Storm Warning - TLOM Prequel

Chapter Five - The Long Weekend

"Sheldon is definitely the best character!"

"No way! Leonard is so much better!"

"What? How? Johnny Galecki is not the better actor and Leonard is definitely not the best character!"

"He so is! Besides he was hot when he was younger!"

"And now he's not, so there!"

"Yeah well, you're in my spot, Alexander!"

"Nice way to quote the best character sis!" Alex laughed as Lark grabbed a pillow and smacked him on the back of the head with it, elbowing her in protest.

The sharp headache Lark had woken up with had dulled into a slow, pounding ache, barely noticeable as she bickered with her brother. It took her mind on the part and everything that had happened. She caught herself wondering if she'd been an awful kisser. That could have been why he laughed at her so much. It was so strange to think that human intimacy actually relied on the touching of an orifice you used to eat junk food with...

"Earth to Lark." Alex snapped his fingers in front of her face and the redhead blinked suddenly. "You okay?"

She nodded and swallowed. Now was as good time as any to tell him. "It was Brett." She burst out, and immediately regretted it as Alex's face changed from one of bemusement to one of thunder. "But I punched him! I got my own back! It's all ok now, because he's going to leave me alone and I won't go anywhere near him, I-"

Alex shook his head and frowned, holding up a hand. Lark fell silent. "Are you seriously telling me that Brett, someone who is sixteen, double your height and size and is one of my best friends actually kissed you when you didn't want him to?" For a second, Alex looked like he was going to go out and punch something, but then his face cracked and a crooked smile perked up his lips. "You've got the wrong person." 

Lark felt like he'd punched her in the gut. He didn't believe her?

"Look, I'm not saying someone didn't kiss you, but I know Brett, and he wouldn't do that, okay?" Alex grinned at her, moving to stand up. Ruffling her hair, he added, "We will find out who it was though, I promise."

It was like a great weight had fallen on Lark's chest as her brother, the only one she had ever trusted with her life, walked out of the room shaking his head in disbelief. Was it really that unbelievable? She was telling the truth!

She was just going to have to prove it. 

Filled with an alien sense of determination, she slid off the bed and stood up. She knew where she was going. Her green jacket lay over her stool, and Lark picked it up quickly, dumping her phone in her pocket and exiting the room. 

"You going out?"

Marie Weston's voice made Lark start, and she stopped on the landing to face her mother. "I was going to, if that's okay?" She shrugged and gave her mom a semi-convincing smile. Marie nodded, but Lark could tell she still wasn't quite convinced. "Mom, I'm okay. I just want to go on a walk. Clear my head, ya know?"

Finally, understanding took over Marie's features and she smiled. "Well be home before dinner won't you? I'm making chicken!" With a wave, Lark grinned and darted down the stairs. A flyer was sticking out of the mail box as she clicked the door shut behind her and, seeing the music note logo, hesitated long enough to grab it. 

She read it as she walked. Some new music shop, a few towns over. 'A muse for every artist!' The flyer announced. The font was in blue, probably something to do with the name. Lark grinned and tucked it back in her pocket, silently vowing to take a road trip just to check it out.