Deja Vu (Liv) [M]

[Peyton Turner]

The last few weeks had been hell for Peyton.

Okay, so maybe 'hell' was a little strong, but when he was used to spending his downtime with video games and youtube videos, and avoiding studying like the plague, an intensive study course was about as close to hell as he could get. Yes, he understood why his parents had suggested it - and he was definitely eager to get out of 10th grade science and join his peers a grade up - but the extra hours of study per day for two whole months? Including winter break? ....It was gonna be tough.

Well, it had been tough. The past three weeks. But this - the last day of classes before Thanksgiving break - was his first of three days of glorious freedom. Instead of spending free period and a few hours after school ended working with one of his two science tutors (yup, added to his growing sum of tutors), he'd have three days free from anaerobic respiration and xylem and phloem.

Which is why he'd taken the opportunity to skip out on his English class in order to rectify a certain very awkward situation.

He hadn't really talked to Olivia since the whole ballpit incident. Beyond just passing comments, or required communication. It was like they'd gone back to how it was before, just seeing each other in class and nothing more. But he hadn't been able to stop thinking about it. He'd been hitting himself over the head for what he'd said, what he'd done, what he hadn't said or done... He felt stupid. Really stupid. And he didn't want Liv to think he didn't like her - it was quite the opposite - but he also didn't want to raise to address the situation that had been... well, mortifying seemed the best word for that whole business.

Geez, even thinking about that made him mad. If he was mad at himself or mad at her, he wasn't really sure, but he was definitely mad about that entire... business.

Still - today he would pretend it had never happened, and try again.

Which was why he'd skipped English class. And why he now stood by her locker, his hands freezing.

"I don't think your craving would've lasted a whole month, but I thought it couldn't hurt. Though it might be too cold for milkshakes. And I didn't know what kind to get you, so I got four different ones." It wasn't flat-out apologizing, and it wasn't begging, either, but there was a definite trace of wariness as he offered her the four styrofoam cups. Wary, but hopeful. Even if his hands would be ridiculously clammy after carrying milkshakes for ten minutes.

[Olivia Baker]

Peyton had been noticeably absent the past few weeks. Sure he showed up to class, but only just barely, he seemed so distracted and she couldn't help but take it personally. It seemed as if that whole incident really hadn't ever happened and they'd gone back to being... well... nothing. It hurt. Liv really thought for a moment- but then again it didn't matter what she thought because it clearly wasn't the case, and she'd embarrassed herself once again. 

Miss LaBeau had dismissed class on time today, something she was shocked about. She'd grown to really not like the woman, mainly because she couldn't get a read on her. She seemed passionate and disinterested all at the same time. The material in question was particularly dreadful, she hated Shakespeare and found Romeo and Juliet cliche for a high school student to study. Why not something more interesting like the Merchant of Venice or Hamlet? But no, R&J for life. 

As she walked out grabbing her book out of her bag to stick in her locker she was surprised to be met by milkshakes and what she could only assume was an apology. She looked up to meet his eyes unsure what to say at all. On the one hand she wanted to laugh and accept how sweet this was, that he'd do that for her but she didn't understand why now. She also couldn't forget how he'd practically ignored her since and how that made her feel. "Thanks." She said, her smile still not showing up. 

"Strawberry's my favorite... how'd you know?" She asked taking the strawberry one out. Of course he didn't know, which was why there were still 3 left, but she meant it as a joke of sorts, an attempt to play and be friendly. "And it's never to cold out to have milkshakes..." She was trying at least. 

[Peyton Turner]

Peyton wasn't really sure what he'd been hoping for -

Scratch that, he knew exactly what he'd been hoping for: a smile, a laugh, and a return to the way things were in those brief hours before that whole kissing incident. But that wasn't the case, apparently. At least not yet. This wasn't going to be easy.

As she took one of the cups, Peyton realized he was now met with that awkward situation where he was holding three cups and had nothing to do with them. ...Maybe he hadn't thought this through. He should've at least picked up a drink carrier.

"Strawberry's my favorite... how'd you know?"

His smile wasn't as bold as it usually was - he was burnt out, and nervous, and she still wasn't smiling. "Call it a lucky guess." He shrugged slightly, though part of his mind filed that information away in case he might need it later.

"...And it's never to cold out to have milkshakes..."

