SoapDish: Where are you?
LonelyBoy: At home, how about you?
SoapDish: Same here. It's been a hell of a day and I'm beat.
LonelyBoy: Beat? How hard is it to go into work and lie in a bed for a few hours while someone films you? Lol…
SoapDish: Yeah, I guess that's why they pay me the big bucks, lol. I didn't mean work. I didn't go to the set today. I had a meeting with my agent.
LonelyBoy: How did it go? Savannah gonna wake up anytime soon?
SoapDish: To be determined. I know about as much as you. Anyway, I'm holding my breath. But I have some auditions for other stuff coming up so we'll see…I guess.
LonelyBoy: Maybe you should move to Hollywood.
SoapDish: What? And leave New York? Never! It's the best city in the world. Yoi ever been?"
LonelyBoy: Nope. Can't say that I have. But I heard it's cool.
SoapDish: You'll have to come. I think you'd appreciate it. L.A. is nice but I LOVE New York!
LonelyBoy: Cool…
SoapDish: Guess what?
LonelyBoy: What?
SoapDish: I said guess.
LonelyBoy: …Hhhhhhmmmmmm…(tapping fingers impatiently)
SoapDish: Gosh, why so broody? Okay, you give up? Fine, I'll tell you. Guess who actually gets to come on set and make the "big bucks" for two hours worth of work tomorrow?
LonelyBoy: Whoo hoo! Savannah's no longer out of sight or mind…uh, not that I actually watch the soap. So NOT manly!
SoapDish: Your secret is safe with me, College Boy.
LonelyBoy: It's Lonely Boy.
SoapDish: Whatever…
LonelyBoy: You crack me up sometimes, lol…
SoapDish: So I was thinking…
LonelyBoy: Yikes! Don't hurt yourself…
SoapDish: You are soooooooo funny…NOT! Anyway, you should check out the show.
LonelyBoy: I always do, you know that. P.S. Destroy this part of the IM when we're done, please. I do have a rep, you know.
SoapDish: I bet. Anyway, I meant live. You've never been to New York and it's a great city. And we've never met but we've been burning up the e-chatter for almost two months now…And you love the show (a secret by the way, I will take with me to the grave, lol) so why not come watch it live?
Lucas felt his heart skip.
LonelyBoy: How am I gonna get to NYC?
SoapDish: You're in North Carolina, right? Drive. Or take a plane…or train…or bus…or bike…or if you're really up to it, a nice jog! HA!
LonelyBoy: I don't know. Too short of notice and I have a lot of stuff going on with school. Besides, if I come, how am I gonna get backstage?
SoapDish: Hel-lo! I am in a coma, not dead…at least not yet! I'm a big star, you know. I have connections. Okay, not really but what little clout I can muster, does a private studio tour sound good?
Lucas furiously chewed at the inside of his bottom lip, which he often did when he was nervous or afraid. Here was the chance to go to New York City. It was the chance to go to a real live studio...and the opportunity to meet Brooke Davis, the woman who had started out as an e-pinup fantasy and had over time become his friend and confidante.
SoapDish: I'm waiting...
Under any other circumstances, wild horses wouldn't have been able to keep Lucas away. But there were no normal circumstances, at least not anymore. In order to go anywhere, he needed the wheelchair and frankly Lucas was embarrassed to be seen like that. Besides, Brooke would see him, she'd really see him for what he was. She would find out the truth, see past the Lonely Boy and Deez Nuts façade. Brooke would know they were just fictional characters, much like the ones she portrayed while acting. In essence, wasn't Lucas just acting, too? Brooke would see Lucas, a crip...a coward. What on earth would she think? Disappointment? Would she laugh? No, she wasn't that heartless. Celebrities weren't allowed to be, were they? But Lucas could almost picture the scene…the surprised look in her eyes when she saw him. And then shock would turn to pity. And no matter what else happened, Brooke would always see him "that way".
SoapDish: Hello! Still there? I've aged like 200 years waiting for you..
LonelyBoy: Sorry. I'm here. I appreciate the offer but I can't.
Brooke frowned. She wasn't expecting a "no".
SoapDish: Why?
LonelyBoy: Cause I just can't, okay? I'm busy this whole week. I already made plans.
SoapDish: Okay…But if you can get out of them or change your mind…
LonelyBoy: Doubt it. Besides, why is this so important to you anyway?
SoapDish: It's not that important. I mean, I like you. You're a very cool person and we've been mailing and talking on the PC for a while. Forgive the spoiled brat nosiness in me that really wants to see/meet you.
LonelyBoy: Okay.
SoapDish: I mean it. I'm really curious. You know what I look like already, is that fair?
LonelyBoy: Is it?
SoapDish: Why don't you tell me? Describe yourself…
Lucas swallowed hard. He didn't want to lie to Brooke but he couldn't exactly tell her the whole truth either.
LonelyBoy: I'm about 6'2", dark blonde hair that's growing back from a close cut, I have blue eyes...about 180 pounds.
Whew! At least he's not fat, Brooke thought, then cursed herself for being so shallow. She was really working hard to not be so superficial anymore but it did help that Lonely Boy seemed like a lonely hottie!
SoapDish: Sounds nice... bet you're a cutie pie!.
LonelyBoy: I'm don't mean to brag…just kidding! .
SoapDish: I still bet you are.
Lucas yawned as she read. He was getting tired from his latest dose of medication and his superstar crush was making him blush.
LonelyBoy: Well, it's getting late...I have stuff to do. Can we talk again tomorrow?
SoapDish: You bet...one more thing. What's your real name? Can you at least tell me that?
LonelyBoy: Why?
SoapDish: What the hell? Is there a bounty out for your arrest or something? Lol… Geez, why so secretive? Just a bit curious on my end, that's all. Besides, where do you come up with your aliases? Lonely Boy? Deez Nuts…don't EVEN get me started on that one, LOL!
LonelyBoy: Watch it! And P.S. Soap Dish? SO unoriginal, lol!
SoapDish: You're such a smartass, I love it!
LonelyBoy: Lucas.
SoapDish: What?
LonelyBoy: Lucas is my real name. Happy now, brat?
SoapDish: As a matter of fact, I am. Lucas, huh? Nice name. I like it. I used to think about what your name would be
LonelyBoy: Well, now you know.
SoapDish: Yeah…I guess I do...thanks.
LonelyBoy: Tomorrow?
SoapDish: Tomorrow.
LonelyBoy: Talk to you then. Have a good night.
SoapDish: Yeah…you, too.
Simultaneously, they closed their laptops and drifted off to sleep with a smile.
