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My little heart melts for this cute poster and quote from Play No More by @aaliyah.oughradar. Thank you girl!

Chapter 35: Miss Bo Peep

*Millie's POV*

We sat on the back rim of Dr Taylor's open-top car and looked out at the sunrise. 

 There was a stillness in the air now that the boys had gone. Luke, Austin and Jake were still inside the hospital and we were waiting for Austin to drive us home in his mom's car.

Annika glanced over to me and said, "When I first met Jake, he had this bad boy vibe about him but he's actually a total sweetheart. I never expected that, when I came to his hometown, his brother was the heartbreaker around here."

"Luke?" I asked, surprised she was bringing him up like that.

"Yeah. I mean," she gave me an obvious look, "He's hot. You've obviously noticed that. How did you choose between them?"

In the short time that Annika's been here, she's managed to dive deep into the crevices of the Dawson's family psychology. 

So I gave it my best shot. "Luke's got this energy, this determination, about him. He treats life with no fear. He's fun, kind, smart and caring," I said and chose my next words carefully, "He makes me feel like I can be somebody."

I am somebody.

Truthfully, my self-confidence has been a real holdup for me. I've seen a lot of disappointment in my life that I hesitate to dream. 

"I hope you don't mind if I ask," Annika continued, folding one leg under the other, "Jake told me that you agreed to go on a date with him not long before you started dating Luke. What was that about?"

I stared down at my hands. I could hear the judgement in her voice, and I didn't blame her.

That self-confidence problem - I've really gotten myself into a pickle because of it.

"Looking back, it was a mistake," I admitted. "I was confused. Doesn't that happen to others?"

Annika gave it to me straight. "Confused or not, it sounds like you played with them. Didn't you kiss both brothers?"

I kissed Luke. Jake kissed me, but I ran away. It's not the same thing but I didn't want to argue with Annika.

I definitely messed up because I took too long.

"Luke was someone I hesitated to be with, because I was scared of how much he could hurt me," I told her truthfully, "I've lived opposite him my whole life and we go to the same school. He was a player. He's never been serious with anyone and, even last summer, he dumped a girl he was seeing within a month. I was scared to be next."

"Couldn't you tell the difference between what you had with him and what he had with other girls?" Annika asked me.

"I knew what I felt, and I knew what he was telling me he felt," I said, finding it difficult to explain.

How do you explain to a confident girl how being unconfident feels like?

I tried it another way, "At the beginning, Luke was quick to say something incredible and then follow up with an insult. He's called me nerdy, heavy, unattractive and I'm meant to just forgive all of that? So, yeah, it took me time and it took him changing."

"OK but if you were so confused, why did you accept the date with Jake?"

Annika was really going in on me.

I answered, "I thought Luke and I were really done. I thought he was seeing a girl called Jamie, but it turns out he wasn't."

Annika nodded as if this was a classic case. "Sounds like you jumped to conclusions too quickly."

She should really be a therapist.

"Let me repeat myself. My ex-boyfriend cheated on me. That means that when I asked him about it, he lied to me. So my trust levels aren't all there, OK? I realize I could've sabotaged the best relationship I've ever been in but that's on me."

Annika went quiet.

She then sat up straighter as if she was about to say something, so I said, "Can you not ask me any more questions, please? I don't mean to be rude, but this is my private life and I feel like I've said what I'm comfortable saying."

She exhaled, "I'm sorry. I get carried with questions and my mom tells me I pry too much into people's lives."

"No it's ok," I said.

"You must be sick of people asking about your relationship," Annika said, "I haven't been here long but I can see that this town has an unhealthy obsession with the Dawson brothers."

"Yeah," I smiled, guilty of it too, "Maybe it's in the tap water."

I hopped off the back of Dr Taylor's open-top car and looked around at the near empty car park.  It was so late, but I felt awake. I found it hard to believe that I spent most of my night here.

"Ubuntu," Annika suddenly said.

"Sorry?" I asked her, not understanding.

Annika leaned towards me to explain, "It's from a zulu phrase and the literal translation is that a person is a person through other people. I am because you are."

I listened closely to what she said next.

Annika said, "I am sorry if, by my questions, I imposed my views onto you. I should not judge you. I have my flaws too and the moment I stop using I is when I begin to understand ubuntu. We are interconnected and you aren't alone. I can feel with you." 

**

It was past 5AM by the time Austin dropped us off on Dupont Avenue. This really has been the weekend that never ends.

"Thanks for saving us, Austin," I hugged him from the backseat of his mom's car before I hopped out, "It's so late."