He wanted to say something witty, something quick and charming, but he still felt like there was some sort of block up between them, and it was distracting. "I was hoping we could start fresh." Was that clear? Had he made that point? Was it overkill to be stating that? No, no, it was probably something that needed to be voiced, he had to crumble first and apologize. Or, well, kinda apologize. Or maybe fully apologize.

"I'm sorry we haven't gotten to hang out or talk or anything - this is my first day off in like a month. My mom got me into this studying thing... it's complicated." He did not like talking academics, especially when his mind kept returning to that storage room and replaying the same moments over again. But he didn't want to address that because... well he wasn't sure. It made him feel all twitchy to even think about bringing it up the topic to light. "I was hoping I could make it up to you while I'm off."

He hesitated for a second, but quickly added, hoping to sway her, "I know you probably have plans for Thanksgiving, but I don't have class again 'til Saturday afternoon, so I thought maybe we could - I dunno - Doctor Who marathon or something?" He didn't even care that that wasn't a grammatically correct statement. At least he'd managed to say something.

[Olivia Baker]

"I'm sorry we haven't gotten to hang out or talk or anything - this is my first day off in like a month. My mom got me into this studying thing... it's complicated."

Those words made Liv feel like a total bitch. Maybe she was being too harsh on him, but he should have said something. He should have mentioned it or said hi or... something. Instead of this uncomfortable limbo that had plagued them since he left. She had hated it. She actually started to resent him, mostly because that day played in her mind over and over and over again. She hadn't ever had that much fun with anyone... but there were so many things about that day she'd change too... the kiss was probably the one she wished she could change the most. It stung to even think about it. 

"It's ok Pey... I shouldn't be so harsh on you... I know you've been working hard." She closed her locker and took a sip of her milkshake. 

"I was hoping I could make it up to you while I'm off."

"Make it up to me?" She asked raising a brow. He was already doing a pretty decent job with the milkshakes. 

"I know you probably have plans for Thanksgiving, but I don't have class again 'til Saturday afternoon, so I thought maybe we could - I dunno - Doctor Who marathon or something?"


And there it was. Her smile started to creep up, first with the corners of her mouth and then into her full out grin. "I'd love that" She said. It'd been a while since she got to just flop and veg with a tv show and she missed it. But then "Shit..." She sighed, "My brother Tristan just moved to town... I have to get dinner or lunch or something with him on Thanksgiving..." She really, really didn't want to do it. She hadn't seen Tristan since the Holidays last year and the two didn't exactly get along. She was pretty sure he hated her. "But... If you want you can come." She smiled, "Free meal. I'm sure he'll be treating." And she wouldn't have to be the one to talk to him the whole time. "Or is that weird....? No that's probably really weird for you... but i mean..." She was really having a hard time deciding what she wanted. "The offer is there if you wouldn't feel uncomfortable."

[Peyton Turner]

"It's ok Pey... I shouldn't be so harsh on you... I know you've been working hard."

Peyton was surprised, though he wasn't sure why. He hadn't really thought anyone had noticed. Besides his tutors, of course, but they saw him practically every day. For the most part he had just become a ghost to his friends - there every once in a while but mostly just a vague idea that didn't show up much. He was hoping to change that, but he hadn't quite figured out how to balance the extra work with personal stuff and social stuff.

Glancing down at the three cups in hand, he tried to figure out somewhere to put them. Cause now he wanted one. But he couldn't have it until he could put the other two somewhere else.

- But wait, that wasn't the topic at hand.

Looking back to Liv, he felt a zing of warmth in his chest as he saw her smiling again.

"I'd love that."

This was hope. The relief was like swallowing a beam of solar power. Which really didn't make sense, if he thought about it too much, but that was how he felt. Like he was warm and energized and just... sunny. Despite the chill of a Vermont November that clung to school. And his grin matched hers - though his was, admittedly, a little more amazed. Even her faltering didn't set him back.

"My brother Tristan just moved to town... I have to get dinner or lunch or something with him on Thanksgiving..."

He nodded, his smile having calmed, "That totally makes sense, I-"

"But... If you want you can come."

He hadn't been expecting that. Really, he hadn't even considered that she would even want to see him at all on Thanksgiving day. He'd figured he'd just sit around in his dorm room and skype home to his family, waiting for the inevitable package of frozen leftovers to show up next week. Going home wasn't an option this year, between the whole 'new powers' thing and the intensive study business. And, while the thought had hurt at first, he didn't think he had a choice.

