~ Kayley ~
I couldn't believe I was actually doing this, but I didn't turn around.
Over the weekend Rayne and I had talked a lot about everything that had happened. He also told me he went back to his mother a couple of times and the progress there. His mother was blissful and loved it when he was with her. She finally started to believe he really was back. But Luke wasn't. That was pretty much the opposite. He didn't say a lot to Rayne and mostly went straight upstairs if he came home before Rayne was gone again.
I had seen how much the whole situation affected Rayne, so now here I was, in my car after school, heading to Mendocino while Rayne was working. I had no idea what I was going to say when I got there and I didn't know whether they would even let me in, but I had to at least try. I parked my car by the side of the road and walked to the front door. When it took a long time before the door what opened, doubt settled in and I wondered whether this was such a great idea, but then his mother appeared. She looked me over with narrowed eyes, trying to decide where she had seen me before. Then her eyes widened and she said, "You're the girl, you're Kayley, right?"
I smiled and questioned how to take in the first part of the sentence. It sounded friendly, but it had a specific tone. It made me wonder what Rayne had said about me here. "Yes, I am."
Suddenly her friendly expression changed into a worried one. "Is there something wrong with Rayne?"
I gasped. "No! No, not at all. He is fine, he's working now."
Relief flooded her lovely face. "Then why are you here?" she asked, the friendly tone back.
I bit my lip. "I – uh – I was wondering if Luke was home."
Her eyes narrowed. "Luke?"
"Yeah, I wanted to speak to him." The look on her face told me she had no idea where I was going to. Fact was, I didn't really know either. Best thing to just blurt it out I guess. "Rayne feels horrible about the situation with Luke and I hoped that maybe I could find out why Luke is acting like this. So, I hoped by coming here and speaking to him... well, maybe..." Here in front of the house I really thought about what I was doing here and I wasn't so sure of myself anymore. "But maybe it's just a stupid idea. I mean, why in the world would Luke share the problems he has with his brother with a complete stranger? I don't know, I just wanted to help, but maybe it's just better when I leave again. I'm sorry to bother you." I turned around to leave with flushing cheeks. How could I have been so dumb to think I could change anything? Why didn't I think of that before? Why was I so stupid to not think my actions through before I went somewhere instead of when I stood on the porch? Luke didn't even really know me, after all.
Before I reached the beginning of the steps, his mother called me back. "Why don't you come inside, Kayley. I'll make you some tea and we'll talk."
"Okay." I smiled thankfully and followed her into the house, grateful that forgave me for not thinking.
She motioned me to sit down on the couch while she made tea. Coming from the kitchen with a steaming glass of water, she put it on the coffee table next to hers before she sat down. "So you want to help?"
I looked at my hands before I looked up at her. "Yeah, well, is it stupid? Tell me if it is, really."
She smiled pleasantly. "No, I think it is really kind of you."
I exhaled relieved. "I know you told Rayne to give it some time, but I can see it eating on him. He hates the distance between them. Do you think Luke is willing to talk with me when I ask him?" I asked hesitantly.

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Fears To Face
Teen FictionKayley Gaines knew werewolves existed all her life, for she lived with one. All her life, she had stayed far away from them, knowing the horrors of their lives. Her mom was enough to deal with each month. But then she meets Rayne, a good-looking, sc...