-- a little morally gray,

Brooke Davis + Sam Walker

Greta's phone buzzed against the wooden nightstand, a sharp, insistent vibration that cut through the silence of her room at her dad's house. She had been lying on the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling, lost in thoughts that did more harm than good. The screen lit up with a message from Emilia, Lake's daughter and the temporary bridge between Greta and Lake during these tumultuous weeks of separation. The text was brief, but the words struck Greta with the force of a freight train.

EMS: Some woman named Margot is here. Mom is freaking out. I think we really need you, G.

For a moment, Greta froze, her heart pounding in her chest. Margot—her ex, the catalyst for the explosive fight that had driven a wedge between her and Lake—was the last person she expected to cause more trouble, especially now. It was no wonder Lake was in distress, and despite the chasm of hurt and misunderstanding between them, Greta knew she had to go to her. She couldn't bear the thought of Lake dealing with Margot's unexpected appearance alone, not when she knew the kind of turmoil her ex could bring.

Pushing herself off the bed, Greta's decision was made in an instant. She grabbed her keys, her phone, and her jacket, the cold evening air barely registering as she rushed to her car. The drive to the apartment she shared with Lake was a blur, her mind racing with worry for Lake and what Margot's reappearance meant for their already fragile relationship. As she pulled into the parking lot, her heart was in her throat. Greta was unsure of the reception she'd receive, torn between hope and fear, but she knew she had to face whatever awaited her. For Lake, she'd walk through fire. Tonight was about proving that, no matter the cost.

The door to the apartment was open and she could see from the hallway that the discussion was heated. "What the fuck are you doing here, Margot?" The tall brunette—it showed how Greta had a type—turned to look at her. "Ah, cherie, you're here at last. This awful woman—I imagine your ex-fiancee now, wouldn't tell me where you were." Greta was fuming in seconds, "Get out of my home."

"Almost!" The teen shouted back. Before Lake could respond, there was a knock at the front door. Furrowing her brows, she hurried towards it; not expecting anyone at this time. Also hoping that whoever it was would take a rain check. She didn't bother to look through the peephole -- mistake number two.

Lake threw the door open to reveal a woman she almost didn't recognize. Almost. At first, confusion still laced her features; that was until the woman smiled, however, and it hit Lake like a bag of bricks. "What the fuck are you doing here?" Lake hissed, quite impressed with herself for not responding immediately with her fist to this bitch's face.

"Oh, you're not Greta."

Lake scoffed as she shifted weight from one foot to the other, "And you're not as stupid as you look."

The other woman kept her poised smile, holding Lake's glare, "You're her, aren't you?" She asked, then both knowing exactly what she meant by that. "Look, I'm sorry you had to find out this way, but--"

"Mom, what's going on?" Emmy asked as she emerged from the hallway, big doe eyes shifting between her mother and the strange woman in their home.

The woman shifted her own attention to the teen, "Hi, there. I'm Margot." She greeted, "You must be -- Emmy." Lake's eyes widen at the acknowledgment of her child. She found rage boil even deeper in the pit of her stomach. "You're the girl that Greta was talking about." Margot brought her attention back onto Lake, who's nostrils were flaring, and vision was blurring. "It's not a very nice thing to try and force someone to be a mother when they're not ready, dear."

"What did you just say to me?" Lake asked, taken completely aback by the random comment. But before Margot could explain further, Emmy appeared before her mom with a bottle of beer. "Here, mom, drink this." She suggested, obviously thinking that it might help keep her calm. But what the teen really did was just give Lake a weapon of opportunity if she so pleased to use it. It was quite tempting.

"Why are you here, Margot?" Emmy asked, trying to pull the conversation to her. Something she was quite familiar with, as she had to do this a lot with her biological mother. But for much different reasons.

"I'm looking for Greta."

"She's not here." The teen stated, all the while knowing she would be soon. She had texted her, but maybe, just maybe... she could get rid of this woman before she showed up.

Margot's smile faded, just slightly. Possibly in annoyance more than anything. "Where is she?"

