Elskendes Feud – 13

.x.x.x.x.

Lukas pulled away after a few seconds, and got sight of one of the strangest things he'd ever seen. Mathine looking up at him with wide eyes, her face flushed even more than it had been with the situation of the paint brush, and her lips were slightly parted. Lukas could swear his lips felt tingly, and his heart was almost beating in his throat. There were a few seconds of silence, but it felt like much longer to the two teenagers.
Eventually Mathine spoke up, her voice was weak and not like her usual loud Danish-y voice, "Uhm...was that part of the practice?"
Lukas shook his head slowly, "Nei...Mathine, I think we need to talk about something..."
She swallowed hard, feeling a lump form in her throat, "Ja, I think we d-do..."
They sat down next to each other on the table in the practice room and Lukas looked at Mathine, both of them were blushing by now and neither new exactly what to say to the other. Lukas spoke up, "I should be blunt about this. Mathine, I-" he cut himself off. He had practised this in his bedroom, and in his maths lessons when he had nothing better to do. Why couldn't he get his voice out now?! He was never nervous, especially about girls. Although he also noted to himself that he had never liked a girl before. Maybe he should have found a boy to talk to or something about this kind of thing... Lukas shrugged it off, he couldn't give up now. "I think- Nei...er...I uhm...like you?" He mentally facepalmed at that. Seriously, you couldn't have done better than "I uhm like you?" he asked himself, and for once his usual blank expression wasn't on his face.
Mathine had to rethink what she heard. Did he just-? Her face became an even brighter shade of red at hearing his confession. She thought back to the advice she got from Tiina the other week, about how she realised she loved Berwald. Tiina had told her loads of reasons, the blushing, always thinking of someone, the way you get a spark when your hands touch. However, Tiina's most important point was that you would feel great whenever you're with that person, and thinking of them romantically just feels...right. Tiina told her that there is no definite signs and that you'll just know when the time comes. So Mathine tried to do this, she thought back about her and Lukas. Some of her favourite memories have now involved him, to her it felt like her life was finally looking good after seventeen years of pure boredom. Eventually she began to answer him, "I...don't know what to say." Lukas was just about to cut if when Mathine continued, "But...I really like spending time with you and everything. And I think...er..."
Lukas tried to read the situation, he was hoping that she was meaning that she wouldn't mind being with him. Surely she wouldn't lead him on like this and would just tell him if she didn't...like-like him, right? He decided that he might as well try his luck, she wasn't the type of person to lead someone on. "Mathine..." as soon as he said her name she stared up at him again. They were both blushing, "...Would you...feel like, erm..." he mentally slapped himself yet again, "Will you be my girlfriend?" there was an obvious tone of uncertainty, not that he didn't want her to be his girlfriend, but because he was uncertain if he should have asked such a question at that time.
Mathine took a shaky breath, she never could imagine herself as having a boyfriend. And she couldn't ever imagine Lukas having a girlfriend. Mathine didn't want any of the fun they had to change, but it didn't have to? She liked the kiss, and she felt herself wanting to just hug him, maybe kiss Lukas more. As her face got red again she yelled at herself internally for thinking of kissing already; but then Mathine remembered that Lukas asked her a question, and he was looking at her with such a delicate expression on his face. There was no way she could say no, "Yes, I'd love to be your girlfriend..." she mumbled. Lukas gasped at this, and subconsciously took Mathine's hand in his own and squeezed it. He gave her a small smile and nodded, he almost felt faint,
"Wow...That's...great. So, we're dating now? That's great...," he was also talking quietly, but they could hear each other just fine. Lukas took a quick look at his watch and realised the time, he had to be home before his mother got mad! He was still grounded. "Faen, I have to do. But I will text you later, okay?"
Mathine looked at him, she didn't know wherever to kiss him or hug him or not, so instead took his hands and pressed them to her lips, blushing whilst giving him a wide goofy smile as usual, "I'll talk to you later."
"Sorry about the random kiss by the way"
"It's fine" Mathine let go of his hands and stood up, taking her bag and walking with Lukas towards the entrance and exit of the school, "Besides. We just...you know..."
He smiled slightly, dammit, he thought, since when was he the type of guy to smile more than once in a year, yet alone twice a day! "I can't believe it. Thank you. Listen, I promise to talk to you later. I'm dreading how we'll tell Tiina and Berwald."
Mathine laughed lightly, "True. Talk to you later." she waved him goodbye as they parted directions to get to their houses.

