Lucas listened as Claire waxed philosophical about her current life situation. [b]"I mean...yeah," he responded, trying to find the words. "I don't think we have to know what we want to do yet, but...it's hard not to think about. After all, college is the last step before the real world."[/b]

He was relieved when she moved on to a less...deep conversation, as practical information was something he could at least wrap his head around. "That sounds nice," he replied. [b]"I'll have to come visit sometime. Maybe it'll interrupt the day's monotony for you,"[/b] he said, slightly grinning back at her. [b]"It'll surely interrupt [i]my[/i] day's monotony."[/b]

Upon her question about her job, he was a little surprised at himself for not really having an answer. [b]"Well...I just wanted a job to get away. Didn't matter what it was. But I had the qualifications to lifeguard, and not being vultured by a boss sounded like a pretty sweet deal. After all, 95% of the time you do absolutely nothing in the chair. It gets [i]really[/i] boring sometimes, but it gives you time to think."[/b] He paused. [b]"Loving the beach and the water didn't hurt either,"[/b] he added, grinning.

[b]"Oh yeah...I guess it's my turn,"[/b] he said, meekly smiling. [b]"So what do you do when you're not at work in the coffee shop?"[/b] he finally asked after a brief ponder. [b]"I mean...besides lie in the water all alone,"[/b] he added playfully.