For Venice, With Love: s l o w u p d a t e s

// 8 //

"But I'm only human // And I bleed when I fall down." - Human, Christina Perri

***

VENICE tensed under Lucas. For some reason he happened to make her feel safe and she was scared. Horrified actually.

As Lucas rolled her to her first class she couldn't help but let the fear take a toll on her. Her eyes widened and grew with fright as her eyes landed on Riley. He was sporting bruises everywhere and Venice couldn't help but wonder where he had got them from. If she were able to move her arm she would have given the person who had done so a high five.

As his eyes connected with hers she saw the murderous glint in them as if telling her that it was only going to get a lot worse from here on out.
But as soon as it was there it was gone. She watched Riley visibly tense and her brows furrowed in confusion. Craning her neck she looked behind her only to see Lucas sending a hate filled glare that could have had her shaking towards Riley.

"If they come near you I want you to tell me." He whispered lowly still staring at her bully.

"Okay." She whispered.

Lucas wheeled her into her class and to her surprise plopped down next to her.

Almost sensing her look of confusion Lucas grinned cheekily displaying his row of perfect white teeth. Venice thought his smile could light up the whole room. He was indeed good-looking and even more so when he smiled.

"Why not stay with you? Firstly, I'd be learning more because you're taking all AP's whereas I'm taking like two and I can keep those bastards in check."

Venice felt bad. She didn't want him to guard her like some broken doll. She didn't want him to give up on his friends just to protect her. She knew she should have taken Charlie's offer when she had the chance.

"You know you don't need to do this. I could always ask Charlie to take me to my classes." She whispered to him.

She watched Lucas's eyes darken which only added to her confusion. "No. I can do it unless you prefer Charlie." He spat out the last part.

"No, I just don't want to be a nuisance. I know you probably don't like wheeling around a pathetic excuse of a girl like me." She whispered looking down.

She felt a hand on her chin lifting it up she was met with two dark blue orbs.

"Don't." He whispered. "Don't talk about yourself like that. You are not pathetic you are one of the strongest people I have ever met. You will never be a nuisance. Not to me." He said loud enough for just her to hear.

She felt a blush rise to her cheeks as she smiled softly.

Why was he being so nice?

Why did he care so much?

These were the questions roaming her mind yet at that moment she couldn't seem to find herself to care about them.

For the time being she was okay with feeling safe. For how ever long she could, she would revel in this feeling of security.