lorren stopped at the second step, unable to believe she was actually going to do this. it was cold and raining out. she had picked today, of all days, to talk to luke. her sweatshirt was soaked through and her hair was straggly. she knew she looked less than presentable. still she knew she had to do this or she would go insane. she had to talk to him, make him listen. she shivered and walked up the remaining three steps. she paused again with her hand raised in a fist to knock on the door when she glanced at the window. lukes little brother parker was watching her through the fogged glass. she smiled, hoping to let him know she was friendly today. she was sure he knew who she was. she heard a muted bellow from inside. parkers voice "LUKE!!! IT'S LORREN!" she heard more muted tones. lukes voice... how she loved that voice. she heard footsteps and an unmistakable question "what does she want?" luke opened the hard door and sighed. "hey" he said. "hi, luke. i was wondering-" lorren was cut off by a strong gust of wind and lost her balance. luke opened the plexiglass outer door. "come in. i'm not going to make you stand out in the rain" lorren walked forward into the home of her ex-boyfriend. so long ago had she felt welcome and comfortable here... lukes hand touched her back for just a moment as he guided her into the living room. she walked over to the big blue chair and sat down lightly on the edge. "sorry if it gets wet..." she said "i-" lorren was cut off again, this time by luke. "you were wondering,? the wind interrupted, sorry." he said, walking over to the sofa and sinking down into the very center of it. everything in that house somehow held a memory to lorren. a vision of lukes eyes and lips fluttered to her mind but she shooed it away for the moment. "uh... yeah..." she stuttered, playing with the end of the sleeves of her sweatshirt,"I know this is wierd, but can we maybe... talk?" she finished as she looked solemnly and questioningly at luke. "what is there to talk about?" "you don't even have to talk... it's mostly just me..." "what do youwant to say?" lorren had to think for a minute. "is your dad home?" luke gave her a funny look. "no, he doesnt get home until four. just me and parker."he said, glancing at the clock above the fireplace. parker came barrelling down the stairs out of his and luke's room. "what about me?" luke put his feet on the coffee table. "nothing, parker. go away." he said. parker shrugged and went back up the stairs. lorren smiled meekly. luke was just so nice to his brother. "well, lor, what is there to talk about?" luke asked again. lorren was silent. she was suddenly overwhelmed with the fact that she was even there to begin with. i've got to break here. too tired.