He waved it off, "I was already awake."

Annika slid out of the back seat, "Thanks! And tell your mom she's a boss lady."

Austin laughed, "I'll tell her. See you in a couple hours." 

Annika and I stood on the street and watched Austin make a U-turn to head back to the hospital. After the last of his car disappeared from the street, we were faced with a very quiet neighborhood. 

 The stillness of the night was slowly being disturbed by a rise in activity. A man passed by in jogging gear and a lady walked to her mailbox.  

She stretched, "I'm not jealous that you all have school in two hours."

"How old are you?" I asked and clapped my hand over my mouth.

She laughed, "Twenty-two. I've been through high school and I promise you it ends. Night!"

I already have a big sister but tonight I felt like I gained a new one.  What I mean is that my conversation with Annika felt like one sisters would have. 

"Night," I waved, "And thank you."

**

I didn't think sleep was the best move. Waking me up with only two hours sleep was close to mission impossible.

But coffee, that's always a good idea.

I went to the kitchen to brew myself a batch. My mom and sister would surely grab a cup once they wake up. While I waited, I texted Luke back.

He'd asked me if I'd gotten home OK and I asked him if he was grounded for life.

Luke's mom had woken up to a living room of smashed glass, blood on the floor and wine stains on the couch. And none of her kids were at home.

I picked up the coffee pot and poured the piping hot liquid into my mug. I added sugar and milk and my mind drifted into silent thoughts, questioning my actions tonight.

Was I right to criticize Luke like that? I didn't like how he got aggressive when he got angry. He could've handled the situation with Kaden differently and he definitely should have with Jake.

I like how loving Luke is with me. He's caring and sweet, but I'm not down for the aggressive, bad boy vibe. 

My head hurt from how tired I was. I took my cup of coffee and sat on the living room couch. I thought through the day ahead and wondered how much energy was needed.

Do I have enough brain cells to get me through the day?

And before I knew it, I was fast asleep.

**

~Luke's POV~

I got into my car with Little Miss Bo Beep in the passenger seat.

"Luke, you better make sure he doesn't get teased because of this," mom told me from outside our front door, "I will not have rumors of domestic abuse coming into this household."

It was 7.45AM and I was being forced to bring my half-brother to school. 

"Don't bleed anywhere," I told Jake as he reached to turn the heating on.

He hated being in my car. I hated him in my car. But here he was, in my car.

The guy had a motorbike to prove he was a daredevil. Show me a daredevil that doesn't know how to duck a jab.

I even gave him a warning before I did it.

"I know why I'm angry at you. Why are you angry at me?" Jake asked, though his words came out muffled from his injury.

Because you don't know how to take a punch.

"No anger," I shrugged, "Just tolerance."

"You tolerate me?" Jake snapped, "Nice."

What else would I say to him? You sing too much?

My eyes gravitated across the street to her house. These days, Minnie was the only person who could take the edge off. 

Hers was the only voice that didn't sound like background noise.

I wanted more of her. I've said so many stupid things in my life, but I was sure of this one. Millie was everything I wasn't and that made me mature.

I wanted more time with her. Why is it that when we're alone together, we get interrupted? Why is it that we don't spend every night together?

Because we're in high school.

We have parents, exams, sports, friends and college looming in front of us. Senior year kicked off in high gear. The stress, the pressure, the commitments.  I'm just listing things at this point.

What I wouldn't do to go back to summer camp. 

Simpler days in a little cabin, just the two of us – and a bunch of hyperactive eight-year-olds. But they weren't that bad.

"Luke, why aren't you driving?" Jake asked me.

I had stopped my car on the side of the street to look at Minnie's house. Her car was parked in the driveway, next to that garden gnome she always talks about. 

Damn near as much as she talks about that raccoon.

Jake looked at the time, "Luke, we're going to be la-"

"Talk less. Doctor's orders," I said, pushing the door open.

I thought I punched him in the jaw, but he's still chirping.

The fact that Minnie's car was still by her house meant she hadn't gone to school yet. I was so sure that she passed out and was not going to wake up for school. 

I went to get her.

A/N: Luke is on his way to get Millie and I can't wait to get to the next chapter ;) 

How much do you like Annika?  She's one of my favorite characters.

In the meantime, to those of you who have my IG, I'll post more short story tips etc on there.  See ya next time!

There must be a reason why 'Miss Bo Peep' rhymes with sleep... (I'm so tired) 

Natalie

IG: @NatalieInACorner

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