Evangeline
Lucas meets me in the foyer in his café uniform. Dark pants and a pale blue button up. It suits him. "Shall we?" He beams at me and holds out his arm.
I laugh and take it. As we walk down the street, arm in arm, he asks. "Are you close with your dad?"
I tap my fingers against his arm. "I...wouldn't say close." I seal my lips shut. Any more and I think I might go into hysterics. I have to admit, I'm pretty envious of my stepbrothers. Soft, carefree life. Sheltered home. Rich family. Loving mother. Even the dad. He was taken from them by cancer, unlike my mom, who serves a 20-year jail sentence for something I don't even know what she did. My father... well, there's not much to say about him, either.
My silence and facial expression gives away my thoughts. Lucas knows how to read people well.
He reaches over and pats my head. "I understand." I feel a hand slip into mine. I lace my fingers with his and squeeze his hand. We both know the pain of losing a parent.
"Sometimes I wish Mom was here, too."
We walk the rest of the way in silence.
Chris and Max work as game staff at the arcade on the third floor. The arcade is a cacophony of electronic blasts, and the loud hum of conversation among the patrons, including the occasional whoop of victory.
I spot Max over at the cashier, handing out coloured wristbands to a group of giggling teen girls in short skirts and crop tops. Not too far away, Chris is backing up and smiling awkwardly as another girl fawns over him, batting her eyelashes. I smirk. The twins really are popular with the ladies.
Our eyes meet. The gorgeous, sparkling blue of his eyes are easily distinguishable, even from all the way here. He briskly walks-no, runs in our direction and stops in front of me. The girl follows.
Without warning, I feel myself being yanked toward him. My face meets his chest. Arms wrap around my shoulders. I can smell his cologne. "Hey, babe!" His voice is strained. I pat his back awkwardly and turn my head to peek out from under him arm. The poor girl's face falls. She turns on her heels and walks away in a huff.