Dear Diary,
When Lukas came home today there was something...different about him. He was smiling, which is really rare, something must have happened. And he was blushing, it was as if there was a spring in his step. I'll try and watch out more and see what else happens. I'm sure he wasn't doing anything at school and that he was probably with that Mathine girl and their friends or something, maybe. I really wish I could ask him about this, now I'll get back to writing my story. I've already filled my first notebook with it, I love where my story is going. Hopefully I can get it finished and maybe I could get someone to read it, I've decided when I'm older I'm becoming an author.

.x.x.x.x.

Mathine and Lukas had been texting and messaging each other all that night. To them it almost felt as if much hadn't changed. Mathine called Berwald and told him she was getting to school differently. She was now going to pick up Lukas and they would get to school together, probably early, but that didn't matter. They could go to one of the shops near the school before it started anyway. It's not as if suddenly they had become some sort of cuddly romantic couple, but Mathine was more eager than ever to be outside Lukas's house at 7am waiting around the corner where she normally would be for him. When he arrived it was almost as if nothing was different between them, Mathine had to keep reminding herself that the previous night did happen, and she was now the girlfriend of Lukas Bondevik. Oh that just felt so weird to say in her head! They greeted each other as usual and talked idly on the ride to school. Unfortunately they didn't have the first lesson together, but as soon as Mathine pulled out the school Lukas hopped out the car quickly. Mathine was a bit surprised at that, wondering where Lukas had gone, before realising that he had opened her door for her and was holding it for Mathine to get out. She couldn't help but blush slightly at the action, she never imagined Lukas to try and be a gentleman, but she found it sweet so gave him a wide smile as she exited the car. He shut the door after her and held his hand out for her to take. She stared at it for a few seconds,
"If you don't want to hold hands yet then just tell me, I don't mind" he told her.
Mathine shook her head and kept her usual smile, grabbing his hand tightly and walking with him into the school.
It wasn't too long until the bell went for first lesson, which was maths. Since they didn't have it together Lukas said goodbye to Mathine and waved goodbye. They agreed they would wait until break to tell the others about what they discussed yesterday.

The quartet met up after English and all caught up, Tiina asked the others if anything happened at practice after school, Lukas and Mathine avoided the answer. They were going to wait until lunch to tell them. During break time they talked about the useless things teenagers usually talked about. It was Tuesday, which meant that after school Lukas and Mathine had their practice. They were certain that Lukas and Mathine would nail their performance, and Tiina promised that she and Berwald would watch and cheer them on. After break Tiina and Berwald had their next two lessons together whilst Mathine and Lukas didn't. Lukas had his double music lesson since he took an advanced class, he used the practice room which he had kissed Mathine in only the night before. Mathine has a base music lesson and then religious education, which she very almost fell asleep in. By the time it was the end of the lesson Mathine walked to Lukas's music class and waited for him. He greeted her with a nod and held out his hand for her to take. "You're alright with us holding hands out here, right?" he asked as she took it.
Mathine nodded, "I don't mind anyone knowing, except out parents...I'm scared as to how they react."
He almost laughed bitterly, "I wish we didn't have to do that. So, ready to go show Tiina that we're a couple and no doubtingly have her scream and ask everything?"
That made Mathine laugh and she swinged their arms slightly, walking with him towards the library where they knew Berwald and Tiina would already be. "I'm fine with that."

