“I’ve got it. Just sit back and relax. Grab a beer if you want.”

“Positive? Okay, okay. Beer? Sure--would you like one?” Cece asked, opening up the fridge and grabbing herself a bottle. Turning to face Scott, she held the other beer in her other hand.

“Excuse me, is that your car? Because someone was trying to break into it and I stopped them.”

“I wish I had a car--but sadly no.” Cecelia chuckled, walking out of the club to see Ryan. “Really? You’re the town hero, now.” She smirked.

“None taken. I know going to a dentist appointment can be a huge fear or a chore for people. I honestly don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who’s enjoyed going.“

“Yeah, I can agree. Dentists all over the world should be happy that they can use that laughing gas on me when I go for a filling or anything else--because if not then I literally would punch them in the face--never mind biting.”

A warm smile curled on Joel’s lips. Then a warmer feeling rose to his cheeks, he was blushing and there was no way he would be able to hide it. They said that usually one felt like they were blushing horribly red but it wasn’t so bad. Joel only hoped that was true and that he wasn’t turning cherry tomato red. He focused his attention on the display not to ignore Cece but to hide his face. It was a foreign feeling. Suddenly, he realized that he was stubborn about letting go of the past but it wasn’t because he was stuck on it, it was just comfort. It had been such a long time since he felt remotely nervous around anyone. What made it more foreign was that it was around Cecelia. Someone he was already familiar with and called one of his good friends. It could have been the fact that he hadn’t seen her in quite some time and he was maybe a bit shy around her for that fact. Joel tried not to think about it too much. He was cool when they were having their dance smack down in the parking lot. Joel moved a finger under his chin, “That chocolate, chocolate chip one is calling my name.” he mentioned, laughing and turning to Cece. He figured that if he was blushing she would not judge him or think he was weird. “For coffee?” he stood up straight to look up at the menu on the wall in front of them as they approached the cashier register. 

Cece chuckled, quietly noting the blush on Joel’s cheeks. He was such a cutie. Cecelia smirked, eyeing Joel but didn’t call him out on it. Her eyes adverted back to the muffins. “It totally is. It’s pleading for you--I can hear it now saying your name.” Cecelia joked, a little laugh escaping her lips. Soon enough, she was looking up at the coffee board--trying to weigh out her options. Finally, she spoke “I’ll just have a Medium Peppermint Mocha with soy milk and sugar.” Cecelia turned to face Joel. “What about you? I know how picky you are--I’m surprised you’re letting someone else make your coffee for you. I’m so proud.” Cecelia teased, acting as if she was going to tear up. “I promised myself I wasn’t going to cry.” Cecelia lost her composure and started to laugh at herself. If anything, that was the one thing Cece was good at doing--laughing at herself. 

“It’s a simple question. Are you staying for dinner? Yes or no?”

“Hey--I can’t pass up free food.” Cece smiled warmly. “At least let me help or something.”

The reason why it was so easy for Joel to open up to Cece was because she understood him. He limited himself, however, on how much he talked about himself because he did not want to seem self-absorbed on the outside. There was already so much of him on the inside. He did without a doubt feel better when Cece rubbed his back, he smiled closed a bit weary but his smile became faint after a moment. Joel gulped quietly, he found himself helpless when he could not aid others. Especially people he cared deeply about. “Are you sure? I can – I just want to help you, just a little bit.” he insisted but he knew Cece was strong-willed and strong in general. He had faith that she would recover, she recovered before and he was positive that she would do it again. “Your grandpa?” he echoed, frowning softly before reaching out to pull her into a hug. “Are you sure? I just – There has to be something I can do.” he whispered, he had forgotten for a brief moment that they were inside a coffee shop. Joel pulled away slightly, looking down at Cece for a quiet second. She seemed to want to avoid the subject and seeing her smile was better than seeing her frown and dwell. He nodded, a smile quivered on his lips but he managed to pull it on. “Those muffins look really good.” he changed the subject, turning his head to the display of baked goods. “Mmm, scones.” he let go of Cece to go stare at the doughy goodness. “What are you going to order?” he asked, looking to her. 

Cece’s face went blank, threatening to become stern--something she couldn’t be around Joel. “Stop that.” Cecelia chuckled, her face softer now. “I love that you want to help me, I do...but you know how you can help? Just be here, now. Continue being yourself and I’ll be just fine. If I’m in really dire need, I’ll come to you--okay?” Cecelia smiled warmly at Joel, looking up at him. Being pulled into his embrace, Cece took a deep breath--inhaling his scent which made her calmer--she blinked, pushing back the tears that threatened to spill over onto her cheeks due to her grandfather’s condition. “You’re doing a great job of helping me by being you.” Cecelia reminded him with a whisper. Chuckling, Cecelia was happy that Joel was willing to let the matter go for now. Cecelia wanted to talk to him about her grandfather--just not in a coffee shop. It was funny how Joel made Cecelia want to talk about the emotional, nitty gritty stuff in her life. Cecelia never really explored that side of herself with anyone--not even herself. The tiny girl followed Joel, lacing her fingers with his just long enough to squeeze Joels hand before letting go. The brunette glanced over at him to mouth the words ‘thank you’. “Yes, those muffins. I’m kind of in the mood for blueberry--what about you?” Cecelia asks, tilting her head, looking at Joel.

