Glancing at Lulu out of the corner of his eye, Darren began to see her as someone else, not his little sister's best friend. He was driving Lulu home in his car, it was nothing to brag about, but it was his. He turned into her street and slowed as they neared her house. He parked behind a pink caddy and laughed.
"Does your dad still drive that?"
Lulu grinned, her eyes lighting up, "Oh yeah, it's a classic."
"Yeah." There was an awkward silence, he wanted to say something so she would stay with him longer . . .
Lulu cleared her throat and smiled, "I guess I better go in."
"I guess you better." He answered reluctantly, running a hand through his short hair.
Opening the car door, she planted a foot on the cement, turning her head to look back at him, she said, "Thanks for the ride, Darren."
She stepped out and was about to close the door when he cried, "Lulu."
She leaned over so she could see him, "What?"
"I'd . . . I'd . . . um . . . like to see you again. If you want to, I mean. You don't have to if you don't . . ." He stammered, his heart beating wildly in his chest.
"Darren. Stop rambling." She shook her head in amusement, "I'd like to see you again, too. Call me." She flashed him one more smile and disappeared into her house.
He breathed a sigh of relief, but relief from what, he wasn't so sure. Slapping his hand on the steering wheel with excitment, he backed out of the driveway and drove home, a slight smile curving his lips.
~~~ Lucky awoke to a car's engine pulling up in the driveway. He stood and stretched, working out all the kinks in body from sleeping in such an awkward postion. He glanced at his clock and was surprised to see it was almost three in the morning. He went to the window and looked outside. He saw Lulu get out of a car and walk into the house. The car drove off and Lucky thought he saw a guy at the wheel. Quickly opening his bedroom door, he saw that Lulu was already in her room, across from his. The door was closed, but light shone underneath. The rest of the house was dark. He debated on questioning her about where she was but decided against it. She would only get defensive and they would wake up his parents.
His stomach rumbled, reminding him that he had skipped dinner. He headed downstairs, looking for something to eat. He rummaged through the fridge and found some left over chicken. He warmed it up in the microwave, the smell of heating chicken filling the air. As he ate, he couldn't help wondering what Elizabeth was doing. Was she okay? Was she safe? Was she feeding? The last question struck a nerve in him, disturbing him immensly. And so it should, the big difference between, a reminder that she wasn't human, not just some girl he met in the park. But to him, she was just a girl he had met in the park, a beautiful stranger, haunting him.
He pushed the plate away from him, his hunger gone. He so wanted to know what she was doing, if she was thinking of him. He rinsed off his plate and turned off the light. Groping his way back upstairs, he couldn't help thinking that he was like a love-sick teenager. That thought made him chuckle softly. He didn't feel like sleeping, but he didn't want to leave the safety of his house either. As he reached the top of the stairs, he also reached a decision. Even though Elizabeth asked him to stay away from her, he would find her and talk to her. It was the only way to get her out of his system. Find out what she's really like and this strange attraction to her would vanish. He opened the door to his room and hoped that he was doing the right thing. If not, he would know soon enough.
~~~ Lulu sat at her desk, writing in her diary. She had gotten into the habit several years ago, using it as a vessel to empty her fears and her anger. This was her third volume, a purple notebook. She stared at the words and smiled, she haven't felt this happy in a long time, ever since she won her first medal in a 400 m run.
*I went to this party tonight after the fight I had with my parents. I told them how I felt. It was hard, you know, all the rehersals that I had done, did not prepare me for that moment. I had so many things to say, but couldn't say it. But I got most of it out. They looked so sad, but I couldn't help it, I had to do it. Keeping this bottled up was killing me, turning me into someone I wasn't. I hope they got the picture. I guess I'll see in a couple of days. They'll probably try to get to know me again, try to be in my life. But it won't be easy for them, because I won't let it be easy. They've hurt me too much for me to let them off the hook. And besides, I bet as soon as this novelty of me wears off, things will be exactly the same as before.*
Lulu tapped her pencil against the desk, biting her lower lip. She really hoped that her parents would try to get to know her again. Because she would like to know her parents again, too. She will just have to wait and see, they have to take the first step.
Her eyes wandered to the window, the sun would be coming up soon, the beginning of a new day, of a new relationship. She smiled, she never had a boyfriend before, she wouldn't know if she would like it. She liked being independent, not having to answer to a guy or having someone to lean on. But Darren . . .
