Dedicated to @LeighLove because I had to force myself to stop reading Coming Home to make edits.

-~*~-

For the next couple of days, I lived the life of a hermit.

I ate, slept and watched TV on my computer. For hours, I scrolled through my newsfeed and dashboard on Twitter and tumblr. I stalked multiple friends on Facebook. I ate what felt like thirty bags of popcorn and seventy bowls of cereal. My blinds stayed drawn too, so during the second day of my hibernation, I woke up from a nap and thought it was 11 pm, when it was only 3:30 in the afternoon.

Literally, I spent each day in my sweats and oversized t-shirts, padding around the house while my brother made something of his life at his internship and my parents and friends visited family or went shopping for presents.

Bradley's frat party began to slowly fade from my mind.

It was weird to think that just Saturday I had fallen asleep in a bathtub and by Monday I had found a car--a legitimate car that I would drive--a car that would be all mine.

But, it was on Wednesday that I woke up from another midday nap to a text from my cousin, Yasmin, asking me to pick up some new lights for our grandmother's tree. Every year, my brother and I met up at our Grandma's house, and along with the rest of our cousins we'd help our grandmother decorate her house for the holidays. It was a tradition that my brother and I loved, no matter how old we were. So I dragged myself to the shower and found myself actually putting on a bra and real clothes to go out, even if I was only headed to Target for lights.

I took my mom's car to the store and hurried inside. I had finally started Breaking Bad on Netflix and I've got to say, I was eager to get back and finish the first season.

As I filtered through the aisles I wondered two things: first, how Brian Cranston could have possibly been the actor who played Hal in Malcolm in the Middle, and second, why Mischa still hadn't texted me back yet.

Where the heck was she?

I grabbed my phone from my purse as I came to stand in front of the lights, in a section of the store docked in all things holiday related, from plastic wreaths to plastic trees to statues of the Grinch.

I grabbed the lights my Grandma had and turned to the assortment of ornaments. I knew that hers were dwindling down, seeing that my brother, cousins and I had lost and unfortunately broken many over the years. I figured she could use some new ones.

But, as I stroked Zayn Malik's face on a One Direction ornament, my phone buzzed in my other hand. Praying that it was my best friend, I peered at the lit screen.

I had received a new text, only instead of being Mischa Moore, it was from an unknown number.

I didn't recognize the phone number, but since the area code was local, I decided to actually read the text instead of deleting it.

Turn around.

"What the--"

I whirled around in the aisle.

It was empty. I was the only one there.

That's when my phone buzzed again.

Come on, Thalia. Try harder.

"Who is it?" I asked aloud, pacing up and down the aisle. I peered around both corners, my lights in one hand, phone in the other. "This isn't funny," I grumbled, because amidst the people walking around in Target, there was no one who seemed familiar.

I grabbed my phone in frustration.

TR - Who are you?

The response came back almost instantly.

Really, Thalia? You forgot? I'm hurt. ;(

I rolled my eyes.

Don't roll your eyes at me.

I whipped my head around. It was official; I was 100% creeped out. I powerwalked from the aisle, muttering beneath my breath, "I knew I should have stayed home..."

"Boo."

Startled by the warm breath on my neck I nearly knocked over two kids in my attempt to get away from the boy behind me.

Laughter rang in my ears as I turned quickly to the kids I had almost ran over.

"I'm so sorry, Sweetheart," I said quickly with an apologetic smile towards their mom. Then I turned, scowling at Xander O'Hara. "Very funny," I snapped. "You nearly gave me a heart attack!"

Xander wiped his eyes. "Damn it, Thalia," he chuckled, "you should have seen your face!"

I started towards the cashiers. "It's nice to know you find my misfortune so funny."

Xander shook his head, jogging to walk alongside me. "Oh, c'mon, Thalia," he said, still laughing. "You know that was hilarious."

I scowled. "How did you get my phone number, anyway?"

