**sings the I'm making an update song** hah. Well, not much more to say. Onward to chapter 5!

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The two of them gathered their things, walked out of the station, and headed down the block to Mickey's.

"So Ray," Lily began. "Why did you need to talk to Audrey? It seemed important."

"Well, it was important. I...I just needed some advice on something." Ray replied.

"Oh, okay." She didn't really believe him. She was sure that he needed advice, but she couldn't figure out why it had to be from Audrey.

"So, what's new?" Ray asked. He knew that was about the lamest way to start a conversation, but he was at a loss for words.

"Not a whole lot." Lily replied.

"Oh...okay." Ray wanted to talk to Lily, but he didn't know what to say. "Uh...What are you doing this Saturday?"

"I don't know yet." Lily replied, confused. "Why?"

"Well, I heard that The White Stripes were going to be in town." Ray began.

"Yeah." Lily interrupted with a disappointed tone.

"I thought you loved them!" Ray replied, shocked.

"I do. Of course I do. But they are sold out. I've tried everything possible to get tickets, and I haven't had any luck yet." Lily explained.

"Oh. I'm sorry. Maybe you'll have better luck next time." Ray said with a grin.

"Why do you look so happy? This is terrible!" Lily exclaimed, annoyed.

"No reason."

"Sure. Whatever. Ray, you have issues."

Ray was cooking up one of his famous plans. He knew his brother Tim had connections with a local ticket broker. His plan was to try everything possible to get his hands on a pair of tickets sometime this week. If Tim could do this for him, he'd owe him his life. Ray was in deep thought with his plan.

"What's up with you today Ray?" Lily asked. "It's like you're off in the middle of nowhere." She grinned. "And I mean more than usual."

"Hey!" Ray replied, a little defensive, but going along with it. "That's not nice!"

The two finally reached Mickey's. Ray sped up a bit in order to open the door for Lily.

"Thanks Ray." Lily thought to herself – Sometimes Ray can be so sweet. Too bad he's not like this all the time. Maybe he'll grow up. Eventually.

After they walked in, Lily headed for one of the couches and Ray followed. As they set down all their things, Ray asked, "Want something to drink?"

"Sure." Lily replied with a smile.

Ray started off for the counter where Mickey was and Lily followed.

"So, what can I do for you two today?" Mickey asked.

"I'll have a strawberry shake." Lily said, and then looked at Ray waiting for his order.

"I think I'll have a Sprite." Ray said.

"Alright. I'll be right over with your drinks." Mickey said as he headed to the back.

"Let's wait at the couch." Ray suggested.

"Okay." Lily replied.

They walked over to the couch and sat down.

"So Lil, what would you do if someone were to offer you a White Stripes ticket?" Ray asked imagining her in love with him when he gave her the ticket he hopes Tim could get for him.

"Well, I'd probably owe them, big time. But while in the moment I'd either be at a loss for words or I don't know what else." Lily replied. "But don't get my hopes up!"

"Okay. I won't."

Mickey headed over to the couch that Ray and Lily were sitting at with the drinks. "Here you guys go." He said as he set the drinks down on the table in front of the couch. He then turned around and headed back to the counter.

"Thanks Mickey." They said in unison.

"Enjoy the drinks." Mickey said as he headed back to the counter.

"So, Lily." Ray began.

Right as he was about to continue, Travis walked in. As soon as Travis reached the couch and sat down, Ray blurted out, "I thought you were out at a movie with Audrey."

"Well, Starsky & Hutch was sold out, and nothing else seemed worth seeing." Travis replied. "So I figured I'd join you guys. Or whoever ended up coming here."

"Oh, okay. That's cool." Ray said in the most polite tone possible. He was quite annoyed by Travis' random appearance, since it was keeping him from more alone time with Lily.

Lily noticed that Ray seemed unhappy to see Travis. She knew Ray didn't have a major problem with him, other than needing to respect him more. This was weird. She figured she could talk to him about it online later tonight. Ray might be a bit more open about it then.