When the two reached the library, hand in hand, they were greeted with the sight of Tiina choking on her drink as soon as she saw the new couple walk in the room. It didn't take long for the Finn to jump out of her seat and almost pounce on the two.
"You're holding hands!" she pointed out ever so obviously. Even Berwald had a slight hint of curiosity in his face, not that anyone apart from his friends would notice.
Mathine looked at Lukas for his input, wondering if he would tell her or she would. It seems that he would since less than a second later she started talking again, "Mathine...is my...girlfriend, now".
This made Tiina almost scream with delight, "What, really?! When, how, tell me everything!" Mathine gave Lukas a look that one could only read as 'What did I tell you?'. He only nodded and the rest of their lunch was spent with Lukas and Mathine telling them of what had happened, and Tiina grinning almost creepily like a maniac. She was just so happy for her best friend, ever since she and Berwald had gotten together Mathine had been almost left out for a bit. But then one issue came to her mind that she had to voice,
"What about your parents?"
Lukas frowned deeply at that, "I don't know.." he gave Mathine a look, "We can't tell them."
Mathine nodded, "Just don't let them know. Kids at school can know, they have no way to tell our parents anyway. And they wouldn't believe them anyway. Just you two don't go around telling people, okay?" Lukas ordered them. Tiina and Berwald nodded, sealing the pact of keeping this new relationship secret.

That night after school the four hung out at Tiina's house again. This time Tiina had ordered Mathine and Lukas to have the bed only to themselves (only to play games on, not anything more!) and the four decided to spend a while playing the video games again. Tiina couldn't help but grin at how she noticed Lukas and Mathine were sitting a little closer than they were before, and before they had also been pumped with alcohol, this time (as far as she knew, she was never certain with Mathine) they were sober. They ordered take out food and then watched a movie. Tiina couldn't help but purposely pick out a romantic movie. Neither Mathine nor Lukas were very romantic though, and they mostly laughed at the bad acting and ate sweets and popcorn during the film, it's not like they actually believed the scripts in those plays was real, love and relationships were never really like that.
Right near the end of the film the group were interrupted by the load music erupting from Lukas's phone. "Faen" he grumbled, picking out the small device and answering it immediately. "Hallo Mor...what? Nei, I'm not lost...or drunk. I'm at a friend's house. Tiina's. Maybe one day. Pick me up? Wait Mo-" he stared at his phone in disbelief, his mother had said that she was going to come pick him up from Tiina's house. She could easily use the tracker on his phone, this is why he never liked technology like that much. He sighed and turned to the group, explaining that his mother would come over. Luckily Tiina's parents were out so she didn't need to explain to them that they can't mention Mathine.
"We'll have to hide Mathine."
Mathine grumbled, "You make it sound like I'm evidence or something criminal or something".
Tiina laughed, "It's okay, you can just go in here, or stay in here. Us three will go downstairs when Lukas's mother comes here, okay?"
Mathine nodded and crossed her arms. Lukas moved closer to her, "Hey, it's alright. Don't be all sad."
They didn't have long to talk until there was a knock at the door. Tiina went downstairs to go answer and left Lukas and Mathine and Berwald in the room. Lukas stood up, "I'm sure that's my Mom" Mathine stood up too and looked at him. They were pretty much the same height.
"Probably..."
They looked at each other for a few seconds, they couldn't decide wherever to hug or kiss or whatever goodbye. Eventually Lukas got his guts and quickly pecked her on the cheek when he heard his mother call his name. "See you tomorrow, Mathine."
"Bye Lukas, see you."
He then ran down the stairs, his mother had asked Tiina a few questions, to which she new how to bullshit herself into saying the right things not to annoy his mother. If Lukas's mother ended up hating Tiina that would upset her not only as his friend, but also his main medium into getting to see Mathine so much, or at least ever meet up properly. Lukas said a quick goodbye to Tiina and followed back home with his mother, only to receive a lecture on how he should tell her where he is and not worry her like he had earlier that day (he had forgotten to phone her after school when going to Tiina's house).

