***

Amir Karim raises both eyebrows at me.

It's his signature look, really. Dark eyebrows flying to his forehead, eyes curious, the cacophony of the cafeteria's clattering nearly blurring into the background.

"Did you stay at Lucas' last night?" He's curious, really. And rightfully so, given that the shit-eating smirk on my lips is more than obvious. Amir was definitely not planning on asking before, but the smug expression painting my face got to him at a certain point.

"Wouldn't you like to know—?" I start, leaning forward.

"—weather boy," Dani Romano finishes, the smug grin on her lips most definitely matching mine.

Amir rolls his eyes, a chuckle breaking from his lips as he tosses a fry at my face, then another. Riya joins in, a barrage of fries coming flying my way. With her direct aim, I manage to nag a few between my teeth, Riya sending me an approving nod, and Dani clapping like a little girl at her fifth birthday party.

"Oh, me next!" Dani exclaims, Riya grinning as both her and Amir shift their aim towards her. Meanwhile, I shake my head, my eyes drifting around the cafeteria. And this time, I don't try to pretend that I'm not looking for him.

I always am, anyway.

When my eyes inevitably catch onto Lucas Garcia, his eyes meet mine. He's laughing, most likely at something Ellie's said. My thumb brushes over my bottom lip. Somehow, it still tingles. Somehow, it's still really fucking hard to comprehend that Lucas Garcia actually kissed me the other day.

When Lucas meets my gaze, the softest grin rises to his lips. And I'm not extremely ashamed to say my heart skips. I can't tell whether or not to be mad at him for making me feel this way, so all I do is stare unashamedly from across the cafeteria, a blush painting Lucas' cheeks in tints of pink.

"Hey." With that one word, my gaze is drawn back to the table where Riya's staring back at me.

"You haven't checked out a guy in a solid month," her eyebrows crease, "are you doing okay?"

I roll my eyes as an amused grin tugs at her lips. "I'm not that thirsty."

At least, not for every male within a four-mile-radius. My attention has been stolen by one, lately. 

Daniella coughs at my statement, and I give her a kick underneath the table. One that she returns eagerly.

My gaze returns to the cafeteria, to Lucas' table. Lucas rises from his seat, saying something to the GSA who are seated around him. His arms gently swing at his sides, and he sends a glance my way, a little head jut.

It only takes that nearly imperceptible sign for me to rise to my feet, murmuring some random excuse to my friends that doesn't really make much sense, but to which they nod to in response, letting out easy laughter.

I swing my backpack over my shoulders, making my way out of the cafeteria after Lucas. The hallways are mostly cleared out, Lucas' figure turning a corner far ahead of me. I lose sight of him after that, but hum as I hear words swelling from somewhere a few minutes later.

"We're not talking about one hungry plant here... we're talking about world conquest!" It's an exclamation, a voice that I'm familiar with, a quote I'm familiar with.

"You're a monster, and so am I!"

I turn the corner.

"You ate the only thing I ever loved!"

A laugh bubbles up in my throat as I slip into the dark drama department, gently shutting the door behind me.

And of course, he's up on stage, his back to me. He hasn't noticed me yet, still exclaiming lines, making grand gestures. 

He stays there, paces, stops. I gently make my way up the stairs to the stage, the curtain blanketing the space. With light steps, I make my way up to him, behind him, grin tugging at my lips.

I'm not sure what to do at this point, seeing as Lucas Garcia is still painfully oblivious to my presence. Christ, Lucas. 

Cocking my head to the side, a smirk rises to my lips as I whisper softly. "Hi, I'm Chucky, and I'll be your friend till—"

Lucas Garcia lets out a series of swears, jumping nearly a foot in the air. His eyes pop open as he whips around, his chest against mine, only stepping back to punch me in the shoulder. Hard.

I'm cackling too hard to care, though.

"Qué mierda?" Lucas snaps, pushing me. "Asshole." He shakes his head, breathing heavily, a hand running through his hair. "A Chucky quote, really?"

