It's been a few weeks since Rueben died. Mostly I've been in the house, remembering all the times. Sometimes, Olivia or Axel would come and try to cheer me up. I miss Rueben, but I know I have to move on. One way or another.
"Jesse, Lukas is here to see you."
Lukas. The name brought memories to my head. His kind and gentle eyes. The look a relief when I returned from the Wither Storm. His sad and caring look when Rueben...passed. His warming smile when I stood up in a front of a crowd of thousands.
I slowly opened my eyes to see Olivia standing over me, smiling. I sat up, noticing Lukas leaning on the doorway.
"Hey," he said walking over to me. "Olivia tells me your doing better."
His familiar smile lit up my own face.
"Woah!" Olivia, cleary shocked, said."I haven't seen you smile since you came up here."
Lukas laughed softly showing tiny creases in his face.
"I have to tell Axel!" And with that, Olivia sprinted out of the room.
Once the door closed behind her, Lukas came to me, worry spread across his face. He took my hand in his and crouched by my bed. His gentle eyes closed and for a second, I wanted to give him a hug or kiss or something. Then, his blue eyes opened.
"Jesse," Lukas said, concern reaching out from every angle of him. "Things have changed. With the Ocelots."
I kept quiet, not wanting to say anything cruel.
"They say it's just me, but-" Lukas stopped. "It's like they've gotten meaner. They've forgotten how it feels to be the one who was teased. It's just, I'm so sorry for how they treat you."
I took in a shaky breath.
"Thanks, Lukas."
We were both silent for a moment, before Lukas piped up. "You haven't been to town lately, do you want to go to the new restaraunt downtown? Just you and I?"
"Sure, do you want me to meet you out there or.."
"I'll pick you up."
"So is this, like, a date?"
Lukas smiled slyly, "Yes, just like a date." He picked her hand up to his mouth and placed the lightest of kisses on it. Even though it was soft, it made her heart pound hard.