Do you still think about those times often? Carmen asked, resting her head against the doorframe as well. Not really, Carlos said as he picked up his pen again. He cleared his throat. I dont like thinking about it. It seems like it wasnt even me who experienced all of it, like it was someone else, Carlos said. Carmen nodded, it sounded all too familiar. I hated those times, she said softly. Carlos looked at her worriedly, Im sorry I brought you into that world Carmen, it wasnt right. You were only sixteen, I should have protected you, I was just too busy thinking about myself, he said regretfully and he shook his head in disbelief, wondering why he could have ever been so stupid. Carmen swallowed with some effort and smiled weakly. Its okay. I did it myself, I just wanted to fit in and your friends, I really looked up to them yknow and.. Carmen words trailed of. It was wrong, Carlos said, finishing the sentence for her. Yeah, Carmen whispered. Carmen took a deep breath and focused on the toes of her creamy white Converse. You know eh.. I had a dream about Lucia awhile ago, Carmen said quietly. Lucia? Carlos asked. Carmen stared at his face, only to find confusion there. Yeah, you know.. Pablos girlfriend? Carmen added. Carlos knit his brows and then nodded, Oh she.. yeah, she was weird though. But whyd you tell me? Carmen shrugged, I dont know.. just because, well I just thought it was weird that I had this dream and I just wondered if you still think about those people sometimes, Carmen blabbered nervously. Just try to forget about them Carmen, theyre people with really messy lives. Theyre not a part of your life anymore, Carlos said before he focused on writing his speech again. Funny, Carmen thought, he doesnt know my own life is just as messy as theirs.

Carmen backed off, knowing and feeling that she was disturbing him. She smiled weakly and closed the door behind her. She heard sounds of paper being rumbled. Then a muffled thud. He had thrown the paper in the trashcan.

Carmen!, Carmen! Laura yelled excitedly, she ran down the stairs, almost bumping into Carmen. What the fuck.., Carmen murmured as she tried to keep Laura from falling. Guess what?, Laura said with a big smile on her face as Carmen wiped a smear of lipgloss from the corner of Lauras mouth. You won the lottery and youre here to tell me that youre giving me 50% of the money, Carmen said dryly. No, Laura shook her head, even better! Carmen furrowed her brows, even better?