Beyond The Smoke

Chpt. 13 Know Me

"Lukas!" Ally barged into my apartment screaming, causing me to nearly drop my 'cigar' out the window. I was happily smoking away my worries by the window, watching the smoke being rushed away by the wind, until she came by. I turned to her, frowning.

"What All-"

"Have you been paying any attention to his grades?!" She exclaimed, pointing to Mike who rolled his eyes, turning away from attention.

"I haven't been able to look, why?" I inhaled, exhaling through the window so the smell didn't linger on me.

"He's failing two damn classes, Lukas!! Two classes!!" Mike groaned, causing me to grin slightly. He was annoyed and it was adorable. In his new hoodie I'd given him and the new jeans, he looked great. I was proud. "Wipe that f.ucking grin off your face! You know I don't want you smoking!" I chuckled a little.

"Ally, he's doing the best he can. He just needs a little push, he'll be fine. What classes are they?" I asked, tanking another breath and pulling my sleeves over my hands as a draft blew through the window. Mike was tapping his foot in frustration, unable to pull at his hair with the beanie he had on. He gets those stupid nervous habits from me.

"Science and English." She had finally gotten out a string of words without screaming.

"Science is annoying as hell and English is just because I couldn't write this stupid crappy paper! Could you pleeeaassee just let up, Ally." I grinned once more. I wish he'd learn to enjoy school, and I wish I had the chance. There's so much more left for him to know and if he does well, he could go to a top rate college on a full ride. I was never good in school, always letting my grades slip, but I wouldn't let him make the same mistakes I did. Especially when I know how to fix those problems.

"Here, I was good in English. I'll help you with that. Science though, that you'll have to go to tutoring for." Mike sighed and nodded as Ally gave a glare at him.

"You skip tutoring and I'll fry your a.ss." She threatened.

"Language." He sasses, causing me to stifle a laugh. Ally jut smacked him upside the head, carefully though, and stomped out of the appartment. That shot my mood down a little, she is, as we all are, afraid for him. The whole brain bleed had caused a whole level of odd moods wings and some kind of ADHD or something to crash down on him. He just can't focus on anything, rarely still, and moody. Not regular teen moody, but I've had to try and calm him a few nights in a row. He'd cry over nothing, saying he has no idea why. The next morning I'll try to confront him about it, and he'll deny it, smiling. It's worrying me sick, but I'm helpless.

"So, what's up with the sass?" I asked as he dragged his backpack over. He shrugged, smirking a little.

"I know she won't roast this," he smacked his a.ss. "It's too beautiful." My eyebrows shot up, and I chocked on smoke.

"Alright, sit." I croaked. "We've got work." He took his set in front of me, taking out his binder and a few papers. Suddenly, he stopped, looking up at me with furrowed eyebrows. He leaned forward and grabbed the joint from my hand. It wasn't anything strong, but it wasn't just a cigar, and he shouldn't know that. He grabbed the small ash tray and put it out.

"What was-"

"You." He stated, only confusing me more. I don't smoke too much around him, but he's never done this.

"Me...?"

"You were laughing." It was my turn for the furrowed eyebrows. I looked at him in confusion. So what if I was laughing?

"So...?-"

"You don't act that happy, ever. What was that?" I shook my head, dismissing the subject and picking up a paper. I examined it, seeing the prompt for his English paper.