Part Five

Spending most of the morning, hanging around Aldridge House doing everything and anything from watching movies to playing board games, Peter and Hollie eventually took a break for lunch and it was rather reluctantly at Hollie's insistence that Peter allowed the brunette to go into the kitchen and make something for the two of them while he waited.

It was while he was waiting and found himself in the rare instance of checking his social media feed on the Pulse that Peter found his phone ringing and looking at the caller, Peter realised it was one of his oldest friends, Sara Rose and so he quickly answered the phone.

"Hey Sara," Peter answered the phone.

"Hi Peter, how are you doing?" Sara responded and despite talking over the phone, Peter could still feel the cheery disposition that his best friend carried almost as if she was in the same room.

"You know me, the same," Peter answered before asking. "How are you? How's Asa? Are you both still at your grandparents in Evergreen Woods?"

"Yeah we're still at my grandparents and I'm fine. Just doing my best to support Asa who if I'm being honest is still a wreck," Sara informed Peter. "I don't think either of them wanted to break up and it's definitely taking its toll on Asa."

"It's the same with Hollie. Ever since the day you guys left she spent her days curled up on the couch, crying and watching rom-coms," Peter told his friend. "It was only yesterday when I **** her to come out with me that she seems to have gotten back to some sort of normal."

"I probably should take a leaf out of your book then," Sara commented. "Asa refuses to do anything with me to distract her. She doesn't even want to go see Blythe. Maybe if I **** her to come she might actually start to move on."

"Maybe." Peter smiled.

"Hollie's lucky to have you, you know?" Sara told Peter.

"And Asa's lucky to have you," Peter responded. "Just be patient and she'll come around. She just needs time."

"I know, it's just hurts to see my friends hurting. It makes me feel bad..." Sara admitted. "And makes me worried about their friendship. I don't know what they'd do without being in each other's lives. It kinda makes me glad we looked down that road and said no."

"Yeah," Peter said as he recalled how a few months ago he and Sara confessed their feelings for each other however wanting to put their friendship first, they decided against pursuing a relationship, however, his thoughts were quickly interrupted by Hollie announcing lunch was ready and so Peter sighed and said to Sara. "I should go."

"Me too," Sara replied. "I'll see you soon, Peter."

"See you, Sara," Peter told her before hanging up the phone just as Hollie arrived, standing in the doorway.

"Didn't you hear me?" Hollie asked. "Lunch is ready."

"I heard," Peter said as he slipped his phone into his pocket. "Let's eat."

Spending most of the morning, hanging around Aldridge House doing everything and anything from watching movies to playing board games, Hollie and Peter eventually took a break for lunch and it was rather reluctantly at Hollie's insistence that Peter allowed the brunette to go into the kitchen and make something for the two of them. It was while she was waiting for the sandwiches she had made to be toasted that Hollie found her phone buzzing and looking at it, she saw that it was a message from Claire and she quickly began to respond back.

Claire: Just thought I'd check in and see how you were doing?

Claire: You know, from one recently single woman to another.

Hollie: Hey, I'm doing fine actually.

Hollie: Just hanging out with Peter.

Claire: So, you're definitely having a fun time.

Hollie: Not like that!

Claire: I know. Just wouldn't put it past the Hart who breaks all hearts.

Claire: And from what I hear you could do worse.

Hollie: That nickname was a long time ago.

Hollie: And Peter and I are just friends.

Hollie: And even if we weren't. It's just too soon.

Claire: I get that. I mean, I don't even think I'm over Nate.

Hollie: How are you doing?

Claire: I honestly don't know.

Claire: I think I'm a mess.

Claire: You know yesterday I tried to see him. Showed up at the Hawks practice and everything.

Hollie: You did? What did he say?

Claire: Luckily he wasn't there. Jerome saw me and he stopped me from making a fool of myself.

Hollie: He did?

Claire: Yeah, we even ended up hanging out.

Hollie: You and Jerome?

Hollie: You two didn't?

Claire: No of course not. He's Nathan's best friend.

Hollie paused unsure of how to respond since she could tell her friend was not telling her everything especially considering how fast Claire had responded with the last message. Not wanting to upset a friend who was also going through something similar though, Hollie began to type a message but was distracted by the ping of the Toastie Machine, leading to the brunette putting down the phone and making her way over to check on them. Noticing that they were done, Hollie then plated them up and called for Peter, leaving behind any thoughts or concerns she had at that moment regarding Claire and Jerome.

Making his way into Mr Burger in the Central Redwater area of the city which was located in a two-storey building that had several booths, tables and chairs, a kitchen, a storage room, and a staff room along with a second floor also containing more space that afternoon to get some lunch, Jerome sat down in a booth and waited as his ordered was being prepared when he found a familiar face belonging to a tall man who has naturally-tanned skin, black hair, blue eyes and an athletic, muscular-body who was dressed in a tracksuit sit himself down opposite Jerome.

"Fancy running into you." Nathan Fell said with a grin as he greeted his best friend.

"Well, someone's been a bit busy lately, I haven't seen you in days," Jerome commented. "And you missed practice yesterday. Coach Norton was pissed."

"He'll get over it. He usually does." Nathan shrugged. "I'll be at the next one anyway."

"Wanna tell me where you were though?" Jerome curiously asked. "You texted that you were on your way."

"I was but the night before I ran into Eileen Hayward while at Angel and one thing led to another and right after I texted you, she was still in my bedroom and let's just leave it at she made a very convincing argument not to leave," Nathan explained. "You know what I mean?”

"I think most of the team know what you mean," Jerome said knowingly as he recalled the blonde student who liked to have sex with athletes and the thought of his best friend moving on even if it was with a very loose woman like Eileen made the teenager feel less guilty about hooking-up with Claire and it was his reminder about his own encounter with Claire that made Jerome focus back on the woman's ex-boyfriend. "So, I take it Claire's not on your mind anymore?"

"Not really if I'm being honest," Nathan admitted. "Like don't get me wrong. I was with her since we were thirteen and she was an important part of my life but we were in a rut and both felt like something was missing," Nathan explained. "Breaking up was the right thing for the both of us. At least I know what I was missing."

"Girls like Eileen?" Jerome found himself saying in a tone that sounded like he was almost taunting his best friend.

"Like you never got around or do I need to remind you of the girls you were with after Zara or even Emily," Nathan responded back in a tone similar to the one Jerome had used.

"You're right," Jerome shook his head as he thought briefly about his ex-girlfriends. "Sorry."

"At least it's better this way," Nathan commented. "After all, I won't end up rebounding on a girl."

"Yeah, I guess." Jerome sighed.

"And I bet Claire's probably doing the same," Nathan said getting a look of confusion from Jerome, leading to Nathan to continue. "I mean, she's smarter and more control of her emotions than I am. She'll cry over us and then eventually move on, probably with one of the many guys who like to show up at the Sirens shows and then get back out there."

"And that doesn't bother you?" Jerome found himself asking.

"I dunno," Nathan admitted. "But I want her to be happy and that's not gonna be with me clearly," Nathan added. "So it is going to have to be with someone else."

"I guess," Jerome said as he thought about what his best friend had said and even though he couldn't admit it out loud, the thought of Claire with someone else was making his stomach turn.