Fast Forward.

“Put some clothes on!”

“Awww you liiiike it.”

“Are you… Always at the gym at this time? You’re apparently quite distracting..”

“They look pretty nice too.” 

“Really, my thighs, of all things?” He teases.. “Though I suppose I shouldn’t turn down a compliment from a beautiful woman.”

“If you don’t think my heart is beating after that, you’re sorely mistaken.”

“Oh I’m not an expert. I just know what good body mechanics is supposed to look like.” Jessie retorted.

“I don’t think I’ve ever heard a woman complain about my body mechanics.”

“Well if they burst, I’ve got aflac, I’ll be alright.” He laughs, shaking his head, standing up with a groan. No pain no gain, or some stupid adage like that.”

“Surely your back muscles must burn as well, looking at your form.”

Ezra laughs, standing up, leaving the weight on the ground. “And what makes you such an expert?”

“Oh I’ve got no problem being silly,” she stated with sincere intensity in her tone. “But you gotta feel the music when you groove, got to become one with it. Less break dancing and more like…soulful interpretive dance to this song.” Maddie gave a laugh. “She never left, I’ve had her in my ipod all this time. But I know what you mean…it’s great to hear new music from her.”

Ezra laughs, then schools his face into a cool expression, giving her a solemn nod. “You carried the queen in your heart as you should.” He smiles. “I’m Ezra, by the way. I saw you at the Halloween thing, right?”

“I can practically feel the enthusiasm coming off of you.” Alec joked.

Alec’s eyebrows raised in question, “Does that mean you’re going to buy me a drink? Because I think I would like that.” Alec eyed the handsome man, hoping he would respond positively. 

Ezra looks the man over, and shrugs. “Yeah sure why not?”

“Well I hope that if you ever find someone who you can fall for, she treats you nicely, you deserve good” Lily said, really meaning each one of her words. For her it was hard to connect with people, always too shy, always too weak, but Ezra and her met in a place where everyone was the same, and they bonded over their asthma attacks. So she always wished the best for him. “That’s… not really saying much but I think I get it”

“or him,” He winks. “I’m not a real picky guy.” He nods a little bit. “Mostly I’m a busy guy, sometimes that James Bond life can get exhausting but, you know -- it’s how things are sometimes.”

“I’m excited about her return!”

“I am just as happy about the goddess of my souls’ return…but man…you look like you’re seizing. Calm down…this isn’t a fast poppy song, you look ridiculous.”