Watercolour

Nineteen

Lucas' P.O.V

"Mornin' chef," Alana joked as she entered the kitchen where I was already at work preparing the food for later.
"Mornin' soldier," I replied, giving her a quick glance over my shoulder.
"Just you?"
"Yeah, am I not enough for you?"
"You're more than enough... it's just that I thought I heard two voices."
"You're clearly delusional. Are you going to use all that?" she asked, pointing to the bar of chocolate that was sat on the side.
"Nah, have some if you want. Just save some for me," I instructed.
"I only want a bit," she pointed out, breaking off a small square and putting it in her mouth.

"How's the shoulder?"
"It's alright... still hurts like a bitch though, and this shoulder immobilizer thing is just pissing me off; I can't do anything."
"That's kinda the idea," I pointed out.
"Shut up, you know what I mean. I hate not being able to do stuff."

"What, like fly to Australia?"
"Luke? she asked, rolling her eyes. "Is he seriously still going on about that?"
"Yup."
"Why did I ever give him your number?"
"'Cause he cares about you and likes to check up on you without all your bias blocking the truth."
"What do you mean? How am I bias?"
"You're just always positive so others don't worry about you."
"Meh. And besides... I have a valid reason for not going."
"And what's that?"

"It's our last Christmas altogether and I want to spend as much time with you guys as possible; as much as it pains me not to go and see Luke and the others."

"Awww, come here," I said pulling her into a hug, being careful of her right arm.
"Get off me Lucas," she said, trying to wriggle free but realising that she was only going to hurt herself by doing so; I was definitely going to make to most of the opportunity to hug her. "Maybe I should've gone to Australia."
"No, you shouldn't have," I said releasing her from my grip. "This Christmas is gonna be good."

"Where's Alex? she asked once she had come back downstairs from, I assumed, the bathroom.
"I don't know, why are you asking me - he let you in?"
"No, I used my key."
"Oh..."
"I'll give him a call," she decided, pulling her phone out of her back pocket and jumping up onto the kitchen island before dialing his number.

She held the phone up to her ear and I went back to focusing on making the brownie mixture.

"Yeah, I'm at yours," she said, "I was discharged pretty early this morning."

There was a short pause while she listened to what was being said at the other end of the line, swinging her legs gently in the air.

"No, I'm already in... we were just wondering where you were."

It was funny watching her nod even though Alex obviously couldn't see her. I'm sure it was a thing we all did but it was amusing to see either way.

"Yeah, we're alright. Do what you need to do, we'll get on with setting up."

I heard Alex's voice very faintly from the speaker but it was only a muffle; however he had clearly just said something to piss her off - most likely about her shoulder - as she gave a loud sigh and rolled her eyes.

"Shut up... I'll work it out somehow," she responded before hanging up and putting her phone down on the kitchen side.

"What was that about?"
"He was teasing me about not being able to put up bunting because of my shoulder"
"Thought so," I said, continuing to stir the chocolatey mixture. "So where is he?"
"Picking up Gid from tennis, he'll be back in about half hour."
"Ah, okay."
"Those brownies smell so good by the way," she called back to me as she left the room.