“I think I might get into the Guinness Book of World Records tonight for amount of times someone has yawned in one day. I haven’t even done anything today, I didn’t even work. I have a feeling that Guinness will take pity on me.”

“Or you can go for the World Record of the laziest person ever to grace South Carolina.”

Going into dentistry, you just kind of expect the occupational hazard of having your fingers nipped by nervous little kids, so it’s no big deal when it happens a few times in a day. But then there’s the times when full grown adults bite you and you just have to wonder what kind of life they’ve been leading.

“No offense, but fuck dentists. I literally can’t stand the noise of the drill--it’s horrible.”

“I wasn’t even talking to you--I was on my phone. But since you just told me your whole life story, the name’s Cecelia.”

Sam smiled, grateful that things between him and Cecelia could go back to the way they were before he moved away. “It’s like having a kid of my own since my mom works so damn much, and even when I’m at work I’m still taking care of him. I don’t mind working at his daycare until he asks me to do everything for him because I’m his brother,” Sam sighed, before laughing at her example. “To who?” He asked firmly. “I can’t pick between all the girls lined up,” he said sarcastically, gesturing to the open space behind him. “Jess probably would take you if you asked. She does nice things like that for people…when she’s in a good mood,” he teased. “How about you? How’s your family doing?”

“Aw, well at least he has a great role model.” Cecelia spoke with a smile, nudging Sam lightly. “Oh shut the fuck up.” Cecelia spat out before sticking her tongue out at Sam. “You’re a great person, Sam. Don’t determine your worth based on others. You’ll never be happy.” The girl shook her head. “Really? I would die.” Her eyes went wide, “You know how much I would love to travel.” Cece chuckled. “They’re okay--Grandpa is uhm, he’s in the hospital. Just found out a few days ago.” Cecelia shrugged, her voice soft. Cecelia hated talking about emotional subjects--even with Sam.

“I have a few friends working on it right now, so I guess I do have my own little team.” He chuckled and smiled a little at her. “I guess I can do that.” He nodded and walked over to the river side. He jumped down to the bank and splashed his face, rinsing away the blood. “My rib is fine, it could just be bruised for all I know.” He shrugged. “Do you..?”

“Okay....good.” Cece still was unsure what was going on but part of her didn’t want to know. Ignorance is bliss, huh? Cecelia’s worry only heightened as she watched Felix jump to the river. “Careful!” She called out, using a few rock as steps to get to the riverbank. “Yes, I do have one--and a school girl.” Cecelia chuckled. “But we have to concentrate on fixing you first, yeah?” She helped Felix wipe off his face by gently patting it with her sweatshirt.

“No, no, no, no way.” He shook his head. “The cops would arrest me. I hate the cops too.” He shuddered at the thought. “You want me to jump in the river?” He asked and glanced over there. “Nothing bad, maybe a broken rib here or there.” He waved it off. “Nothing I haven’t dealt with before.” He grunted as he stood up. “You still trying to be a nurse?” He asked.

“Well, fuck. Isn’t there anybody on your side that you can call for back-up or something? Like, Captain America or like...Wolverine.” Cecelia chuckled, “No, silly. I just need you to wash your face is all--” Cece paused. “Broken rib? You need medical attention then! You can’t leave it.” Cecelia gave Felix a stern look before it softened into a smirk. “Depends. I’m still trying to get enough money for school--and I have the sexy nurse outfit back home so.” Cecelia shrugged.

Felix was comforted by her actions and let her touch the fabric to his cuts. “I was trying to keep the people I care about from being hurt.” He said quietly. “As you can see, it’s not going well.”

“Okay, okay. Well--why can’t you just call the cops? You should! Maybe they can help.” Cecelia offered, her eyes adverting to the water. “I need to get some water on these cuts. We need to get water from the river. Wash this blood off your face.” Cecelia spoke, peeling off the sweat jacket. “This is an old jacket anyway.” The brunette explained as her eyes scanned the rest of his body. “You’ll probably need to go get an x-ray. I can’t tell if there’s any internal injuries--” Cecelia chuckled. “Sorry, I was going to college to become a nurse or something.” She offered a warm smile.