August 25th, 1985

Eddie asked Lorraine if she wanted to go to his band practice later that day. It was their last practice of the summer, since Hellfire would keep him busy and with the others studying, they never got to practice as much as they did on their summer vacation.

"Of course," she said, smiling widely. "I missed your concert.. So I guess I have to," she emphasized. Eddie laughed, crossing his arms as he lent on the kitchen counter.

"It's at 7, so I can come round and pick you up, if you want." He offered, looking down at his shoes. He seemed to be nervous, or embarrassed, that she would be going to see him. Even if it was just band practice.

"Sounds perfect." She giggled, reaching her hand up to his cheek and pinching it with her thumb and index. Eddie laughed, smiling so hard his nose crunched up, hiding his eyes in glee. He playfully slapped her hand away from his face, begging for her to stop. When he was finally free from her pinch, he watched as she walked out of the trailer home, giving a last goodbye look as the door followed her to a close.

He jumped in place, reaching his hand to his head and pulling at his hair. He felt like a kid again, excited to show her all that she's missed out these past few years. Although he had a lot of things to do that day, besides practice, he knew he wouldn't be able to stop thinking about when she'd be there, watching him. And he, watching her. He puffed out a large sigh, remembering her smile, her laugh, her birthmark…

Lorraine felt like she woke up from a dream, even though her head still ached from the night before. She caressed her lips with her middle finger, remembering the feeling of Eddie passionately pressing himself against her. The way his jawline clenched in worry, his hands, rough and callous, rubbing against her skin.

She shook her head, returning to the notebook she had laying on the armrest of the couch.

When she got back from his house, she showered, threw on a t-shirt and started writing. It was the first time in probably a year that she actually sat down and started to write something. This time, it wasn't a story. For once she was writing poetry, she wanted to express those feelings that she verbally, and sometimes physically, couldn't.

Whatever got into her head, whatever the feeling was that had possessed her changed her. Even if for just a few hours, she felt like she was no longer a dead beat. All she needed was someone to lift her up from the dirt, dust her off and remind her what it felt like to be a part of something genuine.

"Welcome home." Eddie's voice reverberated in her head. She closed her eyes, leaning her head on top of her folded arms, now sprawled on the notebook. She took a few deep breaths, relishing in the thought once more of Eddie Munson kissing her. Not that she hadn't found him attractive, or hadn't thought about it at least a few times since she knew him. One thing is a fantasy, another the reality. And god damn, she thought, reality really beat fantasy's ass this time around.

It was almost seven, Eddie packing the van with his guitar and a few more things that Gareth and Jeff asked him to bring - mostly weed and audio jacks. He shut the back of the van as softly as he could, turning to look at Lorraine's house. It was still early, but he was eager. He started pacing in place, thinking that he should play it cool. Don't be the nerd, not this time, he thought. He took out a cigarette from the front pocket of his jacket, lighting it and inhaling slowly. He turned to the reflection of the window, fixing his hair a little, adjusting the leather jacket he layered underneath. He looked down and tried to pat off some ash that had landed on his ripped, black jeans. He took another breath, leaning his back on the van and looking at the door of her house.

He looked at his watch, 7:03. He pursed his lips. They'll kill him if he's late, again. He continued to smoke his cigarette, deciding that once he finished, he'd muster up the courage of picking her up. He kept thinking about the date - was it a date? He thought about the word. "Holy shit," he whispered. "No, Eddie, don't work yourself up now." He could feel his heart pumping again, jumping up and down to release the adrenaline.

He couldn't hear a sound inside the trailer home. Cupping his hands against the window, he tried to peer in, but could see no movement, no life. He bit his cheek, maybe she blew him off. He walked over to the stairs, hopping on each step, reaching the door. He tapped his knuckles lightly on the door, waiting a few seconds to see if there was a reaction. Nothing. He sighed deeply, opening the door slowly and peaking in.

It was dim, no noise, it seemed like someone abandoned the home leaving everything behind. He slowly opened the door wider to let himself in and instantly saw Lorraine sleeping on the couch. She was wearing just a t-shirt, the lace of her underwear just peeking around the end of it. He gulped, his eyes moving slowly down her legs that were folded in what looked like an uncomfortable position. He averted his eyes, feeling like he was doing something wrong. When he did look back at her, she saw her face leaning against her arm, a small pool of drool glimmering on her skin.

He smiled, moving closer to her, wondering how to wake her up. He noticed the notebook under her, only glimpsing at a few words that were scribbled across the page, tainted with the sweat of the girl who seemed to be dreaming peacefully on such beautiful words.

Roots are deep

Even when they're dry.

A flower always begs the sun

For it to rain.

Several words were crossed out, like she had spent hours trying to start something but became frustrated. Lorraine moved slightly, whimpering as if she was bothered that someone might have interrupted her much needed rest.

"Lorry," Eddie whispered. "It's time to go."