To be honest, he was really touched by her offer. It meant a lot to be invited into someone's family for a day. Even if the 'family' really just referred to a pair of siblings.

..."Or is that weird....? No that's probably really weird for you... but i mean... The offer is there if you wouldn't feel uncomfortable."

"I... Well, I mean, if you wouldn't mind, I'd really like that." ....Okay, the longer he let that answer hang, the more awkwardly sentimental he felt. "Plus, who can turn down a free meal, really. Especially since I haven't gotten out of cafeteria or my dorm fridge in weeks." The food at Hammel was good, but it just wasn't the same as leaving campus.

[Olivia Baker]

Liv didn't know if she should be relieved or terrified that Peyton was going to meet Tristan. Tristan, in her mind, was the devil. She had no doubt that this was going to be an uncomfortable event, she hadn't seen Tristan since she'd left, and hadn't talked to him in even longer since last time she was home he largely ignored her. The reason she knew he was coming was from her mother, and even then the reservation was set up by her at the restaurant and she wasn't even entirely sure her brother would show up. She hoped he wouldn't... She wasn't even sure what they'd talk about, home? How she wasn't doing as well in school lately? She'd gotten an A- on her last exam... That wasn't good enough for the bakers. How about how she hadn't started looking at colleges...or that she didn't want to go to NYU? Yeah, she wasn't looking forward to any of that. 

"I have to warn you... Tristan isn't that pleasant." She sighed. She was having major anxiety. "He actually hates me..." She probably shouldn't be talking about this. She compulsively started to sip on the milkshake. It was obvious that she was more than a little nervous and she wasn't acting anything like herself. 

"I'm glad you're coming though... believe it or not i think it'll make this a lot... more pleasant..." She really knew how to sell an event... 

[Peyton Turner]

Meeting the family... that seemed kinda like a big deal. Except that apparently it wasn't? One person couldn't be that difficult, right? ...Was it not such a big deal, with only one person? Was it a big deal at all? ...Okay, he needed to just stop thinking about this so much. Focus on the positive, Peyton: you're in the clear, friends again.

Then again, he wasn't sure he was happy being just friends. But that was good enough for now.

"I have to warn you... Tristan isn't that pleasant. He actually hates me..."

Hate her? "As a brother, I should inform you that no brother ever really hates his sister." Sure, he felt like it sometimes, but it wasn't a serious feeling. It was just that annoyance that popped up when girls got bitchy. And by girls he meant his sister, Beth. And by bitchy he meant vicious, bite-of-your-head-at-the-drop-of-a-hat insane. Which wasn't often. Well, not too often.

"I'm glad you're coming though... believe it or not I think it'll make this a lot... more pleasant..."

He had to laugh at that. "It'll be fine," he shrugged. "Awkward, probably, but fine." There was a definite happiness when she admitted she was glad. He hoped she stayed glad. Peyton in awkward situations was a rather polarizing figure. It could either become way more comfortable, or way more awkward, but either way - at least Liv wouldn't be alone.

[Olivia Baker]

Liv really wasn't sure whether to be relieved or absolutely terrified. Peyton seemed optimistic about the situation, but Liv knew better... or she thought she did. SHe honestly hadn't seen Tristan since the last time she'd been home and that'd been months... and even then their schedules didn't exactly match up. This was going to be the first boy Liv ever brought around too... crap. What the hell did that mean? Was this supposed to be a big deal? Was this implying that Peyton was.... more than a friend even though right now he definitely wasn't? Or was he? Or was he starting to be? Or could he be? Or maybe none of those things at all?

Her head hurt and Liv found herself compulsively sipping on her strawberry milkshake. "Thanks again for this Pey." She said gesturing towards the beverage. "It was... really sweet." Honestly it was one of the nicest surprises anyone had ever done for her. 

"So, I'm done for the day. I have some homework I don't feel like doing and wouldn't mind a bit of a distraction for a while." She smiled. She really wanted to move past the past month if he wanted to. The bottom line was that she enjoyed Peyton. Whatever Peyton meant to her. And she didn't want to be without him one way or another. 

[Peyton Turner]

"Thanks again for this Pey. It was... really sweet."

Peyton's smile slipped into a slightly lopsided sheepish grin, not sure if he was more childishly delighted by the comment, or the unintentional pun within it. ...It took a great deal of strength to not point out the pun. He actually had to physically bite the inside of his lip to keep from announcing some complete non-sequitur. He wasn't even sure what to say to that. Luckily, she kept talking.

