Knightly in Shining Armor

Lukas

          I was pacing about Lourdes's apartment, waiting anxiously for her to show. I made myself a cup of tea to ease my nerves. It was no big deal seeing her, or giving her a gift, or explaining... everything. At least, that's what I told myself. The gift I had gotten her was sitting on the coffee table, and I was avoiding looking at it.

I heard the buzzer for the apartment and ran over to let them in. I had assumed it was Lourdes, but the girl who walked in... wasn't. The resemblance was striking, though, even though this girl was much more stylish. It was Josie, Lourdes's sister.

"Oh, Lukas!" Her face lit up as she took notice of me. "It's so lovely to see you! Is my sister in?"

"She's... no, she's not," I coughed awkwardly. "She's on her way, though. You're welcome to wait with me or come back another time. She may be a while, I think she had some errands to run." I was trying to drop subtle hints to get her to leave.

"Oh, it's no trouble," Josie grinned. "I'm fine waiting here."

"Alright, but I have no idea when she's gonna be back," I cursed her persistence to the heavens. This was bloody important; couldn't she see that?"

"Who's the gift for?" She asked, curious.

"Your sister," I said. Her face crumbled before becoming perfectly happy again.

"What is it?" She asked, scooting closer to me. Our legs were touching and there was no way for me to move without being rude.

"It's... kind of private," I mumbled.

"Aw, how sweet." She pressed herself against me, inching closer. "Do you... like my sister?" My breath hitched as her face came closer to mine.

"I... n-no," I denied my cheeks flushing. She bit her lip, looking down at mine.

"Good, 'cause that means I can do this."

She brushed her lips against mine. I froze in shock. What the hell was happening? She took my lack of response as an okay to move forward. She pressed her lips against mine, taking advantage of my shocked state. This was so... wrong. I was frozen in place while the sister of the girl I liked kissed me. My head was in a million places at once, filling me with anxiety. I didn't know why I couldn't push her away, either. I heard a crash from the door. Josie pulled away from me with a grin.

"What in the bloody hell is happening?" I whipped around and saw Lourdes, her purse on the floor in front of her and her eyes widened in shock.

"Hi, Lourdes!" Josie greeted her cheerfully. "Happy Christmas!" Lourdes didn't acknowledge her and was staring at me instead. Her eyes were filled with tears. "Mum wanted me to tell you to come around on Sunday for Christmas dinner. I'll be going, Lukas had something private to give you." She gave Lourdes a one-sided hug and skipped out the door. I stood up, finally jerking out of my statue-like state.

"Lourdes, I..." I started before trailing off. I didn't know what to say. "I didn't mean..." The words died in my throat as a tear snaked down her cheek.

"You didn't mean what?" She asked. "To kiss my sister in my apartment? For me to walk in on you? To make me care about you enough that I'm crying over you? What didn't you mean, Lukas, because I really would like to know." She wiped furiously at the tears on her face. I couldn't muster up a proper sentence. She sniffed and picked up her bag. "That's what I thought. Goodbye, Lukas." She turned on her heel and walked to the elevator.

"Lourdes, wait!" I raced after her, but the doors to the elevator closed as I reached it. I slammed my fist against the door before tearing down the stairs.