Just Keep Smilin'

Anew Every Morning, Part 2

EPISODE ONE: Anew Every Morning

Part 2: Rise and Shine

Luke awoke to the obnoxious ringing of his alarm clock, his hungover mind clouded by the throbbing headache.

(O) Turn off alarm

He barely managed to reach out and slam the clock, trapped underneath Nick. They always seemed to wake up in a jumbled mess. Luke and Nick would both insist that the only reason they slept together was because the couch was too uncomfortable, though Luke didn't really mind anymore. He'd learned to deal with Nick.

Though, his body was sore from sleeping fully clothed, his hangover, and Nick crushing him throughout the night. Thankfully, he could feel his friend awakening.

"Get rid of that piece of shit; it's so fuckin' annoying," Nick whined. He was already irritable in the mornings, but especially so when hungover.

"Just get off me. I'm stuck here and I really don't wanna feel your mornin' wood all against me," Luke joked.

"If you hadn't interrupted us, maybe I wouldn't be... Fine. Whatever." Nick rolled over onto his side of the bed.

"Keep dreamin'," Luke teased. Nick just shot him a glare.

(O) Look at phone

"I wonder what that call 'n texts were about." Luke flipped open his cell phone, noticing that the missed call and messages were from his younger sister, Caitlin. Her texts read, "Please call back when you can Luke," followed by "It is important."

Luke held the phone up to his ear, listening to the voicemail message she had also left. The automated voice confirmed that it had been yesterday night.

Caitlin had said, "Luke, I bet that you and Nick must be livin' large in Atlanta and forgotten about everything by now, but daddy is gettin' worse, and I think you should come visit him. I know that you and Nick have been really busy ever since you left two years ago, and that you and daddy don't get along all the time, but I feel like you should come back to see him again if... um... do you know what I mean?" Her voice cracked. "Please call back soon."

"Fuck," Luke whispered, unable to react much to the news. He did not feel much then except for overwhelming guilt. He and Nick had left their hometown for Atlanta two years ago, as soon as they had graduated college and returned from their infamous road trip. While Nick went back to stop by every once in a while, Luke had neglected to go home since then.

He looked over at Nick, who was pouring himself a bowl of stale cereal. Luke made his way over to the couch, sitting down next to him.

"I'm fixin' to head back and visit for the day," Nick mentioned flatly, reaching for the remote.

[ GO WITH NICK ]

[ REFUSE ]

"I'm comin' with you," Luke decided.

(?) This action will have consequences.

Nick looked back at him, raising his eyebrows. "What? You finally wanna head home? Figured you'd never look back, given it was your 'bright' idea to move out here," Nick bantered.

"Look, man, I know I ain't been back home since we came to Atlanta, and I never came with when you went to visit before, but... it's important now," Luke explained. He thought that Nick understood that something was wrong, seeing that his smug expression turned serious.