(Scene) Lorna and James

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Lorna pulled a strand of green hair behind her ear, frowning a little as she gazed down at the notebook lying out in front of her. The weather had finally begun to warm up and there were more sunny days than not. Missing the Cali weather Lorna had found a quiet spot on the grounds where few people bothered to venture. Laying out a blanket she set to work drawing tree house after tree house in order to find the perfect one for a fortress.

 

It has to be perfect. We both deserve someplace private to go to get away from all the drama.

 

"I'm impressed by the intricacy of your drawings, although I must say you are failing to account for the structural bracings that would be needed for such a project."

 

Lorna jerked in surprise at the unexpected voice above her. Sitting up she met eyes with the older Keller brother. Lorna's shock was quickly replaced by intrigue as she looked at the other Keller. His demeanor was completely different from Julian and yet she could still see the resemblance in his face. Turning away from him quickly Lorna grabbed her drawings protectively pulling them to her chest and away from his inquisitive eyes.

 

"Oh I'm, I'm sorry for interrupting, I was just going for a walk. I don't usually see people on this part of the grounds and I saw you drawing. You just looked so intent about it so I thought I'd come over. I meant no harm." Lorna looked up at the babbling man, he looked genuinely sorry if not a bit confused and slightly scared by her reaction.

 

It's good to see someone else that's awkward around people for a change.

 

Defenses easing Lorna gave a smile up to the man, relaxing her body and lowering her papers.

 

"Sorry you just scared me a little, I wasn't expecting anyone over here. I'm having a bit of a problem with overreacting lately. I'm Lorna by the way."

 

"James." The older man reached out his hand to shake hers, relief crossing his features.

 

"These are really just doodles, nothing important or anything.., but what do you mean by structural bracings? If you don't mind me asking that is."

 

"You have the basic structure but you must remember the beams needed for stabilization and the cross framing needed to guarantee support. May I?" James asked looking down at the papers still in her hand. Nodding Lorna handed them to her as he kneeled to sit behind her. "Your walls are currently flat but layering must occur here at the base. The angles also must be sharper to support the roof otherwise everything will fall in with the slightest wind. May I ask why you seem to be going with this particular shape?"

 

"Oh it's just that I wanted to make sure it blends into the environment, you know the less disruptive the better."

 

"Understandable, I must say the design is quite congruent with the need to keep the cambium alive. Oh cambium is just the-"

 

"Thin layer of living tissue beneath the bark," Lorna said noting his vaguely hidden look of surprise with amusement. "I'm kind of a closet science nerd. It's math that I have the problems with. This might seem kind of crazy because I'm sure that you're super busy but could you maybe help me with the physics of this. I know it's just doodles and all but hey it can't hurt to have that knowledge for future use." Lorna blushed fully aware that she was babbling.

 

"Of course! After all you have the design right here I just need to show you the proper physics and architectural elements needed to hold it together. It should only take a couple of hours-"

 

It was Lorna's turn to look slightly scared by his reaction.

 

"Sorry it's not very often that someone wants me to teach them something I know."

 

"No I appreciate it, I do. Do you think it would be possible to maybe keep this between me and you, I mean not that I'm embarrassed by you, it's just kind of weird for a girl to be sketching a tree house. I'm weird enough as is," Lorna said with a slight smile.

 

Smiling back with understanding James nodded grabbing the drawings.

 

"You know James you're a lot more like Julian than I thought."

 

"What makes you say that?"

 

"I don't know, you’re both nosy but I guess  also because you both are willing to help a complete stranger no questions asked. It's nice."

 

James looked at her questioningly for a moment. "You’re not another one of his following are you?"

 

“According to him or according to me?”