---
Bella's POV:
I trudged through the front door, dropping my backpack on the floor. Mom was in the kitchen, expertly juggling pots and pans as she cooked dinner. The aroma of roasted chicken and steamed vegetables filled the air, comforting me.
"Hey, sweetie! How was your first day?" Mom asked, setting down a spatula to give me a warm hug.
I shrugged, trying to shake off the lingering emotions. "It was okay, I guess."
Mom's eyes narrowed. "Just okay? What happened?"
I hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. "Nothing major. Just some drama with a guy and his girlfriend."
Mom's expression turned concerned. "Are you okay? Did someone hurt you?"
I forced a smile. "I'm fine, Mom. Just a little shaken."
Mom nodded, her eyes still probing. "Well, if you want to talk about it, I'm here."
I nodded, feeling grateful for her understanding.
Lucas's POV:
I sat on my bed, staring blankly at my phone. Bella's face haunted me – those piercing green eyes, that delicate smile. Why couldn't I get her out of my head?
I tossed my phone aside, frustrated. What was wrong with me? I didn't even know her.
But the memory of our encounter lingered. The way she bumped into me, the spark in her eyes. And that junior student's claim – "my Lucas." It irked me.
I stood up, pacing around my room. Why did I feel responsible for Bella's well-being? Why did I care?
As I gazed out the window, I realized I needed answers. About Bella, about our past, about why she seemed so familiar.
Tomorrow, I'd find out more about her.
---
Today was another chaotic morning for Bella. Rushing out the door, she arrived late to school, only to find the classroom empty. "Where did everyone go?" she wondered aloud, not expecting an answer.
A familiar voice startled her from behind. "Didn't you know about the farewell gathering for the principal?"
Bella's heart skipped a beat as she recognized Lucas's voice. She spun around, speechless.
"Why didn't Audrey tell me?" she thought, frustration simmering beneath her surprise.
Lucas's single-word question broke the silence. "No?"
Bella shook her head, unsure what to expect from Lucas next. Before she could react, he gently grasped her wrist and led her toward the school hall.
Upon arrival, they found every chair occupied except one. Lucas gestured gallantly. "Ladies first."
Bella hesitated, incredulous. "No, don't worry, I'm okay."
Without a word, Lucas swept her up in a bridal carry, their eyes locking for a fleeting moment. Then, he gently set her down in the chair, his expression satisfied.
"I can stand," he said, positioning himself behind her, leaving Bella with no choice.
---
LUCAS POV
---
I stood in the empty classroom, my eyes fixed on the door. I knew Bella would be late; she seemed to have a tendency for it.
As the door swung open, Bella rushed in, her bright green eyes scanning the room. Her expression changed from determination to confusion.
"Where did they go?" she muttered to herself.
I smiled inwardly, enjoying the sight of her disheveled beauty.
Didn't she know about the principal's farewell gathering? I wondered.
I approached her, my voice low. "Didn't you know about the gathering for the principal?"
Bella spun around, her eyes widening as she recognized my voice. Her cheeks flushed, and she looked speechless.
I felt a pang of satisfaction, knowing I'd caught her off guard.
"No?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
Her silence was endearing.
I noticed her gaze darting around the room, as if searching for an escape or an explanation. Her frustration was palpable.
Without thinking, I reached out and gently grasped her wrist. "Let's get going."
Bella's eyes flashed to mine, surprise and hesitation written across her face.
As we walked to the school hall, I couldn't help but notice the way her hair fell in loose waves down her back. The way her eyes sparkled with curiosity.
We arrived at the hall, and I gestured to the lone empty chair. "Ladies first."
Bella hesitated, her eyes locked on mine.
"No I'm ok," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Without a word, I scooped her up in a bridal carry. Our eyes met, and for an instant, time froze.
I set her down in the chair, feeling a strange sense of satisfaction.
"I can stand," I said, positioning myself behind her.
Bella's nearness was intoxicating. I couldn't explain why I felt drawn to her.
But I knew one thing – I wanted to be closer.
---
BELLA'S POV
I rushed into the empty classroom, out of breath. "Where did everyone go?" I wondered aloud.
A familiar voice startled me from behind. "Didn't you know about the gathering for the principal?"
I spun around, my heart skipping a beat as I met Lucas's gaze.
"Why didn't Audrey tell me?" I thought, frustration simmering beneath my surprise.
Lucas's single-word question broke the silence. "No?"
I shook my head, unsure what to expect from him next.
Before I could react, Lucas grasped my wrist and led me toward the school hall.
"What's going on?" I asked, trying to keep up.
"The principal's farewell gathering," Lucas replied.
Upon arrival, every chair was occupied except one.
Lucas gestured gallantly. "Ladies first."
I hesitated.
"No I'm ok"
Without a word, Lucas swept me up in a bridal carry.
Our eyes locked.
Then, he gently set me down in the chair.
"I can stand," he said, positioning himself behind me.
His proximity enveloped me.
What was happening? Why was Lucas being so attentive?
The principal's words faded into the background.
I became hyper-aware of Lucas's presence.
His breathing. His scent.
It was intoxicating.
Lucas's hand brushed against mine.
Sparks flew through my body.
Accidental or intentional?
I dared not look up.
---
-
After the principal dismissed them..
