A/n: For the purpose of this story I had Anthony shoot Maria when Johnny was seventeen and she's been in Shadybrooke recuperating. Johnny is now twenty years old and still comes to visit her everyday in between college classes. Anthony was placed in Ferncliff after the shooting but, hasn't stopped trying to cause chaos for Johnny. In this story Claudia doesn't exist just because it doesn't fit in with the story in my perspective./
Johnny's POV
"Are you sure you're not interested? I'm willing to do... anything you want." A brunette woman about Johnny's age smirked at him, pressing her breasts together to entice him.
"No thank you, I have places to be." Johnny immediately felt turned off. Was she beautiful? Sure, but he wouldn't ever want to be with a girl like that. Johnny never wanted to be with a girl solely based on sexual desires. Johnny climbed into his yellow mustang and began the drive to Shadybrooke to see his mom, ever since he was seventeen he'd been making trips to see her. Sometimes it would be awhile before he could get up there but, it was never long. I parked in the parking lot, arriving there in less than 10 minutes. I guess I didn't see anyone in my path but, I ran smack into someone papers flew all over the ground along with some notebooks and binders.
"I'm so sorry, I'm such a klutz." He saw a blonde haired woman rush to apologize, grabbing paper by paper sticking them into a binder.
"No, no it's my fault. Here, let me help you." Johnny bends down to help her.
"You're...Johnny. aren't you? I'm sorry if I'm completely off base." Johnny took a closer look at the woman, her blonde hair was secured in a messy ponytail. She had bright, energetic hazel eyes. This woman wore light pink scrubs, white sneakers and a white coat slung on one of her shoulders the other sleeve hanging loosely.
"I am. How did you...know my name?" Johnny chuckled in amazement.
"I'm a student but, I'm getting my hours in here. Maria is one of my patients, I just happened to recognize you from her pictures. I have to admit Maria is my favorite patient here, just don't tell Mr. Jenkins or he'll throw a fit." She quickly explained, Johnny just laughed.
"My mom is great, I can see why she's your favorite. Don't worry, your secrets are safe with me." Johnny wondered what her name was.
"My name is Lulu, in case you were wondering." How had she read his mind?
"It's nice to meet you, Lulu. Would you mind walking with me? I'm sure you have to check on my mom, anyhow." Johnny didn't know what it was about her but, he really enjoyed talking to her. It was crazy. Right?
"It's nice to meet you, too. Sure! Let me just clock in, put my bag down. I have to come here right after my last lecture, my life is so crazy right now." Lulu gives him a lopsided smile before she clocks in, putting her bag in a locker.
"Okay, I'm all ready to start my night. Wait-what time is it again? I never have a set schedule!" Lulu was talking more to herself than to Johnny as she walked out of the locker room.
"It's four." Johnny chuckled as she joined him in the hallway, Lulu grabbed Maria's chart from the nurses desk.
"I swear, I stay confused. My family hates my schedule, but I hate most of them so it's cool." Lulu cheekily smirked, as they walked down the hall.
"I imagine you have a crazy busy schedule, I admire anyone who works in the medical field. I go to college too, sometimes I don't get out here as much as I want to." Johnny nodded in understanding.
"My mom is actually a patient here, that's why I fought so hard to get a job here. She's been in a coma since I was sixteen, I visit her everyday just hoping for some sort of miracle I guess." Lulu was a talker, she could tell Johnny was the loner type.
"Oh my gosh, I'm sorry. My mom's here because my father shot her when I was seventeen. I feel more comfortable having my mom stay here until I can find a house. You know how it is." Johnny immediately felt for her, he could tell that she was really missing her mom.
"It's okay, I've gotten used to it. I'm sorry about what happened to your mom, that's horrible. I completely get it, everything is hard when you're in college." They walked into Maria's room, Maria was sitting in her rocking chair knitting something.
"Hey mom." Johnny softly smiles, as her dark brown eyes meet his.
"There's my baby boy, come here." Maria puts her work down, getting up to embrace her son.
"I see you've made friends with my favorite nurse." Maria slowly smiled.
"Oh, I'm sure there are plenty of other nurses here who are better than me. Thank you though, I do appreciate the compliment." Lulu smiles politely, going over to make his mother's unmade bed.
"How are you feeling today? Any pain?" Lulu asked, pulling out her chart and a pen.
"I've been okay, I have a little pain in my hip but...I think that's normal for me." Maria really likes this girl, she wasn't like the other nurses.
"I'll have the doctor get you something for the pain." Lulu jotted some notes down.
"You two would just be darling together." A smirk played on Maria's lips, she knew exactly what she was doing.
"MOM!" Johnny laughed, a blush creeping up on his face.
"Whatever I was expecting you to say, it wasn't that." Lulu laughed really loudly, covering her mouth.
"I could listen to that laugh for the rest of my life, I've never heard such a joyous sound." Crept through Johnny's thoughts.
"What am I saying? I just met this girl! You don't want to freak her out, simmer down Zacchara."He blinked away his thoughts.
"You have a beautiful laugh, Lulu." Johnny compliments her, making her lightly blush.
"Thank you...you have a beautiful...face."
Lulu's POV
"I did not just say that." I wanted to face palm myself for saying something so stupid. I wanted to crawl in a hole and die. When I peeked up at him he was smiling a soft smile, so I felt a little better about my stupid comment. Did I have a crush on a man I'd just met?
"See? Johnny she's adorable, she would make a perfect girlfriend. What's not to like?" Maria presses on, enjoying watching the two of them.
"If we go out on a date, will you stop making me blush?" Johnny calmly asks his mom, I almost hit the floor in shock.
"Maybe." Maria allows.
"When are you free, Lu?" Johnny met her eyes, with a boyish grin.
"Give me your number, I'm not sure what day would be good right off the top of my head. I can definitely let you know later." Lulu was a bit scatterbrained.
"Sure thing." Johnny grabs her phone, programming his number in.
"I'll text you tonight when I get off! Maria, is there anything else I can do for you?" Lulu promised him, before turning to Maria.
"No sweet girl, I hope you have a good shift. I don't know if anyone told you but, your mother made some progress today." Maria softly smiles.
"What?" Lulu asked, sitting on the edge of her hospital bed.
"Yes, I heard the doctors say that she moved her hand." Maria nods.
"Thank you for telling me, I'm going to go see her right now! I'm here until five, please buzz if you need anything at all!"
Johnny's POV
"Mom, what are you doing?* I asked her after Lulu left the room.
"John, you need a good girl. I saw the way you two were talking and looking at each other. Lulu is an adorable girl, I think that you like her. What's the harm in going on a date with her? She's very kind and sweet." Maria only wanted the best for her son.
"Thank you mom, you're always looking out for me. I love you." I hugged my mom goodbye, after grabbing something to eat at Kelly's I went home to do my homework and study. I went to bed around midnight, that morning I woke up to a text.
"Hey, it's Lulu. I'm free on Thursday if you're game."