7.


I, I'm a boomerang, doesn't matter how you throw me
I turn around and I'm back in the game
Even better than the old me


He feels like his life is moving forward again.

It's two weeks since that party and he's on a date with a really pretty girl. They've known each other for a while now.

Her name is Brenda. She's smart, funny, and kind. She's the first person to make him feel at ease for a very long time, and he's enjoying himself. For once, he's not thinking of Riley.

"I had a really great time," she says later on, as he's walking her back to her dorm. He smiles at her, because he did too. "Really?"

"Yeah," she says with a grin, her russet hair framing her face. "You're a great guy."

"Thanks," Lucas laughs. "You're not too shabby yourself."

Brenda rolls her eyes good-naturedly, smiling with amusement. "Well then, since I'm not too shabby, perhaps we could do this again?"

Lucas pauses for a brief moment. He hasn't been on a date for a long time. At least, not a first date. There is a sudden excitement at the idea of a second date. This was his chance. If he wanted to move on, this was it.

They've reached her door, and Brenda is looking up at him hopefully. He stares at her a while more, and then he smiles and speaks. "I would love to."

Brenda grins at him. "Great."

There is silence, and Lucas wonders what he's supposed to do or say. A sudden rush of courage surges through his veins, and the inner voices tell him to do it.

Get her out of your head.

So he leans down and kisses Brenda, and she kisses him back.

He feels the thoughts of her begin to fall away, as he replaces the memories of her kiss with Brenda's.

The perfect end to a perfect date.