Chapter 15
1376 Words
They stumbled out of the last ride, Lucy still laughing uncontrollably while Drake staggered like a soldier returning from battle. His legs wobbled, his face was pale, and his pride had been shattered in front of the entire amusement park. Lucy, still holding her stomach from laughing, guided him toward the nearest bench.
“Careful, Drakey, your handsome body might collapse here in public,” she teased, her voice bubbling with glee.
Drake plopped onto the bench and leaned forward, elbows on his knees, one hand rubbing his temple. The world spun violently around him. Never again. Not even if someone paid me a billion pesos. Never.
Lucy clapped her hands, still giggling. She wanted to pat his back and comfort him, but the laughter she had been suppressing all day broke out like a dam. It was too much. His expression, his panicked screams, it was comedy gold.
“I swear, you screamed louder than a pig being butchered!” she burst out.
He groaned. “Shut up. Just shut up.”
Still giggling, she jogged to a nearby stall and returned with two bottles of water. She opened one and handed it to him, still grinning.
“Here, Drakey. Has your soul returned to your body yet?” she teased.
Drake snatched the bottle with a glare. “I almost died because of you! Damn it, Lucy, I’m never doing that again.” He gulped the water like it was the elixir of life.
Lucy sat beside him, pretending to look sympathetic, though her lips twitched with amusement. “Awww… don’t be mad, Drakey. You just screamed louder than me, that’s all. Did your balls shake, maybe?”
His head snapped toward her. “Oh, shut up, woman! I’m telling you, I’m going to get a fever because of this. You’ll be responsible when I collapse later.” He flicked her forehead lightly.
“Ow!” She rubbed the spot dramatically. “See? Even when you’re weak, you’re still violent. What a waste of my beauty, and you treat me like this?”
Drake leaned back against the bench, his chest rising and falling as he exhaled. The sky was turning shades of orange and purple, a sunset casting its glow across the park. Despite the chaos, despite the humiliation, he couldn’t deny one thing: it had been… fun.
Lucy noticed the softening of his expression. “You know what, Drakey? I didn’t expect today would be this amazing. And I know you enjoyed it too, even if you won't admit it.”
“You’re the only one who enjoyed this circus,” he replied, though the corners of his lips twitched.
“Sus! Stop pretending. Were you really that scared of heights?”
“I wasn’t scared. Just… surprised. And dizzy. That’s all,” he muttered defensively.
Lucy smirked knowingly but decided to let him keep his pride. They sat in companionable silence for a few minutes, listening to the hum of the surrounding crowd.
When they finally stood to leave, Lucy suddenly reached out and grabbed his hand.
Drake instinctively tried to pull away, but she flashed her infamous don’t-mess-with-me glare. Reluctantly, he let her fingers lace through his.
The warmth of her hand caught him off guard. He told himself not to think too much about it. It was nothing. Just a silly gesture. But as they walked, something in his chest stirred, something he quickly ignored.
“You know, Drakey…” Lucy’s voice softened for once, her usual teasing tone replaced with sincerity. “You’re the first person I’ve ever held hands with.”
Drake turned his head slightly. “I didn’t exactly volunteer. You forced me.”
She pouted instantly. “Don’t ruin the moment! Just pretend you like it. Let me have my imagination.”
“Stop pouting. You look like a duck’s butt,” he teased.
Her eyes widened. “You’re so harsh! What a waste of my charm.”
“Right… I should be kinder to animals,” he smirked. “Fine, Duck.”
“Excuse me? If you weren’t handsome, you’d look like a monkey right now!” she fired back.
For the first time that day, Drake let out a genuine laugh. The sound surprised even him, it felt foreign but… good.
Lucy froze, staring at him as if she’d witnessed a miracle. Then she gasped dramatically. “Oh my gosh! I made you laugh! The grumpy stick laughed! Someone give me an award!”
Drake quickly coughed, covering his smile. “Ah… I just remembered something. That’s all.”
But she leaned closer, eyes glinting mischievously. “Admit it, Drakey. You’re starting to like me.”
“In your dreams,” he shot back, though his ears burned red.
They continued walking, her endless chatter filling the air again. Finally, Lucy asked burning in her mind.
“So tell me, Drakey… how many girlfriends have you had?”
He sighed, adjusting his watch. “Two serious relationships. And… some flings.”
Her jaw dropped. “Flings? How many exactly?”
He gave her a flat look. “Can’t count.”
Lucy nearly choked on her own spit. “Can’t count?! What were you doing with them? Sharing straws? Practicing saliva transfers? And they actually put up with you?”
Drake shook his head. “You ask too many questions.”
“Well, for your information—me? NBSB. No Boyfriend Since Birth. Not No Boobs Since Birth, okay? I have boobs!” she declared proudly, puffing out her chest. “But I’ve never had a boyfriend. I was waiting for the right one. Then boom, you came along. Love at first sight, Drakey. Fate!”
Drake stared at her blankly. “… You’ve been watching too many dramas.”
“I’m serious!” she protested, stomping her foot. “It’s not the dramas, it’s you! You make me crazy like this!”
He didn’t answer. He just kept walking ahead, shaking his head.
By late afternoon, they decided to head home. Lucy wanted to drag the day longer, but Drake seemed eager to end it. Yet deep inside, he admitted, though he’d never say it aloud. That he had enjoyed himself too.
When the car stopped in front of her house, Lucy unbuckled her seatbelt slowly, not wanting the moment to end. But before she could open the door, Drake reached under his seat and pulled out a single red rose.
Her eyes widened, her mouth forming an “O.”
“Drakey…” she whispered. “Oh my gosh. You actually did this? So sweet!”
He handed it to her casually, his tone neutral. “Don’t overthink it. Just… thanks for today. It was fun. Besides, this will probably be the last, so… might as well.”
Lucy’s heart somersaulted. Before she could stop herself, she leaned over and planted a quick kiss on his cheek.
Then, as if struck by lightning, she bolted out of the car and ran inside, squealing all the way.
Drake froze, touching his cheek where her lips had landed. His eyes widened in disbelief. He sat in stunned silence for several seconds before groaning and raking a hand through his hair.
“This girl… is going to be the death of me,” he muttered, then drove away quickly.
Inside her room, Lucy collapsed onto her bed, hugging the rose tightly.
“Aaaaaaah! Shems!” she squealed, rolling from side to side. Her cheeks burned red, her heart pounding as if it would explode.
Her parents burst in, alarmed by her screaming.
“Where’s the thief?!” her father shouted, brandishing a rolled-up newspaper.
“Child, why are you shrieking like a banshee?” her mother asked.
Lucy popped up from her bed, holding the rose to her chest. “Mom! Dad! I kissed him! Drakey! His cheek is soooo soft! I’m dying!”
Her parents stared at her, baffled.
“My goodness, Lucresia,” her father muttered.
“This child… has completely lost her mind,” her mother sighed.
But Lucy didn’t care. Hugging her pillow and burying her face, she whispered into the fabric, her voice dreamy.
“I’m so head over heels for you, Drake Anderson… my one and only Drakey…”
- Writer
