WMMAP - [S1] Shelter You - (愛)してる

Chapter 13: Intoxicated

"YES!!! I GOT A FULL SCORE! LET'S PAAAAAAAAARTY!" Athanasia threw her arms in the air.

"Ahhh... My eardrums. Why do you have to be so loud? I'm trying to eat here."

"Shut up! You are the one who decided to sit next to me in the first place."

"I guess it's worth it?" Lucas shrugged.

"Hey, Athy! Where do you want to go?" Jeannette asked.

"Let's go for a drink!"

"No. NO. Not a chance!" Lucas crossed his arms.

"You are not my dad. You can't tell me what to do."

"If you want to wipe your face on the floor again, then go on. Your alcohol tolerance is shorter than your actual height." Lucas grimaced.

"HEY! TAKE THAT BACK!"

"No."

"I don't remember drinking any alcohol." Athanasia objected.

"EXACTLY! You don't remember because you were DRUNK."

"No, I wasn't..."

"Remember that soda you bought? IT WAS A CAN OF BEER. You chucked it down like water."

"Now I can remember by a little... BUT I wasn't drunk."

"You tripped on Raven and almost broke your face if it wasn't for me. I caught your face with my hand but you know what you did to me? YOU BIT MY HAND."

"You are clearly making these up. Helena. Jeannette. We are going no matter what." She turned to her two friends.

"Suit yourself. But I'm not going." Lucas stated.

"You are not invited in the first place." Athanasia held her chin with her palm, mocking Lucas with her eyes.

I wish you look at me the same way you look at Lucas, Athanasia. 

Ezekiel stared at his friends unfazed. He smiled bitterly at the scene. Jeanette noticed and tugged his sleeve. "Hey Ejekiel, I have trouble with the Literature Study. Do you think you can help me out?"

"It is quite a surprise for you to find the subject difficult. I have known you since we were little and these types of subjects were something you read out of satisfaction."

"This is not a children's book we used to read, dummy." Jeanette laughed and Ezekiel just smiled and offered his hand. 

"Let us head to the class early." He turned to the rest of his classmates. "Will you three be joining us?"

"It's alright. I actually have to submit my report to the head office. I will see you guys in class." Helena turned to her crush. "See you, Lucas." 

"What about you two?" Jeannette asked.

"We will. After this guy finished his food." Athanasia pointed at Lucas. After they were left alone, he leveled his head to meet her gaze. She tilted her head, bewildered by the silent question expressed through his eyes. 

"I know I said that I wouldn't ask you what was wrong with you at that time, but what happened exactly?" The question caught her by surprise. Noticing the change, Lucas went back to his meal. "Just forget it. Sorry, I brought it up again. I was just curious." He said in a surprisingly gentle tone.

"I thought..." She whispered. "I felt.....something bad would happen if you stayed with me..." Her eyes were fixed on her hands.

"So you don't want me to be with you?"

"NO! THAT IS NOT WHAT I MEANT!" She instantly looked in his direction.

"Well, whether you want me to be with you or not, I will be the one to decide that. But I promi—" She unconsciously took his hand with hers, staring deep into his eyes. "I DON'T WANT ANY PROMISE!" That identical expression she had a week ago disturbed Lucas. "Just stay..." she added weakly.