Lorraine opened her eyes, shooting up and knocking over the notebook to the floor. She looked up at Eddie, darting her gaze to the clock hanging on the wall. 7:12.

"Shit, Eddie, I'm so sorry," she immediately stood up, running to the bathroom as he heard him say that there was no rush. She brushed out her hair, as best as she could. Frantically brushing her teeth. She scrambled to the bedroom in the back, looking in a closet where her old clothes were. She had nothing clean, she thought.

"Don't worry Lor," Eddie shouted from the living room, "Really there's no rush."

"I'll be ready in nothing, I promise", she shouted back, grabbing t-shirt after t-shirt looking for something to wear. She sniffed one, a dark gray cut up band t-shirt. This will do, she thought. She ran back to the living room, ignoring Eddie's presence, grabbing a few things from her gym bag and running back. She could hear his giggles from the bedroom as she undressed, putting on a bra and the t-shirt she just found.

Eddie peaked over to where she was, checking how she was doing. He saw the sight of her bare back, the dimples of her back wedging themselves deep into her skin. He looked away, again, running his hand through his hair. That's enough, he muttered to himself.

Lorraine ran out of the room wearing an old Whitesnake t shirt, the sleeves cut off, the color quite faded. She wore some washed out jeans, Eddie's eyes following her as she scrambled to find her Converse. "Again, so sorry," she panted, leaning over to tie her shoes. Once she was finished she jumped up, placing her hands on her hips giving a puff of air. "I'm ready."

He walked to her, instantly taking her head in one of his hands and tilting his head slightly. He moved quickly, softly, towards her face and began to kiss her. Lorraine, startled, didn't immediately respond, but finally melted into his mouth. She grabbed the wrist that stood close to her face, smiling between the moments that both came out for breath. She nibbled on his lip, momentarily, and could feel the hard sigh Eddie let out, before he broke the kiss.

"Okay.." He cleared his throat, smiling widely. The lines around his smile digging into his face, his eyes twinkling. "But now, we are going to be late." He said, giving her a small kiss before reaching to the door and opening it for her, gesturing his hand with a slight bow.

At Jeff's house, the boys jumped up around, banging at their instruments as Gareth let out the vocals to some of their own songs. It wasn't half bad, Lorraine thought, at least now they would play at the same beat. When they were younger, sometimes it seemed like they were all in their own rock concert but never really get in sync.

Eddie let out a guttural roar, as he strummed a few more riffs before everyone halted to a stop.

"Yeah!", he roared again, raising a hand to high five Jeff. He turned to Lorraine, resting his hands on the guitar."

"That was amazing," she smiled. Tapping her hand on the back side of the other, applauding. "Brilliant."

"It took us long enough to get that one right," Jeff boasted, unwrapping the base from his body and leaning it against the wall.

"I'm starving though," Gareth whined. He left his guitar sitting beside the bass, following the two other band mates through the garage door and into the house.

"I'll catch up," Eddie chuckled, patting their backs while they walked away. He threw the guitar off his shoulder, taking a seat on a tool box beside Lorraine. He set the guitar to the side, clasping his hands together.

"Did you really like it?" He said, leaning his sweaty forehead against his hand.

"I really did," she smiled, pulling her feet up onto the seat and leaning her chin on her knees. "You guys have gotten really good at it."

"Well, we're no Iron Maiden," he chuckled. "But it's something."

"If you keep working at it, I'm sure you'll be the next Dave Murray!" She giggled, grabbing his shoulder and shaking him softly. He rolled his head with the movement, groaning in a raspy high-pitched voice, imitating a child.

"I don't think so," he nervously laughed. "It's a nice compliment though"

"Hey," Eddie's brows furrowed, bringing her hand down his arm. "Don't say shit like that."

"No, no, it's cool," standing up he paced around the garage floor in front of her. Shoving his hand in the back of his pocket, turning on his heels as he continued. "It's okay if that doesn't happen, you know. I mean.." he looked out of the garage onto the street, seeing a couple of people walking past with family and friends. "It's okay if that doesn't work out. It's okay to be an average Joe"

"Edward Munson." She said sternly, pushing herself out of the chair and standing up. "You are no average Joe. You are…" she rolled her eyes playfully, stepping closer to him. "You are you." she rambled on.

She gave him a little kick in the leg just below the knee, he winced as if she had stabbed him. They both laughed, Eddie throwing a playful punch to her arm. "Well, I guess I am pretty great," he chuckled.

The other boys bursted in, interrupting their conversation. They started packing up, mumbling and talking to each other about something.

"If we leave now we can still make it," Jeff said, packing up his bass.

"Make what?" Eddie questioned, raising his hands and watching them pack up quickly.

"Everyone's heading to Skull Rock for the last hoorah!" Gareth screamed, thrusting a fist in the air.

Eddie turned his head towards Lorraine, smiling. "Let's go then." He gave her a wink before starting to put his guitar away.