"So, I'm done for the day. I have some homework I don't feel like doing and wouldn't mind a bit of a distraction for a while."

"I would totally offer my distraction services, but I can't entirely feel my fingers at the moment, so I may need a few minutes to recover first. And a place to put these." He held up the hands full of milkshake cups, her slurping reminding him that he really wanted one, but couldn't get to it at the moment without jabbing his face with the other two straws. "However: once I've had a chance to warm up, I would advise you to buckle your proverbial seatbelt."

Did he actually have an idea for what they might do? Nope. None whatsoever. His mind was bogged down with all the weeks of studying. But he was sure it would come to him eventually. Hopefully before he was called on to voice this amazing plan that was as-of-yet nonexistent.

[Olivia Baker]

Liv was oblivious to the very well put pun she'd said. Had she known, she probably would have been laughing along with Peyton, and also slightly embarrassed.

When Pey started to answer Liv felt stomach drop. He'd started it as if he didn't want to, and it made her think that these milkshakes were just some kind of weird pity present to kind of make up for what had happened and dull the pain for some kind of further rejection. Maybe he'd met someone else. Not that it was any of her business... or that she'd be able to say anything. She'd been talking to other boys the past month like Flynn, and Rowan and even that boy from the bookshop. But none had had that weird effect on her.

When he continued she felt her heart beat again and air start to return to her lungs. She chuckled "I have an idea." She said and went back into her locker pulling out her mittens. She carefully took the milkshakes from him so he could slip them on. "Those should help."

"Buckle up my seatbelt huh? You must have something grand planned." She joked. She wasn't sure if he had anything planned, though part of her hoped so. She knew better than to expect much. Peyton was a guy, they weren't capable of the grand romantic gestures that happened in the books she read. Thats what made them fiction.

[Peyton Turner]

"I have an idea."

Peyton raised his eyebrows incredulously. "Really?" His tone was playful even as he shook his head at her idea.

Truthfully, the mittens made sense. Except, well...

Ok, so, the idea of mittens made sense. These particular mittens, however, did not. He wasn't sure if it was the color scheme or the big hearts that were laughing maniacally at him from their place on the mittens. Still, Peyton wasn't one to turn something down just because it might embarrass him a bit. Especially for Liv. Especially because he really couldn't embarrass himself much more than he had in the past.

So with a melodramatic sigh he handed the drinks over to her and slipped on the mittens.

Or, attempted to slip them on, anyway. They couldn't make it past the heel of his hand, so instead he was stuck barely able to bend his hands without the mittens slipping up teeter on his fingertips. "You seem to have crippled me." He accused, wryly, waving his hands like karate-chops, or maybe robots. "I don't think I can be mad at you, though. ...These mittens are kinda adorable." They were - and Liv was too, with her half-baked plan - but they certainly weren't going to be functional.

Peyton took one of the shakes between his straightened hands, and glanced to the other two. "We may need to say goodbye to a couple of your compatriots, buddy." He made a vaguely apologetic face at his milkshake before taking a sip.

Perhaps it was the silly mittens, perhaps it was just Liv's encouragement, but Peyton felt kinda silly. "Would it be weird if we just gave those away to random people in the hall?" It was such a waste to throw away two perfectly good milkshakes.

"Buckle up my seatbelt huh? You must have something grand planned."

Grand? Oh shit, he should really figure something out soon. But he was dead on ideas. And also somewhat broke. And his place was a mess of papers (for once) and clothes (as always). But this was Peyton. He would come up with something, he was sure. In the meantime, he would bullshit. "Oh yeah, totally. Like the grandest thing ever. High tea style grand. Grand like puffed rice and caramel." Buffering... buffering... surely an idea would pop into his head at any moment.

[Olivia Baker]

Liv watched as his face seemed to contort into all sorts of confliction. Yes, the mittens were a bit.... Liv. Big white fluffy things with giant red hearts in the middle. She thought they were cute, and they were, for Liv but maybe not for Peyton. When the mittens stopped halfway down her hand she laughed harder, he looked ridiculous as he tried to juggle the milkshakes until finally deciding on an alternate plan.

"I was actually thinking that too." She said as she took one of the rejects and handed them to a small freshman. She was new and she believed Rowan Bookers cousin or something. The girl thanked her before trotting off joyfully. "Ah holiday joy." She said "This could be your good deed of the day or something.. pretty epic Pey." She meant it. It was sweet and she liked making other people happy.

