Loud And Clear (boyxboy)

New Directions

AN: *hides in closet because this took so long...*

~

Grace turned out to be the ultimate shoulder to cry on. She hung on his every word, and hugged him every time she saw him, and asked him questions about feelings that he hadn't even thought to put into words. All while Alex watched on in interest.

In the end, Lucas felt shockingly clear on everything that had happened. Somehow, even though he didn't really know what, or if, anything was to come between them in the future, he felt oddly good about it. After all, he had put himself out there and William had managed to do the same and he didn't think anything had been left unsaid between them. At the very least, he knew where they stood.

He thought about William all the time, but he managed to sleep normally and go to school normally and participate in life instead of moping which is what he had initially wanted to do.

A week passed and Lucas was shocked at how quickly things went back to normal.

Just like every morning before, he found himself sitting with his friends on top of the hill, chatting before classes started, with one marked change.

"So there's this cute guy in my swim club," Alex said. "You want me to hook it up?"

He winked at Lucas suggestively.

"No thank you," Lucas shuddered. "I don't want to know what you think is cute."

"Alex," Grace reprimanded. "Lucas needs time to heal the wounds of the death of his first love."

Lucas cringed but Alex went on as though she hadn't said anything.

"He is cute!" he insisted. "He's like--tall and stuff."

Grace sighed.

"Does he at least have a nice body?"

Alex shrugged.

"I don't know. But I'm seventy percent sure he checked out my package in the change room. Definitely gay."

"Why don't you date him then?" Lucas suggested.

Alex shrugged.

"Not really my type," he said.

His eyes flew over Lucas' shoulder and suddenly, he grimaced.

Before Lucas could turn and follow his gaze, a shadow fell over him.

Lucas looked up into Blake's shocking blue eyes and his whole body stiffened.

"Lucas," Blake said. "Good to see you."

"I have to go," Lucas said, quickly grabbing his things. He jumped to his feet and his head smacked into Blake's chin with a crack.

Both of them gasped and stumbled apart, staring at each other in shock. Then Blake's eyes narrowed in annoyance and Lucas remembered who he was dealing with.

"See ya!" he shouted over his shoulder and took off down the hill.

As he neared the school, Lucas let out a sigh of relief and touched the top of his head gingerly.

He had been avoiding Blake since the party and didn't plan on changing that anytime soon. Or ever.

Paranoid that he was being followed, Lucas turned to glance back and promptly walked into someone.

The girl was small boned and practically tumbled to the ground with the force Lucas hit her with.

For a moment, Lucas stared down at her, stunned, before dropping hastily to his knees to help her.