Xander bit his lip in a boyish smile, "Aaron."

I rolled my eyes; I should have known. "Of course," I quipped. "That traitor."

"Aww, don't be mad," he replied. "B'sides, I can make it up to you. Look," and I stopped as Xander pulled from his pocket a white Blackberry covered in a red silicone case. It was April's phone.

"No way!" I exclaimed, lifting the cell phone from Xander's fingers. "Where did you find this? April's been freaking out since the party!"

Xander shrugged, stuffing his hands in his pockets. "Collin said he woke up and it was in his pocket," he laughed, eyes twinkling. Then he pouted, trailing behind me into the shortest checkout lane. "Forgive me?"

I shrugged, but wow, he literally looked so cute in his hoodie and jeans I just wanted to throw my arms around him in a hug.

"Maybe," was my response, but my smile began to betray me.

"Good," Xander replied. "I'll take that as a 'yes.'"

I laughed. "Don't flatter yourself."

"Why? C'mon, Thalia, I know running into me was probably the most exciting thing that's happened to you all day."

Unfortunately, he was actually right about that.

"Yeah right," I scoffed. "I actually have a life, Xander."

Lies.

"Sure," Xander teased. "I bet if Roman were here he'd change your mind."

"Very funny. I haven't thought about Roman since that day your friend mentioned him in the garage."

More lies.

"Oh, really?" Xander asked. His eyebrow arched as if he didn't believe me for a second. "Because he's definitely been thinking about you."

It took all I had to keep cool, because my heart was seriously about to beat out of my ribcage. "Has he, now?"

Xander bobbed his head up and down. "Uh huh."

I gulped as a slow smile crept onto his face.

"He sure has."

That's when I realized that Xander was trying not to laugh.

Actually, he was trying not to laugh at me.

He had been totally lying.

I scowled as a laugh began to bubble up from his chest.

"I hate you," I scowled, nearly slamming the box of lights onto the moving belt. Xander grabbed his stomach as he laughed behind me. "I seriously hate you."

"Thalia--" he breathed, "Oh my god that was too easy."

"Just shut up, Xander."

"Thalia...you're so into him..."

I only scowled as the cashier rung up my item. She looked confusedly from me to Xander and back to me.

"Thalia and Roman sittin' in a tree..."

"Oh, grow up," I grunted, paying for my item and, with my lights finally bagged, I quickly began to walk away.

I didn't make it very far.

Xander grabbed my arm and pulled me into his chest, still chuckling. "Thalia...Thal..."

"We aren't friends," I said, shaking from his grip. "Don't talk to me."

"C'mon, Thalia," he sighed, as he paid in line behind me. "I think it's cute!"

I threw my hands up. "You don't have to lie to me."

"I do!" Xander exclaimed, grabbing his bag and following me to the exit. "I'm not lying; you guys would be cute!"

"Cute for what, Xander? You heard about what happened at the party!"

I literally thought I would die of embarrassment if I ever saw Roman again. How would I face him after what happened? I still didn't have a perfectly clear picture of what all went on that night.

"So?" Xander exclaimed. "Who the fuck cares what happened at that dumb party? Besides, he must like you--"

"Xander, how the hell would you know? Has he told you?"

"Well..."

I stopped outside, placing my hands on my hips. "See!"

"Wait, but Thalia," Xander smiled, placing his free hand on my shoulder, "I know Roman. You're the first girl he's seriously taken an interest to since Kayla and that's saying some--"

"Wait, wait, wait," I shook my head. "Who's Kayla?"

Xander's face contorted into a scowl. "His ex."

I stared back at Xander, folding my arms across my chest. There was no way he was going to get away with only offering those two words as a response; it was barely a sentence, let alone a sufficient answer.

Xander flicked his eyes upward in annoyance. "They dated throughout high school," he said, devoid of any emotion. "They broke up our freshman year of college."

It didn't take a rocket scientist to do the math. That was nearly five years.