.x.x.x.x.

It wasn't long until Lukas asked Mathine on their first proper date as a couple. He had asked her after school on Thursday. He was slightly nervous but they had already held hands whenever they could, and maybe the occasional peck on the lips as affection. They didn't need to be cuddly yet, they had only been dating two days. Lukas called up his mother to tell her he would be out with friends, and told Mathine the directions to get to where he wanted to take her. He cursed that moment that he couldn't drive, it would've been much better if he could've taken her, but unfortunately they needed a driver. When they reached the place they left their bags in the car and Lukas grabbed Mathine's hand, leading her out of the car and started walking. Mathine didn't need to ask him where they were going, well, she didn't really care, she wanted it to be a surprise. It was going to be their first date, and Mathine knew that it would probably be great. It didn't take long for them to read the end of the long path, Mathine looked at the small but sweet looking shops that they passed, and still hadn't realised that Lukas was leading her to the beach.
After what was actually not a very long walk, but the silence made it seem longer, they started to reach the beach. The two didn't need to speak, they just silently enjoyed the other's company. When they reached the beach Lukas took the lead, kicking off his shoes and looking at Mathine expectantly. She took the hint and also removed her shoes, following Lukas into the shallow part of the sea water. Mathine felt the cool water run between her toes, the soft sand making her want to fall asleep, it felt so comfortable. Lukas took her hand in his and walked slowly down the water's edge with her.
"I hope this is alright for a date. I thought maybe we could get something to eat and eat it on the beach. But first, we can walk if that's alright with you." he suggested, looking out at the clear blue water. It was too cold to swim in, but it was alright for just walking around a bit.
"Of course it's alright. That sounds great." They continued to walk along the beach for a while, they mostly chatted as usual, but their hands never separated from each other's.

After a while of walking, Lukas lead Mathine to a local take out place.
"What do you want?" he asked her, to which she just shrugged,
"I'll have whatever you get."
Their hands were still joined but Lukas had to let go to get out his wallet and pay for the two fish wraps and two bottles of Solo that he bought. When their food was all paid for they then walked back towards the ocean and sat on the sand nearby. Lukas took our their wraps and drinks and handed Mathine her fair share. She thanked him and dug into her wrap,
"Mmm, this is nice. Just sitting here and eating these."
Lukas looked at her, taking a large bite of his wrap, "It's strange."
"How so?"
"I mean, I didn't think we'd ever be going on a..date. Weren't we at each other's throats just a few months ago?" he then took a sip of his drink, most of his wrap already gone. Nothing better than eating fish by the sea.
"True, but that's changed now, I guess..." she went slightly read, deciding to take a sip of her Solo drink, "Woah, what's this? I've never had this before~"
"It's a Norwegian soda."
Mathine nodded and downed over half the drink in her next sip, "It's all orangey, I love it~"
They then finished off their food then went for more of a walk. Eventually it started to get dark and even worse, cold, so the two retreated back to the car and turned on the heating to full blast.
"This has been great, Lukas."
He let himself smile for her, "Ja, it has. Can't wait to do it again."
She then drove him back home before getting back to her own house. Mathine immediately went upstairs and texted Tiina all the details, while cursing at how she's acting too much like a "teenage girl" now.

.x.x.x.x.

The very next day Lukas and Mathine found themselves out again. Wherever it was clarified their second date or not, they didn't know nor care. They were back in the same park that they had been in before, but this time they weren't playing on the rides, they were simply walking around the large lake there, just talking. Earlier that day Lukas had told his parents he was going out, and when talking on the phone to Mathine on the way to the car he mentioned the park. Because of this his younger sister, Eyríður was hiding behind a large tree near the pond, waiting to see if her brother and his friend were going to walk past. What she didn't expect was to see them walking past but holding hands. The young girl watched them come and go, Lukas was almost smiling and they both looked like they were having fun. Eyríður didn't manage to catch what they were saying but just seeing their hands was enough for her. She ran away for her life, quite like she had when she first saw them together when they were only friends, and immediately reached for her diary which was kept in a small wooden box under her bed. She undid the lock and took out the small leather book and her favourite pen and started writing down.

