My Brother's Best Friend

3. Need a Ride? No thanks.

Isn't it funny how you know the sounds of certain peoples cars. For example when your mum comes in her car it has a certain truck like sound even though it's just a city FWD. That's different to your dad's car which has a certain rhythm to the engine when it pulls in. Lucas' car was pretty unique it had a bit louder deeper rumble.

This was because Lucas' car was an old classic car that he did up with his grandfather so it was a unique sound compared to all the new ones. I knew his car sound within a day of him getting his license. He was Harris and mine lift everyday.

The familiar deep rumbling sound of that very car creeps up behind me. I knew it was Lucas long before he slowed down next to me. I was staring intently at my phone for directions because I had never tried to walk home from school. And I was always happy to jump in with Lucas... until today.

I didn't want to face him yet. I had hidden out all day in the library instead of the usual table where my brother and his friends (including Lucas) sit. I know that apparently it's weird to sit with your brother but I haven't really made many friends and it feels natural to me. When I moved in this school my best friend went to a different high school that was more affordable and closer to where we live. I haven't found someone like her since. Like I have people I sit with in classes who I like but I haven't connected really well with anyone of the girls yet.

Back to my day. More importantly back to the car and most importantly to the driver I was avoiding.
And right now I know two things:
1. My brother Harrison (or Mather) is in dentention.
2. My brother's best friend Lucas who normally drives us both home is waiting for me to jump in the car. His car. With him. Only him.

Lucas is the guy I accidentally kissed last Friday. Now that is actually weird because he was like a kind of annoying brotherly figure. And I'm feeling weird as all $&!@ now.

I don't get weirded out every time I kiss a guy. But when you kiss someone and it ignites something in you enough to spend the whole weekend replaying how it felt in your mind. Well that is what makes me feel so weird.

Lucas isn't even attractive.

Rephrase: Lucas wasn't even attractive.

He always seemed like a slightly less annoying brother. Never on my hot radar at all. But the way he kissed me - I have spent all Saturday and all Sunday dreaming of those lips so soft on mine, his toned defined arms under my fingers, what it felt like to wrap my arms around his shoulders. And his smell - I didn't wash the dress I was wearing that night because it has his smell all over it. Not that I would ever admit that to anyone. Ever.

That was not kissing in a slightly annoying brother way. That was kissing on a whole huge crush way. Now he was definitely on my hot radar in a big way. But now I didn't know how to act around him so I did what any normal person would do: run away and avoid him at all costs.

This how I resolve most problems in my life.

I hide.

I hope they don't find me.

But they do.

They always do.

Speaking of... I hear the familiar sound of Lucas' car engine thrumming. I don't have to turn and look to know he is driving at a snail's pace right beside me.

"Hey!" His deep voice calls out.

My heart skips a beat.

Act normal! I panic.

I turn my head to look at him as I keep walking towards home.

"Mather is in detention but I can still give you a lift. I'm going home anyway," he calls out as though nothing has changed.

But it has.

Everything has changed now.

"Thanks but it's ok, I feel like walking," I try to convince him I'm normal and just felt like walking home for the first time in my life after our kiss.

"Mini Mathers, now is not the time to put your stubborn panties on," I hear him say as the engine cuts.

"Says you, the most stubborn of all," I poke my tongue at him. Because that's the mature young adult I am.

His eyes darken slightly and I feel like I should start running. But I know it's pointless because:
a) I don't run or play any sport at all; and
b) he is the fastest footballer on the team.

I walk slightly faster holder my bag as tight as possible. Sure enough he jogs up to me and grabs my hand.

This is what I was trying to avoid.

Too weird and way too confusing.

I turn when he stops because he still has my hand.

"Come on Mini Mather," he says with his most adorable lopsided grin. He gestures towards his car.

Since when was his grin adorable?
I need to get away from here. I need to get away from him and fast!

"I would prefer to walk today," I pull my hand out of his grasp and shake my head.

I see him roll his eyes before I turn away to continue walking.

"Right, and I said I can give you a lift," he said. Next minute his arms are scooping me up. One of his arms is under my knees and one under my arms across my back so I'm cradled like a bloomin child. All I can smell is him when my face is practically shoved into his tight chest.

"Stop! Please I'll get in the bloomin car!" I shout in alarm. This only causes him to throw his head back and laugh heartily as he walks me back to the car still cradled.

"Lucas! Down now!" I order him mimicking my mother's tone pretty well. This is while I'm squirming to get away.

"Nawh cute," He condescends right into my face. His eye lashes are so long for a guy. Way better then mine. I scowl at his face but am soon distracted when my eyes notice his mouth.

I swallow hard.

Being this close makes it even harder to ignore him and his lips. The thought of last weekends kiss keeps replaying in my mind.

All I want is to wrap my arms around his neck and taste him again.

My eyes flicker up to his bright green ones. I attempt to check if he noticed I was staring at his lips. The way he is looking at me right now sends warmth through my body. I know somehow he is replaying last Friday night too or maybe more.

All of a sudden butt hurts and I'm on the ground.

He was already on his own side of the car fumbling to open his door.

"What the Lucas?" I howl at him for dropping me. He glanced at me and scratches the back of his head nervously and looks down towards his shoes.

He has never acted like this. It would almost be cute if I didn't feel sick in my stomach all of a sudden.

I stand up and dust my bum off opening my car door.
"Thanks for the ditch you pig," I glare at him over the roof of his car.
His lopsided grin creeps back onto his face as he says  "you did ask for it'"
I frown as he jumps in "very funny," voice dripping with sarcasm.
Now we feel normal again.

I can't recall ever sitting in the front seat of his car before. I run my fingers along the old fashioned dash it's so cute like it belongs in a black and white movie or something. I sigh and try to calm my nerves. This was going to be an awkward ride.