Bella hastily exited the hall, eager to escape the confusing emotions Lucas had stirred up. But her reprieve was short-lived, as she soon spotted Audrey waiting outside.
"Where have you been?" Audrey asked, eyes scanning Bella's flushed face.
"I've been in the hall, too," Bella replied tiredly.
Audrey's eyes widened. "What happened today? You missed the announcement about the principal's farewell gathering."
Bella took a deep breath, recounting Lucas's unexpected gestures – the wrist-grasping, the bridal carry, and the chair.
"Oh my gosh!" Audrey exclaimed. "Lucas, of all people! What's going on?"
"But there's a problem," Audrey said, concern etched on her face.
"What problem?" Bella asked, already knowing.
"His girlfriend, Rachel," Audrey reminded her. "Be careful, Bella."
The bell rang, signaling the start of their first-period biology class. As they entered the classroom, Bella's eyes inadvertently met Lucas's.
Their teacher, Mr. Johnson, began lecturing on cell structures. He posed a question to Lucas, who answered correctly.
Then, Mr. Johnson turned to Bella. "Can you explain the difference between mitosis and meiosis?"
Bella's response differed from Lucas's, yet was equally correct.
Mr. Johnson nodded approvingly. "Excellent answers, both of you."
As the class continued, Bella couldn't shake off the feeling that Lucas's gaze lingered on her.
°°°°°°°°°°
Lucas walked through the front door, his mind still replaying the events of the day. Bella's face lingered in his thoughts, her bright green eyes sparkling with curiosity.
As he entered the living room, he was greeted by the familiar sight of his mom, Susan, sitting on the couch. But what caught his attention was Richie, his best friend since childhood, sitting beside her.
"Hey, Lucas!" Richie called out, a hint of mischief in his voice.
Susan smiled warmly. "Hey, sweetie! Richie dropped by for a visit."
Lucas raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What brings you here, Richie?"
Richie grinned. "Just thought I'd catch up with your mom. And you, of course."
Susan stood up, smoothing her dress. "I'll leave you boys to catch up. I have some errands to run."
As Susan left the room, Lucas took a seat beside Richie.
"So, what's new?" Lucas asked, trying to shake off the feeling that Richie's visit was more than just a social call.
Richie leaned back, a sly smile spreading across his face. "I heard about your little stunt in the hall today."
Lucas's eyes narrowed. "What stunt?"
Richie chuckled. "Carrying Bella to her seat? That's quite the move, Lucas."
Lucas shrugged, feigning nonchalance. "Just being a gentleman."
Richie raised an eyebrow. "Save it, Lucas. I know you. What's going on with you and Bella?"
Lucas sighed, unsure how to respond.
Just as Lucas was about to deflect Richie's question, Susan returned to the living room, a peculiar expression on her face.
"Boys, I need to discuss something with Lucas," she said, her voice tinged with seriousness.
Richie stood up, sensing the sudden tension. "I'll leave you guys alone."
Susan nodded, waiting until Richie had exited the room before speaking.
"Lucas, I received an unexpected phone call today," she began, her eyes locked on his.
Lucas's curiosity piqued, he leaned forward. "Who was it?"
Susan hesitated, collecting her thoughts. "It was Rachel's mother."
Lucas's heart sank, anticipating what might come next.
"What did she want?" he asked, trying to sound nonchalant.
Susan's expression turned solemn. "She invited us to dinner this weekend.
Lucas felt a pang of guilt, knowing his interactions with Bella had likely sparked Rachel's concerns.But that was non of his concern since she was the one forcing herself around him.
"Ok, but I'm not staying too long " he said, already sensing the weight of expectation.
Susan's eyes softened."why do you sound like that. If it's about Rachel.. don't bother since you're not into her... They won't bite"
Lucas nodded, his mind reeling with the implications.
Richie's POV:
I walked into Lucas's living room, greeted by Susan's warm smile.
"Hey, Richie! It's been a while," she said, embracing me.
I returned the hug, feeling at ease. Lucas's mom was like a second mom to me.
"Hey, Susan! Just thought I'd drop by and catch up," I replied.
Lucas raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What brings you here, Richie?"
I grinned mischievously. "Just thought I'd check in on my favorite couple – you and Rachel."
Lucas rolled his eyes. "Ha ha, very funny."
Susan stood up, smoothing her dress. "I'll leave you boys to catch up. I have some errands to run."
As she left, Lucas turned to me. "So, what's new?"
I leaned back, a sly smile spreading across my face. "I heard about your little stunt in the hall today."
Lucas's eyes narrowed. "What stunt?"
I chuckled. "Carrying Bella to her seat? That's quite the move, Lucas."
Lucas shrugged, feigning nonchalance. "Just being a gentleman."
I raised an eyebrow. "Save it, Lucas. I know you. What's going on with you and Bella?"
Lucas sighed, unsure how to respond.
Just then, Susan returned, her expression serious.
"Boys, I need to discuss something with Lucas," she said.
I stood up, sensing the sudden tension. "I'll leave you guys alone."
As I exited the room, I couldn't shake off the feeling that something was brewing.
Lucas's behavior around Bella was unusual, and I suspected there was more to the story.
I made a mental note to keep an eye on Lucas – and Bella.