Lake had just taken a sig of her beer before sitting it down on the shelf she had found herself leaning again. "That's none of your business."

This would bring Margot's attention back to Lake, neither woman backing down as they held each other's glares. Instead of dropping whatever charade this bitch was going for, Margot would continue to play it at a five star quality level. "I understand that it was hard for you to find out about us like that, but it was only right." Margot expressed, "You can't keep her from me because you're upset."

Lake's jaw clenched, as she took a step forward, but Emmy's response would bring both ladies' attention back to her, "What are you talking about?"

Lake would respond with 'Nothing', the same time Margot responds 'Greta and I love each other.'

Lake's head whipped towards Margot, eyes bulging, the same time Emmy spits out a stunned 'What?'

Before Margot could respond with any more nonsense, Lake's fist met her jaw. Sending the woman's head back, as she scrambled a few steps. Margot brought a hand to the side of her face, stunned by the action as she glared at Lake. Giving her no real time to think about it, Lake would grab her by the back of her hair, and tilt her head back; hazel eyes burning into her, "If you want to keep your face intact, I'd suggest you get the fuck out of my house!" Lake shouted, then pulled back on her hair, sending her a foot back.

In the same instance, Greta would appear. The words out of this bitch's mouth only raging Lake more.

"You love her?" Emmy asked, as her doe eyes fell upon the blonde. Clear that her own heart was broken for Lake.

Ex-fiancee -- Lake could've lunged right there, but she didn't. She kept her footing, but she didn't know how much longer she could hold out. Every nerve cell in her body was on fire.

Get out of my house.

"I came here for you, ma chère." Margot pleaded.

He was only teasing, of course. He was proud to learn of her career thriving. Over the past year, he'd come to know her not just as his neighbor and the kin of one of his students but also learned she was a successful author. He had been shocked to hear Covington housed an author. "In all seriousness, congrats on getting featured.” He tapped the magazine with her face on it. “Couldn't have happened to a more deserving person.

"Hmm, I don't know. Could maybe spark an idea or two. I might have to give the category a quick glance." She thought out loud, as hazel hues fell back upon the collection of robotic books. Although, for most, usually those who had an idea as to what she wrote. Or, at least, the most of, they'd be slightly concerned as to what she could possibly think up. When he backtracked, and agreed, she smirked at him, "Oh, definitely, could definitely give the readers something they'd never forget." The thought truly humored Laikyn, and for this reason, she absolutely knew she was a twisted girl.

"Nope."

Just like that, he closes his manuscript and powers off his computer. The books can wait to be processed until tomorrow. It's not like he's got a long list of employees to cater to on his payroll. In fact, there's just one. Him.

Which reminds him, he really needs to find another trainer. As grateful as he was that his clientele was booming, it was becoming too much for just one person to handle. The only problem was, he didn't want to bring just anyone in off the streets. He had to be able to trust them to run things when he was gone.

Drew would've been the perfect fit. But considering he had his hands full and they weren't exactly on speaking terms after Ryan issued his blow... he was currently out of the question.

"What are you in the mood for? Burgers? Pizza? Tacos? Figured, since you're treating, you get final pick."

"Is it, and I sleep quite peacefully at night with it." She mused, aware that that was ever just going to be in her own head. There was no way Ryan was going to give her anything more.

She watched as her cousin shut down the computer, and stand, Lake quite grateful that he was going to humor her at the very least. As they made their way out of the gym, she glanced over her shoulder at him, "I don't think that's how it works. Pretty sure the one getting treated gets to pick, but if we're making up new rules, I'm game." She replied, "I'm craving steak myself, so I think that nice steak house up the rode could hit the spot."

