[ o p e n ] just a walk in the park.

[lauren charlotte lexington]

a walk in the park;

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Central Park had to be Lauren's favourite place in New York City. The people, the sounds, the smells, it was the perfect place to clear her head. After grabbing a quick Starbucks, Lo headed to the park. She sipped her coffee as she began to walk. As she passed by Strawberry Feilds, there was a man with his guitar playing Beatles songs. Lauren couldn't help but stop for a listen. Not only was he extremly talented, but she loved the Beatles. They reminded her of her mother. They would always listen to the Beatles toghter and sing along. She couldn't listen anymore. She missed her mom, and her entire family so much, it was making her tear up. She was in Central Park to clear her head, not fill it with thoughts that would make her cry.

Lo sipped her coffee as she began to walk once more. She watched the children walk past her. They must have been from a kindergarten because they were in a group holding hands with one adult. That also made her think of her family. all her brothers and sisters. She loved them so much, even though she had to give up the majority of her teenage years babysitting therm. Lauren loved kids, they were so happy with not a care in the world. She wished she could be like that. But, when you grow up, you learn life isn't that easy. Life is a complicated mess of events. Some good, some bad, some even worse. But, not matter what happens, life goes on. Things get better, things change.

Lo approched a bench. She decided to take another moment to sit, and just relax. She definitly needed some R and R. She took a seat on the park bench and gently closed her eyes. She loved to listen to the sounds in New York. Weather it was kids playing, hotdog vendors trying to sell their smelly hotdogs, or the angry cab drivers yelling at other drivers, they just made Lauren think of home, her new home. She loved her city, thats forsure.

Even though Lauren hadn't lived there for too long, she was already getting the hang of life in the big city. She knew, for the most part, where everything was. But she still did get lost, a lot. She would never fully adjust to living in a place without her family, and without beaches. She longed to squish her toes deep into the sand. To feel the waves wash against her as she lay on the beach. To have the sun shine on her as she lay in the sand. Lo thought of all of thoes wonderful things as she sat on the bench, eyes closed.

[Brett Tyler Malcom]

Brett woke up that morning to his sister's music in the living room. He yawned and stretched. Then stumbled out of bed wearing a white t-shirt and boxers. His feet touched the carpet in his room. He walked into the living room and smiled as he saw Gabby. "Hey you. Turn that down." he said with a laugh. She shook her head no and stuck out her tongue playfully. Brett walked into the kitchen and opened the fridge. Not much to eat in I, but enough for the week. He pulled out an apple and tossed it to Gabby "Eat it. Remember an apple a day keeps the doctor away. Mom always used to tell us that. He said them pulled out on for himself. He took a bite and walked into the bathroom and went then walked out and back into his room.

He slipped on some light blue jeans and took off him t-shirt and replaced it with a dark blue one. He sprayed on some cologne and walked out into the living room again. "Got any plans?" Brett asked Gabby as he sat on the old couch beside her. She shook her head yes "Actually yes. I'm going to the movies with some friends." she answered. "Friends, what friends? Who? What movie?" he asked quickly always wondering what she’s doing and with who she’s doing it with.

He loved her with all his heart although his heart was always open for more people. She rolled her eyes and laughed. "Just friends. Don't worry. And it’s a safe movie…" Gabby said laughing a little annoyed with all the questions. Then got up and kissed Brett on the cheek then walked out the door.

Brett took a deep breath then sighed, relaxed. He slipped on his shoes and walked outside. And to the park. He loved the park. Relaxing, beautiful. Everything he needed to get away from his very real life. Brett could walk in the wide open space all day. Watching the people, smelling the smells, hearing the sounds. He loved it.

He walked slowly past some people that he recognized and kind of knew. He nodded slightly and had a warm, crooked, smile. He past the big green trees. Past the small children he had seen before. His sister babysat for extra money. Then he passed a bench with a very attractive girl sitting on it. He smiled and slowed down more and gently sat down next to her. ”Ah…hello?” Brett said softly.

[lauren charlotte lexington]

a walk in the park;

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Lauren could almost hear the waves crashing against the shore. The memories she had of the beach were so vivid, she could see it in her mind. Lauren wasn't one to meditate, but when she was thinking of the beach, it took her to this different place. She was calm, relaxed. She missed the worryfree life she once had. The beach, the parties, the friends. Now, she had more responsibilites. Even more so then when she was taking care of her multiple siblings. Now she had bills, designs, and school to worry about. It felt like so much to handel for her. It got so hard sometimes, she wonderd if she was in the right place. She even contimplated the idea of moving back home. But thoes thoughts wore off quickly when she thought about all the things she would miss. Her friends, Gianni, and Central Park.

Lauren's eyes slowly flutterd open to see a figure standing before. She recognized his face instantly as someone who she had met once or twice. Brett Malcom was the name. Ah…hello? Laurens lips gently curled until they were into a full smile. She realized how weird it must have looked. Her, sitting in the middle of central park, with her eyes closed and a smile on her face. Her eyes narrowed to gently block the strong rays of the sun. Her eyes followed Brett as he sat down next to her. She gently turned her body to face him more. Hi. She responded simply. The wind blew strands of her hair across her face. She flicked her head to get the strands off her face.

[Brett Tyler Malcom]

Brett laughed softly "Ah yeah. What are you doing here all alond on a bench with your eyes closed?" he said smiling as he turned his body towards her. Brett remembered her beautiful face from the one or two times he has seen her. They talked but a handful of words to eachother, but he couldn't forget her.

Brett knew she was from California. He'd never been there but he figured she missed it. He would miss the big city if he just up and moved. He lived in the city for a while now and loved the fast life style. All the smells, sounds, people, food, travel from place to place. He just loved it all. Especially the people. Brett didn’t have many friends but he had enough. And the ladies. OH! He loved the ladies. He thought they were they best part about the city.

"That is why god made people make beds..." He said jokingly as he looked up at a person walking by. Brett looked back at Lauren and smiled warmly. "So really, what are you doing here today?" he asked softly looking into her eyes.

[lauren charlotte lexington]

a walk in the park;

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lauren's eyes were warm and friendly as she met brett's gaze. yeah, it was weird for her to be sitting on a bench, in probably the most dangerous park in the world, with her eyes closed. i was just thinking. she lied. actually, i was trying hard.. not to think. lauren finally admitted. it was a weird sentence. even to her, and she was the one that said it.

lauren chuckled at brett's comment. i wasn't trying to sleep. i'm not that stupid. who falls asleep in the middle of cental park? she said, laughing again, mostly to herslef this time.i'm just trying to keep my mind off a few things. nothing special. she replied with a simple shrug of her shoulders. she was mainly trying to keep life off her mind. in a, weird way.. what about you?

[Brett Tyler Malcom]

"Trying not the think about what?" Brett asked. He liked to pry into peoples lives. Not to tell other people about other people, just because he was a nosy guy. He moved a bit closer keeping their eyes together.

He loved the sound of her laugh. Brett laughed along with her. "well I wasn't for sure what you were doing." he said with a soft smile. "I mean, you were just sitting here, eyes closed and smiling. I figured you might want to be left alone but I couldn't risk you getting stared at by other strange people." Brett laughed again.

"Honestly? I'm getting away from my life..." Brett answered quietly. He hoped she didn't think he was stupid for saying it how he did, or for saying it at all.