Lo's eyes scanned the cafeteria and stopped when they fell on who she was looking for.
She'd promised Avery she would tell them for her, and that she would wait until Avery had left.
And so, after giving it a few days, she decided it was time they heard so that if - when - Avery came back, she would find she had all the support she needed.
Lo walked over to the table and cleared her throat.
"Hey guys, can I join?"
Libby
The boys looked at each other.
"Sure," Libby replied with a note of curiousity in her voice. "Pull up a chair."
Lo
Lo pulled out the chair and sat down, fiddling with the lid of her juice bottle for a moment.
"So... guess you've probably noticed Avery's disappearance?"
Libby
"Not really," Josh replied. "I mean, she always seems to be coming and going from the station so yeah."
He shrugged.
"Oh please," Trent scorned. "Don't try the casual thing. You probably know exactly when she left."
"I believe the answer to your question is 'yes'," Libby cut in.
Lo
Lo nodded, and was silent for a second, trying to think of how to word her next statement.
"She made me promise that I wouldn't tell you guys until after she was gone, so... I have something to tell you guys. And it's... it's not good."
She looked down at the table, unsure of the reactions.
Libby
Josh frowned.
"What's wrong?" Libby asked, a concerned look crossing her face. "Is she okay?"
Lo
"She um," Lo's voice wavered a little. "She lost the baby a few days ago."
Libby
"Oh no," Libby said. "That's terrible!"
"Well," said Matt. "I guess that answers the question of 'is she okay?' "
Lo
"Yeah," Lo said.
"She went downside to spend time with her family, I think. Or just Taylor. She mentioned Taylor a lot."
Libby
"Yeah," Libby nodded. "I think he's like, the favourite brother."
"Isn't he the one who looks like a girl?" Josh asked.
"No more than you do, pretty boy," Libby glared at him, before turning back to Lo. "Is there anything we can do, or is this just... keeping us in the loop. Which we apprciate, by the way."
Lo
"I guess just... be there if she needs it if she - when she comes back," Lo told them.
"I'm not sure when she's getting back though. I assume she'll go to Laguna to see those guys, and then maybe head over to see JD."
Josh made a face. "Yeah."
Libby
"Okay, we can do that," Libby replied agreeably. "Can't we Josh?"
Josh's eyes flickered at her.
"Of course," he said softly.
Lo
Lo nodded.
"Good," she said, more to Josh. "Because I don't think she needs to be stressed out anymore than she already is."
Libby
Josh nodded slowly.
"Okay, cool," Libby said. "And if there's anything else we can do to help, we're there."
Trent nodded in agreement.
Lo
Lo nodded.
"I'm going to head downside in a few days to see Talan - the father. I think he needs some friends to rally around him as well."
Libby
Josh stifened a bit at Talan's name.
"Probably," Libby agreed. "Thanks for letting us know."
Lo
Lo eyed Josh for a second, then looked at Libby.
"Hey Lib, you wanna go for a walk?" she asked. "Gossip about girly things and such?"
Libby
"Girl talk? With Libby?" Matt laughed.
Libby eyed Matt. As he continued laughing. Genuining laughing. Like he was having trouble stopping.
"Sure," Libby said dryly, standing up. "Maybe by the time I get back, Chuckles here will be done."
Trent snorted.
Lo
"Yeah, hopefully."
Lo stood and started to lead the way.
Libby
Libby walked with Lo until they were out of earshot.
"So... what did you want to talk about?"
She couldn't deny she thought it was a little weird Lo would want to talk privately with her. Other than being friends with Avery, female and blonde they had absolutely nothing in common.
Lo
"The whole Josh being a dick thing," Lo said bluntly.
"Look, I don't know him as well as you do, but I need to know he's not going to be like... stressing Ave out."
Libby
Libby rolled her eyes.
"Hell, I have no idea," she replied. "He's so infatuated with Avie and I don't think he's quite got the hint yet that she's not interested in being anything more than friends. And given his behaviour I'm doubting even that much. I dunno, he's surprised us from time to time, and I have no idea how he's going to act next time he and Avie see each other."
She contemplated what she said.
"Maybe I should beat him up and threaten to do it a second time if he's mean to Aves."
Lo
"I think that's an awesome idea."
Lo grinned evilly.
Libby
Libby giggled.
"Better yet, I'll threaten to get Trent to do it. He's got strength as his speciality so he can really pack a wallup."
Lo
"Mmm, Trent is really strong."
Lo looked into the distance for a second.
"But anyway."
Libby
Libby raised her eyebrows.
"MMMyes?"
Lo
"Oh nothing."
Lo shrugged.
"Anyway, I have to start organising things for when I go downside, so... I'll leave the Josh situation in your capable hands."
Libby
Libby rubbed her hands together gleefully.
"Oh yes, I'll take care of it."
Lo
"Awesome."
Lo changed her course of direction.
"I'll catch ya around."
Libby
"See ya," Libby replied.
Libby then too changed her directed and headed back to the table.
"So, what didja girls talk about?" Matt asked.
"Oh, y'know. Boys," Libby responded cooly.
"Me. You talked about me, huh?"
"In your dreams, buddy-boy."