Lucas swallowed a mouthful of orange juice while in thought.

I already blew Nathan off once before... he thought. Besides...if I went with him I might be able to see Amber... The thought trailed off as an image of Nathan's sister appeared in his mind. He saw her disembarking from the bus, hair flipping.

"Hello?" a hand waving in front of his face brought him back.

Surprised at himself, Lucas put the orange juice down. The cup hit the table with a loud bang and juice sloshed out. Curious glances were shot his way.

"Ahh..." Lucas began.

Nathan had already snagged a napkin from his other neighbor and dabbed up the juice before it could trickle off the table and cause any more harm.

"So, what do you say?" Banster didn't seem to have noticed the near disaster as he waited for a reply.

Lucas cleared his throat. "Nathan already asked if I would go with him to town..."

"Town?" Banster's eyebrows rose. "Seriously dude?"

Lucas shrugged.

"But the ice, man," Banster tried to convince him.

"Sorry."

"Wow..." Whatever Banster was going to say never came to be as a napkin, wet with orange juice, his him splat in the face. There was a moment of silence as it slowly slid off to reveal Banter's shocked expression. Orange juice dripped off his eyebrows.

"Goal!" Nathan sprang in the air with two arms raised as all around the table broke into cheers and high fives were exchanged.

It took Banster precisely two seconds to make a lunge for the culprit. Seeing it coming, Lucas pushed off from the table. He managed to rescue his bowel of cereal and slide his chair back just in time as Banster charged past.

Half the hockey team was upon the scene in moments to back up their captain and chaos broke out. Lucas watched while sitting comfortably and munching on his cereal from a safe distance. The fighting wasn't serious, more like play, and yet when chairs toppled and food spilled, the staff was quickly there to break it up.

"Boys!" an adult voice yelled.

Having finished his breakfast, Lucas calmly got up. His eyes locked with Nathan's only to see his roommate was currently pinned underneath Banister who was twice as large.

"Help?" Nathan reached out a hand.

Lucas responded with a lopsided grin and a salute before going to put his dishes away.

"That's cold!" He heard Nathan yell after him as teachers began to pull the boys off each other.

Lucas didn't bother to reply as he headed to class. Soon after minutes turned into hours and hours into days. The weekend was upon everyone almost sooner than they had expected.

Saturday morning Lucas and Nathan went to football practice. When it was over they headed to their room to get ready for their trip. Lucas stood before his closet, staring at the interior. Now that he didn't have to put on a uniform he was kind of stumped. Usually he would just throw something on, but somehow he had the urge to wear something...nicer.

Nathan's head popped out from the bathroom. Having just taken a shower he was busy drying his hair with a towel. "Just grab something already," he said before disappearing again.

Brian looked over from where he was sitting in front of his computer. As always, he looked to be lost in his studies. "You going on a date or something?" he asked.

Lucas pulled out a blue shirt and stared at it.

"Date?" Nathan's voice asked from the bathroom. He let out a snort. "My sister doesn't date.'

"Not if you chase them all away," Brian said as he turned back to his books.

"No...seriously." Nathan stuck his head out again. "I'll admit I may have detoured a few interested souls...but the thing is she doesn't really like giving guys the chance in the first place."

Lucas turned his head to find Nathan, who had disappeared for a second, walking out. "As she puts it, she dislikes the thought of being tied down."

Lucas raised an eyebrow.

"Or perhaps," Nathan came to stand beside him, "It's because my parents are already looking around for potential suitors." He put a hand on Lucas' shoulder. "Good guys from prestigious families as they put it. Korean men." He patted Lucas' shoulder. "Sorry man, even if I were to ever give my blessings and my sister miraculously had a change of mind, while my parents are around you don't stand a chance."

Lucas stared at him.

For a moment, Nathan grinned before it dropped. "Wait you're not getting any ideas of killing them off, are you?" His eyes widened. "Dude, don't you dare!"

From where he sat, Brian only snorted.

Lucas couldn't help but let out an amused chuckle.

The thought seemed to flee Nathan's mind as he turned his eyes to the interior of the closet. He reached forward and grabbed something. "Here..." He tossed Lucas a black shirt.

Catching it, Lucas looked it over. It wasn't half bad.

