Summer Love: Before the Spark

Chapter 6

Lukas eagerly led Jesse, his soft hand gently holding hers.

Reuben, Axel, and Olivia swiftly followed, their footsteps lightly clacking against the hardwood floor.

Lukas was smiling, joy gleefully lighting up his face.

Lukas led the group to a bigger room, glass lining up the large walls providing natural light.

Everyone came to a halt and Lukas let go of Jesse's hand.

Reuben glanced at Jesse for a moment and then out the window.

"Here?"

Lukas turned his gaze to Axel. "Yep," He said with a swift nod.

Reuben approached the large window, putting his fingers against the clear glass as he briefly looked out.

Jesse walked over to Reuben as a conversation between Axel, Olivia, and Lukas started.

"It was pretty smart of you, I mean what you did to get me here," Jesse said as she approached him, crossing her arms.

Reuben chuckled, "I had some help."

"Oh really," Jesse tilted her head to the side, cracking a small smile.

Reuben stuck his tongue out playfully and punched her shoulder lightly.

"Let's just say I got permission for all of us to come here as well."

"I knew it! You and the other goody two-shoes would never skip school even if your lives depended on it," Jesse said, shaking her head.

The two laughed and Reuben removed his hands from the window before crossing his arms over his chest.

"So how you and Blondie holding up?" Reuben asked, his gaze darting to Lukas and then back over to the window.

Jesse cleared her throat. "What's that supposed to mean?" Jesse asked, raising her eyebrow.

"Nothing really," Reuben said, hiding a small smirk.

"Uh huh sure, but," Jesse said, "I-"

She paused, hesitating for a brief moment as she gazed at Reuben. Eventually a short silence crept between them and Reuben tapped his foot against the floor.

"I what?" He asked curiously as he rested his arms at his side.

"I doubt your statement," Jesse said, glancing at Reuben for just a moment, "Besides I can see that smirk of yours from a mile away."

"What!? How-"

"Magic," Jesse says as she tosses him a small card.

Reuben barely caught it, his doe eyes wide.

"Ah come on now that was just convenient," Reuben said as he handed the card back to her.

"You bet it was buddy," Jesse said, taking the card back and stuffing it in her overall pocket.

Reuben smiled warmly and shook his head playfully while Jesse's smile grew larger.

Reuben swayed to the side, a lopsided grin on his lips as he shook his head.

About 30 minutes had passed by and conversations had only continued to spark.

"Hey look I made it!" An unfamiliar voice exclaimed, catching Reuben and Jesse's attention.

The two turned swiftly and saw a little girl pointing excitedly to a white board.

Jesse and Reuben walked over to the others as their conversation dwindled into a comfortable silence.

"So is that where they post the results?" Reuben asked, tilting his head to the side.

Lukas turned and smiled a bit and said, "Yep."

The group headed over to see the results and Olivia gasped in surprise.

"Lukas you did it!" She exclaimed, a bright, cheerful, smile tugging on her lips.

"Huh, I guess I did," Lukas said, smiling radiantly.

Jesse was just flabbergasted.

"What happened eh?" Reuben nudged her side lightly, "Thought you said too many deductions," He teased.

"S-Shut up!" Jesse grumbled, crossing her arms over his chest, "The judges probably just liked his charms or something."

"Sure Jesse sure," Reuben said, punching her shoulder playfully.

Reuben turned his attention to Lukas and he clapped.

"Congratulations Lukas!" He exclaimed.

"Yeah man, that was well deserved!" Axel added eagerly, a smile tugging on his pink lips.

"Yeah congrats Lukas," Jesse said and the blonde beamed even more at her words.

"Hehe thanks for supporting me... It means al ot," Lukas said, his azure eyes practically sparkling with life.

"Anytime," Reuben said simply, a large grin on his face.

Jesse's smile only grew and she adjusted her slipping glasses with her index finger.

"You did it buddy," Axel said, patting Lukas' back, "You really did it."

"Yeah and now I get to play again!"