Learning To Love

chapter 22

Dust glistened in the light from my window. Morning light. I could tell because as the sun rises, it was golden hour in my room, and the sun's beams were so warm and yellow. There was no other time in the day when the sun was this beautiful in this room.

I touched my head, it felt dizzy and sore.

What happened last night?

I got out of my bed, still in yesterday's clothes.

In his clothes.

I walked out of my room and into the living room, Robert was there.

"Oh, hey kid. You ok?" I could see that he was still on his nice streak. I wondered how long it would last. That's when I started to remember last night.

We were sitting at the dinner table together. He made dinner?

"Uh yeah. What happened?" I asked rubbing my head, it felt sore and squishy on the right side.

"You don't remember? You were eating and then all of a sudden you like zoned out and fell off your chair. I threw you into your bed. Wouldn't be surprised if you head hurts." He lit a cigarette.

"Oh, thanks." I walked towards the fridge to grab a pack of ice from the freezer when I saw a car parking in our drive way.

It was Lucas's car, a dark blue glossy four wheel drive.

What is he doing here?

I closed the fridge and went towards the front door.

"Where are you going?" Robert asked from behind me.

"Um, I think my friends here. I'm gonna see what's up." And I closed the door behind me. When I walked down the porch steps, Lucas was getting out of his car.

"Hey Ollie! It's not too early is it?" He had that cute little smile on his face, then he looked me up and down.

"Did you just wake up? You look pale. Please don't tell me I hurt your feelings that bad?!" He walked over to me in a worried haste. I stepped away, knowing Robert would be looking through the window.

He raised an eyebrow.

"Did I?" The smile left his face, and I could see him going cold.

"No no no, I just had a weird night I guess. I think I fainted." I rubbed my sore head some more becuase it seemed to sooth it.

"Fainted?" He echoed.

"I don't know, I haven't been sleeping well so. Anyway, no I'm not mad at you. We're good." I tried to force a small smile for him, even though it probably made me look like I was lying. I wasn't. I was never mad at you Lucas, only myself.

"Well good, becuase I got you something!" He walked back towards his car and dug into the back seat.

"You what?" Why would he get me something?

He pulled out a black paper bag, his face seemed to flush a little.

"Look I'm sorry for being a dick yesterday, so hopefully this makes up for it." We stood about two feet away from eachother. Like magnets, from the look in his eyes I could tell we wanted the same thing, to be stuck to eachother. Right here. Right now.

I chuckled, shaking my head as I took the little bag from him.

"Your a real sweetheart, you know that?" A smirk stretched my lips and his magnetic field seemed to grow even stronger.

"You know you look really cute when your cheeks blush like that?" I teased and his eyes widened, his entire face going scarlet.

"Shut up dude!" He shoved my shoulder and then looked at my shirt, his shirt.

"You wanna keep it?" He asked and I felt completely shocked by his words.

"I-I can keep it?" I mummbled and he smiled, pinching the fabric and fanning it against my skin.

"Yeah, I like it on you."

Now it was my turn to blush.

I heard the front door open and close behind us. I instantly stepped away.

"Hey boys! What's going on?" Robert stepped down from the porch with his car keys in his hands.

I stared at Lucas with the most serious look on my face, and stepped even further away.

Please let this be a big enough sign.

I don't know if he understood it or not, but he looked away from me and to Robert with his usual friendly smile.

"I'm Robert, Ollie's dad. Nice to meet you!" Robert put out his hands and Lucas shook it with a certain kind of dignity.

"Lucas, one of Ollie's friends."

"Lucas? I haven't heard about you much, did you guys just meet?" Robert stood with his hands on his hips. He looked like your every day friendly neighbor, minus the dark eye bags.

"Uh no, its been like two years now. Its actually funny, I've never met you until now!" Lucas had that infectious chuckle of his.

"Haha, so what's your guys plans today? Scouting girls?" The comment stung a little and Lucas laughed out loud.

"Oh, you know it old man." Lucas joked and looked at me with a secret smirk.

"Whats the bag?" Robert asked, looking down at my hands.

"Oh um-"

"It's a girl's birthday at my work, so I asked him to get something for her at this store his mom works at." It was a perfect cover, I work with girls, and Lucas's mom actually does work at a gift shop.

"Hm, nice. Well, I'm going out for a bit. You gonna be home today?" He turned to me with that friendly cover of his.

"Not sure." I answered shortly.

"Alright, well, nice meeting you Lucas. See you around buddy!" Robert patted his shoulder before walking towards his car.

I hated it, him touching him like that. I wanted to burn the very hand that even so much as shook, but patted the centre of my world.

Don't ruin him like you ruined mom.

Robert backed out and drove away after waving goodbye through his window.

Lucas instantly turned to me, a confused look on his face.

I wanted him to see right through me. I wanted him to notice how hard my heart was beating, the sweat on my forehead, the hate in my voice. I wanted him to see it all. But how could he when I was so good at covering it from years of practice.

"That's ur dad." He finally said. I nodded. He knew there was something, but he didn't know what.

I looked around, making sure no one was around. It was too early in the morning and the street was quiet and empty.

I moved so fast towards him, he flinched. When I pressed my lips against his, he was still and rugged. But as always, he melted into me. I loved that melting feeling so much. He was melting, I was floating.

His lips were so soft and pillowy, but he was a rough kisser. It was perfect. Like magnets.

When I pulled apart, I stayed close. Smelling him, enjoying his presence.

"You drive me crazy when you do shit like that, you know that right?" I felt his warm breath on my face when he spoke, I loved it. I loved it so much.

He started to back away, but I grabbed his shirt.

"Don't leave yet." I whimpered, like a lost soul who has finally found his body, I clung to him.

He wrapped his arms around me and rubbed my back. It was heaven. I was floating, floating so high.

"I have to go, but I'll see you soon. I promise."