"Put that on and let's get going or we'll be late." Grabbing his shoes, Nathan headed for the door.

Lucas switched shirts before he donned his shoes and the two boys were off. They got in the cab they had called with the school phone, and headed to town.

Sitting back, Lucas watched the campus disappear. There was an odd feeling while watching it fade. Guess it's been years since I've been in one place for such a long time, Lucas noted. He frowned as he tried to remember a time. Maybe before ECHO... A sealed box in his mind rattled and opened a crack. "Welcome home" a warm voice began.

Starting, Lucas forced the lid back down before any more could slip out. He turned his eyes on the changing scenery, distracting himself. He ended up staring blankly into space only to be brought back to reality when Nathan nudged him and announced they had arrived. Looking up he was about to dig in his pockets and pull out money to pay the driver when he stopped.

Lucas found his roommate turning to him with a mischievous glint. The taxi had come to a halt in what looked like an assortment of small shops.

"What to play rock paper scissors over who pays the ride?"

"What?" Lucas had not been expecting that.

Nathan already had a fist in the air.

With a sigh, Lucas lifted his own.

"Rock," Nathan began, "paper...scissors." He let out a triumphant yell as Lucas held his hand in the form of a rock and Nathan had his flat for paper. "Your loss." Nathan was out of the taxi in a flash.

Lucas narrowed his eyes. He thought he may have seen Nathan change to paper from rock slightly later, yet he didn't resist. He paid the driver and followed. Shutting the door, he watched the car drive off before turning.

"Amber!" Nathan called.

Lucas' eyes darted in the direction to which Nathan was waving frantically. Across the road he saw Nathan's sister had just disembarked a taxi. She turned, the white sundress she was wearing swishing through the air. She was wearing a sun hat to match, and as a sudden breeze came she lifted a hand to keep it from blowing from her head. When she looked up and caught sight of the boys, a smile spread across her face.

She raised a hand to wave back and Lucas found his own hand lifting in a small wave as a smile spread across his face.

Nathan's hand grabbed his and pulled it down. "Dude." With that he looked right and left before jogging across the road. Lucas followed at a slightly slower pace.

"Hey!" Nathan bounded up to his sister. He shot a look around before his face fell. "You didn't bring her?"

Amber raised her eyebrows and crossed her hands over her chest. "No, hi how are you sis?"

"That would just prompt a reply that I don't really care about," Nathan replied as Lucas walked up to the siblings.

Amber responded by punching her brother's shoulder.

"Owe!" Nathan complained.

"Wuss." With that Amber turned to Lucas and shot him a dazzling smile. "Hello again."

"Hi."

"You're still hanging out with this weirdo?" Amber asked as she jerked a thumb at her brother.

"Hey!" Nathan protested.

"It's true."

Lucas only grinned.

"So." Amber turned her head from one guy to the other. "What's first?"

Lucas shrugged. He honestly didn't have an idea what exactly they were going to do in town. Nathan had said something like just hanging out and looking around, something which Lucas wasn't quite sure of. He didn't have time to just 'hang-out' in towns while with ECHO.

The sound of Nathan's stomach interrupted his thoughts. "I vote lunch," he announced.

Lucas followed the siblings who claimed they knew the best restaurant in town. They ended up in a small café like place. Amber was quick to order a sandwich while Nathan opted for steak. Lucas simply got what Nathan did. His eyes wandered to the window as he remembered Nathan's story of the shooters last time he had come to town.

Are they still here? Lucas wondered. His forehead knitted. It's been almost two months...but if someone else is after the target and didn't get in school they could very well be hanging around.

"Did you find her?" Nathan's voice interrupted his thoughts. Lucas turned to see his roommate leaning forward, an eager expression on his face as he stared at his sister.

Amber took a moment to stir the coffee she had ordered. Every move was filled with grace. "Who?" she asked innocently.

"Eschol!"

"Ah." Amber lifted the cup to her mouth and took a sip.

"So?"

Placing the cup back down Amber looked up at her brother, disapproval on her face. "Only yesterday you were obsessed with Kara and now you're after this new girl?

"Angel," Nathan corrected. "An angel!"