"Wow," I said softly, because now the butterflies in my stomach flitted around my nerves. "That's a long time."

"Yeah, but who cares about her, anyway?" Xander retorted. "I like you way better. You're a cooler girl than she ever was."

I snorted, although I wouldn't admit I was comforted by those words. "Thanks, Xander," I said with an additional eye roll. "Thanks a lot."

Xander beamed his million-megawatt smile as he threw his arm around my shoulders. "Anytime, Thal. Anytime."

We stopped on the sidewalk and he peered down at me, his eyes searching my face. Before I could ask him what he was staring at, he opened his mouth first.

"Where are you parked?" He asked.

I pointed to my mom's car. "Over there. You don't have to walk with me--"

"Too bad," he replied and led me in the direction of the sedan. "Are you driving your brother's car today?"

I shook my head. "My mom's."

He nodded, "Cool."

We walked in silence until we had finally approached the car. I placed the lights in the back and as I grabbed the door to the driver's seat, Xander placed his hand on my arm.

I met his gaze with my own.

"Hey," he began, "y'know, I know I said this already, but you're free, y'know, to come to the garage whenever you want."

I stared up at him, because I couldn't tell if I was imagining it, or if Xander actually seemed nervous.

"Right," I said. "You did say that."

"Yeah," he nodded, rubbing his neck. "I'm in there during the week, from like, noon until we close, which is like, ten depending on my dad, but sometimes it's earlier, but I would totally let you know, y'know, if we leave early or something."

Oh yeah, he definitely sounded nervous.

I smiled up at him. "Thanks, Xander," I replied. "I'll come by tomorrow, yeah?" I elbowed him playfully. "I've got to see how my baby's doing, right?"

Xander bit his lip again. "Who, me?"

I opened the car door, shaking my head. "In your dreams."

He winked at me as I sat behind the wheel. "How did you know?"

I rolled my eyes, closing the door. "You're such a flirt," I said, rolling down the window. "Your nickname makes sense."

"What nickname?" he asked with a face of genuine confusion. Then, he smiled that easy smile again, "You've got a nickname for me, Thalia?"

I shook my head. "You're The Playboy," I shrugged. "At least, that's what I heard they called you in high school."

Xander's grin seemed to falter, bright eyes dimming like someone had turned them off. "Nikita told you that, didn't she?"

"Actually, no," I replied. "She didn't."

By the expression on Xander's face, I couldn't tell if he believed me or not. "Don't believe everything you hear about me, Thalia," he stated. "If it's not coming from one of my friends, don't believe it."

"Okay..."

"I mean it, Thalia," he said, rapping the hood of my car with his knuckles. "People made up a lot of dumb shit about me in high school, and for some reason, it's still coming back to bite me in the ass."

~*~

I spent the rest of the week with Xander in the garage. I seriously didn't expect to enjoy myself as much as I did. I mean, I got to meet his father and joke around with his brothers, and I came to love the days that he invited any of his friends to help out or watch him work.

But the more time I spent with the boys, the more I came to love them. Nico was hilarious, Tucker and David were quick jokesters, Jason was the voice of reason, and Collin was adorably sweet.

Roman even stopped by, and he didn't even mention our little bathroom interaction once. Throughout the visit, I couldn't stop the butterflies from tickling my ribs. It also didn't help that I could feel Xander smiling smugly at me the entire time I was there.

And Xander, well, he was the glue that seemed to hold them all together.

Though his friends visited often, for the majority of my visits, it would just be him and me. Sometimes, I'd actually get under the hood and Xander would walk me through the repairs, step by step. Of all the boys, he and I had seemed to become friends the quickest.

"You should come hang out with us," Roman said on Saturday evening, as we all watched Xander finish up on my car. Even though the shop wasn't open on Saturday nights, Xander had come in anyway, inviting us along to keep him company. He was amazing: already, he'd fixed the engine. My baby was actually starting when he cranked it up.