*Anyways, I was at this party that the gang was at and I tagged along, not wanting to stay in the house. Most of it was boring, everyone was smoking or drinking, but I had none of it. I guess I just wanted to get out of the house, get away from my parents and Lucky. Now don't get me wrong, I have drank before and I have smoked, not that I brag about it, but this time, I don't think even booze could help me feel better. Just when I was feeling like the loser of the party, who should walk up to me and want to talk than . . . Darren Jackson! I know, I know, I've gushed about him before and even wrote about our wedding! In great detail, even. How stupid I was back then, naive. But finding out that he had practically dated every girl in school put on the brakes with my crush on him. But now, I don't know, he was nice to me, talked to me. It was strange, he wasn't just Cindy's older brother anymore, he was a guy that I could be interested in. But I have no illusions, I mean I've seen this guy in his underwear before! So I know he's like any other guy. He's not some prince charming coming to rescue me. I guess I have to be careful, but aren't I always? I won't lose control because I've had years of practice. I don't know why he would be interested in me, but I'm all for finding out!
Closing her diary, she tucked it away in her drawer. She didn't know if Darren really liked her or if Cindy was putting him up to it. Cindy always had this thing about setting her up with people. Despite her constant nagging about finding a guy, Cindy cared enough about her to do it. Lulu couldn't fault her for it. If the roles were reversed, she would pressure her to have fun too.
She stood and changed out of her outfit and into her pajamas. Glancing at the clock, she swore. It was really late, or early, depending on how you looked at it. And she really wanted to take a run with Liz today. Oh well, no point in worrying about it now, she needed sleep, and her dreams was a place where she could be happy. She crawled under the covers and closed her eyes, drifting off into a peaceful sleep.
~~~ Laura stood uncertainly outside Lulu's bedroom. It was a little after one and Lulu hadn't come out yet. She wondered what time she got home last night, they knew she had a habit of sneaking out, but never said anything about it. Maybe they should, or maybe they shouldn't. Given the state of their relationship, it was probably better to wait. She knocked gently and called, "Lulu? Honey, are you awake?" She slowly opened the door and peeked inside. Lulu was still in bed, buried underneath the covers. She didn't know if she wanted to wake her. Watching her daughter like this reminded Laura of the past, when things were so simple, so different.
Lulu stirred and Laura backed away, not wanting to start a fight. Lulu poked her head out and mumbled, "Mom?" She rubbed her eyes and looked at the clock.
"Afternoon, sweetie. Your father and I wanted to know if you wanted to grab a late lunch. He doesn't have to be at the club until tonight and I don't have to go to the hospital today."
"Ummm." Lulu blinked and sat up. "Sure, just let me get dressed."
Laura's face broke into a smile, "Okay, Lulu, take all the time you need." She said, unable to keep the joy out of her voice. "We'll be downstairs."
Lulu nodded and climbed out of bed. Stumbling into the bathroom, she looked in the mirror and was surprised to see that she was smiling, a real smile, not the fake ones that she usually wore. Picking up her toothbrush, she mused, maybe my life will go back to the way it used to be. For a minute she let herself believe that it could be true, but quickly squashed the feeling. She began to furiously brush her teeth. Lulu frowned, her mouth still full of toothpaste, then again maybe not.
~~~ Luke cleared his throat nervously. He couldn't believe that he didn't know how to start a conversation with his own daughter. They were at the PC Grill, it wasn't their usual restaraunt of choice, but he wanted to steer away from places that could bring up any unpleasant memories. He had gotten a little dressed up for the occassion, he wore a deep blue silk shirt and a tie that Lulu had given him for father's day. He looked up and smiled across the table at his wife. She looked radiant in her red and black ensemble. She returned his smile and took a bite of her chicken.
Lulu had obviously tried to look decent also, because her usual racy clothes was toned down. She wore a relatively long skirt, the hem reaching to her knees. The top she had on was a multicolored blouse. Lulu moved the fries around her plate, unnerved that no one was speaking. Maybe they were waiting for her to say something, or maybe they didn't even know how to talk to her anymore.
"So, Lulu, what have you been up to all summer?" Laura asked, breaking the ice, to ask such a question made her feel like a fool, but they had to start somewhere.
Lulu swallowed her food and answered, "Mostly running, sometimes partying."
"Oh."
"How's running going? Keeping in shape for next year's team?" Luke asked.
Lulu nodded, "Of course. I'm hoping to make the cut."
Luke nodded and picked up a glass of water. He took a big gulp and looked around the room, hoping to find something interesting to talk about.