Amber's eyebrows rose. "And how did you meet this angel in the first place? Bel girls haven't been over to Ellison and vice versa since the game."

Nathan's eyes widened.

"The game," Lucas smoothly came to his rescue. "He saw her then but then the block head only realized she was his angel after."

Nathan shot him a lopsided grin. "You could say that."

"You said it was love at first sight." Amber's eyes narrowed said.

"I just didn't know it then..." Nathan tried lamely.

"Then it's not love at first sight."

"Just because you don't believe in it," Nathan muttered.

Amber snorted. "That's because it's a silly notion." Her finger traced across the top of her cup. "Forget her, Nathan. She's not your type."

Nathan's mouth dropped open. "What?"

"You can't handle her," Amber continued calmly.

Lucas watched the exchange, eyes mostly on Nathan's sister. He had his own debate going on in his head. The way his heart was fluttering bothered him somewhat. I can't seriously like her...right? He scowled. I mean...come on...

"Why not?" Nathan asked his sister.

Amber's lips turned into a smile. "Because, I know you and I know her."

Nathan grumbled something under his breath before he looked up and said something to his sister in Korean.

"No," she replied calmly. "If you're really that desperate to meet her again then find a way by yourself."

Before Nathan could reply, a plate was placed before him. Their food had arrived. Without a word, the three dug in.

"Excited for next weekend?" Lucas asked as he tried to strike up conversation.

Nathan visibly flinched, causing his sister to laugh.

"I wish we could just skip over that," Nathan mumbled, his mouth full with steak.

"I'm sure you already heard, but our parent's aren't exactly on the same page as we are with what they want us to do with our lives." Amber pointed her sandwich at her brother. "Why are you playing football? Why are you wasting your life?" she said in a deep voice. Lucas could only assume she was mimicking her father. "Do you even know what your chances are at making it professionally? Football won't put food on the table."

Nathan shook his head. "Who was that boy I saw in that picture?" he asked, also seeming to be mimicking. He shook a finger at Amber. "Is that your boyfriend? Why does he not look Korean? When you come home I'll introduce you to my business partner's son."

Amber grinned. "They never give up, do they?"

"It gives me a headache every time," Nathan moaned.

Lucas watched the exchange in silence.

Amber suddenly turned to him. "So, are your parents coming?"

The question was unexpected. My parents? Lucas thought. That was right...he had them at some point. It felt like a lifetime ago, and the memories were shoved in that box in his mind that was not to be opened. Still...something tugged at him, as though urging him to remember. Did they ever care...? The question his mind asked made him blink in surprise. Just as quickly as it had come it disappeared. He looked up to see that Nathan was shaking his head at Amber.

"They're dead," Lucas said.

Amber's eyes widened. "I'm so sorry," she looked like she wanted to kick herself. 'I didn't..." she trailed off, dropped her head and refusing to meet Lucas' eyes.

"My uncle might come," Lucas said, sounding cheerful.

"Really?" Amber shot him a forced smile.

"He's pretty cool," Lucas surprised himself.

They finished their lunch without saying much after that. Only when they were outside again did things return to normal. Nathan and Amber spent about five minutes outside the restaurant arguing about what they wanted to do next. Nathan wanted to buy a new pair of football cleats while Amber wanted to get a new outfit.

"You can't even wear it other than on weekends," Nathan told her.

"You already have shoes!"

"But they're worn!"

"You're hanging out with me. Go get shoes another time."

"Did you not hear me? My shoes are worn! They'll fall apart in my next game!"

"Then go get your shoes. I'll get my stuff."

"Fine." Nathan turned to Lucas. "Let's go."

"No way!" Amber reached out and grabbed Lucas' arm. "I need someone to give input on what I should buy."

"Do you want to kill him with boredom?" Nathan asked. He grabbed Lucas' other arm. "Call a friend or someone..."

"It'll take them too long to get here," Amber whined.

Lucas found himself being tugged back and forth. Despite this...he almost had a feeling that Nathan wasn't really fighting that hard.

"He's not interested in clothes!" Nathan tugged.

"How do you know?"

Nathan snorted. "Lucas, what do you think?"

