James, Leonardo, Jessica, and Lucas were sitting in a small cafe that James explained that they went to almost every weekend. After watching Leo and Jess getting their nails done, Lucas grew a bit anxious to go home

They sat at all sat at the table, with a warm drink. As they shared their school woes, Sophia walked in. She bounded over to the table, a fluorescent green gem swinging from the thin gold chain of her necklace.

"Hello all," she said, waving.

"Hi," Jessica exclaimed. "Pull up a seat."

She grabbed a chair and took a seat, sitting next to Jessica. She reached over to hug Jessica. "It's so nice to see you all again."

Lucas simply stared at Sophia as she smiled at him. Though he was a bit harsh to Sophia upon meeting her, he felt an odd sense of familiarity near her.

"I guess you don't feel the same," Sophia said staring back at Lucas. "Sorry, should I fuck off?" She blinked at Lucas as if waiting for him to answer the question. Lucas widened his eyes, a bit taken aback at her comment.

"Um-" Lucas began.

Sophia giggled looking at the rest of the table. "I'm only joking," Sophia said. Leo, Jess, and James joined her, chicking as well. "Yeah, no, I'm here whether you want me here or not." Sophia stretched her grin. "Get used to it."

"I don't have to listen to a person who said I was weak," Lucas said.

Sophia let out a heavy sigh. Although she did not roll her eyes, Lucas could tell she wanted to. "Well, okay then," she started with a kind smile. "I am apologizing for upsetting you. Are we okay now?"

"Um, sure?" Lucas responded unsurely. 

"Great! So, how are you all," Sophia asked.

"Good," Jess said. "We were just talking about school before you got here."

"Oh, what about school?" Sophia asked.

"Mrs. Gregory's class," Leo mumbled. Lucas and Jessica groaned at the teacher's name.

"Terrible, I presume," Sophia said, as she placed her hands on the table. The teens nodded. 

Lucas lit up. Leo groaned before moaning, "She sucks!"

"Pretty much," Jessica said.

"Are you guys doing that stupid family tree project," James asked.

"Yep," Lucas said. "And guess who's going to fail it."

"Like Lucas Tathern's going to fail anything," Leo said.

"She said I need to have my dad's side of the family for it," Lucas said. "Last time I checked I don't even have my dad."

"Why not," Sophia asked, calmer than before.

"I don't know who he is," Lucas said.

"Don't you have a younger sister?" Sophia asked.

"Yeah," Lucas said. "But her dad's a deadbeat, and I only know his first name."

"Why not ask him if you need credit?" Sophia said.

"I don't know where he is," Lucas said. "After mom got pregnant with Laura we moved out. Thus, beginning our life in the great city of Lans, West Virginia."

"Wait," Sophia said. "You both lived with him?"

"Yep," Lucas said. "Mom doesn't talk about him much. So, I wouldn't even know where I would start to look for him."

"Do you remember him?"

Lucas shrugged. "A little bit. I don't really remember his face, but I remember him. It's really weird. I remember my mom crying a lot, and him yelling at her. I don't know why, though, but I think it was about Laura."

"Laura?"

"My little sister." Lucas fiddled with his fingers in his lap. "I remember something, but I've always been too afraid to ask mom."

"What?"

"Why-" Lucas paused. He wasn't used to opening up to people like this, especially people he just met. It took him nearly 10 years of friendship for him to talk to Leo and Jessica about it. His chest tingled the longer he waited to answer Sophia's question. She's practically a stranger.

"Why what?"

"Why did he not want us?" Lucas clenched his fist. The words were flowing from his lips so easily. "I remember him telling mom that he didn't want Laura. He didn't even want me. Why would he want to have a kid with her? Why would he want to keep a piece of shit kid whose dad didn't even want him?"

Jessica covered her hand over Lucas' fist. He didn't want to look at her, but he relaxed his tight grip. "You know he's wrong. You're not a piece of shit."

"Yeah," Lucas mumbled.

Sophia took in the story. "You want to know who your real father is, don't you?" Sophia asked.

"What makes you think that?" Lucas scoffed. "He clearly didn't want me."

Sophia eyes met Lucas' again, a fire in her gaze that demanded Lucas' truth. "You still want to meet him though, despite that."

Lucas squirmed in his seat. No one ever pressed him like this besides his mom. Everyone in his life gave Lucas time to say what he wanted to say because it took him time to reveal his layers. Yet, with Sophia, his layers kept falling and he didn't know how to stop it.

"You want to meet the man that didn't want you. Why? Do you want him to tell you he wanted you? Do you think he'll end up being this amazing person that will tell you it was all a big mistake?"

Lucas frowned. This was too much. He didn't like this conversation. "I'm done," Lucas uttered.

Sophia tilted her head to the side. "Huh?"

"I'm done," Lucas repeated.

"What do you mean you're d-"

"Sophia," Leo interjected. "Let's talk about something else, okay?" Sophia scoffed, but nodded. Leo looked over at Lucas. His fists were clenched, his eyes were glazed, and he wouldn't look at any of them. Lucas had met his limit. He knew what would happen if they tried to press him too hard on something.

"I do have one more thing to say," Sophia said.  "You're missing pieces, Lucas. Why not just ask where they are? Maybe, then, you'll get everything you desire."

"I don't want to-"

"Because you're not trying," Sophia stated. "Promise me you'll make an effort to get what you want."