Dear Diary,
Great news! Or maybe not great, but definitely the thing I've been waiting to see for such a long time. I saw Lukas and the Densen girl up at the park, I know they've been there before, but there's a catch. They were holding hands! That means they're a couple, I have no idea when this happened but now I know that they're definitely together. That might explain why Lukas was really happy the other day? I don't know, but now that I know I feel like this has reached some sort of ending. Maybe I should tell Lukas that I know about them now? I should give it some time I guess, see if he'll eventually tell us all, although I can't imagine our mother and father's reactions. She is a Densen after all. If it wasn't so sweet I would make fun of him, "You fell in love with a Densen, ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!" but that would be a bit mean? Or maybe I should do that once he tells me, or I ask him. Can be payback for him making me call him storebror. I guess I'll try and observe Lukas's behaviour and see if he's any happier, and yes, I will try and see their dates. This can make great material for my story~
I'll write more, bye for now.

Lukas and Mathine walked back home, or as close as they could get before having to change directions and head in their own paths. Lukas reached his house fairly quickly and opened the door, his parents weren't home and Eyríður was just sad on the sofa, writing in her little book. She always seemed to be writing it. Lukas walked to his fridge and grabbed one of Eyríður's bottles of coke and sat on the sofa next to her, reading what she was writing over her shoulder. His sister hadn't noticed him and covered up her work immediately. She didn't want Lukas reading her story, or not yet at least. Eyríður was almost certain that her brother would be able to tell the link, and she wasn't ready for him to know that, maybe he'd think of her as a stalker? She shook her head, that wouldn't happen.
"You're not reading it."
"What are you writing, lillesøster?" he tried leaning on her to take a look. Eyríður closed it and shook her head again.
"You can see it eventually. I'm writing a story."
Lukas nodded, taking a sip of his coke but not moving from his spot almost on her lap. He knew that she could probably tell that he was happy over something. He wasn't usually the person to do that, even if he was curious. "I guess. I'm reading it eventually though, maybe when it's finished. For now I'm going upstairs to do homework". Lies. But he didn't feel bad. He was going upstairs to call Mathine and talk to her some more, and talk to their friends a bit as well though probably. Eyríður nodded and waved him off, watching Lukas retreat back up the stairs and then opening her book to continue to write as soon as he had left.

The group spent the whole night chatting on MSN. Lukas and Mathine also had a private conversation, but Tiina and Mathine also had one. They were discussing Mathine and Lukas.
"How long have you been dating now?" Tiina typed,
"Three days. Next week is Lukas's birthday, do you think it would be weird if I got him anything?"
"Of course not! What are you getting him?"
"I don't know yet. Got any ideas?"
"No idea. A book? No, sounds stupid. He has enough money to get anything. Get him something money can't buy."
"But I don't know what that is!"
The next day was Saturday, so Tiina then suggested that they go shopping and try to see if there was anything that they thought Lukas might like. Mathine doubted it but she agreed, it would be nice to spend a day out as friends. She couldn't remember the last time she and Tiina had hung out, it was definitely before this whole Lukas thing.
They agreed on a time and that Mathine would pick Tiina up, then continued talking until the early hours of the morning when the group eventually all fell asleep...probably at their computer desks.

.x.x.x.x.

