**

Mandy and Lauren walked into the restaurant and when they were finally seated, Mandy began the conversation. "So, what do you think of Violent Turn? I never really got to talk to you about it."

Lauren layed her menu down over the plate and folded her hands in her lap before looking up at Mandy. "They're really remarkable. I mean, I've heard bands like theirs on the charts and CDs. Haven't they thought about trying out for a record deal or anything?"

Mandy took a sip of the water the waiter brought them when they had first been seated. "I have their demo in the car. I'll let you listen to it. But... I mean, they have their demo ready and everything but they've never sent it in or anything. I have no idea why. Zeek says it's because Trent isn't ready."

Lauren's eyebrows narrowed a bit, and she looked down at her menu but didn't really see it. "He's an interesting guy."

"Trent?" Mandy took another sip of water and watched as Lauren nodded her head. "You know, Lauren..." Mandy said cautiously. "Nevermind."

Lauren looked up at the woman across from her. "What is it?"

Mandy shook her head. Her mouth was set in a firm line and Lauren could see the uncertainty raging in her eyes. Finally, she said, "I'm not handing out false hope or anything but... You're affecting Trent in a way I've never seen before. No one has ever really gotten... emotion out of him, like you do. I mean..." Mandy paused and then laughed nervously. "God, I have no idea what I'm trying to say."



Lauren smiled. "It's okay. Just try, please."

Mandy looked at Lauren for a moment, playing with the edge of the cloth napkin on her plate, and then continued. "I see the way he watches you, the way he acts, the way he IS around you. He's different." She paused for a moment. "I know we just met and everything, but I can tell, just by the way you're... You like him, don't you?"



Lauren closed her eyes for a moment and sighed, then looked at Mandy. "That's a little obvious, isn't it? I'm definitely intrigued."

Mandy smiled. "Well, you got up and went after him at Starbucks. That's when I realized there was something there. Everyone saw it." When Lauren blushed, Mandy said, "But there's nothing to be embarrassed about. Trent needs somebody. He's too closed up, he needs to breathe. But he can't because he's living in the past." Mandy touched Lauren's hand for a moment. "I can tell you're a nice, uncomplicated girl. Which is the greatest thing ever because I'm sick of people with issues." She laughed and smiled and went on, "You're beautiful, you're smart, and you're open, and you're everything Trent needs right now. So, what I'm saying is... Kind of push yourself on him. Not like, obviously or anything, but... You know what I mean. I was talking to Zeek about it the other night, and there's no denying there's attraction between you two, am I right?"

Lauren smiled, showing small dimples on the sides of her chin. "Well... I'm definitely attracted to him. But Trent is really odd, and I can never tell what's up with him. He came over for lunch the other day, and I accidently spilt wine on him so he went to take a shower and when he came out I accidently saw all the scars everywhere on his chest, his stomach... Even his back. God, Mandy, there were long, skinny welts, fat, thick welts, and nicks everywhere. It was insane."

Mandy nodded, and when the waiter finally came to the table, gave a sigh of relief. They ordered, and then Mandy was silent for a moment after the waiter left. "Lauren, when I first met Zeek, which was... I don't know, three years ago? Trent was engaged..." She began to look around at objects on the table and play with the napkin instead of looking at Lauren. "To this lady named Melanie. They were great together, but Mandy was a huge risktaker. Well, they were in a car accident about two months before the wedding. And Melanie died. I don't know any of the details, but I know that ever since then, Trent was never the same. When I first met him, he was attached at the hip to Melanie. He smiled all the time, his voice had actual emotions in it, and his eyes weren't so dead. He was just this laidback, friendly guy but now... Zeek thinks he's sleeping around." Mandy shook her head. "I don't think he's slept with anyone since he's met you, but... I don't know." Mandy finally looked Lauren in the eye. "Lauren, I know it's incredibly early to decide anything. You just met the guy, and he can be pretty intense. I think you just need to decide now if you want anything deeper than friendship with him, and if you're prepared for anything he might hand to you." She let out a deep breath and laughed. "Sorry, that was like... Really... Lauren, I think you're perfect for Trent. So just... try, okay?"

The waiter came and placed their dishes in front of them. And Lauren stared at the crab legs on her plate before looking up at Mandy again. "I think I'm ready." She said. "I just really have to try."

"Yes. There we go. Now, let's change the subject to something cheerful." Picking up the metal cracker, they began talking about art.

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