Liv raised a brow as he continued to pump up his plan. "That good huh?" She asked "I really have no idea what you have planned but I'm starting to get a bit excited." She admitted. Maybe he really did plan something. SHe was impressed. "Lead the way Sir." 

[Peyton Turner]

"I was actually thinking that too."

Lovely! That decided that, then - glancing around the hallway, Peyton chose a random target and greeted them with a "Merry Thanksgivikah-" and handed over the other spare milkshake before returning to Liv and fixing the mittens, which had slipped when he'd dared to actually bend his hand.

"Ah holiday joy."

"Indeed."

"This could be your good deed of the day or something.. pretty epic Pey."

Peyton wasn't entirely sure where that warm tingly sensation was coming from, but he certainly liked it. It made him smile. It was, however, tempered by the fact that he had no idea what he was planning to do with Liv. No idea at all. ....Shitshitshit, that idea should really come soon, that would be nice...

"Yup, totally." Just keep nodding and walking, nodding and walking. "I am so going to lead you to this awesome thing that I've been planning all along." Was he becoming a little transparent? A few glimmers of ideas had begun to spark in his mind, but they all required way more forethought than he'd actually had. He hadn't even had the forethought to grab a drink holder; he definitely hadn't had the forethought to plan an entire activity for two. And thinking about it that way made it seem weirdly date-like.

....Nah, this wasn't a date. They'd barely re-become friends, it definitely wasn't...

Peyton shot her a surreptitious glance, wondering if she was seeing this as a date or... With a small shake of his head, he decided that this wasn't a date. Definitely not. Friends. Friends becoming friendsier.

...Yeah, this was definitely messing with his head.

On the plus side - the idea had finally come to him, and there was a more pointed spring in his step as he zipped up his jacket. "It's a bit of a walk, if you don't mind."

[Olivia Baker]

"I am so going to lead you to this awesome thing that I've been planning all along."

She was really starting to think that he had nothing planned at all. He seemed really nervous in the past few minutes since she had confirmed that her schedule was clear and it wasn't going away. She could practically see him racking through his head for ideas. Oh this would be interesting. She had a hard time not laughing at him, watching him grapple with his mind. Ok so there was a possibility that he may have planned something, but she was really betting against it. 

As they walked out he informed her about the walk. Huh. So she was wrong. "No I don't mind at all." She said as she buttoned up her burgundy peacoat before freeing her hair from it's collar. 

As they stepped outside they were greeted with a cool breeze. She never would get used to winter here, it was sharper than at home. But the view was something that couldn't be beat. Even from where they were it was stunning, the starkness of the trees in contrast with the bright blue sky. Nothing like it.

She glanced at Peyton as they walked. He looked calmer now. "So do I get a hint?" She asked, a smirk on her face. She couldn't help but wonder what was going through his mind. Though she noticed something different.... something... nerves? No. She'd been nervous around Peyton before... something warmer... She pushed it away. Nothing good ever came from analyzing feelings. 

But what was this? This whole situation of them walking somewhere alone. He got her a milkshake.. he got her 4 milkshakes and now here they were. Alone, walking somewhere private where he had something planned... Was this a date? She'd never been on a date. No. Dates were talked about and things and... no. They were friends and this was his weird apology. But what if he was so nervous in the beginning because it WAS a date, not because he didn't have something plan. She felt her palms start to sweat and all of a sudden she didn't mind the cold so much.

[Peyton Turner]

Winter in Vermont was...

Cold. Oh, yeah, and beautiful and cinematic and oddly delicate and all that - but mostly cold. He was just hoping they'd be warm enough in the partial structure beside the lake. It would shelter them from the wind at least. Maybe if they poked around on the first floor they could find a blanket or something to warm them up.

"So do I get a hint?"

He smirked right back at her, though his was a little more... well, there was some weird goofiness to it. Not your typical smirk, by any means. He wasn't exactly sure what to say. There was definitely some worry that 'oh hey, come to this abandoned building with me' wasn't going to go over well.

"Well, I can say that sunset will be coming up in a couple hours."

That would be... less creepy? The longer that statement hung in the air, the less sure he was about that fact. He didn't want to seem like he was kidnapping her, either. Did he sound like that? Threatening that night was soon to fall? Best to clarify a bit. "There's this place, it has a really amazing view."