Hannah Christine Taylor:
I found this downstairs and figured I would save you a trip. [She set the box down on a nearby table.] It looks good though, things are really coming along. How do you feel about everything though?

Lauren Jane Callahan:
Really good, I think Landon and Lucas were right in wanting me to live here. [She took a seat on the end of the queen-sized bed she was going to be sleeping in.] Plus you're the closest thing I have to a big sister and me living here is going to give us a chance to really be close.

Hannah Christine Taylor:
I feel the same way. [She smiled as she walked over to the bed and took a seat beside Lauren.] I know things weren't easy living with your dad and I can promise you that it isn't going to be like that living with me. [She put an arm around Lauren's shoulders.] I'm actually excited about this, as much as I love Dylan, spending all of my time with a three year-old gets kind of boring. It's just going to be nice having another adult around.

Lauren Jane Callahan:
By the way, thanks again for getting me that job at Taste of Italy. [She stood up and walked over to a laundry basket which held some freshly washed clothing.] It's going to be a nice feeling making my own money for once and not have to worry about going to Bronson for it. [She exhaled for a moment as she picked up a simple black short-sleeved top which was to be part of her work uniform.] If I never see him again it'll be way too soon.

Hannah Christine Taylor:
[She frowned a bit and nodded,] I know what your dad did to you is unforgivable and believe me when I say that he is never going to hurt you again. [She stood up and walked over to her cousin.] Seriously, you have nothing to worry about okay? [She drew Lauren into a hug.] You only have about two weeks until you turn eighteen and until then all you have to do is lay low.

Lauren Jane Callahan:
That shouldn't be hard as I don't have any plans of going back to that house any time soon. [Hannah held her for a moment as they then broke the hug.] In fact if I never go back there it will be too soon. [She shook her head as she went through the basket to find some other clothing for work.] That place holds too many bad memories that happened when my mom was alive. [She swallowed hard.] The things he did to her...I just don't understand why she stayed with him and how he was able to get away from it.

Hannah Christine Taylor:
Your father is a very powerful man and has a lot of people in his back pocket. [She exhaled and studied Lauren for a moment.] That doesn't make it right though and I'm convinced one of these days that he will get what's coming to him. People like him don't go through their whole lives without being punished. Mark my words,

Lauren Jane Callahan:
Could've fooled me. [She scratched her forehead and turned her head slightly.] Men like him who have so many people in their back pockets never pay for any of the bad things they do. Look at how badly he treated my mom and how many times she ended up in the ER courtesy of him. How can you honestly tell me that they get what they deserve?

Hannah Christine Taylor:
[She shrugged her shoulders.] I suppose I like to hope for the best. Whether or not you believe it Laurie there is such a thing as karma. [She placed a hand on Lauren's shoulder.] I think I'll go downstairs and check on Dylan. Last I knew he was playing with his trains.

[Lauren said nothing and only nodded as she went to work in getting dressed for work. Hannah left her with a lot to think about what with talk of karma and such. Lauren wasn't all together sure that she believed it though. She exhaled to herself and changed into a short-sleeved black top and a pair of black dress pants. She was due to be at work in a little over an hour and decided to go downstairs and play with her three year-old cousin Dylan for a little while. As she made it downstairs she heard voices, one that belonged to Hannah and the other belonging to Hunter. Raising an eyebrow and feeling somewhat angry, she made her way to the bottom of the staircase and opted to listen in on the conversation going on between the two of them.]

Hannah Christine Taylor:
Honestly I don't mind watching the girls Hunter and I'm glad your taking me up on my offer. I know that you've had a lot going on and if there's absolutely anything I can do to help I will. Besides my cousin Lauren is in the process of moving in with me and she is wonderful with kids.

Hunter Christian Donimari:
Your cousin Lauren? [Lauren could hear the apprehension in his voice.] I thought she was living with Lucas.

Hannah Christine Taylor:
She was but Landon and Luke both thought it might be a good idea if she stayed with me. Plus it's kind of nice to have another female around. [The tone of her voice changed to concern as Lauren continued to listen in.] You okay though? You look as though you don't feel so good.

Lauren Jane Callahan:
[She narrowed her eyebrows and stepped out into their view before he could say anything.] Of course he doesn't look like he feels good Hannah. After finding out that he may yet have to see me again, he probably feels like he's going to throw up. [She smirked a bit and shook her head.] I bet you never told Hannah why it is you look so nausious at the thought of seeing me again, did you Hunter?

Hannah Christine Taylor:
[She raised an eyebrow as she looked at Hunter and then at Lauren.] What is going on here? [She exhaled.] See this is why I hate that I was out of town for so long because I am so out of the loop. [She looked at Hunter.] What's she talking about?

Lauren Jane Callahan:
[She answered for him.] Hunter here took my virginity a few weeks back Hannah. [Hunter looked down, shaking his head.] Though of course he isn't going to tell you about it because he's so damned ashamed. [She pursed her lips together a bit and smirked.] Not only that but he went ballistic on me when he found out that I told Lucas and that my father found out. [Hunter said nothing more and just walked out of the house. Lauren sort of walked after him and stopped at the doorway.] That's right, walk out you fucking pussy just like you always do when faced with confrontation.