The next morning Mathine woke up early and closed down all of her conversations on her computer from the night before. She then took a quick shower and set up ready to go to Tiina's house. They were going to go to the local shopping centre to look for something to get Lukas. Mathine still doubted that they'd get anything, but they might as well try. When she was all set she called Tiina and arrived at her house. She was greeted pleasantly by Tiina's mother and soon Tiina was down the stairs and saying goodbye before heading towards the car.
"Okay then, so first we should get him a card. That's the easy part." Tiina started,
Mathine nodded, usually she got something fairly average for Tiina and Berwald for their birthdays, but it was the first time it would've been Lukas's birthday since they started talking to each other, and more importantly since they started dating.
They continued to discuss their plan for the day, on how they'll try and find everything and then they would go home to Tiina's and wrap them. Mathine would keep the presents (if they got any) in her car to save to give to Lukas on his birthday.

They got to the shopping centre and it was fairly packed. The first thing Tiina did was drag Mathine along to a card shop and it didn't take them long to find a card that was suitable. It was fairly average, saying "Gratulerer med dagen" on it, meaning Happy Birthday, and then the inside opening up in a 3D pop-up style fashion of a book which featured many famous mythical characters. She was certain that Lukas would enjoy naming them all.
"Now that's the easy part~" Tiina told Mathine as they exited the shop.
The next few hours were spent with the two teenage girls running around each shop trying to find the perfect present. Mathine found a little plushie elf with a hear and thought it looked quite cute, but she knew it couldn't be the only present she'd give him, he wouldn't like it enough.
"I think I give up" Mathine said after looking through yet another shop. Tiina sighed,
"You're just hungry, how about we go to Starbucks and get a quick bite to eat?", Mathine was just about to reply that they shouldn't bother, but she was dragged off by an excited and probably hungry Finn. Also if Tiina wanted coffee there was no arguing with her. That bitch would get that coffee.

So the two girls found themselves sat around a small table that was wonky so it kept moving, almost spilling their drinks. They both had coffees and Mathine had a small brownie with hers. Tiina had a flapjack. Mathine looked at the few shops opposite, one of those foot places where you had the fish nibble at your feet, she always thought they were weird. Next to it was a chocolate shop and a hair salon. She took a small nibble at her brownie then washed it down with a sip of her bitter liquid. Mathine liked coffee, not as much as Lukas or Tiina, but she still liked her coffee.
"I don't think we'll find anything." she sighed, looking sadly at Tiina.
Tiina shook her head, "I'm sure we will. Don't give up yet."
"I want to go after this."
Tiina frowned as well now, she finished off her coffee and proceeded to also finish her flapjack, "If that's what you really want to do then you can."
Mathine nodded and finished off her brownie, now only having her drink left. She just wished that they had got the perfect present. Maybe she'd have to make something? She shook her head. This was one of the problems with having money, what are you supposed to buy someone for presents?! They can already afford any items they want, and she wanted to actually get him a physical present.
Tiina stood and binned her rubbish, shoving the last piece of flapjack in her mouth. She then watched Mathine finish her drink and frowned.
"He'll love whatever you get him, you know that right?"
Mathine nodded, "I guess. He's hard to read though." She then downed the rest of her coffee, it was getting cold and no longer worth savouring. She then stood up and looked down at Tiina. "Come on, let's go".

Mathine and Tiina were walking out of the shopping centre. They talked about what they would do for Lukas's birthday. Whatever it was it couldn't be too obvious. Mathine told her that Lukas's family didn't seem like the type of people to throw a party.
"You know, after this the next birthday is yours~" Tiina chimed,
Mathine shrugged, "I guess. You know I like anything though."
"Yeah I do, I was thinking of getting-" she was cut off when she realised Mathine was no longer walking next to her. She looked around for a few seconds before seeing Mathine a few meters behind her. She was staring up at a shop sign.
"What is it Mathine?" Tiina asked, looking at her best friend.
Mathine had a smug look on her face as she grinned up at the large sign. Her arms were crossed, "I know what the perfect present for Lukas is."

(( I'm so sorry that this chapter is probably so disappointing. You guys waited a month for this. I'm so sorry for taking so long for you people reading. I hope that chapter 14 will make up for it, it will be better than this one, or at least I think so! I also wish this chapter was longer. Thank you for all my reviews so far, I love you guys. ))