Okay... So, Here's The Thing...

Chapter 19

Raven brought Lukas to their homeroom teacher (they shared the same homeroom), and explained to the teacher that they had been caught up with their last classes and had to come later to homeroom.

Mr. Milwood nodded in understanding and let them off the hook.

Raven grinned at Lukas. "C'mon, we have, like, an hour before we have to be at the studio for my photoshoot. Let's go get ice cream— I'll pay." He winked.

Lukas smiled, and slung his backpack over one shoulder. "Sure, let's go." He hummed, following Raven as the latter bounced out the door as the bell rung overhead.

"That foodie." He scoffed with a smile. "He's adorable."

The two got in Raven's car and stomping on the pedal, Raven reversed back out of the parking spot, and onto the open road.

"Sunday's Sundae, here we come!" Raven shouted out the window.

Lukas buried his face in his hands to muffle his laughing.

"Dude, it's just ice cream. Why are you so excited? You're like a kid." He spoke, raising his head.

"Just ice cream? Surely you can't be serious." Raven said, mock-offended.

There was a pause.

Then the two burst into a fit of giggles.

Lukas patted the dark haired boy's head. "Such an adorable little kitten..." He cooed.

"Ah, ah! Don't distract the driver while he's driving!" Raven waggled his finger, eyes on the road. "And also, I'm not a kitten."

Lukas laughed. "Sure you aren't."

—

The bell tinkled as the boys entered the ice cream shop. Customers filled most of the pink-white tables and benches. The smell of fruits and candy filled the air from the toppings displayed.

Raven bounded up the the counter. "Hi, I'll get a pistachio ice cream with chocolate on top! A cone, please!" He grinned.

The cashier nodded with a smile, probably instantly affected with Raven's cheerful personality. "Alright, coming right up!" He said, already picking up one of the waffle cones.

"And I'll take a cherry-vanilla ice cream. Cup, thank you." Lukas told the other worker. She nodded, and hurried off to take his order.

Raven looked at him weird. "I thought you hated cherry and vanilla."

Lukas blushed red, but shrugged. "I thought I'd try to love it."

I'm slowly getting addicted to the smell of cherry and vanilla. He thought absentmindedly.

As soon as the workers gave them their orders, Raven pulled out his black card and handed it to the worker.

His jaw dropped— he must been new if he was surprised by Raven since most workers weren't even fazed by the dark haired male's card— and he hurriedly swiped it and gave it back to Raven with shaking hands.

"T—Thank you for choosing our shop, sir!" He stuttered. Raven laughed— a strangely compelling melodic sound— and offered a bright smile at the worker.

"It's a lovely establishment! I come here often, I take it you're a new worker here?" He asked.

The worker, a young high schooler by the looks of it, nodded. "I just started a few days ago! I—I'm Fred! C—Could I get your number, maybe?"

The other female worker, one they'd seen around before, jabbed him with her elbow. "Don't do that to the customers!" She hissed.

Raven's smile remained (annoyingly— why is he still smiling at this stupid worker?! Lukas thought).

"I'm sorry, but I have my eyes on someone else. I'm Raven, though." He said. "It's nice to meet you."

The worker flushed bright red. "R—Right back at you! Oh, that sounded so stupid." Fred laughed it off awkwardly.

"Thank you, and bye." Raven bowed and hooked arms with Lukas, leading them over to the booth in the corner, away from the eyes of the worker. They sat down, Lukas' arm lingering around Raven for a moment before pulling away.

Lukas blew out a breath. "He was so annoying, right?"

Raven shrugged. "Kinda. I hate people who fling and flirt, without actually knowing the person first."

"Right." Lukas agreed, weirdly feeling relieved for, well, he didn't exactly know.

Raven took a bite off his ice cream, then winced at the cold. Lukas did the same and began to quietly eat his ice cream, deep in thought. He hated cherry because it was too tarty and vanilla was too plain. But... together, they kinda balanced each other out.

Raven was silent for once, nearly inhaling his ice cream. When he finished, he simply leaned back in his chair, wiping his mouth with a napkin.

Lukas said still eating his ice cream, absentmindedly fingering the underneath of the table.

A bright pain shot up his finger. He looked down to realize he had accidentally sliced his finger on a piece of metal that was sticking out from under the table.

Blood pooled out of the cut, dripping down.

"Shit." He muttered.

He winced, taking a napkin to wipe off the blood. Lukas looked up to find Raven holding a hand against his face to cover his nose and mouth, his eyes blown up.

He frowned. "Are you—"

Raven gagged, cutting off Lukas. That made him even more concerned.

"Was it the ice cream?" Lukas questioned, worried.

Raven shook his head. "No, I— agh— don't do well with— with blood— it makes me na— nauseous— agh—"

The dark-haired looked like he was about to really throw up. Lukas frowned. "Oh, sorry. Should I..." He trailed off, not knowing what to do.

"I'm just— ah— going to— ah— step out— second— fresh— air—" Raven gasped out, shooting up and darting out the door.

Lukas stared after him, worried.

A/N: what do you guys think? was Fred being too friendly? 🤨 and what's up like Lukas?

 let me know in the comments >.<