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Once, twice, thrice. He let her go, too many damn times. •
In his dim-lit bedroom, Lucas stands in front of a mirror, fixing his hair. Meeting his own eyes in his reflection, he slowly sighs. Why does he feel so unsettled? He has been on many dates. What makes this date any different from the others?
And he knows, it's because he's thinking of her.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Maya's voice taking on a defensive tone.
"I-I was just saying that, I don't know, you could do better than a guy like Mason." Lucas explained.
"And why are you the judge of that?" she crossed her arms over her chest, leaning back against the seat.
"He's just... He's a player, okay? I hear the kind of things he says about girls in the locker room." Lucas lifted his hands, his voice raising as well.
"So? If he tries anything funny with me, I can protect myself. I don't need you telling me who I can and can't go out with."
Lucas sighed, wishing she wasn't so stubborn. "I just don't think it's a good idea."
Maya's eyes softened as an idea placed itself into her head. "Why don't you want me to go on this date so badly?"
He licked his lips, lifting his gaze to meet hers. His knee started bobbing up and down, he started fiddling with the hem of his shirt.
"I-I... I just... Mason isn't a good guy."
Maya sighed, obviously unsatisfied with his answer. "No, that can't be it," she eyed him warily. "There's... There's more that you're not telling me."
He averted his eyes, staring down at his lap.
When he didn't respond, Maya spoke again. "Lucas, if you tell me, I might not even go on the date."
But he couldn't speak, the words just wouldn't come out. His mouth opened and closed like a fish gasping for air, but when it closed, it stayed like that. And Maya knew he made his decision.
"I, uh, I have to go." Maya's voice lowered almost to a whisper. She gave him a sad smile and stood up from her seat.
"Maya, wait." He shut his eyes closed.
She turned around with a hopeful look in her eyes. "Yeah?"
Lucas bit the insides of his cheeks, and he knew the words were already long gone in his throat. "I'll see you at school."