"And you say I'm not educated in filmmaking and classics," I say, smug grin curving onto my lips.

"I'd actually say you're creepy as fuck." He tilts his head to the side. "Especially since the only movie you're 'educated in' is Child's Play."

"And?" I ask.

"I don't like you," Lucas says, pointing a figure at my chest. "You're annoying."

"And you're scared of dolls," I say, smug grin refusing to fall from my lips. "But here we are."

He steps closer to me, eyes narrowed, scowl tugging his lips down. I flick a curl away from his forehead, and the hard expression melts away, something more playful threatening to leak out.

He tilts his head to the side, both of us standing too close together to be anything less than whatever it is we are. Standing closer than we usually did before The Kiss™, and unwilling to step away. There's been too much fucking distance between us for the longest time.

I wonder if we're trying to make up for every inch apart we've ever been.

With Lucas' chest heaving against mine, I'm certain we are. 

I bite my bottom lip, as was the anxious habit I've had for nearly all my life. This time, instead of chewing my lips with agression, I'm biting gently, as though exercising careful restraint.

My mind still fails to comprehend that Lucas Garcia's lips were on mine not even two days ago.

His tongue gently flicks at his bottom lip. He does that a lot.

"I still think you're annoying," He finally decides, my eyes following every movement of his lips. "But uh, Lucas requests another kiss." 

My heart tugs as a laugh escapes my lips, and Lucas' speckled eyes meet mine.

"Lucas wants another kiss?" I ask, eyes glinting with amusement and yet, pure excitement at the same time.

"Yeah," he says, "Lucas does." A pause. "As long as Jason wants another kiss, too." He's so fucking precious, it hurts.

And so I decide to give Lucas what Lucas and Jason both want. I'd be a terrible person if I didn't.

So, I lean forward, Lucas letting out those soft laughs as I wonder how to go about it. Our noses bump into each other, and Lucas only laughs louder at our gentle awkwardness. Fuck. That laugh.

"Alright," he says softly, once my hands have found his waist and my lips are only a breath away from his. "There we go." His hands loop around my neck.

"There we go," I repeat, and I press my lips against his.

I sigh in something resembling a release. Fuck mindfulness activities. Because somehow, Lucas Garcia's lips on mine wash over my nerves like a steady wave. There's an eerie level of pure calm and I wouldn't have it any other way.

A gentle sound escapes Lucas Garcia's lips after a few seconds of this.

"Are you purring?" I ask against his lips, laughter escaping mine and bubbling into his. 

"I am not," He murmurs in response, hands tangling into my hair. "Shut up."

Lucas Garcia might in fact be a cat. 

I don't press it, though, just let him tug at my hair in a way that drives me out of my fucking mind, lips carefully moving against mine, him still pulling me closer to him, and we're so close to each other that it's hard to process anything else.

Lucas Garcia's script falls to the ground like autumn leaves, utterly forgotten.

And I'm not sure we're ready to stop.

That is, until the door is pulled open.

With that, the two of us slide away from each other, me blinking as though I'm still trying to process everything, and Lucas' eyes widened as he breathes heavily, both of us eyeing the entrance to the drama department.

And in walks Ellie Evans.

I'm starting to think she has a sixth sense, and to be honest, I'm not too sure how I feel about that.

Ellie glances between the two of us, both of us looking like utter messes. Her eyebrows fly upwards, eyes slightly narrowing.

"Uh," Lucas starts, swinging his arms back and forth, eyes blinking rapidly. "Jason's just helping me recite the lines."

At that statement, it dawns on me that Lucas Garcia is a shit liar.

Ellie's eyebrows remain raised, her eyes drifting to the script. The script that is on the floor and more than abandoned.

Her eyes find us again, the skepticism practically dripping from them. "Uh, then why's the script on the floor?"

"I was... " Lucas sends a nervous glance towards me. He clears his throat. "I was reciting without the script."

"Uh huh," Ellie drags on, completely and utterly unbelieving and making sure we're aware of the fact. "Well," she continues brightly, "I take it you guys are on good terms again."