“I can’t believe I didn’t know that.” Lee was only half-joking — he liked to think he could suss out others who favored Halloween, plus there was the whole twelve years of going to school together, thing … even though that had been just as long ago by now. He only nodded at her mention of Christmas — he had memories of a few good Christmases when he was little, before his father had ever lost an election — but even then, at that age, he’d preferred Thanksgiving, when you were certain to miss at least four days of school in a row, and there was food and a chance of quality time rather than focus on who got who what. “You— hey, you should’ve led with that, congratulations! What does your fiance think about the themed wedding idea?” He couldn’t help but notice a distinct lack of detail about that fiance, though he was sure it wasn’t some kind of secret — he was just very, very, out of touch with the happenings in town. “Yes to both — it’s been really great to see all these different cities, and I think it’s helped, you know, to compare and contrast, especially because so many of the people I’ve worked with have been working in one place, on one thing, for a while. I actually don’t know how long I’m back, but, yeah, no, I’m not back permanently, for sure.” | @laikynparrish

"You know what?" She waved her finger in the air, and gave him a pleased nod, "I like that, very insightful, Abhrams. You ever thought about being a shrink?" She teased, "Think you got some wisdom people could use." While she was simply pulling his leg, the idea was still an interesting one. Although, she had a pretty strong feeling that Lee wanted nothing less than to listen to people bitch about their lives. "Just a general assumption." Lake replied, "Also, grumpy dudes are a dime a dozen around here. But that still doesn't mean they don't love. In whatever form their self proclaimed black hearts will allow them."

LOCATION ⸻ the lost page, orchird park.

capping at four: 2 / 4.

Maya & Carina, Favorite scenes: s05e08 We'll give her a cookie

Those eyes she loved so much, that she admired so dearly, they were piercing her soul in the worst way possible. Greta felt her lips quiver but she held the cry in. "I didn't cheat, Lake," she repeated herself, begging in her tone for Lake to listen to her, to reason with the situation. "I didn't want you to be worried before, that's why I didn't say anything. But I didn't fucking do anything. I didn't, Lake," she gasped under her breath. "I wouldn't do that to you."

She heard her talk about her previous relationships and how she'd been through it and then there was the anger boiling within Greta again. "I'm not your fucking exes, Laikyn!" she shouted a little louder. "It wasn't a big deal. I didn't tell you because I didn't want this—" she motioned between them, "to happen." The thing about Greta was that she had her own set of ideas of how things went in her mind and that didn't always align. "And you know what, all I'm trying to fucking do is get you to listen to me. I didn't write a fucking love letter to any woman, I explained the fucking pictures and the whole situation. I told you I'll fucking cut ties with Margot, I said I love you and not her. That I haven't fucked or even kissed her, that I turned her down when she fucking tried something. Because I love you and I respect you. But you don't want to talk or listen. You had your mind set the minute I walked into that door. You just want to fucking run away from this, from me."

There was a long pause, while she centered herself again, her eyes watered. "You know what? You stay." She shook her head and looked away because the tears wanted to roll thickly in her cheeks and they did so. "I'll leave. This is the home you bought that I came into, this is where you and Emmy live. I don't want any of you to be out of your routines and your lives. I'll go." Greta couldn't stay, she couldn't remember the last time she'd felt this vulnerable—never, really, when she thought back. She'd never been this sad either, not even when she grieved her mother. All she really wanted was cry and beg Lake to forgive her for whatever she'd done to upset her. But her pride was too strong, so she wouldn't. She would swallow it even further and go to her dad's house.

"That's not --" She tried to tell her that that wasn't true, that she wasn't trying to run away from her. If anything, she wanted to run towards her. But there was a wall coming up between them, that she was experiencing fight or flight mode. And all the beatings her heart had taken in the past, it screamed to flight. To be the one who left, and not the one that got left. Again. She'd find that she couldn't finish her statement, afraid that if she kept trying to speak that her words would could out in nothing but a weep; a sob that would give away every ounce of devastation she felt in that very moment.

When Greta told her to stop packing, that she'd leave. There was something in Lake that completely broke. A sob stuck in her throat, as speaking became impossible. The fear of her worst nightmare, the pain that wrecked it way through her body, it kept her glued exactly where she stood. Not only did her voice seem to leave her, but she lost the ability to move. Almost as if her mind was convinced that if she tried to make a step, her entire being would crumble into pieces.

