Work=evil-San

[Brenden Erickson]

((And, this is for my amiga San por que ella es fabulosa. ))

So there he was, laying on the couch watching old home videos as the pain shot through his back. He wasn't very happy about that for three reasons. One, he hadn't even really done anything at work today he'd just sat around and was quite content to run the cash register for once. Two, it seemed as if him ending up on the couch because it was easier on his back seemed to be happening more lately. And three, well would you want your back to be in pain. Didn't think so, and not to mention the home video was at the part where Brenden snuck up behind him and tackled him. Then the two got into a wrestling match and he ended up losing since he somehow ended up in a headlock. This had all taken place a few years ago and he wondered why his mother had even filmed it. Of course, she was a video camera freak and not to mention she was always taking pictures.

Yet, among all of this a rather nice (and very recent) memory came back to him. He could remember the look on Karina's face when he had given her the necklace for her birthday. He could still feel her soft lips as she kissed him. He hadn't been stuck on a girl like this for a long time now. It made him wonder what the chances were for her to come over here, since he was fairly sure that she knew that he lived here. And if she didn't the mail box said his last name on it and the only other Ericksons were his grandparents and they lived out of town. He knew that the people he worked with were actually worried about him since today he'd left early and he hadn't even had to explain to them what was wrong. Of course it is kind of obvious when you can't really stand straight right?

It was then that he heard movement in the house and knew that it probably was Brenden's puppy. The puppy ran over to where he was and then quickly slid to a stop on the wood floor before trying to climb up on the couch next to him. "Hang on boy, let me move over. But I'm warning you it's going to take awhile." He said and then slowly moved over on the couch so that there was enough room for the puppy to climb up there which he did. Brownie then moved next to him and then slowly began to fall asleep. A few moments later the puppy was fast asleep, he ran his hand through Brownie's short fur for a moment as he turned his attention back to the television.

[SPOTLESS ™]

It occurred to Karina, as she sat on her bean chair, fingering her laptop with obvious contempt, whether computers were in fact made to be this frustrating. It had taken all of her ADHD self restraint to keep herself from chucking it out of the nearest window, yelling curse words as it fell. But, unfortunately, this would resolve none of her problems, and further, would put her in debt to her parents. She was sure their "we're here to help you out, money, housing, anything," deal wouldn't hold to an obscenely expensive computer repair. So, as the lemon colored laptop was out of commission, unfortunately, Karina was forced to find some other object, or person to occupy her time. For a moment, she considered walking Galen up (who was undoubtedly in some sort of deep slumber,) just to annoy him. But no, Karina had spent eighteen years annoying Galen, he could surely use a bit of time without her constant chatter.

Then her eyes fell on the family bulletin board, and a brilliant idea welled up inside her skull. Yes, that was Jake's number, but why should she call? Wasn't it all the more fun for her to simply pop in, bringing her jolliness and all with her? Of course, she decided, pleased with her impeccable logic.

So, with a backward glance at the non-responsive laptop, that now appeared to be beeping slightly, Karina heaved herself up off the beanbag, and made her solitary way downstairs, and out the door. She scribbled a brief note to her mother, and swung the screen shut behind her.

It was quite a nice day out, but Karina was in no position, of course to take advantage of it. She ignored the bright sunshine streaming through the fluffy white clouds and knocked on Jake's door, smiling already at the aspect of seeing him once more.

[Brenden Erickson]

Oh great, now it was showing a Christmas concert from ages ago. He stared at the screen for a moment as he tried to figure out if it was his class or Brenden's since he didn't recognize anybody. Of course it was from the second grade so that was the reason why. It was then that he finally saw people that made him realize this was Brenden's class. Since there was Brenden, with Mike right next to him. It still was hard to believe that he wouldn't be getting attacked by Mike and his partner in crime, Brenden anymore. But he never really talked to any about what happened to him since he was usually the one being spoken to. Even now he could remember the look on Brenden's face when he heard that his best friend had died. He felt himself tear up for a moment before he gained control of himself. What was up with him today? He then quickly fast forwarded the tape until it was on something else. Great, now it was on him on a horse which meant this part had to be at least eleven years old. At least this part wouldn't make him cry.

It was then that he heard somebody knock on the door and he quickly turned the television off. If it was somebody that he knew he didn't want them to find him watching home videos. "Come in," he yelled knowing that whoever it was could hear him. Which meant he wouldn't have to get up and slowly make his way over to the door. What amazed him though was that Brownie hadn't woken up when he had heard the knock the puppy really must be fast asleep. If this person who was at the door was just somebody looking for one of his siblings he'd tell them to leave and then he would take a nap. But, if this person was somebody that he wanted to talk to then he would speak with them. And once they left (if they left), he'd take a nap until somebody woke him up. But nobody would be home for a few hours and even then they might not wake him up.

He then wondered if it was Karina, he wanted it to be but then again he didn't want it to be. Since he didn't want her to see him like this but at the same time she'd be good company. That settled it, he wanted it to be her so that he could actually talk to somebody.

[SPOTLESS ™]

"Hey," Karina said softly, tipping the door open. She was hit by sudden rush of cold air, and stepped gratefully into the cool Erickson living room. She plopped down beside him, leaning forward to give him a brief kiss. "Whatcha doing?"

For a little while, Karina took in the room she now sat in. It had quite a nice feel to it, and combined with the air conditioning, she couldn't help leaning back a little bit. Then her mind wandered. Ha, had she been diagnosed with ADD as well? No, but she might as well have. Frequent wanderings of the mind were quite common for Karina, but instead of pushing them away, scared of what they might contain, she allowed this daydream to momentarily distract her from her current surroundings. This one was just as random as all others, and she had to shake herself to rid her mind of the odd thoughts that she would not share at this moment.

She gazed at him expectantly, waiting for his answer.

[Jordan Anderson]

He watched as Karina sat down beside him and after she was through with a kissing him a small smile appeared on his face. Even though his back was killing him, he was still glad that she was the one who had walked through that door. "Well, at the moment I'm just trying to relax with hopes that the pain in my back is going to let up if I do that. But, I don't think the Aspirin I took has kicked in yet or if it has it didn't work." He said and then sighed before deciding that it was high time that he sat up. Now, if it had been Brenden that walked through that door he wouldn't have decided this. But, seeing as how it was Karina he figured that she wouldn't want to talk to him if she really couldn't see him that well. Then he slowly sat up before looking over at Karina and managing a weak smile. Yet he knew that she probably could tell how much that had hurt him to sit up. He could hide pain, when it wasn't as bad as this was.

It was then that Brownie woke up from his sleep and then looked over at Karina before making his way over to her. "This is Brownie, he's Brenden's puppy and today the dog decided that he was going to fall asleep by me." He said and then reached over to pet the dog for a moment. Brownie didn't seem to notice though since he was really focused on Karina. "I got to go home early and I actually was watching old home videos before you came." He said, not mentioning the reason why he was able to leave early, it probably was obvious. He did know that she'd probably be interested in what was on the home videos and if she asked, he would tell her. Even though some of the parts on them were very embarrassing.

He looked around the room for a moment as he tired to think of something else that he could say. He didn't want to talk about something that wasn't really interesting, like the weather or how many insects were flying around outside. "It's probably a good thing that you came over here since I was really close to falling asleep. And if I would have fallen asleep now then I wouldn't be able to tonight. Which would mean that I'd stay up later and probably end up sleeping later and completely messing up my day somehow." He said and then wondered just how stupid that sounded. At least she knew that he didn't talk just to hear himself since if she was a stranger she might just be thinking that after hearing what he had just said.