The next day was Saturday. They had the weekend to complete their project. So Damien was pretty sure the guy would be in the public library. That guy lives in library, Damien thought.
As Damien entered the library, he searched for the most secluded spot in the library. He knew Lucas would sit in the least crowded corner. He found Lucas sitting in a corner spot with his back facing the window. Looking from the sideways, Lucas looked beautiful. The sun light falling on him. The serious gaze in his eyes as he intently copied the textbook down to the project papers. All the stationery lying around him. It reminded him of the first time he saw him, back in the alley.
Damien moved towards Lucas desk. The guy was so into his work he did not notice the approaching figure.
"Hi" Damien said as he sat on the chair next to Lucas.
Lucas was startled and saw Damien sitting next to him.
"What are you doing here ? " Lucas' voice a little high pitched which warranted a "SHH" from across the library from the warden.
"What are you doing here ?" Lucas repeated in a hush voice.
"Project."
"When did you start doing projects in the library? You have a house ?"
"So do you. But here we are ."
Lucas sighed.
"Have you finished ?" He asked .
"Not yet started."
"I need it before Monday so that we can submit it together."
"I have some doubts regarding the contents."
"Its literally the project you have done once before. What new doubt will you have ?"
"When I did it alone, it was clear . Now I have doubts in the group project."
Lucas decided it was best not to engage with this guy. He shook his head and went back to his work.
He could hear Damien opening his bag and getting the books and papers out.
Damien started scribbling some stuff and then turned to Lucas.
"What is the meaning of this ?" he asked pointing to the textbook
"That is the title ." Lucas answered and narrowed his eyes.
"Oh. Okay!" Damien chirped and wrote down the title.
As Lucas stated to write, Damien nudged him again.
"This ?"
"That's the intro. Whatis wrong with you ? Will you stop disturbing and complete it ?"
" I want to be thorough. I want to understand what I write."
"Fine. You write then. I will leave."
"No no. Wait. It was a joke. I wont disturb you."
Lucas concentrated on his work. He now heard continuous scribbling on paper from beside him. Finally he is working, Lucas thought.
An hour passed, Lucas had finished his portion of work. He decided to take a break. He looked beside him. Damien was now engrossed in his project. He was writing with utmost attention. He seemed to have forgotten his tomfoolery.
He looks handsome when he is serious,Lucas thought studying the guy beside him.
Damien looked up and caught Lucas staring at him.
"Handsome, aren't I ?" He asked cockily. " So much you are missing out on ."
Lucas grimaced. Whatever random thought he had in his mind cleared when he heard his voice.
" Cocky Bastard."
This was the first time Damien heard Lucas swear. And that too at him.
He was flustered. But he was more surprised that the mellow and quiet Lucas would swear.
"Wow," was all he managed to say.
"Finish your work and hand it to me . I will arrange and submit them. I am done with mine."
" It will take some more time ."
"Well then I will leave. Just give it to me on Monday."
"I will be late on Monday. Stay here I will complete it or do you want to have a date with me tomorrow?"
Lucas thought it as better than meeting him on a Sunday. he only had to stay another hour or two and they will be done. And what safer place than a library. At least he wont act rashly in a library.
Is what he thought but Damien clearly started fooling again. He had lost his concentration, he explained. And he needed a break.
Lucas decided to leave Damien on his own and pulled out a novel from his bag. Cosmos by Carl Sagan.
He likes stars, Damien thought.
Damien swore he could watch Lucas read all day. If not taken care of, this guy would tumble into the book one day. Damien snickered at the thought.
Lucas looked at Damien and then back to his book.He was least interested right now.
Suddenly Lucas felt a hand brush the hair on his forehead.
"You wont be able to read with the hair falling onto your face."
Lucas blushed. He pulled his head back.
"What are you doing ? Do that to your girlfriend."
"Do you want to be mine ?" Damien asked
"Are you mad? "
They were speaking in tone downed voice but they knew the library would kick them out anytime soon.
" Come out." Lucas said to Damien.
Damien complied.
They went to a side alley of the library. There werent many people around. It was quite a secluded . Good place to talk.
"What is wrong with you? " Lucas fumed. " I told you yesterday itself. I am not into your petty games. Is it so hard to understand ?"
" And I told you it wasn't a game. I really like you."
"When will you grow up? Do you think I don't know how you faked your injury to trouble me?"
"I-"
"Okay. I am really honored that you spoke to me. But I think I am not ready to accept the honor. Stay away from me. It will be better for both of us."
Damien again felt his anger rise.
"I wanted to be good to you but you still wont understand. You think I bully you now, I haven't even started anything. I will show you what real bullying is. then you will realize how good I was to you."
This time Damien left first. Lucas stood in his place. He was happy that he did not allow Lucas to step over him. The guy was clearly toxic. He couldn't handle someone going against him. Bullying? He already has had his fair share of experiences in life. Bullying isn't something that is going to shake him. A guy like Lucas could easily stand up against a brats deeds. Lucas went back home. He has a day before school starts and the brat causes trouble. May as well rest. Lucas thought.