Hannah Christine Taylor:
Is what you just said true? [She gently grabbed ahold of Lauren's shoulder and turned her.] Did you and Hunter really sleep together? [Lauren only nodded, standing her ground.] So that's the reason then that he and Luke aren't talking and all of that stuff went down with your father, isn't it? [Lauren nodded as Hannah shook her head.] When it rains, it fucking pours.

Lauren Jane Callahan:
Well as far as I'm concerned if I never associate with that asshole again it will be waaaay too soon for me Hannah. [She glanced up at the clock.] I think I'm going to head onto work though. It'll look good on my part to go in extremely early for my first day.

Hannah Christine Taylor:
Obviously you have a lot of hostility over everything that's happened. Why don't you stay for a few more minutes and we can talk about it?

Lauren Jane Callahan:
And what exactly is there for me to talk about? [She walked over and grabbed her purse as well as keys.] I was a rebound fuck for him and as much as I had a crush on him, that's how much I despise him now. [She slid her purse strap over her shoulder.] He's an asshole and honestly I'm glad I found it out now instead of lusting after him for years to come. Now I'm going to head on out to work and when I get back I would like this whole thing forgotten about.

[Lauren left the house after saying that and walked out to her car. Hunter was all ready gone and she was relieved. She got inside and started it up in order to drive on over to the restaurant. Thanks to Hannah she had gotten a job at Taste of Italy as a waitress and would be working after school and during the day on weekends. She noticed the table she was going to wait on her first had a very good looking guy sitting at it along with some girl. She sighed, figuring it was his girlfriend and walked over to the table with her pad of paper in hand, ready to take an order. She made it to the table, smiled at both patrons, and held her pen as she greeted them.]

Lauren Jane Callahan:
Welcome to Taste of Italy, I'm Lauren and I will be your waitress. [She grabbed the menus she had resting under one of her arms and handed them to her two customers.] Would you like me to start you off with something to drink?

Christian Deveroe:
Um could I get a bottle of your finest white wine? It's our one month anniversary, I want to get her something nice to celebrate the occassion. [He smiled at the woman sitting across from him and held her hand, but was clearly looking at Lauren] On the rocks if possible.

Lauren Jane Callahan:
Of course and congradulations. [She offered them both a smile.] I'll be right back with your wine and ready to take your order whenever you are. [She walked off and couldn't help but blush at the way Christian had been looking at her. Within a few minutes she came walking back to the table with the restaurant's finest bottle of white wine and two glasses. She set them gently down on the table.] Here you go, our finest bottle of wine. [She uncorked the bottle and began to pour into the glasses.] Now if there is anything I can do to make your dining experience awesome, just let me know.

Christian Deveroe:
Well there are a few things you could do for me. [He looked over at the girl he was sitting with and smiled] Babe why don't you go fix your face--remember you never touched it up after our little meeting... [The girl just giggled as she got up and went for the bathroom, leaving Christian to speak with Lauren] Why don't you have a seat while my company's away?

Lauren Jane Callahan:
I don't know I mean...[She turned her head to each side before looking back at Christian.] I'm not sure I'm supposed to do that. It's my first day and the last thing I want is to get in trouble...

Christian Deveroe:
Well, how about meeting up with me when you get off of work? [He asked with a abit of a smile] Because I've got a bit of a confession to make, that's not my girlfriend, it's just some whore I picked up a few hours ago. You know you gotta treat the ladies good and they'll treat you good when you take them home--well, those kind of ladies anyway.

Lauren Jane Callahan:
[Her eyebrows raised at how forward he was being but she couldn't help but smile.] Well when you put it like that, I'm not sure how I could say no. The only problem is that I don't get off until Eleven and I have school in the morning. [She looked down at the table a bit nervously and bit down on her lower lip.] Plus I'm sure you have better things to do then hang out with a seventeen year-old.

Christian Deveroe:
Actually, [He laughed] I've been told that I act like a seventeen year old, I know, surprising. But I wouldn't mind hanging out with you at all, maybe you could... [He slipped her his number] Give me a call or send me a text when you get some free time.

Lauren Jane Callahan:
[She looked down at his number and couldn't help but smile as she looked back up at him.] Well tell you what, how about if after I get out of here I give you a call and see if you're still up for hanging out. [A sneaky smirk crossed her face.] I'll be honest you're really cute and I'd be stupid to turn you down.

Christian Deveroe:
[He smiled at her] Well I guess I'm lucky that you're a very smart woman. I'll be waiting up for you... [He said as the other woman headed back towards the table, standing next to him once he stood up] We can get to know each other better. By the way the wine was delicious but we're going to get out of here. [He left a 100 dollar bill on the table] There's the tip for you being such a great waitress.

[Lauren nodded as she slipped the tip into her pocket and turned away. The rest of her shift she had a smile on her face as she couldn't stop thinking about Christian. She had planned on texting him the next day and was very interested in how things were going to turn out. Truth be known she was nursing her wounds that were caused from sleeping with Hunter and perhaps this Christian guy was just the medicine she needed.]