It wasn't until she heard the front door slam that sound finally cut through her. A heart wrenching sob broke from her throat, as tears blinded her; stringing just before they fell. Her breathing hollow and fast as she began to hyperventilate.

In that very moment, she physically felt her heart break.

How long had she been working for JJP Publishing? Well, if we counted the year she started working for them in New York, plus the following on as the assistant's assistant, she would have to guess.... "Hm... six, seven years, give or take. I started at our New York branch," the brunette explained, before she continued. "And when an assistant editor spot opened in our Atlanta branch, I knew I had to grab it." Especially because Reyhan was fully aware that she would continue being an assistant's second assistant if she remained in New York, and, even though writing was where her true passion lied, she refused to let herself become stagnant in a job she did so well.

Her own vanity almost made her ask who had said those things or what had been said, but Reyhan had been observing her actions lately so, a small, grateful smile was what Lake received in return for her words. "I'm very happy to hear that. It means I've been doing my job right, thus I shouldn't feel ashamed to guarantee you'd be in great hands with us." / @laikynparrish

Lake nodded as the editor answered her question. Although, she had no doubt that she had been with the company for a while. The travel of good word was there for a reason. And if Lake was honest, she didn't doubt that she'd be in great hands with her. "Impressive." She complimented, "No doubt you know you stuff."

"To be honest, Reyhan. I've done my own research on the company, and I've heard nothing but great things about them." She expressed, "I'm currently in a bit of a sticky situation with my current editor. But I'd love absolutely nothing more then to sign on with you." Shit, if she didn't have to be somewhat professional, she would've told her to have the papers on the table, and signed them before she even sat. "My main question is --" She paused, aware that the professionalism she meant to display was about to be heavily questioned. "You're not someone who'd like, try to fuck the writers you sign, are you?"

At Laik's competitive declaration of a best 2 out of 3 tennis match, her eyes glinted playfully. "You're on! Don't think I'll go easy on you just because we're friends," she warned teasingly. Everyone she’d played before knew of her competitive streak. She wasn’t one to give up easily. 

“Why did I even ask?” She said when her friend told her she had some. “But it makes sense, though. If it helps with your creativity, why wouldn’t you smoke every once in a while, right?” She’d do the same it helped her with her baking too. A minute later, her friend returned with her stash box. She eyed the box for a moment before finally saying. "I'll take it rolled up." Only because she had only ever smoked it as a blunt. Although she didn't partake for a very long time, she didn't mind indulging in a little recreational smoking from time to time. Especially when the mood struck, and she was in good company. And Laik was definitely good company.

"I gotta tell you, Harl. You're doing God's work around here." She mused, as she smiled largely down at the cupcakes in her hands. She was going to enjoy these so much later, both separately and on--with Greta. "Listen, I want it to be written in the stars that if I am to die anyway; it's by the hands of over-stuffing myself with Harlow Miller's baked goods." There truly wasn't a better way in her book, and she'd die telling her friend that.

Lake chuckled at Harlow's remark, bringing her hand to her chest, just above her heart; "I would personally feel offended, Harlow Miller, if you went easy on me." She said, "In fact, I'd have to rethink our friendship. We bring our best to the table every time, and we celebrate each other's wins in this house." It might be true that Lake was somewhat of a sore loser, but when it came to her friends and family; she could also acknowledge joy in their successes. She might want a rematch, but she could give them their win. For the time being, at least.

Shutting the door behind Laikyn, Georgie went and sat down on her couch as she waited for the other woman to quit speaking, doing her best to bite back the amused smile that was threatening to fight it's way onto her features as she watched the brunette pace. "If I weren't would you relax and tell me what's really goin' on?" She asked, warm smile finally stretching across her lips as she stood back up. "No, he's not here. Just me and my skincare routine. And while I'm absolutely down for a night out, I'm gonna need to know what's got you poundin' on my door like you're servin' a warrant. You nearly had me spillin' my serums all over the floor and that stuff's expensive." ( @laikynparrish )