Running from You

6

"And that is my job".
Lucas's mom has a proud smile on her face. I smile back politely, eating some more undercooked pasta. She just told me all about her job as fashion journalist that she started a few weeks ago. Her husband doesn't seem to happy about it, but that doesn't really surprise me. Lucas has always had a life of luxury, but he's never bragged about it. He doesn't like mentioning it, it's like he feels guilty. I don't mind coming over at his place, because his room is a lot bigger than mine and he has his own TV, but he prefers spending his time at my house, and I'm fine with that too. I'm not jealous of him, I've got a fine life of my own.

"I'm sure that's very interesting to you mom" Lucas says, and he takes a bite of spaghetti. "But I think that's enough job talk".
"Lucas, close your mouth when you eat" his mom says. Lucas rolls his eyes, and swallow his food. Honestly, I agree with his mom, but saying that would just annoy him.
"So, Dean. How is your mother doing?" Lucas's dad asks.
"Oh, she's great" I say. "A bit busy".
"Ah, yes. Well, she has to do a lot of work. Though I'm sure you're not that much of a hassle to take care of".
I smile, and shake my head.
"I get by on my own fairly well" I say. For a second, Lucas's parents look at each other for a moment. I can almost see a hint of distaste in their eyes, but they hide it well. I don't blame them, not many people like the fact that I cook for me and my mom, and that I take care of everything on my own. But I don't mind.

"What's for dessert?" Lucas asks, swinging his legs back and forth under his chair.
"We have ice cream" Lucas's mom says, and she smiles. "Do you want some Dean?"
"Yes, that'd be great" I say. Lucas has the biggest smile on his face, and drums his fingers on the table.
"Is it chocolate?" he asks.
"Yes" his mom says, and his smile grows even wider. He reminds me of a puppy sometimes.

"I'll skip the ice cream" Lucas's dad says. "I need to stay fit".
He's been turning to fitness as a way to spend time, it seems. I noticed the gym equipment the moment I came in the house, and I was very sure it wasn't for Lucas. He loses enough weight by constantly bouncing and running around everywhere, as the hyper meteor he is. Another puppy-like behavior.
"Tada!"
His mom puts down the ice cream on the table.
"It's low fat, and low sugar".
She tries to make sure Lucas eats very healthy. Something tells me she doesn't realise he spends all his pocket money on chocolate and sweets. I don't really like sweets, they're bad for my teeth and I don't want our dentist bills to be too high.

"Yay!" Lucas says, and he claps his hands at an impressive speed.
"Okay, calm down darling" his mom says, laughing awkwardly. She glances at me, but looks away quickly when she notices I'm looking at her. She hands us small bowls with ice cream, and then takes a little bit herself. She puts the rest back in the freezer.
"Can I eat the rest tonight?" Lucas asks.
"No dear, you can't have too much sugar".
She pats him on the head, and eats her ice cream. I finish mine, and see Lucas has finished his already. It tastes weird, probably because of the low fat and low sugar. I don't really like it.
"Can I have the rest?" Lucas whispers when his parents aren't looking at us. I subtly switch our bowls, and he instantly eats the rest.

After dinner, we go upstairs to watch some TV. Lucas always wants to watch Friends, and I'm fine with that. I don't really like watching TV, but it's nice background noise for when I do our homework. I know Lucas doesn't do his, so whenever it's important he has it and urging him to do it doesn't help, I just do it. Again, I'm not doing my best, but at least I'm doing something. I watch with him occasionally.
"I love Joey" Lucas says.
"That's because you're both stupid" I say.
"That's mean" he pouts.
"But it's true" I say. "I like Chandler".
"Or course you do, he's mean too".
"He's sarcastic, that's different" I say. Lucas shrugs, and continues watching. When I'm done with his biology homework, I throw his notebook on his desk, and join him on his bed.

It's Saturday today, but I know he isn't allowed to do his homework on Sundays. It's a church thing, I think. Lucas never takes his ADHD medicine unless it's necessary for school, so he can sleep a bit better. The medicine messes with his sleep pattern. This causes him to fall asleep really early sometimes. Like now. It's nine o'clock, and I should actually go home by now, but Lucas has fallen asleep on my shoulder and I don't want to wake him up. It happens quite often, so I know what to do. As always, I wait for twenty minutes, so I'm sure he's really deep asleep, before I gently move away, and lay his head down on his pillow. I turn off the TV, turn off the lights, and pull the covers over his shoulders.
"Goodnight idiot" I whisper, before I walk out the door, and very carefully close it.

I walk down the stairs. Lucas's dad is on the home runner, and his wife is sitting in the couch, flicking through magazines.
"Hey, Lucas fell asleep" I say. She looks up, and smiles.
"Okay, I'll check on him in a minute. It's been good to see you again, it's been a while".
"It has" I say, and I smile back. "Goodbye".
I walk past his dad, who doesn't say anything. He just gives me a friendly nod, while he turns the tempo up a little. I leave though the front door, and breathe in the fresh air. I can see what Lucas was talking about, there was constantly a slightly tense sphere in the house. I just hope he doesn't suffer from it too much.

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