Solo

Chapter Fourteen: Expectations

Lucas was still in his strange mood when he picked me up for school. The only words he muttered during the ride were, "Good morning." I couldn't think of anything I'd said or done to upset him.

I knew something was wrong when he avoided our morning kiss. He stood quietly next to my locker while I put my stuff away. I started to get a complex. The same eerie silence continued into the junior hall.

"Good morning, guys," Casey grinned.

"Morning," Lucas muttered and walked past her to his locker.

"So, what did you say?" Casey questioned with an exaggerated smile.

"What are you talking about?"

"About prom, silly. Jack said Lucas was going to ask you about the hotel room. That's why we thought you two disappeared last night."

"Oh..." I couldn't hide my shock.

"He didn't ask, did he?"

"No, he didn't. But now everything makes sense. He's been acting weird since last night."

"Maybe he's working up the courage."

"Maybe."

Lucas returned and said he was going to class early and he'd see me at lunch. He barely touched me before walking away. I looked at Casey, completely confused.

"He must be really nervous." Casey tried to comfort me.

"Yeah, I guess."

I thought about Lucas all morning. I wasn't looking forward to our inevitable conversation. It would either make, or break, our relationship. I hated the not knowing.

Lucas was still quiet during lunch, so I took the opportunity to talk to the girls about the flag football game. I was thrilled when Rachel said she had enough girls to play. My excitement sparked a tiny grin from Lucas when I told him the game was on.

After lunch, he said he'd see me in study hall. Since he had skipped out on me before when he was upset, I wasn't holding my breath expecting him to show. To my amazement, when I entered the library, he was at my table reading a book. I sat beside him to see his reaction. He gently placed one hand on my leg as he continued to read. I took that as a sign he still wasn't in the mood to talk, so I pulled out my iPod.

He shot me an insulted look.

"What? I listen to music when I do my homework."

"I figured we could talk after our homework is done."

"So you want to talk—fine. Until then, I'm listening to my iPod." I put my ear buds in, ignoring his glare, and opened my book.

Lucas finished his work, laid his head on his arm, and stared at me.

I tried to avoid looking at him, but his grin kept distracting me. It didn't help that he was rubbing my leg, trying to get my attention.

Finally, giving in, I turned off my iPod. "Are you done with your funky mood?"

"I've got a lot on my mind. I didn't mean to upset you."

"I'm not upset, just worried. I wasn't sure if I'd done something to irritate you."

"No, it's all me."

We sat quietly for the remainder of study hall. I really didn't want to press the issue, so I let it slide. I knew what he wanted to talk about.

When he finally spoke, it was to tell me he didn't have baseball practice and he would take me to my grandparents' house right after school. It was the first time I didn't mind not hanging out with him.