I cough. 'Good terms' is an interesting term for where Lucas and I are standing with each other.

Ellie either doesn't hear my pointed cough or chooses to ignore it. "Anyways, I was thinking we could organize a little get-together with the rest of the GSA, because everyone seems exhausted."

"That's a great idea." Lucas says, that presidential grin appearing on his lips. While Ellie continues to go on about the specifics of the event and whatnot, Lucas' eyes find mine every half second, inconspicuous glances exchanged between the two of us.

"Anyways, wish me luck, I'm having a potluck dinner with the—" Ellie visibly shudders, "extended family."

"Yikes," Lucas says, gently meeting her eyes. "You don't have to go. Don't feel pressured."

Ellie waves a hand. "Oh, I'm well-aware. Going to be honest here, I'm only coming for my aunt's shepherd's pie. She's a transphobic piece of shit, but her shepherd's pie is immaculate."

Lucas lets out a laugh. "Is it all worth it?"

"That's what I'm hoping for," Ellie replies, raising crossed fingers to the air.

"May the odds be ever in your favor." I say, sending her a solemn nod as she lets out a cackle in response.

"The fact that I'm still alive never ceases to amaze me." Ellie chuckles, giving us a delicate wave as she makes her way out of the door, but not before she sends a suspicious glance at the two of us.

Then the door shuts behind her.

"Anyone ever tell you that you're absolutely awful at lying?" I ask, Lucas kicking me in the heel. 

"Yeah, well your cough wasn't exactly super subtle either." Lucas bites back, amusement decorating his tone.

He pauses for a moment, biting his bottom lip in thought. I approach him, laying against the wall next to him.

"Wanna go to Magic Mix or something?" Lucas asks, eyes finding mine.

"Yeah, I'd—" I start, but before I can finish, a ringing pierces through the air. I fumble for my phone, Ms. Willis' contact blinking from the screen. My smile falters as I pick up the call. "Yeah?"

"You've got to come home, Jason. Someone's coming over and we need dinner. Unfortunately, takeout won't cut it." 

And I will, of course. Especially given that I've got to be at her every beck and call.

"Would you come over? Now?"

Not like I ever had a choice in the first place. I want to protest, but instead my retort comes out as: "sure, Ms. Willis."

At my response, she hangs up.

"I can't make it," I say, running a hand through my hair as my eyes find Lucas'. "Uh, Willis has someone coming over, and uh, she wants me to come home to help out."

I'm expecting a sag of the shoulders, quirked eyebrows. Instead, I get a: "I'll come and help you out."

"Lucas," I say, shaking my head, because I have no idea who gave him the permission to be this fucking perfect. "You don't have to do that."

"I want to." He cuts in, and I finally let out a breath, the smallest of smiles rising to my lips. Having Lucas Garcia with me, not being fucking alone, somehow, it makes the hugest difference.

***

As Lucas and I make our way out of the bustling hallways and towards the door, it's hard not to glance at him every so often. Despite the fact that I keep on reminding him that he shouldn't feel obligated to come with me, he keeps on telling me that he wants to.

And I can't pretend that it doesn't make me feel a little bit lighter every time he brushes my warnings away.

Although, that feeling of lightness quickly dissipates when David fucking Harris makes his way through the hall. In my mind, I weigh over the pros and cons of beating the shit out of him right here in this hallway.

He glances over at us, eyes nearly unreadable. He comes to a stop, but one of the Chads nudges him, prompting him to hurry the fuck up. With that, David continues moving, but not before awkwardly glancing away from us.

Lucas' fists carefully tighten at his sides, redness splashes his face, and not the good side. But more than all of that, his eyes are wide and sad and I fucking hate it.

"David isn't shit," I whisper, and Lucas nods, shoulders gently rolling back. He runs a hand through his hair, nodding again.

He almost gravitates closer to me after that second, sporadic conversation filling the air as we make our way into my car. The car ride is gentle, and I let Lucas fiddle around with his own music, all bright and queer and him.

It's not a bad playlist, I'll admit. 