I looked around at the boys as Xander began putting away his tools. "What are you guys doing this weekend?" I asked. Everyone but Robert had come to visit, which wasn't a surprise. Robert had been the only one of Xander's friends who hadn't shown up since I had started visiting. No one knew where he was, or had been, either.

"Movies," Nico smiled. "I hope you like scary movies, Thalia," he said with a slight smirk.

I gulped. "Oh, dear."

Tucker and Xander laughed.

"Thalia would be the one to get scared," Xander said with a smile.

"Just don't embarrass us," David added. "You can't scream and you definitely can't cry."

"Seriously, guys?" I exclaimed. "Who do you think I am?"

"Thalia, don't worry," Jason said, "scary movies aren't even that scary. They're mostly funny."

I raised an eyebrow. "Says who?"

Jason stifled a laugh. "In real life, none of that shit would actually happen."

"Says you!" I exclaimed. "I believe in ghosts!"

"Sure, ghosts are great," Jason scoffed, "but if you heard some shit rustling in your basement, you wouldn't actually go down there alone."

"I'd move!"

Jason nodded. "See? Already you're smarter than 90% of the actors in a horror movie. "

At that, I laughed. "Thanks, Jason."

He shot me a thumb's up.

A slow smile crept onto Nico's face. "Hey," he began, "remember that time we went into that haunted house and Tucker started crying?"

Laughter filled the garage.

"What?" I exclaimed, staring at the muscle-bound boy before me. "Tucker? You?"

"Oh yeah," nodded Xander. "Thalia, he used to be the crybaby."

"No way."

"Would I lie to you?"

At that, I had to nod. "Absolutely."

"Whatever," Tucker shrugged. "That was before I turned into the sex god you see before you. It's called 'character growth.'"

Jason snorted sarcastically. "I guess we all can't be perfect, huh?"

"Right," nodded Nico. "Because, Tuck also used to be the ugliest."

"Coming from you?" Tucker exclaimed, as we all headed out of the shop. "There's no way you should be the judge of hottness."

I looked to Collin. "Hotness?"

He only shrugged.

"Are you kidding?" Nico laughed. He held up his arms and flexed. "Parceiro," he said in Portuguese, "I'm a South American god."

Xander grabbed the gate and hauled it closed, locking the shop.

"Nico," David said, as he handed Xander the keys, "you're a South American fool."

The boys continued to argue as we made our way down the street, towards the parked cars along the block.

I smiled to myself, staring at the lights strung on the houses along the way. Who would have thought that a week ago I would be hanging out with Xander and his friends, enjoying myself?

Roman elbowed me lightly. "What're you thinking about?"

I smiled up at him. "You guys," I replied simply.

"Us?" he asked, disbelief clear on his face. "Really?"

I giggled, nodding. "Is it really that hard to believe?"

Roman looked ahead with a shrug. "I mean, does that mean you're coming tomorrow?" he asked, stuffing his hands into his sweatshirt pockets, "since you're thinking about me and all."

"Wouldn't miss it," I replied truthfully, punching his arm. I could tell already that I would have a good time. "As long as you guys don't make fun of me in the theater, I definitely wouldn't miss it."

Roman laughed aloud. "They'll all be scared, too, Thalia. I bet Nico or David'll start crying before you do."

"What did you say?" Nico demanded, whipping his head around.

"Nothing," Roman replied with a shrug. "Was I even talking about him, Thalia?"

I shook my head, biting my lip to keep from smiling. "Nope."

Nico narrowed his eyes. "Why are you laughing, then? What's so funny?"

"Don't lie for him, Thalia." David added with an additional scowl.

"I'm not!"

Tucker fell back to throw his arm around my shoulder. "Hey," he shouted towards his friends, "leave my little Thalia alone."

Roman's dimple was killing me as he smiled cheekily at his friends. "You guys must be mistaken. We weren't talking about you at all. You didn't even come up in the conversation."