"I hope you guys can make it to the meets this year." Lulu said, taking a bite of her hamburger.
Taken by surprise, Luke almost choked on his water. He lowered his eyes and said, "I hope so too, princess. I'm going to try my darndest to be there."
Laura felt tears come to her eyes but she held them back, "Me too."
"Nikolas came to every one of my meets last year. He was my biggest fan." Lulu continued, knowing that with each word, she twisted the knife deeper.
"I'm sure he was, darling." Luke agreed, not letting on that she was hurting him by rubbing Nikolas in his face.
Lulu didn't want to hurt them anymore, really she didn't, but being around them made her testy, wanting to lash out. "I think I'm finished." She pushed her plate aside and smiled, "I think I'm going to walk home." She stood and pulled some money out of her purse, "Lunch is on me." She tossed it on the table and left before they could object.
Laura exchanged a look with her husband, "I think that went well, don't you?"
"Very well." Luke watched his daughter dissappear around the corner. "This wasn't going to be easy, remember?"
She reached for his hand and pressed her lips to it, "I remember."
~~~ Lulu walked out the restaurant and let out a breath. She sat in one of the couches in the lobby and relaxed. That was beyond awkward, she thought ruefully, smoothing down her hair. Looking at the clock above the enterance, she decided that going for a run was in order. She got up and headed for the door when she collided with someone. He reached out to steady her and apoligized.
"No problem." She smiled, regarding the handsome man with interest. He was about her father's age, with long blonde hair and pale blue eyes. He looked familiar but couldn't place him. "See you around." She said, slipping through the turning doors. Once outside, she frowned. She could've sworn she's seen him somewhere before. Turning she wanted to go back inside but paused, shaking her head she headed home, her eyes troubled.
~~~ Turning on the light, Frisco entered his room. He tossed his keys on the desk and sat in the chair. Bumping into the girl in the lobby made him think about his daughters. Georgie would be at that age now . . . He buried his face in his hands, feeling a tear slip from his eye. He hurriedly wiped it away, pretending that it didn't happen. He never let himself feel regret for the choices that he had made. It was better for him that way, not to feel the pain . . .
He had went to their house earlier, just to see if he could get a glimpse of them. They weren't home and he did something that he knew was wrong. He broke into their house, looking through their things, going over the pictures . . . Just looking at how grown up his daughters were made his heart ache. He reached in his pocket and pulled out a picture he took from their house. They would never miss it, there was so many of them . . . He fingered the edge, gazing at the smiling faces of his daughters, they were so pretty, both with golden hair and sky blue eyes . . . so much like their mother -- his ex wife. He put the photo away, not wanted to be reminded of the life he rejected. He pulled out his cell phone and dialed the base. It rang twice before someone picked it up.
"Hello?"
"It's Frisco. Just calling to check in."
"Mr. Jones! How's your leave? Everything here is going smoothly. Issabelle is being very quiet, hasn't said much. We sent a team out to investigate a rumor in Canada, they just left. Hopefully, it'll be successful."
"Good. Have you heard from Lucky yet?"
"No, sir. He hasn't called in for a several days now. But I wouldn't worry. He's probably having too much fun relaxing to worry about us."
"Hmm." They were in the same town, it wouldn't be that hard to track him down, but Frisco was reluctant to spoil Lucky's hard earned vaction. "Glad to hear things running smoothly. I'll call back in a couple of days."
"Yes, sir. Enjoy your vaction, sir."
"I will, good bye." Frisco hung up and stared into space, wondering if he should call Issabelle too, but decided against it. She would only hear the saddness in his voice and worry about him. No, he'll wait to talk to her.
He went to the window and stared outside. It was mid afternoon, the sun shining brightly in the sky. He opened the window and let the cool air waft in. Maybe it was best that he didn't see his kids, Mac was, after all, watching out for them, they were safe. But a tugging in his heart made him stiffen. He should be the one protecting them, he should be the one . . . Closing his eyes, he inhaled the summer air, thinking back to the summers when he had a family, had a life. The past images collided with the present ones, Felicia, his girls, Issabelle . . . He swallowed hard, fighting the urge to cry. He made his decision and no amount of crying or thinking 'what if's ' could change the past. He gripped the window sill, his knuckles turning white from the force he exerted. It was a mistake to come here, he knew that now. He didn't belong in Port Charles anymore. He turned away from the view, it was time he went home.
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