Chapter 2
1216 Words
“How was school?”
“They gave us extra homework.”
Across the table, my mother raises an eyebrow.
“That’s it?”
I shrug and hang my bag on the hook by the door. “Pretty much.”
“Okay then. Go change and help me out here. Lucas' mom is coming over for dinner tonight.”
I let out a groan before I can stop myself, earning a sharp look from her.
“What was that for?”
Crap.
The warning in her voice is subtle, but I know better than to ignore it. If I say the wrong thing, I’ll be stuck listening to one of her famous guilt-filled lectures.
So I shut my mouth, slap a hand over it for good measure, and shake my head quickly. “Nothing. I’ll be right back.”
I take the stairs two at a time, disappearing into my room before she can press further.
Five minutes later, the doorbell rings through the house.
“Sweetie, can you get that?”
As if I have a choice.
I finish setting the utensils on the table and head toward the front door. When I open it, I’m greeted by the kindest, most familiar eyes in the world.
“Mrs. Dalton,” I say, forcing a polite smile and subtly wiping my sweaty palms on the side of my jeans. “It’s nice to see you again. Come in.”
“Oh my goodness, Kaia! Look how much you’ve grown. You’re beautiful,” she gushes, wrapping me in a warm hug. “Can you believe it’s only been a month?”
Actually, yes. It’s been exactly a month. She was overseas, helping manage her family’s new business project.
I give her a small smile. She pinches my cheek affectionately before floating down the hallway to catch up with my mom.
And then Lucas steps into view, grinning like he owns the place.
“What?” I ask, raising an eyebrow.
“No hug for me?”
I blink. “I see you every day.”
I turn on my heel to head back inside, but he sidesteps to block me.
I tilt my head, eyes narrowed. “Move.”
He smirks. “You’ve gotten awfully feisty, you know that?”
I flash him a fake grin. “Lucky you.” I push him aside—not gently.
“Oh, and by the way,” he calls after me, “we need to talk later. After dinner.”
“Why?” I glance over my shoulder.
“You’ll know once we start.”
He brushes past me, leaving that ominous little sentence behind like a dramatic movie character.
Dinner goes smoothly—surprisingly. Afterward, we all gather in the living room. My mom and Mrs. Dalton are deep in a conversation I already know I don’t want to be part of. Their laughter echoes through the room, loud and frequent.
On the other side of the couch, I’m slumped in my seat, completely checked out. Lucas is glued to his phone, apparently very entertained.
Meanwhile, I’m full. I’m tired. But mostly—I’m bored out of my mind.
“The dishes are done, so I can’t even use that as an excuse to sneak away,” I mutter.
“Psst.”
I glance sideways. Lucas is now sitting beside me, eyes gleaming with mischief.
“Let’s go to your room.”
I cut him a look, nodding toward our moms. “Yeah, because that won’t raise any questions.”
He rolls his eyes and, without warning, grabs my wrist and pulls me to my feet.
“Where are you kids going?” my mom calls, her eyes narrowing suspiciously.
“Upstairs!” Lucas replies casually, like it’s the most innocent thing in the world.
“Okay, have fun!”
...Excuse me?
That’s it? No follow-up questions? No threats? No awkward reminders about leaving the door open?
She literally gives me death glares when I’m late for dinner, but now she’s cool with this?
The world is unfair.
Lucas tugs me along, and we head to my room. As soon as we’re inside, he faceplants onto my bed with a groan.
“Finally. I thought I was going to die from boredom down there.”
At least we’re on the same page.
I close the door and lean against it. “Alright, what did you want to talk about?”
He sits up, crossing his legs like he’s about to give a TED Talk. “Remind me again why I have to act like I don’t know you at school?”
I freeze mid-scroll on my phone.
Oh no. We’re doing this now?
“Well… um…” I glance at the door. “Just because.”
“Seriously?” He raises an eyebrow.
I panic. “Oh, look at the time! I’m suddenly starving. You want a sandwich? Of course, you do. I’ll go make us both one.”
I move to escape, but Lucas is faster. He plants himself in front of the door.
“You’re avoiding the question.”
I attempt a sheepish smile. “What? No, I’m just being a good host. You said you were bored—I’m trying to fix that.”
I place a hand on his arm, hoping to gently push him out of the way. Instead, he grabs my shoulders and spins us, pressing me lightly against the door.
My back hits it with a soft thud.
“Oh, come on,” I mutter.
His expression isn’t playful now. It’s serious. “You know how hard it is for me to pretend I don’t know you? I get that you might have a reason, but do you ever stop to think about how that feels for me?”
I meet his gaze, and for a second, I don’t say anything.
“Of course I have,” I finally answer.
He’s not the only one struggling. If only he knew how painful it is for me to ignore someone I’ve known practically my whole life—someone who matters more than he realizes.
It’s not about being embarrassed. It’s about avoiding the chaos that always seems to follow us when people start asking questions. The judgment, the drama—I’ve already lived through that once.
I can’t do it again.
Still, I say none of this.
Lucas’s eyes search mine. “Then why?”
My thoughts blur. I could tell him the truth. But I’m not ready.
So I go with distraction.
I pat his arm and smile. “Just... join the sports club or something.”
He blinks. “What?”
“It’ll give you something to do. You’ll be too busy to care.”
Not my best deflection, but at least it’s something.
Lucas shakes his head with a sigh and gently taps my nose with his finger.
“You’re lucky you’re cute.”
I immediately flatten my expression. “Don’t call me that.”
He steps aside this time, letting me go without resistance.
“Extra on—”
“Onions, lettuce, and ham. I know.” I wave him off as I grab the door handle.
His voice follows me as I leave. “That’s my girl.”
I roll my eyes. “Stop calling me that.”
- Writer