"God, you guys," I scoffed, "not everything is about you, okay?"

Roman laughed, sticking out his hand. I slapped it, ignoring the little smirk on Xander's face as he looked between us.

"Fuck both of you, then," Nico exclaimed. "I forgot that you two were close, now."

"Someone's got to fill in for Robert," Collin said.

At that, David's eyes lit up. "Yeah," he nodded. "Ever since Beer Pong and the bad twin woke up in a tub together they've got some sort of connection that we don't know about."

"Fuck that," Xander chimed. "We all know about it."

"Right," Tucker added. "We just don't get it."

"Hah!" Nico exclaimed. "Like some twin telepathy shit!"

I rolled my eyes as Tucker laughed in my ear.

"Whatever, you guys," I said, stopping at my mom's car. "I'll see you idiots tomorrow."

"Sweet," Collin said, offering his hand in a high-five as I bid the boys farewell.

"Bring a change of underwear," Nico called. "Just in case you pee yourself!"

"Yeah, right," Jason coughed. "You'renot; you won't even be scared."

"Right, Jay," Nico retorted, "because you're not scared of anything."

Jason shrugged. "Why should I lie? It's one of my many gifts."

I shook my head, laughing to myself as I walked to the car, but I held my breath as Roman came with me to the driver's side, opening my door.

I grinned at him. "Thanks, Roman."

"You can sit next to me tomorrow," he said softly. "If you do get scared," he smiled that smile, "I won't tell."

There went those damn butterflies again. Hell, at this point I swear there were some birds and moths and bats and pterodactyls flying around inside of me.

"Thank you," I smiled, beaming at him. Then, I shook my head, forcing myself to break contact with his hazel eyes. "You'd better not forget."

He laughed again. "I doubt you'd let me."

I let him close the door behind me.

"Bye, guys," I called, waving to my friends as I pulled off. "See you tomorrow!"

And darn it, I was excited to be able to even say that.

~*~

I climbed into bed that night and texted April. Since I'd given her phone back she'd been in a much better mood.

Movies tomorrow? I asked.

AK - Sorry, can't :(

"What?" I said aloud, as my phone buzzed again in my hand.

AK - I'm going Xmas shopping with Leigh. You KNOW she can't shop for my mom on her own.

Boo, I typed back.

AK - LOLZ. Who are you going with? Misch?

TR - Nope. Xander and his friends. I STILL haven't heard from Mischa.

AK - Me either... -_-

I shook my head. I seriously needed to find out what was going on with that girl.

AK - But, hey! Fun with boys! How's the car?

Great! I typed. Of all my friends, April was the only one who knew that Xander was the one fixing up the Beetle. I didn't want to tell Nikita, Eliza or Jamie, and Mischa was M.I.A. Xander's really a great mechanic.

AK - And...?

I furrowed my brow. What was she talking about?

TR - What?

AK - And...you love his bff! Added bonus, duh.

I sent her back an angry devil emoji.

AK - MWUAH.

I sighed, laughing as I shook my head and my phone buzzed again in my hand. This time, though, the text I received wasn't from April. It was from Mischa.

Ap, I typed, guess who just texted me? MISCH.

AK - NO WAY. WHAT DID THAT CHICK SAY?

I copied and pasted Mischa's message into a new text with April.

TR - "Sorry sorry sorry I haven't been texting you! My life is super effed up right now. We need to talk..."

April texted me back almost instantly.

AK - Vague...

I stared at my phone, nodding as I fired off a new text.

TR - Yup...maybe now we'll finally know why.

Then, I stuck my phone on its charger and turned out my light for bed.

-~*~-

Whoomp there it is!

Instead of "Where's Waldo," we should play "Where's Mischa?" Where do you think she's been?

Guys, in this next chapter, shit's seriously about to go down... Get ready for the movies...

Vomment! <3