietly surveyed the stranger in front of him. Karma had a funny way of biting someone in the ass; and Lyra was in the throes of Karma's grasp. Even as people rushed about them, blissfully unaware of what was unfolding she was looking around for some escape. To flee the accusation in his eyes, and the guilt that was surely drowning her. Just go back to New York and pretend this hadn't happened; but that wouldn't be fair. It was time for Lyra to face the music of her actions all those years ago. The question of custody rolled about her mind, though it was disrupted by a "Hey man where'd you... Go." Mike had found them, and it had been years since they'd seen each other though obvious recognition was in his eyes, which flickered to Quinn with obvious discomfort. Lyra kind of wished the floor would just swallow her up; though Quinn turned back towards her blissfully unaware of what was happening. And placing his small hands on her cheeks asked in his small voice "Toystore?" Lyra forgotten that she'd promised him they'd go check out the Lego Store, though she doubted that would happen today. She shook her head, and shushed her child turning back to the now two men trying not to squirm under their gazes like a child caught with their hand in a cookie jar before dinner.

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Josh Franceschi | The Loverboy



Josh had been a mess the last year; though for the public he had tried to save face. Ever since Emily had left him, Josh had drank more, socialized less until about six months ago where his band mates had sat him down; and told him point blank he needed to start looking after himself. It had been fucking hell learning to put the bottle down late at night when the emptiness of the house seemed to mock him, even in his sleep. But there was nothing he could do. After Emily had left Josh had gone frantic. Called every one of her friends, messaged the ones he hadn't had their numbers and had begged them to at least tell him if she was alive. But no one had supposedly seen her. A couple months ago, Josh had begun to go through the motions of dating. There had been no one special or even important. Oliver had tried to set him up a couple times, as did Dan and Max; but Josh simply hadn't put in the effort and so he would go home alone, again, and again.

Almost habitually he'd check his messages or texts before going to bed; hoping praying that Emily would at least let him know if she was fucking alive. That was the worst part, just not knowing what happened to her. Had she gotten somewhere safely? Was she still in England? Over the course of the year she was gone, Josh put everything into song. Written a whole album and by the time the year anniversary of the day she'd disappeared without word nor trace; they were touring the states. His mates had tried to lighten the mood, take him out though more often than not he'd go to bed early, or simply be the designated friend. He knew his friends were concerned about him, he just wasn't the same person. Life had crept by while Josh couldn't decide if he was still madly in love with her, or just resented her for everything he'd gone through. Yes the fights were both of their faults; but wasn't his fault was how she decided to just fucking give up without a word instead of fight for what they had like he'd wanted to.

It was safer to hate the memory of Emily than to remain in love with it. More recently however, Josh and the boys had made it once more to California, Los Angeles to be exact. For the past week his friends had been tittered to themselves whenever the show was mentioned. Josh was frankly just too burned out to even ask what the fuck was going on. The dark haired man had never been the biggest fan of the states. He didn't hate it here, it just made him miss England. His home where his family and friends were. The only positive was the States weren't stained with the presence of Emily's ghost; just Josh's head was. The venue was one of the smaller ones, a more intimate crowd that Josh was looking forward to playing with. At least when he was up there with his heart on his sleeve people cheered.

Once they gotten there, his friends looked smug through and through with themselves and Josh kind of wondered what the bleeding hell they'd gotten themselves into. It was with a faked happiness that Josh took the stage, though eventually he began to get into his music, his performance, and everything had gone off without a hitch. By the time that Josh was leaving the stage it was to the roar of approval. Of course, afterwards the men hung out near their van, and a few more experienced fans managed to find their way over for pictures and autographs. And Josh played his part well. Flashing smiles he didn't feel, cracking jokes he didn't find funny; it would appear that it was going to be a routine night; until he noticed a face at the back of the crowd that had come to greet them.

Feeling his heart stop, drop down to his toes Josh managed to put two and two together. His friend's little knowing looks and giggles. They had done this brought her to the show. His ex was surrounded by a group of friends; and she looked just as horrified to see him as he her. His cheerful act had long since dropped, and as if sensing that something was going to happen the straggling fans scurried away. "What is she doing here?" Josh rounded on Dan, his eyes narrowing as he glanced away. "Mate, you've not been yourself. Go say hi at least." There would be a long talk to be had once he managed to send Emily off. Slow strides took him near Emily, and for a moment he said nothing instead his lips pressing down into a frown as the night air felt as if it were suffocating him. The wails of the city sounded distant to him, and the only thing that Josh could manage was "Why?" Why had she left like that? Or in the first place. He knew things were hard but she made him happy and god he'd wanted to marry her; even if they were fucked up. Did she know how much he'd worried? How she couldn't even be decent enough to drop a line? But then he was swept into her all too familiar eyes and Josh gritted out "Do you have any idea how worried I was about you Emily? What... Where have you been?"