What This Is

Chapter 7

Lacey's POV
I walk into the science class early. I take my usual seat next to the window at the lab table. We have a test today, so I begin to study. Beth comes in and takes her seat next to me. "Hey, this super cute guy came up to my locker just now and told me to give this to you," she greeted me.
"Hello to you to, doll," I smirked at my sarcasm.
She laughed and looked over my shoulder from her seat on my right, as I unfolded the small piece of paper.
"628-555-6532"
My heart skipped a beat.
"Um, who's this from?" I asked eagerly.
"Oh, his name is-"
The shrill ring of the bell cuts her off.
"Well??" I urge.
I notice movement at the door and see Luke slip into the seat right next to it. His movements were still slow and careful. I'm the only one in school that knows why, for Trevor, I heard, moved.
He glances over in my direction, and looks back down quickly when he realizes that I was already looking.
"Oop, there he is," Beth referenced our favorite movie. Of course, she said it wrong, so I laughed out loud, drawing attention from the class. I covered my mouth with my sleeve of my grey hoodie, trying to stop laughing.
"Ms. Lake, is there something you'd like to share with the class?" Mr. Scott asked. I looked up for a moment at my teacher. I swear he graduated from college, like, two years ago.
"Nein," I chuckled.
I kept my eyes on Luke, noticing the smile that slowly curled his lips upward, unable to wipe the smile off my face.
"Woah, what's up with you? I don't remember the last time you laughed that hard!" Beth whispered, laughing along with me.
"I don't know, okay hush hush," giving her a wink as Mr. Scott passed us our tests.

The classes went by similarly, Luke smiling every time we met eyes, and Sam and Beth trying to guess what me and Luke are. I mean, if we are anything, which to be honest, is a scary thought for me. Trusting a guy again... 'No, Lacey, today is a good day. Think good thoughts.' I reminded myself.
After 4th period, I whipped out my phone. I'm not used to Beth and Sam not waiting for me at my locker.
Lacey: hey, where r u guys?
Beth: cafe
Sam: diddo
I shook off the weird feeling I got, and made my way to the food court.
Entering the main cafe, I couldn't find the girls at all.
I texted them again,
Lacey: c'mon guys, I'm not paying hide and seek.
Beth: have you seen Luke?
Sam: yaaaaaaa, where's ur man??
Lacey: srsly guys?!?? He's not mine Sammy, and Beth, I don't stalk him!!! Lol
Sam: uh huh, we're not telling you where we are so.....
Lacey: ugh you loserssss (; -_-
Beth: ily!!!!!
Sam: ily2!!!!!
Lacey: ily3!!!!
With that, I glanced around the cafe. I didn't see anyone I was friends with, so I took Luke's number out of my pocket and texted him,
Lacey: hey, it's lacey. Where r u?
Luke: go out the back door of the main cafe
Lacey: why...?
Luke: that's where I am (;
Lacey: mkkkk

I looked up. Everyone was sitting down now, laughing and having a blast, and here I am, having an anxiety attack.
I looked towards the back corner and noticed the emergency exit door was barely ajar.
'Breathe, you're fine,' I told myself, trying to calm down. I don't know why I got so, I don't know, feely, around him! The burst of annoyance helped me inch forward. I finally made my way to the back, which was shockingly gorgeous. The open fields and the woods behind in, the sun high above in the clear sky.
I found Luke, who was sitting in a low tree ahead of me. I walk up to him, and looked up at him.
"Yes?" He asked with a straight face.
"There's a bench legitimately 4 feet below you." I said bluntly.
"And?" He said, with one side of his mouth twitching to smile.
"And, you're right."
He looked at me with a surprised look.
"Trees are much, much better." And with that, I climbed up next to him.
There was a moment of silence before he asked, "Where's your lunch?"
"I'm not hungry," I whispered, looking straight forward as to avoid eye contact.
"Here....." He reached into a paper bag and extracted a cookie.
"I...."
"I know, I know, you want the cookie," he urged the cookie towards me.
He was right. I was starving.
I think he saw that he won, because he lifted the cookie towards my mouth, and I hesitated ever so slightly before opening my mouth.
Heaven. That's what the cookie tasted like.
"How can a cookie taste this bloody good??" I exclaimed, aimlessly beginning to swing my legs back and forth.
"I have no idea, my mom's a miracle worker!" He said with a small chuckle.
His laugh is so down to earth, so easy going.
"So, what do you do in your spare time?" He asked, stuffing the last cookie into his mouth.
"Hmm, I like music, running, and some other stuff..."
"Ya? Well, you're intriguing me so far. What else?"
"Well, I kinda like to surf...." I shyly stated.
His entire body lights up like a light bulb, I swear. He stopped chewing and bugged his eyes at me.
I laughed at his foolishness. "What?" I asked, amused.
"You like to surf?" He said, barely audible.
"I love everything about the ocean!" I exclaimed.
"Yes!" He exclaimed, his bright smile spreading across his face.

After what felt like only 5 minutes (it was actually about 20 minutes) the bell rang for next class. I jumped with ease out of the tree and looked at Luke above me.
"You coming?" I squinted to see him.
"Ya," he said, jumping. As he landed, he cringed, but quickly masking the pain with a small smile.
I returned his shy grin, and decided not to say anything.
It was nice that the lawn to the school was so wide at moments like these.
"Hey, so, um, tonight is supposed to be epic surfing weather, and I was going to make a trip to the beach tonight. Just to get away, you know? Do you, um- would you perhaps like to come with me?" Luke suddenly stuttered, rubbing the back of his neck nervously.
I also heard it was supposed to be nice tonight. I actually planned on going later tonight, too.
Funny how things end that way.....
"I just might," I smiled, winking at him.
"Okay, so I'll come by at maybe 4, to ride with you? My bike should be back from the shop today?"
"Ya, okay that works," I beamed, barely keeping myself from doing a snoopy happy dance right there in front of the gym. I figured another 15 miler would be good for me.