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Title:The Day After Thanksgiving
Chapter:1 of 2
Rating:PG
Summary:Luke and Noah share a moment.
Characters:Luke,Noah,Holden
Genre:Romance,Drama
Warnings:None
Disclaimer:This site is no way associated with "As The World Turns," CBS,P&G, or Van Hansis and Jake Silbermann.This is for non profit.No copyright infringement is intended.Authors submit and write their own work.

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The day after Thanksgiving. Luke has been talking to Holden about how Noah didn’t say he loved Luke.

Noah walks toward the front door of Snyder Farm. He sees Holden.
Holden: Good morning, Noah.
Noah: Good morning, Mr. Snyder.
Holden: Please, call me Holden. And if you’re going in there, I should warn you that Luke’s in a bad mood.
Noah: Again? Why?
Holden: He said something about you not…you know what, you should ask him yourself. I’m sure you two can work it out.
Noah: Thanks, Holden.
Holden: After all you did to help Luke get well, and all he did to help you deal with your father, I’d hate to see you two throw what you have away. I’m happy to help any way I can! Right now, I think that means heading to the barn, well out of earshot, so you two can talk by yourselves. I’ll be sure to make a lot of noise when I come back.
Noah nods, smiles at Holden, opens the screen door, and walks in. It slams behind him and we cut to commercial.

Fade back in. Noah is standing at the kitchen counter; Luke, still in his wheelchair, is at the kitchen table reading a statistics book.
Noah: So, I hear you’re not happy with me.
Luke: What did my father tell you?
Noah: Nothing, except that you might not be your normal, smiling self this morning.
Luke: Well, that’s my business. I have to catch up with schoolwork right now. You brought me all the books and assignments, you should know that.
Noah: Yeah, but that’s not why you’re upset, is it?
Luke: I don’t want to talk about it.
Noah (raising his voice): Well I do! After everything we’ve been through the last few months, can’t we be honest with each other?
Luke (raising his voice to match Noah): After everything we’ve been through? After all of that, I’d think that when I tell you I love you, you’d say it back!
Cut to another scene.

When we return…
Noah: That’s why you’re mad? Because I didn’t “say it back?”
Luke: Well, yes. I shouted my love for you from the rooftops; everyone in Oakdale probably heard me. I know you did.
Noah: You’re right—I heard you. But Snyder…
Luke scowls at Noah. Cut to commercial.

Fade back in. Luke is still scowling.
Luke: But what, Noah?
Noah: But since we saw my father we haven’t exactly had time for a heart-to-heart talk. On the drive home, when you held my hand all the way back to the farm, couldn’t you feel me shaking? My heart was in my throat—but that wasn’t the time to have a real talk about how I feel. And then we were here with your family, cutting up squash and watching your uncle fight your cousin and listening to the girls sing. Should I have whispered it in your ear when you took my hand during “Albuquerque Turkey?”
Luke: Well, uh…
Noah: Do you really doubt how I feel?
Luke: I don’t know. You told me I had no imagination before we went to see your father, but you weren’t exactly putting the moves on me later on.
Noah: Luke, that was the longest, hardest day I’ve ever had. Also one of the best—to have you there beside me to confront my dad, to hear those words, to feel like part of a family…
(Noah’s eyes start to water. Luke reaches toward him, but Noah pushes his hand away)
Luke: What? I get it. You were emotionally and physically wiped out. I’m sorry.
Noah: You’re sorry, but you’re still mad.
Luke: Well…
Fade to another scene.

When we return…
Noah: Well? Well, let me tell you something, Luke. I love you.
Luke: Noah!
Noah: No, let me finish. I love you. And I could have said it yesterday in the truck, when I was rattled and frazzled and upset. I could have told you on Halloween when you kicked me out after you fell, and maybe that would have been enough to make you reconsider and I wouldn’t have spent a week worrying about you and wishing you’d answer your phone. I could have told you that day in the hospital, or when we were off in the woods together, or that afternoon when my father caught us kissing.
Luke: All this time? (Looks relieved and surprised at the same time.)
Noah: Yes, all this time. But I’m glad I didn’t say anything before. Because now I can tell you why I love you, Luke Snyder.
Luke: Tell me why?
Luke looks astonished. Fade to commercial.

Fade in. Luke is still astonished.
Noah: Yes, I’m going to tell you why I love you, Luke. I love you because you’re honest, and kind, and caring. I love your dedication to your family, and the way you wouldn’t give up on me when I was confused, and the way you’ve welcomed me into your life at such a difficult moment when you could have blamed me and tossed me aside. And I love your lips, and your eyes, and the way your smile curls up a little bit when you’re annoyed. (Noah grins.)
Luke: Noah…
Noah: But most of all, I love what you make me. You make me want to be a better person, Luke, to be honest and to do something real with my life. And having you beside me makes me feel like I can do it! Like anything is possible.
Luke: Noah. (Stops, flustered.) Noah. I love you, too. And I’m sorry I doubted you.
Noah: That’s OK. Just understand, my track record with love hasn’t been that good. I told my dad I loved him, and he used my love to try to control me—and destroy you! And I told Maddie, and we both know what a disaster that was.
Luke: I understand. I’m sorry I didn’t get it sooner.
Noah: That’s OK—you’ve got a lot of other things on your mind, and yesterday was intense for you, too. But Luke?
Luke: What is it, Noah?
Noah: If you’re feeling something, tell me! My entire relationship with my father was a lie. I don’t ever want to be in that kind of relationship again.
Luke: You’re right. Look at my parents! A few lies and a few secrets and it’s snowballed into a mess.
Noah: Exactly.
Cut to a scene between Lily and Dusty.

When we return…
Luke: So, we’re being completely honest?
Noah: That’s the idea.
Luke: Well, then I have to tell you—this little talk of ours has me all revved up.
Noah: Is that so? (Noah smirks.)
Luke: Yeah, too bad we can’t do anything about it…
Noah: You know, your father mentioned he was going to be well out of earshot for quite a while.
Luke: He did, did he? (Luke grins.) Interesting. Faith and Natalie are gone, Grandma Emma took Ethan with her and Meg to go shopping, all the other Snyders seem to be away…I think we’re actually alone!
Noah: Want to roll over to your room?
Luke: I think I’d rather try to walk. If I can get my legs to work, who knows what else might stand up?
Both young men grin devilishly at the thought. Luke rises from his chair; Noah reaches for his waist and supports him as they make their way out of the kitchen.
Luke (quietly, as they exit): I love you, Noah.
Noah (just as quietly): I love you too.

Cut to the previews for next time:
Noah: Are you sure you’re ready?
Luke: Of course I am. Why are you so nervous? You’ve done this before.
Noah: Never with someone I love, Luke. Never with you.
They kiss; cut to a preview of the Quad.

Continued in The Day After, Part Two.