Infatuated

V [updated]

     Lucas's alarm buzzed continuously until he turned over to force his hand on the button. The weekend seemed to go by too fast yet again and left him even more exhausted than the week before. He rummaged through his closet for his sweater and threw it on upon finding it, letting out a long sigh afterwards.

He combed through his bedhead and looked at himself in his mirror. His eye bags were coming back, and he looked tired. He looked so drained, so weak, so beaten. How long has it been, he wondered, since that accident years ago?

He zoned back in, looking himself in the eyes in the mirror. He looked away, having to break the gaze before he downed himself even more. As he walked downstairs, he was welcomed with the smell of eggs. When Flint had the time he would make Lucas breakfast, and it was always nice to wake up to omelets occasionally. He made a mental note to thank his dad when they both got home.

He'd somehow gotten ready faster than usual, so he decided to sit down and eat his breakfast at home for once. Every morning it seemed harder to drag himself out of bed, each day seemed like it took longer and longer to be able to get ready. It was nice to have a change of pace to enjoy his time at home for once. He rinsed his plate after finishing and grabbed his bag, making sure to pet Boney and tell him goodbye before going on his way.

     Lucas stared at the ground as he walked. He didn't like to talk to people as they passed by, afraid he would still be told how everyone thought he was a crybaby or how outlandish his family was for not being like everyone else. His thoughts went back to his first thoughts of the morning, how long has it been since the accident? He hadn't thought about it in a while, he'd almost been able to go two weeks without seriously thinking about it. It's been seven years. Seven years since the accident that killed his mom and his brother. Were his eyes beginning to well up with tears again?

It's been seven years and he always told himself it's been long enough to get over it and not cry, but he just couldn't stop himself from doing so when it passed his mind. He blinked the brewing tears away to the best of his ability and looked up once he passed the telltale signs on the ground that told him he was near the school. He adjusted his bag's strap and walked in, scanning the cafeteria for Ness. Relieved once he found him, he walked over and sat down beside him, quiet instead of greeting him like he usually would.

"Morning," Ness decided to greet him first after silence, covering his mouth as he yawned.

"Did you sleep well?" Lucas's voice came out shaky, but he quickly cleared his throat. Ness rubbed his eyes and looked at him, letting out a short chuckle.

"I thought I did, I went to bed an hour earlier than usual." Lucas managed a small smile and looked back at Ness.

"That's the thing, you go to bed at one a.m. last I checked."

"You're right, but I thought an extra hour would help. I'm exhausted from practice lately."

Lucas replied in silence, fiddling with his hands catching Ness's attention.

"Something wrong?" Lucas put his hands down immediately, raising his voice a bit and stuttering out, "N-No! Why would you think that?"

Ness sighed to himself, Lucas was awful at lying, and he was going to get an answer out of Lucas this time. They were called out to class as soon as he opened his mouth though, leaving him to sigh and walk alongside Lucas to class.

     Lucas sat his belongings down and felt guilt wash over him. He never told Ness what happened, so it was only natural for him to be worried if he was okay.

"Hey," he said as soon as Ness walked in and sat his stuff down beside him, "I'll tell you after school."

Confusion flooded Ness's face and Lucas tried to think of what to say.