Both siblings turned to stare at him. Only then did Lucas realize that he was staring at Amber's hand that was clutching his arm. He quickly averted his eyes. "Uh..." He remembered how Nathan had gotten him to pay for the taxi earlier. "How about you do rock, paper, scissors over it?"

The siblings exchanged glares.

"Fine," Nathan finally said.

"Fine," Amber repeated as they held out their hands.

Amber let out a triumphant yell as she won. Lucas was pretty sure he saw her change at the last minute, just as Nathan had done to him.

"You cheater!" her brother seemed to have noticed too.

Amber simply stuck out her tongue.

"I want a rematch."

"Forget it." Amber reached out and grabbed Lucas's arm. "Let's go." She dragged him along.

"Not fair!" Nathan yelled after them. He didn't sound too upset.

Amber only giggled and increased her pace. Lucas wasn't sure what to think or how to react. His heart was pounding in his chest as his eyes wandered back to the hand that was clutching his arm.

They came to a boutique and Amber led the way. When she let go of Lucas' arm he was surprised at the urge he felt to grad her hand. He resisted.

"Can I help you?" A smiling woman came towards the potential customers.

Lucas eyed her. Threat? The usual analysis flew through his mind.

"Its fine," Amber waved her off. In the next moment she descended upon a rack of clothes. Lucas hesitated before following her.

It only took a few moments and Amber was already pulling out clothes after clothes. "Here," she handed them to Lucas who took them without comment. Soon he held a pile so high that his head was barely poking out. Truth be told, he actually didn't mind that much. Or maybe he was just too distracted watching Amber go through almost every piece before her.

"Time to sort the glam from the trash." Amber walked towards the changing rooms.

Lucas hesitated before he followed.

Amber grabbed three pieces from his arms. "Be right back." She grinned before she disappeared.

Left alone, Lucas looked around. The lady from before shot a glance in his direction before she turned to another customer. Knowing that 'right back' could mean anywhere from five minutes to half an hour with girls, Lucas dumped the pile of clothes on a seat and plopped down next to them. He tipped his head back to stare at the ceiling as he tried to remember a time he had gone into a clothes store for a reason other than a mission. Just like everything else, ECHO provided him with his wardrobe. He bought nothing of his own nor owned anything.

Although he had to admit that it was somewhat relaxing not to do anything he was also feeling restless. He had loved with the unexpected for so long, always on the edge with action right around the corner, and now he was spending his days doing...he scowled...What am I doing? Images of the last few weeks flashed through his mind. Smiling faces, faces he had come to know as friends, goofing off, the paintball war, tossing paper planes in class, mock fights at meals, soccer practice...a smile spread across his face. It was different...it was...nice.

"So?" Amber's voice broke into his thoughts.

He looked towards the changing rooms to see she had come out. Nathan's sister had changed from her dress into a flowing creamy shirt and a pair of black shorts. Lucas' eyes travelled down the shorts and along her legs.

"Eh hem." Amber snapped her fingers.

Lucas' eyes flew back up.

"I'm not trying on new legs but clothes." She tipped her head to the side.

Lucas tried to hide his amusement.

"What do you think?"

Not sure how to answer, Lucas opened his mouth to give it a shot. However, before he could, Amber cut him off.

"You're right. I think the white shorts are better." She disappeared into the changing room again.

Lucas blinked. What just happened? He couldn't help but scratch his head.

The following moments were similar. Amber would come out, ask for an opinion, and yet seem to arrive at her own answer before Lucas could help. In the end, Lucas gave up. Girl's. He shook his head.

As time went by, the pile next to him got smaller and smaller. In the end, Lucas resorted to simply giving a thumb up or down every time Amber came out. He just randomly decided which one right before, not really having a view on half the outfits.

He felt the familiar presence behind him before a voice followed. "Yo!" Nathan shoved over the few remained cloths and dropped down next to him. "Dude, check out my new kicks!" He plopped a box into Lucas' lap.

Lucas opened it to see a pair of neon green football boots.

"Sweet," he said as he looked them over. His eyes caught sight of another plastic bag next to Nathan. "I thought you just wanted shoes?"

Nathan responded by shoved the bag out of Lucas' line of sight. "I never come out of the sports store with just one thing," he said with a very bad fake laugh.

Lucas didn't pry.