Vienna

chapter nineteen

It was Thursday afternoon and I was finishing up cleaning out the dog kennels at the rescue. I had admittedly been picking up less shifts these past couple of weeks because I've been so busy with school and hadn't really felt the intense anxiety that normally leads me to calling in. But I realized how much I missed seeing the dogs, so I decided to go in today. 

Suddenly, I heard footsteps and looked up with a smile expecting it to be my boss telling me my shift was over. But, to my surprise, a familiar mop of blonde hair stood in front of me.

"Hey, V! Daisy told me you'd be here, I thought I could pick you up and we could hang for a little," Lucas says, flashing me that charming smile of his. I eyed him in surprise, not expecting to see him here, but quickly recovered and returned his smile with one of my own.

Lucas was the epitome of a boy-next-door. Curly blonde hair, kind blue eyes, very polite and respectful to adults. Everyone's parents love him. Even Ethan, the overprotective brother he is, has always been happy about my close friendship with Lucas.

We had hardly hung out in these past few weeks. Usually, we make sure to do something just the two of us every so often, but we've both been busy and he's been a bit distant recently. So, I was glad he went out of his way to come all the way to the rescue just to hang out with me.

"Cool. I should be done in a few," I smile at him, sweeping up the floor.

"Here, let me help you," Lucas says, reaching for my broom. I gladly hand it over to him, and instead go to refill all the water bowls.

We clean up the kennels in silence for a bit, the only sounds coming from his light sweeping. 

"You and Nate have been hanging out a lot lately," Lucas breaks the silence abruptly, a weird glint in his eyes that I can't quite read.

"Not really," I mumble, not quite making eye contact.

Lucas simply gives me a pointed look in response, making me roll my eyes.

"Well, I mean, I'm tutoring him in Calculus, I guess. But I wouldn't really call that hanging out," I follow up.

Lucas makes a silent oh with his mouth, nodding in understanding. "Just-" he stutters. "Just be careful," he warns me.

I whip my head up to look at him in the eye. "God, dad, I'm tutoring him. Not fucking him," I snap, immediately wincing at my harsh tone.

"Sorry," I mumble, regretting my the rudeness of my statement.

Lucas sighs and runs his fingers through his dirty blonde locks, "I just mean that he's not exactly the best guy. I'm just looking out for you."

I give him a weird look, "Isn't he like your  best friend."

Lucas gives me an exasperated look. "Exactly. I know what he's like better than you do," he explains softly.

I shake my head at him, "I already know he's a player, Lucas. Plus, you know me better than to think I'd be naive enough to be interested in him like that."

He sends me a soft smile, "I know, V. I'm sorry." God damn him and his stupid niceness. How am I supposed to stay mad?

I move closer to him and nudge his shoulder with mine. "It's fine," I say, rolling my eyes at him playfully.

I look around the room and, satisfied with our cleaning job, let out a triumphant sigh. "Alright, I think we can head out now. Just let me tell my boss, I'll meet you in the front," I tell Lucas over my shoulder, heading over to the office area.

I reach Melissa's office and knock on the side of her open door to make my presence known. I peek in and see the familiar short, brown hair splayed across the wooden desk. Melissa lifts her head from where it was bent down, thoroughly reading a stack of papers.