MCSM: The Forest Temple

Part 16 (Lukas)

Lukas was in the basement of the Order Hall. He had weights on his wrists and ankles and he was tossing a medicine ball up and down in the air, catching it while treading water. He left his shirt, leather jacket, shoes, and socks on the ground beside the pool section of the obstacle course. "Lukas?" He heard a girl's bewildered tone. He turned and smiled to see Jesse standing there. She looked a little pink, he suspected that it was because he was shirtless. He didn't care, "Oh, hi Jesse! What are you doing here so late?" He grabbed the medicine ball and waded towards her. Jesse said, "I just got back from a tour with Carson." Lukas flinched at hearing the name Carson, "You went on a tour with Carson? You look a little side tract. He didn't do anything to you, did he?" He felt his muscles tense up as he waited for an answer. 

 Jesse bit her lip, Crud! I look side tract because of seeing Lukas shirtless! Lukas pulled himself out of the water revealing his abs and buff arms. Her blush slightly increased, I can't tell him that! I need another excuse. Luckily, I have one, "He may or may not have tried to kiss me." Lukas tensed once again as he tore the velcro weights off and dropped them to the floor. Lukas tried not to look obvious that it bugged him, "Did you?"

"Did I what?" Jesse gave him a sideways glance, forcing herself to look into his eyes instead of revealed muscles. Lukas approached her, "Kiss him?" Jesse's eyebrows raised, "No," Lukas relaxed a bit, "How has so much changed over those two days I was gone?" 

Jesse felt bad. Lukas probably felt replaced, "Nothing has changed, Lukas. There is nothing going on between Carson and I." She insisted. Lukas turned to her, "He obviously doesn't think so. I'm just going to be straightforward with you. I don't trust Carson." He folded his arms. Jesse looked up at him, trying to read his gaze, "Do you know something that I don't know about him? You can tell me."

Lukas bit his lip. He wanted to tell her his suspicions about Carson breaking the stone below his feet, causing him to fall. He wasn't certain that Carson tried to kill him, so he wanted to wait until he was sure before he pointed fingers, "No." He said simply, "I was just giving you my opinion." He decided to distract her from his secret, "I hate to say I told you so, but... I told you so. He likes you." He gave her a teasing grin as she glared at him, "Well, I don't like him." When she said that, Lukas felt relieved. Not just because Lukas wanted her to be with him, but also because he just didn't like Carson. He smiled, "Good." and pushed her into the water with a splash. She resurfaced quickly to yell at him, but regretted it when she heard, "Woo-hoo!" and water splashed into her face as he cannonballed into the water right next to her. He came up laughing and she splashed him in the face, "Now I'm all wet!"

"That's too bad. Looks like you're stuck swimming here then." He raised an eyebrow at her. She playfully glared at him and jumped onto his shoulders, pushing him under the water for a little bit. He came back up, "Okay, I deserved that." He laughed.

"Fancy seeing you two here!" They turned to see Olivia standing at the side of the pool with goggles, a swimsuit, and a towel, "Hope you don't mind me asking, but.. Jesse, why aren't you in a swimsuit?" Lukas snickered and Jesse said, "Well, I wasn't planning on swimming, but someone-" She coughed the word, "Lukas," and continued, "-Pushed me into the water."

Olivia laughed, "Good job Lukas!" She set down her towel and  ran to the edge of the pool. She cannonballed between Lukas and Jesse. The three of them fooled around in the water for a few hours before returning back to their houses. They had a great time, and Lukas thought back to when Jesse said that she didn't like Carson, praying it was true.