August had stayed back in school to help the Botany Club with the preparations for the flower parade. Helping assign which flowers to which float and making sure that they had ample flowers provided for the day that they would begin their work on the arrangements. She would have to discuss with her mother about the flower purchases, especially the hydrangeas that the club had chosen to use for their own float.

"Hey August, what colors should we use?" Ashi asked.

"Why pick just one? Hydrangeas come in a plethora of colors... we should use all and make up a color coded design."

"Ooh, that's a good idea." Morgan said, fixing her glasses on her nose, the bright freckles adorning her cheeks making her glow. "We should decide how to style it all, but... tomorrow, it's mad late."

Asha giggled. "Yeah, it is. Hey August wanna ride home, my brother just finished basketball practice."

"Nah, I'm good. Thank you though."

Asha smiled. "Well, then get home safe, come on Morgan, we'll bright you home."

The girls waved good bye to August as they all departed.

》》》》》

August decided to take a stroll over to the baseball field, the gate stayed opened late most weekdays and she'd sometimes go there to read or draw. She chose to sit in the middle of the stands like she always did, setting her bag down and taking out her notebook. She didn't know what to draw, even though she did have an idea of doing a colorful painting of hydrangeas later.

Ten minutes flew by when the gate squeaking and shutting back caught August's attention. Her head snapped up and she caught glimpse of a tall figure, the overhead lights revealing the darkened features of Bucky. She exhaled softly, never thinking that she'd be glad to see him after all they went through.

"August?" He asked, squinting.

"Just like the month."

He chuckled and climbed up to where she sat, he stepped on the metal bench and plopped himself right next to her. "Hello."

It was her turn to chuckle now. She placed her pencil and book down on her lap and looked at him. "What are you doing in my quiet place?"

His brows rose in a playful mocking and he touched his chest lightly. "Me? You're in mine."

She scoffed, shaking her head softly. "Well, I come here once in a blue moon when I wanna be alone but don't wanna go home yet."

He nodded, understanding the need for alone time. He sighed before answering, his head turned towards the baseball field diamond.

"She used to play, huh?" August asked, reading his somber face.

He nodded. "She used to play before the cancer got worse. I come here to remember what it was like to watch her play a game." He shook his head and exhaled.

"She must have loved you being there for her."

He smiled. "She did. Had a hell of a fastball and that curveball, he whistled smoothly, "she made a fourteen-year-old cry with how she struck him out once and when she went up to pitch it went so far that it nearly injured someone in the bleachers." He chuckled that's why they put up the fencing."

August shoved him playfully by his shoulder. "No way! That was because of her?"

He laughed. "Yeah, my mom taught her all she knew."

"Your mom?" She asked, brow rising.

"Yeah, I don't know if you've seen it before but in the trophy case is a Shanine Scheyer, she won every game in her season in '82."

August gasped then laughed, smiling wide. "Oh my God! That's your mom?! She was awesome! I've seen her old games from the video club."

He sighed. "Yeah. That's my mom."

Their amazement calmed and then Bucky looked over at August, admiring her for her a moment, he shook his head at himself. "I'm sorry for bullying you."

Her eyes widened and she turned to see him gazing at her. "I already forgave you."

"I know, I don't want you to say it again, but I have to say this. I'm so sorry for putting you through all that. I was in a shitty headspace and I chose-."

"The girl that had no friends, who was always alone and who spoke to flowers." She finished for him. He bit his bottom lip and she shrugged. "Ya know that flowers like being spoken to, right?"

"They do?" He asked in disbelief.

"Yep, and scientists have said that there's a root network underground in which plants communicate."

"No way."

"Yes way, I forgot the name they called it but it was pretty awesome to know that." He chuckled along with her and sighed, leaning back more as he enjoyed this moment of understanding.

"You know, Claude's a lucky guy."

She nodded. "He is."

"Yeah, you're quite wonderful. I can see why he fell for you." He sighed, looking down at his distressed blue jeans. "He doesn't know how lucky he is?"

"Pfft!"

Bucky's eyes snapped up and took in August who didn't hesitate to show how bullshit his words were. "Oh please, you're the star quarterback, aren't you the one that can get almost any girl? I bet you've had sex with most of the pretty ones, right?"

He shook his head, and she scrutinized him but he just shook his head, no. "No, I haven't, I've only had sex with three girls, each girl was a girlfriend. My parents always told me not to be a playboy and well, I listened."

"Wow... sorry I pre-judged you."

He waved it off. "Don't be, you had every right. There's always girls fawning over me and gossiping about me, so, no hard feelings."

"Okay." She managed.

"How about you. Have you and Claude?"

Her cheeks flushed a deep shade as she ran her hand over her short hair and shook her head. "No, I didn't ask and he didn't either, so we're just taking our time, to be honest."

He smiled, and for some odd reason this look he gave, his bright blue eyes deeper in the dimly lit field and he looked like they were trying to dig within her very core. "Claude is a really lucky guy."

She nodded. "I know." A smile played on his full lips. "I'm not a cheater."

"And I'm happy that you aren't. I respect loyalty."

"Good, then don't kiss me."

The corner of his lips turned up. "Who said I was gonna kiss you?" His voice had fallen to a softer and more husky baritone.

"Your eyes." She replied as she looked back into his.

He turned towards her fully, sitting up as he bent closer, a hand at her cheek. She didn't move though, just kept his eye contact. Bucky leaned in, his lips brushing past her cheek as they met her ear, it shivered her to the core. "I won't do anything more to harm you. And I especially won't kiss you when I'm dying to." He sat back slowly and moved his hand. Her left cheek burning hot from where his hand left its warmth.