By the time we arrive at the house, not much time has gone by. Lucas and I both slide out of the car, making our way up the front steps and into the house. At the foyer, Ms. Willis appears in front of us.

"You're late," She says, shaking her head rapidly. "Whatever. I'll be getting ready upstairs."

I roll my eyes. Once she's gone, I gesture for Lucas to follow after me. 

"Yikes," he breathes as he trails after me and into the kitchen.

"She's always like that," I let my shoulders fall into an easy shrug. "But, I only have a couple of months left, so." I give him a lazy grin, one that doesn't actually seem to ease any of his concerns.

I make my way into the kitchen, leaning against the counter as Lucas glances around, standing a few feet away from me.

"So, we've got to whip something up," I say, letting out a yawn. "Or Willis will be pissed. Well, more than usual."

"Any ideas?" Lucas asks, lips pursed in though.

"A sandwich that I can spit in before handing to her?" I propose. Lucas' eyebrows fly upwards, and I raise both of my hands. "Kidding." Not really.

"How about arroz con pollo?" Lucas proposes, head tilted to the side.

"Which is?" I ask, eyebrows raised.

"Stupid," Lucas says with a laugh. "It's rice and chicken. But make it Latin, and make it good."

"Wow," I drawl, "chicken and rice, sounds elite."

Lucas gives me a push in the chest, letting out a laugh. "Trust me, it's good."

I give in, and in seconds, we get to work. Lucas easily starts barking out orders, like the Latino Gordon Ramsay or some shit.

"So," I say as the rice cooks. "You can cook."

Lucas rummages through the cupboards, searching for chili or something. Given that Ms. Willis has a low tolerance for anything other than salt, he'll be hard pressed to find some. But, who knows? She might shake shit up for her latest boyfriend.

Lucas shrugs, turning towards me. "Eh. I'm probably the worst cook in my entire family. Luis is actually better than me at this shit."

My eyebrows fly upwards, because seeing the jock-like Luis Garcia even step foot in the kitchen— unless to rummage for leftovers— and him cooking is an image that is insanely difficult to conjure.

The words carefully rise to the air, along with the scent of the food. With Lucas hovering over the pan, it's hard for me to sneak out some more spoons of the food, not with him guarding it like a watchdog. 

I grab a spoon, attempting to shove it in the pan, but my hand is slapped. Hard.

"Hey," I say, spinning Lucas around. He laughs as I guide him to one of the corners of the kitchen, him leaning against the wall and laughing. 

"You can't take shit seriously," his voice is teasing, grin wide, eyes laughing along with his voice. 

"Glad you've noted that," I say, my hands on either side of him, one resting against the wall.

"You're also a useless cook." Lucas states, nodding slowly.

"Excuse me," I say, raising a hand to my chest in faux offense. "I didn't come here to be attacked."

Lucas just laughs, eyes glancing up at mine.

"Anything else I can have a bite out of?" I ask, glancing over at the cooking pan before my eyes return to his.

Lucas runs a tongue over his lips. And even if I hadn't meant the double entendre that slipped out, Lucas heard it loud and clear.

"Well," he teases, grin widening as my eyes flick over to his sparkling ones.

He purses his lips after a few seconds. "Nope. You can't have any more food, Jason."

"Wow." I say, lips parting. "That was harsh—"

My words vanish into the air as Lucas grabs my collar, pulling me a breath away from him.

"You were saying?" He asks, head tilting to the side. His hold on my collar is gentle, light. He mouths a question, simple and one-worded: kiss? Nodding, I allow him to pull me into a long, slow kiss. 

The door opens.

Our eyes both pop open, shaken out of our moment yet again, eyes carefully finding the culprit.

And Angie, overalls on, head tilted to the side and lips parted stands there. She glances between the two of us, eyes widened.

"Okay, what the fuck?"

And I can't do anything but cackle as Lucas blushes and my sister gapes. 

***

asdhdhdh the way i had a door open 2 times in this chapter just to interrupt lucas and jason </3 

by the way. question. how do u get updates for my chapters??