Begin Again (Lukesse)

facing our fears

Lukas's PoV

I took a walk in the park, after saying goodbye to Jess. The park was always the best place to go to in BeaconTown with its peaceful silence and the sounds of nature at its finest. The only place worth visiting.

But I had other things to think about. Should I visit Petra? Just to make sure she was okay? I sat beneath a tree, thinking. "Fletcher." I didn't even have to look up to know that it was Aiden. "What do you want now?" I sighed, looking up at the boy, who was looking at the lake, far away.

He sighed and turned to me. "I just realised I don't have friends." he said, shrugging. I punched his arm, grinning. "Then what am I?" Aiden looked at me, surprised. "Aren't you mad at me?"

I smiled up at the sun, "You've been my friend ever since Grade 3, Aiden. Most of the time, I am a good friend, remember?" I said, leaning against the tree. Aiden looked sideways at me, his expression a little wary. "But after all the horrible things I've done?"

I didn't say anything. Just keeping quiet. Aiden sighed, and handed something to me. "Just take a look at it, okay?" he said, getting up and walking away through the leaves. I frowned and opened the piece of paper. Staring back at me was a faded piece of paper which looked oddly familiar. I've seen it in town before but where? It was the missing poster of Ivor. But why did Aiden want me to take another look at this?

***********************

I stood outside the hospital, where I knew Petra and Jesse were. I could feel myself getting nervous. Like a buildup of an avalanche. Soon I would have a breakdown and everything would just go to waste. I stepped forward a little, feeling as if I was being watched.

Come on Lukas, you can do this. It's like the last time... I stopped. The last time I visited the hospital was when my dad was in the hospital because he was drunk and couldn't wake up. I was terrified and was only 10 and even after that accident, my father still treated me horribly. I didn't know what to do. After my mom left, she put us into this mess.

I looked up at the building in front of me and I felt the same feeling I had back then. I was scared to walk through those doors. But I wanted to prove to Jess that I wasn't scared... I ran a hand through my hair, trying to make up my mind. Should I go through those doors and find Petra or just leave?

I looked at the hospital and inhaled. But I was a coward. And I didn't want to know what I had done and how badly did I hurt Petra. So I left.

***********************

I kicked a stone away, my mind buzzing with thoughts and memories of Petra and sometimes alternating to Jess. I entered the park, just wanting some time alone with nature. I always liked nature. It was so- a small scream made me look up and around. A small scream?

Then the scream turned into a cry for help. And it sounded a lot like Jess. It was dark, with only the moon to guide me through the park. "Hello?" I called, standing still to listen for the shout. "SOMEONE. HELP. I CANT SWIM!" Swim. The lake. I ran there as fast as my legs could go and looked at the peaceful lake.

If it wasn't the lake... then where? But... I squinted, there at the side of the lake was a head. Without even hesitating, I jumped in, the cold instantly chilling me, since it was near winter. "I GOT YOU!" I shouted, grabbing the person and pulling them up. A flash of green made my heart stop.

"Jess? Jess.!" I gasped. Suddenly this reduce mission turned even more serious. "L-lukas?" she shivered and closed her eyes, her lips blue. "Jess- stay awake, I got you." I said, shivering and swimming towards the shore. I pulled her on the grass, all I was thinking was for her to be alright.

"Jess. Jess you can't die from hypothermia. Right? You cant do this to me." I rambled on, still hugging her to warm her up. "Why are you here? And how did you even end up in the lake?" I mumbled, suddenly feeling tears running down my cheeks. I never knew I cared about her so much.

"L-lukas." Jess shivered again, her fingers curled against her chest. "We gotta get you home. Get you warmed up." I said softly, and tried to pull her up but she was too weak, which made me wonder how long had she been in the lake. At least she didn't drown.

With determination to get her home, I gathered her in my arms, thankful that she was light. "Where do you live?" I whispered, holding her close. "The blue house. With-" she took a shaky breath, "With the cat." she fell asleep again and I didn't know if that was a good sign.

I quickly walked down the street, remembering that she lived at Town Oaks. I was looking out for the blue house and... a cat? That must be it. I thought, coming to a light blue house and a cat sitting on a windowsill. I shivered, remembering that I had jumped into the lake too.

Quickly, I knocked on the door, and also rang the doorbell. Immediately, the door opened and light from the hallways blinded me, making me blink. "Jess?! And..." the woman I assumed was Jess's mom, exclaimed. I wasted no time.

"I found her in the lake, Mrs Collins. Can you help?" I explained quickly as Jess took a shaky breath. The woman, who was still illuminated by the light behind her, took Jess from me and beckoned me into the house. Her face still hidden from the light.

-End