Her heart was through the roof. "Jerk." She punched his shoulder as he laughed. She giggled and shook her head. "You're a mess Bucky." She leaned back. "This isn't that kind of sappy teen fiction where the girl falls for her bully."

"My sister loved those books." He chuckled.

"Well, sorry but her taste in books are questionable." They laughed, agreeing on that as they sat there under the night sky.

"Hey," she looked towards him when he called.

"Yes?"

His chin gestured to her art book. "Can you draw me like a French girl."

August burst out laughing, holding her belly as she shook. He joined in, happy to be able to enjoy a moment with the very last person who he never thought he'd be on good terms. "I can draw you... but don't complain if you come out looking less than perfect."

He scoffed. "Perfection is overrated."

"Hmm, maybe I should have let you kiss me." His eyes went wide and she smirked. "Kidding." And she meant it too, he laughed and shook his head.

"That was cruel."

"Revenge is a dish best served cold, don't hate the player hate the game." She joked. "Come on, there's a 24/7 diner where we can sit and I can draw you."

"You're serious?" He asked, a brow raised.

She did the same and rolled her eyes as she put her things away. "Duh quarterback, keep up will ya. I thought you were fast. Come on before we get locked in here overnight."

"Oh shit." He hurried and helped her gather her things then offered to hold one of her bags since she brought along her art supplies with her.

"Thank you."

"Don't mention it. My car is parked close by."

"Oh, the joy of having friends who drive."

He lightly rolled his eyes. "Yeah, the luxury of buying gas."

"Oh hush, you can afford it. I wouldn't be surprised if you could buy the chain of gas stations we have near-don't answer that."

Bucky shut his mouth up. "Touché flower girl."

They carried on to his car as he put their stuff in the backseat, securing August's art supplies, Bucky held the door for her and helped her get into his jeep.

Bucky climbed into the driver's seat and strapped in. "Are you really gonna draw me?"

August leaned back, meeting his gaze. "Just drive Bucky."

He chuckled, nodding as he turned around and started the car, driving off with his friend.

》》》》》

"Can I see it?" Bucky asked.

"No. I'm not done yet."

He chuckled as he reached out for her book and she moved back, pulling up her feet and protecting it from his hands as she continued to sketch his likeness. "You're not being fair." He quipped.

"All's fair in love and war, Bucky and this is war." She poked the tip of her tongue out as she came back to shading his eyes, her hands steady as she drew. Bucky caught how focused she was one again and let up on his teasing. He sat back, and sipped at his milkshake, he had ordered chocolate for both of them and she had gotten a slice of cheesecake to go with it. He on the other hand had gotten a burger which was devoured in a matter of minutes but August has swiped a piece of it away before he could eat it all.

He really misjudged her, he hated himself for the pain he brought her, no matter how much he apologized, it would never make him feel better about making her cry when she was already grieving so much.

"Hey, are you okay?"

Bucky shook his head out of his stupor. "Y-yeah. Just thinking."

"Your thinking appeared more like deep thought. What's on your mind?" Her hazel-green eyes met his and he sighed then scoffed playfully.

"Nothing, just thinking about how horrible you're gonna draw me."

She laughed, knowing that he wasn't telling her something but not wanting to pry. "You wish I drew badly. I'm an artist, Buchanan. I see and I create. You'll love it, promise."

He smiled, a soft dimple forming in his cheek.

"The next one isn't gonna be free." She stated.

"Oh damn, well that's fine. I'll gladly pay for another."

~~ ~ ~~

The pair sat near the window of the diner, laughing and relishing in their time. Bailey's car parked across the street from where August and Bucky were. Blaire winked at her as she left the car to go to the corner store.

The young woman turned off the car, turning toward her right. She gasped, nearly dropping her phone at what she witnessed.

Bailey couldn't believe her eyes, she held up her cell and snapped a picture of the two. "Brook is gonna have a field day with this... hmm maybe I shouldn't send this."

"Send what?" Blaire asked as she came back into the car.

"Uhh, nothing."

She rose a brow. "You're acting weird. Don't lie, what's up?"

She gulped and looked away from her, staring right ahead. Blaire sucked her teeth, seeing how she averted her gaze from her direction and then began to turn to her right. "Blaire, I like you!" She snapped. The older girl froze, her eyes widening.

"You do?" She asked, a soft blush on her cheeks.

Bailey's face was red hot. "Yes, I... I do."

She leaned in, catching her cheek as she pressed her lips to Bailey's making her gasp. Bailey kissed her back, deepening their kiss as a moan slipped from her mouth.

Blaire parted their lips, her eyes searching the others face as Bailey's crystal blue eyes shone in the dimly lit car. "How about we go hang at my place."

The blush crawled up the younger girl's neck. "Okay." She squeaked. She turned on the engine and sped off, happy that Blaire didn't see Bucky and August together and knowing that they could never see that picture, not after what Brook had done... not after what she had made Blaire do to August.

~~ ~ ~~

"How's your arm?" Bucky asked, moving their empty cups aside

"Perfectly fine, healed but it gets stiff from time to time."

"Do you exercise it?"

She peeked up over her book, meeting his eyes. "Yes, I do." She went back to focusing as he giggled before he pursed his lips, still waiting.

"Almost done."

"A few more seconds..." She said.

He nodded and took out his wallet to pay for their food on the electronic tablet.

"I can-." He held up his hand, cutting her off.

"Don't worry about it. You're giving me a free drawing, so I'll treat you to a free meal."

She smiled. "Thank you."

He nodded. "Your welcome."

"I'm done." She turned the book around, her eyes bright as his jaw dropped and a gasp slipped from his mouth. He met her eyes and a smile came to his face.

"Whoa."