A Twist Of Fate (PREVIOUSLY A Purple Garden)

Chapter 5

Eight Years Ago

As Sydney walked down the aisle of the school bus, she spotted Hannah waving her down from where she had already found a seat. "I saved you a spot beside me!"

This had been the norm for Sydney over the last few years. When at any gathering for band, she always sat with the rest of the guard and Hannah, being her co captain, was usually her go to. Without putting much thought into, her muscle memory began to carry her in the direction of her friend.

Just as she was getting ready to take the empty spot beside Hannah, something else caught Sydney's attention. The new but familiar head of dark hair sitting close to the back. His head was turned to face out the window, the space left beside him in the seat, looking massive in comparison to his small figure, was bare.

Something about that sight tugged at her as she pressed her mouth into a flat line.

Hannah, noticing her hesitation, irritably asked, "Are you gonna sit down today? There's other people behind you trying to get on too."

Snapping her attention away from Lucas for a moment, she looked back at her friend, offering an apologetic smile. "Actually, I think I'm gonna sit with the new guy. He looks a little lonely."

Her friend looked back toward Lucas as Sydney pulled her duffle bag closer to her, preparing to lift the heavy bag over the remaining seats on her path to Lucas. Hannah rolled her eyes, reaching a free hand out to grab at Sydney's arm. "You're joking. Tell me you're joking."

Looking back at Hannah's annoyed expression, Sydney made a face at her as if to say Are you stupid? 

"Syd, he's weird," she whispered under her breath at her. Hannah's cool, piercing blue eyes searched her face for answers. "Leave him be."

Sydney pulled her arm away from her friend's gentle grasp. She ignored the offended expression Hannah wore as she continued on until she reached Lucas' seat. "Are you saving this spot for someone?"

Lucas looked up at her before quickly moving his own duffle bag to the floor behind his feet. He gestured to the now empty plastic blue cushioned seat. "Be my guest," he offered.

"Thanks," Sydney said as she slid in beside him, tossing her own bag in the floor by his. When she sat down, she glanced one more time ahead of her at Hannah who was still watching her in disbelief. Finally, with one last eye roll, Hannah just spun around sharply in her seat as she proceeded to chat with the rest of the guard girls. Probably about Sydney. 

"So," Sydney began, returning her attention to Lucas. He met her eyes with his own when he heard her voice. His eyebrows were raised as he patiently waited for her next words. "How are you adjusting to Poca life?"

He shrugged. "I don't know. I mean I like it here so far."

"Is Matthews wearing you out yet?" she asked with a knowing smile. She knew that most new kids from other schools always complained about how much more strict their band director was compared to where they were from.

He surprised her though, shaking his head. "Not all. I think he's great."

"Wow," Sydney laughed.

"What?" Lucas watched her with amusement.

"I don't think I've ever heard anyone new say that before."

"Oh," he chuckled before turning his attention to the moving scenery out the window. "Well, I'm not like most people."

Sydney smiled as she looked at his reflection in the glass. "I see that." She sighed as she shifted herself slightly in her seat. "What do you like best about Poca so far?"