cursed (2022)

chapter five: our day out

Before my mom and I moved, my parents would argue a lot. I worried it would be like that forever. It was times like these I wish I could have stayed in California with my dad.

Back when things were okay, there was a day when Lucas and I hung out. I insisted we go to the skate park and Lucas reluctantly agreed. I skateboarded to his house and when I got there, knocked on the door.

I was praying his parents weren't the ones to answer. I don't think they like me.

God must have heard my mental plea, because Erica answered. Erica is pretty okay with me. She thinks I'm pretty, and also too good for Lucas. I just assume that's what all siblings would think if one of them ever got into a relationship.

Erica and Lucas fight, but they're actual petty, immature sibling fights. They still love each other at the end of the day and have each other's backs, not like me and Billy. I wonder if Billy and I would've been like that if we had ever gotten along. I think Billy probably only ever claimed to have my back when someone was "bothering me" because he wanted to be the only one with the power to do it.

"Max, what a nice surprise," Erica looks me up and down as she leans against the doorframe.

"Really?" I smile. "I thought you'd be used to me by now."

"I'll never be used to the fact that Lucas was able to bag all this," Erica moved her pointer finger in a circular motion at me before crossing her arms.

I laugh as I spot Lucas rushing to the door, "Erica!"

"Just the facts!" she rolled her eyes at him before he pushes her away.

"Sorry about her," Lucas says as he closes the door behind him.

"I think she's funny," I continue to laugh.

"God," Lucas takes my hand. "She's corrupted you."

I chuckle, "You're so dramatic,"

When we got to the park, I did a few tricks to warm up as Lucas watched. I loved coming here, and I was glad I could share that with him.

I step on the end of my board and grab it with my hand, something I had finally mastered when Eleven was at my place.

"Do you know how to balance on a board?" I question Lucas.

"Do I look like I skate?" he retorts.

"No," I set the board down and grab his hand, leading him over to it. "That's why I'm teaching you."

"If I break a bone because of you, I swear to God!" Lucas threatens as I help him onto the board. He immediately started to shake, scared shitless.

"Calm down!" I laugh. "If you keep this up, you're going to break all of your bones."

Lucas takes a deep breath in and out, "I'm trying my best here,"

Lucas stops moving around excessively and I attempt once again to balance him on the board.

"Can I let go?" I ask.

Lucas looks at me like I'm crazy, "Hell no!"

"You'll never learn!" I playfully whine. "You just need to learn how to balance for now. C'mon Lucas, be a big boy."

Lucas rolled his eyes at my little comment before trying to catch his balance again. I held his arms steady and he finally got it.

"I'm letting go," I announce.

Instead of protesting, he simply nods. To my surprise, and probably his too, he balanced on it perfectly.

"Okay, now try titling to the left a bit."

Lucas did as I said, and immediately fell off the board, taking me down with him.

"Shit!" scream before I fall on top of him.

Lucas laughed while I groaned and rolled off of him, trying to sit up.

"You are such an idiot, I put too much faith in you," I roll her eyes as he helps me up.

We kept practicing before we decided we wanted to get lunch. We ended up going to a burger place, and Lucas skated there a little of the way on my board, but he fell like twenty times.

"I'm surprised you made it this far without breaking a leg, stalker," I jokingly clap for him, but I'm also a bit impressed with how fast he learned.

"You need to let that nickname go," Lucas says as we walk into the diner.

"Nah," I shake my head. "It really does suit you."

Lucas clicked his tongue and we sat at the table before the waiter came over to us. Lucas ordered for the both of us. I listened closely- cheeseburgers, fries, and drinks. He ordered me a vanilla shake and himself a Coke.

"Did you order me a chocolate chip cookie?" I ask when the waiter leaves, knowing he definitely forgot.

"Uh," Lucas' eyes widen.

"Seriously?" I trace random patterns on the table.

"We can always go order one later," he suggests as the waiter brings us our drinks.

"You owe me two now," I smile and take a sip of my shake.

Lucas scoffs, "You're lucky I love you, I wouldn't be spending my money on two cookies and burgers for just anybody."

"I am," I look up at him. "I love you too, but don't gain an ego though."

"We can't have one nice moment!" Lucas complains.

"You know I have to keep you in check," I giggle.

After a while, the waiter arrives with our food.

"Two cheeseburgers, and two large fries." the lady smiles as she sets down the plates in front of us. "Enjoy!"

I almost immediately start to eat. Lucas told me corny jokes in between, almost causing me to choke on my food. They were stupid, but I laughed at every single one of them. It's so stupid because he's not even remotely funny.

After lunch, we went back to Lucas' to watch a movie. He finally got a TV in his room which he would never shut up about, so I had to see it for myself. He had to sneak me in and make a deal with Erica so she'd cover for him. I know I shouldn't, but I found myself thinking about how Billy would never do that for me.

"I've never seen your room so clean," I say as I examine the place before jumping onto his bed. I've been in here a couple times, but not for long periods of time.

"I've changed my ways," Lucas insists as he grabs his remote and rummaged through his shelves for a movie.

He settled on Superman and made his way to the bed, putting his arm around me. I laid my head on his chest in return. I never could've known how much I would cherish that moment in the future-right now.