Chapter 23: "Relationship goals and fouls"

It was understood that neither of them would talk about Lukas leaving. It just made everything that much harder and Lukas didn't think he could bare it. They acted like they always did, wanting to truly savor the little time they had left. They were around each other as much as possible nowadays. It didn't matter if Mathias had soccer. Lukas came with him. It didn't matter if Lukas stayed after school to work on art. Mathias came with him. They didn't let each other out of their sights if they could help it.

The time was bittersweet. They felt happy to share company, but on the other hand, they were a reminder in themselves. Everyone seemed to understand their predicament once they found out that Lukas was going to America. The word had spread when someone had asked Lukas where he was going to school next year and he just said, "Somewhere in America."

Everyone actually thought it was really cool that he was moving to America, but they also understood it wouldn't be as great as it seemed because he was having to leave Mathias behind, and they felt for Mathias, too. It was clear the kind of distress he was going through. Even Gilbert tried to comfort him. They had talked a lot more, too. It made Mathias feel a little better, but it didn't change the fact that Lukas was leaving.

It was May 26th now. He had less than a week with Lukas. While everyone was excited about the last day of school approaching, he was aching. Lukas was, too, and that alone was enough to depress him. But Lukas was trying to be strong. He didn't want to be remembered as bitter and grouchy.

They told no one about their "engagement". That was for their ears alone. Nobody could figure it out or try to mess it up. But they wouldn't forget, and that was just enough to make it valid. Lukas kept the watch in a shoebox under his bed and was sure that his mother would never look into it. Mathias hid the hairclip in his closet with the music book he'd gotten from Lukas for his birthday. Taking either out would be too risky.

"Lukas," Mathias said after school that day as they were walking down the hall. "Do you want to come to my game tomorrow? It's here. I just thought you still haven't seen me play."

The thought had completely crossed Lukas' mind. He hadn't been able to go to the game he was supposed to go to because his mother had called him home, and he'd just forgotten about it since then. He felt a little guilty. "Yes. I'll come." Mathias grinned and gave him a quick, excited hug. "Good!"

The next day was cloudy, but the air was warm as Lukas walked up to the school. He shoved his hands into his pockets and looked around quickly, noticing that everyone else was headed to the field. He followed eagerly. He had actually never been this excited when it came to a football game. He sat down at the bottom of the old wooden bleachers. There were mostly parents at the game and Lukas felt a little out of place.

When he scanned the bleachers, he noticed that Mathias' mother wasn't there. She probably had work. He shrugged and looked out at the field. The game had just started and Mathias was already out playing. He was surprisingly fast. Lukas knew he was athletic, but the more he watched, the more he realized the extent of it.

He was good. Really good. He didn't play sports himself, but he knew enough about football to know that he was just about the best player on the team. It was hard to even keep up with him with just his eyes. He had no idea how any of the players on the other team were dealing with him down there. They were fast, but he was always faster.

He hated to admit it, but it was fun to watch. It almost made him wish he was good at sports. He stood up to see better when they went further down the field. Mathias was trying to take the ball from some other boy. As expected, he succeeded and started back the other way. He sent the ball flying into the net and there was a quiet cheer from his teammates. He didn't seem to care, though. He continued playing like it was nothing.

As soon as the ball was back in, he was on it along with the same boy he'd taken it from earlier. They were so close together and in one wrong move, Mathias was shoved to the ground. Lukas stared blankly at the field, his eyes only narrowing for a minute. He wished he could see that boys face better. He already didn't like him.

Mathias immediately got up and was called to the bench. Lukas really should have continued to watch the game, but he was just watching Mathias get his knee cleaned by someones mother on standby. He was tempted to go down and check on him, but he stayed in his place with the parents.

By the time it was over, Mathias was sweaty and tired, but when he saw Lukas in the bleachers, he waved happily. Lukas smiled and waved back. The other stood there for a moment, looked around, then blew Lukas a kiss.

Lukas stared at him, blushed, and tried to ignore the mothers staring at him. He sat down until Mathias was finished talking to his coach. He was glad when he finally came over and gave him a hug. A sweaty hug. But it was still a hug. "Did you like it?" He asked.

Lukas nodded. He thought he would have to lie when he was answering this question, but he truly enjoyed it. "Yes. You were good." Mathias blushed a little and shrugged like it was nothing, but it was clear that it was important to him to hear that. "Hey, uh, do you want to go get something to eat with me?"

Normally, Lukas would have said yes, but this time, he couldn't. "Sorry," he said, looking down. "I have to finish packing." Mathias nodded understandingly, then said, "I could help?" Lukas smiled, relieved. He was hoping he'd ask that.

"I'd like that, Mathias."

Mathias sat on the bed and looked around the room. It was already looking bare. So much had already been packed and it reminded him of the reality of the situation. Lukas was packing away his art supplies piece by piece. He had a backpack next to him that he would occasionally put something in. The pink bunny was sticking out of the top. "What's that bag for?"

Lukas turned and put a pack of crayons into the bag along with a sketchpad. "For the flight." Mathias nodded and looked at the pink bunny more, then at Lukas. "I'll fit in that bag, I bet. Take me with you." He smiled as he said it, but he was only half joking. If there was a way he could have gone, he would have figured it out and packed by now.

Lukas wasn't amused. He wanted to take Mathias with him so badly that it just hurt to hear it. He stopped packing and just laid down on his bed. He stared at the ceiling like it was the prettiest ceiling he'd seen in his life. He hadn't been in the house for long, but it was home. It would actually be somebody elses home soon. They'd had several calls about it already.

"Mathias?"

"What?"

He patted the spot next to him and Mathias laid down with him, staring at the ceiling as well. There was a little crack in it and a few very faint stains from leaks. He turned to look at Lukas. He didn't know what to say, so he said nothing. He just looked at him. He wanted to remember him just like he was now. Dark blue eyes looking forward, mouth open just enough to reveal his pretty teeth, his hair resting on his forehead.

When he turned to look back at him, Lukas gave a little smile. "Why are you staring?" Mathias just shook his head and smiled. "I just want to remember you," he replied. He then sat up a little and said, "I mean, I will, but you looked really good and I wanted to remember how you looked just then. If that makes sense."

Lukas yawned, then scooted a little closer. "I understand. Wait." He looked up at him and decided to do the same. He had bright blue eyes and a really radiant smile. His hair was a little crazy. He giggled and touched it. It was fitting for him. It matched his personality. "Are you laughing at my hair?"

Lukas laughed a little more, but didn't answer. Mathias scoffed and reached out to touch his hair, but it was actually really soft and nice and honestly, he couldn't say anything bad about it. Lukas smirked, but didn't push his hand away. It actually felt nice having him touch his hair. He closed his eyes and enjoyed it while it lasted.

"Wow, now you're using me, huh?" Mathias said, pulling his hand away. Lukas pouted and sat up. He punched the others arm lightly. "Not using you."

"Oh?"

"Oh." He laid back down and started kicking him off the bed. He was halfway off the bed when he finally said, "No, no! Wait, I was kidding." Lukas stopped with a small smirk, then Mathias said, "That was close. Almost had to touch the big, scary floor. Horrifying."

Lukas gave him another kick and he was on the floor laughing. He looked down at him and they stared at each other for a short while.

"I lied. This is how I want to remember you, Lukas."

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Feliz Navidad, Frohe Weihnachten, Feliz Natal, God jul, Wesolych Swiat Bozego Narodzenia, and Selamat Natal to all of you!

A/N: I would like to remind all readers that the next chapter is the final chapter. Please see my profile for more information if interested.