"So, did Audrey go home?" Lily asked.

"Yeah, she had some homework that she wanted to get started before it got too late." Travis replied.

"That's right. Her class got the outline for the history fair project last Friday." Lily said.

"Yeah. We're supposed to get the outline and first part of the assignment tomorrow." Travis stated.

"Really?" Ray asked.

"Yeah. That's what you get for sleeping in class all the time Ray." Lily replied, then smiled at him.

"I can't help it! It's just so boring." Ray said attempting to defend himself.

"Sure. Everything is boring to you if it doesn't include eating, sleeping, or being brainless." Lily added jokingly.

"Wow Lily. That hurts. Deep." Ray said.

"Don't worry Ray. I kid." Lily said as she lightly patted his leg.

Travis thought to himself, "Is Lily flirting? With Ray? Come on Strong. This is Ray and Lily here. It can't be anything."

"If you say so." Ray said with a small grin.

"Well." Travis began, feeling like he had intruded on something. "I guess I'll leave you two be. I'll see you guys tomorrow."

"Bye Travis. Take care." Lily said.

"Bye." Ray said, just a little jealous. He couldn't remember the last time Lily told him to take care.

There were a few moments of silence after Travis walked out. Ray eventually broke the silence. "Vanilla Coke, or Pepsi Vanilla?" Ray felt he needed to break the silence with something, but he didn't have many good ideas.

"Pepsi Vanilla, I guess."

"Oh?"

"Yeah. I think it has more of a vanilla flavor."

"Okay, It's your turn." Ray stated.

"Hmm." Lily thought for a few moments. "Choose. Being blind, or deaf."

"Blind. Wait....deaf. ...blind." Ray paused. "Blind."

"You sure?" Lily asked, quite amused by Ray's decision making process.

"No." Ray thought to himself, "Would I rather be able to see Lily all the time, or hear her? I've seen her before, so if I were blind I'd already have a picture of her in my mind. I'd rather be able to hear her. That way we could still make conversation and whatnot. Yeah. I'd rather be blind...I guess."

"Decide yet?"

"Yeah. I'd rather be blind. That way, I could still make conversation to get around and be able to talk to people."

"Okay. That makes sense." Lily said. "Now it's your turn."

"Okay. Choose." Ray paused. He wasn't sure how he wanted to word this, but he wanted it to have something to do with him and Lily together, sometime in the future. "Living with me as your husband, or not your husband."

"Wow. Well..." Lily was silent. Ray could definitely tell that she was deep in thought. "Well, I guess if you weren't my husband, life would quite possibly be dull. But if we were married, it would definitely prove to be interesting."

Ray gave her a look of disappointment. "....interesting meaning?"

"I meant good-funny interesting." Lily quickly replied, thinking that she had hurt him.

"Okay.....which one do you choose?" Ray asked, impatient.

"I guess you as my husband. I think it would be a fun marriage."

"Well then." Ray picked up his sprite and started to drink the rest of it. He was at a loss for words. He didn't know how he was supposed to take what Lily had said. He thought to himself, "Why would she want to be married to me if she doesn't like me like that? Does this mean she likes me?"

"Well. Lily slurped up the last of her shake. "I'd better get going. Mom's gonna start to wonder what happened to me." Ray could tell she was at a loss for words as well.

"Yeah. I should get going too."

"..Yeah."

"Mind if I walk you home?" Ray asked, a little nervous.

"Not at all. That would be nice." Lily smiled. Ray smiled back. He got up and took their glasses up to the counter, then went back to the couch to grab his back pack and wait for Lily.

"Alright. Ready?" Lily asked.

"Yeah. Let's get going."

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...I'm having too much fun with this! :D I hope I'm not the only one! So, go review! NOW! So I can know what everyone is thinking! More should be coming soon. That's my plan at least. So, keep your eyes open for an update in the near future.